Cornerstone Community Church of Los Angeles 13426 S. Avalon Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90061 310-532-2342

Sermon Notes For 2025

Please see  "Archived Wednesday Sermon Notes"  for previous topics - Thank you!

Sermon Notes For 9-3-25 Part 1 For The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 6: Vs. 5 Thru 12, And Then Vs. 14&15, And Then Lastly, Vs. 13. For This Will Be The 2nd Out Of 5 Corrective Topics From Our Lord Jesus Which Will Be Life-Changing, But It Will Also Reveal How Superficial Or Serious Our Commitment To Obey The Lord Jesus The Messiah King Really Is!

Please have some paper, or your Wednesday noon bible study notebook, and a pen or pencil.Also, we will be going overtime today.

Now, let’s turn to the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 6. Now today, we want to return back to our current corrective topic from our Lord Jesus which is, how we might have an authentic and healthy prayer life.

Now, let’s come back to Matthew 6: 12. For we want to begin with this 6th Godly phrase that is revealed unto us here in Matthew 6: 12, which says, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Stop here) 

And let’s also see Luke 11: 4, which says it a little different. “And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted or has Sinned against us.  (Stop here) 

Now, let’s go back to Matthew 6:12. Now, here in Matthew 6: 12. Our Lord Jesus taught us to pray saying, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”  (Stop here)

Now, let’s remember that here Matthew 6: 12. This will be our 2nd daily request or petition that is primarily to be directed unto our Father in Heaven.

Remember, our 1st daily request or petition which we saw was in Matthew 6: 11. “Give us this day our daily bread.”

And our 3rd & final daily request or petition that we will see in Matthew 6: 13. “And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.”

Now, I would like to pass on to you an important recommendation that you may agree or disagree, or you may would like to implement this during your prayer time or not!

Because in my humble opinion, *these 3 daily request or petitions that I just mentioned from Vs.11. “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Vs.12.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” And Vs.13A. “And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.”

In my humble opinion these 3 request or petitions should be our first request or petitions before we ask for anything else of our Heavenly Father in Jesus’ name on a daily basis! (Repeat)

And therefore, here in Matthew 6: 12. This will be our 2nd daily request or petition that is to be primarily directed unto our Heavenly Father which says, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Stop here)

Now, it is important to know that this phrase that our Lord Jesus is teaching us, we must understand that our Lord Jesus Christ was not including Himself when He used the words “Us” & “We,” as if He Himself needed forgiveness from God as we do! Nor was our Lord Jesus Christ under compulsion by God to forgive others as we are!

For example, see Matthew 6: 14  "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  15  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Stop There)

So once again, this phrase that our Lord has taught us, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” must be understood that our Lord Jesus Christ was not including Himself when He used the words “Us” & “We,” as if He Himself needed forgiveness from God as we do! Nor, was our Lord Himself was under compulsion by God to forgive others as we are! 

Now upon your request, I have 2 biblical articles for your consideration and edification. Because with God’s help, I want you to better understand some thought provoking questions, but most importantly what should be the Biblical answer that you & I must know and believe about our Lord Jesus Christ regarding these particular matters.

For example, *Was Jesus sinless from His conception and birth and even unto His death and Resurrection? (Repeat)

Also, these next 3 questions are extremely important that we know and believe the correct Biblical answer about our Lord Jesus regarding certain matters! For example, *Could Jesus have sinned being that He was fully human as we are?  (Repeat)

*And our next question! And if Jesus was not capable of sinning, then how could He truly be able to sympathize with our weaknesses according to Hebrews 4:15?  (Repeat)

*And our last question! If our Lord Jesus could not sin, then what was the point of His temptation in the wilderness by the Devil at the beginning of His earthly ministry which is revealed in Matthew 4: 1-11. And also, in Luke 4: 1-13? (Repeat)

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I have 2 biblical articles for your consideration and edification, so that with God‘s help you might better understand Some essential questions and what is the biblical answer that you & I must know and believe about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ regarding these matters. For example, was Jesus sinless from his conception and birth and even unto His death and Resurrection?

