Delighting in God’s Forgiveness

Good morning, church.

Today, as we continue through our series through Psalms titled Delighting in Our God,

we're going to dive into one of the most powerful and personal psalms in the Bible – Psalm 51.

This psalm was written by King David after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his sin of adultery with Bathsheba.

Friends David slept with another man’s wife He had an affair with someone he was not married to, and then plotted Her husbands murder to try and cover up His sin.

And this Psalm is a heartfelt cry for forgiveness and restoration from a man who was physically, emotionally and spiritually broken up because of His sin.

When view our sin the way God sees Our sin it will drive us to Confession.

The BIG idea I want us to take away today is this:

God will always forgive our sins and restore our relationship with Him. No matter how far we've strayed, no matter how grievous our sins may be. our God is a God of mercy and love, always ready to welcome us back.

Let's begin by looking at the seriousness of sin.

Let's start with verses 1 and 2:

I. The Seriousness of Our Sin

David begins his psalm with these words:

Psalm 51:1–2 (ESV)

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

1). David doesn't try to minimize his actions or make excuses. He recognizes that he has sinned against God Himself.

You see, sin is not just breaking a set of rules.

It's rebellion against the very God who created us and loves us.

It's a COMPLETE Rejection of His authority and His goodness in your life.

James 4:17 (ESV)

17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Sin is that moment when we come to the conclusion that What We can provide for ourselves is better than what God has promised He will do.

In verse 4 we see that David acknowledges That His sin was in direct rebellion against God

Psalm 51:4 (ESV)

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,

I think that we as the church today- Have this watered down view of how awful our sins really are.

We like to point out other peoples failures and how they are living against God’s word, But at the same We are desperately trying to justify and hide our own sinfulness; trying to convince ourselves and those around us that our sin is nowhere near as bad as someone else.

Why do we do this so well? Well Because, We like to keep the focus on other peoples sins so that no one will turn the spotlight onto our own lives and see how sinfully rotten our lives have become.

The point of sin is simple, it is rebellion against Gods Perfect Holiness,

and friends, All sin, yours and mine, carry with them the consequences for sin

In David's case, his sin led to the death of Uriah, the suffering of Bathsheba, and eventually, turmoil in his own family and kingdom.

Listen to what the Bible says is the result of your sin

Romans 6:23 (ESV)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

James 1:15 (ESV)

15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Isaiah 59:2 (ESV)

2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear..

Church understand that every one of your sins whether you think they are big or small, Always lead to Death.

Death means seperation-

Think about what Sin does in your marriage? It drives a wedge between you and your spouse - separating your oneness.

Kids, Think about what sin does when you disobey your parents? It causes them not to trust you as much leaving your relationship broken.

Church think about what sin does in the body of Christ- It pulls us a apart _ it separates us from having One mind one purpose one mission. Leaving us in disunity instead of Unity.

Did you catch what Isaiah said about our sin -”Our sin separates us from God, Our sin has hidden Gods face from our lives.

We need to understand that God hates sin because He knows How destructive it can be in our relationship with Him!

David understood how serious His sin problem was and he recognized that sin is not just something we do, but it's part of our very nature.

its who we are as human beings

Psalm 51:5 (ESV)

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

This echoes what Paul would later write in Romans 3.

ROmans 3:10-12

Romans 3:10–12 (ESV)

10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

and then in verse 23

Romans 3:23 (ESV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

This is what it means to be totally depraved- We are so sinful that there is not even one ounce of righteousness in us.

Sin is who we are by our very nature, Every thought, every word, and every action that comes form our life is sin!

Our sin is serious because it is rebellion against Gods Holiness,

Our sin is serious because it is what Condemned us to an eternity in the Lake of Fire

Our sin is serious because it always results in Death, seperation, driving a wedge between us and the God who loves us.

But the good news is, This Psalm is really not about Davids Sin, Its about the amazing Grace that God extends to us in spite of our sin,

God doesn't leave us in our sin.

