Forgiveness = The daily _____________ to ___________the stone alone
Forgiveness’ Why #2 — The forgiven, _______________!
Forgiveness heals _____________.
____________ wounds and scars give us _________.
Springtime arrived, the time when kings go out to war. David sent Joab out with his officers and with all Israel. They ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed in Jerusalem. (2 Sa 11:1)
4 David sent messengers to bring her. She came to him, and he lay down with her. (She had been purifying herself from her ceremonial uncleanness.) She then returned to her house. 5 The woman became pregnant, so she sent a message and told David, “I am pregnant.” (2 Sa 11:4–5)
5 David’s anger flared up against that man. He said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this is as good as dead. 6 In place of that lamb, he will restore four lambs, because he did this and had no pity.” (2 Sa 12:5–6)
Nathan told David, “You are the man.” (2 Sa 12:7a)
David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” (2 Sa 12:13a)
Step 1a - _______ the stones you've thrown.
1 Be gracious to me, God, according to your mercy. Erase my acts of rebellion according to the greatness of your compassion. 2 Scrub me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 3 For I admit my rebellious acts. My sin is always in front of me. (Ps 51:1–3)
The Hebrew word חַטָּאת is translated _______. It is the more _______________ term for sin that is a violation of God’s law.
The Hebrew word פֶּשַׁע is translated ___________________. This word means rebellion or violation of a relationship. It has a greater connotation of _______________________.
The Hebrew word עָוֹן is translated guilt. It means to _______ a _________. It comes from a root word that means _______________, _________, or _________________.
Step 1b - _______________ the reason you throw stones.
The Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that all the thoughts and plans they formed in their hearts were only evil every day. (Ge 6:5)
… a man after my own heart (Ac 13:22b)
David set his heart on earthly things not on God, so threw the stone.
[Jesus said] In fact, from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual sins, theft, murder, (Mk 7:21)
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned, and I have done this evil in your eyes. So you are justified when you sentence me. You are blameless when you judge. 5 Certainly, I was guilty when I was born. I was sinful when my mother conceived me. (Ps 51:4–5)
Whenever we sin, the ___________ sin we commit is against _______.
Step 2 – See ____________ as God's solution to the stones you've thrown.
6 Since you desire truth on the inside, in my hidden heart you teach me wisdom. 7 Remove my sin with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness. Let the bones you have crushed celebrate. 9 Hide your face from my sins. Erase all my guilty deeds. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God. Renew an unwavering spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence. Do not take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Sustain me with a willing spirit. (Ps 51:6–12)
16 For dogs have surrounded me. A band of evil men has encircled me. They have pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my garments among them. For my clothing they cast lots. (Ps 22:16–18)
He was crushed for the guilt our sins deserved. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Is 53:5b)
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God. Renew an unwavering spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence. Do not take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Sustain me with a willing spirit. (Ps 51:10–12)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. …1 My children, I write these things to you so that you will not sin. If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate before the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world. (1 Jn 1:9, 2:1–2)
Points to Ponder
What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message?
Recall a specific sin of yours for which you struggled to forgive yourself or that you are struggling with right now. Which one of the steps from today’s sermon did you skip or miss? What harmful consequences have you experienced from holding onto it?
Reread Psalm 51. The surface explanation behind David’s sins included lust, a lack of self-control and pride. However, he knew that to leave the stone (his sins) behind he had to identify the root reason. What was and is the root reason behind his and all of our sins? Why is it so important to identify that in order to be able to believe that we are forgiven?
Reread 1 John 1:9-2:2. When you struggle with forgiving yourself how do these words comfort you? What comfort and peace do you find in the names of Jesus in verse 2, that Jesus is your Advocate and the Righteous One?
Challenge: Look for ways to use 1 John 2:1-2 with your family over the next few weeks.
