WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.040 The following sermon is made available by Lakeside Bible Church in Cornelius, North Carolina. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:19.160 For more information about our church or to find more recorded sermons, 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:22.719 please visit us online at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:22.980 --> 00:00:25.719 We'd also love to connect with you on social media. 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:30.679 You can find us by searching Lakeside Bible NC on Facebook and Instagram. 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:37.879 For specific questions about the Bible or our church, please email us at info at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:39.859 --> 00:00:47.179 Well, as we study through the Psalms, you'll notice that most of them have these titles 00:00:47.179 --> 00:00:54.539 that provide instructions for worship, but also vital information relating to the authorship 00:00:54.539 --> 00:00:56.299 and context of the writing. 00:00:57.039 --> 00:01:04.180 These superscriptions, as they're called, are proven to be very helpful in guiding our understanding 00:01:04.180 --> 00:01:10.539 of a particular passage and also in understanding the applications that they have for worship, 00:01:10.539 --> 00:01:15.299 not just in ancient worship in Israel, but also for our worship today. 00:01:15.299 --> 00:01:22.459 But these titles are not merely marginal notes that have been provided by scholars. 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:30.060 Though not given a verse number, the titles of these Psalms that we see very often, 00:01:30.579 --> 00:01:36.959 we believe to be inspired scripture, and we must consider them as profitable. 00:01:37.679 --> 00:01:42.400 And so as we come to the Psalms and as we study them together, it's important that we give attention to that. 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:46.180 They're not there by chance. God has given them to us for a reason. 00:01:47.080 --> 00:01:52.280 And giving attention to the title of Psalm 51 is what actually alerts us to the fact 00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:59.060 that it's directly tied to David's sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent visit 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:02.600 that the prophet Nathan had in confronting that sin. 00:02:03.360 --> 00:02:08.280 We spent the last few weeks, well, not the last two weeks, my dad and Tate was with us, 00:02:08.280 --> 00:02:13.240 but we spent the three Sundays before that jumping into 2 Samuel 11 and 12. 00:02:14.140 --> 00:02:18.719 And you'll remember, you may recall there how we trace David's sin throughout chapter 11. 00:02:18.920 --> 00:02:21.879 Not only was he not where he should have been on the battlefield, 00:02:21.879 --> 00:02:26.120 but he had lusted after his friend's wife. 00:02:26.420 --> 00:02:28.900 He had called for her. He had sinned with her. 00:02:29.259 --> 00:02:34.039 He had ended up murdering his friend Uriah, one of the generals of his army. 00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:38.959 And then we see just this great tragedy of sin that was evident in King David's life. 00:02:39.719 --> 00:02:43.979 He thought he had gotten by with it, that he had successfully covered it all up. 00:02:44.419 --> 00:02:48.299 And then when you get to chapter 12, God sends Nathan. 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:52.180 It wasn't Nathan's idea. It was God. 00:02:52.739 --> 00:02:54.519 God sends Nathan to David. 00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:57.859 And Nathan confronts David in his sin. 00:02:57.860 --> 00:03:05.880 And God uses this as an opportunity to draw David to repentance so that he could pour out his mercy. 00:03:06.040 --> 00:03:10.200 What we learn from chapter 12 is the amazing pursuit of God's grace. 00:03:10.820 --> 00:03:12.240 God sends his word. 00:03:12.700 --> 00:03:17.600 And as the word is delivered, God does a work on the heart of the person that hears the word. 00:03:17.780 --> 00:03:21.540 And as God does that work, he leads us to repentance and confession. 00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:24.780 And we see that in the life of David. 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:33.039 The writer of 2 Samuel simply states that David did indeed confess and repent of his sin. 00:03:33.099 --> 00:03:35.060 But he only gives us a short phrase. 00:03:35.180 --> 00:03:38.699 He says that David looked at Nathan and said, I have sinned against the Lord. 00:03:38.979 --> 00:03:40.640 And indeed, he had sinned against the Lord. 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:47.479 What Psalm 51 tells us is the substance of what that confession actually was. 00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:50.420 And it's the title that lets us know that. 00:03:50.419 --> 00:03:54.579 So as we study the Bible, we understand that David did indeed sin. 00:03:54.659 --> 00:03:58.179 But what this tells us is that, or that David did indeed confess. 00:03:58.500 --> 00:04:01.779 But what this tells us is that that confession wasn't a flippant confession. 00:04:02.859 --> 00:04:05.899 As Nathan comes to David and he says, I have sinned against the Lord. 00:04:05.959 --> 00:04:08.099 It wasn't a, okay, get off my back, Nathan. 00:04:09.319 --> 00:04:10.799 I'm tired of hearing about this, Nathan. 00:04:10.899 --> 00:04:11.799 Okay, I've sinned against the Lord. 00:04:11.799 --> 00:04:12.879 It wasn't flippant at all. 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:17.899 When we come to Psalm 51 and we realize that this was actually the confession that David made that day, 00:04:18.279 --> 00:04:23.060 we see that this was not a ritualistic routine on his part. 00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:27.399 This was emotional on David's part. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:28.219 It was sincere. 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:33.319 And what we end up learning now as we look back is we see a great pattern 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:37.680 for how we are to approach confession and repentance in our life. 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:43.420 We learn great truths of the doctrines of sin and of salvation in this Psalm. 00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:46.720 And simply giving heed to that title helps us with that. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:49.180 But we're going to stick to these first five verses. 00:04:49.319 --> 00:04:53.600 Let me just give you a couple of perspectives to consider as we study it together today. 00:04:54.439 --> 00:05:01.340 The title here in Psalm 51 not only reveals that it is David who has authored it, 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:05.819 and it doesn't only tell us the context of it being his adulterous affair, 00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:09.099 but it gives us a clue as to its purpose in the Bible. 00:05:09.379 --> 00:05:10.319 Why is this here? 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:13.139 Why has God given us this passage to study? 00:05:13.639 --> 00:05:16.379 And there's two perspectives that are helpful for us to know. 00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:19.399 The first purpose is personal confession. 00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:21.120 Personal confession. 00:05:22.180 --> 00:05:29.620 Clearly, this Psalm records the passionate plea of an individual that is seeking for God's mercy. 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:33.659 Nothing about the language in this Psalm is flippant. 00:05:33.660 --> 00:05:38.820 Someone who is careless about their walk with God does not write words like this, 00:05:39.400 --> 00:05:42.180 does not pray prayers like this. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:44.640 This is raw emotion. 00:05:45.980 --> 00:05:51.020 And it's somebody that has been broken over the realization of their sin against God. 00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:53.980 So we most view it in those terms. 00:05:54.100 --> 00:05:57.460 This is a real man that really prayed this prayer. 00:05:57.560 --> 00:05:58.640 It may not have been verbatim. 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:02.440 It's clearly been edited for corporate worship on David's part. 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:07.319 But the substance of his confession is contained within Psalm 51 first. 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:13.199 So we look at it as we study and we see there is a need for me to view my sin the way David has viewed his sin. 00:06:14.219 --> 00:06:18.759 There is a need for me to confess my sin the way that David has confessed his sin. 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:25.699 There is a need for me personally as an individual to seek the mercy of God the way that David sought the mercy of God. 00:06:25.699 --> 00:06:27.939 And so we see personal confession. 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:33.019 This is a real confession by a real man at a real time who was really broken over his sin. 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:34.959 And then we see the corporate instruction. 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:41.599 There's a note at the top of the title that gives us the second perspective. 00:06:42.019 --> 00:06:44.339 It's the very first phrase, to the chief musician. 00:06:45.259 --> 00:06:47.240 There was an intention on David's part. 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:54.740 Sometime after he prayed this prayer, being led by the Holy Spirit, he writes it down. 00:06:55.180 --> 00:07:00.960 And he organizes it in a way that it can be used in corporate worship of the nation. 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:03.160 There's a few reasons for that. 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:09.860 One is because of the mercy he had received, he wanted others to understand the mercy that God provides. 