Point number two…

II. The Fullness of God's Grace

Even as David acknowledges the depth of his sin, he appeals to God's mercy and love.

Look at verses 1-2 again:

Psalm 51:1–2 (ESV)

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

Grace is God offering us what we dont deserve.

Grace is not just a theological concept; it's the very heart of God's character and His relationship with us.

I Love How David appeals to God's "steadfast love" and "abundant mercy."

These words barely scratch the surface of the magnitude of God's grace.

The Hebrew word for "steadfast love" is "hesed," which conveys a love that is loyal, unfailing, and covenantal.

It's a love that persists even when we are unlovable.

Its a love based fully on Gods perfect character not on our ability to do whats Right.

Mercy is also a gift of Grace-

Mercy is God withholding deserved Judgement.

Consider the enormity of what God's grace offers us.

As Ephesians 2: 1 says We were Dead in our sins.

In our sin, we stand condemned, separated from a holy God, deserving of eternal punishment.

But Because Of His Grace God himself as Jesus, came to this esarth to pay the debt of our sin in full with his own blood.

He lived the sinless life you and I could not live, all so that he could die the death that lou and I should die, so that He could pay the eternal debt of our sin in full,

and Brothers and sisters when Jesus rose from that grave He brought with him the victory over our sin!!!

The wages of our sin was paid in Full!!!

God compelled by His great love for you died in your place so that you could have life!!

Thats Grace!!!!!

this is why Paul proclaims in Ephesians 2:4-5

Ephesians 2:4–5 (ESV)

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

This grace is so vast, so complete, that it covers not just some sins, or even most sins, but is covers all our sins both big and Small, both public and Private.

As David says in verse 9

Psalm 51:9 (ESV)

9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

David understood that grace is God not just covering or overlooking our sin , but that He blots them out, completely erasing them from our record, as if the sin never existed.

David reiterates this idea of Grace

Psalm 103:12 ESV

12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Thats What Grace can do!!!

It is what Allows God to forgive every one of our sins!

Because this grace comes wholly form the perfect Character of God, It's a free gift, given out of God's love.

This means that you dont have to earn Gods Grace in your life!!!

As Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Because God is completely Gracious He offers completely sinful people His perfect forgiveness

The God who we sin against is the God who has the power and desire to forgive those sins and to cleanse us from All unrighteousness.

Trans: but in order for anyone of us to experience the gift of Grace and forgiveness in our lives we must confess our sins.

Point # 3….

III. The Necessity of Our Confession

David doesn't try to hide his sin or justify it. Instead, he openly confesses it to God.

Psalm 51:3 (ESV)

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

Confession isn't just about admitting what we've done wrong.

It's about genuine repentance – a change of heart and mind.

ILLUSTRATION: UTURN…

Imagine you are driving on a highway, and you realize you are heading in the wrong direction. To get back on the right path, you need to take the next exit, Stop what you are doing, turn around, and drive in the opposite direction.

Repentance is like making a U-turn in life.

When we repent, we recognize that we are going the wrong way, we are living in sin),

and we make a deliberate decision to stop what we are doing that is wrong,

to turn around and go in the opposite direction towards God and His ways).

Just as making a U-turn involves a complete change in direction, true repentance involves a complete change of heart and behavior.

David recognizes this when he prays in verses 10-12:

Psalm 51:10–12 (ESV)

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

True confession involves acknowledging our sin, turning away from it, and seeking God's help to change.

It's not just feeling sorry for getting caught; it's a deep desire to be transformed by God's grace.

So what Happens when we repent of our sins?

1 John 1:9 ESV

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

God has the power and desire to forgive all of your sins Because he already paid their debt in full.

And when we confess and repent, God doesn't just forgive us – He restores us.

Brothers and sisters thats Grace.

Look with me for just a minute on ….

