(Given texts: Ezek 18: 25-32; Luk 15: 11- 32)
Prelude:
Psalm 32:1-2:“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord doesn't count against him and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”
Prayer: Your psalmist says, bless the LORD, O my soul, bless his holy name, and do not forget all his benefits — for he is the one who forgive all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, and who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
Therefore, we praise and give thanks to you o Lord for your faithfulness, your unceasing love and mercy that you have shown upon us. You are full of love, and also have mercy and faithfulness even upon the people who often against you. You have been faithful o Lord even at the time when we are in the midst of helplessness, weak, deprived and vulnerable. You alone is the one who is always ready and could make available to forgive.
As we meditate upon your words let your name be praised among us, let all our meditations and all the words which we are delivering at this moment be acceptable in thy side….AMEN.
God’s forgiveness is one of the greatest and wonderful qualities or acts of God that explained the true nature of God.
It is also inexplicable nature of God that can bring a person closure to God and can totally transform a sinful man, that also unite people with God, that bridge the gap between God and human, the heaven and the earth, between rivals or enemies, etc.
It is also one of the greatest verdicts that revels the unconditional love of God towards human that can set a person/a prisoner free from all his/her bondage or suffering in order that a forgiven sinful man who once had been in a slavery of darkness can freely praise the name of God.
Since, I am also one of those people who once have directly experienced the forgiveness of God, I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity....
To begin with the chosen them, I want to bring out some important questions that may help us to go little deeper as we ponder the chosen theme and the texts.
- How precious is God’s forgiveness?
- Who is to receive God’s forgiveness?
- What kind of results does forgiveness has produced?
1. Even though this human tongue can never explain the inexplicable value of God’s forgiveness, let me try to explain how precious God’s forgiveness is.
First, In order to explain the worth value of something, it is sometime helpful to look/measure the opposite condition or the other side of the things we are trying to explain. Therefore, in order to explain the value of God’s forgiveness, I believed that, human dilemma and the guilty feelings which has resulted many form of sufferings with a reactions and how this condition and reactions make a serious problem on individual level can best disclose or explain the value of God’s forgiveness.
This understanding and observation is acceptable in some way or the other - because, if we did something wrong, or commit sin before God, the immediate reactions or the consequences appear on human could be – very painful and deep sorrow, guiltiness, distress, lack of confidence, fear, sadness, etc which all of them as a result can ruin our entire life, and at the same time can put a person, a sinner far from God. It may also force some people to commit suicide, at the end.
But in reverse (looking from the other side), if a person is forgiven for his/her sin, what comes next – there is something new, a drastic change has occurred on human life. That means there is no more feeling of guilt, sorrow, and moreover the feeling of being condemned oneself has to be removed from within.
Completeness, newness, freedom from sin, total healing and many more positive results are some immediate consequences that has to come, and that I person would receive.
Therefore God’s forgiveness is indeed, like a priceless gift that has a power to set a person free from the state of life threatening situation or condition. It is the act of acceptance and approval without the mark of scar of our sin; it is the act of unconditional love of God that transforms a person from nothing to have worth value. It is also liberating, and healing act of God to make strong and give power to a powerless, weak and helpless person.
Yes, this human tongue could never explain the value of God’s forgiveness. Indeed, there can be no appropriate single words or sentence to explain this amazing fact.
2. Who is to receive God’s forgiveness?
If we carefully look the scripture, one thing we could found is - there are two aspect of forgiveness;
1. Forgiveness for salvation (Acts 10:43)
2. Forgiveness that has a result of renewal fellowship with God (I John 1:9)
These two aspects of forgiveness are also found from the chosen text. And besides, we also found some possibilities to receive God’s forgiveness. So the important question we need to ask and give the appropriate answer as well from this text is – who is to receive God’s forgiveness? If forgiveness is available for all, why many people fail to experience the test of God’s forgiveness even if a penitent express his/her sincere penitence about? What is/are the best technique or process to receive God’s forgiveness?
Yes, the answer is given in these texts: (let me point out some important points without repeating a detail story of this prodigal son)
1. Feeling of guilty: we need to know/ realize the sin we committed.
2. Acceptance: One must accept his/her sin, the wrong doing he/she committed.
3. Winning oneself: Sometimes self-centeredness is (becoming) one of the obstacles that often block a person not to choose a right decision.
4. Humbleness: One must humble him/her-self to take rightful action
5. Repentance:
6. Full submission:
Usually, these six steps (to receive forgiveness) are found from a penitent, as virtually mentioned in the parable of the prodigal son.
Besides, the results of forgiveness, God’s immediate reactions as a result of repentance are also mentioned in various ways. But, since this is not what I want to emphasize at this moment, so let me add only one more point as we come to our concluding part.
Yes, only one more point I would like to add is – As we all are engage in the ministry of God, we all know that many people, many Christians use to struggle with guilt and condemnation because of something they did. So when they did something wrong and put their feet on the wrong path, and at the same time, if their moral law could not simply digest or accept it, they are trying to find the way out of it, and they are trying to pay God back the price for what they did wrong.
