Bible Text: Psalm 51 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: David: Abiding in the Lord
Our focus is on the Love of God for us
God wants us to know that we can move past our failures
Psalms 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always me first, Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.  Love never dies (THE MESSAGE)
God wants us to admit our guilt
The Lord wants us to take out the garbage
Psalms 51:2-4 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight .You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.
Psalms 51:5 For I was born a sinner—yes,
from the moment my mother conceived me.
We are ALL born with the infection of sin
1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth of God is not in us.
God teaches us to be responsible so we will grow and mature
Psalms 51:6-8 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Broken
Psalm 38:4 and 38:7 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester [and basically stink] are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning… My back is filed with searing pain; there is no health in my body.
Psalms 51:8 that the bones You have broken may rejoice:
God wants us to learn how to live as He intended and created us to live.
Ephesians 4:21-24 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
God CREATE in me a CLEAN heart
Psalms 51:10-11 Hide your face from my sin and blot out my iniquity.
How is God going to do that?
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalms 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
David knows he will have to deal with the consequences of his sin, but he asks for God to bring him joy that is the result of forgiveness and reconciliation of his relationship
We become healed healers and then we let God use us to help others
Psalms 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,And sinners shall be converted to You.
Now is the time to sacrifice to the Lord and give Him your heart!
Psalms 51:14-19 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness .Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.