Kingdom Principle: We are physical and spiritual beings and we need spiritual sustenance. The problem is we seek that fulfillment in things and not in God. For this we need forgiveness.
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_______________________ from God
Luke 11:4 (ESV) — 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
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Why do we need to be _________________________?
We are glory thieves!
Luke 11:4 (ESV) — 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us…
Matthew 6:12 (ESV) — 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 6:14 (ESV) — 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
Sin is to fall short of the glory of God because we do not give to God the respect and honor he is due but instead steal it for ourselves.
Romans 1:18–23 (ESV) — 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For (notice) what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For (notice) although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Here is the pattern, we do not acknowledge God as God, instead we take that glory for ourselves and abuse God’s creation.
Isaiah 42:5–8 (ESV) — 5 Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it… 8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.
Sin is replacing that which is of inestimable worth and glory with that which is pitiable and sullied.
“Sin is the glory of God not honored, the holiness of God not reverenced, the greatness of God not admired, the power of God not praised, the truth of God not sought, the wisdom of God not esteemed, the beauty of God not treasured, the goodness of God not savored, the faithfulness of God not trusted, the commandments of God not obeyed, the justice of God not respected, the wrath of God not feared, the grace of God not cherished, the presence of God not prized, the person of God not loved.”
John Piper, What Is Sin? The Essence and Root of All Sinning
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Do we need ongoing _______________________?
Hebrews 10:12–14 (ESV) — 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
We are free from sin, but we are not free of sin. We have been released from its penalty and tyranny but the old man still remains and needs to be confronted at every turn. (Gal. 5:16-17; Rom. 7:21-23; 1John 1:8-10)
Questions to Consider
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In what ways are you tempted to make prayer about you? How does this rob God of his glory?
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We do we need to continue to pray to be forgiven of sin? What tension exists within the believer? How does asking for forgiveness make us aware of this tension?
