March 4, 2007 Read Psalm 32:1,2 v1,2 What are transgressions and sin?

Romans 8: 5-8 …7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

Romans 14:20-23 everything that does not come from faith is sin.

James 1:13-15 each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. …

1 John 3:4-6 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. …

1 Kings 8:35 … hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live

Psalm 38:15-18 …I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.

v2 Do we sin or have we stopped sinning?

Exodus 34:5-7 … "The LORD, …abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 … forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.

Isaiah 43: 25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Jeremiah 31: 33-34 … "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Hebrews 8:11,12 … 12For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Romans 4:5-8 to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Acts 2:37, 38 … "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

Ephesians 1:3-8 …In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,

What does it mean to have no deceit in your spirit? deceit What do some other translations have for this word?

John 1: 47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."

1 John 1:8-10 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us….

Read v 3 – 5 What does it meant to keep silent, yet to groan all day long?

What happens when your bones are wasting away?

Ezekiel 33:10,11… "Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them…

Why would God put his hand on us? Can we withstand God’s hand?

Deuteronomy 2: 14-…that entire generation of fighting men had perished …The LORD's hand was against them

Acts 13:9-11 …Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind,

1 Peter 5: 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

v5 What is the solution to this condition? What does it mean to confess?

Proverbs 28:13,14 13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy

How do we cover up our iniquity?

Genesis 3:6-8 ..the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden… and they hid

Proverbs 28:13,14 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Isaiah 29:13-15 … 15 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD,

How does God respond when he learns of our sin from us? He forgives our guilt.

How does God respond when he doesn’t learn of our sin from us?

Colossians 2: 13,14 …He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, …

Read v 6-7 What does it mean to be godly?

2 Corinthians 6: 1,2 … I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Will there come a time when people won’t be able to pray to God? Hebrews 9: 26-28…die once, and … face judgment,

Will the godly never suffer trouble on earth?

2 Timothy 1:11-12 .. I am suffering .. Yet I am not ashamed,… he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Read v 8,9 How does God instruct and teach us?

John 16: 12-13 … when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

1 Thessalonians 5: 10-11 …encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 3: 12-14…encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin… Hebrews 10:24,25 … consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Can we be like horses and mules?

Read v 10,11 What are the woes of the wicked? What is the contrast between the wicked and those who trust God?

Romans 2:5-11 5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath …

Are you able to rejoice, to be glad, to sing? Do you do these things? Why can we rejoice?

Psalm 9: 1-2 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.

Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! …The Lord is near. …

1 Thessalonians 5:16, 17 Be joyful always; …18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

March 4, 2007 Read Psalm 32:1,2

maskil "palms written to make a person wise or prudent, to increase a person’s success or skill"

"Life Application Bible NIV" Tyndale House and Zondervan (1991) page 935

v1,2 transgressions forgiven, sins covered,

What are transgressions and sin?

transgression Hebrew word "wilful deviation from, and therefore rebellion against, the path of godly living.";"reference to one’s relationship to God." Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament" M. Unger and W White, Jr. eds. Thomas Nelson Publishers (1980) page 436

sin Hebrew word "missing the road or mark" "a path, a life-style, or act deviating from that which God has marked out"

Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament" M. Unger and W White, Jr. eds. Thomas Nelson Publishers (1980) page 379

sin Romans 8: 5-8 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, …

Romans 14:20-23 20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. …. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

James 1:13-15 … nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

1 John 3:4-6 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning…

1 Kings 8:35 35 "When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin ..then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, … Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

Psalm 38:15-18 15 I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God. 16 For I said…17 For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. 18 I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.

be concerned about it Micah 7:19

v2 Do we sin or have we stopped sinning? We sin. God forgives and forgets.

Exodus 34:5-7 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. ..

Isaiah 43: 25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Jeremiah 31: 33-34 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Hebrews 8:11,12 11No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord, 'because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Romans 4:5-8 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6David says the same … God credits righteousness apart from works: 7"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."

Acts 2:37, 38 … said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:3-8 … God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. … 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

What does it mean to have no deceit in your spirit? not pretending to repent

deceit What do some other translations have for this word?

John 1: 47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."

1 John 1:8-10 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. … 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

1 Peter 2: 21-25 … leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. .. no deceit was found in his mouth." 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; …, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; …. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

sin not counted against him

Read v 3 – 5

What does it meant to keep silent, yet to groan all day long? Not admitting sin to God

What happens when your bones are wasting away? no peace, weak,

Ezekiel 33:10,11 10 "Son of man, say to the house of Israel, 'This is what you are saying: "Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?" ' 11 Say to them, …I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! …Why will you die, O house of Israel?'

Why would God put his hand on us? Can we withstand God’s hand? No, we wilt.

Deuteronomy 2: 14-15 Thirty-eight years passed from the time we left Kadesh Barnea ... By then, that entire generation of fighting men had perished from the camp, as the LORD had sworn to them. 15 The LORD's hand was against them ..

Acts 13:9-11 9Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10"You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. … the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun…

1 Peter 5: 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

v5 What is the solution to this condition? Acknowledge sins to God.

What does it mean to confess? agree that we are guilty; take ownership of our actions, thoughts

Proverbs 28:13,14 13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. 14 Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

How do we cover up our iniquity? Hide it from others. We don’t confront ourselves about our sin.

Genesis 3:6-8 … Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Proverbs 28:13,14 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

Isaiah 29:13-15 13 The Lord says: "These people … honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. …." 15 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who sees us? Who will know?"

The person makes a decision to confess to God.

How does God respond when he learns of our sin from us? He forgives our guilt.

How does God respond when he doesn’t learn of our sin from us?

see verses 3 and 4

Colossians 2: 13,14 When you were dead in your sins …, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away…

Read v 6-7

What does it mean to be godly? seeking after God, faithful, pious

2 Corinthians 6: 1,2 … he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Will there come a time when people won’t be able to pray to God?

yes, after they die and are separated (sheep vs. goats) and are in hell

Hebrews 9: 26-28 …. he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

God will protect the godly. Will the godly never suffer trouble on earth? no

The godly can trust God to deliver. Even during the trouble the godly can know that God cares for them and is concerned for them.

2 Timothy 1:11-12 … I was appointed a herald …. 12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Read v 8,9 How does God instruct and teach us? from the Bible, by the Spirit, by other Christians

John 16: 12-13 ….. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

1 Thessalonians 5: 10-11 ... 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 3: 12-14 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 10:24,25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Can we be like horses and mules? stubborn, going our own way, not going to God without a bit in our mouths!

We can decide to go to God and follow his ways.

Read v 10,11

What are the woes of the wicked?

reaping and sowing, they get back what they dish out

God opposes them

They don’t have peace and rest for their heart, mind, and spirit; for their souls.

They can’t really trust others because they know of their own untrustworthiness.

What is the contrast between the wicked and those who trust God?

Those who trust God have God’s love, a love that is eternal and effective.

Romans 2:5-11 5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against …. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done." 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. …

Are you able to rejoice, to be glad, to sing?

Do you do these things?

Why can we rejoice?

Psalm 9: 1-2 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High

Philippians 4:4-9 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16, 17 16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Memorize Psalm 23 Read Psalm 51

Copyright © 2007 by Greg Clements. Permission is granted to copy and distribute these documents as long as no fee of any kind is charged and this copyright notice is included in the document.