7 Sayings Of The Cross – Part 2 - Today Thou Shalt Be With Me In Paradise

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2026

Luke 23:32-43

(Temple 3-1-26)

 

Introduction:

A.  As we continue toward Easter Sunday, I want to continue looking at the 7 distinct times that our Lord Jesus Christ spoke from the cross.  Each of these 7 says are independent of each other and, yet, together, they speak volumes about the heart of the One who died for our salvation.

 

B.  Last week, we looked at “Father, forgive them.” 

 

1.  He came to die for sin and to bring about reconciliation for mankind.  It also taught us a lesson in forgiveness, as the Lord personally and temporally forgave those who crucified Him, even though He knew they would not repent or ask for forgiveness. 

 

a)  In eternity, there would be no forgiveness for those who crucified Him, the soldiers who continued to rail on Him, the crowd that loved His crucifixion, and the second thief who also railed on Him.

 

b)  The false doctrine of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man is exposed in the wickedness of these. Without repentance and faith, hell and ultimately the Lake of Fire would be their eternal home. 

 

c)  King Herod did not get saved, Pilate did not get saved, the Pharisees did not get saved, the crowd who cried “crucify Him” did not get saved, the soldiers who beat-scourged-nailed Him to the cross did not get saved, the second malefactor who railed on Him did not get saved, the crowd that watched Him did on the cross did not get saved.

 

d)  Do not presume that you will get saved without repentance and faith.

 

2.    This morning, I want to look at the 2nd saying, possibly the most notable: “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”  In these verses, we find a true deathbed profession.  Most people who are dying are too busy dying to trust Christ.  I believe some do truly get saved just before they die, but, as a general rule, how you live is how you die!

 

C.  Here we find two thieves who were to die with Christ.

 

1.  One Mocked Christ – vs. 39  He asked Christ to save them and still died lost.  A prayer will not save the sinner.  Salvation is a heart condition!  This thief died unrepentant and lost.  His prayer was to save “us.”

 

2.  One Recognized Christ – vs. 40  This thief recognized who Christ was; recognized what he was; and asked for salvation. Vs. 41-42

 

D.  What a bold request! “Lord, remember me!” He was a convicted thief with nothing to offer.  He was condemned to death with no reprieve.  Helpless, hopeless, he was now to die.  He had lived his life for self and now requested salvation.  Can a sinner be saved upon his deathbed?  The answer is a resounding “Yes!”

 

E.  What a glorious reply!   “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise!”  Our Lord answered his request in the affirmative.  I am so glad that we serve a merciful God who does not give us what we deserve.  What a wonderful Lord and Saviour is Jesus Christ.

 

F.  Notice that the grace of God extended was singular in number: “thou.”  A nameless, condemned thief, helpless thief!  Helpless but, thank God, not hopeless!  Let us look at that statement for a few minutes.

 

G.  The Request Of The Sinner – “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom”

 

1.  Realization – “fear God”

 

2.  Repentance – “indeed justly”

 

3.  Recognition – “Lord”

 

4.  Request – “remember me”

 

H.  The Reply Of The Saviour – “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise”

 

1.  Recognition – “unto thee”

 

2.  Reliability – “Verily”

 

3.  Reassurance – “shalt thou be”

 

J.  His salvation was instantaneous: “today!”  His salvation was assured: “thou shalt be!”  His salvation was eternal: “in paradise!”

 

1.  The heresy of Good Works was refuted – for there was nothing that the thief could do as death was imminent. 

 

2.  The heresy of Sacraments was refuted - for the thief was saved without last rites, baptism, the Lord's Supper, church, or ceremony.

 

3.  The heresy of purgatory was refuted - for this vile sinner was instantly transformed into a saint and made fit for paradise apart from his personal expiation for a single sin.

 

4.  The heresy of universalism was refuted - for only one was saved of all who might have been saved that day.  "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

 

5.  The heresy of soul-sleep was refuted - for the clear implication of the entire incident is that the redeemed thief would be in conscious presence and fellowship with his Saviour in paradise even while his body corrupted in the grave.

 

K.  Why save a dying thief?

 

1.  This saying shows the Love of God for sinners.  He saved this thief because He loved him! It matters not who you are or what you have done, God loves you.  Jesus is truly a Friend of publicans and sinners.  He loves me, He loves, He loves me, I know!  The Bible tells me so.

