HOW DO YOU HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO RESPOND TO

GOD’S GOD’S FORGIVENESS?FORGIVENESS?

Ephesians 1:7Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sinsthe forgiveness of sins, in accordance with , in accordance with the riches of God’s grace . . .the riches of God’s grace . . .

Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “Repent and be Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your for the forgiveness of your sinssins. And you will receive the gift of the . And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “Repent and be Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your for the forgiveness of your sinssins. And you will receive the gift of the . And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit.

Acts 22:16 - And now what are you waiting for? Acts 22:16 - And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and Get up, be baptized and wash your sins wash your sins awayaway, calling on his name., calling on his name.

John 8:1-6John 8:1-6But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn

he appeared again in the temple courts, he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. him.

John 8:6-8John 8:6-8

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. the ground.

John 8:9-11John 8:9-11

At this, those who heard began to go away one At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” sin.”

I. The Most Important Question to be I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”Say About Sin?”

In the Law Moses commanded us to stone In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. such women. Now what do you sayNow what do you say?” – v5?” – v5

A. This woman was obviously A. This woman was obviously guiltyguilty..Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of

adultery. – v4adultery. – v4

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

A. This woman was obviously A. This woman was obviously guiltyguilty..

1. According to the Law she was 1. According to the Law she was to be executed.to be executed.

Deuteronomy 22:22 - If a man is found sleeping Deuteronomy 22:22 - If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, with another man’s wife, both the man who both the man who slept with her and the womanslept with her and the woman must die. You must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.must purge the evil from Israel.

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

A. This woman was obviously A. This woman was obviously guiltyguilty..

1. According to the Law she was 1. According to the Law she was to be executed.to be executed.

Deuteronomy 22:22 - If a man is found sleeping Deuteronomy 22:22 - If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.must purge the evil from Israel.

2. But – where was the man?2. But – where was the man?

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

B. What was this test?B. What was this test?They were using this question as a trap, in They were using this question as a trap, in

order to have a basis for accusing him. – v6order to have a basis for accusing him. – v6

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

1. What oral traditions did Jesus 1. What oral traditions did Jesus defy?defy?

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

1. What oral traditions did Jesus 1. What oral traditions did Jesus defy?defy?

John 5:8-9 - Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! John 5:8-9 - Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man At once the man was curedwas cured; he picked up his mat and walked. ; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a The day on which this took place was a SabbathSabbath . . . . . .

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

1. What oral traditions did Jesus 1. What oral traditions did Jesus defy?defy?

John 5:8-9 - Then Jesus said to him, “John 5:8-9 - Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Get up! Pick up your mat and walkPick up your mat and walk.” At once the man .” At once the man was cured; was cured; he picked up his mat and walkedhe picked up his mat and walked. . The day on which this took place was a The day on which this took place was a SabbathSabbath . . . . . .

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

1. What oral traditions did Jesus 1. What oral traditions did Jesus defy?defy?

Matthew 12:1-2 - Matthew 12:1-2 - At that time Jesus went through At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of were hungry and began to pick some heads of graingrain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbathon the Sabbath.”.”

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

2. What written Law was He 2. What written Law was He accused of breaking?accused of breaking?

John 5:18 - John 5:18 - For this reason the Jews tried all the For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own he was even calling God his own FatherFather, making himself equal with God., making himself equal with God.

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

2. What written Law was He 2. What written Law was He accused of breaking?accused of breaking?

John 5:18 - John 5:18 - For this reason the Jews tried all the For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own he was even calling God his own FatherFather, making himself equal with God., making himself equal with God.

Leviticus 24:16 - Anyone who blasphemes the Leviticus 24:16 - Anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death.name of the LORD must be put to death.

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

2. What written Law was He 2. What written Law was He accused of breaking?accused of breaking?

John 5:18 - John 5:18 - For this reason the Jews tried all the For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own he was even calling God his own FatherFather, making himself equal with God., making himself equal with God.

Leviticus 24:16 - Anyone who blasphemes the Leviticus 24:16 - Anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death.name of the LORD must be put to death.

Philippians 2:6 - Who, being in very nature God, Philippians 2:6 - Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something did not consider equality with God something to be grasped . . .to be grasped . . .

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

C. God sees sin differently than we C. God sees sin differently than we do.do.

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

C. God sees sin differently than we C. God sees sin differently than we do.do.

1. We view sin as unimportant.1. We view sin as unimportant.

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

C. God sees sin differently than we C. God sees sin differently than we do.do.

1. We view sin as unimportant.1. We view sin as unimportant.

2. God views sin as rebellion!2. God views sin as rebellion!

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

C. God sees sin differently than we C. God sees sin differently than we do.do.

1. We view sin as unimportant.1. We view sin as unimportant.

2. God views sin as rebellion!2. God views sin as rebellion!James 2:10 - For whoever keeps the whole law James 2:10 - For whoever keeps the whole law

and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.of breaking all of it.

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

C. God sees sin differently than we C. God sees sin differently than we do.do.

1. We view sin as unimportant.1. We view sin as unimportant.

2. God views sin as rebellion!2. God views sin as rebellion!Romans 3:23 - . . . for all have sinned and fall Romans 3:23 - . . . for all have sinned and fall

short of the glory of God . . .short of the glory of God . . .

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

C. God sees sin differently than we C. God sees sin differently than we do.do.

1. We view sin as unimportant.1. We view sin as unimportant.

2. God views sin as rebellion!2. God views sin as rebellion!Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death . . .Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death . . .

I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?”“What Do You Say About Sin?”

I. The Most Important Question to be I. The Most Important Question to be Asked by God – “What Do You Asked by God – “What Do You Say About Sin?” Say About Sin?” – v5– v5

II. The Most Important Answer to be II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – “The One Given by God – “The One Without Sin Must be the Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”Executioner!”

