Building Below the Baseline

Repentance

Review:

Introduction:

As long as we are breathing, and battling our flesh, everyone of us will have times when we sin. Paul explained his battle with sin in Romans chapter 7.

Ro 7:15

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Ro 7:18–19

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

We all deal with sin issues that no one else sees. Pride, covetousness, lust, anger, and bitterness are a few examples of sins that are usually below the surface. When we do sin, the Holy Spirit convicts us of that sin so that we can acknowledge it as sin, seek forgiveness, and restore our relationship with God our father.

At that moment, we choose between resisting the Holy Spirit’s conviction or we respond with a heart of repentance.

We are warned about rejecting the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and hardening our hearts.

Heb 4:7

Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Ac 7:51

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

A right heart attitude is like that of David’s after being confronted about his sin with Bathsheba.

Ps 51:1

...Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

It is imperative that we build repentance Below the Baseline, at the moment of conviction that only God sees!

Text: 1 Chronicles 21 and correlating passage - 2 Samuel 24:1

I. The Rebellion of David

David is nearing the end of his life (Mature Christian).

Forgiveness after adultery & murder.

Man after God’s own heart

A. A Planted Thought

Satan provoked David - to lead astray, entice

What we do with our thoughts is critical!

2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

The lingering thought was the same thing that led to his sin with Bathsheba.

2 Sam 11-12

B. The Sin of Pride

1 Chron 21:2

Wanted to know how big an army he had amassed and what his strength was.

Joab’s thoughtful response:

1 Chronicles 21:3 “And Joab answered, The Lord make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: (God was able to multiple the forces to meet the need) but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?”

David continued in his pride even though his friend Joab had admonished him.

Proverbs 1:30–31 “They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.”

II. Repentance of David

A difficult day for David when the judgment of God falls on Israel.

1 Chronicles 21:7 “And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.”

“Once a rebellious choice has been made we lose control over the consequences!” p61

A. He Acknowledged His Sin

1 Chronicles 21:8 “And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.”

2 Samuel 24:10 “And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.”

Repentance begins with the acknowledgement of our sin!

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

confess = acknowledge, agree with, admit

Illustration: Shoplifter who sent letter to store.

B. He Accepted the Consequences

1 Chronicles 21:13 “And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the Lord; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.”

Chastening is never pleasant but it is a display of God’s love for us!

Hebrews 12:5-7,11

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

C. He Interceded for His People 1 Chron 21:16-17

David was devastated over the hurt he had caused his people. A truly repentant heart will grieve over the consequences of sin on others. A person with a proud heart will be blind to the fallout on others and will often see himself as the victim.