Islington Baptist Church July 24, 2005
Psalm 32 Scriptures: I John 1-2:2, Romans 5:1-11
The joy of forgiveness
As people we spend of lot of time and money pursuing pleasure and joy.
What sorts of things bring joy? WAIT FOR RESPONSES
What is the typical “shelf life” of the joys that we seek? Relate to grocery shopping and expiry dates.
The Bible tells us how to be blessed.
In Psalm 32, which is our text for today, we are told of one of the greatest joys there is: The joy of the forgiveness of sins!
There is really nothing that beats the forgiveness of sins. There is nothing as wonderful as being right with God and at peace with Him.
In case you didn’t know, the forgiveness of sins is our greatest need. The Bible says that every person has broken God’s laws and standards. Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Every single person falls short of God’s expectations. Every single person is guilty of rebellion against God. Every single person, apart from a relationship with Jesus, has a wayward self seeking heart.
The consequence of our sinfulness is severe. Broken relationships here on earth. Separation from God. Self inflicted sorrows. Death. Impending punishment. The anger of God directed towards them.
We truly are very needy. Forgiveness of sins is our greatest need.
Turn with me now to Psalm 32 and let’s learn some more. (READ TEXT)
1. Nothing “tops” the joy of the forgiveness of sins. v.1-2
a. Note the two fold declaration of how wonderful it is to be forgiven of our sins.
READ verses. If something is said once in the Bible its important. If twice, then you really need to take note. Repetition in the Bible reinforces a message and draws special attention.
Digging deeper
1. Note how David, who is the writer of this Psalm, speaks of our sin in 3 fold manner and also of forgiveness in a 3 fold way.
-David rightfully understood that sin is a serious thing. He knew that “sin” was more than just about “slipping up” or “doing something questionable in the sight of God”
a. David calls sin: Transgressions
This particular term has the following connotations: revolt, rebellion, rejection of God’s authority, rebellion against God’s law.
The result is a gulf is created between God and man. The result is personal defilement and enslavement to sin. Punishment is the rightful end of rebellion.
b. David calls sin: sin
The term used here in v.1 is the principle word for sin in the Old Testament. In mind when this term is used is our failure to live up to God’s standards. In mind is the breach of God’s law.
In mind is the concept of “missing the mark or way”.
In Judges 20:15-16 it says “At once the Benjamites mobilized twenty-six thousand swordsmen from their towns, in addition to seven hundred chosen men from those living in Gibeah. 16 Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.”
When you and I sin, unlike the Benjamites who didn’t miss when they fired their stones, we are said to be missing the mark..
c. David calls sin: iniquity v.2 (NKJV)
This terms denotes crooked behavior. The term is also collective noun which means that it denotes the sum of ones past misdeeds against God and man. The point: You and I not just guilty of sinning once or on occasion against God and man: We’ve got quite a track record.
The result of iniquity: guilt and punishment.
2. Along side of David’s 3 fold description of sin is a 3 fold description of what it means to be forgiven.
a. Forgiven v.1
One of the attributes that the Bible lists of God is that he is a forgiver: In Exodus 34:6-7 it says "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished
The idea behind the term of v.1 is sins pardoned and taken away. This is what forgiveness is all about.
b. Ones sins are covered v.1
As you well, the opposite of something being covered is exposed. When a person goes to God and truly repents of their sins and seeks the forgiveness of God, there sins are covered over with the result that when God looks upon that person he know longer sees a vile sinner but a forgiven child who belongs to Him.
c. Sins not counted against us v.2
Paul quotes this verse in Romans 4:4-8 as he takes about imputed righteousness.
Involved in this is the employment of the mind in a thinking activity. It means to make a judgment. As it pertains to our sins God does not bring to remembrance the sins that we have confessed and repented. When God forgives, he truly forgives, not setting them aside to throw against us on another occasion. .
DO YOU KNOW THE JOY OF THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS?
Do you know the joy of being at peace with God?