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:11.560 He didn't care about hiding his sin anymore. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:16.980 David clearly was aware that the nation was going to know what he had done. 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:19.720 But he wasn't interested in hiding sin. 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:22.800 He was interested in sharing forth the praises of God's mercy. 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:23.920 And so he writes this. 00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:30.959 And then he organizes it in a way that is easy to understand and memorize and be used in congregational singing or chanting, 00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:33.720 however they would have used this psalm in corporate worship. 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:42.000 And he instructs the nation on the reality of sin, on the reality of God's grace, and of the reality of God's mercy. 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:45.140 And so then it becomes corporate in its nature. 00:07:45.780 --> 00:07:46.900 It applies to the nation. 00:07:47.460 --> 00:07:49.340 It applies to the church. 00:07:50.200 --> 00:07:58.620 It should grab our attention as it reveals the seriousness of regular repentance in the life of a true worshiper of God. 00:07:58.620 --> 00:08:06.160 This is a regular occurrence, not only in the life of an individual believer, but in the life of the church. 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:10.639 So let's jump in and study a little bit about David's appeal for God's mercy. 00:08:10.840 --> 00:08:12.579 Let's read these first five verses again. 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:14.420 David says, 00:08:14.420 --> 00:08:44.399 It says, 00:08:44.419 --> 00:08:58.259 The passionate spirit of this prayer is initially revealed in David's opening line. 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:01.559 Have mercy on me, O God. 00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:06.120 We're immediately ushered into this courtroom scene. 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:14.060 Where God is the holy, perfect judge presiding over the case of David's sinful actions. 00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:22.639 And on the realization of his sin and the depth of that sin, we see David now casting himself before the judge, 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:26.279 falling before him, begging, pleading for mercy. 00:09:26.580 --> 00:09:29.399 Have mercy on me, O God. 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:33.659 He provides no defense for his action. 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:41.639 No explanations or excuses are given that might provoke a less severe penalty on the part of the judge. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:51.039 He simply appeals to God to look on him with pity and provide him with the mercy that he already knows he does not deserve, 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:53.500 nor can he possibly earn. 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:59.440 He understands in this moment, the only thing I can do is plead for mercy. 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:01.919 And so he opens up in this opening phrase, 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:04.919 Have mercy on me, O God. 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:10.240 The phrase itself is a fitting summary for what is true confession. 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:16.120 It's six simple words that contain enough in them for us to understand everything that's happening here. 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:19.460 Have mercy, O God. 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:28.679 But in these first few verses, David's appeal fleshes out for us everything we need to know about true confession 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:32.860 and the receipt of God's abundant mercy. 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:37.299 And to help our understanding, I want to take a unique approach to these verses. 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:40.919 I want to approach this exposition backwards, okay? 00:10:40.979 --> 00:10:46.620 We're going to work our way starting at verses 3 through 5 all the way back to verse 1 as we study it this morning. 00:10:46.819 --> 00:10:49.399 Let's first look at the basis of his appeal. 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:53.279 The basis of his appeal in verses 3 through 5. 00:10:55.019 --> 00:10:59.639 Because the word of God had been delivered through God's messenger, Nathan, 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:05.299 David had come face to face with the reality of his own sin. 00:11:05.299 --> 00:11:10.120 In fact, this is one of the purposes of the Bible. 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:16.299 One of the purposes as we come to study the Bible is that the Bible will reveal our sin. 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:20.299 Paul wrote to the Galatian church that the law is like a schoolmaster. 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:22.399 It only reveals our sin. 00:11:22.459 --> 00:11:23.240 It cannot save us. 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:28.579 It reveals our sinfulness in order that it might point us to a Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:11:28.719 --> 00:11:33.620 But when we come to the Scriptures, we understand one of its purposes is to expose us. 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:43.340 Everything that we try so hard to hide and to veil the purpose of the Scripture is to expose in order that we might truly see our sin for what it is. 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:50.740 But one of the great tragedies of the contemporary church is that it has forsaken the regular exposition of the Bible 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:54.519 in order to avoid such confrontations with sin. 00:11:54.519 --> 00:12:03.220 But the gospel is useless if it does not first confront our sinful condition. 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:08.860 And a good test for faithfulness in any given church is to ask this question. 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:17.259 Does the church prioritize the regular preaching of the Bible and make room for confession? 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:26.700 Or is repentance more often replaced by motivational self-help sessions and talks? 00:12:28.300 --> 00:12:37.180 The reason that David was crying out for God's mercy is because he had finally realized and recognized the true nature of his own wickedness. 00:12:37.179 --> 00:12:42.759 But that was only revealed to him because God had done a work through the Scriptures. 00:12:43.699 --> 00:12:49.819 God had revealed through his Word and the prophet Nathan exactly what David's condition was. 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:56.039 And upon coming face to face with the reality of God's Word, he realizes his sin and he makes an appeal. 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:57.959 And the basis of his appeal is, 00:12:58.319 --> 00:13:00.839 I have sinned against you, God. 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:02.039 Have mercy. 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:04.240 Look what he says in verse 3. 00:13:04.719 --> 00:13:07.539 I acknowledge my transgressions. 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:12.159 My sin is ever before me, he says. 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:18.819 Most often our issue is not with recognizing the fact that God is merciful, 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:24.480 but we too often refuse to acknowledge our own need for that mercy. 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:29.659 Instead of acknowledging our own transgressions, 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:37.139 we typically make excuses for why the things we have done aren't really that bad or why they're not wrong. 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:42.800 At the very least, we're guilty of diminishing the gravity of our sin 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:47.180 by constantly rationalizing why it's not as bad as somebody else we know 00:13:47.180 --> 00:13:49.659 or why it's not as bad as this person in the church. 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:51.940 And it seems like things are still okay with him. 00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:55.560 We're constantly rationalizing why we don't need God's mercy, 00:13:55.740 --> 00:13:59.000 even though we would be happy to recognize the fact that God is merciful. 00:14:00.640 --> 00:14:04.160 Rather than coming to terms with our innate badness, 00:14:04.520 --> 00:14:11.000 we spend our time trying to convince ourselves of an innate goodness that doesn't actually exist. 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:14.840 Therefore, many of us never make true confession 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:18.840 because we never feel there's anything for which we must confess. 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:26.800 But true confession begins with a basic acknowledgement of sin and guilt. 00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:30.840 After being confronted by the Word of God, David says, 00:14:31.180 --> 00:14:32.620 I acknowledge my transgression. 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:34.620 I have sinned against the Lord. 00:14:34.920 --> 00:14:38.139 My guilt, my wrongdoing is always before me. 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:39.600 Now I can't get it off my mind. 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:43.460 Now that I have seen it in God's Word and the Holy Spirit is at work, 00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:49.540 he could not rid himself of this guilt until he came to the Lord for the mercy that he so desperately needed. 00:14:50.160 --> 00:14:51.780 He says, I acknowledge my transgression. 