John 8:1-11

To show that we can hold to the declaration of the Apostles Creed, “I believe in the forgiveness of sin”.

There is at least one thing that is held in common by every one of us without exception. There are several things that some of us have in common such as shared interests, common hobbies, similar heritage, etc. However, there is one common denominator for us all;  and that leads to our consideration today. “I believe in the forgiveness of sin.”

What a powerful declaration! Since the one thing we all have in common is the fact that we have sinned, what a wonderful assurance to know that there is forgiveness for the one thing we all need.

Because of the evidence provided, we can accept the declaration, “I believe in the forgiveness of sin”.

Let’s examine the experience of several people whose lives reflect this statement.

• The adultress (John 8:1-11)
  • The acts and consequences
    • Caught in the act
    • The consequence is death
  • The test
    • Would Jesus act as a judge in this matter?
  • The forgiveness
    • Go and sin no more
• The tax collector (Luke 19:1-10)
  • Zaccheus
    • His lifestyle
      • Gain as much as you can
    • His encounter with Jesus
    • Evidence of forgiveness
      • A changed lifestyle
      • A declaration
        • Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.”
• The religious scholar (Acts 22:1-21)
  • The persecutor (Acts 22:1-4)The pardoned (Acts 22:15-16)
  • The preacher (Acts 22:21)
• A criminal (Luke 23:32-43)
  • The crime
    • The thief committed a heinous crime
    The turning point (Luke 23:41-42)
    • We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.
  • The assurance (Luke 23:43)

Therefore, based upon this evidence, we can hold to the declaration. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.