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:

               a.     David/Saul

               b.     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?