Praying for Forgiveness?

Text: Acts 8:21-24

Prayer and forgiveness (refernces)

1 Kings 8:30

2 Chronicles 6:21

2 Chronicles 6:39

2 Chronicles 7:14

Mark 11:25

James 5:15

Acts 8:22 “Therefore, repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart will be forgiven you.”

Footnotes:

1 Kings 8:30 And listen to the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear in heaven Your dwelling place; hear and forgive!

2 Chronicles 6:21 Listen to the pleadings of Your servant and of

Your people Israel when they pray toward this place; hear from Your dwelling place, from heaven; hear and forgive.

2 Chronicles 6:39 Then hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, their prayer and pleadings, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You

2 Chronicles 7:14 (If) My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you for your offenses.

James 5:15 and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.

GOD’S INITIATIVE to provide forgiveness

1. Atonement is a prerequisite for forgiveness (Lev c.4-5)

Atonement is the satisfaction of the demands of justice

Once the issue of justice has been settled, forgiveness

may be offered

2. God provided for atonement (Romans 3:23-26)

Old testament: Sacrifices (as a type to be fulfilled in Jesus)

New Testament: Jesus, the propitiation for our sin

3. God offers forgiveness (Psalm 86:5)

Footnotes:

1. Atonement: Satisfying justice: Leviticus 4 and 5 “So the priest shall make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven. 2. Romans 3:23-26 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory

of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished; f or the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who

has faith in Jesus” .3. “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all who call upon You.” Psalms 86:5

Simon’s desperate condition

1. The selfish intention to use God for his own personal worldly benefit

2. A heart not right before God

3. The gall of bitterness

4. The bond of iniquity

5. Unable or unwilling to pray and reconcile to God

Footnotes:

1.INTENTION: Looking for Greater influence / Greater fame / Greater reward

2.HEART: Seeking God’s power and benefits, but not God Himself

3.GALL OF BITTERNESS: Jealousy, pettiness, and envy

Wanting what Phillip had that he did not

Not having or getting all that he wants for himself

4.BOND OF INIQUITY: Enslaved to sin / held captive by his own desires Proverbs 5:22 He will be held by the ropes of his sin.

5.SEEKING TO AVOID PUISHMENT, but NOT EMBRACIBNG GRACE:

Not wanting God’s punishment, but not willing to submit either

STOP ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS

1. God has already provided for our forgiveness.

2. God has already offered us forgiveness

GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORGIVENESS

1. CONFESS – admit the wickedness of your behavior

2. REPENT – regret, renounce, and reject your sinful choices

3. BELIEVE – that Jesus settled God’s requirement for justice, and that He gives FORGIVENESS to those who trust Him