Finding God's Forgiveness

What are you guilty of?

A guy was found guilty of overusing commas.

The judge warned him to expect a really long sentence.

Forgiveness

We all carry with us:

Guilt –

• Guilt at something done

• Guilt at some bad words said to someone

• Guilt at deliberately going against what God wants.

• Guilt at hurting someone close.

And many hold on to these painful things.

We wish it was different

We regret

We try to think of ways to make amends,

but it never seems good enough

We hold on to these things, because we can’t seem to dump it anywhere!

And you are here today – in person or online,

[pick up the sack]

you KNOW you are carrying around a sack of dirt;

and you don’t want anyone to see it –

and we definitely don’t want anyone opening it!

Now most here, have a belief in God

But many people’s belief in God is:

some higher power who is perfect and looks on your bin bag with disgust.

So, many reason, “God wont forgive me of . . [hold up the bag] . . . . THIS!”

Or they are still working out HOW they can balance the books . . . .

But:

I can’t start pulling bits of dirt out of my bag and trying to offload it

And

I can’t put it on some scales, and try to do lots of good things to balance –

you know why?

Because, a sin is a sin in God’s eyes.

Even if we have one sin (bit of dirt) in us, a pure God cannot have us in His presence – heaven.

You know what Jesus said, as He hung of the cross?

It’s an amazing sentence for the Son of God to say

“It is . . . FINISHED!”

FINISHED?

YES, FINISHED

On the cross Christ – God’s Son . . .

It’s done! The price has been paid already!

Leave your bin bag here – at the cross

And…. Walk away.

It’s done – finished – completed

We need reminding of that – regularly

It’s so easy to start a new bin bag!

No, No, No!

This table is the reminder we need…..

Let’s come to it now, and I’ll talk you through it.

“God loves the world sooooooo much, that He gave!

He gave us a waste disposal.

Don’t get me wrong and think of me as irreverent to God.

The CROSS is the waste disposal

The dirt was sorted at the cross.

Take a bag . . . represents your dirt

And let’s be honest, that bag should be a lot bigger, right?

But it’s a visual aid for you

bring it to the cross, and thank God for Christ’s death on the cross

Then sit down ready for communion.

That guilt you have been holding on to?

That dirt you have been carrying around?

(pick it up and bring it . .)

Let it go!!!! NOW

Bring it forward.

Before taking communion, that reminds us that we are forgiven – forever – drop the dirt, the mess, the guilt at the foot of the cross.

And . . .

Don’t you go picking it up again

Jesus Christ said on the cross

– it is finished (completed)

Now – we are ready for sharing in this meal.

BREAD & WINE