Whiter Than Snow—Our Sins Can Be Forgiven

Introduction

I. 	Were you impressed with how white the snow was yesterday morning with the bright sunshine reflecting off of it?
A. 	The beautiful white snow gives a feeling of cleanliness and purity to our physical earth.
B. 	White is characteristic of righteousness and freedom from sin.
II. 	  David used the figure of the snow, when he petitioned God for 	forgiveness, as he said, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than 	snow.”  Ps. 51:7.
III. 		In the lesson last week we considered how we should be gentle 	as teachers and preachers and the Lord’s servants so we could 	lead others to salvation. 
IV. 		In our lesson today, let us study how God is willing to forgive us 	so that we can truly be “whiter than snow.”
V. 		This lesson is important, because some have concluded that they 	are so bad that God will not forgive them.

Body
 
I. 	Sin is common to man, and it has terrible consequences.
A. 	Eve’s and Adam’s sin in the garden was terrible.
1. 	They broke a positive divine law. Gen. 2:15-17.
2. 	Their violation of God’s will brought labor, pain, death and the expulsion from the Garden of Eden.  Gen. 3:1-24.
B. 	Cain’s sin also brought tragedy.
1. 	Cain was guilty of disobedience to God, since he apparently did not offer his sacrifice by faith.  
	            Gen. 4:1-5; (Heb. 11:4).
2. 	He was wroth (heated anger) because God rejected his offering, so in his envy and anger he slew Abel.           Gen. 4:5-8.
C. 	David’s sin with Bathsheba brought terrible consequences.
1. 	David lusted after Bathsheba, committed fornication with her, plotted to cover up his sin and arranged the murder of Uriah, Bathsheba’s  husband.  II Sam. 11:1-27.
2. 	David was defiled, Bathsheba was defiled, Uriah, a faithful and loyal soldier was dead, the child conceived by Bathsheba died, the sword was never to depart from David’s house and his wives would be defiled before all.  (II Sam. 11:1-27); II Sam. 12:10-12, 14, 15b-23; 16:21-23. 
D. 	The Jews rejected and crucified Jesus.  Matt. 26:47-27:61.
1. 	Judas Iscariot, who denied him, killed himself.           Matt. 27:3-5.
2. 	The Jews were charged with murder.  Acts 2:22-23, 36.

Whiter Than Snow—Our Sins Can Be Forgiven, page 2.

E. 	Saul persecuted the followers of Jesus.  Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2.
1. 	Stephen was killed and others were killed and imprisoned.  Acts 7:59-60; 26:9-11.
2. 	The saints had to flee to other places.  Acts 8:1-4.

II. 		Terrible sins can be forgiven.
A. 	David was confronted with his sin, acknowledged it, petitioned God for forgiveness, and was forgiven.                  II Sam. 12:1-14.
1. 	Consequences of the sin were still experienced, but God forgave David.  II Sam. 12:13.
2. 	David’s psalm is thought to have been concerning this sin.  Ps. 51:1-17.
B. 	The Jews who received Peter’s teaching were forgiven.       Acts 2:14-47.
C. 	Saul was forgiven.  Acts 22:10-16; 9:18; I Tim. 1:12-17.
D. 	You can be forgiven of sins, regardless of how terrible they may have been.  II Pet. 3:9; Heb. 8:8-12. 

Conclusion

I. 	Let us recognize how horrible sin is, and let us not give ourselves over to sin.
II. 	We must not sin so that God can show us more grace.           Rom. 6:1-2a. 
III. 	We can be forgiven, even of terrible sins,  if we will submit our will to God’s will.  I John 1:9-2:2; Jas. 5:16.
IV. 	Make your decision to obey the Lord today as a believer in Christ, by repenting of your sins and  by being baptized into Christ, with the resolution to live faithful unto death.           Mark 16:16;  Acts 2:38; Rev. 2:10.
V. 	Your sins can truly be washed away and you will be “Whiter than the snow.”

Prepared by:  
   David Arnold
   January 12, 1997