Psalms 32. Confession, Forgiveness and Grace.

PSALM 32 Confession, Forgiveness & Grace Psalm 32 1 BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. 1 Psalm 32 2 NO HOLDBACK, COMPLETENESS When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.[b] 3 Psalm 32 3 TURN TO GOD TO ESCAPE JUDGMENT 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. 6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 5 Psalm 32 4 A PROVERB, THEN A CALL TO PRAISE I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 9 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. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. 11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! 8 Psalm 32 5 WHY CONFESSION? When I don’t confess When I do confess • My bones wasted away • You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble • Your hand heavy upon me • Surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32 6 CONFESSION IS FREE… BUT COSTS YOU EVERYTHING Psalm 32 7 CONFESSION IS FREE… BUT COSTS YOU EVERYTHING Psalm 32 8 CONFESSION IS FREE… BUT COSTS YOU EVERYTHING Psalm 32 9 CONFESSION IS FREE… BUT COSTS YOU EVERYTHING Psalm 32 10 CONFESSION IS FREE… BUT COSTS YOU EVERYTHING Psalm 32 11 WHERE DO SOME PEOPLE CONFESS? Psalm 32 12 WHERE DO YOU CONFESS IF YOU’RE THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY ON EARTH? Psalm 32 13 PSALM 32 & STORY OF PRODIGAL SON Psalm 32 14 Father Younger Elder Son Son Psalm 32 …and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ Father Younger Elder Son Son Psalm 32 FAMILY FEUD, PARTY, ROCK BOTTOM, REPENTANCE, GRACE Sequel? Psalm 32 18 REPENT When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.[b] 5 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. 3 Psalm 32 19 Father …but while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Younger Elder Son Son Psalm 32 TO ERR IS HUMAN, TO FORGIVE IS… Psalm 32 21 PARABLE OF UNFORGIVING SERVANT Master forgiving servant’s debt… … but servant unwilling to forgive others Source: Mathew 18:21-35 Psalm 32 HAVE YOU BEEN WRONGED? STORY OF JOSEPH Psalm 32 WHEN WE DON’T FORGIVE… STORY OF MOBY DICK To the last I grapple with thee; from Hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake, I spit my last breath at thee.” Psalm 32 Father ‘…these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ Younger Elder Son Son Psalm 32 WHAT’S PREVENTING GRACE? ENVY? Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. -- Psalm 73:1-25 Psalm 32 26 WHAT’S PREVENTING GRACE? HARDENED HEART? Make me chaste and continent, but not yet! -- St Augustine of Hippo Psalm 32 27 HOLDING ON TO SIN HARM US When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.[b] 3 Psalm 32 28 CALL TO ACTIONS Forgive others Seek forgiveness from God Seeking forgiveness from Man Psalm 32 29 FORGIVE OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE OTHERS Psalm 32 BE STILL. GOD WILL INSTRUCT US 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32 31 REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS • In what sense do you feel you are wandering? Or have you been a wanderer in the past? • What regrets burden you? • Do these past events haunt you today still? • When have you been surprised by what hurtful actions the people around you are capable of? • When have you been surprised by what you are capable of? • What have you lost? • How do each of these characters and their questions lead you to Christ? Psalm 32 32 IDENTIFY YOUR SIN(S) SPECIFICALLY Lust Pride Envy Gluttony SIN Wrath Greed Sloth Psalm 32 33 SEEK FORGIVENESS: PRIVATE CONFESSION Psalm 32 34 SEEK FORGIVENESS: CORPORATE CONFESSION Psalm 32 35 REJOICE 11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! Psalm 32 36 LARGE IMAGE SLIDE Psalm 32