forgiveness of sins Archives - Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel

Kurt Steinbrueck July 21, 2021

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All The Way To The Core

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” – Titus 1:15

How deep does the problem of sin run in you?

We all sin. Sin is whenever we are in opposition to God when we are in rebellion against God. We can all think of times when we’ve done something wrong, but sin runs much deeper than that.

Our Sinful Nature
Sin isn’t just something we occasionally do, ever since Adam and Eve did that first act of rebellion, the human race has been completely corrupted by sin. It affects how we act, how we think, our emotions, and every other aspect of our lives.

As Paul writes in Titus 1:15, for those who are corrupt and do not believe, nothing is pure, both their minds and consciences are corrupt. Another way to put it this:

“We aren’t sinners because we sin. We sin because we are sinners.”

Our Sin Runs Deep, But God’s Grace Runs Deeper
When we believe in Christ, that corruption of our hearts and minds changes. Jesus not only forgives us of our sins, but He purifies us of all unrighteousness. However, that’s not all. He also frees us from the corruption and power of sin. We are no longer completely compelled to sin.

We are a new creation with the Holy Spirit living within us.

We have been purified and can now desire and do pure things. Yes, we will still continue to sin because we will not have completely shed our sinful nature until we are with Christ in the life to come, but we also continue to live lives of repentance being purified by God and serving Him in the purity of the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father,

I confess that I have sinned against You. I have done things I knew were wrong and not done things I knew were right. However, my sin runs deeper than that. Even my very thoughts and sense of right and wrong are sinful. However, I am sorry for my sin and sincerely repent of it and ask you to forgive me for the sake of Your Son’s bitter suffering and death. Please forgive me and renew me in the joy of my salvation that I would delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your Name.

Amen

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck May 1, 2021

Blog Apostles creed, crucifixion, forgiveness of sins, it is finished, jesus

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He Suffered, Died, and Was Buried

“And in Jesus Christ…who…suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.” – Apostles’ Creed

Do you consider Good Friday good or bad?

It was only a few weeks ago that we observed Good Friday. As we were preparing for the church service, one of the youth asked me, “Why do we call it Good Friday if Jesus died on that day?” That’s a great question and one which I completely understand.

The day is a day of mixed emotions for me as well.

I am greatly saddened by the suffering Jesus endured and I am ashamed of my sin which required Him to die. At the same time, I am filled with joy that my sin has been forgiven and my punishment was taken from me. I am overwhelmed by the love the Lord Jesus showed us by suffering and dying for us.

Of course, it is not just one day out of the year that we should remember Jesus’ sufferings and death. We remember it daily. As we daily confess our sins and hear the Word of God tell us that our sins are forgiven, we face the cross once again with both sorrow and joy.

The Most Expensive of Gifts
I’ve heard it said many times that the gracious salvation of God is a free gift. Certainly, it is true, that our salvation cost us nothing. However, what comes to us as a free gift, came from Christ at great expense, His own life.

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” – Isaiah 53:4-6

I thought I’d finish today’s blog post with one of my favorite songs, “By His Wounds.” It is almost word for word from Isaiah 53.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Lent Mid-Week Devotional Service – Week 6

Kurt Steinbrueck March 24, 2021

Special Posts forgiveness, forgiveness of sins, God's love, Lent

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Lent Mid-Week Devotional Service – Week 6

Love That Comes In Many Ways

As we continue through the season of Lent, we contemplate the breadth of God’s great love.

Should Nazis be forgiven? How about terrorists?

Are those people on the other side of the political aisle able to be loved and cared for?

This week we’ll explore how broad God’s love for us is. Does He draw lines? Are there people who are unforgivable? Will He forgive even that horrible sin you did a while back? Let’s find out.

Each week, we will have a new online mid-week devotional service this Lent. Watch for the new service each week as we explore the enormity of God’s love for us.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 17, 2021

Blog forgiveness of sins, Separation from God, sin, The Cross

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The Great Divide

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.” – Colossians 1:21

Have you ever broken a relationship you were in?

Sin. It does horrible things to us. It’s because of sin that we have sickness, hardship, and death. Sin has subjected creation to decay and destruction. Sin has caused wars, starvation, and unspeakable atrocities.

Sin also destroys relationships.

There are a lot of things that go into a good, healthy relationship. It needs love, respect, selflessness, kindness, empathy, humility, and more. Sin stops those things. Sin leads to selfishness, pride, disdain, hurt, humiliation, and coldness. It can quickly end a relationship between people.

It also ended our relationship with God.

Without Christ, we are alienated from God, even enemies because of our sinful behavior. We are selfish, rebellious, immoral people who try to put ourselves in the position of God.

When this happens between people, the result is usually a break of some kind. It may take the form of a divorce, estrangement, abandonment, or even violence. We don’t like being hurt or mistreated so we end the relationship and move on.

