Holy and Happy
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Date: 27 January, 2021
Text: Psalm 32:1-5
Title: Holy and Happy
Have you ever boo boo'd something and wish it had never happened?
I was shoveling off the vehicles and very lightly pulled the shovel accross the windscreen and left about a 2 foot scratch. (You stop and look at it and think....
- I was so happy with how the windscreen was before the scratch.
- I wish I had not done that.
note: Hopefully Halfords can help me out and remove the scratch and make it good as new.
IT IS SAD WHEN WE DO DAMAGE TO SOMETHING THAT WAS "PERFECT."
exp. Especially if what was damaged was a relationship or something much more important than the windscreen of my car.
(We are saddened and wish we could just hit the rewind button and undue the damage....)
One of the great sad realities of life - is that man has damaged His perfect condition before God.
GOD MADE HIS CREATION PERFECT AND SINLESS.
Gen 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Gen 1:10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
Gen 1:12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Gen 1:18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
Gen 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Gen 1:25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Gen 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
IT WAS SO GOOD THAT GOD COULD WALK THROUGH IT AND SEE NO EVIL.
exp. Man's relationship with his creator was Perfect, until man sinned against God.
Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
note: The bitter cup of sadness, guilt, regret and shame was felt by mankind for the first time on that day. Sadly, that bitter cup passed around to all of God's creation to be tasted by all of us.
praise God: He didn't leave man hopeless in his sorrow, but helped Him be restored to happiness.
ill. The animal was killed and God took the skin of that animal and covered the shame of man's sin.
exp. That animal was a picture of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who's blood can take away our sin.
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
MESSAGE: The Happiness of Holiness
(Jesus is God's way of restoring our relationship to what it was before man sinned.)
text: Psalm 32 - the word blessed (eh-sher) means - HOW HAPPY!
Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
exp. a Psalm of David, Maschil (didactic - designed or intended to teach.)
WHAT IS DAVID TEACHNG IN THIS PSALM? You will find true happiness in true holiness.
Are you happy today because you are rightly related to God? Do you know the joy of keeping right with God?
Prayer..... FIND HAPPINESS BY FINDING HOLINESS.
I. Identify Sin.
ill. Before Halfords can fix the scratch on my car, they have to identify it.... (unless they've got something a similar scratch on their glasses, they wont' have a problem seeing it.)
exp. Unless we've got a problem with our spiritual vision, identifying sin in our life isn't difficult.
A. Identify sin - Look for transgressions.
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven....
def. transgression: trespass
ill. I love hill walking in Scotland because you can't trespass here. There are no trespass laws. (I like the signs some farmer's put up of, "Warning, bull in field." (But legally you are allowed.)
ill. In Michigan - every fifty feet along the woods there is a sign that says, "Warning - no trespassing - violaters will be prosecuted."
note: If you go where it is not lawful for you to go. (You are guilty and will be prosecuted.)
question: Have you gone where it is not lawful for you to go spiritually? violating God's law
- In your Spirit and attitude? (anger, bitterness, lust, covetousness,
- In your speech? (gossip, slander, cursing, lying,....
- In your eyes? (viewing wickedness, coveting what is unlawful)
- In your walk? (forbidden places, people,....)
- In your appetites? (addictions, dependencies....)
app. If you want to be holy, you have to be honest about your transgression or your won't deal with the transgression.
B. Identify sin - Look for stains.
1 ...whose sin is covered.
question: Why would sin need to be covered? sin PUTS A DEFILING STAIN UPON US.
ill. Katie and I owned a home in Michigan before God called us to Scotland. We worked hard to get it ready to sell and had put new light coloured carpet in it. I came home to find Kay (3) and Benson (2) sitting on the kitchen counter with blue hands and my wife scrubbing the carpet.
exp. The stain of the ink lasted a few days and we were able to tell them that sin does the same thing to their hearts.
ill. Adam and Eve has consciences like innocent children who have suddenly been awakened to great ungodliness. (They felt the awfulness of the stain that was upon them.)
app. God is willing to help us, if we identify the stain of sin and come to Him.
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
C. Identify sin - Look at God's ledger.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity,
def. impute: regard, iniquity: wickedness
ill. God has a record of everything man has ever done. (It's a happy person who's record is clean.)
