“I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins”: Psalm 32

Sign Mistakes Finding Finding Life in the Shadow of Death Ending Ending Life in the Shadow of Death

Sign Mistakes

The Big Idea What do we do with our guilt and our sin?

The Big Idea “What I envy most about you Christians is your forgiveness; no one I have no one to forgive me” (Atheist, Marghanita Laski).

The Big Idea they are forgiven “I could dismiss half of my patients tomorrow if I could assure them that they are forgiven” (Non-Christian Psychologist).

The Big Idea “Pastor Bob, some sins are so deep that even the love of Christ can’t touch them.”

The Big Idea

kept silent your hand was heavy upon me “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer” (Psalm 32:3-4).

The Big Idea I acknowledged “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the L ORD.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).

The Big Idea We will each experience the hand of God: Either His holy hands of judgment, or Christ’s pierced hands of forgiveness.

3 Horrors of Sin, 3 Blessings of Forgiveness: Psalm 32:2-12 Blessed Blessed “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose iniquity the L ORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1-2).

is nor will be angry with him forever a merciful and loving Father to him for Christ’s sake favorable to us “For who is able to express what a thing it is, when a man is assured in his heart that God neither is nor will be angry with him, but will be forever a merciful and loving Father to him for Christ’s sake? This is indeed a marvelous liberty to have the most high and sovereign Majesty so favorable to us” (Martin Luther).

3 Portraits of the Horrors of Sin: Psalm 32:1-2 Transgressions Sins Iniquity

3 Portraits of the Wonders of Forgiveness: Psalm 32:1-2 Forgiven Covered Does Not Count Against

3 Wonders of Forgiveness: Psalm 32:1-2 infinitely holy holy in Christ The God who is infinitely holy, judges your sin in Christ and sees you as holy in Christ. sees allinvisible To the God who sees all, your sin is invisible because of Christ. knows forgotten To the God who knows all, your sin is forgotten because of Christ.

2 Choices We Can Make to Deal with Our Sin: Psalm 32:2b-5

kept silent I acknowledged “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:3-5).

Our Horrible Choice: Trying to Cover Our Own Sin: Psalm 32:3-4 kept silent groaning hand was heavy upon me “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer” (Psalm 32:3-4).

Our Wonderful Choice: Uncovering Our Sin to God Who Covers Our Sin in Christ: Psalm 32:3-4 acknowledged my sin did not cover up my iniquity confess my transgressions “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the L ORD.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).

Our Wonderful Choice: Uncovering Our Sin to God Who Covers Our Sin in Christ: Psalm 32:3-4 Acknowledged My Sin Did Not Cover My Iniquity Confessed My Transgressions

Our Wonderful Choice: Uncovering Our Sin to God Who Covers Our Sin in Christ: Psalm 32:3-4 sinful shame peace of Christ When we expose our sinful shame to God, we experience the peace of Christ. uncover our sin covers over our sin with Christ When we uncover our sin to God, God covers over our sin with Christ. hold out our hands wraps His loving arms of forgiveness When we hold out our hands in surrender, God wraps His loving arms of forgiveness around us.

A Mirror Contrasting Our Two Choices: Psalm 32:6-11 “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked” (Psalm 32:9-10a). Surrounded by Woes, Drowning in Sorrow

Surrounded by Grace, Hidden in Christ: Psalm 32:6-7, 10b-11 “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:6-7, 10b-11).

Surrounded by Grace, Covered in Christ: Psalm 32:6-7, 10b-11 unfailing love “The L ORD ’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Rejoice in the L ORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:6-7, 10b-11).

Celebrating Communion: “I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins!”

“I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins”: Psalm 32