The Basics of Biblical Counseling - Biblicalcounselingonline.org

Rejoice in God's Forgiveness. Psalm 32
I. Introduction: A Gospel Psalm. Rom. 4:6-8 I Kings 15:5 Psalm 51
II. Sin makes yourlife miserable! v. 1-4
A. The nature of sin. v. 1-2 Ps. 51:3-5
1. Transgression: revolt against God's authority, treason. 19:13 Isa. 53:6
2. Sin: missing the mark: falling short of God's standard. 107:17
a. Not a matter of meeting society's expectations.
b. Normerely being true to yourself. Ps. 51:4
3. Iniquity: moral perversion, twistedness. Num. 32:23 I Kn. 17:18 Ex. 20:5
Isa. 53:5,6,11 30:13
4. Deceit (guile): trying to fool yourself and God. v. 2b,5b Gen. 3:7f Job 31:33
B. Sin is physically and psychologically devastating. v. 3-4 II Sam. 12:1f Ps. 38:1ff
1. Physical wretchedness. I Cor. 11:30 5:5 Js. 5:14-16
a. Sin affects your body directly.
b. The link between spiritual condition and physical health: Indirect effects of sin.
c. Not all physical problems are the direct result of personal sin. John 9:1ff
2. Mental misery. 22:15 Job. 23:2 spiritual depression.
3. Sin is never worth it!
4. God brings trouble upon you (for your good). v. 4a,9 94:12 139:23-24 Heb. 12:5f
C. The ultimate result of the life of sin is God's wrath. v. 10a Ps. 1:6
III. If you confess your guilt, God will pardon you. v. 5 103:3
A. First, you must repent. v. 5
1. Stop deceiving yourself and recognize your sin for what it is! v. 1-2
Prov. 14:12
2. Openly confess your guilt to God. v. 5a-c 51:3ff I Jn. 1:9 II Sam. 12:13 Is. 59:12
a. Approach Him directly. Ps. 51:4
b. Specifically name how you have sinned against Him. Neh. 9:2-3 I Kings 8:33
3. Repentance is more than merely saying that you are sorry. Prov. 28:13
a. You can't be forgiven by going through outward motions of confession. (Guile)
b. Many professing Christians have never truly repented.
B. God graciously forgives. v. 5d, 1-2 Ps. 103:10-12 Jer. 31:34
He is more ready to pardon than you are to seek His mercy.
1. Yourtransgression is forgiven: removed, carried away. v. 1a 25:18 Ex. 34:7
Lev. 10:17 Isa. 53:4,12 Surely our griefs He Himself bore & our sorrows He carried.
a. Yourmere act of confession is not the meritorious cause of His grace.
b. The blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed you. I John 1:8-2:2 Heb. 9:2
c. He has lifted and borne the burden of your sin. Mt. 11:28
2. Yoursin is covered. v. 1b Isa. 53:5,8 51:9 Ezek. 18:22,30-31 Gen. 9:23 Rev. 3:18
3. Youriniquity is not counted (imputed) against you. v. 2a Num. 12:11 Rom. 4:6-8
a. How can a righteous God overlooksin?
b. He does not just ignore sin, but He deals with it.
c. Yourguilt has been imputed to Christ who died in your place. Rom. 5:1ff
d. His righteousness has been imputed to you.
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