The Joy Of Forgiveness

The Joy of Forgiveness

Psalm 32:1-7

Psalm 32:1 (NIV)

A psalm of David.

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Oh What Joy!!!!

 David had been forgiven of many things

 Adultery

 Murder

 Dishonesty

Sin is rebellion

 Willing disobedience

Forgiveness cancels out the debt of sin

 The covering of sin

 Removed from the sight of God

 Removed from the record of man

Psalm 32:2 (NIV)

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

It Doesn’t Count

 No matter what our past looks like

 Forgiveness is offered

 No record past wrongs is kept

Forgiveness changes us from within

Forgiveness is the result of true repentance

 Not just saying, “I’m sorry”

 A change of mind

 A change of actions

Psalm 32:3-4 (NIV)

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.

The Discomfort of Conviction

To say nothing is to continue in disobedience

 Lack of confession

 Lack of repentance

 Failure to yield

Conviction takes a toll

 Physically weary

 Mentally drained

 Emotionally spent

That’s Not Your Conscience

The Lord continues to apply pressure

 To gain our attention

 To gain our repentance

 To gain our obedience

You can’t outlast God

 Pressure bends the will

 Pressure bends the knee

Psalm 32:5 (NIV)

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.

No Cover-Up Here

True confession begins with honesty

 By acknowledging we agree with God that our

actions have been sinful

 We must be brutally honest with ourselves and

with God, glossing over will not do

True confession gives a detailed accounting

 Every sin is addressed

 Every sin is confesed

 Every sin is forgiven

 Guilt is removed

Psalm 32:6 (NIV)

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.

Don’t Delay

God is faithful to forgive

 To delay repentance is to delay obedience

 The longer we delay the longer we endure God’s

hand of conviction

Until we confess our sins we live in rebellion and our

fellowship with God is hindered

 When we delay our obedience we open ourselves

to peril

God delivers those who cling tightly to Him

Psalm 32:7 (NIV)

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

A Place of Refuge

In God we find refuge

 From guilt

 From shame

 From the cares of this world

In God we find protection

 He is our defender

 Going before us

 Coming behind us

The battle belongs to the Lord

Forgiveness is a Beautiful Thing

 When you are wrong - admit it

 When you need to change – do it

 Forgiveness is complete – receive it

 The Lord offers shelter and strength – Seek it

If we will confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

**Powerpoint available on request