Repentance and its Benefits

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Oct. 7, 2001                                                                                                     NW Bible Church

2 Samuel 12:13

Repentance and its Benefits

INTRO

Last week we saw God’s faithfulness to send Nathan to confront David for his sin.   In 12:13, David crumbles before the weight of the rebuke and confesses his sin.   His repentance is genuine, sincere, and it effectively brings him back to God.

Repentance is so important to the life of the believer.  Godly repentance will be one of the best spiritual friends you can have.

1. WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
2. What repentance is NOT:

1) Repentance is NOT just for                              .

We do not repent once just as we do not believe once.   The Christian life is a life of continual repenting just as it is a life of continual believing.  Cf. 2 Cor. 7:9-10;  8 times in Rev. 2-3, repentance is exhorted.

2) Repentance is NOT just for the                 sins.

Repentance is for all kinds of sins, big and small.

1. The definition of repentance.   

                        Repentance is a God-given grace which brings about a _______________ from sin.  This turning involves our whole person:

Intellect - we understand and agree that we have sinned

Emotions - we have a godly sorrow over our sin

Volition - we resolve to seek God’s forgiveness and grace to change

Behavioral - our actions change, we outwardly turn away from sin,

Sum: “The work of repentance is not the work of an hour, a day, or even a year, but of a life.  .  . The penitent soul never ceases repenting till he ceases living.”  Thomas Brooks.

1. DAVID’S REPENTANCE.
2. The chronology of David’s repentance.

Psalm 51- written soon after Nathan’s rebuke, see inscription.

It represents the anguish and turmoil of his soul when the emotional upheaval of his sin is at its most turbulent state.  He is pleading with God for forgiveness, cleansing and the return of joy.

Psalm 32- records his repentance after a period of reflection.  He meditates on the wasting away of his health when he was silent about his sin and the blessedness of forgiveness.  It is the fulfillment of his vow in Ps. 51:13.

Psalm 38 -  some suggest that this psalm is about David reliving his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah as he endures the agony of the consequences of this sin at a later point in his life.

Lesson: repentance for a particular sin may be repeated many times through one’s life.   Some sins are so bad we never forget them.

1. The elements of David’s godly repentance involves:

1)  Confession of sin (2 Sam. 12:13).

1. a) self-______________ vs  self-protecting, “I have sinned”.

Cf. Ps. 51:3

Contrast Pharaoh (Ex. 9:27-30)

1. b) God-_______________ vs   self-centered,“against the Lord”.

Ps. 51:4

Contrast Esau (Heb. 12:16-17)

2)  Seeking pardon for sin.   David asked God to forgive and to cleanse him from his sin.

Ps. 51:1-2, 7, 9, 14.

3)  Forsaking of sin.  Prov. 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and                          them will find compassion.

Ps. 51:10-13

III.  THE BENEFITS OF REPENTANCE.

1) Sins are _____________ by God.  2 Sam. 12:14.

2) The life is __________________.

3) Sin is ______________ in its tracks.

4) Joy is ______________.

5) Brings much _____________ into your life.

Humility

Godly wisdom

Closer to the Savior

Turns your life into a garden.

CONCLUSION

One of the most important virtues a Christian can desire is that of being a godly repenter.