Finding Forgiveness Through Christ: A New Creation
Summary
In my sermon, I discussed the concept of sin and the struggle of trying to cleanse ourselves of past mistakes. I emphasized that no matter how hard we try to clean up our past sins on our own, it's a futile effort. The only way to truly find forgiveness is through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. I also highlighted the importance of understanding that we are not who we used to be. As believers, we are new creations and our past sins are paid for and forgotten. However, for those who do not have a relationship with Jesus, the gift of salvation is open and free, but they must confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead.
Key Takeaways:
- Trying to cleanse ourselves of past sins on our own is futile. Only through Jesus Christ can we find true forgiveness. [ 16:28]
- As believers, we are new creations and our past sins are paid for and forgotten. [ 27:11]
- The gift of salvation is open and free, but one must confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead. [ 28:00]
- We all have past mistakes, but we need to get past them to live the life that God wants for us. [ 07:09]
- Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins and sat down at the right hand of God, signifying the completion of his work. [ 18:32]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 10:11-18 [07:09]
2. Hebrews 10:12-14 [17:05]
Observation Questions:
1. What does Hebrews 10:11-18 say about the role of priests and their sacrifices?
2. How does the passage describe the sacrifice of Jesus in contrast to the sacrifices made by the priests?
3. What does Hebrews 10:12-14 mean when it says Jesus "sat down at the right hand of God"?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What is the significance of Jesus sitting down at the right hand of God after offering one sacrifice for sins?
2. How does the concept of Jesus' sacrifice being "once and for all" impact our understanding of forgiveness and redemption?
3. What does it mean that Jesus has "perfected forever those who are sanctified"?
Application Questions:
1. How does understanding Jesus' sacrifice as a "once and for all" event change how you view your past mistakes and sins?
2. In what ways have you been trying to "clean up" your own sins, and how can you shift towards relying on Jesus' sacrifice instead?
3. Can you identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to accept the forgiveness offered through Jesus' sacrifice? How can you begin to accept this forgiveness?
4. How can the truth of Jesus' finished work on the cross influence your daily actions and decisions?
5. What is one practical step you can take this week to live in the freedom of Jesus' forgiveness rather than being haunted by your past?
Devotional
Day 1: The Futility of Self-Cleansing
We often try to cleanse ourselves of our past sins, repeating the same futile actions over and over again. This is akin to cleaning a house that is constantly being dirtied; no matter how much we clean, the mess returns. Our attempts to cleanse our past sins on our own are similarly futile. It is only through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross that we find forgiveness. [16:28]
Hebrews 10:11 - "Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins."
Reflection: Reflect on the ways you have tried to cleanse your past sins on your own. How can you surrender these efforts and trust in the finished work of Jesus?
Day 2: The God Who Forgets
God is a God who forgets our sins. When we confess our sins and accept Jesus as our Savior, our past is forgotten and we are made new. We are no longer condemned but forgiven, and this is a truth we need to remind ourselves of daily. [27:11]
Jeremiah 31:34 - "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Reflection: How does the knowledge that God forgets your sins affect your daily life? How can you remind yourself of this truth?
Day 3: The Inadequacy of Human Effort
Our human efforts to atone for our sins are inadequate. No matter how much we work, we cannot clear our past sins on our own. This is a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for our sins. [13:37]
Hebrews 10:4 - "For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."
Reflection: How have you tried to atone for your sins through your own efforts? How can you shift your focus to the sacrifice of Jesus?
Day 4: The Gift of Salvation
Salvation is a gift that is open and free to all. However, to receive this gift, we must confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead. Without this confession and belief, we remain under condemnation. [28:00]
Romans 10:9 - "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Reflection: Have you confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in your heart that God raised Him from the dead? If not, what is holding you back?
Day 5: The Power of Forgiveness
The power of forgiveness is transformative. When we are forgiven, we are not just absolved of our past sins, but we are also made new. We are no longer who we used to be, but a new creation in Christ. This is a powerful truth that we need to embrace and live out daily. [26:30]
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Reflection: How has the power of forgiveness transformed your life? How can you live out this truth daily?
Quotes
1. "The Bible says that we have been made brand new, we are a new creation. The old is gone, the new is come. And if you're a Believer here today, you need to remind yourself that it's paid for and forgotten. You're not who you were, you're forgiven." - 26:30
2. "God is the god who forgets. When you get saved, when you are redeemed, when you enter into this relationship with Jesus, not only does God forgive you of your sin, it says that I will remember their sin and their Lawless acts no more." - 23:01
3. "Working alone, you can't clear your house from your past. Working by yourself, you cannot clear your house from the past. And I'm not talking about your house that you came from this morning, I'm talking about this house." - 13:17
4. "We are a house and sometimes we are haunted by things. There may be a lot of different things that haunt you. Something that we're going to talk about today is the fact that maybe for some of us, our past is the thing that haunts us." - 01:25
5. "A lot of us have things in our past like that or maybe even worse are things that maybe we've done, maybe something that you've done to someone, a past sin. You may have a story or a testimony, just a story of your life that would show that there are things in your life that you look back and you say I regret that and I wish I would have never done that." - 03:25
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