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Mark 11:26—“But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Jesus spoke these words while teaching His disciples about believing prayer. Having commanded them to “Have faith in God” (v. 22), He also taught that effective prayer requires a forgiving heart: “When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any” (v. 25). Faith in God cannot be separated from a gracious disposition towards others.

Christ’s warning is solemn: “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” This does not mean that sinners earn God’s forgiveness by forgiving others. Scripture plainly teaches that forgiveness is granted by grace through Christ’s redeeming blood: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). Our forgiveness of others is not the meritorious cause of God’s forgiveness but necessary evidence that we have truly experienced His mercy.

An unforgiving heart contradicts a profession of saving faith. The person who understands how much God has forgiven him cannot withhold forgiveness from a repentant brother. Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the unforgiving servant, who received extraordinary mercy yet refused to show it to another (Matthew 18:23–35).

Christ also speaks here of the Father’s forgiveness within His relationship with His children. Cherished bitterness disrupts communion with God and hinders prayer. A believer cannot approach the Father sincerely for cleansing while stubbornly refusing to let go of personal vengeance.

Forgiveness does not excuse sin, remove lawful consequences, or immediately restore broken trust. It means renouncing personal revenge, refusing to nurture resentment, and remaining willing to pursue reconciliation biblically.

Is there someone against whom you are harbouring bitterness? Remember the immeasurable mercy shown to you in Christ. Forgive, not to purchase God’s grace, but because His forgiving grace has conquered your heart.

Mark 11:22—“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.”

Jesus spoke these words after the disciples noticed that the fig tree He had cursed had withered from its roots. Mark places the cleansing of the temple between the cursing and the withering of the tree (vv. 12–21), thereby linking the two events. The tree, full of leaves but without fruit, symbolised the outwardly impressive yet spiritually barren religion centred in Jerusalem. The withered tree demonstrated both the authority of Christ’s word and the certainty of divine judgement.

In this setting, Jesus commanded His disciples, “Have faith in God.” He emphasised that their faith ought to be directed towards God and to rest entirely upon Him. Christ did not teach, as some claim, faith in faith itself, nor did He promise that confident thoughts would bring every personal desire to pass. Biblical faith has God, His character, promises, wisdom, and power as its object.

The reference to moving a mountain in the following verse (v.23) emphasises the mighty works God can accomplish in answer to believing prayer. Yet faith does not attempt to compel God to fulfil human wishes. True faith prays in submission to His will, seeks His glory, and trusts that He will accomplish all He has promised. “This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” (1 John 5:14).

Faith in God is especially necessary when difficulties seem immovable. We may not see how God will provide, deliver, guide, or sustain us, yet our confidence rests on Him rather than on visible circumstances. The God who caused the fig tree to wither by Christ’s word remains sovereign over every obstacle.

Therefore, do not measure God’s faithfulness by the size of your troubles or the weakness of your resources. Look away from yourself and rest in the almighty, wise, and unchanging God. Have faith, not in your plans, abilities, or feelings, but in God.

In Psalm 32:1–2, David sang, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile”.

Whether it be health, security, prosperity, companionship, or freedom from trouble, none compares with the blessing that David celebrates at the beginning of Psalm 32: the forgiveness of sin. A person may possess much in this world and yet remain miserable under the guilt and condemnation of sin. Conversely, one may suffer affliction, deprivation and sorrow, but be truly blessed because he knows that his sins are forgiven and he has peace with God.

Forgiveness is a matchless blessing because only God can forgive sin. Daniel confessed, “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses” (Daniel 9:9). Forgiveness belongs to God because every sin is ultimately committed against Him. Sin is far more than a small mistake or a human weakness. It is rebellion against the holy God, such as violating His righteous commandments and doing wrong against others. This is clear in David’s confession of sins to the Lord, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight” (Psalm 51:4). In the story of the prodigal son who returned to his father, he said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight” (Luke 15:21), acknowledging that his rebellion was ultimately against God.