God wasn’t satisfied to end the relationship.

There is a scene in a show I used to watch that floored me the first time I saw it. This husband and wife had been growing apart and arguing. Then, in one episode the wife confronts her husband. She lays out how he has been mistreating her. He knows it and responds, “I told you last night you are better off without me.” This is Hollywood, so I expect the next thing out of her mouth to be, “I’m leaving,” but it wasn’t. Instead, she said,

“Don’t! Don’t quit on us!”

I was shocked. She started telling him how they were going to fight for their family and fight for their marriage. She had been wronged and, yet, she was fighting for their marriage.

We wronged God. We rebelled over and over. Yet, He wouldn’t give up on us. He fought for us and continues to fight for us. He fought for you to the point of death.

Where sin separates us from God, the cross of Christ bridges the great divide.

It brings us back together with God and restores our relationship.

When we extend that forgiveness towards each other, the forgiveness we, ourselves, have received, it can restore our relationships as well. Jesus’ love and power allow us to fight for marriages, parent/child relationships, and friendships even when we were the ones wronged.

Heavenly Father,

I was running from You and You could have let me go, but You didn’t. While I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. He forgave my sin and restored our relationship. Thank You. Help me to treat others as You have treated me.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 17, 2021

Special Posts forgiveness of sins, God's love, Lent, Sacrifice

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Lent Mid-Week Devotional Service – Week 5

Love That Comes In Many Ways

As we continue through the season of Lent, we contemplate God’s great love and how He gives us that love, especially in the gift of the forgiveness of sins, but how forgiven are we, really? Is God just holding back for now. Does He only forgive some of our sins? God wants us to know how forgiven we really are. So, He tells us over and over in many different ways.

Each week, we will have a new online mid-week devotional service this Lent. Watch for the new service each week as we explore the enormity of God’s love for us.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 10, 2021

Special Posts forgiveness of sins, God's love, Lent, Sacrifice

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Lent Mid-Week Devotional Service – Week 4

Love That Comes In Many Ways

As we continue through the season of Lent, we contemplate God’s great love and how He gives us that love, especially in the gift of the forgiveness of sins.

Each week, we will have a new online mid-week devotional service this Lent. Watch for the new service each week as we explore the enormity of God’s love for us.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 1, 2021

Blog forgiveness of sins, sin

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How Far Is Far Enough

How Far Is Far Enough?

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:12

When you’ve something wrong, how far do you want to get away from it?

Different kids react differently when they get caught doing something wrong. One of the reactions I find most interesting is the run. You know what I mean. You walk in and the child is doing something he knows he isn’t supposed to do and as soon as he sees you…

He runs!

I don’t know where the child thinks he is going that can escape the consequence that’s coming. He may not even know. What he does know is that he wants to get away.

Maybe you know the feeling…wanting to get away.

The problem is that you are dealing with God and, as an adult, you know there is nowhere to run. Here’s how David puts it:

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” – Psalm 139:7-12

Never-the-less, sometimes people do try to run. Have you? Sure you may not physically run, but maybe you avoid church, avoid prayer, and avoid the Bible. You avoid God.

What if I told you that you were running from the wrong thing.

When a child runs from their parent they aren’t really trying to get away from the parent. They are trying to get away from the guilt and punishment. Here’s the thing.

The way to get away from guilt and punishment of sin is to run TO God.

It is God who removes your guilt by removing your sin.

How far?

As far as the East is from the West. East and West move infinitely apart. That’s how far God removes your sin, infinitely far. It’s gone and so is your guilt and shame. It’s not because you got away from God, but because you turned to Him in repentance. As David says in another Psalm:

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;” – Psalm 32:1-6

Heavenly Father,

I pray that I would never run from You when I feel the guilt of my sin. For I know that You are relief and You are my salvation. Turn my heart to You in repentance that I may know Your Forgiveness.

(If you have anything you need to confess, this would be a great time.)

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck November 16, 2020

Blog forgiveness, forgiveness of sins, Sins Washed Away

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Let’s Be Reasonable

Let's Be Reasonable

“‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’” – Isaiah 1:18

What’s the most important decision you’ve ever made?

We’re faced with choices every day.

What will you eat?
What will you wear?
Will you go to work/school?
Should you talk to that person or not?

Life is filled with choices, some more important than others. Which pair of socks you wear is probably not as important as whether you have that second piece of pumpkin pie which isn’t as important as whether you quit your job, etc.

Judah’s Big Deception
In today’s passage, the Lord is addressing the people of Judah. He confronts them with their sin. They were rebellious against the Lord. They were greedy, selfish, and corrupt. They disregarded the Lord’s commands and did whatever they felt like doing…until Saturday.

