Psalm 51-The Confession of Completion

Dancing with Broken Bones-A Series on Psalm 51-The Confession of Completion
February 06, 1994	Sermon by DRW	Passage Psalm 51.3-5

OUTLINE

Introduction

We learned in verses 1 and 2 David’s confession of knowing God’s grace and his own sin. In these three verses, David confesses that he knows his sins. Both of these are necessary for true repentance: knowing I have sinned and that God will forgive them (1 John 1.9). It is in knowing the reality and “lethality” of our sin that brings us sorrow that leads to repentance. And, it is knowing that God does forgive through His loving kindness that leads us to repent. That should show you why there is not as much repentance today as in years before. Its not that God is less kind, it is that we have lost sight of the reality and “lethality” of our sin. If is like the snake pit at the San Diego Zoo. I trip out when I go to it. There are snakes in it that look stuffed. So you get real close to them, then they move and scare the stuffing out of you. The apparent reality, harmless; the true reality, lethal.

We do the same thing with sin, thinking we can handle it, thinking that it is mundane and harmless and then the Snake from the pit of Hell lurches out bites you and then, and only then, do you see how lethal it really is.

Let us look into David’s personal diary and watch as he shows his remorse and completes his confession of sin.

1. Remorse

1. The Ghost that Haunts Him (3)

This is an ever present tension which is the source of his shame, despair, fear and his ultimate hope. For it is like the ghosts in Scrooge: A Christmas Story that brought him through the shame of yesterday, the despair of today and the fear of the future into his ultimate hope. So did David’s and so do ours.

There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Everywhere he went there was someone there to remind him of his sin. One year had passed from the adultery to the confrontation by Nathan of David’s sin. All during this time he lived with these reminders and the guilt that they brought.

1. The people who remind him

1. Uriah

1. memory

2. the general and husband of Bathsheba

2. Bathsheba

1. everything about her from her presence to her perfume, from her breath to her body

2. if the blood of bulls and goats couldn’t cover his sin, a wedding ceremony couldn’t either

3. His dead son

1. Bathsheba was pregnant

2. Six or seven months after their wedding she had a son, a few days later he died

1. watching her grow full with child

2. watching and hearing the birth

3. watching and feeling the death

4. Joab and the army

1. these are the ones whom he commanded to make sure that Uriah died.

2. Joab was his major military man

5. His very soul

2. The Holy Spirit reminds him

1. John 16.5-11

The very Spirit whom he prayed not to leave him in Psalm 51.11 is the one who reminded him of his guilt, shame, and despair.

A side note to be developed in a later message: In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came and went as He pleased; in the New Testament He abides forever in the believer because of Jesus Christ.

transition 1. The truth of daily existence that reveals it

2. He knows it and feels it as God does (Isaiah 59.12)

1. no excuses, there are none, for God knows our sin

1. why confess? to admit to ourselves that we have stepped over God’s line and to restore fellowship with Him

2. David’s sin was always before him, oppressing him (Psalm 32.1-5). His request is that God will take it away from both his and God’s presence (Psalm 103.7-14).

2. he had to make a choice

1. repentance or

2. judgment

He chose repentance but still received earthly judgment (seen in the death of his son) for he was God’s man doing Satan’s work.

We need to remember: God is not mocked, whatever a man sows he shall also reap whether here or in eternity. Paul tells us if we sow corruption (adultery or whatever your particular sin may be) we shall sow corruption.

2. The Guilt that Horrifies Him (4a)

1. Known by God for it was against God only (emphatic) and it was before Him

All human relationships are established and upheld by God. Anyone who disrupts that relationship has sinned against the one who established it. As one author points out: “sin against man is not the infringement of rights which are man’s by nature, but the infringement of rights which are his because God willed that they should be his” (Rowley, 1945) (see Proverbs 17.5).

1. Prodigal Son in Luke 15.21 tells us this truth when he returns home to the father (representing God the Father) and tells Him, “Against You I have sinned.”

2. Psalm 139.7-10

1. have you ever had to face someone whom you have offended?

2. When we sin, the God whom we offend is present and sees our sin (omniscience and omnipresence).

1. Illustration of the one who sinned in front of her husband but didn’t know he was there. Both knew the sin but no fellowship ensued until forgiveness was sought and given.

2. tense

2. Deep sorrow and repentance

1. not remorse merely for the consequences

1. Saul wept because

1. he knew his kingdom was to be taken away from him

2. not because

1. he was sorrowful over attempted murder

2. and idolatry

2. Judas wept and committed suicide because

1. he felt pity for himself and was ashamed that Christ was to die;

2. not because he betrayed his Master and assisted in shedding innocent blood.