00:14:52.040 --> 00:14:53.700 That's where true confession begins. 00:14:54.300 --> 00:14:57.200 Realizing that you actually need to make the confession to begin with. 00:14:58.340 --> 00:14:59.740 Then look what he says in verse 4. 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:04.600 Against thee, the only, have I sinned, 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:09.560 that you, God, may be justified in your judgment. 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:12.399 He takes it a step further now. 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:16.420 He's not actually just recognizing that he has sinned, 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:22.740 but he's making note of why his sinful actions are indeed sinful 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:28.639 and that he did actually merit judgment from the Lord. 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:32.539 David had not merely sinned against Bathsheba, 00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:35.699 and the purpose of this verse is not to diminish what he had done to her. 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:38.679 It's not to diminish what he had done to Uriah. 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:41.000 It's not to diminish what he had done with Joab 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:43.740 and making him complicit in everything that was taking place. 00:15:43.819 --> 00:15:46.699 It's not to diminish all the people that David wronged. 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:51.840 It is to acknowledge that any sin that we commit is not actually a sin against others. 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:53.319 It's a sin against God. 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.700 That's the very definition of sin. 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:59.500 Sin is anything that goes against God and his word. 00:15:59.780 --> 00:16:01.480 What's one of the reasons we study the Bible? 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:03.840 So that we can see what sin truly is. 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:07.140 Its very definition is what goes against the Lord. 00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:10.460 And it's the fact that his sin was against God 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:15.920 that made his judgment not only necessary, but completely just. 00:16:18.040 --> 00:16:22.120 Sinning against another imperfect human is not nearly as significant 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:25.640 as violating the perfect law of the holy God. 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:29.120 And if I'm going to be judged by another man's standard, 00:16:29.280 --> 00:16:31.879 then there's a lesser sentence that certainly could be argued. 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:34.259 But when the standard is God's perfection, 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:38.320 when it is his holy nature against which I have sinned, 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:44.420 there is nothing that I deserve other than his wrath and his judgment. 00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:52.360 The point that David is making here is that God is completely just in judging the sins of man 00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:55.679 in whatever way he sees fit to do that. 00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:58.759 He's perfect. 00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.259 He's holy. 00:16:59.259 --> 00:16:59.759 He's holy. 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.179 He's holy. 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:03.299 And true confession doesn't say, 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:06.180 God, you gave that person mercy. 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:08.720 Therefore, you should give me mercy. 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.799 That's not true confession. 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:14.099 True confession is not, 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:16.680 look at all that I have done, Lord, to make up for it. 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:18.720 I know that I messed up and I sinned against you, 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:20.899 but look at everything that I've done to make up for that. 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:22.440 Look at all the church attendance. 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.579 Look at all the giving. 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:27.039 Look at all the involvement with community efforts. 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:28.700 Look at all the things that I have done, Lord, 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:30.919 to make up for this thing that I did really bad against you. 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:32.539 No, that's not true confession. 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:37.840 True confession is when we come to the Lord, 00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:40.400 say, God, you are holy and perfect, 00:17:41.300 --> 00:17:43.220 and I have sinned against you alone. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:46.400 You are just in judging my sin, 00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:49.480 but if you would, please give me mercy. 00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:52.140 There's no merit to mercy. 00:17:53.320 --> 00:17:55.060 We appeal to the judge. 00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:56.980 David understood that. 00:17:57.300 --> 00:17:58.340 He acknowledges his sin. 00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:59.779 He says it's against the Lord. 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:01.619 He's just in judging his sin, 00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:02.899 and then he says in verse five, 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:05.379 I was brought forth in iniquity. 00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:09.440 In sin did my mother conceive me. 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:12.720 Here, David goes another step further, 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:17.079 and he recognizes the true depth of his sin. 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:20.779 This statement was not to disparage his mother. 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:24.899 He was not the product of an adulterous relationship. 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:28.220 David's parents, as we understand the Bible, 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:29.440 were chaste and righteous. 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:31.120 That's not what he means. 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:34.460 What David is acknowledging here 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:38.519 is that his sin was not a matter of recent action. 00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:42.319 His sin was a matter of his very nature. 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:47.339 In other words, his nature from conception, 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.819 not even from birth, 00:18:49.159 --> 00:18:50.139 from conception, 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:52.879 which tells us a lot about how God views life, by the way, 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:55.740 but his very nature from conception 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:58.079 was bent towards sin, 00:18:58.619 --> 00:19:00.319 and that even then, 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:02.819 he deserved the judgment of God. 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:08.659 That's not a doctrine that is very easily accepted today. 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:14.799 You are not a sinner today because you sin. 00:19:16.399 --> 00:19:21.200 You sin today because you are by nature a sinner. 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:24.700 It is who you are. 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:27.299 It is who I am. 00:19:28.600 --> 00:19:29.940 David recognized that, 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.100 and a part of this confession 00:19:31.100 --> 00:19:32.799 and recognizing his own sinfulness 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.240 was not, 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.559 he wasn't coming to the Lord and saying, 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:36.720 Lord, give me mercy for what I did to Bathsheba. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.000 He's now coming to the Lord, 00:19:38.080 --> 00:19:38.400 and he's saying, 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:40.640 Lord, give me mercy because within me, 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.860 there is nothing good. 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:44.539 Within me is only rebellion. 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:46.400 From conception, Lord, 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:49.160 I have been in iniquity and in sin. 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:50.620 From conception, 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:55.300 I desperately need your mercy. 00:19:57.400 --> 00:20:00.420 Because of the disobedience of the first man, Adam, 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:04.940 every human sense has inherited his sinful nature 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:08.180 and is in desperate need of God's mercy. 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:10.640 It doesn't matter what age you are. 00:20:12.580 --> 00:20:13.540 Kids today, 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:16.680 you need God's mercy. 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:19.240 Ashlyn, 00:20:19.320 --> 00:20:20.380 you need God's mercy. 