We cannot grasp the blessedness of forgiveness unless we first recognise the seriousness of sin. God is perfectly holy and He cannot be indifferent to iniquity. His righteous anger visits unrepentant sinners: “God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11). Every sinner is therefore exposed to divine judgment. No human effort can erase one’s own guilty conscience, appease God’s wrath, or restore fellowship with God. If the Lord were to deal with us according to our sins, none could stand before Him.

How wonderful, then, are David’s words: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven”. The word translated “forgiven” conveys the idea of something being lifted up and carried away. Sin places a crushing burden on the conscience that the sinner cannot remove. But when God forgives, He lifts that burden and takes it away. David had experienced the misery of concealing his sin. He testified that when he kept silence, his bones waxed old, and the Lord’s hand was heavy upon him day and night (Psalm 32:3-4). But when he acknowledged his sin and ceased hiding his iniquity, he received the Lord’s gracious pardon.

David also declares that the forgiven man’s sin is “covered”. Certainly, this does not mean that God pretends sin never occurred. Sin can be covered only because its guilt has been fully dealt with. In the Old Testament sacrifices, God pointed His people towards the perfect atonement that would be accomplished by Jesus Christ. On the cross, Christ bore the punishment for His people’s sins. He, the sinless One, suffered in the place of sinners, thereby satisfying the righteous demands of God’s law. Therefore, God is both perfectly just in punishing sinners, and merciful in forgiving repentant sinners.

Next, we read the astonishing words: “Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity”. The divine record against the believer has been cancelled! Scripture declares that Christ has forgiven us of all our trespasses, “blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us”, and has taken it out of the way, “nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:13–14). The charges that condemned us have been settled by the blood of Christ which is the ransom/payment of our sins. The sins that testified against us cannot rise again to condemn us before God.

The apostle Paul quotes Psalm 32:1–2 in Romans 4:6–8 to describe the blessedness of justification which is received by faith. Those who believe in Jesus Christ are justified. Christ’s righteousness is reckoned to the believer. This forgiveness is not a reward earned by good works, or religious observances. It is God’s gracious gift, received through faith in Christ.

Perhaps someone may ask, “Can God forgive me after all that I have done? I have resisted His Word, taken His patience for granted, and repeatedly returned to the same sins. Am I not too guilty to be forgiven?” Hear the Lord’s gracious declaration: “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins” (Isaiah 43:25). The ground of forgiveness is not our worthiness but God’s mercy in Christ. No sinner who truly repents and comes to Christ will be cast out.

Psalm 32:2b also says that the blessed man is one “in whose spirit there is no guile”. This does not describe a man who has never sinned, but one who no longer tries to conceal, excuse or minimise his sin. He comes honestly before God. True repentance rejects every deceitful attempt at self-justification. It accepts God’s verdict, confesses sin and seeks mercy. As long as we hide our sin, we remain restless and spiritually burdened. But when we confess it, we discover that “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Dear brethren, do not carry a burden which Christ is willing to remove. Do not allow shame to drive you away from the only One who can cleanse you. Let guilt drive you to Christ, not from Him. Come with a contrite heart, confessing your sin without guile and trusting wholly in His finished work: “There is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared” (Psalm 130:4).

Those who have received such mercy must never respond casually. Forgiveness should produce reverence, gratitude and renewed obedience. The pardoned sinner does not say, “Because grace abounds, I may continue in sin.” Rather, he asks, “How can I live for Him who loved me and gave Himself for me?” Forgiveness brings joy in worship and in service to God.

Let us rejoice, for the wrath we deserved has been turned away. Truly, blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered, and unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity.

Sermon Text: Psalm 143:1–12
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 23rd August 2026

Amos 4:12—“Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.”

God had repeatedly chastened Israel through famine, drought, crop failure, pestilence, military defeat, and destruction (vv. 6–11). These judgments were not meaningless disasters; they were divine warnings intended to turn the people from sin. Yet after each chastisement came the solemn refrain: “Yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.”

Amos 4:12 begins with the word, “Therefore”, which introduces the consequence of Israel’s persistent refusal to repent. Because the nation had disregarded God’s lesser judgments, it must now prepare for a direct and decisive encounter with Him. “Prepare to meet thy God” is not primarily a comforting invitation but a solemn summons to face the divine Judge.

