Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• This verse speaks of the great salvation of sinners
• A dark background (v22-24)
• The promise - repeated throughout the bible
• e.g. 44:22
• This is purely because of love and for His own names' sake
• God chooses not to remember our sins
• Overview:
• What is transgression?
• How serious is it?
• Why do we transgress?
• What is the Good News?
• How should we respond to it?

What is transgression?

• The breaking of a law
• Trespassing is slight different to transgression
• It is over stepping God's law and boundary
• Transgression
• Sins of Commission
• Sins of Omission
• e.g. v22-24 - sins of omission
• Sin is not just not doing the things you should
• The whole of the law and the prophets is summed up in this: love your neighbour and God
• Explanation
• Breaking of this law of love
• James 2:8-11
• Even breaking one (little) law and you break the whole law of God
• We cannot just keep certain parts of the law
• We are all transgressors - we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

How serious is it?

• How serious is sin?
• Do you see your sin as an affront to a Holy God?
• Do you see that your sin grieves God?
• Do you believe that God cannot look upon sin?
• Do you believe that if God is Holy and just He must punish sin?
• We ought to tremble before sin
• Ezra 9:4
• Example of David
• Psalm 51:1-3
• Do we confess our sin?
• David had sinned not just against others but also against God
• Do we downplay our sin?
• Will God forgive us if we use the cross as an excuse for sin?
• Ezk 39:24
• Ex 23:21 and Josh 24:19 - God will not forgive sin if people make light of it
• v22-25 & explanation

Why do we transgress?

• We sin because we have a sinful nature
• Isa 48:8
• It is ingrained within us
• Ezk 18:31
• Sin comes from our heart
• We need a new heart - this can only come from God
• The promise of v25 can only be given to those who come in faith to God and who believe
• We need a change on the inside before there can be a change on the outside

What is the Good News?

• The truth of Christianity is Good News!
• All our sin and our filth can be washed clean - as white as snow
• Isa 1:18
• He will do this for His namesake
• Our sin has been laid on Jesus at the cross
• Isa 53:5-6
• Sin must be punished and it has all been laid on Jesus Christ
• Explanation
• The Bible gives wonderful promises to those who believe in Jesus Christ

How should we respond to it?

• What is your response?
• Are you going to keep relying upon yourself?
• Will you confess your sin?
• Will you believe the promise of God?
• Have you seen the love of God in the face of Jesus Christ?
• Have you believed in Jesus?