Forgiveness

2 Samuel 11 · 2 Samuel 12

2 Samuel

God's Mercy

David's sin with Bathsheba reveals both human failure and God's astounding mercy. When confronted by the prophet Nathan, David confesses and discovers that God forgives even the worst betrayals.

Psalm 38 · John 4:39

Facets of Forgiveness

Facets of Forgiveness - Forgiving Yourself

Guilt is a signal that something needs to change, but prolonged guilt becomes shame—a false identity that pushes us away from God. Through Scripture and neuroscience, the speaker shows how to believe God's forgiveness despite emotions that contradict it.

Matthew 20:20-28 · Ephesians 4:32

Facets of Forgiveness

Facets of Forgiveness - Emotions

Forgiveness has two parts: a decision made in the mind and an emotional shift in the heart. Because emotions change slowly, the struggle to forgive often involves managing feelings of hurt, anger, and betrayal while committing to the difficult work of letting go.

John 8:1-11

Facets of Forgiveness

Facets of Forgiveness - A Difficult Choice

Forgiveness is a difficult choice that demands we release others from the penalty of their sin, just as Jesus did. Only by remembering our own weakness and sin can we find the humility to forgive.

John 21:1-19 · Mark 14:27-31

A New Lease on Life

When Peter denied Jesus three times, his boast lay shattered. Through a resurrection breakfast and three affirmations of love, Jesus restores Peter's purpose: not fishing for fish, but caring for Jesus's followers. The sermon calls believers to align their lives with Jesus's mission and motives.

Luke 17:1-10

Luke

A Servant's Work Is Never Done

This sermon outlines four essential character traits of disciples: avoiding being a stumbling block to others' faith, practicing quick forgiveness when repentance is offered, maintaining faith focused on Jesus rather than seeking great faith, and embracing humble servanthood with nothing to boast about.

Luke 7:36-50

Acceptance

This sermon examines Jesus' radical acceptance of a sinful woman in Luke 7, contrasting her overflowing gratitude with Simon's judgment, and calls believers to extend similar grace and welcome to the spiritually broken.

Leviticus 1-7

Leviticus

Approaching God

This sermon examines the five Old Testament sacrifices as a pattern for approaching God: confession and forgiveness must precede praise and thanksgiving. All find their fulfillment in Christ's sacrifice, calling believers to daily dedication and assurance of peace with God.

Luke 6:37-45

Be Like Your Teacher

This sermon examines Jesus's command to love enemies by extending mercy without prejudging who might receive God's grace, demonstrating through our attitude and actions that we reflect God's character.

Nehemiah 9:1-38 · Psalm 136:1-9

Nehemiah

Confession and Praise

This sermon leads believers through a service of praise and confession modeled on Nehemiah 9, where God's compassionate and forgiving nature is celebrated through alternating corporate praise and confession of sin.

1 Kings 8:27 · 1 Kings 8:31-53

1 Kings

Dedication

Solomon's dedication prayer reveals God's awesome nature and willingness to forgive repentant people. The sermon calls believers to recognize God's greatness and extend forgiveness to others as God does.

2 Samuel 11 · Leviticus 15

Don't Look

This sermon examines David's affair with Bathsheba, revealing how unchecked temptation and complacency lead to sin, and how God's knowledge of hidden sin calls us to confession and truth.

Exodus 34:6-8 · Luke 6:37

Forgiveness

God's character is fundamentally forgiving, and Christians are called to imitate this forgiveness toward others, releasing the past while moving forward in restored relationships.

John 8:1-11 · Galatians 5:4

Forgiveness Isn't Permission

Grace is God's undeserved favor that releases us from sin's penalty and power, but it demands moral change and does not excuse us from consequences. Forgiveness is not permission to sin, but a call to live righteously and serve others through the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

2 Corinthians

Godly Sorrow

This sermon examines godly sorrow and repentance, contrasting true repentance—which grieves over sin itself before God—with worldly sorrow that merely regrets consequences. Confronting sin in love is necessary; responding to confrontation with genuine repentance that produces changed behavior demonstrates faith in Christ's redemptive work.

Luke 15:11-32

Parables

God's Grace

This sermon examines the parable of the prodigal son to demonstrate that God's grace exceeds what we deserve or expect, extending equally to the repentant sinner and the obedient believer who will receive it.

