<p>GOOD NEWS: “FORGIVENESS OF SIN” - Acts 2: 36-47 I. INTRODUCTION: “GOOD NEWS” 1. Silvo/Geico 2. There is some “better news” than just saving a little money. II. THE “GOOD NEWS” OF ACTS 2: 36-47. A. “Forgiveness of sin” 1. This is “great news!” 2. All your sins can be forgiven. B. The reason this is great news: Vs. 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" Vs. 47 And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Rom 6:16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1. The reason we need forgiveness of sin is because our sin condemns us. 2. The word “death” is the Greek word “thanatos” and it is defined in the Thayer’s Greek Lexicon as “the miserable state of the wicked dead in hell.” 3. Sin condemns us to be “miserable in hell.” C. Hell is not a pleasant place. Mark 9:48… where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. Matt 13:50…and will cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 25:46 "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." 1. The reason it is such “good news” that your sins can be forgiven is because you are no longer condemned to eternal punishment. 2. When you are “saved” you are set free from condemnation. D. Everyone is guilty of sin and needs to be saved. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1. Some people think that they have not committed sin or they think their sin is not that bad. 2. To deny that you have committed sin is to lie to your self and it is to call God a liar because in Romans 3: 23 He says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” 3. To lie to yourself and to make God a liar is a sin itself. 4. It only takes one sin to condemn you and there are no one sin people. 5. A partial list of sins from Romans 1, Eph. 4, Col. 3, 1 Cor. 6:9 and 2 Tim. 3: 1-4. Lie steal cheat hate envy greed maliceHomosexuality immorality adulterymurder fornication prejudice bigotry slander bitterness injustice rebellion against God critical judging failing to what is right false teaching denying God coarse talking impurity uncontrolled angerfilthiness arrogance covetousness idolatry clamor unforgiving wickedness meanness insolent gossiping boastfuldisobedient to parents unfaithfulness effeminate drunkards revilers swindle rob laziness factious quarrelsome a. We think in order to be condemned by our sin it has to be a “big one.” b. Or, it has to be something that someone has seen us do. c. Or, if someone else consents to it, it is not a sin. d. The truth is, God sees all that we do and He knows the intent of the heart. e. Sin is sin and the small ones condemn you just as much as the big ones. f. The idea that it is not a sin because the other person consented to it is foolish; consider Adam and Eve. 6. The point is, we have all sinned and we are condemned by our sin. 7. But every sin can be forgiven no matter how bad you might think it is…and that is good news. E. The extent to which God forgives sin. Heb 8:12 "For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And I will remember their sins no more." Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 1. When God forgives your sin He removes it so far from His mind that He doesn’t remember it any more. 2. We hang on to things but when He forgives He removes it from His mind. 3. The blood that cleanses you is able to atone completely for any sin you may have committed. Heb 7:25 Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 4. The word “forever” in the Greek speaks not only of time but also of “completeness.” F. How? How can your sins be forgiven? Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 1. Peter says, “Repent”. a. It means “to change the heart, mind, and the will.” b. If there is no repentance then there will be no “forgiveness of sin.” c. See Luke 13: 3. 2. Peter then says, “Let each of you be baptized…” a. “Baptized” literally means “to plunge, to dip, to immerse.” b. It is not the Greek word “rhantizo” which means “to sprinkle.” c. It is not the Greek word “cheo” which means “to pour.” 3. Peter says, “In the name of Jesus Christ.” a. This phrase speaks of “authority.” b. Baptism is something that you do “by Jesus” authority or command. c. He is Lord (vs. 36) and as such we are to do what He commands. d. Mark 16:16 and Matthew 28: 18-20, Christ commanded baptism. 4. Then Peter says that you are to live the lifestyle of a Christian. Acts 2:42 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. a. Baptism is only the beginning of the “saved” life. b. Christianity is something that is to be lived daily, “even unto death.” CONCLUSION: There is “good news.” Yes, you might be able to save some money by switching your car insurance. But you can save a whole lot more by switching from a life that is condemned by sin to a life that obeys Christ. It all begins by repenting, and being baptized for the “forgiveness” of your sins. Now, what about the one who has been baptized and yet has fallen away and gone back to a sinful lifestyle? Is there any hope for him? Let me remind you of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15: 11ff. If you will humbly come back to the Father acknowledging your sins and leave that sinful life behind, the Father will restore you back to full son-ship. Silvo will not grow any hair on your bald spots but Christ can and will save you if you will only obey Him. It is up to you. </p>