This morning we sang about the "God of Wonders". He truly is just that! This morning, our text will come from the seventh chapter of Luke where we find three wonderful miracles recorded: a great miracle, raising up the centurion's servant (v1-10); a greater miracle, the widow's son is raised from the dead (V11-17); and the greatest miracle of all, forgiving and restoring a very sinful woman (v36-50).
The salvation of a lost sinner is the greatest miracle that our Lord performs. It meets the greatest need, the body can be healed but later grow sick and die, but salvation lasts for all eternity. It produces the greatest results, changed lives that glorify God. And most of all it required the greatest price; it cost God His Only Son's death on the cross for Him to save the lost.
This morning I want to direct your attention to the portion of this chapter that deals with the greatest of all miracles. It is here that we can learn some very important truths about God's forgiveness. Read: v36-50
I. We All Need God's Forgiveness
A. There are sins of the flesh and sins of the spirit.
1. The woman's reputation as a sinner was well-known.
a. Simon knew that she was a sinner v37
b. Jesus knew she was a sinner v47
c. She was known to be immoral, perhaps she was a prostitute, but Jesus said her sins were many.
2. Simon was an entirely different case.
a. He was a Pharisee, a very religious man.
b. He was still a sinner.
(Romans 5:12) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
c. The Pharisees were guilty of hypocrisy and pride.
d. They often condemned others in order to exalt themselves.
e. The woman was clearly guilty of sins of the flesh but Simon was guilty of sins of the spirit.
B. There are sins of commission and there are sins of omission.
1. Simon knew very well what the woman had done.
2. However he had forgot the things that he had not done.
3. It is tragic that the woman had chosen a sinful lifestyle, but what is worse was that Simon was a sinner and apparently he didn't know it.
4. He thought he had made it, but actually he missed it.
(Romans 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God:
(Romans 3:10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
5. The person who does NOT do what God requires is just as guilty as the one who does what God forbids.
C. There are open sins and hidden sins.
1. Everyone at the feast knew who the woman was and they knew what she had done with her life.
2. Her sins were open.
3. But only Jesus, the One who can read the hearts of men, knew what Simon's sins were.
4. Notice v39 "...he spake within himself..."
5. It isn't important what we see or what others see in our life; but it does matter what God sees.
II. Forgiveness Is the Gracious Gift of God.
A. It is all of Grace
1. Grace is unmerited favor.
2. God's Riches at Christ's Expense
3. Notice v42 "He frankly forgave them both"
4. Forgiveness is not something that we earn or something that we may purchase, it is a gift.
(Ephesians 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
5. This concept of grace was difficult for the Pharisees to understand because there religion was one of merit through good works.
(Luke 18:10-12) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
B. Forgiveness is received by faith.
1. The woman's tears could not save her.
a. No amount of sorrow can save.
b. Too often people our sorry for their sins but won't repent and turn to God in faith.
2. What saved this woman? v50 "Thy Faith"
(Romans 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
a. Everyone has faith in something
b. It is a matter of placing your faith in the proper object and that is in Jesus Christ.
c. Where is our faith this morning?
C. Forgiveness is by grace, through faith, and it is very costly.
1. Notice in v41-42 there was a debt, a cost to be paid.
2. Salvation is free, but it is not cheap!
3. It is doubtful that anyone at the feast realized how much it cost for Jesus to forgive this woman's sins.
4. He paid the ultimate price for her sins and ours on the cross of Calvary!
III. Forgiveness Results in a Changed Life.
A. This woman's faith in Christ changed her.
Note: The condemnation and terror of the Law did not make her a new person, nor did the religious system of the Pharisees!
(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
1. She had a new love. v44-45
a. Love for Christ and love for others is evidence of having been forgiven.
b. When we feel great guilt as a sinner, we will experience great love as a saint.
c. Note the example of Paul.
(1 Timothy 1:15) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
d. Jesus told the Pharisees in John 8:42, "If God were your Father, ye would love me." e. The woman was not ashamed to show her love to Christ.
2. She had a new freedom. v50 [7]
a. She had been wearing the heavy yoke of sin, in bondage to the sins of the flesh.
b. Jesus forgave her and forgiveness always 'Leads to freedom,
c. Jesus said, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" cf John 8:36
3. She had a new peace. v5O
(Isaiah 48:22) There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
(Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
B. Simon's lack of change was a result of his spiritual blindness.
1. Simon couldn't see himself as a sinner.
a. He thought he was a righteous person
b. He could see the sins of others, but not his own.
c. He didn't even realize how discourteous he had been to Jesus.
2. Simon couldn't see the woman as anything but a sinner!
a. He only saw her past and present.
b. Jesus saw her past and present, but He also so what she could become through His marvelous grace.
c. Simon saw only what was outside, Jesus saw her heart.
3. Simon didn't see the Lord Jesus Christ.
a. He referred to Jesus as Master or teacher
b. Note the thoughts of his heart in v39.
"… This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner."
c. Until we know Jesus Christ personally we can never have our eyes opened spiritually to see ourselves and others.
Where do we find ourselves in this passage? Are we more like Simon or are we like the woman? Have we experienced the life-changing forgiveness that comes only from placing our faith in Jesus Christ? Do you know the freedom and peace that comes from a personal relationship with Him? If not, come today.