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
ill. My wife and I use a credit card. However, we use it only for necessary purchases and it is paid off several times a month. (It's a cash back card and give us around 300 pounds annually.)
exp. There is a danger that if we don't keep a short account, we'll go into debt and it will hurt us. I must constantly be aware of what is on there and make sure each item is paid off frequently.
app. Christian, are you keeping aware of what is on God's accounts. Are you keeping the list short and constantly getting sin blotted out?
D. Identify sin - Look for deceit.
2 ...in whose spirit there is no guile.
def. guile - treachery and deceit
exp. It is a rare thing for man to be without deceit....
ill. Nathaniel - John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
question: Why is it rare to find someone who is guileless?
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
ill. Sin brings guile into our life - burning a rubber band and realizing my mum would smell it - climbing up the door frame and saying, "Good night momma..." (My heart had guile. I was trying to trick my mom because I had transgressed.)
ill. Achan stole God's property and hid it. Cain killed Able and buried the body. (guile)
app. If you want to identify sin in your life, look for any attempt to cover up transgression.
E. Identify sin - Look for rebellion.
3 When I kept silence,...
exp. When short accounts aren't kept with God and time passes rebellion creaps into the heart of man BECAUSE HE IS REFUSING TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD.
ill. Parents - if your children get into an argument and you say, "You need to get right with one another and apologize." Your child has a choice - get right with them or rebel and REFUSE to get right with them. (Keeping silence is refusing to get right with them.)
ill. As a pastor, it is sad to see someone attend our church who needs to make a decision to get right with God - who refuses to do so. Why? Because a decision not to get right with God is a DECISION TO REBEL AGAINST GOD.
app. If you want to identify sin, find anything in your life that God said - GET RIGHT WITH ME and you said, "No." (Identify the sin of rebellion against God.)
transition: Identify sin.
- Look for transgressions, stains, look at God's ledger, look for deceit, and rebellion.
II. Recognize Conviction.
exp. If you aren't holy - there is going to be sin in your life which you can identify. You will also be able to recognize that you are experiencing conviction of that sin.
question: If I have confessed and forsaken my sin, has God forgiven me?
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
remember - The happy man sinned, but God took away His sin!
app. Satan is the one who reminds us of sin that is under the blood. The Spirit of God doesn't bring up old sin - but He will deal with present sin.
A. Hear your conscience.
3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
exp. David 's conscience grieved him when he was unwilling to deal with his sin.
ill. As I speak with atheists, I remind them that evolution can explain - morality - right and wrong.
exp. But, God's Word can.
Romans 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
note: A conscience can be desensitized.
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
note: David was misearable, but he seared his conscience a bit. But, God got ahold of David's conscience by telling him a story.
2 Samuel 12:1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.
exp. Nathan said it "thou art the man" and David's conscience confirmed it. He had been miserable ever since he had transgressed against God.
app. Is your conscience speaking to you about any transgression? It is right for us to search our conscience - Act 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. (We need to recognize the conviction of our conscience.)
B. Heed God's chastening.
4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me:
exp. David didn't just have a noisy conscience he was struglling to silence. He had a loving Father who would not let Him go down a path of disobedience without chastisement.
note: If you are not saved, you will not experience this loving discipline. God won't correct you as He would His child - because you are not His child.
Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
question: How did David characterize God's chastening?
1. It was relentless "Day and night"
exp. David couldn't find relief from what God was lovingly doing.
2. It was personal "Thy hand"
exp. David didn't look at this discipline as coincidental. Whatever it was - he saw it as the hand of God correcting Him for his disobedience.
3. It was persuasive "was heavy upon me."
exp. God's chastening is not light.
ill. My sister and I got in trouble when I was a kid. I had a big wallet with velcro on it - I pulled it out of my back pocket and smiled at my sister saying - my correction wasn't going to hurt that much. My sister reminded me recently that we both got it worse that day for my error.
app. No wonder this person isn't happy. How can they be happy when their being chastened by God?
