Message Notes from Sunday

Several people mentioned to me that they did not have enough room on their "bulletin" to take notes on my message Sunday at Graystone. So, I am posting my talk notes below. Kyle's suggestion for those of you who REALLY want to take notes: "Bring a notebook."

Hostage
Breaking Free From Your Past
Jonathan Howes, Lead Pastor

1. God loves you.

“"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.” John 3:16

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

2. Everybody has a past.

As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." Romans 3:10-12

3. In Christ, you are forgiven.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1

2 Misconceptions about God's Forgiveness

1. “I’m too sinful”

"…Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." John 8:11

*True forgiveness leads to repentance.

2. “I have to get my life cleaned up first”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Pictures of God’s Forgiveness

1. “White as snow”

"Come now, let us argue this out," says the LORD. "No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 NLT

2. “Hurled into the sea”

“You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19

3. “Blotted from the record”

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25

How is it possible that our sins have been forgiven?

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,” 1 Peter 3:18


Response: Time of Confession/ Observe the Lord’s Supper

Song during Response Time: Remedy