Genuine Worship

Genuine Worship

Psalm 51 (NIV)

{For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.}

1Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

2Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

4Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you are proved right when you speak

and justified when you judge.

5Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;

you teach me wisdom

in the inmost place.

7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

10Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will turn back to you.

14Save me from bloodguilt, O God,

the God who saves me,

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart,

O God, you will not despise.

18In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;

build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then there will be righteous sacrifices,

whole burnt offerings to delight you;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

I.        Introduction: We can not worship God and hold on to sin. Only when we drop our defense of sin can we count on God to defend us.

II.      A Filthy Man Cannot Worship: The Dirt

A.      The Need for Mercy

B.      The Knowledge of Sin

C.      The Judgment of God

III.   A Holy Bath is Needed: The Desire

A.      The Desire For Cleansing

B.      The Desire For Joy

C.      The Desire For Restoration

IV.    A Felt Testimony is Fitting: The Declaration

A.      A Testimony to Sinners

B.      A Testimony in Song

C.      A Testimony to God

V.      A Proper Sacrifice is Essential: The Devotion

A.      Outward Service: The Worthless Sacrifice

B.      Inward Sincerity: The Effectual Sacrifice

C.      Established Security: The Moral Defense

VI.    Conclusion: Drop all pretense of worship. True worship requires that we drop our defenses and deal with God in sincerity, exposing our sin to His cleansing and giving Glory to Him for his work in His people. Only when we worship God in spirit an truth can we truly expect God to bless us with His presence.