Evidence of Pardon
A. MAN’S GREATEST NEED – PARDON FROM SIN
1. Our condition (Gal. 3:22; Rom. 3:9, 23).
2. In order to go where Christ is, we must be pardoned (John 8:21).
3. The wages of sin (Rom. 6:23).
4. What can we do about sin? Just ignore and deny? (1 John 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:10).
B. PARDON IS THE ONLY REMEDY FOR SIN.
C. 1 John 5:13; 2 Pet. 1:10-11. HOW DO WE KNOW?
A. GOD WANTS TO PARDON US (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9).
B. PARDON TAKES PLACE IN THE MIND OF GOD (Isa. 55:6-7; 43:25).
1. Evidence must come from God who pardons (1 Cor. 2:10-11).
2. Illustration: Pardon of the criminal must have the governor’s seal (2 Tim. 2:19).
A. “I HAD A DREAM;” i.e.
1. One man dreamed he swallowed a wagon. He took this as evidence of salvation.
2. One dreamed he saw Jesus. My dad dreamed he had all his teeth pulled. Guess what!
3. Ecc. 5:3; Jer. 23:25-26.
B. “I SAW THE LIGHT” (Acts 9:5-6; 22:16). So did Saul and Hank Williams. Not saved yet.
C. “I SAW AN ANGEL” So did Cornelius (Acts 10:1-3; 11:13-14; Gal. 1:8-9).
D. “I FEEL IT IN MY HEART” (Jer. 17:9).
1. Feelings should be a product of what believed. Faith doesn’t come from feelings
(Rom. 10:17).
2. Jacob felt that Joseph was dead (Gen. 37:33-34).
E. LED ASTRAY (Col. 2:8).
F. “THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS MIRACLES IN ME.”
1. Describe the H. S. ecstasy of young caller. I cannot deny his experience.
2. I can deny the meaning he assigned it.
3. 1 John 4:1-4. Does he teach the truth. His admission about women (1 Cor. 14:33-34).
4. Miracles, demonic powers, psychotic delusions?
A. WHERE IS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S TESTIMONY?
1. The Holy Spirit speaks through the apostles (John 16:12-13; Eph. 3:3-5).
2. They not only spoke, they wrote (Eph. 3:3-4; 1 Pet. 1:12).
B. THEY HOLY SPIRIT LEADS BY THE WORD (Titus 2:11-12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
C. Rom. 8:14-15.
1. The fruit of following the Spirit (Gal. 5:16, 22-23). Where do we learn these things?
2. How do we know God is our father? (1 John 3:1; Philem 3).
D. THE NEW TESTAMENT REVEALS CONDITIONS OF PARDON
(Acts 2:37; 16:30; 22:10-11).
1. Were these questions answered?
2. What were the answers given? (Act 2:38; 16:31-33; 22:16)..
E. THE SPIRIT BEARS WITNESS “WITH,” NOT “TO” OUR SPIRIT.
Holy Spirit Our spirit
1. Hear Rom. 10:14 1. Yes.
2. Believe John 3:16; Mark 16:16 2. Yes.
3. Repent Acts 17:30; 2:38 3. Yes.
4. Confess Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9 4. Yes.
5. Baptism Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38 5. Yes.
6. Saved Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21 6. Yes.
7. Go to Heaven Rom. 2:10 7. Yes.
A. HAVE YOU OBEYED?
B. WHY NOT NOW?