Sunday, October 15, 2023 AM
RETURN TO HOLINESS: Sin Of Anger (Pt 8) Can I Forgive Myself?
Mike Teel, Pastor
Focal Passage:
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. —Philippians 1:6
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. —I John 1:9
*As we think about forgiving ourselves consider … *
NOT ALL GUILT IS
EQUAL
–Some of you are living under what we might call false guilt.
–In other words, you are feeling guilty for something you should not feel guilty about
1. EXAMPLES OF__ FALSE__ GUILT …
A. PARENT’S DIVORCE
B.
SITUATIONS
C. MY OWN
FALSE GUILT
2. PRODUCTIVE
10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. —II Corinthians 7:10
A.
GUILT
B.
SORROW
–This type of conviction can actually be good and can be helpful because it can take you off the wrong path and it can put you onto a right path.
GODLY
ILLUSTRATED
–A good example of godly sorrow is Peter and his denying Christ as compared to Judas and his dying of the Lord.
1. PETER’S NEED FOR
SORROW
59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” —Luke 22:59-61
–Peter went out and wept bitterly – A Godly sorrow.
2. SATAN’S
–All sorts of thoughts that Satan wanted Peter to consider. You are through! You will never be able to face the disciples. You are a failure, so why even try.
–Judas then went out, because he demonstrated this Worldly Sorrow and took his own life.
–We are overwhelmed with “shame” and “guilt.”
–The Devil uses shame to connect your actions to your identity.
–Shame says, “I am bad.” I am a bad person.
–The devil wants to use your shame to drive you away from God.
–But God wants to use your guilt to draw you to His grace.
–His mercies are new every day.
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. —Lamentations 3:22-23
–God is not interested in condemning us but confirming us.
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, —Romans 8:1
3. KEYS TO
–We are children of God, and we are completely forgiven.
10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. —II Corinthians 7:10
–Godly sorrow brings repentance – a change of direction.
–Jesus reinforces this to Peter in John 21 and then in Acts 2 who is it that God uses to share the Gospel message when 3,000 were saved.
–Chosen not because he was Faithful – but Forgiven
WAY VERSUS THE
WAY
1. SATAN’S
–Satan wants you to live in your guilt and shame.
…Guilt says, “I did something bad.” I did something that was wrong.
…Shame says, “I am bad.” I am a bad person.
–Satan wants you to connect your behavior to your identity. He wants you to believe you are a bad person who can only do bad things.
–The devil brings up your past because he is intimidated by your future.
–Jesus is there to restore us when we repent and take ownership of our transgressions.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. —I John 1:9
2. YOUR
SUFFERING
–We can’t change our past, but God can change your future.
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:13-14
–Learn to forgive yourself because God has forgiven you and the devil cannot hold you accountable.
LIVE IT OUT
—Have you been saved today?
—If you have been saved, would you throw off the shackles of Satan and accept the forgiveness of God?