Housegroups 

Forgiven and Set Free
Sermon date: 28th June
Reading: Psalm 32

 
Study
 
This Psalm is often linked with Psalm 51. Most scholars are in agreement that both psalms were written by David following his adultery with Bathsheba and then causing the death of her husband, Uriah (2 Samuel 11).
 
Outline of the Psalm
 
The joy of forgiveness (1-2a). Those who are blessed
  1. Know their sins are forgiven
  2. Know that their sins are covered
 
The curse of silence (3-4). The effects of sin are:
  1. David groaned all day long and felt his bones were wasting away
  2. He felt the heavy hand of God upon him
 
The benefit of confession (5-7). As a result of his confession
  1. He no longer tried to hide his sin from God
  2. He received forgiveness
  3. He blessed (spoke well of) God for offering forgiveness
  4. He believed God would preserve him from trouble
 
The value of trust (8-11). These are probably words from God rather than David
  1. We are instructed (helped to understand)
  2. We are taught (the path that leads to God himself)
  3. We are counselled (God promises to accompany us with his presence)

 
Blessed here = happy compared with former state.
 
Sins covered = hidden/concealed. Sinner treated as if he had not sinned.
 
Verse 2 introduces the idea of JUSTIFICATION which is further developed in the New Testament as a result of Christ’s death on the cross. Although guilty, the sinner is treated as if he had not sinned. The sinner was not innocent (had done wrong) but God in a position to treat him as if innocent (cf. Romans 1:17: 3:23-24)
 
Day and night = constant burden with no relief. Felt like a plant in the heat of summer at a time of drought.
 
Verse 6. God is unchangeable therefore if one sinner is pardoned then here is proof that forgiveness is offered to all.
 
You might like to work through the Psalm with your group, answering the following questions:
 
Q.1 what is the condition of the “blessed man” as described in this Psalm? (1-2)
Q.2 what has been the effect of keeping silent about the sin committed? (3-4)
Q.3 what did the psalmist decide to do, and with what effect? (5)
Q.4 what do we need to do to receive God’s forgiveness? (6)
Q.5 what are the blessings for those who put their trust in God? (6-7)
Q.6 what does God offer to do once we have confessed our sin? (8)
Q.7 what warnings are given? (9-10)
Q.8 what are the righteous called to do? (11)
 
Some more general questions:
 
Q.9 is it true that pain, distress and anguish result from the conviction of sin? Does the pain and distress depend on the seriousness of the sin committed? In God’s eyes, are some sins more serious than others?
 
Q.10 is there any limit to God’s forgiveness? What if I keep on committing the same sin and what does that say about my genuine desire for forgiveness?
 
It may be helpful to invite members of the group to reflect on their experience of living with unconfessed sin. Probably not appropriate to invite comments, but a time of silence (perhaps with background music) may be helpful.
 
This study is headed “Forgiven and set free” so you might like to conclude with what it means to be “set free” from our sins – and this may well lead to a time of praise and thanksgiving. The Psalm introduced the idea of JUSTIFICATION, something Paul developed in his letters as he reflected on the significance of Christ’s death on the cross. You might like to encourage people to say what this means to them personally.
 
FORGIVEN – unconditional forgiveness available to us: “For I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sin.” (Jeremiah 31.34b)
SET FREE – NOT to keep on sinning; NOT so that we can do as we want; set free to serve our risen, ascended and glorified Lord.
 
Prayer
 
The Coronavirus pandemic has touched every aspect of our lives here in the UK. But if the world outside our homes has transformed dramatically, then we must try to imagine what it is like for many millions of people in other parts of the world – and it should put what we are facing into perspective.
 
For example, Ethiopia has had very few confirmed cases and only a handful of deaths yet the country was put into a state of emergency to try and deal with the spread of the virus. Fikerte lives in Cherkos, to access water she has to walk to the other side of her village; to sell the potatoes she grows she has to access local markets, most of which have closed. Cherkos itself is 25km away from the nearest town where medical help is available. You can work out the implications for yourself … and this is a story repeated in many other African countries.
 
So life may be tough for us – but perhaps in our prayers we can be thankful for all that we have, and remember those in the greatest need in other parts of the world. Can the group make a practical response?
 
A prayer for togetherness (from All We Can – Methodist Relief & Development)
 
In the isolation,
Bring togetherness, O God.
In the loneliness,
Bring friendship, O God.
In the grief,
Bring comfort, O God.
In the despair,
Bring hope, O God.
Among all the death, destruction, disruption and fear that accompanies a global pandemic, O God come by your Spirit.
 
In these strange and challenging times for our world, we pray to you. God of all grace, knowing that in you all things hold together. May we find ways to hold together with our neighbours – local and global – this day and in the days to come. Through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
 
These notes have been written in early June so do adapt should the situation we are facing have changed dramatically.
Malcolm Raby


Malcolm Raby, 11/06/2020