C. Be aware of the Curse.
4 ....my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
exp. David had experienced the blessing of God - Psalm 1. - but not anymore
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so:
note: Instead of God's blessing, David was facing the curse of the ungodly, "Who are not so"
ill. This week we heard a great testimony - of an old pastor - saved New Years Eve - 2 choices - drink in the new year - or pray in the new year. He went to church and got saved - afterwards - God was calling him to preach and he ran from God's call. God put him in the hospital....
app. Life isn't all roses, even for a godly believer, but we ought to recognize if we have lost God's blessing spiritually. ARE YOU DRIED UP INSIDE OR IS GOD'S BLESSING EVIDENT?
transition:
Identify sin.- Look for transgressions, stains, ...at God's ledger, look for deceit, and rebellion.
Recognize conviction - hear your conscience, feel God's chastening, be aware of the curse.
III. Chose Repentance.
exp. Now finally - we are to the point of turning back to the path of holiness and happiness.
5 necessary ingredients of repentance
(I'm going to put these in a logical order, different than the order they are found in the text.)
A. You need contrition.
5 ...I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD.
def. contrite - has the idea of crushed or broken.
ill. Boys built an ice wall - the cold made it that much harder - but warmth destroyed it.
exp. Man's heart - in the cold winter of rebellion - is a wall that get's harder and harder - but when God's love breaks throught it finally melts away.
note: David's proud spirit was finally broken and crushed and WILLING to deal with God.
Psa 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
app. You aren't going to get right with God if you aren't broken. Your pride and your heart have to be crushed or you aren't ready to get right with God.
B. You need clarity
5 .... and mine iniquity have I not hid.
exp. David was finally willing to let God examine His sin and take care of it.
Pro 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
ill. As a youth pastor, I was also school disciplinarian. Some young people had cheated on their exam and it was obvious. I said to them, "Don't lie to me. We know this, but I want you to confess it." (They all lied.)
exp. You can't cover your sin and get ahead in life.
question: How much happiness did Achan get out of the things which he stole from God? Covering his sin hurt the children of Israel, his family and cost them their lives.
app. Can you say with David - I'm not hiding ANY sin tonight Lord? I've put it out in the open and I want you take all of it away?
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
C. You need to be coming.
5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee....
exp. David had violated God's law. David had to go to God to get right.
ill. Youth says some foolish things. I remember having a water fight as a teenager at a friends house. I called some girls a name I should not have called them. Their parents told my parents. I was told that if I didn't apologize I couldn't go to camp. (I'm ashamed to say that I argued with my parents for quite a while before agreeing to go to her.) It's humbling to go to the offended party.
app. Our sin is an offense to God. The altar is open, you need to make your way down to him.
D. You need confession
5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD;
exp. confession - saying the same thing that God says.
ill. When I argued with my parents - I felt like what I had done was no big deal and I refused to view it otherwise. (As an adult - I agree with my parents - I transgressed.)
exp. If you don't agree with God - don't bother to apologize. Confession is to say the same thing about it that God says.
app. Are you justifying your sin or confessing it? Do you condemn it? You aren't going to be happy until you say the same thing about your sin that God says.
E. You need confidence
5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.
exp. David was FULL OF FAITH (CONFIDENCE) that God would forgive Him and God did.
ill. When I finally asked the young lady to forgive me as we both got ready to get on the van. Rather than saying, "I forgive you." She said, "No big deal." (I thought - no big deal - why did you tell your parents, who told my parents, who because of my rebellion caused WWIII in my family.)
note: Sin is a big deal. (Jesus had to be crucified to make forgiveness possible.)
BUT GOD IS AS READY TO LOVING FORGIVE US.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
app. You have every reason tonight for confidence in God's COMPLETE FORGIVENESS IF YOU CONFESS YOUR SIN TO HIM.
conclusion:
The garden of Eden was a happy place because it was a holy place.
Sadly - our sin wrecks that happy place.
We need to get back to the holy place, the place of true happinesss.
Identify sin.- Look for transgressions, stains, ...at God's ledger, look for deceit, and rebellion.
Recognize conviction - hear your conscience, feel God's chastening, be aware of the curse.
Chose repentance
You need contrition. (Be broken over your sin.)
You need clarity. (Nothing hidden)
You need to come. (Make your way to God.)
You need to confess. (Say what God says about it.)
You need to be confident. (Believe in the power of Jesus blood to cleanse you.)
If this is your first time coming to God - you need salvation.
Ask God by faith to save you from your sin and give you His gift of everlasting life.
Happiness is found in holiness. (Let God take your sins away.)
