THE NECESSITIES OF REPENTANCE

Psalm 51:1-9

In Introduction to the portion of scripture which is the humble, sincere, thoughtful response of David to God for his own sin, we want to take a look at the title of the Psalm. Many of the Psalms have titles and they are there with purpose and the title is indicative of the use of the Psalm. Some Psalms were very private, just between God and man; while others were to be public.

Many were Psalms of praise; while others, such as this one. This one though is Psalm of admission and repentance and it was meant for public use – not after he was dead, but while he was alive.

I have always had that statement made by an old preacher who said, “Give them roses while they live!” Well, get your heart and your life right while you have time to live and change and be used of God. Don’t live with regret.

Again, as we have mentioned before, David was a man that was not going to procrastinate about repentance, he got his life right and right away. He was that type of fellow that wanted to fix things now. Oh friend, may we learn from this great man of faith, yes a sinner, but oh so quick to repent and get things right with his God.

We have talked about his sin, he committed adultery, then killed the husband of the woman he committed the sin with. Nathan showed him that he was in sin, he quickly repented, God forgave him, but there was judgment to face.

In this passage we see David pouring out his heart to God. We see in this passage some wonderful truths that we can apply to our lives. We are going to look at in two parts, one part tonight, and the next part on Sunday morning.

So we are talking about this morning, THE NECESSITIES OF REPENTANCE

I. IT REQUIRES A HUMBLE SUBMISSION TO GOD

That is a letting go of your pride, letting go of your way; letting go of your lusts and your grudges

Psalm 51:1 AV

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

David’s great need was to have his sin blotted out. He was convicted, he his sin was there and he could not get rid of it on his own. So he did what any wise person would do in this world; he asked the Lord to have mercy upon him.

Praise the Lord, that his forgiveness is given simply for the asking. You can receive forgiveness simply by asking for it, humbly.

Matthew 7:7 AV

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

II. IT IS AN ADMISSION OF GUILT

Thera are four possible pleas in court to a criminal offense trial.

You can plead Not guilty.

Not guilty by reason of insanity.

You an plead “No Contest”

Or you can plead guilty.

Repentance requires that you admit your guiltiness. No Ands, ifs or buts, not excuses at all.

Psalm 51:3–4 (AV)

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

In this plea to God, David uses three words to describe where he had gone wrong:

Transgression – a high-handed revolt against divinely constituted law.

Iniquity – sin that shows the perverseness of his nature.

Sin – missing the mark, stumbling, falling short.

His plea was utter helplessness to a judge that was all powerful. He knew that there was no case to plead before the judge, all that he could do was cast himself upon the mercy of the court. He had to plead no contest. This is not even worth trying for I am guilty and there is no remedy or excuse for it. I rely on the judges mercy.

III. IT CONFESSING WHO YOU ARE AND WHO YOU KNOW GOD TO BE

Psalm 51:5–6 AV

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

The truth of God’s Word declares that we were born sinners

Romans 5:12 AV

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

The Personal truth that I am Wicked at the core and guilty

Jeremiah 17:9 AV

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

The truth that God wants to dwell with in us.

Revelation 3:20 AV

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

IV. IT REQUIRES A CLEANSING TOOL AND A CLEANSING AGENT

Psalm 51:7 AV

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

A. The tool needed is the Cross

Isn’t interesting that all the way back in Matthew 10:38 that Jesus mentions the need for taking up the cross.

Matthew 10:38 AV

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Colossians 1:20 AV

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Colossians 2:14 AV

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

B. The Cleansing agent needed is the Blood

Hebrews 9:12–14 AV

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

V. IT TAKES A BREAKING RESULTING IN A BLESSING

Psalm 51:8 AV

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

What needs to be broken?

A. Our pride

Proverbs 6:16–17 AV

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

B. Our self-will

2 Peter 2:10 AV

But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

C. Our personal righteousness

Titus 3:5 AV

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Psalm 34:18 AV

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

What is the blessing

o Salvation

o Joy and gladness

o Rejoicing

VI. IT TAKES A SINNER AND A SAVIOR

Psalm 51:9 AV

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

The Heart of Repentance is of no value, without a a sinner and the Savior meeting.

There must be an admitted sinner and there must be an able Saviour.

We are the sinners, and we must come to the Saviour.

There is only one way for our sins to be hidden from God; there is only one way for our sins to blotted out, and that is by the blood of Christ.

The Bible says: in Psalm 103:10-14

David knew, understood and showed to us so clearly in the Psalm that there must be a sinner in order for there to be a Saviour.

He showed how one can, in his darkest trial and deepest most wicked sinful condition, come to Christ in repentance and faith and receive salvation.

But friend, this morning, realize that God has given everything you need to be saved - you must bring repentance and faith.

You must submit to Christ, humble yourself before Him admitting your sinfulness and utter helplessness, and trusting Him alone.