Sermon Central
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Seven Reasons Forgiveness Is Eternal Series
Contributed by David Scudder on Jun 2, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: People need hope in order to live. Life is drudgery without hope. Any problem can be endured if there is hope that it will get better.
Seven Reasons Forgiveness is Eternal
Purpose: To demonstrate that salvation is permanent.
Aim: I want the listener to gain a solid conviction that their salvation is secure.
INTRODUCTION: ➤ People need hope in order to live. Life is drudgery without hope. Any problem can be endured if there is hope that it will get better.
The world understands this idea. The problem is that most people are content with anything that gives hope, regardless of whether that hope is real or not. For example, it seems that everybody believes that a suffering person is better off when they die. How many times have you heard someone at a funeral say, “He (or she) was in so much pain that I’m glad they aren’t suffering anymore.” Is that true? Is someone not suffering just because we can’t see them suffer? The answer to that is based on what hope they had. Those without Christ have NO hope. Ephesians 2:12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ. . . having no hope and without God in the world. (NAU) Paul also talks about 1 Thessalonians 4:13 the rest who have no hope. (NAU)
➤Hope is essential and primary for our everyday Christian life, as well as for our next life. Earth is hell when we expect it be heaven. Hope, like faith and love, describes the very essence of Christianity. We should be able to explain what our hope is to those around us: 1 Peter 3:15 . . . always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; (NAU)
But, before we can explain our hope to others we need to understand it ourselves. My prayer for this message echoes Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (NAU)
Hope is something that we should grab onto and NEVER let go. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; (NAU) Or, as it says in verse 18, “take hold of the hope set before us.”
Today I want to give you seven reasons we can know that forgiveness is eternal.
REVIEW:
5:10-6:8 I. A Warning to Those Who Claim to Know Christ
5:10-14 A. Beware of acting like an unbeliever [Claims without change]
6:1-3 B. Beware of religion without Christ [Shadows over substance]
Vs.4-5 C. Beware of missing the message about Christ [Words over reality]
Vs.6 D. Beware of belittling the Cross [i.e. the Cross isn’t enough]
Vs.7-8 E. Beware of fruitless religion [Religion that doesn’t’ change the heart is worthless]
Vs.9-20 II. Assurance to Those Who Do Know Christ
Vs.9 A. Christ’s work saves us “things that accompany salvation”
Vs.10-12 B. Our effort assures us “your work and the love”
Vs.11-12 C. The path to assurance
Vs.11 1. Focus on those who focus on God “through faith”
Vs.12 2. Follow those who follow God “and patience”
Vs.13-15 D. Abraham’s proof of assurance
Vs.13a,14 1. God’s promise of life and blessing “God made the promise”
Vs.13b,16 2. God’s oath of blood “He swore by Himself”
Vs.15 3. God’s provision if life and blessing “he obtained the promise”
LESSON:
➤Vs.16-20 E. God’s proof of assurance
➤Vs.17, 18c 1. God wants us to feel secure “would have strong encouragement”
God loves to bless His own. Deuteronomy 7:12-14 12 “Then it shall come about, because you listen to these judgments and keep and do them, that the Lord your God will keep with you His covenant and His lovingkindness which He swore to your forefathers. 13 “He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock, in the land which He swore to your forefathers to give you. 14 “You shall be blessed above all peoples; there will be no male or female barren among you or among your cattle. (NAU)
➤Vs.17a 2. God’s Word promises eternal life “the promise”
What is true? God’s word! Jesus prayed to His Father and said, John 17:17 Your word is truth. (NAU)
What God determines to do will always happen. Isaiah 14:24 The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand, (NAU)
God has promised that sin can be wiped away completely. Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins. (NAU)
