The Plea of the Repentant
Griffith Baptist Church – 4/5/09
P.M. Service
Text: Psalm 51:1-6
Key verse: Psalms 51:2 – Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Premise: While we are not to live in a constant state of guilt, we should live in a constant state of awareness that when we offend our God with sin, we seek an honest and open confession to our God who instantly forgives. God is Good!
The Introduction
In his retirement, Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia. Because Jefferson trusted that students would take their studies seriously, the code of discipline was lax. Unfortunately, his trust proved misplaced when the misbehavior of students led to a riot in which professors who tried to restore order were attacked. The following day a meeting was held between the university’s board, of which Jefferson was a member, and defiant students. Jefferson began by saying, “This is one of the most painful events of my life,” suddenly he was overcome by emotion, and burst into tears. Another board member asked the rioters to come forward and give their names. Nearly every one did. Later, one of them said, “It was not Mr. Jefferson’s words, but his tears.” Just like the student was moved by Jefferson’s brokenness, so is God by ours. When we are truly broken and sorry for our sins, this leads to repentance
In this particular Psalm, David has just been confronted by Nathan the Prophet, about his sin with Bathsheba, and his response to it.
This response is the reason David was a man after God’s own heart (1st Sam. 13:14)
Many have a warped idea of repentance:
• Some feel repentance is a way to get God off of their backs
• Others feel repentance is simply saying sorry because you got caught.
That is not the biblical idea of repentance
Here, in these first six (6) verses, we have an indication of what real repentance is.
Body
1. The Reason for True Repentance
A. Because sin makes a person vile and corrupt – 2
i. Some years ago a remarkable picture was exhibited in London. As you looked at it from a distance, you seemed to see a monk engaged in prayer, his hands clasped, his head bowed. As you can nearer, however, and examined the painting more closely, you saw that in reality he was squeezing a lemon into a punch bowl!
What a picture that is of the human heart! Superficially examined, it is thought to be the seat of all that is good and nobel and pleasing in a man; whereas in reality, until regenerated by the Holy Ghost, it is the seat of all corruption. ’This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather that light." Moody’s Anecdotes, p. 69
ii. Ephesians 4:22 - That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
iii. Sin is missing the mark of God’s standard - perfection
a. Sin of commission – doing what we are not supposed to do (Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Tit. 2:14)
b. Sin of omission – Failure to do what is right – James 4:17 - Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (Rom. 14:23)
iv. We respond to sin through three avenues
a. Lust of the flesh
b. Lust of the eyes
c. Pride of life
B. Because the capacity to sin is inherent from birth – 5
i. Romans 5:12 – 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:
a. Adam takes center stage in introducing the sin nature into man by his disobedience
b. This resulted in death and passed on to each of us, who are his offspring.
c. We are sinners now, not just by deed, but by nature.
d. This is why God could refer to us as “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3)
ii. It separates us from God at birth and is inherent, even in children - Psalms 58:3 – The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
iii. Another birth (spiritual) is needed to give us life and relationship to God - John 3:6 – That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
C. Because ignoring sin will not negate God’s judgment – 4
i. David had the wisdom to know that all sin is an affront to God
a. All sin is ultimately against God, even if we do wrong to others.
b. David realized this when confronted by Nathan about his sin with Bathsheba
ii. God sees it all (done this evil in thy sight)
iii. Misconceptions about dealing with sin:
a. Ignore sin and somehow it will go away - ignored sin continues to build - "We have a strange illusion that mere time cancels sin... But, mere time does nothing either to the fact or guilt of sin. The guilt is washed out not by time but by repentance and the blood of Christ." CS Lewis
b. Some sin is harmless and therefore can be brushed off - all sin is harmful
c. Sinning is uncontrollable - sin is a choice
d. I will take care of my sin later - you will not!
