12-07-08 Service – The Best Christmas Present Ever Forgiveness
Published on Dec 8th, 2008 |
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins”
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There was a comment Pastor Greg made during his sermon that was so important that I think it bears repeating. He said, and I’m paraphrasing, ‘You cannot receive this kind of forgiveness and not be changed’. He was referring to the forgiveness of sins that is promised to all of us in Christ.
This spring, I traveled to Washington DC with my 15 year old son where we visited the Holocaust Museum. In the lobby, there is a large wall of black granite with four tiny words etched in its surface. “You are my witnesses…” (Isaiah 43:10). That image has stuck in my mind all year. And it made me think… I am a witness to what God has done. You are a witness to what God had done. On Sunday, I thought, ‘I have received great forgiveness. Am I changed because of it? Yes! But am I very clear in word and in action that I will never be the same because of that forgiveness? Am I living my life in such a way as to verbally and non-verbally testify to the forgiveness I have received? People all around us are suffering in sin. They may smile on the outside, but inside they have no peace. Many times, they want a way out and have no idea that they really can be free of it. They need to know that God’s promise of forgiveness is the real deal.
So I’ll offer this as a challenge to you and to me… be a witness to the promise of forgiveness every day of our lives.
Outstanding Sermon! I finally got to listen to the sermon while I was on the road Wednesday. It really struck me when you said what if Jesus had to die on the cross every time we ask for forgiveness from God. He died a horrible death and rose again for all of our sins and to provide forgiveness.
Why do we find it so hard to forgive other people especially ourselves?