Forgivenness of Sins

In this part of the sermon: Martin opens by asking what people consider their most priceless possession, then immediately asserts that Paul would declare it to be the forgiveness of sins, introducing…

An interviewer asks people what their most priceless possession is. This sets up the sermon's main point that forgiveness of sins is the greatest possession, contrasting common answers with Paul's perspective.

In some unusual arrangement of circumstances, every one of you here this morning, you youngsters, fellas, girls,

0:02 - 0:10 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He illustrates the need for forgiveness with a debt analogy, arguing that awareness of this need arises from taking seriously who God is (holy judge) and what man is (a…

Forgiving a millionaire's debts is not good news, but forgiving a poor, debt-ridden man's debts is. This illustrates that one must feel the need for forgiveness to appreciate it.

The nature of forgiveness. If we see with him the basis and the measure of forgiveness. First of all then, the need for forgiveness. If I were to come up to a millionaire today and pat him on the back and say, Henry, I've got wonderful news for you.

8:55 - 9:12 Read in full sermon

The point: Take seriously the reality of who God is (Creator, Holy, Judge) and what you are (a creature accountable to Him, a transgressor exposed to His wrath).

A house with a bomb set to explode in two hours. Some occupants take the warning seriously and leave, others ignore it. This illustrates that ignoring the reality of God's holiness and man's sin does not change the facts or consequences.

And you have broken his law and you are exposed to his wrath whether you acknowledge it or not. I might come to a house in which twenty people are found living and I say to them, on the basis of well-established information, this house has a bomb planted in it. The bomb is a reality. Attached to that bomb is a timing mechanism.

13:31 - 13:54 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that divine forgiveness means the complete removal of sins, illustrating this with biblical imagery: casting sins behind God's back, blotting them out and…

Kids sneaking up behind parents to surprise them. This illustrates that what is 'behind your back' is out of sight, explaining God's imagery of casting sins behind His back.

It was for my peace that I had great bitterness, but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption. Thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. When something's behind your back, you don't see it. When you kids want to surprise your mom and dad and spook them a little bit, you sneak up behind them.

17:00 - 17:26 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that divine forgiveness means the complete removal of sins, illustrating this with biblical imagery: casting sins behind God's back, blotting them out and…

A common saying used to explain God's promise to remember sins no more once He has put them out of sight.

Now join that to the imagery of Isaiah 43, 25. 43, 25. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and I will not remember thy sins. We have a little saying.

18:11 - 18:34 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that divine forgiveness means the complete removal of sins, illustrating this with biblical imagery: casting sins behind God's back, blotting them out and…

The impossibility of east and west meeting, even with an SST. This illustrates the infinite distance God removes our transgressions from us, emphasizing the completeness of forgiveness.

And verse 12. Psalm 103 and verse 12. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Where do east and west meet?

19:32 - 19:53 Read in full sermon

The point: If you take seriously what the Bible says about God and about you, the complete and irreversible nature of forgiveness is something to get excited about.

Charles Spurgeon's analogy that Noah's flood covering mountains also covered molehills. This illustrates that God's grace covers both great and small sins completely.

Complete. God says in this text, Ephesians 1, 7, in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions. Not of some transgressions, of little transgressions, of big transgressions, but the forgiveness of all our transgressions. Charles Spurgeon, in his own unique way, said that when the flood in Noah's time covered the mountains, it also covered all the molehills.

22:34 - 23:04 Read in full sermon

The point: Stop doubting when there are no grounds for that doubt, when God has said in His Son and in His Word, 'He that believeth is forgiven.'

A touching story from Spurgeon about a young girl dying of consumption who had no doubts or fears about her sins because she clung to Christ. This illustrates the joy and assurance that comes from truly believing in God's complete forgiveness.

When God has said in his son and in his word. He that believeth is forgiven. Let me quote from a touching story that I read last night. Taking a bath and reading through a sermon of Spurgeon's on this text.

36:34 - 36:53 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The measure of divine forgiveness is the infinite ocean of God's grace.

Two rich men giving to a needy man: one gives a small amount 'out of' his riches, the other makes him co-heir 'according to' his riches. This illustrates the difference between God giving a portion of His grace versus giving forgiveness in the full measure of His infinite grace.

Here's a man in great physical and temporal need. Two rich men come by. One man gets five one hundred dollar bills and gives them to him. He is given to him out of his riches.

40:51 - 41:01 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The measure of divine forgiveness is the infinite ocean of God's grace.

A barren countryside needing water from a large lake, which comes through irrigation ditches. This illustrates that God's infinite ocean of grace is funneled exclusively through the work and person of Jesus Christ, not directly upon men.

Grace that bestows forgiveness upon him. But grace that is always and exclusively funneled. Through the work and person of Jesus Christ. Just like a countryside that will be barren and fruitless.

42:28 - 42:44 Read in full sermon