1. What do you find when you come to God?
Graeme Sterne
2006
What do you find when you come to God?
Graeme Sterne, 2006

2. “…with You
there is forgiveness”
Psalm 130:4

3. Psalm 130 Forgiveness (4) Hope (5) Enjoyment in Your presence (6)
Unfailing love (7)
Full redemption (7)
Complete release from guilt
Positive expectation for the future
Joy, relaxation, freedom, new insights, pleasure, refreshment
Always supportive, short distance
No element of doubt

4. Forgiveness needs a context

5. Difference produces friction
Sandpaper on wood
Rubber on the road
People in a team or family
Hinge on a door squeaks when there’s too much friction

6. There’s friction between us and God
He is holy and we are not
He commands, we disobey
He is God, we substitute Him for other things – some of us think we are God!

7. Friction produces heat, noise and discomfort
The squeaky door hinge
The annoying habits of others
Our frustrated desires
Guilt, frustration, annoyance, fear,
embarrassment, unresolved conflict
The wicked are like the tossing sea which churns up mire and dirt.
Isaiah 57:20

8. We need forgiveness From God Romans 3:23
From one another Ephesians 4: 31,32
From ourselves Romans 8: 31-39
Romans 8:1

9. What has God ever done for me?

10. Let’s start with the commandments
No other God’s before Me
No idols
Don’t use My name in an unworthy way
keep the Sabbath day holy
Honour your parents
No murder
No adultery
No stealing
No lying
No coveting
* Love God
* Love others

11. What will you find when you come to God?
A grim face?
An unwelcoming spirit?
An angry parent?
Punishment?
“If You kept a record of sins
O Lord, who could stand?”
Psalm 130:3

12. We may have walked a long way to return to God but when we get there He is ready.