Absolutely Yes! Jesus was sinless, and it is because Jesus was sinless that we have hope of an eternity in heaven. 

If Jesus were not sinless, there would be no sacrifice for sin. Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden ushered sin into this world (Genesis 3:6). With their sin came death, 

just as God had warned (Genesis 2:17). As a result, mankind is now born with a sin nature (Romans 5:12–19), and it is with us from the time we are conceived (Psalm 51:5). The Bible makes it clear, however, that Jesus Christ, though tempted in every way just as we are (Hebrews 4:15), never committed a sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 3:5). 

The apostle Peter stated it clearly: “He committed no sin and no deceit was found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). Indeed, as Jesus Christ is God, He has no capacity to sin.

In addition to putting a barrier between us and our Creator, our inherited sinful nature subjected all of us to physical and eternal death, because “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).     Now, to be reconciled with God there needed to be forgiveness, and “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). After Adam and Eve sinned, God clothed them with “garments of skin” (Genesis 3:21) by shedding the blood of an animal. 

However, the many subsequent animal sacrifices, although perfectly illustrating that sin requires death, provided only a temporary covering of sins, as the blood of those animals could never completely take away sin (Hebrews 10:4, 11).

The Old Testament sacrifices were a foreshadowing of the perfect, “once for all” sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:27; 10:10). The only way we could be reconciled to a holy and perfect God was with a holy and perfect offering, which we would not have had if Jesus Christ was not without sin. As Peter declared, “For you know that it is not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18–19). 

Indeed, it was the sinless blood of Christ alone that was able to bring peace between God and mankind (Colossians 1:20). And with this reconciliation, we can be “holy in God’s sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Colossians 1:22).

The sinless Christ’s death on the cross at Calvary paid the full penalty for the sin of all who believe in Him. Thus, what was lost at the fall was given back at the cross. Just as sin entered the world through one man (Adam), God was able to redeem the world through one man the sinless Jesus Christ.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Now the next biblical article that we should consider is, Could Jesus have sinned? And if Jesus was not capable of sinning, then how could He truly be able to sympathize with our weaknesses according to Hebrews 4:15?

If our Lord Jesus could not sin, then what was the point of His temptation in the wilderness by The Devil at the beginning of His earthly ministry which is revealed in Matthew 4: 1-11. And also, in Luke 4: 1-13? 

First, there are two sides to this interesting questions.It is important to remember that this is not a question of whether Jesus sinned. Both sides agree, as the Bible clearly says, that Jesus did not sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22). 

The question is whether Jesus could have sinned.  Those who hold to "impeccability" believe that Jesus could not have sinned. Those who hold to "peccability" believe that Jesus could have sinned, but did not. Which view is correct? The clear teaching of Scripture is that Jesus was impeccable Jesus could not have sinned. If He could have sinned, He would still be able to sin today because He retains the same essence He did while living on earth. He is the God-Man and will forever remain so, having full deity and full humanity so united in one person as to be indivisible. To believe that Jesus could sin is to believe that God could sin. "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him" (Colossians 1:19). Colossians 2:9 adds, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form."

Although Jesus is fully human, He was not born with the sinful nature that we are born with. He certainly was tempted in the same way we are, in that temptations were put before Him by Satan, yet He remained sinless because God is incapable of sinning. It is against His very nature (Matthew 4:1; Hebrews 2:18, 4:15; James 1:13). Sin is by definition a trespass of the Law. God created the Law, and the Law is by nature what God would or would not do; therefore, sin is anything that God would not do by His very nature.

To be tempted is not, in and of itself, sinful. A person could tempt you with something you have no desire to do, such as committing murder or participating in sexual perversions. You probably have no desire whatsoever to take part in these actions, but you were still tempted because someone placed the possibility before you. There are at least two definitions for the word "tempted":

1) To have a sinful proposition suggested to you by someone or something outside yourself or by your own sin nature.

2) To consider actually participating in a sinful act and the possible pleasures and consequences of such an act to the degree that the act is already taking place in your mind.