 

1 John 4:9-10  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  (10)  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

2.  This saying shows the Individuality of salvation.  He saved the thief because He was dying for HIM!  Salvation will never belong to a person until that person realizes that Christ died for them personally.  Yes, He did for the sins of the whole world, but He died for me, making salvation personal.

 

1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

3.  This saying shows clearly the Way of salvation.  Not many ways, but one way, and that way is through faith in Christ and faith alone. 

 

a.  Salvation is not by works - Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

 

b.  Salvation is through Christ alone - John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

c.  Salvation is a free gift - Romans 5:18  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

 

d.  Salvation is for the asking - Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

4.  This saying gives Hope to all of mankind!  He saved a thief so that men might not despair.  The BLESSED HOPE gave the thief a blessed hope!  There is hope in Christ.

 

a.  Some might say, “It is too late for me.”  It was not too late for the thief.  If you are breathing, you are a candidate for salvation.

 

b.  Some might say, “I have done too much wrong to be saved.” 

 

c.  There is hope in Jesus Christ for even the vilest sinner on his way to his death.

 

5.  This saying Warns mankind not to presume!    Oh, preacher, I’ll make it somehow.  I have plenty of time.  I will one day give my life to Christ!

 

a.  The Presumption of Salvation - Christ only saved one of the thieves!  They presume that they will “slip into heaven” at the last moment.  Two men; two choices; and two destinies!

 

b.  The Presumption of Judgment.  That God will not put you in Hell.  Most people do not think that they will perish in hell.  Bad things always happen to other people.

 

Conclusion:

 

One thief railed on Christ.  “If thou be Christ.”

 

One Thief wailed to Christ.  “Lord, remember me.”

 

One was nailed for sin.  He was nailed for my sin.  He was nailed for yours!

A Psalm of Remorse

Temple Baptist Church - 11-23-2025

Psalm 38

 

Introduction:

 

A.  This is another Davidic Psalm, as is designated in the opening of it.  Psalm 38 is one of the seven “Penitential Psalms” of David (along with Psalms 6, 32, 51, 102, 130, and 143).

 

1.  These psalms reveal a man’s heart broken under the weight of sin, crying out to God for mercy and restoration.

 

2.  David is experiencing the physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational consequences that are often the result of sin. It is a psalm soaked in grief, guilt, and sorrow.  This is the remorse of a saved man who knows he has grieved the heart of the God he loves.

 

3.  It is also a Psalm about hope in the mercy of God.  When Moses asked to see God’s glory, the Lord proclaimed that His glory was found in His goodness.

 

Exodus 34:6-7  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  (7)  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

 

B.  David, as a man after God’s own heart, failed God in many ways, but I believe the one failure that continued to haunt him was his sin with Bathsheba.  I believe this for several reasons:

 

1.  He was haunted by his sin with another man’s wife.  Death Sentence.

 

2.  He was haunted by the murder of one of his best friends.  Death Sentence.

 

3. He was haunted by the fact that his sin cost him the loss of a son.

 

4. He was haunted by his shame before Nathan, his friend and counselor. 

 

5.  He was haunted by the continued sword that would never leave his house and destroy many of his own.

 

C.  The title reads, “A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.” This means David is intentionally recalling his sin, sorrow, and the severity of God’s chastening — not to dwell on guilt, but to remind himself and others of the high cost of sin and the mercy of God in forgiveness.

 

D.  It is a Psalm of Remorse — a soul crushed beneath conviction, yet still looking up toward grace.  The broken heart of a believer under chastisement seeks mercy, forgiveness, and restoration from the Lord.  Remorse over sins and consequences that cannot be changed.  Water under the bridge cannot be restored.  Pain will not go away.  I have often said that I want to die with as few regrets as possible. 

 

E.  I chose this title because, as a man after God’s own heart, we still see the human side of this great king.  “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love!”  One of my favorites, yet unfavorite, parts of a song.  Unfavorite because I do not want to leave the God I love, and favorite because it gives me hope and joy that God never gives up on me!

 

F. I have often said that we need to leave this world with as few regrets as possible. My humanity often shows up, especially at the most inconvenient times. Thank the Lord again and again for 1 John 1:9! I wonder if it should be my Life Verse instead of Galatians 6:14?

