The Blessing Of Repentance

The Blessing of Repentance

INTRODUCTION

 During His earthly ministry, who were the people Jesus was angry with? – ‘religious’ people

 They were so quick to point out everyone else’s faults but slow to examine themselves

 Yet, even today the church has become quick to judge others and slow to repent

Rev 2:5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-- unless you repent. (Ephesus)

 Without repentance there is no revival

 Without repentance there is no forgiveness

 Without repentance there is no freedom

 Without repentance there is no blessing

MAIN TEXT

Ps 32:1-11

1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

 It doesn’t say, “Blessed is he who never transgresses.”

 Clearly! God would rather we did not sin, however, when we do, there is atonement

 Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 It is when we sin and do not seek forgiveness that we find ourselves in a most miserable condition

 But those who trust in Christ have had their sins covered past, present & future

 Yet we are commanded to confess and repent

2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

 Impute – means to “count against”

 You are blessed because your sins are covered by Jesus’ blood – If you are saved, you are covered

 “no deceit” – you can’t fake out God

 Matt 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long.

 Refusal to repent will drag you down, it will make you feel old

 There is no renewal in your spirit-man

 Instead of mounting up on eagle’s wings, you feel like you have leg weights attached

 Why is it that we do not come before the Father immediately?

 Acts 3:19 "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah

 The conviction of the Holy Spirit is weighty and powerful

 You will sense you are in a dry place

 You will sense that the anointing has left you

 The Psalmist sensed his strength (spiritual fortitude) being zapped out of him

 Selah – think about it

 His hand of correction is heavy

 Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."

5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

 This must be the cry of our hearts – every Christian

 I Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 Isa 43:25 "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins.

6 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him.

 For the cause of repentance, EVERYONE who considers themselves godly will pray

 And will pray in this time when He may be found

 Just like the time of Noah – when the flood came it was too late

 1 Cor 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

7 You are my hiding place; you shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

 Do we see Him as our shelter, our hiding place, our sin barrier or do we think we should do it ourselves and then come to Him?

 Jesus wants us to come to Him

 Not a man in a confessional booth but directly to Him

 2 Cor 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (4) who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.