The first definition does not describe a sinful act/thought; the second does. When you dwell upon a sinful act and consider how you might be able to bring it to pass, you have crossed the line of sin. Jesus was tempted in the fashion of definition one except that He was never tempted by a sin nature because it did not exist within Him. Satan proposed certain sinful acts to Jesus, but He had no inner desire to participate in the sin. Therefore, He was tempted like we are but remained sinless.

Those who hold to peccability believe that, if Jesus could not have sinned, He could not have truly experienced temptation and therefore could not truly empathize with our struggles and temptations against sin. We have to remember that one does not have to experience something in order to understand it. God knows everything about everything. While God has never had the desire to sin, and has most definitely never sinned, God knows and understands what sin is. God knows and understands what it is like to be tempted. Jesus can empathize with our temptations because He knows, not because He has "experienced" all the same things we have.

Jesus knows what it is like to be tempted, but He does not know what it is like to sin. This does not prevent Him from assisting us. We are tempted with sins that are common to man (1 Corinthians 10:13). These sins generally can be boiled down to three different types: "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16 NKJV). Examine the temptation and sin of Eve, as well as the temptation of Jesus, and you will find that the temptations for each came from these three categories. Jesus was tempted in every way and in every area that we are, but remained perfectly holy. Although our corrupt natures will have the inner desire to participate in some sins, we have the ability, through Christ, to overcome sin because we are no longer slaves to sin but rather slaves of God (Romans 6, especially verses 2 and 16-22).

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Now, let’s notice again here Matthew 6: 12. The phrase that our Lord Jesus has taught us, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Question, *How can we know for sure that our Lord was not including Himself when He used the words “Us” & “We,” as if He Himself needed forgiveness from God as we do?  (Repeat)

Well, let’s see Luke 11:  1  Now, it came to pass as the Lord Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord teach us to pray as John the baptizer also taught his disciples. 2  So Jesus said unto them, His disciples, When YOU pray say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  3  Give us day by day our daily bread.  4  And forgive us our sins, for as we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one."

Now, back to Matthew Chapter 6:12 .Now again, lets notice the phrase that our Lord Jesus has taught us, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Question. How can we know for sure that our Lord was not under compulsion by God to forgive others as we are? (Repeat) 

Well, let’s see Luke 23: 33  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  34  Then Jesus said Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do! And they divided His garments by casting lots for them. (Stop here)

And let’s notice the phrase that our lord Jesus has taught us, “And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.”

And finally, how can we know for sure that our Lord Jesus Christ did not become the worst sinner who had ever lived as He suffered upon the cross for the sins of the whole world?

Well, let’s see Mark 15: 33  Now, when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.  34  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani, which is translated, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

And lastly, let’s see a passage from the Scriptures that is interpreted incorrectly by some, and is greatly misunderstood by others!

Now, turn to 2nd Corinthians Chapter 5.

Now, let’s notice 2nd Corinthians 5: 21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Sermon Notes For 9-10-25 Part 2 For The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 6: Vs. 5 Thru 12, And Then Vs. 14&15 And Then Lastly, Vs. 13. For This Will Be The 2nd Out Of 5 Corrective Topics From Our Lord Jesus Which Will Be Life-Changing, Bu) It Will Also Reveal How Superficial Or Serious Our Commitment To Obey The Lord Jesus The Messiah King Really Is!

Please have some paper, or your Wednesday noon bible study notebook, and a pen or pencil. Also, we will be going overtime today.

Now, let’s turn to the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 6. And today let’s continue with Our Current Corrective Topic From Our Lord Jesus, Which Is How We Might Have An Authentic And Healthy Prayer Life.