Saturday was the Sabbath. It was sort of like Sunday for us. On the Sabbath the people went to the synagogues or temple. They offered sacrifices and said prayers. They celebrated all the annual festivals, etc. They “did” everything they were supposed to do…but didn’t mean any of it. They were going through the motions, nothing more, and God was sick of it.

“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. “When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.” Isaiah 1:11-13

Judah’s Big Decision
The Lord lays out their sin against them, not just to make them feel bad, but to lead them to repentance. He wants them to turn from their rebellion and turn to Him. He’s been incredibly patient, but He’s warning them that there will come a time when He won’t put up with this anymore and they will reap the consequences. However, He doesn’t want that. He wants them to turn to Him and be forgiven.

So, God says, “Let’s reason together.” In other words, let’s consider your options. Your sin is clear and you are guilty, but it can be washed away. You can be made pure as wool. Which will you choose?

Our Big Decision
We are all sinners. However, there is a difference between being repentant for that sin or just continuing to live in that sin without remorse.

This isn’t a call to go to church. The People of Judah were going to church, but it was meaningless religion, not a matter of faith. We can slip into the same and just start going through the motions. However, God isn’t fooled. He doesn’t want the motions, He wants your heart.

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.“

So, let’s be reasonable.

Why continue in sin? Why risk the wrath of God? Why risk abandoning your faith. Turn to the Lord in repentance and find that He is loving and merciful. He will remove your sin. Though your sin is red as crimson, you will be white as wool, washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.

Holy Lord,

The temptation to sin is all around me and I confess that I give into it frequently. I pray that my heart would remain soft in repentance, always turning to You for forgiveness. For I know Your mercy is great. If my heart begins to harden and I resist repentance, bring me back to You. Remind me of Your Word and soften my heart again so that I would have a broken spirit and contrite heart.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck June 10, 2020

Blog Forgive each other, forgiveness, forgiveness of sins

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Forgive Them Because They Need It…Just Like You Did

Forgive Them Because They Need It...Just Like You Did

“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.” – Colossians 3:13

When someone wrongs you how do you deal with it?

Do you forgive?

I used to watch the show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (Don’t judge me!) There’s one scene in the show that has stuck with me years later. There was a guy who had killed someone and was looking for forgiveness, but no one would forgive him. Buffy said, “Good! He doesn’t deserve it.” Then Giles (a sort of mentor) said to her,

“To forgive is an act of compassion, Buffy. It’s not done because people deserve it, it’s done because they need it.”

I’m not recommending the show, but in this case, Giles nailed it. Forgiveness is an act of love. It’s not earned or deserved because we can’t earn it and don’t deserve it. It’s given out of love because we need it.

So, we forgive each other because the person needs it. Jesus forgave us when we needed it. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We didn’t deserve it, but we certainly needed it. In His great love, He has forgiven you.

You have been forgiven of much and you can forgive others. It restores relationships and brings healing and peace. Truthfully, it also heals us. Bitterness is destructive.

God has given you a great gift by forgiving you and has given you the ability to give that gift to others.

Is there someone you need to forgive? Maybe it’s time.

Heavenly Father,

I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. I know I don’t deserve it, but please forgive me. I know You promise that You do. Thank You. Please help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck May 15, 2020

Blog forgiveness of sins, Rejoice, salvation

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Rejoice, Oh Israel!

“The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.’” – Zephaniah 3:15-17

What makes you happy?

For me, I like hanging out with my family. I also enjoy a good comedy or sci-fi movie. I like the mountains, too. All of these things can make me happy. Seeing someone receive faith or reconciliation in a relationship make me very happy.

Here, God tells Israel to rejoice.

Why?

The Lord has taken away the judgments against them.
He has removed their enemies.
Their King is in their midst.

This is more than just a message for the people of Israel hundreds of years ago. This message is for you, too, who have been grafted into Israel by faith.

The Lord has taken away the judgments against you.

Jesus’ blood has cleansed you of all your sins and removed the guilt of that sin. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

God has removed your enemies.

Jesus’ resurrection has defeated sin, death, and the devil. Our enemies are defeated and we have been made victors in Christ Jesus!

Your King is in your midst.

By Faith, Jesus has claimed you as His own and now lives within you. You shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

So, rejoice!!

Dear Jesus,

You have forgiven me, saved me, and brought me into Your presence. Thank you! I praise Your Name above all else. You alone are worthy of praise.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

forgiveness of sins

All The Way To The Core

He Suffered, Died, and Was Buried

Love That Comes In Many Ways

The Great Divide

Love That Comes In Many Ways

Love That Comes In Many Ways

How Far Is Far Enough?

Let's Be Reasonable

Forgive Them Because They Need It...Just Like You Did

Rejoice, Oh Israel!

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL