Necessary Steps On The Way Back Home (Part 2)

Necessary Steps On The Way Back Home (Part II)

Psalm 51:14-17

Last week my father and I drove to Springville to look at a car. The man who was trying to sell it gave me his address and I put the information in my GPS. My trusty little technological boss lady (GPS) took me right to Springville. At one point she said arriving at destination on right. I looked and didn't see what I was looking for so I kept driving. Then the GPS said in 500ft make a U-turn. I didn't listen. Then she said in 300 ft make a U-turn...Again I didn't listen. I continued to circle the block looking for the car that was for sale. Then she says WHEN POSSIBLE MAKE A U-TURN! Still I refused to listen. I thought that I knew better than the machine that was created to give ME directions. Finally I pulled over and called the owner of the car. Guess what...THE GPS WAS RIGHT!! It took me to the exact place that I needed to be but the car was behind the building and I didn't see it. If I had just trusted the GPS to get me there I would have made it a lot quicker with a lot less complications.

Unfortunately, there have been times in my life where I have had the same problem on my spiritual journey. I have made certain choices... gone in certain directions and started down the wrong path. And in the process the Holy Spirit was telling me MAKE A U-TURN NOW! But I thought I knew better, I thought I could get where I needed to be on my own. And as a result I just went further and further away from where God would have me to be.

Maybe you have been in a similar situation... maybe you are there right now. Perhaps you have strayed away from the Father's house so to speak. And you are continuing to go father and father away from Him. Tonight, I would like to show you the proper way to get back to the Father! If you were with us in the A.M service then you saw the first 2 steps on this journey home. Let's return to Psalm 51 and continue to examine the "Necessary Steps On The Way Back Home"

Let's take a moment and review what we saw in Part 1 of this sermon: We began with the fact that the first step on the way back home is REVELATION. Our loving Heavenly Father will do what is necessary to reveal our sin and rebellion to us. He will boldly confront our sinful acts.

1) He Will Reveal Our Sin Through The Conviction Of The Holy Spirit

2) He Will Reveal Our Sin Through The Truth Of The Holy Scriptures

This is not an enjoyable experience but it is a beneficial one and it is also an evidence of our salvation. And if you are out of the will of God and living in rebellion, God will reveal your sin unto you! This is perhaps the most encouraging aspect of this sermon. Just think for a moment that the Creator of the universe... the Sovereign God Himself cares enough about you to confront your sin.

- Why do we discipline our children? Because we love them and want the best for them. They don't like it when we do it, but it is necessary. The same is true for God, He confronts our sin because He loves us and it is necessary for our spiritual health and growth.

The second necessary step on the way back home is REALIZATION. - Once God does His part by revealing our sin to us, then we must realize the fact that we are living in rebellion.

There are 3 facts that we must "realize"

A. We Must Realize The Cause Of Our Rebellion

B. We Must Realize The Consequences Of Our Rebellion

C. We Must Realize The Cure For Our Rebellion

We made it through the first one in Part I of this sermon. The Cause Of Our Rebellion is:

1) Sin

2) Satan

3) Self

4) Separation

I would like to pick up where we left off and continue to examine :

STEP # 2 - REALIZATION - v1b 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.

Not only did David realize the cause of his sin, he understood the consequences of his sin. And if you are going to return to a right relationship with the Father then...

B. YOU MUST REALIZE THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR REBELLION- v3 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: