Ernest Hemingway wrote a story about a father and son who had a serious misunderstanding. In the story, the boy finally runs away from home. The father, however, is not content to let his son go. In an effort to find the boy, the father puts an ad in the Madrid, Spain newspaper. It contained these words:

Dear Paco,

Meet me at the town square at noon on Sunday.
All is forgiven.

Your father.

That Sunday 800 males by the name of Paco showed up at the town square. They all came seeking forgiveness from their fathers.

We believe in the forgiveness of sins.

One of the great promises of the Bible is found in the scripture lesson today. “If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (verse 9).

I. THE PROBLEM OF SIN

A fr…