00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:24.120 The rest of us may look at you and say, 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.460 you're only eight years old. 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:27.940 You're innocent by our standards. 00:20:28.060 --> 00:20:29.200 Everything seems okay, 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:31.160 but the Bible says that even from conception, 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:33.060 at the moment that God gave you life, 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:35.500 you are in need of his mercy and his grace. 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.740 That's all of us. 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:38.200 Every one of us, 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.860 from the time that God gave us life, 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:42.960 not only needed to be redeemed from an action we committed, 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:46.019 we needed to be redeemed from the very nature of our sin 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.920 that we have inherited from Adam. 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:50.619 We are in desperate need of God. 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:52.740 Every one of us are in a position. 00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:53.000 You say, 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:54.819 I've never committed adultery. 00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:56.700 I've never murdered somebody. 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.119 My life has been pretty good. 00:20:58.859 --> 00:21:00.240 But your nature is not. 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:03.980 And it's your nature that needs to be redeemed by God. 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:08.259 It's your nature that he desires for you to acknowledge in sinfulness. 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:12.539 And it's because of this nature that we can agree with the Bible 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:16.000 when it says that every single person has sinned against God. 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:18.500 Romans chapter three, 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:22.180 all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:25.279 Psalm 130 and verse three, 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:26.859 if you, 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.299 oh Lord, 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:28.720 should mark iniquities, 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:29.859 oh Lord, 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.720 who could stand? 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:33.140 It's a rhetorical question. 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.980 The answer is no one, 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:37.099 no one could stand. 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.640 Second Chronicles six, 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.500 Solomon in his, 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:42.860 in his prayer at the dedication of the temple says, 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:45.860 there is no one who does not sin. 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:46.599 Why? 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:51.799 Surely there would be someone who would come along the way in thousands of years 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:53.720 that could finally get a handle on this, 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:55.620 but there's no human that can, 00:21:55.900 --> 00:22:01.140 because we are all by our very nature bent toward rebellion against God. 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:01.799 We don't, 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:03.680 we're not sinners because we sin. 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:07.039 We sin because we are by nature sinners. 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:08.920 Spurge and sin. 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:10.759 In our shaping, 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:12.600 we were put out of shape. 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.940 And when we were conceived, 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:16.840 our nature conceived sin. 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:17.880 He says, 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:20.160 alas for poor humanity. 00:22:20.840 --> 00:22:22.799 Those who will may cry it up, 00:22:23.060 --> 00:22:24.519 but he is most blessed, 00:22:24.820 --> 00:22:28.539 who in his own soul has learned to lament its lost estate. 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:32.060 It's important here in this confession. 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:37.919 Our cry of confession is not merely about actions committed, 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:40.119 but about the true nature of our hearts. 00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:46.799 Our culture does everything that it can to believe that inside of each person is a basic goodness. 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:54.319 But the Bible teaches us that inside of each one is an innate wickedness that is set on rebellion against God. 00:22:54.519 --> 00:23:03.039 And it is only upon the realization that a person can truly cast himself wholly on God's mercy and cry out with David, 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.920 Lord, 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:03.940 Lord, 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:06.519 have mercy on me. 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:08.180 Have mercy. 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:15.220 Our need for mercy is not about the severity of our sin. 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:18.200 It's about the depravity of our heart. 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:22.080 And that's what God desires to redeem in you, 00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:24.420 is your whole being, 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.519 your whole nature. 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:29.000 And he will do that if you will, 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:34.200 but cast yourself wholly on his mercy through Jesus. 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.920 So then true confession 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:39.400 is not merely about 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:41.059 admitting wrongdoing 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:44.019 or experiencing feelings of regret. 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:47.679 Think about 2 Samuel 11. 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:53.059 Everything that David did beyond that initial sin in 2 Samuel 11 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:55.859 was because he realized he had done wrong. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:59.220 The whole reason he's hiding his sin 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:00.859 is because he knew it was wrong 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:02.179 and he regretted that he did it 00:24:02.179 --> 00:24:04.019 because now he's going to have to clean up the mess. 00:24:04.899 --> 00:24:05.859 And he was in danger 00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:07.700 of losing his reputation, 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:10.319 possibly his life. 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:13.000 But there was no confession 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:15.039 in 2 Samuel 11. 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:17.619 So confession is not merely saying, 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:19.440 I did this and I regret it. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:22.440 It involves coming to terms with God 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.759 about your sin against him, 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:27.119 acknowledging his righteous judgment 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:29.659 and pleading for his mercy 00:24:29.659 --> 00:24:30.960 to be applied to your life. 00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:32.960 It's a humbling act, 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.960 genuine contrition, 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.940 which is why so many of us 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:37.179 fight so hard against it. 00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:39.440 It's hard to be humbled. 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:42.919 It's not uncommon either 00:24:42.919 --> 00:24:45.119 for unbelievers to be involved with repentance. 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:48.079 Repentance, by its basic definition, 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:50.019 is just turning away from something. 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.399 But that doesn't mean 00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:53.960 because I've decided to make a change in my lifestyle 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:56.279 that I've brought into a saving relationship 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.240 with Jesus Christ. 00:24:58.679 --> 00:24:59.200 No. 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:02.119 True confession and repentance 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:03.059 is different than that. 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:06.359 Confession acknowledges our sin against God. 