Here's a little sermon outline that's been tucked away in my stuff since the year dot. I've preached it many times, and I hope you find it helpful and thought-provoking.

Sermon Outline

Introduction

• An old and lovely beatitude... "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit!" (Psa 32:1).

 What forgiveness takes away.

• All sin absolutely:
  "Remembered no more" (Jer 31:34).
  "No condemnation" (Rom 8:1)
  "Blotted out" (Acts 3:18-19)
  "Blood cleanses us from all sin" (1Jn 1:7)
• Eternal punishment, wrath
  "...not perish but have everlasting life" (Jhn 3:16)
  "We shall be saved from wrath through him" (Rom 5:9)
• Feeling of guilt
  "Answer of a clear conscience" (1Pe 3:21)

 What forgiveness does not take away.

• The seriousness of sin
  Does God think lightly of sin because he always forgives it?
  That misunderstands mercy, grace, and love.
  Jesus had to die to make forgiveness possible.
• The harm sin does
  Sins forgiven, but the disease and damage remain
  Example: (1Co 6:9-11).
• The habits that sin ingrains
  One's "youthful lusts" are not loosed on 30th birthday (2Tm 2:22).
  "Sin so easily entangles us" because ingrained (Heb 12:1).
• Our need of God's help
  God "makes a way to escape" (1Co 10:13)
• The devil’s opportunities
  "Don't give devil an opportunity" (Eph 4:27)
   
  
  • Habits make us vulnerable (as above)
    
  • Help in time of temptation (1Co 10:12-13)
    
  • Hasten to rectify for "space to repent" is short (Rev 2:20-21; 2Pe 3:9)

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