Exodus 34:1-9

God's Reaction to Rebellion

God reveals his merciful and gracious nature to Israel after their rebellion, demonstrating that his desire is relationship and forgiveness rather than punishment. True worship responds to this revelation of God's character by focusing on his glory and allowing transformation.

Acts 12:20-24

Acts

God's Word Spreads

Despite political opposition and human arrogance, God's purposes cannot be derailed. The church must focus on spreading God's word through compassion, grace, and forgiveness rather than political power.

2 Samuel 9 · 1 Samuel 20

Grace

A promise made to Jonathan is fulfilled through David's kindness to Mephibosheth, demonstrating grace—undeserved favor given because of relationship rather than merit. Like God's grace toward us through Christ, this account shows how we receive blessings we don't deserve and must respond with gratitude.

Genesis 50:15-21

Grudges and Grace

This sermon examines how unresolved guilt can persist despite clear evidence of forgiveness, and calls believers to embrace God's complete grace by repenting, immersing in Scripture, sharing burdens with trusted others, and extending forgiveness to free themselves and others.

Colossians 1:1-14 · Genesis 1:28

Colossians

Holy and Forgiven

This sermon establishes the Christian identity as holy and forgiven in Christ, calling believers to live worthily of God by bearing fruit, enduring patiently, and giving thanks—not to earn favor, but in response to already being transferred into God's kingdom.

Hosea 14:1-9

Hosea

Hosea: Prophet of God's Way Home

God invites Israel to return through confession, changed words, and commitment, enabled entirely by God's grace and healing love. The sermon calls listeners to respond to God's invitation to come home.

Matthew 28:18-20 · Romans 3:21

How Does One Become a Christian?

Becoming a Christian means committing one's life to Jesus through faith and baptism, identifying with his death and resurrection, and trusting God's promises of forgiveness, transformation, and eternal presence.

Exodus 34:4-8 · Genesis 3:10

Let's Keep It Hidden

This sermon examines God's character as revealed in Scripture—merciful, compassionate, and eager to forgive rather than punish—and calls listeners to abandon the shame-driven impulse to hide sin, trusting instead in God's grace and the welcoming embrace of authentic Christian community.

1 John 2:7-14 · John 13:34

1 John

Living in Light

Walking in light means loving one another and living ethically; John reassures believers that their sins are forgiven through Jesus while calling them to examine whether their claims to know God match their actions.

1 Timothy 5:1-2

Me Too? Sexual Abuse Discussed

This sermon addresses sexual abuse and the church's response to victims, examining biblical accounts of sexual misconduct and calling men to treat all women with dignity and respect while offering a path toward healing rooted in God's justice and presence.

Micah 7:8-20

Micah

Mercy

God delights in forgiving the repentant who confess their sin, exalt Him alone, and experience His transformative mercy that drowns iniquities in the sea.

1 John 2:1-2

1 John

Our Advocate

God's people must actively struggle against sin while trusting that Jesus, our righteous advocate and atoning sacrifice, defends us when we fail.

1 Timothy 1:12-17

Patience

This sermon reflects on God's patience toward us through Paul's dramatic conversion and calls believers to extend that same mercy and patience to others, beginning with personal transformation and submission to God's will.

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4

Questioned Motives

When falsely accused, Christians should defend themselves by pointing to God's promises and the Holy Spirit's presence, while also examining their own lives and choosing to believe the best in one another rather than spreading unfounded accusations.

Leviticus 16:1-34 · Romans 8:3

Leviticus

Separation

Sin must be covered through atonement for relationship with God to exist. Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice replaces the Old Testament system and opens access to God for all believers.

Psalm 51 · Romans 3:23

Song of Man's Sin

This sermon examines Psalm 51 as David's response to his sin with Bathsheba, showing how confession of sin results in God's forgiveness and restoration of relationship through God's unfailing love and great compassion.

Hebrews 9:24-28

The End of God's Plan

Christ's sacrificial death provides permanent forgiveness and establishes salvation for those who faithfully anticipate his return with longing and focus.

Matthew 5:38-48

Sermon on the Mount

The King's Children Love

Jesus calls his followers to abandon retaliation and extend love to enemies, imitating God's indiscriminate grace by treating all people with intentional kindness regardless of whether they deserve it.

