Read Isaiah 40:1-2
For
the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at practical ways that the Gospel comforts
the believer. We do that in a general
sense WHENEVER we open the pages of Scripture, but we’re going to do it very
purposefully and in practical ways.
Of
course, many Scriptures and promises will be repeated often – since they apply
constantly. Some are quite specific to a
certain situation. They are good
Scriptures to keep in mind – for us and for others. But you are ENCOURAGED to offer your own
verses, to ADD to the Scriptures offered each week!
And
of course, while we’re going to focus only on the Gospel, we all know there is
a “flip side” – the Law. We’ll touch on
that from time to time, not nothing more.
Gospel CAN be abused and actually become harmful (drinking too much
water can kill you!). But we’ll try to
keep a RIGHT use in view.
“I Have Sinned!”
“Sin”
is no longer a common word in the English language. Not even in a lot of churches. It’s hardly ever used in books or songs or
films; it hardly appears in common English uses at all. Even 20th and 21st
Century sermons and hymns rarely mention it.
In
the Judeo-Christian world, the concepts of original sin and total depravity
were once SO deeply ingrained, so completely assumed, that it was constantly
stated, strongly and universally felt.
“That saved a WRETCH like me” John Newton wrote 200+ years ago in the
now ancient hymn, “Amazing Grace.” This
kind of talk was common! In this
milieu, guilt is understandable! Maybe
unavoidable.
Times
have changed. The worldview is now
post-Christian. The common view of man
is “I’m okay, you’re okay.” We are
fundamentally good – not perfect, but good. Yes, we struggle and slip up at
times, we communicate poorly at times, we are misunderstood and our needs are
often misunderstood. This can lead to
good people making bad choices. In THIS
mindset, there may be regret of sorts – but even that is just relative (heck,
everyone else makes still worse choices!) and the “fault” for such really isn’t
personal but communal. “The prideful
have no sins – except for pride.” Think
of the films, books and songs of the past 50 years; with the exception of some
Country songs perhaps (!), is there much guilt? Some people sense no NEED for comfort in this
area because they sense no sin on their part.
We’ll leave it at that since THAT is a Law issue - they need the Law to
tell them what they are, what they do and how serious that is…
For
many of US, guilt remains REAL because sin remains REAL. We didn’t stop sinning in the middle of the
20th century. We still
do. As much as ever. And it’s PERSONAL, and it’s PAINFUL, and it’s
HURTFUL, and it STINKS.
It
manifests itself in a plethora of ways.
Anger. Depression. Isolation.
Violence. Accusative spirit. Negativity.
Self-destructive behaviors. A lot
of different ways….
Alice
had suffered from depression for some 50 years, since her mid-twenties. All this began shortly after she married Jim,
but it grew steadily worse. Jim stood by
her (even though the “worse” part of the vows was outweighing the “better” part
of that). They had two sons, and they
too stood by her (although she was increasingly difficult to live with, and
functionally stopped being much of a mother when they were still pretty
young). At first, just being cheerful
and keeping her busy at least kept her functioning. Then some medication was added, and that
helped. Then regular, weekly
appointments with a counselor were added.
But in her late 50’s, it became all consuming. She rarely left the house. She became critical and negative. One-by-one,
friendships were strained past the breaking point. She ate – and put on over 200 pounds. Fortunately, she didn’t drink. Finally, at the age of 75, she agreed to be
placed in an institution, a “loony farm” as Alice called it. In one of the groups, a young lady spoke of
an abortion, and cried. Alice broke down
in loud tears, and not for the young lady.
Shortly after Alice and Jim were married, she became pregnant. They planned on not having children for a
while, until Jim got out of the Army – and she felt she let Jim down by
becoming pregnant. Her hairdresser gave
her the name and phone number of someone who’d take care of that. She had “lived” with that for 50 years
(“lived?). Nonetheless, ultimately,
Alice was one of the fortunate ones. She
was forgiven. Including by her.
How
did guilt manifest itself in Alice?
What
finally helped Alice?
How
have you witnessed guilt in people’s lives?
Have you had experience trying to help them?
Alice
was forgiven, and she forgave herself.
Do these stories always have a happy ending?
Read
Psalm 51 (so do
including the heading in the ESV)
Recall
the story of David and Bathsheba….
David
repented only after Nathan almost tricked him into seeing his fault – but he
did see it! How does this Psalm reveal
his sorrow and his faith?
Do you think David found healing in
forgiveness?
Read John 8:1-11
While the text doesn’t expressly say it, Jesus’ handling
of this suggests the woman was sorry.
What seems to be Jesus’ point to the accusers?
What
two important things do you think Jesus is saying in His counsel to the woman?
Read Luke 7:36-50
How
do we know this woman is sorry?
What
is the view of the “holy” people toward her?
What
is the point of Jesus’ parable?
How
is Jesus’ advice to this woman similar to the other?
Of
course, this account also shows the need to respond to guilt with
forgiveness! Read Matthew 18:21-35,
Matthew 11:25-26, Luke 6:37-42, Luke 11:4
If
you can, tell of a time when you felt forgiven…
Read
the following verses. Write down what
comfort this gives….
Isaiah1:18 _________________________________________________________________
Micah7:19 _________________________________________________________________
John3:16-17 ___________________________________________________________________
Psalm103:10-12 __________________________________________________________________
Psalm130:3-4 ___________________________________________________________________
John8:36 ___________________________________________________________________
Romans3:23-24 ___________________________________________________________________
2Corinthians5:21 ___________________________________________________________________
Ephesians4:32 ___________________________________________________________________
Colossians1:13-14 ___________________________________________________________________
1John1:8-9 _________________________________________________________
1John2:2 ___________________________________________________________________
Psalm32:5 ___________________________________________________________________
Psalm34:18 ___________________________________________________________________
Matthew11:28-30
___________________________________________________________________
Luke15:10 __________________________________________________________________
Acts10:43 __________________________________________________________________
Colossians3:13 __________________________________________________________________
1 Timothy 1:15 __________________________________________________________________
