Scripture Reference: Psalms 51:1-3 and 7-11
The spirit was high Sunday August 2, as Pastor Collins read from the book of Psalms 51: 1-3 and 7-11, anchoring his sermon. This scripture is a Prayer For Spiritual Cleansing. This is one of the greatest passages in the entire Bible concerning confession and forgiveness. It was written after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and subsequently has her husband Uriah killed in battle (ll Samuel 11:2-12:14). David’s repentance included: (1) a godly sorrow for his sin (ll Cor. 7:10-11); (2) verbal confession; (3) a turning from sin, a renouncing; (4) forgiveness; (5) restoration to God’s favor; (6) rejoicing in salvation; and, (7) a willingness to testify to others about the grace of God.
Pastor Collins’ sermon conveyed a picture of David as being “a man after God’s own heart.” “And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own Heart, which shall fulfil all my will”. ( Acts 13:22 KJV) The question was asked… How can David be called a man after God’s heart; why not Enoch or Jude? David had too much blood on his hands! So much so that God would not allow him to build the temple. Remember, David was a warrior, murderer, and an adulterer. “David said to Solomon: "My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. But this word of the Lord came to me: 'You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.” (l Chronicles 22:7-8 NIV)
David crossed the line; he broke God’s law going beyond the limit; but being convicted of his sin, David poured out his soul to God in prayer -- praying for mercy and grace. Pastor Collins' illustration was that of God having two hands -- one sorrow, and one mercy. God chastise with one hand, and with the other never complaining, He gives us grace. Mercy is God holding back what we deserve. Grace is God giving what we do not deserve. I am what I am only by grace.
In the church today many believers tend to think that the act of adultery is the only sin. We often overlook and excuse how we murder character with lies, jealousy and deceit; and how we commit fraud, cheat and steal. However the true believer longs to have the whole debt of his sins blotted out, and every stain cleansed; Pastor Collins explained that once saved we are never unsaved no matter what you have done.
We are all sinners and on the strength of our lives deserve nothing but God's judgment. We have nothing to offer, nothing to plead, nothing with which to buy His favor. David’s request of God was to ”blot out all my iniquities,” (Ps 51:9 KJV). In his sermon, Pastor Collins put it this way… “God takes us, washes and cleanse us whiter than snow!” “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23 KJV) God through His grace and mercy erases the lines that we as captives to sin have crossed and gives us a new line.
Thank God for Another Chance! It is the blood of Jesus that makes us clean, only God can create a clean heart; " therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17 NIV).
Author: B. Stevenson
The spirit was high Sunday August 2, as Pastor Collins read from the book of Psalms 51: 1-3 and 7-11, anchoring his sermon. This scripture is a Prayer For Spiritual Cleansing. This is one of the greatest passages in the entire Bible concerning confession and forgiveness. It was written after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and subsequently has her husband Uriah killed in battle (ll Samuel 11:2-12:14). David’s repentance included: (1) a godly sorrow for his sin (ll Cor. 7:10-11); (2) verbal confession; (3) a turning from sin, a renouncing; (4) forgiveness; (5) restoration to God’s favor; (6) rejoicing in salvation; and, (7) a willingness to testify to others about the grace of God.
Pastor Collins’ sermon conveyed a picture of David as being “a man after God’s own heart.” “And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own Heart, which shall fulfil all my will”. ( Acts 13:22 KJV) The question was asked… How can David be called a man after God’s heart; why not Enoch or Jude? David had too much blood on his hands! So much so that God would not allow him to build the temple. Remember, David was a warrior, murderer, and an adulterer. “David said to Solomon: "My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. But this word of the Lord came to me: 'You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.” (l Chronicles 22:7-8 NIV)
David crossed the line; he broke God’s law going beyond the limit; but being convicted of his sin, David poured out his soul to God in prayer -- praying for mercy and grace. Pastor Collins' illustration was that of God having two hands -- one sorrow, and one mercy. God chastise with one hand, and with the other never complaining, He gives us grace. Mercy is God holding back what we deserve. Grace is God giving what we do not deserve. I am what I am only by grace.
In the church today many believers tend to think that the act of adultery is the only sin. We often overlook and excuse how we murder character with lies, jealousy and deceit; and how we commit fraud, cheat and steal. However the true believer longs to have the whole debt of his sins blotted out, and every stain cleansed; Pastor Collins explained that once saved we are never unsaved no matter what you have done.
We are all sinners and on the strength of our lives deserve nothing but God's judgment. We have nothing to offer, nothing to plead, nothing with which to buy His favor. David’s request of God was to ”blot out all my iniquities,” (Ps 51:9 KJV). In his sermon, Pastor Collins put it this way… “God takes us, washes and cleanse us whiter than snow!” “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23 KJV) God through His grace and mercy erases the lines that we as captives to sin have crossed and gives us a new line.
Thank God for Another Chance! It is the blood of Jesus that makes us clean, only God can create a clean heart; " therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17 NIV).
Author: B. Stevenson
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