HOSPITAL OR MUSEUM? part 2

Sermon Notes, October 4, 2015

Rev. Garry McGlinchy

            Rev. McGlinchy’s sermon was titled “Hospital or Museum? Part 2” Pastor Garry told about reconciling with his grandfather, when he had to offer forgiveness; also about reconciling with his wife, when he had to ask for forgiveness.  He reminded us that our faith affects everyone, as illustrated by the faith of the friends of the paralyzed man who brought him to Jesus to be healed, and Jesus forgave his sins.  (Luke 5:17-27, 31 & 32)

            God’s forgiveness far surpasses human understanding.  The Greek word aphiemi—forgiven, means “to leave or let go, to give up a debt, to send away from one’s self.  Forgiveness means that a relationship has been restored despite the wrong that has been done! 

            James McDonald has a 90-word list of wrongs: Addiction, Adultery, Anger, Argumentative, Bigotry, Bitterness, Boastful, Bossiness, Causing Dissension, Conceit, Controlled by Emotions, Controlled by peer pressure, Covetousness, Critical Tongue, Deceitfulness, Depression, Dishonesty, Disrespectful, Domineering, Drug dependency, Drunkenness, Envy, False guilt, False modesty, False witness, Fear, Feeling helpless, Feeling rejected, Feeling stupid, Feeling worthless, Gluttony, Gossip, Greediness, Hatred, Homosexual lust, Hostility, Idolatry, Impatience, Impulsiveness, Impure thoughts, Indifferent to needs, Inhibited, Insecurity, Intemperance, Jealousy, Laziness, Loner, Low self-esteem, Lust for pleasure, Lying, Murder, Must repay kindness, Negativism, Occult involvement, Opinionated, Oppressive, Overly quiet, Overly sensitive to criticism, Passivity, Prejudice, Pride, Profanity, Projecting blame, Rebellion to authority, Refuse to forgive, Resentment, Restlessness, Sadness (anxiety), Self-centeredness, Self-confidence, Self-gratification, Self-hatred, Self-indulgence, Self-hatred, Self indulgence, Self-justification, Self-pity, Self-reliance, Self-righteousness, Self-sufficiency, Sensuality, Sexual immorality, Sexual lust, Slander, Stubbornness, Temper, Theft, Unjust, Unloving, Vanity, Workaholic.

          In Luke 5:20 when Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”  We need God’s forgiveness.  And we need to forgive.  Constantly.  We must continue to forgive. Not just seven times, but seventy times seven. 
           In Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus tells a story that gives us a great example of forgiveness in three ways.  The king forgives his servant’s huge debt.  The servant does not forgive a small debt owed to him.  When the other servants tell the king about this, the servant is punished for his wrong doing.  Jesus points out two things in this passage: we need to continue to forgive one another; and in verses 32-35 He tells us what will happen if we don’t forgive.  Paul also tells us a few things about forgiveness in Colossians 3:12-14 and 1 Corinthians 1:10.

            Here are two examples of how we can be the church for each other and the world: Forgive, because God forgave us; Love in unity with each other.  This is something every church can work on!  Aphiemi far surpasses all human understanding.

            So now what?  In order for us to truly come to God we need to repent of our sins—make a 180-degree turn-around.  Acknowledge and Confess our sins.  Renounce our sins.  Surround ourselves with people who will hold us accountable for our sins.

            When Christ died on the cross both the Law and Justice are satisfied, because Jesus paid the penalty of all our sins!  The guilt of the sin is completely removed and replaced with Christ’s righteousness!  It’s like it never happened in God’s eyes!  We were created to by in rhythm with each other and with God.  This is why we need to bring people to church—the hospital—to be healed, instead of to the museum to be displayed.