Message Notes 9-21-03
Down but not Out – What to do When You’ve REALLY Messed Up

 

1. Ask GOD TO FORGIVE YOU

 

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 

Psalm 103:8-13 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. ⁹ He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; ¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; ¹² as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. ¹³ As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him…

 

What is holding me back from asking for forgiveness?

 

 

 

2. Just like God does when he forgives you, you need to MOVE ON

Psalm 103:12 …as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

 

Do I need to let go of this and forgive myself?

 

 

3. Make AMENDS WITH PEOPLE  when necessary

Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

 

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

 

Is there anyone that I need to make things right with because of my actions?

 

 

 

 4. Let God take your hand again and walk through life with you as your “DADDY.”

Psalm 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him…

 

Romans 8:15-16 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

 

Luke 15:11-24  Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.  ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.  ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.  ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.  ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!  ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’  ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

 

What’s keeping me from reaching out and holding God’s hand as my “Daddy?”

 

 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Dear God, I didn’t really understand until today the depth of your love for me. You want a relationship with me because you love me. Nothing is too big for you to forgive.  I need your forgiveness. Please forgive me for sinning against you.  I ask You Jesus Christ to start changing me from the inside out beginning right now. I turn to you and ask you to be the leader of my life. I give you my heart, my soul, my life, my past, and my future. Thank you for dying for me.  Help me to live for you, now and forever. Amen.