Create In Me A Pure Heart

Psalms • Week 8

In 2 Samuel 11, we read the story of David and Bathsheba and of the murder of her husband Uriah on David's orders. Psalm 51 is David's response after being reprimanded by the prophet Nathan. Adam Barnett walks with us through this Psalm, which is one of the most graphic depictions of confession and repentance found anywhere in the Bible.

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MESSAGE NOTES

Create In Me A Pure Heart
June 27, 2021 • Psalms • Week 8
Teacher: Adam Barnett

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We can’t fully comprehend the magnitude of God’s grace until we acknowledge the vulgarity of our sin.

Psalm 51:1-4 NIV

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.

God’s faithfulness is not conditional upon human faithfulness.

Psalm 51:5–9 NIV

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Psalm 51:10-12 NIV

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Repentance (to be aware of and disgusted by sin):

“For I know my transgressions. Against you, I have sinned.”

Matthew 4:17 NIV

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Confession (to express remorse and ask for help):

“I have done evil in your sight… wash me… cleanse me…”

Restoration (to receive transforming grace):

“A pure heart… a steadfast spirit… restore me and sustain me.”

Declaration (to witness about God's grace):

Psalm 51:13 NIV

Then, I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.

Repentance → Confession → Restoration → Declaration

  1. Comfort
  2. Complacency
  3. Comparison
  4. Fatigue
  5. Isolation

Sin is my condition; Saint is my identity.

PsalmsAdam Barnett