 

G.  I am so glad that through it all, we will all end right, in heaven with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, without spot or blemish, faultless to stand before His throne.  That, my friend, is shouting ground!

 

H.  Let us break the Psalm down into three parts and get some help for ALL of us!

 

1.  The Guilt that David bore.  Verses 1-8.

 

a.  His plea for Mercy – Verse 1.  David felt the weight of the sin that he bore and asked God not to chasten him in “thy hot displeasure.”  He is not seeking mercy for his consequence but for the continuation of it.

 

b.  His burden for his Sin – Verses 2-4.  David understands that the chastisement that he is under is just.  David knew that God's chastisement was an act of divine love, not of divine hatred.  Whom the Lord loveth!

 

c.  The physical consequences of his sin – Verses 5-8.  Sin not only takes a spiritual toll on the child but can also have lasting physical consequences!

 

2.  The Isolation of David’s Choice.  Verses 9-14.

 

a.  A cry out of an open heart – Verses 9-10.  Sin became between David and God alone.  Others can pray for us, but only God can be with us in our remorse.

 

b.  Isolation from those close to his heart – Verse 11.  Sin will also isolate the believer because he/she cannot maintain fellowship.  The spiritual person will pray for the sinful, try to restore them, but must separate from them.

 

c.  Slandered by those who did not love him – Verses 12-14.  Often, our sin gives the adversaries of God an occasion to blaspheme.

 

3.  David’s hope in the Lord.  Verses 15-22.

 

a.  David’s faith in the Lord – Verses 15-18.  Even in times such as these, David’s confidence in God never failed.

 

b.  David did not try to cover or “soft soap” his sin; he openly and truthfully confessed it.  True remorse leads to confession, not concealment.

 

c.  Remorse without repentance is despair, but remorse with confession becomes restoration.

 

d.  David’s cry for deliverance – Verses 19-21.  When all lovers, friends, and enemies else forsake him, David pleads for God to come near to him.  Even while enemies rejoice in his fall, David pleads for the nearness of God.

 

e. David does not look to ritual or to reformation, but to redemption.  This is the heart of all true repentance: a sinner seeking help from his Savior.

 

Conclusion: Thank the Lord that there is always a road back to fellowship with God!

 

1.  Sin brings suffering. The pleasure of sin is temporary; the pain is lasting.

 

2.  Conviction is mercy. God’s arrows are painful, but they point us back to Him.

 

3.  Confession restores fellowship. Remorse without confession hardens; confession brings healing.

 

4.  God’s mercy is greater than our sin. Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Romans 5:20).

A Psalm of Forgiveness

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-25-2025

Psalm 130

 

Introduction:

 

A. Psalm 130 is another of the Songs of Degrees, also known as the Upward Psalms, which are intended to be sung by the Jewish people on their journey to Jerusalem during the Feast Days.

 

B.  This is a Penitent Psalm.  The spiritual time of this Psalm is one of honesty with God.  It is a time of despair, deep sorrow, and brokenness. It is a prayer of complete honesty before God during sinful despair. 

 

C.  The Psalm guides us to three places when we find ourselves in a state of sin.

 

1.  It guides the believer to repentance, which brings about mercy, to a confident hope.

 

2.  The Psalm does not lead the believer to a place of utter despair.

 

D.  At this point, we need to refresh our memories concerning the two types of repentance.

 

1.  Repentance unto Salvation.  This is not making a list of sins and asking God to forgive each of them.  We could not even remember all our sins because they would be too extensive.  Also, there are sins of ignorance and presumption, and all must be under Christ's blood.

 

Repentance unto salvation is repentance from “dead works.”  Hebrews 6:1.

 

Hebrews 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

 

This repentance involves understanding and acknowledging that we cannot save ourselves due to our sinful state. I call it “Bringing a bankrupt sinner to Christ.” Positional Repentance is a one-time event that covers all sin: past, present, and future.

 

2. Repentance unto Restoration to Fellowship. After salvation, we remain sinners. This is not a license to sin; it is the truth that our sinful flesh is still alive and our old nature intact. Thus, Romans 7:7-25 and 1 John 1:9! There will never be an eradication of our sinful nature until either death or the rapture of God’s church.

