October 11, 2009 Key Passage: Psalm 51:1-17
“Guilt…The Gift that Keeps on Giving!”
It’s obvious we live in a world fueled by guilt. Look no further than T.V. advertising – which attempts to “guilt” us into buying the latest and greatest and then tries to convince us that “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!” In fact, now get this… psychologists claim that most of the patients they see would be cured if they could be convinced the guilt they feel isn’t real. Wow. This is a particularly thorny issue for Christians, because Christ has promised us a glorious, incomprehensible rest – which includes peace and security for the soul. Yet precious few of us lay claim to this promise – much less live it out in our day-to-day lives. In today’s society, placing blame on others (or other “things”) is more than popular – it’s the norm. Denial becomes amnesia, and amnesia translates into innocence. The problem with all this is that it’s based on FEELINGS, instead of the eternal Word of God. It’s not the “sacrifice” of labor that produces favor with God; it’s favor with God, through honest confession and repentance, that produces a willing servant. A servant like David, who said, “my sin is always before me. Against you, and you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…” We’d be wise to adopt the same contrite heart.
* 1 John 1:9 * Psalm 66:18 * Exodus 34:6-7 *Psalm 32:3-5
Psalm 51 – The perfect blueprint for confession, repentance, and a contrite, broken heart!
1. Verses 1-2 We need to appeal to God’s love and mercy Sin has a way of distorting and obscuring God and His will for our lives. Repentance has a way of lifting the scales off our eyes so we can see Jesus.
2. Verses 3-4 We need to confess our sinful conduct and name it specifically David didn’t try to shift the blame for his sin. This psalm doesn’t contain one single word of self-justification. He faced his sin head-on and called it what it was: HIS sin!
3. Verses 5-6 We need to acknowledge God’s desire for our lives David acknowledges the basic depravity of mankind – himself included. Sometimes we allow God into the living room of our hearts, but we don’t allow Him into the attic where all the junk is stored.
4. Verses 7-12 We need to ask for forgiveness and restoration Cleanse me…wash me…blot out all my sin…create in me a clean heart… renew a steadfast spirit within me…do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me…restore to me the joy of your salvation.
5. Verse 13 We need to, in turn, teach others The real purpose of repentance is so we can begin to effectively minister and witness to others.
6. Verses 14-17 We need to offer praise – a contrite, broken heart Let’s be honest – God couldn’t care less about our rituals, customs, activity and agendas – what He wants is a contrite, broken heart (humility).
Bottom Line: Consider this: the primary and most important aspect of our prayer life is the “expression of sorrow for sin, the confession of sin, and seeking the forgiveness of sin.” Genuine repentance brings forgiveness, restoration and healing – and the end result of that cycle is action. Confession without repentance is like dumping all the garbage out of the sack…rummaging through it…naming it before God…and then picking it up all over again. David committed himself to serving God with his restored life, and leading other needy people to Him. True repentance results in joy – and in changed lives! |
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