Unwrapped: The Gift of Forgiveness | 11 AM Service

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UNWRAPPED: THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS

Receiving Forgiveness for Yourself

1 John 1:9 (NIV)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

After World War II, Allied soldiers liberated a concentration camp filled with emaciated prisoners. The gates were opened, food was brought in, and the captives were told, “You’re free to go.” But one man didn’t move.

He sat on his cot, arms folded. When a soldier asked why, he said quietly,

“I’ve been in here so long… I don’t know how to live free.”

That’s exactly where many of us are spiritually. Jesus has opened the gate of grace, but shame keeps us sitting in the cell. We believe in forgiveness—but we don’t believe it applies to us.

Many people believe God forgives others but struggle to believe He truly forgives them. You can’t walk in freedom while holding yourself hostage.

Guilt reminds you of what you’ve done, but grace reminds you of who God is.

1 John 1:9 doesn’t start with punishment—it starts with promise:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful…”

Guilt says, “You failed.” Grace says, “You’re forgiven.”

The enemy wants to keep you chained to your past, but Jesus specializes in writing new beginnings.

When a judge declares someone “not guilty,” that decision erases their record. It’s not probation; it’s a pardon. That’s what God does. He doesn’t put you on spiritual probation—He declares you free and forgiven.

So if God has forgiven you, why do you keep re-sentencing yourself?

When you confess, you aren’t informing God—you’re inviting healing. God already knows what you’ve done. Confession isn’t about giving Him new information; it’s about giving Him permission to heal you.

Psalm 32 says that when sin was kept hidden, it drained life from the inside—but the moment it was confessed, forgiveness came. Unconfessed guilt eats away at you, but when it’s brought into the light, grace rushes in like fresh air.

Imagine carrying a heavy backpack of rocks everywhere you go. Every sin, every regret, every shameful memory adds another stone. Confession is setting the backpack down and letting Jesus carry it.

You can’t move forward when you’re weighed down by what God has already removed.

God’s forgiveness doesn’t just erase your sin—it restores your identity.

1 John 1:9 says He will “purify us from all unrighteousness.” He doesn’t just forgive what you did; He restores who you are.

You are not your worst mistake.

You are not your addiction, your failure, your regret.

You are a child of God—forgiven, redeemed, and made new.

Scripture says that if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone; the new is here.

Forgiveness doesn’t just wipe away sin—it wipes away shame.

This week, be honest before God. Tell Him what you’ve been carrying. He already knows, but He’s waiting for you to let go. Write this declaration: “Because of Jesus, I am forgiven and free.” Put it somewhere you’ll see it every day. Take time to remember that His blood was shed not just for sin—but for you.

Remember Etch-A-Sketch toys? You twist the knobs and make a mess of lines, but when you shake it, the screen clears completely. That’s forgiveness. God doesn’t just draw over your mistakes—He shakes the slate clean.

Scripture says He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

Maybe you’ve been living with silent shame—something you’ve never told anyone, something you can’t forgive yourself for. But the good news is this: the manger leads to the cross, and the cross leads to freedom.

It’s time to believe that God’s forgiveness is for you.

“Lord Jesus, I believe You died for me.

You know every sin, every secret, every scar—and yet You love me still.

Today, I confess my need for You.

I receive Your forgiveness and lay down my shame.

I am forgiven, I am loved, and I am Yours.

In Jesus’ name, amen.”