Matthew 5:21-26

Sermon on the Mount

The King's Children Seek Reconciliation

This sermon examines how Jesus calls his followers to transform their hearts regarding anger, moving beyond merely avoiding murder to valuing the dignity of others. The King's children seek reconciliation and healing rather than nursing pride and contempt.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

The Power of the Cross

Paul reveals how the cross appears as foolishness to those seeking philosophical debate or political power, yet stands as God's transformative power for those who believe. Believers honor God by trusting his sufficiency to forgive sin and set them free.

John 8:1-11

John Gospel

Throwing Stones

This sermon examines Jesus's response to the accusers of an adulterous woman, revealing God's grace as both refusing to condemn sin while offering genuine opportunity for transformation and change.

Colossians 2:6-15

Colossians

Victory

Christ's triumph over sin and Satan at the cross frees believers from false teachings and religious rules. In baptism, we share in his victory, having our sins stripped away and rising renewed in God's power.

1 John 1:5-10

1 John

Walking in the Light

This sermon examines three false claims made by those who separated from the congregation—that they have fellowship with God, are without sin, and have never sinned. John counters each claim by emphasizing that true fellowship with God requires both alignment with God's people and confession of sin.

Matthew 7:1-5 · Matthew 23:23-24

What We Need Are More Rules

This sermon challenges the belief that God is primarily rule-focused and legalistic, arguing instead that a grace-oriented view of God transforms how we treat others in life's gray areas.

Romans 6:19-23 · Romans 3:23

Evangelism

A Clear Message

Christians must prepare a clear, brief gospel message tailored to their audience's interests and personality, emphasizing Jesus's substitutionary death and the need for personal acceptance of God's forgiveness.

Genesis 2 · 2 Samuel 5:1

Covenant

Covenant of Marriage

This sermon examines marriage as a covenant relationship grounded in Genesis, challenging romantic idealism with biblical realism. Listeners are called to choose gratitude, forgiveness, and intentional connection over criticism and busyness.

Genesis 2-3 · John 8:1-11

Grandville

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the key to healthy families and relationships. This sermon explores why forgiveness is difficult, what Jesus teaches through the woman caught in adultery, and how to practice forgiveness as a reflection of God's grace toward us.

Romans 8:1-17 · Acts 18:2

Romans

Real Freedom

Through the Holy Spirit's work, believers receive a spiritually transformed heart and freedom from condemnation and the law's bondage. The invitation is to cooperate with the Spirit's leading rather than return to old patterns of shame and death.

Isaiah 1:2-4 · Isaiah 1:1

Isaiah

Listen to God's Voice

God calls his people to listen to his voice and return to him with grace waiting for those who repent. Like a perfect parent, God desires to forgive more than punish, offering restoration to those willing to hear and obey.

Acts 26:1-20

Acts

Admission

Paul's admission of sin before King Agrippa demonstrates that spiritual transformation begins with confession. The sermon calls listeners to overcome pride and admit their wrongdoing to experience God's forgiveness and power.

Hebrews 7 · Genesis 14:18-20

Hebrews

Once and For All

Jesus is the perfect, eternal high priest who has offered the final sacrifice for sin. Through his indestructible life and continual intercession, believers are completely and permanently forgiven.

Acts 3:1-26

Acts

The Message of Change

Peter uses the healing of a lame beggar to call the Jewish people to repent and turn toward Jesus, demonstrating that genuine change requires acknowledging sin and accepting God's forgiveness through Christ.

1 Timothy 5:1-2 · Genesis 38

Basics

Me Too? Sexual Abuse Discussed

This sermon addresses sexual abuse with directness and sensitivity, calling men to treat women with dignity and respect while offering a biblical path to healing for victims that includes anger, justice-seeking, counseling, forgiveness, and trust in God's presence and wrath against sin.

Ephesians 2:11-22 · 1 Peter 1:18-21

Basics

Why Did Jesus Die?

Jesus' death on the cross brings forgiveness, reconciliation, and unity between all peoples. His sacrifice transforms our identity, confidence, relationships, purpose, and understanding of marriage.

John 8:1-11

Difficult Choice

Forgiveness is difficult but essential for followers of Jesus. By examining the story of the woman caught in adultery, this sermon shows that true forgiveness flows from recognizing our own sinfulness and extending to others the mercy God has shown us.