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:10.039 It acknowledges our just warrant for judgment. 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:12.919 Repentance turns away from that sin 00:25:12.919 --> 00:25:16.779 in order to specifically turn to Jesus Christ. 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:18.099 It's not about saying, 00:25:18.179 --> 00:25:19.700 I'm turning away from all these bad habits 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.919 and I'm gonna turn to good ones. 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.980 No, that's not what Christianity is. 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:25.279 That's not what salvation is. 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.559 It's not saying, 00:25:26.659 --> 00:25:28.399 I'm tired of this alcohol, 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:30.619 I'm tired of the way that it's consumed my life, 00:25:30.659 --> 00:25:31.419 so I'm gonna put that away 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.300 and I'm gonna live sober. 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.620 That's a form of repentance, 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:35.100 but it's not saving repentance. 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.539 Repentance is saying, 00:25:36.860 --> 00:25:38.740 in me is nothing good. 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.700 I am wicked 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:41.360 and I am turning away from me 00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.860 and anything I feel like I can offer 00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:44.259 and I am turning specifically 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.740 to Jesus Christ 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:48.180 and the sacrifice that he has paid for me. 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.820 I am casting myself 00:25:49.820 --> 00:25:52.200 wholly on the mercy of God. 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:54.360 Lord, have mercy on me. 00:25:56.320 --> 00:25:58.300 Well, that's a lot of time 00:25:58.300 --> 00:25:59.360 on the basis of his appeal. 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.259 Let's quickly move 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.559 to the goal of his appeal 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.980 in verse number two. 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.019 David says, 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.099 wash me thoroughly 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:07.720 from my iniquity. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:10.200 Cleanse me from my sin. 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:13.400 Once we've understood the basis 00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:14.819 which David made his appeal, 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.420 it was his own sinfulness, 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:18.119 we can begin to now understand 00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:19.740 exactly what he's asking for. 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:23.619 Because he recognized his sinful nature 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.539 to be his problem, 00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:26.379 he cries for the Lord 00:26:26.379 --> 00:26:28.079 to wash him thoroughly. 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:30.859 And he makes the appeal 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:32.379 for the Lord to do this cleansing 00:26:32.379 --> 00:26:33.359 because David knew 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:35.299 he couldn't do it himself. 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.799 He would be unsatisfied 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:41.299 with external reform. 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:45.259 He needed a complete change of heart, 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:47.960 a renewal of mind 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:49.879 in order to be right with God. 00:26:50.879 --> 00:26:52.740 So his appeal was not for God 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.859 to look the other way 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:55.000 and give him a pass. 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:56.660 His appeal was, 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:58.059 Lord, do whatever you have to do 00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:59.099 to clean me up 00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:01.279 and don't just clean up the outside. 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:03.200 Clean up the inside. 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:06.880 Change me, God, he says. 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.319 Significant to this verse 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:11.160 is what he doesn't request. 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.859 He never asked God 00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:16.000 to remove the consequences of his sin, 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:18.000 though I'm sure he was grateful 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:19.180 if that were to take place. 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:20.799 That's not what he asked for. 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.460 He didn't ask for God 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.599 to give him another chance. 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:26.899 He wanted to be completely clean. 00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:30.500 His desire was to be right with God, 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:33.579 to be brought back to fellowship, 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.539 relationship with God. 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.980 Spurgeon is again helpful here. 00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:39.219 It's not the punishment 00:27:39.219 --> 00:27:40.599 he cried against, he says, 00:27:40.899 --> 00:27:41.639 but the sin. 00:27:42.939 --> 00:27:44.059 Many a murderer 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:46.519 is more alarmed at the gallows 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.740 than at the murder 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.779 which brought him to it. 00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:51.740 The thief loves the plunder, 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:53.339 though he fears the prison. 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.759 But not so, David, Spurgeon writes. 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:57.940 He is sick of sin as sin. 00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:59.640 His loudest outcries 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.700 are against the evil 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.960 of his transgression 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.700 and not against 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:04.380 the painful consequences of it. 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:06.799 No matter how hard you try, 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:09.279 you can't change your own nature. 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:10.299 That's the problem. 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:12.700 We can change our behavior. 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.620 We can't change our nature. 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:16.559 We need God to do that. 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:19.099 So after realizing his own nature, 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.079 David says, 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.159 God, wash me. 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:24.339 Wash me from the inside out. 00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:25.839 And then finally, 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:27.419 we see the object of his appeal. 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:29.000 The object of his appeal. 00:28:29.339 --> 00:28:30.159 Look at verse one. 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:33.419 Have mercy on me, O God, 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:35.980 according to thy loving kindness. 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:38.740 According unto the multitude 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:40.279 of thy tender mercies, 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:43.299 blot out my transgressions. 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:46.419 You remember being caught 00:28:46.419 --> 00:28:49.139 in disobedience by your parents 00:28:49.139 --> 00:28:50.720 as a kid 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:53.139 and having to face the wrath 00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:54.539 of your parents? 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:57.720 Any of you ever have the experience? 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:58.819 I didn't have this very often. 00:28:58.919 --> 00:28:59.919 My parents weren't this kind 00:28:59.919 --> 00:29:00.960 to even give me a say in it. 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:02.879 But maybe you had this experience 00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:03.819 that can be common 00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:05.099 where a parent, 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.279 in a moment of frustration, 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.899 explains this is what 00:29:08.899 --> 00:29:10.139 your punishment will be. 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.480 Give me one reason 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.419 why I shouldn't do this 00:29:12.419 --> 00:29:13.159 to you right now. 00:29:13.399 --> 00:29:14.599 You're familiar with that, right? 