The Blessing of Forgiveness

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION

“When the apostles preached, they could assume even in their Pagan hearers a real consciousness of deserving the Divine anger… It was against this background that the Gospel appeared as good news. It brought news of possible healing to men who knew they were mortally ill.”

~C.S Lewis, Author & Theologian, in The Problem of Pain

“I found a place where the past was forgiven

Where my mistakes met a grace I couldn’t earn

And so I piled up my excuses and defenses in the night

Then I lit a match, stepped back and watched them burn.”

~“Carry Me” by NeedtoBreathe

“God is so faithful. He says, ‘If you bring me your sin, if you uncover it before me, I will cover it. I will do the very thing that you’re trying to do in your own strength and power.’”

~Juan Sánchez, Pastor & Author

“If one is not genuinely offended by one’s sin, there is no repentance. Repentance is painful, but it is a sweet pain. It demands brokenness of heart but always with a view to healing and restoration and a renewed vision of the beauty of Christ and forgiving grace.”

~Sam Storms, Pastor & Author

SERMON PASSAGE

Psalm 32 (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.

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

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

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

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!