APRIL 27, 2014, 2nd Sunday of Easter

The Gospel of Forgiveness

Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Ps 111; 1 Pet 1:3-9; Jn 20:19-31
Gospel of forgiveness
- CEC bedrock principle - 2 Cor 5:19
- Lake George blessing
Forgiveness and Easter
- resurrection = triumph over death (result of, whose sting is sin)
- 2 Tim 1: 10 - Jesus abolished death
- abolition of death = forgiveness of sins, reconciliation w/ God,
and therefore restoration of life
- abolished death so that life & immortality are brought to light
Jn 20 so that believing, you may have life & be free from death
- Acts 2 impossible for Him to be held in deaths power
- Augustine - while not impossible for us to die, w/ Him, it is
possible for us not to die (w/ God all things are possible)
- believe = receive & proclaim = then we really live
- Ps 118 I shall not die but live & tell of the works of the Lord
- more than physical death; its living resurrection life
Acts in Easter
- Acts; proclamation of resurrection
- new creation (Peter, Paul, etc.) miracles, healings, raising from
the dead, defeat of powers that be, etc.
- Acts 4:13ff recognize them as having been with Jesus
- a noteworthy miracle has taken place thru them & is apparent
to all; we cannot deny it

- Acts 6:40ff apostles flogged but went rejoicing that they had
been considered to suffer shame for His name
- Paul & Silas imprisoned for obeying God
- didnt complain
- didnt give God a blow by blow of what theyd given/suffered
- instead, continued knowing theyd suffer some more
- on top of that, they encouraged the brethren!
Forgiveness is key to a life free from death (for giver &
receiver)
- Zaccheus, Mary Magdalene, Matthew, Peter
- 1st martyr asked forgiveness for his executioners
- Peter received & proclaimed gospel of forgiveness to those
who nailed Christ to the cross; they became the 1st converts
- forgiveness is why Acts of the Apostles are powerful witness
Unforgiveness keeps us in slavery to what has been abolished
- 1 Cor 6:7 defeat when you have lawsuits w/ one another
- why not rather be wronged?; opportunity to forgive
- lawsuit = unforgiveness, counting sin = still in bondage to it
- sting of death is sin; dont withhold it
- we put ourselves in bondage to sin when we dont receive &/or
proclaim forgiveness
- 1st instruction after resurrection was about forgiveness
- why forgive? Because they know not what they do
- and Christ died to forgive them
- read Isa 61 captivity to freedom, prisoners to oaks
- dont misinterpret; no discretion on forgiveness, only
command to proclaim it 70x7
- good news to the afflicted

Hear COTK
- Phil 3 forgetting what lies behind & reaching forward to
what lies ahead, press on toward the goal (its ahead, not behind)
- Prov - do not w/hold good when it is in your power to do it
- like apostles - 1 Pet 1 - if necessary, distressed by various
trials, so proof of your faith may be found & result in praise &
glory
- Acts 2 - predetermined plan & foreknowledge of God
- if plan is of men, overthrown; but if it is of God, no way
- just yield & go with it
- if you believe, you will see the glory of God
- you believe God gave a promise?
- then hear Ps 111
- great are the works of the Lord; splendid & majestic
- He made His wonders to be remembered
- He is gracious & compassionate
- will remember His covenant forever (ordained it forever v. 9)
- gives His people heritage
- precepts are sure
- a good understanding have all those who do His commands
- Peter - inheritance is imperishable, reserved & secure
- now is the time for us to march ; into our hands He will
- do not be afraid, only believe & you will have fullness of life
- blessed are those who do not see & yet believe
- again, forget & be free from what lies behind, reach forward,
press on
- way it is in the kingdom
Announce - leave excited, not in shame
- not instant, but we will be on our way to the land of promise
- for a little while, if necessary, go thru wilderness

- Ace next Sunday/s; eyeing tabernacle; focusing on promised

land