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:17.659 That's a rhetorical question 00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:19.119 if you didn't realize it as a kid. 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.740 They're not actually looking 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:22.079 for an answer from you on that. 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:22.879 So kids, 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.079 if your parents ever ask you 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:24.700 that, Clementine, 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.539 just know they're not really 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:26.279 looking for an answer. 00:29:26.379 --> 00:29:27.180 They just want you to listen 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.759 in that moment. 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:31.099 If you did give an appeal, 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:33.799 it was probably something like this. 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:36.240 I know, I know, I know. 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:38.579 But I cleaned my room today. 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:40.639 Can I get some credit for that? 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.159 Right? 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:42.420 And we'll maybe find 00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:42.880 some other things 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.340 that we did, right? 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:44.180 Or I helped take out 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.820 the trash today. 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:45.620 I know that I punched 00:29:45.620 --> 00:29:46.540 my sister in the face, 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:48.180 but I helped clean the dishes. 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:50.680 Is there some balance in here? 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.720 Is there some give and take? 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:52.700 And we may make an appeal 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.880 based on some of the other 00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:54.660 good things that we did 00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:55.180 as a kid, right? 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.320 That's how our minds work, right? 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:57.200 By nature, 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.620 that's how our minds work. 00:29:58.619 --> 00:30:01.519 Perhaps it wasn't so much 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.500 about making an appeal 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.179 to other goodness 00:30:03.179 --> 00:30:04.239 because maybe you didn't have 00:30:04.239 --> 00:30:04.979 a lot of other goodness 00:30:04.979 --> 00:30:05.659 to appeal to. 00:30:06.199 --> 00:30:07.699 Maybe it was just a promise. 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.899 I know, I know, I know. 00:30:09.939 --> 00:30:10.399 I messed up, 00:30:10.459 --> 00:30:11.819 but I promise I'll never do it again. 00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:12.839 I will never do it again. 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:13.839 How many of us made 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:15.219 a hundred of those promises 00:30:15.219 --> 00:30:16.539 a week probably as kids? 00:30:18.139 --> 00:30:18.819 It's interesting. 00:30:18.939 --> 00:30:19.639 David doesn't make 00:30:19.639 --> 00:30:20.419 his appeal that way. 00:30:21.919 --> 00:30:23.119 I wonder how many of us 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:24.139 as kids ever 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:25.559 when our parents said, 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:26.519 give me one reason 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.859 why I shouldn't wring your neck 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:28.700 as my mom would say. 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:29.759 I don't even know 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.339 what that means. 00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.059 I think it has something 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:31.619 to do with the chicken, 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.759 but I don't know for sure. 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.359 It sounded rough, 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:35.960 but I didn't want 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.599 to deal with it. 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:38.460 Give me one reason. 00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.339 I wonder how many of us 00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:41.279 would have ever said, 00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:45.079 I know I messed up 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:47.379 and I deserve 00:30:47.379 --> 00:30:49.180 whatever punishment 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:50.019 you want to give, 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:52.339 but I know that you're a dad 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:53.960 that is full of love 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:56.119 and compassion. 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:58.619 would you just give me 00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.379 mercy today? 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:02.059 I know I never said 00:31:02.059 --> 00:31:02.819 anything like that. 00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:06.740 That's exactly 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.639 what David does. 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.299 God initiates 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:12.180 this conversation. 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.839 2 Samuel 12, 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:16.180 God sends Nathan 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:17.740 and he sends Nathan 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:18.799 not with Nathan's word, 00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:19.240 he sends him 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.900 with his own word. 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:20.779 It's his own message. 00:31:21.379 --> 00:31:22.059 God initiates 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.740 the conversation. 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:23.379 He says, 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:23.960 why in the world 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:24.799 have you done this? 00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:27.039 You're going to have 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.940 to face the penalty 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:28.619 of this, 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.019 David, 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.639 he says. 00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:32.500 And what's the response 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.359 in David's appeal? 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:34.819 It's not, 00:31:34.899 --> 00:31:35.399 but look at all 00:31:35.399 --> 00:31:36.240 the awesome things 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:36.519 I did. 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:36.700 Look, 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.579 I've been prepared 00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.419 all this furniture 00:31:38.419 --> 00:31:39.079 for a temple 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:39.779 for you to have 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.919 here in Jerusalem. 00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:41.940 That wouldn't have 00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:42.579 been good enough. 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:45.180 Look at all the battles 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:45.619 that I fought. 00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:46.500 Look at all the times 00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:47.480 that I have led 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.059 the nation 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:48.960 to worship you, 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:49.279 God. 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:49.839 Nope, 00:31:49.919 --> 00:31:50.899 that wouldn't be enough. 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.559 He couldn't appeal 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:53.119 to any good 00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:53.619 that he had. 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.200 He's already 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:54.700 acknowledged 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.200 that in him 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:55.960 is nothing good. 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:58.099 He couldn't just 00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:58.720 make a promise 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.220 that he'd never 00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.740 do it again 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.519 because he's talking 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.299 to the omniscient 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:02.079 all-knowing God 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:02.679 who knows 00:32:02.679 --> 00:32:03.619 that if he was 00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:04.980 left in his nature, 00:32:05.159 --> 00:32:05.919 he would do it 00:32:05.919 --> 00:32:07.000 all over again 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:08.779 just like we would. 