The words “thy God” intensify the warning. Israel claimed the LORD as its covenant God while worshipping idols and practising injustice. Religious privilege could not shelter the unrepentant. Greater revelation brought greater accountability.

Every person must likewise meet God. Death and judgment cannot be avoided through wealth, education, good works, religious profession, or delay. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). God’s patience must not be mistaken for indifference. His warnings call sinners to immediate repentance.

How, then, can guilty sinners prepare to meet the holy God? Only through Jesus Christ, who bore divine wrath for all who trust in Him. Those justified by faith have peace with God and need not face condemnation (Romans 5:1; 8:1). Praise the Lord!

Do not harden your heart when God’s Word exposes your sin. Respond while mercy is proclaimed. Repent, flee to Christ, and live each day ready to meet your God.

Amos 3:3—“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

Amos addressed Israel, a nation specially chosen and favoured by God, yet persistently disobedient to His covenant. Their privileged relationship increased, rather than removed, their accountability. The Lord cautioned Israel in verse 2—“You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

Amos 3:3 introduces a series of rhetorical questions demonstrating that every effect arises from an identifiable cause. Two people do not journey together. Normally, when two people travel together, they would first agree to meet and proceed in the same direction. Likewise, Amos had not begun prophesying without cause. The LORD had spoken, and His servant was compelled to proclaim His warning (vv. 7–8).

The verse also exposes Israel’s spiritual contradiction. The people claimed a special relationship with God while walking in direct opposition to His commands. Fellowship with the holy God cannot be enjoyed while sin is knowingly cherished. The Lord had commanded Israel to walk in His statutes, but they pursued idolatry, injustice, luxury, and oppression.

Sinners are naturally alienated from God and cannot reconcile themselves to Him. Peace with God is granted only through Jesus Christ, who bore the judgment deserved by His people: “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Those reconciled to God are then called to walk in His light and obey His Word.

Do not mistake religious profession for fellowship with God. Church attendance, baptism, and Christian speech cannot compensate for persistent disobedience. Examine whether your thoughts, desires, and conduct agree with Scripture. Where God’s Word exposes sin, repent and submit. True communion with God is enjoyed by those who, through Christ, humbly walk in His truth.

Hosea 14:9—“Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.”

Hosea concludes his prophecy by calling his hearers to respond wisely to everything God has revealed. Israel had witnessed the misery caused by idolatry, unbelief, and reliance upon foreign powers. The prophet had announced divine judgment, yet he had also proclaimed God’s gracious call to repentance and His promise to heal their backsliding. True wisdom would receive these truths and return to the LORD.

The “ways of the LORD” include His revealed commands and His righteous dealings with mankind. They are always right because they proceed from His holy, wise, and unchanging character. God never commands what is evil, judges unjustly, or leads His people wrongly. Even when His providence is difficult to understand, His ways remain perfectly righteous.

“The just shall walk in them”. Those justified by faith demonstrate the reality of their faith by ordering their lives according to God’s Word. They do not merely admire the Lord’s ways or discuss them; they walk in them. Their obedience is not the ground of their acceptance with God but the fruit of His saving grace.

By contrast, “the transgressors shall fall therein.” The same truth that guides the righteous becomes an occasion of stumbling to the rebellious. The fault lies not in God’s ways but in their sinful hearts. They reject His warnings, resist His authority, and suffer the consequences of disobedience.

Do not measure God’s ways by changing human opinions. Receive His Word humbly, trust His wisdom, and obey His commands. The prudent hearer does not merely know biblical truth; he walks in it. God’s way is always right, safe, and blessed, but resistance to it leads inevitably to ruin.

Hosea 14:4—“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.”

Hosea ministered to Israel during a period of grievous spiritual decline. The people had forsaken the LORD, worshipped idols, trusted foreign alliances, and resisted repeated calls to repentance. Yet the prophet concludes with a gracious invitation: “O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God” (v. 1). When they renounced their idols and confessed their helplessness (vv. 2–3), God promised restoration.