If any one of you is without sin, let him be the If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. – v7first to throw a stone at her. – v7

Jesus bent down and started to write on the Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. – v6ground with his finger. – v6

A. What do you think the Lord wrote A. What do you think the Lord wrote in the dirt?in the dirt?

II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – “The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”“The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”

Jesus bent down and started to write on the Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. – v6ground with his finger. – v6

A. What do you think the Lord wrote A. What do you think the Lord wrote in the dirt?in the dirt?

Deuteronomy 22:22 - Deuteronomy 22:22 - If a manIf a man is found sleeping is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both with another man’s wife, both the manthe man who who slept with her and the woman must die. slept with her and the woman must die.

II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – “The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”“The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”

Jesus bent down and Jesus bent down and started to writestarted to write on the on the ground with his finger. – v6ground with his finger. – v6

A. What do you think the Lord wrote A. What do you think the Lord wrote in the dirt?in the dirt?

2. 2. WriteWrite ( (καταγράφωκαταγράφω) = to ) = to write a write a record against.record against.

Job 13:26 - For you Job 13:26 - For you write down bitter things write down bitter things against meagainst me and make me inherit the sins of and make me inherit the sins of my youth.my youth.

II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – “The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”“The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”

A. What do you think the Lord wrote A. What do you think the Lord wrote in the dirt?in the dirt?

3. Maybe He wrote out each 3. Maybe He wrote out each man’s man’s sinsin..

II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – “The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”“The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”

A. What do you think the Lord wrote A. What do you think the Lord wrote in the dirt?in the dirt?

4. Maybe He wrote the 4. Maybe He wrote the namename of of the woman each of them had an the woman each of them had an affair with!affair with!

II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – “The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”“The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”

B. God wants you to focus on B. God wants you to focus on correcting your own life – not correcting your own life – not pointing out the sins of others!pointing out the sins of others!

II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – “The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”“The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”

B. God wants you to focus on B. God wants you to focus on correcting your own life – not correcting your own life – not pointing out the sins of others!pointing out the sins of others!

Matthew 7:1-2 - Do not judge, or you too will be Matthew 7:1-2 - Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to measure you use, it will be measured to you.you.

II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – “The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”“The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”

B. God wants you to focus on B. God wants you to focus on correcting your own life – not correcting your own life – not pointing out the sins of others!pointing out the sins of others!

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful ServantServant

Matthew 18:23-35Matthew 18:23-35

II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – II. The Most Important Answer to be Given by God – “The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”“The One Without Sin Must be the Executioner!”

III. The Most Important Response to III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No be Made by You – “Sin No More!” More!”

““Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and declared. “Go now and leave your life of leave your life of sinsin.” – v11.” – v11

A. What did the Lord A. What did the Lord notnot say? say?

III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No More!”“Sin No More!”

A. What did the Lord A. What did the Lord notnot say? say?

1. He said, “Leave your life of 1. He said, “Leave your life of sin. sin. Do not continue Do not continue sinning!”sinning!”

III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No More!”“Sin No More!”

A. What did the Lord A. What did the Lord notnot say? say?

2. These men treated this woman 2. These men treated this woman as a thing!as a thing!

3. Jesus treated her as a person!3. Jesus treated her as a person!

III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No More!”“Sin No More!”

B. God wants you to get away from B. God wants you to get away from your sin oriented life.your sin oriented life.

III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No More!”“Sin No More!”

B. God wants you to get away from B. God wants you to get away from your sin oriented life.your sin oriented life.

Bible Sin Truths!Bible Sin Truths!

III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No More!”“Sin No More!”

B. God wants you to get away from B. God wants you to get away from your sin oriented life.your sin oriented life.

Bible Sin Truths!Bible Sin Truths!

1. Once you’ve committed sin 1. Once you’ve committed sin you can’t live good enough to you can’t live good enough to become a “non-sinner”.become a “non-sinner”.

III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No More!”“Sin No More!”

B. God wants you to get away from B. God wants you to get away from your sin oriented life.your sin oriented life.

Bible Sin Truths!Bible Sin Truths!

2. Good deeds don’t erase bad 2. Good deeds don’t erase bad deeds!deeds!

III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No More!”“Sin No More!”

B. God wants you to get away from B. God wants you to get away from your sin oriented life.your sin oriented life.

Bible Sin Truths!Bible Sin Truths!

3. Your only option is to trust 3. Your only option is to trust your your life to Jesus.life to Jesus.

III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No More!”“Sin No More!”

B. God wants you to get away from B. God wants you to get away from your sin oriented life.your sin oriented life.

Bible Sin Truths!Bible Sin Truths!

4. Because of the cross, Jesus 4. Because of the cross, Jesus can make you a righteous can make you a righteous person!person!

III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No More!”“Sin No More!”

B. God wants you to get away from B. God wants you to get away from your sin oriented life.your sin oriented life.

Bible Sin Truths!Bible Sin Truths!Romans 5:19 - For just as through the Romans 5:19 - For just as through the

disobedience of the one man the many disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through were made sinners, so also through the the obedience of the one man the many will be obedience of the one man the many will be made righteousmade righteous..

III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No More!”“Sin No More!”

C. Your way of thanking God is to C. Your way of thanking God is to forsake your sin oriented life for forsake your sin oriented life for His God directed life!His God directed life!

III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No More!”“Sin No More!”

C. Your way of thanking God is to C. Your way of thanking God is to forsake your sin oriented life for forsake your sin oriented life for His God directed life!His God directed life!

Accept His forgiveness!Accept His forgiveness!

Accept His authority!Accept His authority!

Show it in your life!Show it in your life!

III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – III. The Most Important Response to be Made by You – “Sin No More!”“Sin No More!”