Build Or Break? – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl

Feb 11th, 2012 Build Or Break? – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl

Second Milers also read – John 13 – 14; Proverbs 11; Psalm 51 – 55

Scripture Memory for February – Psalm 100

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 47:1

Good morning. I want to delve somewhat into Psalm 51. David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Of course his sin found him out, and he wrote Psalm 51 of what he was going through and praying for. But before we go there, John chapter 8 tells the story of a woman caught in the very act of adultery. The scribes and Pharisees took her to Jesus. They told Jesus what the law said, and then asked if they should stone her. After a few minutes of writing in the sand, He stood up and answered them saying, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” And as Mike Warnke tells it: they dropped their rocks and split.

In the end, there was only the woman and Jesus. It will be the same with us when we sin. It’s going to be me or you and Jesus. That’s what the Bible says in John 8:9…

“And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”

God knew what the woman did. God knew what the scribes and Pharisees did. God knows what you and I did. God gave us a conscience. David told God, in Psalm 51:3, that his sin was ever before him. David cried out to God for mercy, to have his transgressions blotted out, and to be washed throughly and be cleansed from his iniquity and sin.

Certain signs followed him while David was in this fallen state. He could not hear the joy or gladness going on around him (vs. 8). He knew God had seen what he did (vs. 9). He could feel the broken fellowship with the Lord (vs. 11). He had no joy or security in God’s salvation (vs. 12). He lacked in teaching God’s Word and soul winning (vs. 13). And he could not sing praises to God (vs. 14).

David was in a mess, and this was someone of whom God called a man after Mine own heart. But God doesn’t make mistakes. The first four verses in Psalm 51 say it all…

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 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.” (Psalm 51:1-4)

1John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Back in John chapter 8…

“When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:10-11).

Can you imagine how the woman, and David felt to have there sins forgiven and restored to fellowship with the Lord? All the joy, gladness, and singing. Praising God for His wonderful works. Can you imagine that? You don’t have to. To borrow a slogan from Lance Inc…

“Don’t go ’round hungry!”

Peace. (Mark 9:50)