 

Romans 7:18-21  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  (19)  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  (20)  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  (21)  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

 

1 John 1:8-10  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

E.  In Psalm 130, we find some important things:

 

1.  The Realization of Sinfulness.  “Out of the depths.”  Not literal water, but emotional, spiritual despair. This is the cry of someone drowning in guilt, fear, or shame.  The image of drowning, of being submerged in guilt or sorrow. The “depths” in biblical language often represent chaos, judgment, or despair (Jonah 2, Lamentations 3:55).

 

a.  Darkness is not like turning a light switch on or off.  There, you immediately transition from light to darkness or darkness to light.  I fear that many of God’s children have, to some degree, seared their consciousness of sinfulness.  I call this “getting used to the dark!” 

 

b.  We will never get right with God until we come face to face with who we are and what we have done.  There are no “little sins” as Christ Jesus had to die to pay for each of them. 

 

c.  Little sins ultimately transition into what we call large sins.  Evidently, the psalmist had drifted along for some time, which produced “the depths” in which he now resided.

 

2.  The Personalization of sinfulness.  “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” 

 

a.  We need to realize that personal sinfulness rests wholly upon self.  No victimization.  I am the problem, and the fault or sin is mine alone.  Victims can always find someone or something to blame for their predicament.

 

b.  We need to realize that we have a sinful nature and wicked flesh, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God!”  This is not an excuse for sinfulness, but a statement of sinfulness. 

 

c.  Because of this, we must stand guard 24/7!  Do not trust the flesh to make decisions regarding spiritual matters, as the flesh is in opposition to God and our primary enemy.

 

d.  This is a profound acknowledgment of human guilt. None of us could stand if God kept a strict account of our sins. But verse 4 brings the gospel note:

 

“But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.”

 

Here is the good news in the middle of a psalm of lament. God forgives! Not cheaply, not casually—but thoroughly. And this forgiveness doesn’t lead to laxity—it leads to reverent fear. The more we grasp God’s mercy, the more we reverence Him.

Theological Point:
This is not mere leniency. It’s covenantal mercy. The Hebrew word used here suggests a forgiveness that is rooted in relationship. God's mercy flows out of His steadfast love

 

3. The Confession of Sinfulness. “I cried unto thee.” 

 

a.  We cannot forgive our sins; we must ask for forgiveness, as the power of forgiveness belongs to God alone.  The primary biblical example of this is familiar to both you and me.    King David’s sin of lust, adultery, murder, and concealment (he thought). 

 

b.  David thought that he had it covered, but “But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.” (2 Samuel 11:27 ) 

 

c.  Psalm 51 is David’s Penance Psalm.

 

Psalms 51:1-4  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.  (2)  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  (3)  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.  (4)  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

 

d.  Though David certainly sinned against Bathsheba, Uriah the Hittite, and Ahithophel (Bathsheba’s grandfather), he realized that his sin was “against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight!”

 

e.  Our sinfulness is against the Lord and needs to be dealt with before we can get right with others we may have offended.

 

4.  The Forgiver of sinfulness. “O LORD!”

 

a.  I am so glad that we do not have to go to Confession, my pastor, or the Church to find forgiveness of sin. Neither do we have to do penance for our sins.  Our Lord Jesus paid the full price for our sin, and no other sacrifice is needed.

 

b. Confessing and forsaking—this is the definition of repentance, which means not confessing while continuing in sin.

 

c.  Most people want a quick fix or a spiritual band-aid applied, but God requires complete honesty and godly sorrow.

 

2 Corinthians 7:10-11  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.  (11)  For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

 

d.  God's mercy is greater than our sin, and our hope rests in His unfailing love and redemption. 

 

Romans 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

 

5.  The Timing of Forgiveness. These Jews could receive forgiveness before they arrived at Jerusalem and the Temple. I have no problem with God’s people recognizing their sinfulness during a church service and addressing it right there, but I am thankful that I can reconcile with God before I go to church and then enjoy the service. 

 

In Jeremiah 33:3, the Lord said, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

 

The proper timing for confession, repentance, and forgiveness is as immediate as possible!  Sin is much like physical sickness.  Ignoring it will not make it go away.

 

6.  The Faith of Forgiveness.  “let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.” 

 

a.  This past Sunday morning, we saw that God said, in Exodus 34, that He was the God of forgiveness.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (I John 1:9) 

 

b.  Our faith is based upon God's Word.  God has promised forgiveness to all for everything.  So, ask!