So it is our responsible to teach them the way out, the remedy in order that they (people) may also enjoy the test of this marvelous forgiveness of God.
Therefore friend- let me try to bring out my point with the help of one illustration – The story about a little boy who visits Washington monument:
The story goes like this -
One little boy came to the Washington Monument and when he came he noticed a guard standing by it. Then the little boy looked up at the guard and said, "I want to buy it." Then the guard stooped (he bends his head/body) down and says, "How much do you have?" Then the boy reached into his pocket and pulled out a 4$. The guard said, "That's not enough." The boy replied, "I thought you would say that." So he pulled out 30$ more.
The guard looked down at the boy and said, "You need to understand three things.
- First, 34$ is not enough. In fact, $34 million is not enough to buy the Washington Monument.
- Second, the Washington Monument is not for sale.
- And third, if you are an American citizen, the Washington Monument already belongs to you."
(This story is very simple and plain, but there are some moral or spiritual teachings behind it)
Therefore, friends, like this story - We need to understand three things about God’s forgiveness.
First, we cannot earn it.
Second, it is not for sale.
And third, if we accept Christ, we already have it. This is because; Jesus already made it right on behalf of a sinner.
Therefore the only thing we can do, beside what have been mentioned is – to accept the promise and what God have done for us.
The only reason why many people cannot feel the forgiveness of God is only because they (themselves) cannot forgive themselves. Therefore in order to feel the test of God’s forgiveness – we need to forgive ourselves, we need to put our trust in God promised.
- 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
- Eph1:7 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
- Neh 9:17 God is our God who is ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and who never forsake his people.
Friends, let us remind ourselves and others with this comforting words – Forgiveness belongs to God. Whoever comes to God will be forgiven.
Therefore, as we come to our last part, the only point I want to add more is – As found in the scripture, the Lord's touching story about this prodigal son also reveals that God's love and mercy are far greater than the love and mercy commonly displayed by man. Here, God also actively display His abounding love to all sinners with a desire to restore them to Himself.
And moreover, through this parable, God shows that He is vitally concerned with the repentance of sinners and has a yearning love for all the lost.
Although He never condones or minimizes sin, He is eager and able to restore those who have offended Him. The forgiveness of God is always complete and results in total restoration.
Therefore, let the name of our Lord God be glorified among us for his wonderful nature and for his manner that has shown towards a penitent.
Prelude:
Psalm 32:1-2:“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord doesn't count against him and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”
Prayer: Your psalmist says, bless the LORD, O my soul, bless his holy name, and do not forget all his benefits — for he is the one who forgive all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, and who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
Therefore, we praise and give thanks to you o Lord for your faithfulness, your unceasing love and mercy that you have shown upon us. You are full of love, and also have mercy and faithfulness even upon the people who often against you. You have been faithful o Lord even at the time when we are in the midst of helplessness, weak, deprived and vulnerable. You alone is the one who is always ready and could make available to forgive.
As we meditate upon your words let your name be praised among us, let all our meditations and all the words which we are delivering at this moment be acceptable in thy side….AMEN.
Theme : God’s Forgiveness to the Penitent
Even though this is a given theme for this moment, I want to put my emphasis on the phrase ‘God’s forgiveness’. God’s forgiveness is one of the greatest and wonderful qualities or acts of God that explained the true nature of God.
It is also inexplicable nature of God that can bring a person closure to God and can totally transform a sinful man, that also unite people with God, that bridge the gap between God and human, the heaven and the earth, between rivals or enemies, etc.
It is also one of the greatest verdicts that revels the unconditional love of God towards human that can set a person/a prisoner free from all his/her bondage or suffering in order that a forgiven sinful man who once had been in a slavery of darkness can freely praise the name of God.
Since, I am also one of those people who once have directly experienced the forgiveness of God, I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity....
To begin with the chosen them, I want to bring out some important questions that may help us to go little deeper as we ponder the chosen theme and the texts.
- How precious is God’s forgiveness?
- Who is to receive God’s forgiveness?
- What kind of results does forgiveness has produced?
1. Even though this human tongue can never explain the inexplicable value of God’s forgiveness, let me try to explain how precious God’s forgiveness is.
First, In order to explain the worth value of something, it is sometime helpful to look/measure the opposite condition or the other side of the things we are trying to explain. Therefore, in order to explain the value of God’s forgiveness, I believed that, human dilemma and the guilty feelings which has resulted many form of sufferings with a reactions and how this condition and reactions make a serious problem on individual level can best disclose or explain the value of God’s forgiveness.
This understanding and observation is acceptable in some way or the other - because, if we did something wrong, or commit sin before God, the immediate reactions or the consequences appear on human could be – very painful and deep sorrow, guiltiness, distress, lack of confidence, fear, sadness, etc which all of them as a result can ruin our entire life, and at the same time can put a person, a sinner far from God. It may also force some people to commit suicide, at the end.
