Apostle’s Creed: 3rdArticle-

The Forgiveness of Sins

Chain the Catechism: A topical study through the Lutheran confessions

Ps 130:3-4 If you, O Lord, keep a record… Rm 3:22-24 There is no difference…

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found…

Memorization Verses:

Fold your paper into fours vertically.

We’ll pass and draw: 1) head to shoulders, 2) shoulders to waist, 3) waist to knees, 4) knees to feet

Hide it before you pass it!—Just give them the connecting lines.

Exquisite Cadaver

Job 13: 28 So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart

Where?Down in my heart!Where?Down in my heart!I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in

my heartDown in my heart to stay

And I'm so happySo very happyI've got the love of Jesus in my heartDown in my heartAnd I'm so happySo very happyI've got the love of Jesus in my heart.

I've got the peace that passes understanding

Way down in the depths of my heart!...

I've got the mighty Messiah that manifests miracles down in the depths of my heart...

I've got the wonderful Love of my Blessed Redeemer way down in the depths of my heart...

And if the Devil doesn't like itHe can sit on a tack! Ouch!

Sing it!

PRAYERI thank You, my dear God, that I have learned not to begin faith by my own efforts, nor attempt to destroy my sin with my own repentance. I might do this before men and be accepted by the world and its judges. But with You, O God, there is an eternal wrath, which I cannot satisfy, and before it I must despair. Therefore I thank You that Another has seized and carried my sins and has made atonement for them. With joy I wish to believe this. It seems so very right and comforting to me. But I cannot persuade myself to believe it, and I find no power in me to convince myself. I cannot comprehend it as I ought. Lord, lead me. Help me. Amen. (Luther)…..

Oh Holy Spirit…•Pardon and Forgiveness•Justification by Faith•Promise of Christ•Hold Fast•Comfort for Sinners, Glory to God

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1. “Forgive our sins as we forgive" you taught us, Lord, to pray;

but you alone can grant us grace to live the words we say.

2. How can your pardon reach and bless the unforgiving heart

that broods on wrongs and will not let old bitterness depart?

3. In blazing light your cross reveals the truth we dimly knew,

what trivial debts are owed to us, how great our debt to you.

4. Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls and bid resentment cease.

Then, bound to all in bonds of love, our lives will spread your peace.

It’s your turn to develop discussion questions surrounding the Apostles’ Creed topic: “The Forgiveness of Sins” Let’s confess our faith by articulating and answering difficult questions that you have, or may anticipate the world having. Here are some examples:

1. Why does God require sacrifice for forgiveness? Why can’t he just forgive?

2. What is the Church’s role in the forgiveness of sins? Why public confession?

3. Why does God elect some and not others for subjective justification?

4. Why have baptism and communion if it is Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins?

Make sure to have a primary question, followed by 2-3 back-up questions.

Split into two main groups for discussion (15 min.) Present 2-3 questions to the entire group, discuss thought process/reasoning/context, scripture support, and answer.

Forgiveness Socratic Seminar

3rd Article of the Apostle’s Creed: The Church and Communion of Saints

Say Mean Matter

Key phrases

Own words

Answer the questions/Personal application

Why do you say, “I believe in the forgiveness of sins?” What moves God to forgive sins? How is it possible for a just and holy God to declare sinners righteous

(justification)? Where does God offer the forgiveness of sins? How do you receive this forgiveness of sins? Why can and should I be sure of the forgiveness of sins? Why must be firmly hold to this teaching of justification by grace, for Christ’s sake

through faith? ______________________________ SS: God has declared pardon and forgiveness M: Justification offered by faith in the Gospel T: God’s Promsies Kept in Christ W: Hold Fast, Dear Christian Th: Comfort for Sinners, Glory to God

Why do you say, "I believe in the forgiveness of sins“? I believe in the forgiveness of sins because through Christ God has declared pardon and forgiveness to all sinful humanity.

 Ps. 130:3-4 If you, O Lord, keep a record of my sins, O Lord, who can stand? But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared.

2 Cor. 5:19 God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.

What moves God to forgive sins? God forgives sins because He is merciful and because of Christ's atoning sacrifice for sinners.

Ps. 86:15 You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

 John 3:16 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.

Eph. 1:7 In [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.

  1 John 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our

sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

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SS: God has declared pardon and forgiveness

How is it possible for a just and holy God to declare sinners righteous (justification)? God declares sinners righteous for Christ's sake; that is, our sins have been imputed or charged to Christ, the Savior, and Christ's righteousness has been imputed or credited to us.

2 Cor. 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.

 Rom. 3:22-24 There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

 Rom. 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

 Bible narrative: The king forgave the servant all his debts (Matt. 18:23-35).

Where does God offer the forgiveness of sins? God offers the forgiveness of sins in the Gospel

 Luke 24:47 Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations.