• If you put it off you will either fight the guilt and sear your conscience, or
• You will continue to pile up more sin and it will be easier to become a repeat offender.
iv. We will surely be judged:
a. Either in this life (Heb. 12:5-11 – chastening of the Father)
b. The life to come – 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 - 9Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (1st Cor. 3:12-15)
2. The Reality of True Repentance
A. Where there is true repentance there is found abundant mercy – 1
i. God is truly a God of mercy and love
a. A general definition of mercy is “the goodness or love of God shown to those who are in misery or distress, irrespective of their deserts.”19-28 The Hebrew word chesed in the Old Testament emphasizes “help or kindness as the grace of a superior.” It stresses the faithfulness of God despite man’s unfaithfulness and therefore emphasizes pity, sympathy, and love. The New Testament Greek word eleos also includes the idea of pity and sympathy and may be translated “loving-kindness” in a general sense. Moody Handbook of Theology by Paul P. Enns, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois - Psalms 145:9 – The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
b. When we sincerely ask God for His mercy, He is ready to give it - Isaiah 55:7 - Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
ii. This is in accordance with God’s nature – Psalms 116:5 - Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
B. Where there is true repentance there is found sensitivity to sin – 3
i. Psalms 38:18 – For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
ii. There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance.
a. The first is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3).
b. The second means to change one’s mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge.
c. The third word is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Easton, M.G.: Easton’s Bible Dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996, c1897
iii. True repentance consists of
a. A true sense of one’s own guilt and sinfulness;
b. An apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ;
c. An actual hatred of sin (Ps. 119:128; Job 42:5, 6; 2 Cor. 7:10) and turning from it to God;
d. A persistent effort to live a holy life in walking with God in the way of his Word. Easton, M.G.: Easton’s Bible Dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996, c1897
iv. 1 John 1:8-10 - 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
a. To deny sin is self-deception
b. To deny we sin is to call God a liar
c. It will blind us more to truth
v. When we sin and get it right with God (confession and true repentance) we will keep a soft heart to the voice of the Holy Spirit to alert us to sin, give us more discernment in temptation, and greater strength through Christ to combat it.
vi. BOTTOM LINE: Never let your guard down on sin. Get it right and go on!
3. The Results of True Repentance
A. Forgiveness of sin – 1 - (blot out my transgressions)
i. Blot out = is to wipe or erase, as from a register.
ii. Same idea in 1st John 1:9 of “to cleanse from all unrighteousness.”
iii. It has been nailed to the cross – Colossians 2:14 - 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. Formation of spiritual character – 6a
i. The “inward parts” are the parts that are hidden but that make up the real person
a. Heart
b. Conscience
ii. Many people can cover these up to appear something they are not (hypocrites)
iii. It is what is unseen that is most important.
iv. This is in the same context when the Lord said to the Pharisees, . . . Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. - Luke 11:39
v. Spiritual character is important to God, and repentance helps form strong character:
a. We are forced to admit that we are not perfect as what we would like to think – pride versus humility
b. We must recognize that we are responsible to God for our actions
c. We will maintain a right perspective of life and care about what we are on the inside, not wanted to corrupt it.
C. Forging of spiritual discernment (wisdom) – 6b
i. Discernment in Scripture is the skill that enables us to differentiate. It is the ability to see issues clearly. We desperately need to cultivate this spiritual skill that will enable us to know right from wrong. We must be prepared to distinguish light from darkness, truth from error, best from better, righteousness from unrighteousness, purity from defilement, and principles from pragmatics. Fan The Flame, J. Stowell, Moody, 1986, p. 44
ii. “the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom” – the spirit of man
a. It is God that gives true spiritual understanding - Job 32:8 – But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
b. This is given to those who walk obediently - Proverbs 2:7 - He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
iii. This also has in it the fear of God - Jeremiah 32:40 – And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
a. A right fear of God keeps us from doing what our sin nature calls us to do
b. Wisdom is simply listening to God and living the way He says you ought to
c. Discernment gives us the ability to distinguish between evil and good
d. We may even develop a spiritual sense to smell trouble and get away from it
iv. This will come as we yield ourselves in humility to God - 1 Peter 3:4 - But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Conclusion:
Is there sin in your life that has gone unconfessed?
The longer you wait, the harder it will be to even recognize it as sin.
Is there something you are justifying before God, some unknown you are harboring in your heart?
Are you making excuses for it, maybe even using the Bible to defend your actions and feelings?
It may win before the ears of men but never before God.
Repentance is coming clean with God and allowing Him to restore you.
Are you prepared to meet Him if you should have to face Him today?
