June 17, 2012

“CREDO: I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins”

Mark 2:1-12; Colossians 3:1-14

Introduction

    The American Society for Microbiology studied the hand washing habits of Americans and found some disturbing results. In New York’s Penn station, only 60% of those using restrooms washed up. At a Braves game in Atlanta, 64% washed their hands. The Center for Disease control says that hand washing is one of the most important means of preventing the spread of infection. “Use warm or hot running water; use soap (preferably antibacterial soap); wash thoroughly (including under the fingernails; rub hands together for at least 10-15 seconds.”
    God also has advice on how to be clean – clean on the inside. Our life and health depend on it. God’s Word says that we can only become clean through Christ.    
“I believe in God the Father Almighty… and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord…I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” This morning we come to a phrase in the Apostles’ Creed that every Christian cherishes as the greatest grace of our Savior. “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” Next Sunday, Pastor James will conclude this sermon series with “I believe in the resurrection of the body and of the life everlasting.” But without “the forgiveness of sins,” the offer of resurrection life everlasting would be impossible.

I. God’s Forgiveness in Jesus Christ (Mark 2)

    As Jesus was preaching the word in an overcrowded room, some men brought a paralyzed man to him. He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus said to them, “I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
    Throughout the New Testament, there are lists of sins that wreak havoc in our lives and toward others. Here are a few from Colossians 3: “sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed… anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language.” I am sure we could extend the list a very long way as we consider our own lives and the world in which we live. The Bible says here and other places that, “Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”
Christianity is the only religious construct or faith experience that deals with the problem of sin. And the Bible is filled with God’s unique and merciful offer. “In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace” (Ephesians 1:7). “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19). “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
    In literature from the Mayo Clinic, staff members write this about forgiveness: “Nearly everyone has been hurt by the actions or words of another. Perhaps your mother criticized your parenting skills, your colleague sabotaged a project or your partner had an affair. These wounds can leave you with lasting feelings of anger, bitterness or even vengeance — but if you don't practice forgiveness, you might be the one who pays most dearly. By embracing forgiveness, you can also embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy. Consider how forgiveness can lead you down the path of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.”
    Although this is a helpful and encouraging statement, it misses the central point of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the willingness to take upon oneself the hurt, the pain, the payment, the cost of the sin of another. Forgiveness is not just waving a magic wand, saying “don’t worry about it” or “it’s okay.” God’s forgiveness for you and me, for anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ, cost a dear price. “We have redemption through his blood!”
Jesus took upon himself the judgment, the payment due, the effects and consequences of our sin. This is the heart of Christianity and of our confession of faith. As the Heidelberg Catechism of 1563 expressed, “Because— not with gold or silver, but with his precious blood—he has set us free from sin and from the tyranny of the devil, and has bought us, body and soul, to be his very own.”
Again and again, the Lord says, “Come to me… Cast your burdens upon the Lord… for there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

II. Forgiving One Another (Colossians 3)

    “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above… As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  
    In the freedom and joy of the amazing grace and forgiveness of God in Christ, Paul writes to the church, “Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
    Kim was only 9 years old when the horrors of war descended on her village and her family. Forty years ago, napalm bombs killed two of her brothers and severely burned her over 50% of her body. On June 5th, The Associated Press and The Salt Lake Tribune remembered the  Pulitzer Prize photo that shocked America as she fled wearing no clothes, mouth open in a cry of agony. That was 1972.
After 14 months of painful rehab and countless skin grafts, Kim’s life took several amazing turns. In 1982 she was allowed to go to West Germany for better medical care. It was there that Kim came to faith in Christ. Vietnam’s prime minister later made arrangements for her to study in Cuba. There she met a young Vietnamese man and they married in 1992. After a honey moon in Moscow, they defected to the West during a refueling stop in Canada.
In 1996 Kim accepted an invitation to speak at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where she laid a wreath and spoke words of forgiveness. She said if she ever met the pilot of the plane, she would tell him she forgives him. Well, John Plummer (now a Methodist pastor) was there that day. He was able to get word to Kim that he was the man. “When she saw my grief, my sorrow, she held out her arms and embraced me! All I could say was, ‘I’m sorry; so sorry; so very sorry.’ At the same time she was saying, “I forgive, I forgive, I forgive.”
    Again from the Mayo Clinic staff: “Forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment (and I say, to be willing to continue to bear the pain of another’s sin). The act that hurt or offended you might always remain a part of your life (as it certainly does for Kim), but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you (and I say, lessen the grip on the other) and help you focus on positive parts of your life. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you. Forgiveness doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life.”
    There’s nothing easy about forgiveness. It cost the Lord an ultimate price. And as you forgive someone else, it will cost you. The Lord Jesus said it both ways: 1st) if you know you have offended someone, you go to that person as ask for forgiveness and seek to be reconciled; and 2nd) if you know someone has offended you, you go to that person and offer forgiveness and seek to be reconciled. “Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.”

Conclusion

    I might add that on this Father’s Day today, I know the need for human forgiveness often resides right there in the family. Sons and daughters in their childhood or teens, as young adults or fully grown often have ill feelings or resentments toward dad. Take whatever opportunity you have to express your hurt and offer him forgiveness. Even if your father has passed one, offer your forgiveness to God on his behalf. And fathers, you may have some unresolved disagreement or hurt from your kids – especially the grown-up ones. Again, take Father’s Day as an opportunity to speak of your hurt and offer your love and forgiveness in the name of Christ.
    “I believe in God the Father Almighty… and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord…I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” This morning we came to that phrase in the Apostles’ Creed that I deeply need and cherish as the greatest grace of our Savior. “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” So, take the advice of the Center for Disease control: wash your hands! Listen to the Mayo Clinic experts: practicing forgiveness is a healthy thing. Let the impressive forgiveness of that 9 year-old girl, now 49 year-old woman from Vietnam.
Friends, in Jesus Christ, as difficult and painful as it was for him, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. And as difficult and painful as it can be for you or me, forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.
Let us pray together.