A Pattern For Prayer (Part 2)
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Good morning Church!
Announcements:
VBS starts tonight!!! I am very excited to see what God does this year.
VBS starts at 6, so we will be here early to get everything started.
As always, we can use all the help we can get. We have all of the classes filled as of now, but we always need helpers to float around and help with miscellaneous things, so we invite you all to come and be a part of what God is going to do this year.
This year we operating off of attendance. IF we are able to get 60 kids here, Mrs. Keshia is going to get slimed on Friday night. If we can get 75 kids here, I will get slimed on Friday night.
Also, we have some special visitors coming on Friday night, and I think it is going to be pretty cool!!!
We want to thank all of those who came out Saturday to help with decorating the classrooms, and putting some final touches on things.
We also want to thank each and every person who was able to donate to the school supply box. That is something i am thrilled to do this year for the kids, and I hope it is something we can continue in the future.
Praise Reports:
Prayer Requests:
Tithes
Children’s Church
Doxology:
This is my Bible. It is God’s Holy Word. It is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path, and I will hide its words within my heart that I might not sin against God! Amen!!!
Open Bibles To: Psalm 51
Two weeks ago, we started speaking on the topic of “A Pattern For Prayer”. We are looking into what God’s Word has to say about prayer, the importance of it, and how by doing it, our lives can be radically changed for the glory of God.
We discussed how that there are four stages of prayer that we should go through when praying unto God. The first of those four was adoration. We spoke about what adoration is, as well as the importance of making it the very first thing we do in our prayer life. God deserves our adoration, and by giving it unto Him, it prepares our heart to move forward in prayer.
Today, we are moving to the second stage of prayer, which is confession. The second thing that we should do in prayer is to confess our sins before an Almighty God.
The A.I.M. of the text today, is to teach how confessing our sins unto God sets us free from the bondage of this world and allows us to move deeper into our relationship with Christ.
9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
I want to begin today, by giving a disclaimer. I can tell you from experience, that it is messages such as this that truly stirs the heart. I do not say this because of a misplaced confidence in my ability to preach, but because of the conviction that is divinely inspired within verses such as these.
I truly believe that by the time we are done today that many souls in this room will be convicted of their sin. Some will be convicted of their lost state and their need for God’s mercy, while others will be convicted of certain sin within their lives that is hindering their walk with God. With that conviction comes a choice. We can choose to listen to it, obey it, and do something about it; Or we can choose to suppress the truth of that conviction, ignore it, and continue to live in a sinful state. That choice is yours to make.
With that being said, eternity could very well be at stake for some of you here today. For others, the spiritual condition of your heart is going to be challenged. Knowing this ahead of time, I want to ask one thing from each of you before we even get started:
If God moves, like I know He is going to, and brings any level of conviction upon your heart today, will you boldly proclaim right now, that you will do whatever it takes before this service ends to satisfy that conviction?
That is to say:
If God convicts you today, that you are lost and undone, even if you have previously professed to be saved, will you be bold enough to make things right?
If God convicts you of a certain sin in your life, regardless of how long it has held you captive, will you be bold enough to confront it, confess it, and turn away from it?
If you agree to that statement, will you say amen?
I would never urge anyone to leave Church, because I truly believe that God can bring such conviction upon a person that it would bring them unto repentance, regardless of the condition of their heart. But......I am telling you now: If you are dead-set on continuing to live in sin and are completely convinced that you are going to continue living the way you are right now, regardless of what is said and done here today, you would be better to leave now, than to be convicted by God and choose to ignore it.
Psalm 51
Context
Context
Psalm 51 has so much to offer us today. This chapter was written by King David. As most of you know, God’s Word tells us that David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). He was the most influential king that Israel ever had, and is therefore the most recognized king to us today.
With that being said, David was not perfect. One day, while his armies went to war, David stayed behind in the palace. Back then, the king went to war with his men, but David decided not to go on this particular day. At some point during the day, David went out onto the balcony of his palace and saw a woman by the name of Bathsheba bathing. He fell completely in love with her and sent his servants to bring her unto him.
David forced himself upon her, but in the process she became pregnant. When David found out about the baby, he tried everything in the world to cover it up, but he simply couldn’t. Since he could not cover it up, he sent Uriah, which was Bathsheba’s husband and even David’s friend, to the front lines of the army, where he would surely die.
