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

Sign Mistakes

FindingFinding Life in the Shadow of Death

EndingEnding Life in the Shadow of Death

Sign Mistakes

Sign Mistakes

Sign Mistakes

Sign Mistakes

Sign Mistakes

Sign Mistakes

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; I have no one no one to forgive me”(Atheist, Marghanita Laski).

The Big Idea

“I could dismiss half of my patients tomorrow if I could assure them that they are they are

forgivenforgiven”(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

The Big Idea

“When I kept silentkept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning

all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon meyour hand was heavy upon me; my

strength was sapped as in the heat of summer”(Psalm 32:3-4).

The Big Idea

“Then I acknowledged 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 32:5).

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

“BlessedBlessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose

sins are covered. BlessedBlessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1-2).

“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 himis nor will be angry with him, but will be forever a merciful and loving forever a merciful and loving Father to him for Christ’s sakeFather to him for Christ’s sake? This is indeed a marvelous liberty to have the

most high and sovereign Majesty so favorable to usfavorable 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

• The God who is infinitely holyinfinitely holy, judges your sin in Christ and sees you as holy holy in Christin Christ.

• To the God who sees allsees all, your sin is invisibleinvisible because of Christ.

• To the God who knowsknows all, your sin is forgottenforgotten because of Christ.

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

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

“When I kept silentkept 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 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

“When I kept silentkept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaninggroaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy hand was heavy upon meupon 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

“Then I acknowledged my sin acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my did not cover up my

iniquityiniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my confess my transgressions transgressions to the LORD.’ 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

• When we expose our sinful shame sinful shame to God, we experience the peace of Christpeace of Christ.

• When we uncover our sin uncover our sin to God, God covers over our sin with Christcovers over our sin with Christ.

• When we hold out our hands hold out our hands in surrender, God wraps His loving arms of wraps His loving arms of forgiveness 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

“The LORD’s unfailing love unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Rejoice in the

LORD 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