2. remorse for the sin itself and the deep rooted passion that set it aflame

To the one who has seen his sin, it is not a casual thing to encounter or write-off, but is intense. This intensity leads to repentance. Remember, its His kindness that leads to repentance and sometimes kindness is found at the end of a whipping post (Hebrews 12.4-11). David’s sorrow came not from a heaven to lose or a hell to gain–for he knew his God would not forsake him–but the sorrow came because in his heart he knew he had grieved God.

* Peter wept because

1. he knew he betrayed his Master

2. his was remorse for the sin and the passion that led to sin

3. this is true repentance

TRANSITION/ILLUSTRATION: My tree in Torrance, easy to cut but hard to remove because of the deep root system. Such is the root system of sin.

2. Completion of the Confession (4-5)

His was a completion of the confession, not an excuse for his sin.

1. He knew he was stained to the core

1. Original sin

1. nothing in man that can commend him to God

1. Romans 3.23

2. Ephesians 2.1

3. Ephesians 2.8,9

2. tainted to the core

* dead and rotting meat

2. Universality of sin

1. we all have it and only Jesus can change it

2. Only Jesus can take us out of this miry pit

* septic tank illustration

1. in rural areas a septic tank is used

2. an area of the tank caved in creating a massive whole in it

3. a dog fell into it

4. the owner had three choices

1. let the dog die there

2. put a ladder down and see if the dog will climb out

3. go in after him

5. God had three choices

1. let us die in our sin

2. send an angel (wouldn’t do)

3. go in after us (He did)

3. while God desires faithfulness in man, man dwells in sinfulness [broken with Jesus]

1. that is lies, deceit and murderer of victory and fellowship and intimacy

2. sounds like John 8.44

2. that God was just in disciplining him

1. He knows us

1. John 2.25

2. 1 Samuel 16.7

2. He wants us to grow into His Son (Ephesians 4.12-13; 1 John 3.1-3)

1. sin breaks the growth (no fellowship)

2. sin destroys victory (Achan)

3. He wants us to know Him

1. John 17.3

2. know intimately

* no one knows Pastor Chen like his daughters do

CONCLUSION

David went through a lot, but no more than we have. How many here have never sinned? . . . I’ll make it easier, how many here have not sinned this year? . . . I’ll make it easier, how many here have not sinned this weekend? We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3.23). To say we haven’t is to call God a liar (1 John 1.5-10).

David confessed a lot, he didn’t offer excuses but confessed and repented of his sin; have we? If we don’t turn from our sins we destroy fellowship (read the thought for the week) and freedom in Christ and we destroy our souls.

Allow me to expand Psalm 32, David’s other confession for this sin, from personal experience.

You are free when your sins are forgiven,

Because your sins don’t separate you from God.

You’re dying when your sins are kept hidden,

Because your sins do separate you from God.

The most trying times of a man’s soul is when he attempts to live in fellowship with God and maintain his sin. His soul becomes downcast, his outlook becomes bleak, his desire to really live has left him, he becomes overwhelmed with guilt; he endlessly repeats the cycle of sin, repent, sin, repent, sin; his very reason for living is gone for he has denied his God; and he is without hope in this world. He feels in his heart that it would be better to forsake God and continue in his sin or commit suicide thinking this will relieve the pain and everything else. He tries to do what Saul and Judas did. He listens to the accuser and tempter, Satan. Every time he listens to that hissing sound he believes a little less truth and is less free. His soul is in bondage. When he believes and lives the lie he will walk a living death. The truth is what David says in Psalm 32.5: acknowledge your sin (admit what you have done) for God wants you to see as He sees the heinousness of your sin against Him; turn from it. God will forgive, restore fellowship, give hope, declare “not guilty,” and give victory in His time.

Will you today take hold of the cleansing flood? Will you today allow God to make you whole in His Son? Will you today allow God to search you and let you see the sin that is in you? Will you today be released from the ghosts and guilt that haunts and horrifies you? Will you be set free and complete the confession? If you will, come up here and pray with me.

Jesus says, “Come unto me all who are heavy burdened and I will give rest to your souls.” God bids you to come and confess (Romans 10.9). The Spirit seeks and finds and cleanses (John 16). Come.

Father, this is the first step You’ve given. Help us to seek forgiveness of those we have sinned before. Thank You for forgiving us, restoring us, and cleansing us. We thank You for the kindnesses You’ve bestowed on us in Jesus. We thank You for allowing us to come to You. Amen

Those of you who would like to be held accountable to your repentance to bear the fruit of repentance, please talk with me or a trusted brother or sister in Christ. Allow us to fulfill Galatians 6.1-4.

Doxology

Read Jude 24 and add: “May He lead you into the way everlasting. Amen.”

Please be seated.

[go sit down and pray]

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Psalm 51-The Confession of Completion

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