You have been forgiven much.

You have been forgiven much. Intro: Many times we find ourselves walking around in despair. We have all made choices in life that we end up regretting. Feeling ashamed, condemned, Judged by others. We don’t feel worthy to enter into the presence of God. We think thoughts like if I would of took better care of myself, I wouldn’t be in this shape today, if I would of been more wise with my finances I wouldn’t be struggling today. The problem with thinking like that is its depressing and instead of motivating us to make the necessary changes in life we say what’s the use and continue to not eat right or exercise, we continue blowing our money instead of budgeting and saving it. And the cycle continues, we go around day after day hating ourselves and sinking more in more despair. Central truth: You maybe still broken but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Point: How can I see the light? 1. Self-effort results in defeat. We must realize that we cannot on our own overcome sin. We need to stop thinking well since I already broken my fellowship with God I may as well keep going and I will confess it all tonight. Even when we fail Jesus is still with us. Stop beating yourself up when you make a mistake but walk in God grace. Say “Lord thank you for loving me even when I mess up”, instead of saying God, forgive me for being such a failure. Right believing always produces right living. 2. The grace of God is the power to preserve you from sin. Grace gives you the power to be victorious over sin. By knowing that Gods grace is sufficient for you gives you the power to rise above and temptation. You may be struggling today with temptation, lustful and angry thoughts, or thought of guilt and condemnation, but the Lord wants you to have victory over these battles in your mind. Come to Jesus today and sit at His feet allow Him to forgive you and bless you. Illustration: Luke 7:36-5036 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 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.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” *she was most likely a prostitute *Might explain how she could afford such expensive oil. *she was weeping because her life was a mess. * She most likely lost everything and everyone in her life. *This valuable possession of perfume was probably all she was worth. *she had no peace. Her life was filled with turmoil, pain and misery. * Jesus gave her peace, at His feet a flood of emotion: all her pain, all her sorrow, all her mistakes, all her failures, all her losses... she poured out to Jesus. * He had compassion for her. Application: You see the sinful woman has heard of Jesus. She probably heard his teaching. She has heard His gracious words of God’s love and forgiveness and healing and restoration. She has heard him speak of His Fathers Kingdom in words so plain and compelling that she can see herself as a child of God once more, a full citizen in this Kingdom of love. Yes, she is still broken, but now she can see light and hope beyond. She worshipped and loved Him with the only thing she had, and Jesus accepted her to Himself.