Creed #7 – I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins

This is Palm Sunday, the beginning of what is known as Holy Week. In this week’s teaching time, Pastor Bill continued his message series on the topic of the Apostles’ Creed, specifically on the statement “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.”

CREED: I BELIEVE IN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS

Message by Bill Johnston – March 25, 2018

“I believe in … the forgiveness of sins …”

1. WHAT IS SIN?

a) Sin is missing the mark

Micah 6:8 O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

b) Sin is an internal force or power

Romans 7:18-20 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

2. WHO NEEDS FORGIVENESS?

Everyone!

Romans 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Romans 5:12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

3. WILL GOD FORGIVE MY SINS?

Completely!

Forgiveness means to release

Romans 5:6,8-10 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners… But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.

Luke 7:47-48 “… her sins, which are many, have been forgiven …” Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.”

4. MUST I FORGIVE OTHERS?

Absolutely!

Matthew 6:12,14-15 … and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us… If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen.