Coming Clean

I’m catching up on my sermon podcasts this afternoon and I must share this message by Dr. Herb Reavis that I just finished. It is the first sermon is a 3-part series on Psalm 51 called "Spiritual Awakening".  You can listen to the full series online or subscribe to the NJBC podcast.

2011-05-28_1329Title: Coming Clean
Preacher: Dr. Herb Reavis
Date: March 6, 2011
Church: North Jacksonville Baptist Church
Text: Psalm 51:1-6
Sermon Links: mp3 / listen online

My notes on the sermon:

  1. Call Sin what Is
    1. "blot out my transgressions" vs1, deliberately crossing a line
      1. God’s law is like a fence on cliff’s edge, not there to make you life miserable it is to keep your life blessed.
      2. Appeal to God’s mercy and God’s Love
    2. "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity" vs2, twisted.
      1. "Wash me, Cleanse Me"
    3. "my sin is ever before me" vs3, missing the mark
  2. Accept Responsibility
    1. "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight" vs4, the actions and consequences are my fault, and while I may have hurt others the sin is against God alone
    2. "so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment." vs4, I deserve to be judged, I can only plead for mercy
    3. "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity," vs 5, I am a sinner and I am in need of God’s grace continually
  3. Return to God’s Standard
    1. "Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being" vs6
      1. I have to have truth in me. I must practice truth, receive truth, and walk in truth. Without the truth of God’s Word I am vulnerable.

If you are not walking in truth you have nothing to restrain your sinful impulses.