Feb 13, 2022 |The Apostles Creed

Forgiveness Outweighs Sins

02.13.22 | The Apostles Creed

Forgiveness Outweighs Sins

Justin Detmers

Mark 12:30-31

We tend to focus more on the shape and extent of our sin than the enormity of God’s grace and forgiveness. How do you view yourself in relation to your actions? Pastor Justin Detmers reminds us that by receiving God’s forgiveness, we have a new reality. And just as we are loved and forgiven by God, as His children we can love and forgive others in the same way.

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I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.”

Mark 12:30-31
 

There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.

Romans 3:10-11
 

God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath.

Romans 5:8-9
 

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love. He will not always accuse us or be angry forever. He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his faithful love toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.

Psalm 103:8-13
 

The gospel says you are more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believe, but more accepted and loved than you ever dared hope. – Tim Keller
 

Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Ephesians 4:31-32
 

Receive forgiveness
Extend and ask for forgiveness
Be transformed by forgiveness
 

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.

Romans 10:15
 

Consider your relationships and general outlook on life. Do you typically spend more time and energy focusing on what is positive or negative?

When you consider your spirituality (if you are a Christian), what is more real and significant in your own heart; the fact that you’re a sinner or the fact that you’re forgiven?

Read Psalm 103:8-13. What does this tell you about the how the Good News of God’s grace (for those who believe) outweighs the ‘bad news’ of our sin?

Read Ephesians 4:31-32. Consider how you typically respond to being wronged. Are you more inclined to bitterness/grudge-holding or forgiving and extending good will to others? Who might you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from?

Who in your life might be feeling overwhelmed or beat down by their own sin? How could you specifically encourage them with the Good News that God’s grace outweighs human sin?

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