Do you know the joy of not fearing the judgment to come?
If you have not confessed your sins to God. If you have humbled yourself before the Lord and pled with Him for the forgiveness of your sins, you are missing out on the greatest joy that can be yours: forgiveness. In addition to missing out on the greatest of joys that can be had, you are also in incredible danger. You are under the wrath of God and if you were to die right now, to the judgment and Hell you would go.
FAILURE TO CONFESS AND REPENT OF OUR SINS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SADLY, FOR US, THE RESULT IS PAIN. v. 3ff
Read text…
WHY IS IT THAT WE SO INFREQUENTLY CONFESS AND REPENT OF THE SIN THAT IS IN OUR LIVES?
BECAUSE WE ARE MASTERS OF SELF DECEPTION AND DENIAL
While there is nothing that matches the joy of forgiveness of sins, our tendency is to try to cover our sins over. Our tendency is one of self deception, wherein we steadfastly say to ourselves “I’m not that bad” “I’m not guilty” “God really can’t be upset with me” “I’m in no eternal danger”
We are all masters at self deception and denial. I have a friend who is a black belt in Karate. He earned by hard work and effort and had to pass through various levels. As it pertains to self deception and denial we all have our “black belts” and here’s the thing about this: We were born this way. In Jeremiah 17:9 it says of our hearts “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
In our text David speaks of how this was his struggle for a time in his life- trying to convince himself that nothing was wrong and that he had not sinned against God and man. The classic example from the life of David regards his sleeping with Bathsheba. Bathsheba was not David’s wife and yet he wanted to have sex with her and so he did and then to cover up this sin, he murdered Bathsheba’s husband—thinking that because he was King that he could get away with it all.
Interesting verses
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:8-10
HOW TO HAVE THE VICTORY
1. Examine ourselves
In Lamentations 3:39-40 it says “Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins? Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.
We need to examine ourselves through the lense of God’s holy Word and we need to listen to the Holy Spirit’s voice, because of the deceitfulness of our hearts.
Does your life correspond to the way God wants you to be living it? Ie. Sexual purity, your use of your money, your speech, your relationships, etc.
2. When troubles come our way we need to ask ourselves this question: Could this be the discipline of God in my life?
Am I in a place of rebellion right now against the law of God. Am I being wayward and rebellious as it pertains to the ways of God?
To rebel against God is to bring trouble and hardship into your life….This hardship as Christians is actually the Lord’s discipline and it’s a sign that he loves us. Hebrews 12:5-13
Some of our pains in life are like “self inflicted gun shots”.
3. Repent
Confession and repentance is required of us even as Christians. While or sins do not sever the relationship we have with God- because of the work of Jesus for us on the cross- when we sin there are still consequences, the quality of our walk with God suffers, we bring upon ourselves the discipline of God, we hurt our selves in all sorts of different ways.
True repentance: Sorrow for sin. A desire to make restitution. Full disclosure to God. Resolve to not go back to what was doing wrong.
4. Don’t be like a dumb animal v.9
The way of wisdom is to learn from David’s pain: Keep short accounts with God. Don’t let sin spread unchecked in your life. When you do sin—and the Holy Spirit does let us know, when we listen to Him- don’t sit on your hands, raise them to the Lord and repent and seek his favor.
5. Recognize that forgiveness is something that God freely gives—and its great!
The call of David in verse 6 and other parts of the Bible is this “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found:”
In Isaiah 55:6-7 it also says “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
CONCLUSION
So what are you going to do?
If you are not a follower of Jesus Christ….
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ….
We are all sinners. Sin brings judgment and pain and distress to us. Our attempting to cover it up only adds to our problems. The only solution, the only way to peace, the only to joy is by the path of confession and repentance.
God grants forgiveness to all who truly turn to Him in faith and repentance. There is nothing so good or sweet as being right with God. There is no greater joy than the forgiveness of sins and I hope you know truly know what I am talking about.
