Sermon Notes:

We have been authorized by our home country, which is heaven, and by our King, who is Jesus, to officially and temporarily represent our King and His heavenly country to all those who live here on earth.

I. Ambassadors speak the mystery of the gospel.

II. Ambassadors speak with clarity.

III. Ambassadors speak with courage.

IV. Ambassadors speak with conviction.

V. Ambassadors speak with complete dependence upon God.

Sermon Notes:

When God forgives us and restores us, He graciously gives us a hope-filled future.

I. Earthly consequences of sin do not negate future life with God. (15-23)

II. Real hurts caused by sin do not negate future blessings from God. (24-25)

III. Past moments of sin do not negate future service for God. (26-31)

Sermon Notes:

To repent is to turn away from sin by turning toward Jesus, receiving God’s gift of forgiveness and restoration.

I. The Right Belief: Believe the right things about God. (1, 4, 6)

II. The Right Confession: Confess that your sin is as bad as God says it is. (3-5)

III. The Right Attitude: Humble yourself before God. (1-2, 16-17)

IV. The Right Request: Ask God to forgive you because of His love. (7-12)

V. The Right Response: Respond to God’s restoration with a readiness to live for Him. (13-15, 18-19)

1. Respond by teaching sinners how to be forgiven. (13)

2. Respond by singing the truth about God. (14)

3. Respond by declaring the praise-worthiness of God. (15)

4. Respond by desiring to see your forgiveness benefit God’s people. (18-19)

Sermon Notes:

To repent is to turn away from sin by turning toward Jesus, receiving God’s gift of forgiveness and restoration.

I. The Right Belief: Believe the right things about God. (1, 4, 6)

II. The Right Confession: Confess that your sin is as bad as God says it is. (3-5)

III. The Right Attitude: Humble yourself before God. (1-2, 16-17)

IV. The Right Request: Ask God to forgive you because of His love. (7-12)

1. Forgiveness is God’s choice to cleanse your impurity. (7)

2. Forgiveness is God’s choice to heal your brokenness. (8)

3. Forgiveness is God’s choice to cancel your debt. (9)

4. Forgiveness is God’s choice to replace your heart. (10)

5. Forgiveness is God’s choice to keep you close. (11)

6. Forgiveness is God’s choice to restore your joy. (12)

Sermon Notes:

I. The Right Belief. (1, 4, 6)

Believe the right things about God.

II. The Right Confession (3-5)

Confess that your sin is as bad as God says it is.

III. The Right Attitude (1-2, 16-17)

Humble yourself before God.

Sermon Notes:

Rebuke happens when your sin is brought to your attention so that you will turn from it.

I. Understand that God is behind the rebuke, regardless of the form it takes.

II. We need to be rebuked because we are often blind to our sin.

III. Rebuke exposes our forgetfulness of God’s grace.

IV. Rebuke exposes our rejection of God’s word.

V. Rebuke exposes the consequences of our sin.

VI. Rebuke provides an opportunity for confession and forgiveness.

Sermon Notes:

I. Sin may seem beneath you but it doesn’t care who you are.

II. Sin may seem far off but it is closer than you think.

III. Sin may seem small but it will not stay small.

IV. Sin may seem to bring only pleasure but it ends up bringing destruction.

V. Sin may seem to hurt only you but it ends up hurting those around you.

VI. Sin may seem to go unnoticed but God notices it and hates it.

VII. Sin may seem unstoppable but Jesus nailed it to the cross.

Sermon Notes:

Fellowship with God’s people within the context of a local church is essential for growing in godliness.

Fellowship – Intentional relationships among Christians, primarily within the context of a local church, where the goal and outcome is growing in godliness for the glory of God.

Fellowship with the church...

I. ...points you to Jesus as the supreme victor. (7-10)

II. ...provides you with gifted trainers. (11-12)

III. ...pushes you towards Christian maturity. (13)

IV. ...protects you from false doctrine. (14)

V. ...positions you to play your part in helping the body grow. (15-16)

Sermons Notes:

Growing in godliness requires us to spend time praying to the God whose holiness we desire to reflect.

I. We can pray with confidence because Jesus is the great high priest. (14-15)

a. As we consider Jesus, we will cling to the gospel.

b. As we cling to the gospel, we can pray with confidence.

II. We can pray with confidence because God’s throne is one of grace. (16)

a. An attitude of awe will lead us to adore God as the one worthy of the throne.

b. An attitude of humility will lead us to confess to God and receive mercy.

c. An attitude of gratitude will lead us to thank God for his grace.

d. An attitude of dependence will lead us to ask God for his help.

Sermon Notes:

Delighting in God’s word is the central means through which God’s grace for godliness flows into our lives.

I. Your attitude toward God’s word reveals your place in God’s world. (1-2)

II. Your attitude toward God’s word reveals your usefulness in God’s kingdom. (3-4)

III. Your attitude toward God’s word reveals your position in God’s judgment. (5-6)