What’s So Amazing about Grace (1 of 9)

Grace That Is Greater

Than All Our Sin

What’s So Amazing about Grace (1 of 9)

James 2:10

INTRODUCTION

“The person who keeps every law of God but makes one little slip is just as guilty as the person who has broken every law there is.” James 2:10 TLB

I. WHAT IS GUILT?

My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. Ps 38:4 NIV

Guilt is a Warning Light

There are two kinds of guilt

Genuine Guilt

False Guilt

“You began your life in Christ by the Spirit. Now are you trying to make it complete by your own power? That is foolish.” Gal 3:3 NCV

Three tests to discern whether guilt is true or false

Is the focus on People or God?

Is it Vague or Specific?

Is the focus on Rules or Relationship?

II. Man’s WAY OF HANDING GUILT Gen 3:7-13

“They realized they were naked, so they sewed fig leaves together and made something to cover themselves. … and the man and his wife hid from the LORD God … I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’ … The man said, ‘You gave this woman to me and she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it.’” Gen 3:7-12 NCV

Shame

Hiding

Blame

III. GOD’S WAY OF HANDLING GUILT: GRACE

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 Jn 1:9 NASB

Spiritual Breathing

A. Confess Your Sins 1 Jn 1:9

Confess to God

“God, You know what I have done wrong. I cannot hide my guilt from You.” Ps 69:5 NCV

Confess to a Trusted Friend Jas 5:16

B. Trust God’s Character 1 Jn 1:9; Josh 23:14

You know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the Lord your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed. Josh 23:14 NASB

C. Accept God’s Forgiveness 1 Jn 1:9; Rom 8:1; Heb 8:12; Ps 32:5; Jn 19:30; Ps 32:1

I finally admitted all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, `I will confess them to the Lord.’ And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Ps 32:5 TLB