My New Life Of Grace - May 24, 2009

Text: Acts 5:20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."

Rom 3:21-25 “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

1. WHAT IS GUILT?

James 2:10 "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." TLB

We all know what it feels like. - Ps. 38:4"My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear."

A. What is the purpose of guilt?


B. What do we do about guilt?

1. We ignore it and hope it goes away.
2. We pretend it's not there.
3. We try to fix it ourselves.


C. There are two different kinds of guilt.

1. There is genuine guilt.
2. There is false guilt. Galatians 3:3

2. OUR ATTEMPTS TO DEAL WITH GUILT

Genesis 3:7-12
1. Shame

2. Hiding

3. Blame


3. GOD'S WAY OF DEALING WITH GUILT: GRACE

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."

1. Confess your sins. James 5:16 says, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you."

2. God is faithful and just. Heb 10:22 “Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean.” NLT

3. Accept God's forgiveness. John 3:18 "People who believe in God's Son are not judged guilty." NCV

Psalm 32:5 "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." TLB


CONCLUSION: Do you want all your guilt gone? Do you want to experience the new life, guilt free life, which is available through Jesus Christ today?