Forgiveness Is a Special Spiritual Blessing (Ephesians 1:3-7)
Introduction:
1. Some very good news is presented in vs.3 -- God has blessed His people with "all spiritual blessings" in His Son. 2. In the verses that follow, many of these blessings are revealed. 3. Today we are concentrating on one of the blessings mentioned in vs.7 -- "the forgiveness of sins." 4. In our lesson we are studying passages which show that "forgiveness is a special spiritual blessing." 5. The first step we need to take is to point out how . . .
Discussion:
I. MAN NEEDS FORGIVENESS
A. We need forgiveness because: 1. of sin (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8, 10) 2. of the consequences of sin. a. Sin causes separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). b. The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). B. David emphasized our need for forgiveness by describing himself before and after he was forgiven (Psalm 32:1-5). 1. He first showed in vs.1-2 how a forgiven person is "blessed." 2. He showed in vs.3-4 that he had not always enjoyed this blessing. 3. He showed in vs.5 how he received God's forgiveness. C. The next step we need to take is to point out how . . .
II. THE BLOOD OF CHRIST MAKES FORGIVENESS POSSIBLE
A. This was prophesied in Isaiah 53:4-6, 11-12. B. When Jesus gave instructions for eating His Supper, He said that He shed His blood "for the remission [removal, forgiveness] of sins" (Matthew 26:27-28). C. We receive "the remission of sins" when we repent and are baptized in the Lord's name (Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:12-13). D. We learn from 1 John 1:7, 9 that the Lord's blood continues to provide forgiveness for His followers. E. The last point we need to make is that . . .
III. THE LORD'S FORGIVENESS IS SO SPECIAL THAT IT SHOULD MOTIVATE A PERSON TO SERVE HIM
A. David illustrated this principle (Psalm 51:9-13). B. The woman described as a sinner in Luke 7:36-50 showed her love to Jesus because He forgave her of many sins.
Conclusion:
1. The Scriptures show very clearly that "forgiveness is a special spiritual blessing." 2. The Lord extends His great invitation to everyone to come to Him to receive forgiveness (Matthew 11:28-30).
