Sermon Manuscript for January 29, 2012

Unforgiven
Acts 26:12-18
Sunday Morning
 January 29, 2012

TAG: Jesus extends an invitation to everyone to come and receive absolute forgiveness from sin.

Introduction:

Two of my favorite all time actors are Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman. I have seen almost every movie either one has played in or directed. One movie that both played in together was called “Unforgiven.” The trailer that leads for the movie says, “There are just some sins that a man cannot be forgiven.” The movie is about a gunman named William Munny (Clint Eastwood) and a lawman named Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman). In the final scene William Munny is standing over Little Bill with his rifle about to kill him. Little Bill says, “I’ll see you in Hell William Munny.” Munny replies with a single word, “Yeah.” Then he pulls the trigger. The whole basis of the movie is some sins are just too grievous, too heinous to be forgiven. I want you to know that is absolutely not true! God is able and willing to forgive any and every sin you have ever committed.
Over the past month we have studied about being a servant. About being a slave to our Master, Jesus Christ. Paul was a slave who gave his all for the cause of Christ. He was a sinner who had been forgiven and he was commissioned by God to tell the world of God’s forgiveness.
Jesus extends an invitation to everyone to come and receive absolute forgiveness from sin.
(Read Text) Servants of Jesus Christ are to tell all people about the forgiveness of God. And that is exactly what Paul did all the days of his remaining life. Today let’s focus on some interesting facts about forgiveness.

Facts About Forgiveness
All People Need Forgiveness from God. This is what Isaiah said in Chapter 59:1-3:  Indeed, the LORD’s hand is not too short to save, and His ear is not too deaf to hear. But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen. For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers, with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongues mutter injustice. (Isaiah 59:1-3)

Everyone who hears this message has sins in their past for which they need forgiveness or they have already received forgiveness. Some who hear the message today or watch this message on the internet or watch a copy of the DVD, have sin in their past that is “unforgiven.” Those sins might well include murder, abortion, drug use, sex crimes, adultery, embezzlement, gluttony, porn addiction or a whole host of other grievous sins. To you I say, “Jesus extends an invitation to you to come to Him in confession and repentance.” He desires to forgive your sin. Everyone can and will be forgiven when they come to Jesus.

Jesus Makes Forgiveness Possible. Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus:  We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:7)

Sin must be dealt with and God has dealt with it by sending His beloved Son to be sin so that your sin could receive the due penalty. Confessed sin was nailed to the cross. Jesus took on sin and bore the penalty of that sin so that you could be forgiven and freed from the guilt of that sin. The only reason forgiveness is possible is because Jesus made it possible through His substitutionary death on the cross.
Confession of Sin Is Necessary. John, the disciple that Jesus loved said:  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
No person will ever be forgiven by God if they are too stubborn to admit their sin to Him. But conversely, anyone who will is eligible to receive His forgiveness. The unconfessed sin in your life is the very thing that separates you from God. It is very natural to think that because of your past sin God does not want to forgive you. You know that your sin is grievous and plentiful. But, let me assure you, God knows your sin and He longs to forgive you. Jesus died to make your forgiveness possible. There is no sin that cannot be wiped away by the death of God’s One and Only Son.
Repentance of Sin Is Necessary.  “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
In your mind you must resolve to change your attitude toward sin. You must say to yourself I will choose to sin no more. When you do, by God’s Spirit, He will change your heart. You decide to repent then God gifts you with His Spirit who empowers you to change. Repentance first begins in the mind and the heart is able to follow because of the power of God who regenerates your heart. David once cried out, “Create in me a clean heart oh God.” He repented and God changes his heart and removed his guilt. We repent, God changes the heart.
God Removes Sin and Remembers It No More. After you confess your sin and after you have chosen to repent, God does an extraordinary thing. By His omnipotent power, He removes your sin from His record book and separates you from it as far as is possible.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)  “It is I who sweep away your transgressions for My own sake and remember your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25)

In the realm of God’s Kingdom your past confessed, repented of sin no longer exists. God will never bring it before you again. At the Judgment Seat of Christ when Satan accuses you of sin Romans 8:1 will be quoted:

 Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

The world will remember your sin, but God will not. If members of God’s church hold your sin to your account they have sinned and have need to repent. Confess your sin, repent and let God change your heart and you will be redeemed.

A Present Day Example of Forgiveness

Upon leaving the office of Governor of the State of Mississippi, Haley Barbour pardoned five heinous criminals. Admittedly, I thought this was wrong, but after hearing his response I now see with a little more clarity. He explained that these men had repented, been forgiven were redeemed and had been changed!
As Governor he pardoned these men on the Christian principle of forgiveness. These men were “unforgiven,” but the Governor extended forgiveness to them and now they are legally forgiven! That is what happens to our sin when we repent. God forgives and redeems, then we are changes and follow Him.
Conclusion:
Will you accept God’s offering of forgiveness? Jesus said to Peter, James, John, Andrew and Matthew, “Follow Me.” Scripture says they immediately dropped everything and followed Him. Jesus said to the rich young ruler, “Follow Me.” He turned and went away sad. We see that Jesus calls two other men who gave Him excuses as to why “now was not a good time.” We never see where they came to Him later. Today is the day; will you come and follow Jesus? How you live your life today is almost
assuredly how you will live tomorrow unless today your turn lose of your sin and come to Jesus. I say to you, “Drop what you are doing immediately and come and follow the Master.”