David had committed adultery and murder. The worst part about it, is that he didn’t see the sinfulness of his actions. God finally sent a prophet, by the name of Nathan, to bring his sin to light. Once David realized the weight of his sin, he fell into mourning and was completely broken by his actions. As a result, David stripped himself of his clothes, covered himself in sackcloth and ashes, and confessed his sin before God. Psalm 51 is that prayer.
Like David, we live in a world today to where people do not feel the conviction of their sin. It is not that they are unaware of their sin, they simply do not see or feel the weight of their sin.
It is not difficult to convince people that they are sinners, for not one in a thousand is going to say that they are perfect. The common response is: “Sure, I’m a sinner. Isn’t everyone? Nobody’s perfect.” The issue is not with acknowledging our sin, but rather acknowledging the intensity of our sin, the extreme godlessness of our actions. Because we are all sinners and know that we share a common guilt, our confession tends to be superficial, often not characterized by earnestness or a sense of moral urgency. (R.A. Torrey)
This mindset stems from an improper view of God and self. If your sin does not seem like such a big deal, you either have an inflated opinion of yourself or a deflated view of God.
God loves us so much, that He made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. He sent His only Son to become the perfect sacrifice, so that our sin might be forgiven and we might become saints.
To say that our sin is not a big deal:
Is to undervalue the love that God has for us.
It is to undervalue the life of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
It is to undervalue the Word of God.
It is to undervalue the Will of God.
It is to undervalue every sacrifice that has been made by every child of God, so that they might grow closer to God and lead others to Christ.
Some of you have been casting me off the past couple of weeks as we spoke on beginning our prayers with giving God adoration. Hopefully, after today, you will see the true need for doing so. It is only when I am able to see God for who He is, and then see myself for who I am, that I am able to confess my sins before Him.
I want to take a brief moment and define what we mean by confession:
Confession and repentance go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other.
To repent means to turn away from something, so that you may turn toward something else. To confess our sins in true repentance, means that we have no intention of committing that sin again. We are confessing that sin before God, as well as the desire to turn from that sin and never do it again.
When we speak of confession, we are speaking of honest confession.
18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.
God, because of who He is, already knows the secrets of our hearts. Therefore, to lie unto God is completely useless. The only prayer that is worthy of God’s time, is honest prayer. Prayer that speaks truly from our hearts.
We should not tell God that we want something that we really don’t want. We should not tell God that we are sorry about something that we intend to do again.
We must distinguish between two different kinds of confession:
Attrition is counterfeit confession, and never qualifies us for forgiveness. It is like the repentance of a child who is caught in the act of disobeying his daddy and cries out, “Daddy, Daddy, I’m sorry, please don’t spank me.” Attrition is repentance motivated strictly by a fear of punishment. The sinner confesses their sin to God, not out of repentance, but out of a desire to secure a ticket out of hell.
True repentance reflects contrition, which is a godly remorse for offending God. Here the sinner mourns his sin, not for the loss of reward or for the fear of judgment, but because he has done injury to the honor of God.
Another way to say it is this: Attrition fear’s God’s discipline, while contrition fears God’s disappointment.
Look with me at v. 17:
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
See, you thought I was just throwing some big words at you, but it is right here in the text. David says that the only position that pleases God is one of humbleness. He says that we are to come before God with a broken spirit and contrite heart. We are to come before God with a confessing heart. David says that when we come before God broken, and openly confess our sin, God will be pleased.
Listen to what God’s Word says concerning those who do not confess and repent:
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
See, when I build up God through words of adoration, I in turn am humbling myself. To be in the presence of an Almighty God that is perfectly Holy, completely righteous, and divinely pure is a fearful and sobering thing. It gives me a correct perspective. It prepares my heart to confess my sins before Him, which I cannot do with a heart full of pride and arrogance.
R.C. Sproul says that, “Confession is like a declaration of bankruptcy. God requires perfection. The slightest sin blemishes a perfect record. All the “good deeds” in the world cannot erase the blemish and move us from imperfection to perfection. Once the sin has been committed, we are morally bankrupt. Our only hope is to have that sin forgiven and covered through the atonement of the One who is altogether perfect.”
