Sermon: The True Gifts of Christmas: Forgiveness

The True Gifts of Christmas: Forgiveness Matthew 1:21 November 27, 2022 Pastor Tony Felich Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. [19] And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. [20] But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [21] She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: [23] “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). God’s gift of forgiveness is the lifting of the just sentence of condemnation upon us for our sins because of Christ. • Forgiveness - the greatest gift of all! Psalm 32:1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. • Forgiveness - how to receive it. Romans 3:22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25a] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.  • Forgiveness - the gift that keeps giving.  Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, [13] bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.