Mythbusters-4-God Can't Forgive Me

It's time to continue our Mythbusters series. Today Pastor Brad tackles the Myth that God Can't Forgive Me!

Pastor's Notes:

1 John 1:5-9 NKJV
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 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.

INTRODUCTION
Good morning, everybody!
I am so glad to be back in the house today. Blonnie and I were able to spend some much needed time with her parents, and we appreciate all of you being so very supportive as we have went through this.
This morning is Friend Day, and we want to make sure you come out to Crystal Beach at 4 pm and bring your folding chair with you.
Today, I want to continue my Mythbusters series with a message entitled “God Can’t Forgive Me”. In today’s message, we will be looking at the believer, sin, and God’s attitude about it.

ILLUSTRATION
Why did I choose this title for this message? Because it’s something I have heard often. Whether it be……

A soldier who had to kill someone in duty
A woman who regretted an abortion
A man who cheated on his spouse
A drunk driver who killed a whole family

….. and the list could go on and on.

I have heard non Christians use this as an excuse not to come to Christ, and I have also heard believers use this verse to walk in condemnation and shame.

What I want to share with you today is that if you have a past, no matter what it is, there is forgiveness!
Jesus not only wants to forgive you, but He died so that He could! His mercy and grace is so deep.
That’s called “Good News”.

TRANSITION
Yet, what should our attitude as believers be toward sin? Sin is simply “missing the mark” and falling short of God’s standard.
In our passage, we are going to see God’s instruction and attitude concerning sin.
BACKGROUND
In our passage, 1 John was traditionally thought to be written by John the evangelist, son of Zebedee, and disciple of Jesus.
His purpose in writing is revealed in the first few verses as he is encouraging the believers not to walk in sin. Sounds like a true evangelist, doesn't it?

1 John is addressing a heretical belief that was present in that day that basically said that because our spirit is saved and made new, but our salvation doesn't really affect our body.
So in retrospect, this teaching sounded something like this: “I am saved, so my sin really doesn’t matter!” Unfortunately this teaching and thought has popped back up in the church again through something I call the ‘hyper grace movement”.
John addresses this head on as he extends the heart of God towards forgiveness, but also reveals the truth about willful sin.
Let’s look at our text and see exactly what He says.

APPLICATION

1. God is Holy (vs. 5)

“God is light” reveals to us His nature.
He is absolutely pure.
There abides no darkness in Him.
Children should always look like their parents.
Their primary DNA comes from the father.

     2. Our Walk Matters (vs. 6-7)
Walking in Darkness: Many professing “Christians” say they are born again, but they have the same patterns as the world. They

Get drunk
Do drugs
Look at porn
Sleep around
Cheat on their taxes
Cuss like a sailor

ETC
That list could go on and on!
NOTE: I even saw a t shirt one time that said “I love Jesus but I cuss a little.” I’m sorry folks, but we are called to be different! I know it might be unpopular. I know you might get offended. I know you might not come back, but I’t not gonna let you sit up in this church week after week calling yourself a Christian and you are LIVING in open sin with no repentance. I’m telling you today you need to GET RIGHT WITH GOD!
I hear you: Now now pastor. No one is perfect. We all sin. That is true. our verse even deals with that. Yet, there’s a difference between being SINLESS and SINFUL.
Sinless = We all can and do mess up, but we are convicted, repent, and change. You have a heart forward God and a negative attitude toward sin. If you mess up, it should bother you.
Sinful = Jesus loves me anyways and I’m just going to keep on doing it.
That’s what people are saying today. I’m saved. I’m delivered. Grace has me covered all the way. Past, present, and even in the future!
Sadly, the prophet Jeremiah dealt with this in his day as false prophets were enticing the children of Israel to forsake God’s ways. Look at the working of this passage:
Jeremiah 7:8-11 NKJV
8 “Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. 9 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, 10 and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered to do all these abominations’? 11 Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” says the Lord.
Notice he said they mentioned they had been “delivered" to do those things. No my friend! God’s grace is not an license to keep on sinning. You are deceived and don’t really know Him.
Walk In The Light: When we are walking, that denotes action. When we are walking with Jesus, His grace and His mercy redeem us when we mess up, not if. We are not a perfect people! But we must walk with Jesus to receive that forgiveness!

3. The Blood Is Enough (vs. 9)
If we confess: That means we have to stop acting like the issue isn't there. If it’s a problem, you need to confess it. Get that sinfulness out of the dark and over into the light.
- If we do that, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse, no matter how dark or dirty it may be.

4. We All Need Grace (vs. 10)We have all missed it.
Not a person in this room is perfect.
The only difference is there are those who are openly living in sin and thing they are ok. They are not.
Then, there are those who know God is merciful. God can forgive you.

CONCLUSION
He doesn't want to just forgive you, He wants you to break free.
Many are quick to justify sin by quoting the words of Christ when He said in John 8:7 “He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone.”
Yet, the forget the part after that in verse 11 where He said “ Neither do I condemn you, now go and SIN NO MORE.
When Jesus forgives us, He doesn't do so for us to stay in the same nasty mess we were in. He wants us to break free.
There’s grace and breakthrough for you today if you’re willing to receive it.