Jesus Forgives YOUR Sin

Most everyone gathered here today remembers how the world watched in dismay when the Exxon Valdez dumped most of its crude oil into the Prince William Sound in Alaska. We all had our noses out of joint because of the destruction caused by such a careless act. However, the Nightly News put it in proper perspective one night when it reported that American do-it-yourselfers annually dump 193 million gallons of motor oil in storm drains and back alleys. That is nearly 15 times the amount of oil spilled in Alaska.

It happens far too often. We see someone else's sin as a "major sin and major moral failure or breakdown--but fail to see the sin in our own back alleys."

However, Jesus knew that everybody had sinned and fallen short--and thus he cries out in his first word from the cross, “Father, forgive them”– not Father, forgive only the small portion who have had major sins in their lives. Forgive them all. All sin is contrary to the nature and character of God. Give Jesus your sins--not just your neighbors.’

Source: Eric S. Ritz, The Ritz Collection, www.Sermons.com (quoted in an eSermons email dated 11-19-2007).