WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE THERE ARE OFTEN “SECOND CHANCES.”
a) Does God offer a “second chance” to mankind?
b) There to this question is “yes,” and we want to look at God’s “second chance” from three perspectives.
2) The first perspective is that of a non-Christian.
a) In Mt. 19:14Mt. 19:14
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
14 But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven.
WP-Bible plugin the Lord said the “kingdom of heaven” belongs to “little children.”
b) This statement tells us that children pleasing to God and thus without sin.
c) Gen. 8:21Gen. 8:21
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
21 And Jehovah smelled the sweet savor; and Jehovah said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake, for that the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done.
WP-Bible plugin tells us man’s heart is “evil from his youth.”
d) The word “sin” is found quite often in the Bible and it means “missing the mark.”
e) Most of us have had a “mark” that we missed.
3) Rom. 5:20Rom. 5:20
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
20 And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:
WP-Bible plugin – READ
a) Notice the word “abounded.”
b) Sin – the violations of God’s law – have mushroomed throughout our world.
4) Verse 8 – READ
5) Verse 10– READ
6) Verse 17– READ
7) God offers an “abundance” of grace to those who are not yet His people.
PRIOR TO A PERSON BECOMING A CHRISTIAN GOD DOES NOT OFFER A SECOND CHANCE TO PEOPLE; GOD OFFERS LITERALLY DOZENS, AND PERHAPS HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF CHANCES TO PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR SINS FORGIVEN.
1) What if someone does become a Christian and thus accepts the “second chance” offered by God?
2) Is there a “second chance” for forgiveness after we become a Christian?
3) The answer to this question is hinted at in Rom. 5.
a) In Acts 8:9Acts 8:9
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
9 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
WP-Bible plugin we read about a man named “Simon.”
b) Simon was a man who was involved with “sorcery.”
c) In the Old Testament passages like Lev. 19:31; 20:6Lev. 19:31; 20:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
31 Turn ye not unto them that have familiar spirits, nor unto the wizards; seek them not out, to be defiled by them: I am Jehovah your God.
6 And the soul that turneth unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto the wizards, to play the harlot after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
WP-Bible plugin prohibited the Jews from being involved in this activity.
4) Simon heard the gospel and he became a Christian – verse 13 – READ
a) God’s grace is even available for those who are involved in things like witchcraft.
b) There is no sin that is too big for God to overcome by His grace.
5) The end of verse 13 says Simon “continued” with a gospel preacher by the name of Philip for a while.
6) Verse 14 – READ
a) Verse 17 – READ
b) The supernatural gifts that we read about were transmitted by the apostles.
7) The gifts were replaced; now, instead of the gifts, we have God’s completed word (the New Testament).
8) Verse 18 – READ
9) In verse 21 Peter said Simon’s heart “was not right with God.”
a) Did God give Simon a second chance?
b) Yes. Acts 8:22Acts 8:22
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee.
WP-Bible plugin says “repent and pray.”
1) God tells us a time will come when there are no more “second chances.”
2) Mt. 25:10Mt. 25:10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut.
WP-Bible plugin contains one of Jesus’ teachings that actually speaks about a “shut” door.
3) Heb. 9:27Heb. 9:27
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
27 And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;
WP-Bible plugin: “it is appointed unto men once to die.”
4) This morning God is offering us at least one more “second chance.”
5) If we need this opportunity to right our relationship with Him, will we accept it?