Exodus 34:4-8 · Genesis 3

God's Intention for the Family

God's Intention for the Family -- Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the key to family harmony. This sermon examines three elements of biblical forgiveness—relinquishing rights, clear communication, and unconditional love—and calls believers to mirror God's grace toward one another.

Genesis 33:1-20 · Genesis 32:8

Reunion

This sermon examines Jacob and Esau's reunion to explore how guilt can prevent us from accepting forgiveness. True reconciliation requires both parties to extend and accept grace, modeling God's merciful forgiveness.

Hosea 1:1-2:1

Hosea

The Covenant Love of God

God's covenant love remains faithful despite human unfaithfulness. Through Hosea's marriage to Gomer, God demonstrates that sin is spiritual adultery, yet his covenant promises renewal and restoration to all who seek reconciliation.

Hosea 14:1-9 · Romans 8:14-17

Hosea

The Relentless Love of God

God's love and forgiveness exceed all human sin and failure. When we repent and turn to God, we discover a Father whose relentless pursuit of us is grounded in His character, not our worthiness.

Hosea 2:14-23

Hosea

The Tender Love of God

God pursues Israel relentlessly despite their unfaithfulness, speaking tender words to win back their hearts. The sermon calls listeners to recognize God's constant pursuit, accept his forgiveness, and return to intimate relationship with him.

1 John 1:5-10

God's Promise

God Promises to Forgive

God promises swift forgiveness to those who confess their sins and walk in the light. Confidence in this promise transforms how we live and relate to God.

Genesis 50:15-21 · Genesis 47:9

Genesis

Grace

This sermon examines how uncertainty about God's forgiveness reflects a misunderstanding of grace. Like Joseph's brothers who feared revenge despite his clear forgiveness, believers often live in fear and self-condemnation rather than embracing the freedom and assurance that God's grace offers.

Genesis 45:1-15

Genesis

Looking Back

This sermon examines Joseph's revelation to his brothers and demonstrates how God works through difficult circumstances. Believers are called to trust God's plan even when they don't understand the present moment.

Luke 23:26-49 · Psalm 22:7-8

Luke

Crucifixion

Through five witnesses to Jesus' crucifixion, Luke demonstrates Jesus' innocence and reveals God's love and power at work through his Son's death to forgive sin and restore relationship with humanity.

Luke 22:31-34 · Luke 22:54-62

Luke

Denial

This sermon examines Peter's denial of Jesus and how failure under pressure doesn't disqualify believers from God's purpose. Though we stumble in our faith, Jesus remains stronger than our failure and restores us to meaningful service.

Luke 6:37-42

Judging

Jesus calls his followers to extend mercy and forgiveness to others, recognizing that people can change; believers must examine their own lives before judging others and should draw close to Jesus as their teacher to develop hearts of acceptance.

Luke 15:11-32 · Deuteronomy 21:18-21

The Father

This sermon examines Jesus's parable of the forgiving father, focusing on God's relentless love and desire to celebrate the return of sinners, and his plea for the self-righteous to join the celebration rather than demand justice.

Luke 19:1-10

The Little Man

Jesus seeks out the despised and outcast—like Zacchaeus—calling us to follow his example by reaching the rejected and demonstrating genuine repentance through changed actions.

Luke 22:66–23:25 · Luke 20:25

Luke

Trials

Although innocent, Jesus endures a series of unjust trials before Pilate, Herod, and the religious leaders, ultimately dying so that the guilty—represented by Barabbas—may live.

Exodus 34:4-8 · Genesis 3

Family

God's Desire for Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the key to family harmony. This sermon examines three essential elements of forgiveness—relinquishing rights, clear communication about sin, and offering love without guarantee of return—and calls believers to forgive as Jesus forgave.

Luke 5:17-26 · Daniel 7:13-14

Luke

Healing

This sermon examines how Jesus demonstrates his divine authority to forgive sins through healing, calling believers to respond with praise for God's forgiveness and restoration.

2 Samuel 9 · 1 Samuel 20

Love and Loyalty

David shows love and loyalty to Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, rewarding him not for his own merit but because of his covenant with Jonathan. The sermon applies this pattern to God's grace toward spiritually broken believers, calling the congregation to extend similar compassion to others.

Romans 6 · Ephesians 4

Corder's July Fest

True freedom comes not from the absence of boundaries but from slavery to what brings life. Confession and forgiveness—modeled after God's character—are essential to experiencing freedom from sin's tyranny.