The Blessedness of Forgiveness

TEXT: Psa. 32

INTRODUCTION:

A. THE PSALMS OF DAVID ARE FILLED WITH BEAUTIFUL EXPRESSIONS OF PASSIONATE PRAISE AND PRAYER.

B. THIS IS JUST SUCH A PSALM – AFTER HIS SIN WITH BATHSHEBA.

I. THE BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS (vs. 1-2)

A. SEEN IN WHAT SIN IS (1 John 3:4; James 4:17)

An affront to His Goodness and Love (Rom. 2:4).

B. SEEN IN WHAT SIN DOES.

1. It degrades man (Phil. 3:18-19; Rom. 1:28-32).

2. It deceives (Eph. 4:17-19; 2 Pet. 2:17-19).

3. It separates from God (Eph. 2:1, 12).

4. It condemns (Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20:14-15).

C. SIN PRODUCES GODLY SORROW IN A GODLY MAN (vs. 3-4).

1. Companion Psalms (Psa. 6 and 8).

2. Psa. 51:16-17; 2 Cor. 7:10; James 4:8-10.

3. Godly sorrow distinguished by its fruit:

David/Saul

Peter/Judas

III. FORGIVENESS IS CONDITIONAL (vs. 5-6).

A. WE MUST CONFESS OUR SINS.

1. Psa. 51:1-4. David’s example.

2. 1 John 1:9.

B. WE MUST TURN AWAY FROM THEM.

1. Acts 8:18-24. Simon the Sorcerer.

2. 1 John 1:6-7.

C. WE MUST DO IT IN TIME (vs. 6).

1. Isa. 55:6-7; 2 Cor. 6:2.

2. Compared to the time of the flood (vs. 6b; Matt. 24:35-42).

IV. GOD IS MY REFUGE (vs. 7-11)

A. GOD IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF HOPE (Eph. 2:4-7).

B. THAT HOPE REST ENTIRELY ON JESUS (Eph. 1:3; John 14:6).

C. CAST THEN YOUR BURDEN ON HIM (Psa. 55:22; Matt. 11:28-30).

1. God will direct (vs. 8).

2. Don’t be stubborn (vs. 9; 1 Pet. 5:6-7).

3. God is faithful to forgive (vs. 10; 1 John 1:9).

4. Therefore, REJOICE (vs. 11; Phil. 4:4).

CONCLUSION: ARE YOU BURDENED BY SIN?