“Great Things for Grievous Times”
TOPIC:“The Greatest Gift to the Sinner”
by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap
TEXT:Acts 13:38
“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this
man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.”
I believe without question that the most beautiful word in the English language is the word forgiveness. It is the most tender and touching word that can ever be spoken upon earth.
Now why do I make such a statement? Simply for two reasons: Because of what it does and what it demanded. It removes the sin and guilt from our lives, but it demanded the death of Jesus Christ on the cross to accomplish such a task. For mind you, nothing else but the forgiveness of God experienced in the human heart can cause rejoicing in the eternal heavens above. To put it in the words of Christ: “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (St. Luke 15:10).
Forgiveness! How beautiful that sound to the human ear. How wonderful to walk through life, genuinely knowing that our sins have been forgiven. How marvelous to declare in the words of the Apostle's Creed: “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” How glorious to hear from the mouth of Saint Paul these words: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). It is to this same forgiveness that we now address ourselves. Let us give heed to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to us about the forgiveness which we can find in Jesus Christ.
I.
Consider, to begin with, some DYNAMIC ILLUSTRATIONS of those who have been forgiven. I mention only a few at this time.
Take the instance when Jesus was invited to dine with Simon the Pharisee. He accepted the invitation of this wealthy man. We read about it in St. Luke 7:36: “And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisees house, and sat down to eat.” The Bible teaches that about that time a certain unnamed sinful woman of the city made her entry into the house. The Bible does not tell us who she was, but I believe it was Mary Magdalene.
She immediately began pouring her precious and costly ointment on the head and feet of Jesus. Then with her tears she washed His feet . . .