Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
August 19, 2018

The Ideal Sinner?
by Bryan Gibson
Not all sinners are the same—some never recognize their need for Jesus and will perish because of it (John 8:24). That’s not the case with the woman described in Luke 7:36-50; she knew someone like her needed someone like Him.
Yes, she was a sinner (vv. 37, 39), but unlike the others at Simon’s house, she knew it. Not only did she know it, she was ashamed of it. She “stood at His feet behind Him weeping” (v. 38)—weeping because she knew her condition. The parable Jesus told about the two debtors, one who “owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty” (v. 41)—she knew which one she was, and she knew she “had nothing with which to repay” (v. 42). This woman came to Jesus with faith (“your faith has saved you”—v. 50), but she also came with the very heart He loves so much—a “broken and contrite heart” (Psalms 51:17).
It’s no wonder, then, she loved Jesus “much” (v. 47), because Jesus did for her what no one else could. He “freely forgave” (v. 42) her debt. He healed her broken heart. She heard from Jesus the sweetest words she could possibly imagine: “Your sins are forgiven” (v. 48). How wonderful it must have felt to have the burden of guilt and shame lifted from her. Not hard to understand, then, why she washed His feet and wiped them with her hair, why she kissed His feet and anointed His head with fragrant oil (vv. 37-38, 44-46). When you love someone “much,” you can never do too much for them.
And so we appeal to those of you who may still be in sin, those who have never come to Jesus for forgiveness. What can you learn from this woman?
See yourself the same way this woman saw herself. Make sure you feel every bit the shame this woman felt—you’re not the 50 denarii debtor either; in fact, no one is. No matter how good a person you may think yourself to be, you’re no less a sinner than this woman was. You have a HUGE debt to pay, and nothing with which to repay. Understand there’s no possible way to exaggerate the seriousness of your condition.
See Jesus the same way she did, have the same faith in Him. He is the Son of God and He has both the power and the willingness to forgive your debt, to cleanse you of every sin you’ve ever committed, to lift from you the enormous burden of guilt and shame.
And so come to Him, come with the same broken and contrite heart this woman did. Come with a willingness to repent, a willingness to be baptized into His death for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:37-38; Romans 6:3-4). That’s exactly what Jesus told His spokesmen to tell sinners to do. “Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
Yes, that’s what you MUST do, but it’s Jesus who saved you; it’s Jesus who paid your debt; it’s Jesus who lifted from you the burden of guilt and shame. It’s Jesus who gave rest to your weary heart. Jesus did for you what no one else could, and so you too will love Jesus “much,” and you’ll feel like you can never do too much for Him.
“Will you come, will you come, with your poor broken heart, burden and sin oppressed? Lay it down at the feet of your Savior and Lord, Jesus will give you rest” (Jesus Will Give You Rest, Fanny Crosby and John R. Sweney, 1878).

Keep passing these out; keep inviting people.

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.