Sermon Archives
The Joy of Being Forgiven
Psalm 32Christmas - Psalms of Gladness
J. Josh Smith
December 4, 2016
Description:
There is always a connection between forgiveness and happiness. The more we know of the fullness of God’s forgiveness, the more we will know the fullness of God’s gladness. Why might Christians be robbed of joy? One possibility is unconfessed sin in your life. Unconfessed sin keeps you from experiencing the fullness of joy. This is why David asked God in Psalm 51, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” The sin in David’s life was keeping him from joy. Another reason you might lack joy is that you have forgotten the depth of the Gospel message. The Gospel is not merely the introduction to your Christian story—it is the introduction, conclusion, and every chapter in between. It is your story and your song. The more we remember, understand, and experience God’s redemptive power, the more we are compelled to rejoice in the Lord.
Psalm 32 calls for two responses. First, confess your sins immediately. Rather than hiding sin in your life, confess your sins so that the fullness of joy can be yours. Develop the habit of immediate confession. Confess your sins to God and to other brothers/sisters with whom you live in community. Second, rejoice loudly in light of God’s forgiveness. Psalm 32 commands us not only to have a happy heart, but also to have a happy mouth. Rejoicing is an outward expression of inward gladness. Remember the Gospel of God’s forgiveness; preach it to yourself every day. Rejoice! This is a command. Christians should be the happiest people on earth, not because our lives are any easier than the world’s, but because we have experienced the Gospel of the God of grace. Rejoice!
Keywords:
Christmas, Forgiveness, Joy