1.The Jealous God Who Forgives Chapel Message: New Frontiers Christian Academy January 15, 2014 A.D. Mr. Rhodes

2. Q.: Why do I say that God (Yahweh, the LORD) is jealous? Does not the Bible say that jealously is a sin ? 3. Well, the truth is we know that sinful human jealously can and often does lead to sin and violence. The Bible recognizes that some jealousies can lead to broken human relationships and hurt (Numbers 5:14.15,18; Proverbs 6:34; 27:4). 4. Yet, out of the 41-42 verses in the Bible which speak of being jealous or jealously, only 5 use it in a negative context. Mostly, it is a description of a mans righteous love for his wife and Gods love for Israel (OT) or the church (NT). Intense love seems to involve jealously !!!!!!!! 5. Q. How then is a jealous God connected with forgiveness? A. Exodus 20:5,6: . . . you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. (Cf. also Deuteronomy 5:10). 6. One of the OT words highlights Gods unique role as Savior and Forgiver (, [salach]). He exercises this prerogative because He is the Creator and Lord. See Exodus 32:32; 34:7ff.; 2 Chronicles 6:21- 39; etc. 7. Often the Old Testament contrasts Israels unfaithfulness with Gods unchanging mercy and forgiveness: They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage. But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them. Nehemiah 9:17 (NKJV) 8. The prophet Isaiah also speaks of Gods vast forgiveness for sinners: Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7 (NKJV) 9. But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. Psalms 130:4 The Psalmist also praises God for His redeeming pardon and forgiveness: 10. Finally, a word about the forgiveness of the LORD from the courageous prophet, Daniel: O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. Daniel 9:8,9 11. The Lords Prayer & Forgiveness ( aphimi. Translated from Greek 47 times. Key NT word for forgiveness and remission of sins). Matthew 6:12-15 (5 times) (Elsewhere,12 X) Mark 11:25-26 (4 times) (Elsewhere, 5 X) Luke 11:4 (2 times) (Elsewhere, 10 X) John Only two times: 2 X in John 20:23 (John talks more about believing & receiving others. Cf. 3:18 21; 13:12-20; 17:6-18). 12. Forgiveness & Repentance: 3 "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 "And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him. Luke 17:3-4 (NKJV) 22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. Acts 8:22 (NKJV) (Pauls words to Simon the Magician) 13. Forgiveness & Repentance: Him [Jesus] God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:31 (NKJV) [The Greek word used here is aphesis, Strongs G859, used about 15 times in the NT for the forgiveness or remission of sin. 14. Forgiveness & Repentance: . . . and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 15. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7 . . . in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14 Gods Redemption through Forgiveness 16. Forgiveness and Jesus Blood And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Hebrews 9:22 17. A Wonderful Homework Assignment Sometime this week read Hebrews 9:11-15. 11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:11-12, NKJV 18. Forgiveness & You ! Forgiveness & Healing: (James 5:14,15) Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:14-15 (NKJV) 19. Forgiveness & You ! II. Forgiveness & Confession [Confession is good for the soul according to the Bible ]. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10 (NKJV) 20. My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 (NKJV)