But in reverse (looking from the other side), if a person is forgiven for his/her sin, what comes next – there is something new, a drastic change has occurred on human life. That means there is no more feeling of guilt, sorrow, and moreover the feeling of being condemned oneself has to be removed from within.
Completeness, newness, freedom from sin, total healing and many more positive results are some immediate consequences that has to come, and that I person would receive.
Therefore God’s forgiveness is indeed, like a priceless gift that has a power to set a person free from the state of life threatening situation or condition. It is the act of acceptance and approval without the mark of scar of our sin; it is the act of unconditional love of God that transforms a person from nothing to have worth value. It is also liberating, and healing act of God to make strong and give power to a powerless, weak and helpless person.
Yes, this human tongue could never explain the value of God’s forgiveness. Indeed, there can be no appropriate single words or sentence to explain this amazing fact.
2. Who is to receive God’s forgiveness?
If we carefully look the scripture, one thing we could found is - there are two aspect of forgiveness;
1. Forgiveness for salvation (Acts 10:43)
2. Forgiveness that has a result of renewal fellowship with God (I John 1:9)
These two aspects of forgiveness are also found from the chosen text. And besides, we also found some possibilities to receive God’s forgiveness. So the important question we need to ask and give the appropriate answer as well from this text is – who is to receive God’s forgiveness? If forgiveness is available for all, why many people fail to experience the test of God’s forgiveness even if a penitent express his/her sincere penitence about? What is/are the best technique or process to receive God’s forgiveness?
Yes, the answer is given in these texts: (let me point out some important points without repeating a detail story of this prodigal son)
1. Feeling of guilty: we need to know/ realize the sin we committed.
2. Acceptance: One must accept his/her sin, the wrong doing he/she committed.
3. Winning oneself: Sometimes self-centeredness is (becoming) one of the obstacles that often block a person not to choose a right decision.
4. Humbleness: One must humble him/her-self to take rightful action
5. Repentance:
6. Full submission:
Usually, these six steps (to receive forgiveness) are found from a penitent, as virtually mentioned in the parable of the prodigal son.
Besides, the results of forgiveness, God’s immediate reactions as a result of repentance are also mentioned in various ways. But, since this is not what I want to emphasize at this moment, so let me add only one more point as we come to our concluding part.
Yes, only one more point I would like to add is – As we all are engage in the ministry of God, we all know that many people, many Christians use to struggle with guilt and condemnation because of something they did. So when they did something wrong and put their feet on the wrong path, and at the same time, if their moral law could not simply digest or accept it, they are trying to find the way out of it, and they are trying to pay God back the price for what they did wrong.
So it is our responsible to teach them the way out, the remedy in order that they (people) may also enjoy the test of this marvelous forgiveness of God.
Therefore friend- let me try to bring out my point with the help of one illustration – The story about a little boy who visits Washington monument:
The story goes like this -
One little boy came to the Washington Monument and when he came he noticed a guard standing by it. Then the little boy looked up at the guard and said, "I want to buy it." Then the guard stooped (he bends his head/body) down and says, "How much do you have?" Then the boy reached into his pocket and pulled out a 4$. The guard said, "That's not enough." The boy replied, "I thought you would say that." So he pulled out 30$ more.
The guard looked down at the boy and said, "You need to understand three things.
- First, 34$ is not enough. In fact, $34 million is not enough to buy the Washington Monument.
- Second, the Washington Monument is not for sale.
- And third, if you are an American citizen, the Washington Monument already belongs to you."
(This story is very simple and plain, but there are some moral or spiritual teachings behind it)
Therefore, friends, like this story - We need to understand three things about God’s forgiveness.
First, we cannot earn it.
Second, it is not for sale.
And third, if we accept Christ, we already have it. This is because; Jesus already made it right on behalf of a sinner.
Therefore the only thing we can do, beside what have been mentioned is – to accept the promise and what God have done for us.
The only reason why many people cannot feel the forgiveness of God is only because they (themselves) cannot forgive themselves. Therefore in order to feel the test of God’s forgiveness – we need to forgive ourselves, we need to put our trust in God promised.
- 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
- Eph1:7 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
- Neh 9:17 God is our God who is ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and who never forsake his people.
Friends, let us remind ourselves and others with this comforting words – Forgiveness belongs to God. Whoever comes to God will be forgiven.
Therefore, as we come to our last part, the only point I want to add more is – As found in the scripture, the Lord's touching story about this prodigal son also reveals that God's love and mercy are far greater than the love and mercy commonly displayed by man. Here, God also actively display His abounding love to all sinners with a desire to restore them to Himself.
And moreover, through this parable, God shows that He is vitally concerned with the repentance of sinners and has a yearning love for all the lost.
Although He never condones or minimizes sin, He is eager and able to restore those who have offended Him. The forgiveness of God is always complete and results in total restoration.
Therefore, let the name of our Lord God be glorified among us for his wonderful nature and for his manner that has shown towards a penitent.
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