Session 4 F Is for Forgiveness
F Is for Forgiveness
Everyone has sinned and needs God’s forgiveness.
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”Romans 3:23
God’s forgiveness is in Jesus only.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7
Lostness describes someone’s condition more than his or her destination.
All humanity was created to be in relationship with God.
We are separated from God by sin.
When God forgives us, He forgets our sin, never to bring it up again.
The New Testament depicts forgiveness as coming from God, constantly needed, granted when requested, and based on the saving act of Christ.
By using the word forgiveness for the letter F, you have the opportunity to remind people of their need for forgiveness and to establish the fact that only God can provide it. Everyone has sinned and needs God’s forgiveness.
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”Romans 3:23
God’s forgiveness is in Jesus only.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7
Everyone Has Sinned and Needs God’s Forgiveness
Our need for forgiveness is set against the backdrop of Jesus.
His life exemplified perfection and purity in every way.
No one can obtain that standard and is therefore already a condemned person.
This judgment also comes as a result of someone’s unbelief—the rejection of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.
Sin results in broken fellowship with God.
Anything that disturbs, distorts, or breaks this fellowship is sin.
Jesus forcefully taught that sin is more a condition of the heart than a specific, visible action.
God’s Forgiveness Is in Jesus Only
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches
of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7
God’s forgiveness is found in Jesus only.
Forgiveness is not based on what we have done, how good we are, or how sincere we are.
Forgiveness is based on the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for our sins when He died on the cross.
The price of sin is death.
By being fully human and fully divine, Jesus met the requirement of being a perfect sacrifice.
The shedding of Jesus’ blood accomplished our redemption.
God’s forgiveness is an act of grace.
Opportunities for Continued Dialogue
Wasn’t there another way?
Why do I need forgiveness?
Sins of commission
Sins of omission
Secret sins
Getting Personal
As a believer you can quit beating yourself up for your past.
We also have a responsibility to follow the lead of our Heavenly Father; if God is in the business of forgiving, then so are His followers.
Session 5 A Is for Available
A Is for Available
God’s forgiveness is available for all.
“God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
God’s forgiveness is available but not automatic.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 7:21
The Alls of the Great Commission
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20).
The Alls of the Great Commission
Jesus began by saying that all authority or power is given to Him.
Christ told us to go and make disciples of all nations.
We are to teach people to do all things Christ commanded us to do.
He is with us always—at all times and in all places.
The practice of being a disciple and making disciples is a lifestyle and an attitude, not an event
or a once-a-week activity.
Good News: God’s Forgiveness Is Available for All!
God’s forgiveness is available for all.
“God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Jesus was the perfect gift.
All humans were created to have fellowship with God.
Our sin wouldn’t allow us to have a relationship with God, so the gift of Jesus met our need for forgiveness.
God’s Forgiveness Is Not Automatic
God’s forgiveness is available but not automatic.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.”Matthew 7:21
It is much easier to understand that God’s forgiveness is available for all than to recognize that His forgiveness is not automatic.
God wants all people to accept His forgiveness.
Not everyone will choose to accept it.
It is not about religion or keeping a set of rules.
It is about an intimate love relationship with Him.
Regaining Our Focus on the Lost
If we ever really understand that people are not automatically granted salvation apart from accepting Jesus, we will sense a greater urgency in being a witness.
Opportunities forContinued Dialogue
Won’t everyone be saved?
The idea that everyone will eventually gain heaven is called universalism.
In reality Christianity is inclusive. God offered the opportunity for forgiveness for all.
Even so, Christianity is exclusive in that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father and heaven.
2. How can a loving God send someone to hell?
At the core of this issue is a faulty understanding of God.
The God of the Bible is the personal Creator who is worthy of human worship because of His holy nature and His perfect love, revealed in creating the universe, electing and redeeming His people, and providing eternal salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.
God is—
the only true God;
the living God;
Lord and Master;
holy;
eternal;
spirit;
love;
Father;
intimate and personal;
glorious;
wise;
all-powerful;
righteous.
All the character traits of God work together in perfect balance.
The real question is, How can a perfect God have a relationship with someone who is imperfect and rebellious?
Jesus didn’t come to lead people to hell.
He came to rescue them from hell.
God’s desire is for every person to be saved.
Getting Personal
The gospel is for everyone.
Unless you understand and believe that God’s love is available for each person, including each person with whom you come in contact, you have missed the full impact of God’s forgiveness.
Session 6 I Is for Impossible
I Is for Impossible
According to the Bible, it is impossible to get to heaven on our own.
“By grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
So how can a sinful person have eternal life and enter heaven?
People have limitations.
All people have fallen short of God’s expectations.
It is impossible for us to attain heaven and eternal life on our own.
On Our Own, Heaven Is Impossible
The Bible says it is impossible for someone to go to heaven by their own effort or to stand in God’s presence by their own merit.
Because of who God is
Because of who we are
Because God is perfect, He cannot allow sin or unredeemed sinners in His presence.
Sin separates us from God.
The Impossible Made Possible
According to the Bible, it is impossible to get to heaven on our own.
“By grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
As you begin to show the way God has made possible the impossible—through the forgiveness of sin and a personal relationship with the sovereign God of the universe—you offer restoration, hope, and blessing for the present as well as for eternity.
1. By God’s grace
2. You are saved
3. Through faith
4. Not of yourself
5. It is God’s gift
6. Not from works
7. So that no one can boast
So how can a sinful person have eternal life and enter heaven?
Opportunities for Continued Dialogue
Respond to the claim that we can achieve heaven.
Everyone has sinned in some way and is incapable of being good enough to achieve heaven.
2. Be sensitive to seeker signals.
Asking questions
Attending church
Reading the Bible or religious books
Viewing or listening to Christian media
Participating in Christian social activities
Getting Personal
It is virtually impossible for unsaved persons to be open to the gospel until they understand that they are sinners who need redemption.
Be very careful when you are sharing I is for impossible that you do not come across as judgmental.
Because it is God’s salvation, He gets the credit.
