“I Believe in the Forgiveness of
Sins”: Psalm 32
Sign Mistakes
Finding Life in the Shadow of Death
Ending 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 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 forgiven”
(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 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”
(Psalm 32:3-4).
The Big Idea
“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”
(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
“Blessed is he whose transgressions are
forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed
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 him, but will be
forever a merciful and loving Father to him for
Christ’s sake? This is indeed a marvelous liberty to
have the most high and sovereign Majesty so
favorable 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 holy, judges your sin
in Christ and sees you as holy in Christ.
• To the God who sees all, your sin is invisible
because of Christ.
• To the God who knows all, your sin is
forgotten 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 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 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 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”
(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 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).
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 to God, we
experience the peace of Christ.
• When we uncover our sin to God, God covers
over our sin with Christ.
• When we hold out our hands in surrender, God
wraps His loving arms of forgiveness around us.
A Mirror Contrasting Our Two
Choices: Psalm 32:6-11
Surrounded by Woes, Drowning in Sorrow
“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 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 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