The Biggest Loser
Losing the Guilt
Guilt – An outcome that arises because of sin committed against God.
Hebrews 10: 1-18
Introduction
Guilt comes from a specific act someone has done
Guilt feelings focus on what a person feels about themselves
Out of guilt and guilt feelings comes shame that is wrapped up in fear of others knowledge of what they know about what we have done
Old Testament earthly tabernacle
The veil was lifted only briefly
Sins were merely covered, not removed, so the guilt remained
The repeated sacrifices only reminded the people of how sick they were
Dialysis Machine story
Responsibility
People are accountable for what they do and for the consequences of what happens
In the OT stated that people could feel the weight of guilt even though they were unaware that they had done anything wrong (Leviticus 5: 17-19)
Guilt is was portrayed as a burden or weight that could crush a person (Psalm 38: 1-8)
Guilt is like a cancer that could destroy a person from within. (Psalm 32: 1-4)
Guilt is like a debt that must be paid. (Numbers 5: 5-8)
Reconciliation
All people are guilty before God
That God requires a blood sacrifice to be reconciled with Him
The OT sacrifice was meant to make restitution, lay aside the burden of guilt and to restore what was damaged, but only temporally.
Relationships
Community is important to God and to us
What one person does could cause guilt to come upon an entire group of people.
Guilt can bring separation between entire groups of people
Application
Correct understanding of guilt.
Many times we confuse actual guilt with guilty feelings which is seldom found in the Bible
Guilt is the incurred by actual acts of sin
God deals with guilt by sending off sin, not be overlooking it
When we receive forgiveness the source and cause of guilty feelings is removed, because the sin and guilt are gone
God’s Spirit works in our conscience to cleanse and free us
The things of our past stored up in our minds are sent away by God
We find ourselves looking forward instead of backward