We must confess our sin before God.
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Content
The Degradation of Unconfessed Sin
The Degradation of Unconfessed Sin
Sin Soils the Saint (vv. 3, 7)
David seeks cleansing. Sin will make a saint feel dirty. The Non-Christian will have no problem with sin, but the saint will feel dirty as they come into the presence of God.
22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”
Sin Saturates the Mind (v. 3)
Once David became convicted of his sin, it was always on his mind. An unbeliever can sin and forget it, but the Christian will have that sin on his mind until it is dealt with. The Holy Ghost in our hearts will not allow us to forget it.
Adrian Rogers says, “There are two major wounds to the mind: guilt and sorrow. Sorrow will heal, because it is a clean wound. Guilt festers and infects the whole of life, until it is dealt with.
3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.
Sin Stings the Conscience (v. 4)
David hurt a lot of people in his fall, but ultimately, his evil was against a Holy God.
David was broken because he had hurt God! When we are convicted of the intensity of our sin, we will weep not over the consequences of our actions, but because we have offended and disgraced our Heavenly Father!
Sin Saddens the Heart (vv. 8, 12)
David has lost his joy and wants it back.
When you are walking closely with the Lord, sin will make you the most miserable person in the face of the planet. You cannot live in a backslidden position and expect to have joy. Joy is a by-product of a right relationship with God!
Sin Sickens the Body (v. 8)
David’s sin has begun to take a physical toll on him.
Sin does this! It can damage your health. Because sin replaces joy and peace with worry and fear, it has an impact on our physical bodies as well our emotions.
30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
Sin Sours the Spirit (v. 10)
David had a wrong spirit.
Sin will do this to a saint. A backslider will be cantankerous, critical, sour, and judgmental. The saint in sin is impossible to satisfy and quick to attack others to make themselves feel better. They feel so miserable, they attempt to compensate by pushing their pain off on others.
Sin Seals the Lips (vv. 13-15)
All of the things David says that he will do when he gets right with God.
Sin will take away your shout, your song, and your statement. You can’t shout, for you do not feel the presence of God and your cup is not running over. You can’t sing, for you have no joy within your heart. You can’t testify, for you would be hypocritical for doing so while living in sin.
Sin Separates the Saint (vv. 9, 11)
David fears being separated from God, but is ashamed of his sin at the same time.
David feels unworthy to be in the presence of God. David knows how wonderful God is, and how wonderful God has been to him. He is ashamed of his actions and his head is hung low. David does not want God to look upon sin, because he does not want God to think less of him. God has used him all of these years to lead His people and now David has brought shame to His name. David is acted against the One person who has always been there for him.
Although David is ashamed for God to see him like this, he is worried that God will leave him. He is worried that God will no longer be with him. He is worried that God will no longer give him guidance. If God no longer gives David guidance, then David cannot fulfill the purpose in which God created him for. How can he lead God’s people without God? He is worried that his sin has pushed God away.
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
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.
The Development of Confessing Our Sin
The Development of Confessing Our Sin
God’s desire for us is to have all of the things that David claimed to have lost because of his sin. Repentance opens the door unto sanctification. That means as we confess our sins before God, turn from our wicked ways, and follow His word in obedience, God will allow us to grow spiritually in Him.
David felt dirty. God wants us to be clean and pure.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
David said that his sin was ever before him. God wants us to have a clear and focused mind.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
David said that he had lost his joy. God wants us to be full of joy and walk in it.
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
David said that his body was broken. God wants us to be healthy and live long.
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
David said that his Spirit was soured. God wants us to be full of the Spirit and live according to His leadership.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
David said that his sin had taken away his witness. God wants us to be witness for Him and proclaim His name.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
David said that his sin had separated him from God. God wants us to be in fellowship with Him.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
All of that is great, but what does that look like? How do I get there? As they asked Peter at Pentecost, “What must I do to be saved?
We must Trust that God loves us (v. 1)
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
We must believe that God wants to be in fellowship with us (vv. 11, 17)
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
We must confess our sin (vv. 2-4)
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
If we are not broken over our sin then we will be broken because of our sin.
We must believe that God can and will forgive us (v. 1, 7)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We must continue in God’s presence and continually confess our sin before Him (v. 11)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.