Confess Your Sins

Introduction

David and his success.

2 Samuel 11:1 ESV

1 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

David and his sin.

2 Samuel 11:14–15 “14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 15 In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die.””

David committed adultery, he was deceptive, he murdered Uriah, and he took Uriah’s wife to be his wife!

2 Samuel 11:26–27 “26 When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. 27 And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.”

David is exposed!

2 Samuel 12:1–15 ESV

1 And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” 7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 8 And I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’ ” 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.” 15 Then Nathan went to his house. And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he became sick.

1. The Blessing in Forgiveness

Psalm 32:1–2 ESV

1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

The blessing is in the release from the burden of sin and guilt, a state made possible through Christ's work on the cross.

God's forgiveness is a gateway to true happiness

Approach God with a repentant heart to experience this transformation

2. The Burden of Hidden Sins

Psalm 32:3–4 ESV

3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

The consequences of unconfessed sin.

David experiences physical and emotional distress.

Holding onto sin can burden the heart.

There is liberating power in confession. Identify areas in your lives where confession can lead to rejuvenation

It is critically importance to be transparent before God.

3. The Breakthrough in Confession

Psalm 32:5 ESV

5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Verse 5 is the turning point, where David confesses his sins and experiences God's forgiveness.

This act of confession is pivotal, signaling a profound shift from concealment to openness.

Experiencing the completeness of forgiveness through Christ’s invitation to come to Him with our sins.

Embrace confession as a path to a deeper relationship with God, using David's vulnerability as a model for accessing divine grace and mercy.

4. Beseeching God’s Protection

Psalm 32:6–7 ESV

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. 7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

Don’t put it off!

2 Corinthians 6:2 “2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

The protective presence of God is our refuge.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, provides safety and salvation for His flock.

Regular prayer and the seeking of God's presence sustains spiritual vitality and peace, trusting in Jesus’ enduring promise to be with us always.

5. The Boundless Joy in Instruction

Psalm 32:8–11 ESV

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

God promises in verses 8 to 11, to provide guidance and encouragement for righteous living.

God is committed to those forgiven.

There is joy and celebration found in living according to God's ways.

God’s forgiveness leads to a fulfilling and joyful life.

Conclusion

God's forgiveness brings true happiness and transforms our lives, inviting us to live in the freedom of His grace.