IV. The Completeness of God’s Restoration.

Notice how David's tone changes in the latter part of the psalm after He has confessed His sinfulness towards god. In verses 13-15, he says

Psalm 51:13–15 (ESV)

13 Then (after I have been restored) I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

David is looking forward to a renewed purpose and mission.

He's not just seeking forgiveness for his own sake, but so that he can help others find their way back to God. He says I will terach others your ways about hw they can confess and turn to you.

David also knows that after forgiveness comes the joy of restored salvation.

He knows that God's forgiveness doesn't just remove guilt – it restores our relationship with God.

He knows that when God forgives our sins it will always brings us back into joyful communion with our Creator God.

this is why He proclaims “my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.”

When we experience God's forgiveness and restoration, it creates a profound change in our lives.

Think about the contrast s between those under sin and those who have been restored.

When God restores us our Purpose and Direction change:

Under Sin: we wonder Aimlessly looking for our own pleasure. We are driven by our own sinful lusts.

But when we are Restored: we are given a Renewed purpose and mission

We now can live for the glory of God, Proclaiming his goodness to this world

When God restores us our Relationship with God changes:

Under Sin: v 11 says that we have been cast away from Gods Presense

Remember we are dead in our sin -We lost we were condemned we were the enemy of God

But through Restoration

Restored: we come into an Intimate communion with God

We are now his friend, He calls us his children,

Romans 8:15 - "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"

When God restores us our Emotional State changes:

Under Sin: we are Guilt ridden and full of shame, as we see from davids great plea for God’s forgiveness

But with Restoration verse 8 tells us that our guilt and shame turn into Joy and gladness:

(v. 8 "Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice")

When God restores us our Worship and Service change:

Under Sin: we are Unable to truly worship or serve God because everything we thing speak and do is sin by its very nature,

(implied in David's state)

But when we are restored and made brand new we are Freed to praise and serve the Lord.

(v. 15 "O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise")

I love what Heb 9:14 says

Hebrews 9:14 (ESV)

14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Friends it is through Forgivenss that we now have the ability to serve the lviign God!

With Restoration our Heart Condition Changes:

Under Sin your heart was Hard and rebellious

But When God restores you He creates in you a clean heart and a new spirit,

These contrasts demonstrate the radical transformation that occurs when God restores us.

It's not just about forgiveness, but about a complete renewal of our being.

Its about making that complete uturn in your life

This complete restoration is available to all who turn to God in repentance and cry out to him in confession of their sins..

Christian this is not a one time event that took place at the moment of your salvation, I but an ongoing process as we continue to walk with God, allowing His grace to transform us day by day.

Bring it Home

Christian when is the last time you cried out the words of Psalm 51 to your God?

Psalm 51 (ESV)

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Sin is serious – it's rebellion against God and has far-reaching consequences.

God's grace is full and complete – able to cleanse us from even the worst sins.

Confession and repentance are necessary – we need to acknowledge our sins and turn from them.

God's restoration is transformative – He gives us new purpose, joy, and a heart of gratitude.

We can delight in Our God Because it doesn't matter how far we run down that path of Sin-

God will always and willingly offer His grace and forgivenss of that sin Because He wants your relationship with Him to be restored

and in this We can delight in our God!

Christian No matter where you are today, no matter what you've done, God's grace is available to you. His arms are open wide, ready to welcome you back. ready to forgive all of or sin and restore unto you the joy of your salvation!!!

Friends if you are hear and have never accept jesus as your savior, you are still condemned to die an eternity in the lake of Fire for your sins.

Your account is still full and is coming due.

The bible says that your sins deserve eternal punishment But God in Grace offers to pay that debt of sin in full through the work of jesus Christ on that Cross.

understand that jesus died in your place he paid that debt in and in order for you to have eternal life today, in order for your sins to be paid in full You must put your faith and trust in JC Alone.

You must confess your sins and ask jesus pay their debt and when you do. God says You will be saved.

Dont wait until its too late!

PRAY