Summary: A sermon for those who understand the effects of losing fellowship with God and longing to have it restored

A PRAYER ABOUT ME

PSALMS 51: 1- 9 (Emphasis 1- 4)

Introduction: It’s me, Oh Lord, Standing in the need of prayer. Not my mother, father, sister, or brother - but me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.

· In this Psalm, Psalm 51, David proclaims a personal prayer.

· In Psalm 51, David allows his temptation to become a testimony in temple worship.

· In Psalm 51, David allows his private life to become public by publicaly announcing a private sin.

In Psalm 51, David declares that THIS PRAYER IS ABOUT ME.

Ascertain with me if you will This,

Theological Inquisition: How would you react if your weakness was written and rendered as a worship selection in this worship experience?

How would you react if your SIN was a SONG?

How would you respond to know your PROBLEMS was the PRAISE SELECTION?

Oh my God, David definitively declares that this PRAYER IS NOT ABOUT MY ENEMY, PROSPERITY, LONGEVITY - No! - This is a prayer about me!

I know that we are living in an age now where people are so inebriated in their good standing with God that they believe that their "stuff don’t stink".

Yet, King David, a man after God’s own heart is trying to tell Pastor Clean, Deacon Clean, Brother and Sister Clean - that there are some things in our life that need to become Clean!

Thesis: "The Augustine Memoirs" discusses the Stages of Sin in this fashion:

Lord, make me good, but not yet

(Too many of us are still Dabbling With Sin)

Lord, make me good, but not entirely

(Too many churchgoers are still Doubling "two lives" because of sin)

Lord, make me good!

The Lord wants us at a level of Disciplining others through their sin)

Illustration: I don’t know where you are on this continuum but let me warn that all of us are traveling on a Spiritual Toll way - and sooner or later, THE LAST FREE EXIT sign will appear - You need to exit off the toll way now before you end up paying more that you really want to pay.

Here the reasoning in this rhyme:

Sin will cost you more than you really want to PAY

Sin will keep you longer than you really wanted to STAY

Sin will take you further than you ever thought you’d STRAY

Sin will have you so lost - you will believe you’d never find your WAY

Listen to the words of our text:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 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.

David’s Discoveries:

1. Requisition of this prayer

" Lord, have mercy."

2. Recognition within this prayer

" It’s always before me."

3. Restoration granted because of prayer

"Blot it out!"