Forgiven

Introduction:

“We praise what we enjoy because the delight is incomplete until it is expressed in praise." – John Piper

· In other words – if we want to enjoy God to His fullest, we must learn to praise God.

WHAT WE’LL SEE IS THAT PRAISE IS OFTEN AN ACT OF THE WILL; IT’S DELIGHTING IN THE GOSPEL, AND FINALLY, IT’S SUBMITTING TO OUR KING

I) Praise Begins with An Act of the will (vv. 1-5)

A. Talking to Ourselves when we don’t feel like praising God

i. Setting the Stage: (vv. 3-5)

1. Probably the Psalmist has been delivered from sickness (caused by sin?)

2. So: The Psalmist starts personal and ends cosmic in praise

ii. Praising God is an act of the will (vv. 1-5)

1. The Palmist speaks to himself since praise isn’t always natural (vs. 1)

2. APPLICATION: Some of us…

a. came to church ready and eager to praise: GREAT!

b. bickering kids; work stress, infertility? $$ problems: Tell ourselves

B. Talking to ourselves when we forget why to praise God

i. We forget God’s Benefits: (vs. 1b)

1. Some things we do automatically, some things we forget to do

2. EXAMPLE: brushing teeth (I remember) closing kitchen cabinets (I don’t)

ii. APPLICATION: Remember what God has done!

1. The Psalmist makes a list – of ALL that God has done

2. There ARE times not to praise…but also, discipline ourselves to praise

3. EXAMPLE: Food: job; talents; relationships; education, etc.

IN VERSE 6, THE PSALMIST EXPANDS HIS PRAISE, CALLING ISRAEL TO JOIN HIM IN PRAISING GOD FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK

II) Praise is rooted in a Deep Delight in the Gospel (vv. 6-18)

A. The Gospel Assures us that God Deals With His Anger Toward our Sin

i. God’s anger and Ours:

1. Our anger (flowing from SELF) and God’s anger (Righteous opposition)

2. EXAMPLE: An elderly couple scammed; racism; abuse

ii. God turns aside His anger (vv. 8, 9)

1. My sin and yours leads to God’s patient – yet righteous - anger

2. But: God stops being angry toward us

B. The Gospel Assures us that God Removes Our Sins …Forever!  (vv. 10-12)

i. How? At the cross! (vv. 9-11)

1. Why can’t God just stop being angry and forgive?

2. EXAMPLE: Can you just “forgive” a home invader?

3. At the cross, our sin is punished and God’s anger exhausted

ii. Assurance of forgiveness (vs. 12)

1. SOME: we don’t know we have a problem (so…Good news!)

2. SOME: failures knock at the door of our heart (so...start walking east!)

C. The Gospel Assures us that God Steadfastly Loves us As His Children

i. God’s HESED for Us: (vv. 4, 8, 13)

1. God’s “Steadfast love” is his unwavering commitment and affection for us

2. Because God Loves us like this, He adopts us into his family

ii. APPLICATION

1. From accused to child: Our posture before God changes

2. Human relationships are imperfect & impermanent; God’s love isn’t!

Transition:

III) Praise is Submission to God as King (vv. 19-22)

A. God Establishes His Rule as King

i. God’s dominion extends over all

1. From person, to people, to angels… ALL are called to praise!

2. The language of this section is God’s kingdom

ii. Why?

1. God in Christ, reigns over all things

2. APPLICATION: from worriers to rulers, we may learn to trust God!

B. Worshiping the King Means Submitting To His Rule

i. Notice that worship means obedience

1. Like supernatural beings, there is blessing in obedience

2. Worship and obedience to together

Transition:

Conclusion