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.720 He couldn't make promises. 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:11.899 He couldn't appeal 00:32:11.899 --> 00:32:12.259 to goodness. 00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:13.220 What does he appeal to? 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:15.539 The character of God. 00:32:16.419 --> 00:32:17.899 The character of God. 00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:19.680 And what is that character? 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:21.400 Mercy. 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:22.980 Mercy. 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:25.320 The object of his appeal 00:32:25.320 --> 00:32:26.259 was not what he felt 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:26.900 he deserved 00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:27.920 but what he knew 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:28.680 to be true 00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.980 of his God. 00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:31.440 And that's what's awesome 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.600 about this confession. 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:34.540 It's hard to wade 00:32:34.540 --> 00:32:35.320 through the waters 00:32:35.320 --> 00:32:36.259 of our own sinfulness. 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.940 It's hard to come to terms 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.440 with the fact 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:39.440 of our own nature. 00:32:39.540 --> 00:32:41.200 It's hard to be exposed 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:41.660 in the way 00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:43.019 that the Bible exposes us. 00:32:43.100 --> 00:32:44.259 But once we get 00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:45.380 through that exposing 00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:46.460 that the Bible brings, 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.319 we begin to see 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:49.519 the loving, mercy, grace, 00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:50.660 eternal kindness 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:51.559 of our God 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.980 which is why he exposes 00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:54.140 our sin to begin with 00:32:54.140 --> 00:32:55.180 because he wants 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:55.840 to bring us 00:32:55.840 --> 00:32:56.600 to repentance. 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:59.259 So David understands that. 00:32:59.480 --> 00:32:59.920 He says, 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:01.840 according to thy loving kindness, 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.299 according to the multitude 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:05.340 of thy compassions, 00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:07.319 Lord, have mercy on me. 00:33:09.100 --> 00:33:10.140 It's the wonderful truth 00:33:10.140 --> 00:33:10.900 of all the Bible. 00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:13.019 We deserve nothing 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:14.180 but death and hell. 00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:18.080 But God is rich in mercy. 00:33:19.320 --> 00:33:21.019 And anyone who will come to him 00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:22.640 in true confession 00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:23.640 and repentance, 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:24.700 Jesus said, 00:33:24.840 --> 00:33:26.299 I will not cast away. 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:28.500 I will not cast away. 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:30.460 Ephesians chapter two, 00:33:30.560 --> 00:33:32.680 but God being rich in mercy 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:34.700 because of his great love 00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:36.180 with which he has loved us, 00:33:36.560 --> 00:33:39.180 even when we were spiritually dead 00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:41.019 dead in our trespasses, 00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:43.620 he gave us life 00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:45.380 together with Christ 00:33:45.380 --> 00:33:47.279 for by grace 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:48.259 you have been saved, 00:33:48.360 --> 00:33:49.000 Paul writes. 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.779 That's the extent 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.460 of God's love 00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:53.039 and mercy for you 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:55.440 is that he exposes 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:56.180 your sin 00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:57.200 in order that he might 00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:58.279 make you alive 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.180 with Christ. 00:33:59.860 --> 00:34:01.060 It's by his grace 00:34:01.060 --> 00:34:01.900 you can be saved, 00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:02.900 nothing of your own. 00:34:04.580 --> 00:34:05.259 Psalm 103 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:06.539 is so helpful here 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:08.599 as a form of praise. 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.420 The psalmist writes, 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.579 the Lord is merciful 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.420 and gracious. 00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:14.260 He's slow to anger 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:15.320 and abounding 00:34:15.320 --> 00:34:16.659 in steadfast love. 00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:18.440 He will not always chide, 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.840 nor will he keep 00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:20.719 his anger forever. 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.840 He does not deal with us 00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:23.980 according to our sins, 00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:24.900 nor repay us 00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:26.260 according to our iniquities. 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:28.420 For as high as the heavens 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.360 are above the earth, 00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:31.920 so great is his steadfast love 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:34.440 toward those who fear him. 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:36.200 As far as the east 00:34:36.200 --> 00:34:37.079 is from the west, 00:34:37.200 --> 00:34:38.820 so far does he remove 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:40.400 our transgressions from us. 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:42.460 As a father shows compassion 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:43.300 to his children, 00:34:43.599 --> 00:34:45.300 so the Lord shows compassion 00:34:45.300 --> 00:34:47.800 to those who fear him. 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:50.079 And the ultimate demonstration 00:34:50.079 --> 00:34:51.820 of God's love and mercy 00:34:51.820 --> 00:34:53.880 was shown in the incarnation 00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:56.360 and death and resurrection 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:59.059 of Jesus Christ, God's son. 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:02.200 It's the same compassion 00:35:02.200 --> 00:35:03.360 that David appealed to 00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:04.340 in Psalm 51. 00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:06.099 That is seen in Jesus 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:08.000 laying down his life 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:09.579 for the sins of man. 00:35:10.900 --> 00:35:12.579 In fact, tender mercies 00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:13.400 in verse 1 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:15.220 is akin to the New Testament phrase 00:35:15.220 --> 00:35:17.019 of being moved with compassion. 00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:19.760 What is it that 00:35:19.760 --> 00:35:21.700 this compassion of Jesus 00:35:21.700 --> 00:35:22.740 led him to do? 00:35:23.880 --> 00:35:25.840 Pour out the mercy of God 00:35:25.840 --> 00:35:28.880 by taking the punishment of sin 00:35:28.880 --> 00:35:30.440 on our behalf? 00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:34.460 How wonderful of a God is that? 00:35:35.720 --> 00:35:37.400 1 Timothy 1.15, 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:38.420 we read it last week. 00:35:39.039 --> 00:35:40.519 This saying is trustworthy. 00:35:41.460 --> 00:35:43.300 It's deserving of full acceptance 00:35:43.300 --> 00:35:45.960 that Christ Jesus came into the world 00:35:45.960 --> 00:35:47.660 to condemn sinners. 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:49.720 No, that's not what it says. 00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:51.800 Christ Jesus came into the world 00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:53.400 to save sinners. 00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:55.680 That's his heart. 00:35:56.380 --> 00:35:56.900 Redemption. 00:35:58.539 --> 00:35:59.780 Isaiah 53. 