 

c.  Our faith is based upon God’s love for His children.  God’s love and forbearance are incomprehensible to us as they have no limits.

 

d.  Take your burden to the Lord and LEAVE IT THERE. Now the psalmist shifts from plea to posture. He waits. He trusts. He looks to God’s Word, expecting Him to act.

 

1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

David's Penitent Psalm

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-29-2022

2 Samuel 12:13-23; Psalm 51:1-15

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Here we find possibly the darkest period of Israel’s history as the greatest king their nation ever had sinned a great sin.  Sin has consequences but with confession comes forgiveness.

 

B.  God forgave King David's sin with Bathsheba and greatly used him for the rest of his life.  There are some tremendous lessons to be learned from David’s fall and restoration:  though God does not condone or excuse our sinfulness, He will forgive us and allow us to rise again from the dust of failure to be greatly used of God once more.

 

C.  I want to look at David’s forgiveness: the basis, the requirements, and the fullness of it. 

 

1.  For seven days, David fasted and lay upon his face before God.

 

2.  I personally believe that Psalm 51 is a record of David’s penitent prayer made somewhere between verse 6 where he said, “I have sinned against the Lord” and “David arose … and worshipped” in verse 20.

 

3.  David sought for his child’s life.

 

4.  After the child’s death, went into the house of the Lord and worshipped His God.  Both of these acts require holiness.

 

Psalm 51:1-17

 

1.  The Basis of God’s Forgiveness.  (Love, mercy, propitiation)

 

a.  Verse 1 - “According to thy lovingkindness” - Jeremiah 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.  (God’s forgiveness is founded in His great love for His children.)

 

b.  Verse 1 - “According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies” - Lamentations 3:22-23  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  (23)  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  (God’s forgiveness is founded upon His great mercy toward His children.)

 

c.  Verse 1 - “Blot out my transgressions” - Leviticus 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.  (God’s forgiveness is founded is His precious blood shed for His children.)

 

Colossians 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

 

2.  The Requirements of God’s Forgiveness.

 

a. Verse 4 - “I have sinned against the LORD.” – Realization - Psalms 51:4  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.  (Technically, David had also sinned against Uriah, Bathsheba [though she was not without guilt, David’s was the greater sin], and against all Israel but his sin against God caused all of the rest to fade into the distance.  In this verse, we see that God will accept our tears but not our excuses!  David did not blame the woman as Adam did nor did he blame his failure on society, heredity, or environment.  David took full responsibility for his actions.)

 

b.  Verse 3 - “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” – Confession – 1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Psalms 32:5  I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.  (Confession and forgiveness are both Old and New Testament doctrines.  The Apostle Paul quoted the last part of verse 4, “that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest” in Romans 3:4.  Confession is both acknowledgement to God and agreement with God on sin.)

 

c.  Verse 17 - “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.” – Humility - 1 Peter 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  (The great “King” became just a man before both God and Israel.  No pride, no special privileges, and no excuses!  “I have sinned!”  He lay unashamed upon his face before his God.)

 

d.  Verse 17 - “A broken and a contrite heart.” – Godly Sorrow - 2 Corinthians 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.  (David’s sin had broken his heart.  Godly sorrow works repentance and repentance a change of heart and actions.)

 

3.  The Fullness of God’s Forgiveness.  (In verses 16, we find that David realized that there was no sacrifice for the sin of adultery.  The penalty for this particular sin was to be stoned!  David understood this and he bypassed the Levitical sacrifices by throwing himself completely upon the mercy of God.  In our text we find David’s desire in these words: purge me, make me to hear joy, hide thy face from my sins, create in me a clean heart, renew a right spirit within me, cast me not away, take not thy holy spirit, restore unto me the joy, uphold me, deliver me from bloodguiltiness, open my lips and my mouth.)

 

a.  “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” - Complete Remission - Psalms 51:9  Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

 

b.  “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.” - Complete Restoration - Psalms 51:8-12  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.  (9)  Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.  (10)  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  (11)  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  (12)  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

 

c.  “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” - Certified Reusable!  - Luke 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.  (I am still glad that the Potter does not throw the “clay” away!  If you sin, get right—get up—get going!)