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THE GREATEST OF ALL MIRACLES:

Introduction

The Gospels record how that our Lord Jesus Christ did many wonderful things during his short ministry here on this earth. Jesus showed Himself to be the Son of God through many miracles:

            The blind received their sight.

            The deaf received their hearing.

            The dumb tongues were healed to speak again.

            Lame limbs were restored back to health.

            Lepers were cleansed.

            The demon possessed were delivered from their tormenters.

            The dead were raised back to life.

Here in Luke 7, we find three wonderful miracles recorded:

            In verses 1-10 there is a great miracle recorded– raising up the centurion's servant.

            In verses 11-17 there is a greater miracle–the widow's son is raised from the dead.

In verses 36-50 we find the greatest miracle of all–the forgiving and restoring of a very sinful woman.

The salvation of a lost sinner is the greatest miracle that our Lord performs.

            It meets the greatest need that man has.

The body can be healed but later grow sick and die, but salvation lasts for all eternity.

            It produces the greatest results.

            It turns man from darkness unto light and from the power of Satan unto God.

            It gives us forgiveness of our sins and it gives us an inheritance.

            And most of all it required the greatest price.

            It cost God His only begotten 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 this greatest of all miracles. It is here that we can learn some very important truths about God's forgiveness. Read: vs 36-50

I.         WE ALL NEED GOD’S FORGIVENESS!

            A.        Some Sins Are Manifested Openly While Other Sins Are Hidden.

                        1.         The woman's reputation as a sinner was well-known.

                                    a.         Simon knew that she was a sinner. Vs 37

                                    b.         Jesus knew she was a sinner. Vs 47

                                    c.         The implication here is that she was known to be immoral, perhaps she was a prostitute. Jesus said her sins were many.

                        2.         Simon was an entirely different case.

                                    a.         He was a Pharisee, a very religious man.

                                    b.         But, 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 the sins of pride and hypocrisy.

                                    d.         They often condemned others in order to exalt themselves.

                                    e.         This woman was clearly guilty of sins that others could see, but Simon was guilty of sins of that weren’t so easily seen.

            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 this woman had chosen a sinful lifestyle, but what’s worse was that Simon was also a sinner, but apparently he didn't see it that way.

                        4.         He thought in his heart that he was righteous, but what he failed to see was that he too fell short.

                                    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.        God Knows Our Sins Whether They Are Manifest To Others Or Not.

Everyone at this dinner knew who this woman was and they knew what she had done with her life.

But only Jesus, the One who can read the hearts of men, knew what Simon's sins were.

                        Notice vs 39 "...he spake within himself..."

What does God see in our lives? He sees it all!

Hebrews 4:13–“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

II.       FORGIVENESS IS THE GRACIOUS GIFT OF GOD!

            A.        Forgiveness Is All Of Grace.

                        1.         Grace is a gift. It is unmerited favor.

                        2.         Notice vs 42 "He frankly forgave them both"

                        3.         Forgiveness is not something that we can earn or something that we can 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:”

                        4.         This concept of grace was very difficult for the Pharisees to understand.

In their mind they thought that they could gain favor before God through their outward piety and 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 are sorry for their sins but won't repent and turn to God in faith.

                        2.         What saved this woman? vs 50 "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.         Salvation comes from placing your faith in the proper object–

                                                The Lord Jesus Christ.

                                    c.         Where is your faith?

                                                What are you putting your hope in to get you to heaven?

            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!

            WE ALL NEED FORGIVENESS!

            FORGIVENESS IS THE GRACIOUS GIFT OF GOD!         

III.      FORGIVENESS RESULTS IN A CHANGED LIFE!

            A.        This Woman’s Faith In Christ Changed Her!

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. (vs 44-45)

                                    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. (vs 50)

                                    a.         She had been wearing a heavy yoke of sin. She was in bondage to the sins of the flesh.

                                    b.         However, Jesus forgave her and forgiveness always leads to freedom.

                                    c.         Jesus said in John 8:36, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed"

                        3.         She had a new peace. (vs 50)

                                    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:”

This Woman’s Faith In Christ Changed Her! New Love. . .Freedom. . .Peace!

            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 this woman as anything but a sinner!

                                    a.         He only saw her past.

                                    b.         Jesus not only saw her past and present, but He also saw her future–what she could and would 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.         But, 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.

Conclusion

We All Need God's Forgiveness!

Forgiveness Is the Gracious Gift of God!

Forgiveness Results in a Changed Life!

Where do you find yourself in this passage? Are you more like Simon or are you more like this woman?

Have you experienced the life-changing forgiveness that comes only from placing your faith in Jesus Christ?

Do you know the love, freedom and peace that comes from a personal relationship with Him?

If not, come today and let us help you find the forgiveness and salvation that come only through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Home Page   Contact Us    Service Times   Sermons   Are You Going To Heaven?

NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!