“I will heal their backsliding” presents apostasy as a dreadful spiritual disease that only God can cure. Backsliding is not an innocent weakness but the sinful turning of the heart from God. Human determination alone cannot repair it. The Lord must restore the wandering affections, renew obedience, and heal the damage caused by sin.

God further promises, “I will love them freely”. His love is neither earned by Israel’s merit nor secured by its act of repentance. “Freely” expresses God’s sovereign and unearned grace expressed toward sinners. Repentance is the appointed way by which undeserving sinners return to God who graciously calls them.

How can the holy God turn away His righteous anger from sinners? This mercy ultimately rests upon Christ’s atoning sacrifice. On the cross, Christ bore divine wrath for His people so that all who repent and believe may receive forgiveness and reconciliation (Romans 3:25–26).

Have your affections wandered from the Lord? Do not conceal or excuse your backsliding. Return to Him with sincere confession and renewed faith. The God who commands repentance also promises healing. His chastening may be painful, but His purpose is restorative. He receives repentant sinners, renews their hearts, and loves them freely for Christ’s sake.

Hebrews 5:14—“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

The writer had much to teach concerning Christ’s high priesthood after the order of Melchisedec, but his readers had become “dull of hearing” (v. 11). They still needed spiritual milk when they should have been ready for “strong meat”, the fuller and deeper truths of God’s Word.

Those “of full age” are spiritually mature believers. Their maturity does not arise merely from advancing years, long church membership, academic learning, or familiarity with theological terms. They have grown through the continual reception and application of Scripture. “By reason of use”, their spiritual senses have been “exercised”, or trained, to distinguish good from evil.

Discernment is therefore not mere intuition or suspicion. It is the moral and spiritual judgment developed when God’s Word governs our thinking and conduct. As bodily strength increases through exercise, spiritual perception becomes sharper through the habitual study and practice of biblical truth. Those who repeatedly obey Scripture learn to recognise sound doctrine, detect deceptive teaching, resist temptation, and choose what pleases God.

The ability to discern “both good and evil” is increasingly necessary in a world where error often appears attractive and sin is renamed as liberty, love, or personal fulfilment. A believer unfamiliar with Scripture can easily be influenced by popular opinions and persuasive teachers. Mature Christians test every claim by God’s written Word.

Do not be satisfied with hearing sermons without applying them. Read Scripture carefully, meditate upon it prayerfully, and obey it consistently. Receive correction humbly and examine every teaching biblically. Through such faithful use of God’s truth, your spiritual senses will be trained, your discernment strengthened, and your life increasingly conformed to Christ.

Hebrews 5:12—“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”

The Hebrew Christians had possessed God’s Word and received instruction for a considerable time. Therefore, they “ought to be teachers”. This does not mean that every believer must hold an official teaching position. Rather, mature Christians should understand Scripture sufficiently to instruct their families, encourage younger believers, explain the Gospel, and defend the faith.

Regrettably, these believers had not advanced as they should. They needed to be taught again “the first principles of the oracles of God”, which are the foundational truths of God’s revealed Word. Their problem was not that they were new believers requiring patient instruction. They had “become” spiritually immature, suggesting regression through neglect and dullness of hearing (v. 11).

Milk is suitable and necessary for infants, but continued dependence upon it indicates a failure to mature. Likewise, foundational doctrines must never be despised or abandoned because mature understanding is built upon them. Yet Christians must proceed from elementary knowledge to a fuller grasp of Christ’s person, priesthood, sacrifice, and the whole counsel of God. “Strong meat” represents the deeper understanding that comes through diligent study and obedient application of Scripture.

How long have you heard God’s Word? Has that privilege produced spiritual maturity? Years of church attendance do not automatically make anyone mature. Growth requires attentive hearing, careful study, prayerful meditation, and obedience.

Do not remain content merely to receive instruction. Seek to become capable of strengthening others. Ask God to deliver you from spiritual laziness and give you an increasing appetite for His Word, that you may grow in knowledge, discernment, obedience, and usefulness.