 Rom. 1:16 1 am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

2 Cor. 5:19 He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

How do you receive this forgiveness of sins? I receive this forgiveness through faith, that is, by believing the Gospel.

 Gen. 15:6 Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.

 Rom. 3:28 A man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

 Rom. 4:5 To the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. (Luke 18:9-14).

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M Justification offered by Faith in the Gospel

Pray: Hear us, O never-failing Light, Lord our God, the Fountain of light, the Light of Your Angels, Principalities, Powers, and of all intelligent beings. You have created the light of Your Saints. May our souls be lamps of You, kindled and illuminated by you. May they shine and burn with the truth, and never go out in darkness and ashes. May the gloom of sins be cleared away, and the light of perpetual faith abide within us. Amen. (Mozarabic Liturgy, c. 7th c)

Why can and should I be sure of the forgiveness of my sins? I can and should be sure of the forgiveness of my sins because God keeps His promises in Christ.

Rom. 8:38-39 1 am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Tim. 1:12 1 know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

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T God’s Promises Kept in Christ

Why must we firmly hold to this teaching of justification by grace, for Christ's sake, through faith? We must firmly hold to this teaching because A. it is the most important doctrine of the Christian religion;

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

 Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.

 B. it distinguishes the Christian religion from false religions, all of which teach salvation by works;

Gal. 5:4-5 You who are trying to be'justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await

through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.

 Note: See Micah 7:18-20. Pray: O God, how graciously Ou helped

me: YOU made Christ Righteousness unto me. Christ is my jewel, Christ is my glorious dress, Christ is the robe of my righteousness. Grant that through the gracious work of Your Holy Spirit I may put on Christ by believing in Him, and wrap myself in Christ, and hide myself in Him. And for Christ’s sake, O righteous God, declare me, a sinner, righteous! Amen. (Zorn)

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W Hold Fast, Dear Christian

C. it gives enduring comfort to the penitent sinner; 

Acts 16:30-31, 34 "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household.". . . He was filled with joy, because he had come to believe in God.

 Matt. 9:2 Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.

 D. it gives all glory to God for His grace and mercy in Christ.

 Rev. 1:5-6 To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father-to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

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Th Comfort for Sinners, Glory to God

Pray: My sins are ever before my eyes, and the punishment of them present to my thoughts. My soul is amazed at its own guilt, and my conscience has already begun my torments within me. Hell opens its mouth to receive me, and my sins are hurrying me into the jaws of death. Lord, how can I endure? How can I think of that fire which is never to be quenched? Or be able to bear the gnawings of that worm that shall never die? But, O Lord, the infinity of these torments make me fly to the infinity of Your mercy. There fire can’t burn with so much ardor to torment me, as Your love does with a merciful desire to save me. I will therefore hide myself under Your wings, and be safe under Your feathers. And O holy and most merciful Jesus, You have revealed to us in Your Gospel the terrors of hell, and the eternity of them, but at the

same time You have taught us the blessed means to escape them. Support me with Your Spirit, apply Your merits to my soul, and drive away all desponding thoughts of my eternal condition, while You are my only Savior, my only hope, the Rock of my salvation, and my most merciful God. Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen. (Gerhard, 1582-1637)

I thank You, most merciful God, that of our pure grace for Christ’s sake You do at all times through the Gospel offer me forgiveness of sins, that treasure which alone can save me. I have but to take freely, only to believe. Now, then, my God, I pray, give me Your Holy Spirit, that I may not fear nor doubt, but with faith and rejoicing take the salvation which You did give unto me freely and without price: the forgiveness of my sins. Amen. (C.M. Zorn, 1846-1928).

Conclusion

I believe in the forgiveness of sins because through Christ God has declared pardon and forgiveness to all sinful humanity. God forgives sins because He is merciful and because of Christ's atoning sacrifice for sinners.God declares sinners righteous for Christ's sake; that is, our sins have been imputed or charged to Christ, the Savior, and Christ's righteousness has been imputed or credited to us.God offers the forgiveness of sins in the Gospel I receive this forgiveness through faith, that is, by believing the Gospel.

  I can and should be sure of the forgiveness of my sins because God keeps His promises in Christ.We must firmly hold to this teaching because A. it is the most important doctrine of the Christian religion; B. it distinguishes the Christian religion from false religions, all of which teach salvation by works;C. it gives enduring comfort to the penitent sinner;  D. it gives all glory to God for His grace and mercy in Christ. 

Gone, Gone, Gone, Gone!Yes, my sins are gone.Now my soul is free, and in my heart's a song;Buried in the deepest sea;Yes, that's good enough for me;I shall live eternally,Praise God! my sins are GONE!

Sing it!

3rd Article: The Resurrection of

the Body andThe Life Everlasting

Next Time…(7/8)