00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:03.360 He was pierced for our transgressions. 00:36:03.680 --> 00:36:06.500 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:36:06.660 --> 00:36:08.680 Upon him was the chastisement 00:36:08.680 --> 00:36:10.720 of us all that brought peace. 00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:12.579 And with his wounds, 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.980 we are healed. 00:36:13.980 --> 00:36:15.900 And then in conclusion, 00:36:16.059 --> 00:36:17.320 we see this last phrase. 00:36:17.860 --> 00:36:18.659 In verse number 1, 00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:19.559 David says, 00:36:19.719 --> 00:36:20.159 have mercy, 00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:22.300 blot out my transgressions. 00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:23.880 According to your mercy 00:36:23.880 --> 00:36:25.219 that I know you have, God, 00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:27.159 blot out my transgressions. 00:36:28.800 --> 00:36:30.219 And this is exactly 00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:31.980 what Jesus does 00:36:31.980 --> 00:36:33.599 for every person 00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:34.920 that will repent 00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:36.420 and follow him. 00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:40.199 I like how Paul said it 00:36:40.199 --> 00:36:41.519 to the Colossian church. 00:36:42.599 --> 00:36:43.320 He says, 00:36:43.320 --> 00:36:45.019 and you who were dead 00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:46.000 in your trespasses 00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:47.120 and the uncircumcision 00:36:47.120 --> 00:36:48.019 of your flesh, 00:36:48.840 --> 00:36:49.920 God made alive 00:36:49.920 --> 00:36:50.880 together with him, 00:36:51.740 --> 00:36:52.580 having forgiven 00:36:52.580 --> 00:36:54.380 all your trespasses. 00:36:55.200 --> 00:36:56.180 And here's how he did it, 00:36:56.240 --> 00:36:56.720 Paul says. 00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:58.700 By blotting out 00:36:58.700 --> 00:36:59.920 the record of debt 00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:01.720 that stood against you 00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:04.680 with its legal demands. 00:37:05.539 --> 00:37:07.300 And he set them aside, 00:37:07.880 --> 00:37:08.640 nailing them 00:37:08.640 --> 00:37:10.860 to his cross. 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:12.900 The parchment 00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:13.760 that they would have used 00:37:13.760 --> 00:37:14.760 when Paul wrote that 00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:15.400 on that day, 00:37:15.820 --> 00:37:16.480 the ink didn't have 00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:17.099 the acidity 00:37:17.099 --> 00:37:17.980 that our ink has. 00:37:18.019 --> 00:37:18.720 It wouldn't have stayed 00:37:18.720 --> 00:37:19.539 in the paper long. 00:37:19.620 --> 00:37:20.320 So they could have easily 00:37:20.320 --> 00:37:22.340 taken a wipe 00:37:22.340 --> 00:37:23.240 and they could have wiped 00:37:23.240 --> 00:37:23.780 off the ink 00:37:23.780 --> 00:37:24.780 that they had written before. 00:37:24.980 --> 00:37:26.099 So if they're collecting 00:37:26.099 --> 00:37:27.260 debts from someone, 00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:28.360 whenever a debt is paid, 00:37:28.500 --> 00:37:29.099 they could literally 00:37:29.099 --> 00:37:29.740 take a rag 00:37:29.740 --> 00:37:30.740 and they could wipe 00:37:30.740 --> 00:37:31.900 the debt away 00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:32.900 from that parchment. 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:34.300 And Paul is saying, 00:37:34.420 --> 00:37:35.280 just like a debt 00:37:35.280 --> 00:37:36.160 would be wiped away 00:37:36.160 --> 00:37:37.160 once it's paid in full, 00:37:37.159 --> 00:37:38.639 when we look to Christ. 00:37:39.019 --> 00:37:40.460 He has paid it in full. 00:37:40.759 --> 00:37:41.480 And so when we come 00:37:41.480 --> 00:37:42.679 to Christ in faith, 00:37:42.819 --> 00:37:43.899 we look at the parchment 00:37:43.899 --> 00:37:44.759 that has the record 00:37:44.759 --> 00:37:45.440 of our debt, 00:37:45.659 --> 00:37:47.139 all the things we've done, 00:37:47.420 --> 00:37:48.679 all the nature of sin 00:37:48.679 --> 00:37:49.339 that we have. 00:37:49.359 --> 00:37:49.940 And when we come 00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:50.859 to faith in Christ, 00:37:51.179 --> 00:37:52.359 Christ takes the rag 00:37:52.359 --> 00:37:53.759 and he wipes away, 00:37:53.879 --> 00:37:54.859 he blots out 00:37:54.859 --> 00:37:55.859 the transgression. 00:37:56.279 --> 00:37:57.399 That's what David 00:37:57.399 --> 00:37:58.279 is praying for, 00:37:58.559 --> 00:38:00.000 blot out my transgression. 00:38:00.279 --> 00:38:01.539 Why is he asking God 00:38:01.539 --> 00:38:02.019 to do that? 00:38:02.119 --> 00:38:03.219 Because only God 00:38:03.219 --> 00:38:04.460 can do that. 00:38:05.299 --> 00:38:06.879 Only God can do that. 00:38:06.880 --> 00:38:07.940 Some people may look 00:38:07.940 --> 00:38:08.559 at this passage 00:38:08.559 --> 00:38:08.920 and say, 00:38:09.160 --> 00:38:10.400 what a hateful God. 00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:12.980 What a hateful God 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:14.780 to draw somebody, 00:38:14.860 --> 00:38:16.300 to humble them so much, 00:38:16.360 --> 00:38:17.400 to draw them to a point 00:38:17.400 --> 00:38:18.619 where they were so desperate 00:38:18.619 --> 00:38:19.280 in this moment, 00:38:19.380 --> 00:38:20.420 but they're missing the point. 00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:21.780 The point of this passage 00:38:21.780 --> 00:38:23.440 is the mercy of God. 00:38:23.860 --> 00:38:25.619 It's the mercy of God. 00:38:26.240 --> 00:38:27.360 And he is good. 00:38:29.599 --> 00:38:30.320 Spurgeon, again, 00:38:30.400 --> 00:38:31.420 I know I've quoted him a lot, 00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:32.099 but he's just good 00:38:32.099 --> 00:38:32.800 on the Psalms. 00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:34.880 This wasn't a part 00:38:34.880 --> 00:38:35.320 of a Psalm, 00:38:35.380 --> 00:38:36.460 it's just a statement 00:38:36.460 --> 00:38:37.400 that he's known for making. 00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:38.740 He said, 00:38:38.820 --> 00:38:40.300 I have a great need for Christ 00:38:40.300 --> 00:38:43.059 and I have a great Christ 00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:44.539 for my need. 00:38:45.860 --> 00:38:46.900 And so do you. 00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:50.059 You have a great need for Christ, 00:38:50.740 --> 00:38:52.599 but there is a great Christ 00:38:52.599 --> 00:38:53.340 for your need 00:38:53.340 --> 00:38:54.980 and he will need it 00:38:54.980 --> 00:38:56.000 if you will just call out 00:38:56.000 --> 00:38:56.699 to him today. 00:38:58.460 --> 00:38:59.820 The good news of the gospel 00:38:59.820 --> 00:39:01.360 begins with the worst news, 00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:04.320 that we are hopelessly lost 00:39:04.320 --> 00:39:06.039 in our sinful state. 00:39:07.559 --> 00:39:08.820 And it's upon the realization 00:39:08.820 --> 00:39:09.720 of this truth 00:39:09.720 --> 00:39:10.660 that we come to see 00:39:10.660 --> 00:39:11.420 that we too 00:39:11.420 --> 00:39:12.800 have a great need for Christ. 00:39:14.280 --> 00:39:15.620 And once we understand 00:39:15.620 --> 00:39:16.380 our need, 00:39:16.900 --> 00:39:18.740 we're ready to understand 00:39:18.740 --> 00:39:19.660 what the good news 00:39:19.660 --> 00:39:20.660 of the gospel is, 00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:23.300 that we have a great Christ 00:39:23.300 --> 00:39:24.980 that is willing 00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:26.019 to meet that need. 00:39:26.019 --> 00:39:28.320 but salvation 00:39:28.320 --> 00:39:29.559 only comes to those 00:39:29.559 --> 00:39:29.940 who will, 00:39:30.179 --> 00:39:30.759 like David, 00:39:31.659 --> 00:39:33.099 cast themselves wholly 00:39:33.099 --> 00:39:35.320 on the mercy of God 00:39:35.320 --> 00:39:37.539 through Jesus Christ. 00:39:39.300 --> 00:39:40.480 If you confess 00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:41.440 with your mouth 00:39:41.440 --> 00:39:43.800 that Jesus is Lord, 00:39:43.920 --> 00:39:44.920 Romans 10 says, 00:39:45.420 --> 00:39:47.639 and believe in your heart 00:39:47.639 --> 00:39:49.420 that God raised him 00:39:49.420 --> 00:39:50.059 from the dead, 00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:52.079 you will be saved. 00:39:52.079 --> 00:39:53.079 It's an assurance. 00:39:53.980 --> 00:39:55.259 You will be saved. 00:39:55.840 --> 00:39:56.599 Thank you for listening 00:39:56.599 --> 00:39:57.239 to this sermon 00:39:57.239 --> 00:39:57.819 made available 00:39:57.819 --> 00:39:59.239 by Lakeside Bible Church. 00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:00.659 Feel free to share it 00:40:00.659 --> 00:40:01.340 wherever you'd like. 00:40:01.880 --> 00:40:03.239 Please do not charge for it 00:40:03.239 --> 00:40:04.579 or alter it in any way 00:40:04.579 --> 00:40:06.239 without express written consent 00:40:06.239 --> 00:40:07.639 from Lakeside Bible Church. 00:40:08.139 --> 00:40:09.340 Don't forget to visit us 00:40:09.340 --> 00:40:11.299 online at lakesidebible.church 00:40:11.299 --> 00:40:12.860 or find us on Facebook 00:40:12.860 --> 00:40:13.559 and Instagram 00:40:13.559 --> 00:40:14.500 by searching for 00:40:14.500 --> 00:40:15.960 Lakeside Bible NC. 00:40:16.579 --> 00:40:17.840 If you live in the Charlotte 00:40:17.840 --> 00:40:18.679 or Lake Norman area, 00:40:18.819 --> 00:40:19.880 we'd love for you to attend 00:40:19.880 --> 00:40:21.059 one of our worship services. 00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:22.679 We meet every Sunday morning 00:40:22.679 --> 00:40:23.440 at 10 a.m. 00:40:23.519 --> 00:40:24.799 We'd love to meet you.