Bible Text: Psalm 51 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: The Psalms of Summer
God’s Unfailing Love and Great Compassion
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.
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.
REAL SALVATION is Essential
We all need to undergo Spiritual Transformation.
John 3:3-17 Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God…16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
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. 
The Lord MAY Break Us/Discipline Us in Order to HEAL Us!
Hebrews 12:10-11 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
God CREATE in Me a CLEAN Heart!
Psalms 51:10-11 Hide your face from my sin and blot out my iniquity. 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.
ASK God to Change Your Life!
We can ask for forgiveness, but unless we have REPENTED and ask the Lord to Create a clean heart, we are going to return and repeat our sin(s).
Luke 13:5  I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
David dealt with the consequences of his sin. He asked the LORD to bring him JOY that is the result of forgiveness from the LORD and reconciliation with the LORD.
There will be consequences for our sin, BUT there is REAL forgiveness! REAL reconciliation! NEW BEGINNINGS!
HEALED HEALERS
Psalms 51:13-19 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. 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.
We are Forgiven
 …If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins
We are Cleansed
…and to purify us from all unrighteousness.
Forgiveness releases us from our GUILT. Cleansing removes our SHAME.
Forgiveness heals our past. Cleansing makes possible our new future.