2007-02-18 - The right kind of Sacrifice - Psalm 51
Message: The Right kind of Sacrifice Newport Baptist Church
Scr: Psalm 51 Date: 2007-02-18
Question this morning – what do we do with guilt?
Lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, anger, envy, pride?
Lied… cheated on taxes, stolen something? Been cruel? Failed to give when need obvious?
Guilt, shame… what do we do with them?
David’s sin with Bathsheba – Uriah – 2 Samuel 11
Nathan’s challenge to the King 2 Sam 12 – rich man/poor man lamb used for food for the rich man’s guest
David’s response – Psalm 51
David dealt with his guilt and shame by calling on God to save him… he confessed his sin, found forgiveness and cleansing and was renewed for service.
1) Confession of his sin (1–6)
a) Confession has to include an honest recognition of need
i) I have a natural inclination to cover my tracks
Ill - A new pastor decided to visit the children's Sunday school. The teacher introduced him and said, "Pastor, this morning we're studying Joshua."
"That's wonderful," said the new pastor, "Let's see what you're learning. Who tore down the walls of Jericho?"
Little Johnny shyly raised hand and offered, "Pastor, I didn't do it."
Taken aback the pastor asked, "Come on, now, who tore down the walls of Jericho?"
The teacher, interrupting, said, "Pastor, little Johnny's a good boy. If he says he didn't do it, I believe he didn't do it."
Flustered, the pastor went to the Sunday school director and related the story to him. The director, looking worried, explained, "Well, sir, we've had some problems with Johnny before. Let me talk to him and see what we can do."
Really bothered now by the answers of the teacher and the director, the new pastor approached the deacons and related the whole story, including the responses of the teacher and the director. A white-haired gentleman thoughtfully stroked his chin and said, "Well, Pastor, I move we just take the money from the general fund to pay for the walls and leave it at that."
ii) David Recognizes his need for God and the errors he has made
iii) Mercy, Transgressions, Iniquity, Sin, evil
iv) Sin was against Bathsheba and Uriah, but ultimately all sin is against God
b) Recognizes God’s attributes
i) Unfailing love, great compassion, power to cleanse, just judge, desires truth, source of wisdom
ii) Must be willing to accept God’s verdict
c) Confession is essential
i) Max Lucado writes: Confession does for the soul what preparing the land does for the field. Before the farmer sows the seed, he works the acreage, removing the rocks and pulling the stumps. He knows that seed grows better if the land is prepared. Confession is the act of inviting God to walk the acreage of our hearts. "There is a rock of greed over here, Father; I can't budge it. And that tree of guilt near the fence? Its roots are long and deep. And may I show you some dry soil, too crusty for seed?" God's seed grows better if the soil of the heart is cleared.
2) brings forgiveness and cleansing (7–9),
a) Cleanse me (Repentence)
i) Remove his sin
(1) (purify me) – purify literally means ‘unsin’
ii) Repentance, says C. S. Lewis, “is not something God demands of you before He will take you back and which He could let you off if He chose; it is simply a description of what going back is like.”
iii) Restore his joy
b) Guilt and shame removed
Story about a banner headline across the top of the Chicago Tribune, "Guilty Plea Sets Inmate Free." The picture showed the freed man embracing his sister, and the article told how a man imprisoned for eight years cut a deal with the state's attorney's office in which the time served satisfied his sentence.
What struck me was that headline. My first reaction was, "Another criminal gets off with a plea bargain."
Then I realized that was what happened to me: "Guilty Plea Sets Inmate Free." Freedom is not in a plea of innocence but in the admission of guilt. My story is different, but the headline fits perfectly.
David’s confession set him free
c) CONCERN – don’t take HS & make willing to obey God.
i) David knows he needs God’s presence – HS
ii) Also needs desire to be obedient and faithful
3) renewing David’s ability to once again serve the Lord (10–16)
a) Create & Renew
i) Clean Heart & Steadfast spirit
Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
ii) Restore joy of salvation
Three-year-old Katie was taken to her pediatrician during a recent bout with the flu. As the doctor examined her ears, he asked, "Will I find Big Bird in here?"
Apprehensively, Katie replied, "No."
Then, before examining her throat, he asked, "Will I find the Cookie Monster in here?"
Again, "No."
Finally, listening to her heart, he asked, "Will I find Barney in here?"
With innocent conviction, she looked him directly in the eye and said, "No, Jesus is in my heart. Barney is on my underwear."
(1) Certainty & Hope – we are known and loved by God.
iii) Give a willing spirit
iv) Importance of HS – authority to rule!
b) Purpose!
i) What are people learning about God through us? Religious stuff? Do this, don’t do that?
Children lined up for lunch in the cafeteria of a religious school. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The teacher made a note: "Take only one; God is watching." At the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate-chip cookies. A boy wrote a note: "Take all you want; God is watching the apples."
ii) Teach others – God knows, sees, cares
iii) Declare God’s forgiveness
iv) Glorify God
Conclusion – vs 17-19
What God really wants
Broken spirit & Contrite heart -
Righteous sacrifices
Whole offerings
Best and strongest given to God
Genuine Faith – not in faith… church… religion.
David knows God can forgive sins, David knows that God can fortify the city
Do you know that God can forgive your sin?
Do you know that God can Restore your joy
Do you know that God can Renew his spirit?
