This I Believe (Message 8)

Lessons

1. Creeds are an essential part of our FAITH. Without them, we can quickly forget the BASICS.

Mark 12:29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Rom. 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

2. The Apostles’ Creed is for ALL who believe in Jesus.

A Short Review

This creed is a very PERSONAL statement of faith that declares the TRIUNITY of our God.
— I believe in the Holy Spirit . . .
John 9:38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

The third paragraph of the creed is about the THIRD person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit, and reminds us of His WORK in our world.

The Holy Spirit indwells believers and provides DIRECTION, conviction, and gifts. He also helps us produce FRUIT.

Believers are to value the oneness and unity of the CHURCH, and also to enjoy FELLOWSHIP with other Christians.

The forgiveness of sins,

This is easy enough for a CHILD to understand, yet deep enough that a great theologian can not FULLY comprehend.

Forgiveness has ALWAYS been God’s PLAN.
Jer. 31:34 . . . because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Jesus came into the world to PROVIDE forgiveness to all who RESPOND to Him.
1Tim. 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

a. He lived a PERFECT life.
2Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1Pet. 2:22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

b. He died a substitutionary DEATH and PAID for all sin.
1Pet. 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” (Τετέλεσται, tetelistai) With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Matt. 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

c. He rose from the dead as VICTOR over sin and death.
1John 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

When you are forgiven by God, you receive a full PARDON.
Mic. 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
Luke 5:20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” (aphiēmi, ἀφίημι, “to send away)
Psa. 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

a. Remember that ONLY God can forgive SIN (that’s because God made the RULES).
Luke 5:21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

b. You can forgive people when they “sin against you,” but no man can forgive a person’s TRUE SIN. And it is necessary for you to forgive OTHERS in order to RECEIVE God’s forgiveness.
Matt. 6:14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

The Bible shows the DIFFERENCE between sins and SIN.

a. SINS — These are the OFFENSES against God that we have committed.
Luke 7:47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

b. SIN — This is our NATURE; inherited from Adam.
Rom. 7:24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?

The illustration of this is in SALVATION and BAPTISM, but the full realization of being delivered from your sin nature does not happen until the NEXT life.

The Bible also teaches about two KINDS of forgiveness.

a. FOREVER forgiveness — When you repent of your sin and believe in Christ, you are forgiven for ETERNITY. (You only need to ask for forgiveness once!)
Col. 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,(Also Acts 13:38-39)

b. FELLOWSHIP forgiveness — When you CONFESS (agree with God about) your sins and seek to be RESTORED to a right relationship with Him. (In a sense, you do this for your sake!)
1John 1:9 If we confess (ὁμολογέω, homologeō, “to agree”) our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Matt. 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, . . . 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Three Questions

If you haven’t experienced God’s forgiveness, why not seek it today?

If you are a believer, are you in fellowship with Him?

Are you being faithful in forgiving others who offend you?
Eph. 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Walk The Talk

What did you learn about forgiveness from sin and how will you apply it?

Are you faithful in forgiving others when they “sin against you?” If not, how can you begin to practice this in a healthier way?

What emotion does this study draw from you as you consider God’s forgiveness? How will you respond?

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

And in (I believe in) Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

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