And we want to continue with this 6th Godly phrase that is revealed unto us here in Matthew 6:12 In which our Lord taught us to say, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”  (Stop here)  Also, we can see our Lord’s same teaching in Luke 11: 4, which says it a little different.  “And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted unto us.  (Stop here) 

Now, let’s go back to Matthew 6:12.                                                                                        Now, here in Matthew 6: 12. Our Lord Jesus has taught us to say, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Stop here)

But, let’s notice here in Matthew 6: 12. That there are 2 parts that are required of us regarding our daily request or petitions, that are to be directed primarily unto our Father in Heaven. (Repeat) 

 The first part, that are required of us regarding our daily request or petitions, that are to be directed primarily unto our Father in Heaven, is forgive us our debts.

 The second part, that are required of us regarding our daily request or petitions, that are to be directed primarily unto our Father in Heaven, *is as we forgive our debtors. (Stop here)

And remember also that our Lord in Luke 11:4, says it a little different. “And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted unto us.  (Stop here)

 Now, let’s go back to Matthew 6:12.Now, let’s consider the first part that are required of us regarding our daily request or petitions, that are to be directed primarily unto our Father in Heaven that we should say and understand. and that is, forgive us our debts. (Stop here)  

Now, there are 3 key words that we need to understand better.  Forgive.  Us.  Our debts.  •Forgive in this case means, being willing to release another from an obligation, or a debt that is own. •Us in this case means, all of our fellow believers no matter who they are! •Our debts in this case this word “debts” should be used as a Metaphor for our sins against God, representing a failure to fulfill our moral duties and obligations that God could have judged us for those failures. (Note) the word "debts" is from the Greek word Opheilema which in some case is translated use "trespasses" or "sins" for the same concept, the use of "debts" highlights that every sin is a failure of duty to a holy God, creating an unpayable obligation that requires divine mercy. 

The Metaphor of debt owed obligation: The Greek word Opheilema literally means, "that which is owed". In the context of prayer, it signifies a moral obligation a duty to God that has not been met. 

Unpayable Obligation: Sin is seen as a debt that humans cannot personally repay. Because everyone has failed to perfectly love God and their neighbor, they are indebted to a holy God. 

Spiritual Reckoning: The term "debt" also carries financial and spiritual meaning, illustrating that we owe God for the spiritual forgiveness we need. 

Alternatives in Scripture and Tradition.  The word "Trespasses" (paraptōmata in Greek), found in some English translations, refers to a violation of rules or an infraction. 
"Sins": The gospel writer Luke uses the standard Greek word for "sin" (hamartia) to describe this petition. 

Different Translations: The King James Version (KJV) and other versions adopted the term "debts" from Matthew's account of the Lord's Prayer, while William Tyndale translated it as "trespasses," which influenced the Anglican Book of Common Prayer and its widespread use in certain denominations. 

 And finally, why the Metaphor Matters! Seriousness of Sin: The use of "debts" emphasizes the gravity of sin, especially in the ancient world where debt could lead to imprisonment and severe consequences. 
Mercy and Forgiveness: The prayer is a plea for mercy from a God whose standards are perfect, highlighting that forgiveness is an act of extravagant grace. 
Connection to Forgiving Others: The phrase "as we also have forgiven our debtors" links our request for divine forgiveness to our own willingness to forgive those who have wronged us. 

Now, let’s see Luke 7: 41 "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, so he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more? 43 Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have rightly judged. 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."

Also, see Matthew 18:  23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'  30 And he would not but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34 And his master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.

Now remember, this first part that is required of us regarding our daily request or petitions, that are to be directed primarily unto our Father in Heaven that we should say and understand. And that is, forgive us our debts. (Stop here)

Now, from the Bible here are some examples to consider!

Now, see Ephesians 4: 25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

Now, see Galatians 5: 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, 

just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Now, see James 4:17. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

Now, see Matthew 5: 27. You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’  28. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Romans 7: 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Now, see Romans 3: 10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one."  13 "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips";  14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."  15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known."  18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."  19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

(Question) Biblically how we should seek forgiveness from God when we sin?

Now, see Psalm 32:5. I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Now, see Psalms 139:23. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 

Now, see Psalm 51:10. Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Now, see Psalms 139:24. And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Now, see Psalm 32:6. For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him.

(Question) Biblically, how we should seek forgiveness from God when we sin?

Well, see 1st John 1: 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.