Grace Protestant Reformed Church

Sermon Details

With Thee There Is Forgiveness

Minister: Rev. Ronald Van Overloop
Date: 11/15/2009 AM
Text: Psalm 130:4,8

  1. What?
    1. The psalmist is in the depths, i.e., helpless and hopeless because of his iniquities.
      1. He realizes that he justly deserves punishment as the consequence of his perversities.
      2. He responds by crying to Jehovah, his Lord, for help.
    2. He who was so aware of his sin (as a patient knows his cancer) is also aware of divine forgiveness.
      1. “Forgiveness” means that God took all our perversities away by bearing the punishments.
      2. Forgiveness includes God declaring us to be righteous, perfectly in harmony with holy Person and will.
  2. How can the holy God forgive such sinners: He graciously “redeemed Israel from all his iniquities.”
    1. To “redeem” is to ransom, rescue, and deliver by a Redeemer or Vindicator.
      1. Such a person is a near relative who takes up the cause of his relative who is in great dishonor.
      2. We have such a Redeemer lives who will defend our cause and maintain our honor.
    2. God, as Judge, not only does not impute our sins to us, but He also imputes to us Christ’s righteousness.
      1. How can God do this? By making Jesus our substitute.
      2. Jesus’ perfect righteousness makes straight all our perversities, distortions and follies.
  3. Why does God forgive and redeem? That He may be feared.
    1. Negatively, God’s free forgiveness does not make the forgiven careless.
    2. God forgives for His name’s sake and for the glory of His name (Ps. 79:9).
      1. Forgiveness gives the forgiven the occasion, ground, and material for godly awe of God.
      2. The only sure foundation for the fear of the Lord is the knowledge of forgiveness and redemption.
    3. No one fears God like those who have experienced His forgiving love (Micah 7:18).
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