Sermon Title: Forgiving Sins, Part 2
Worship service date: April 7, 2019
Interim Pastor Thomas Hiltsley
Primary Bible verses:
Mark 2:1-12
Genesis 50:15-21
1st Corinthians 5:19
John 11:32-45
Key sermon points:
REVIEW
- Jesus declaration of forgiveness to the paralytic is called blasphemy by teachers of the law.
‘Who can forgive sins but God?’
- Two Attitudes of Pharisees and Teachers of Law toward forgiveness –both negative:
- Good people do not need to be forgiven
- God could forgive, but God is not present
TODAY
“Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
Two Possible ways to understand Jesus’s response:
- Jesus, Messiah, “Son of Man” has authority to forgive sins
- Mortal human beings (you) sons (and daughters) of man / children of God, are authorized to forgive sins
This understanding “son of man” = human being, gives us pause
The Bible requires us to forgive if we are to be / have been forgiven
- Forgiveness is the ultimate demonstration of God’s infinite love and power
- Forgiveness is at the heart of Christian community