Getting Right With God
The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking a clean heart and living in fellowship with God for effective Christian living and evangelism.
Theodore Epp emphasizes the importance of getting right with God, as illustrated in Psalm 51, where David pleads for a clean heart and restoration of fellowship with God. He explains that while regeneration is necessary for the unbeliever, Christians must seek renewal to avoid being sidelined by sin. Epp highlights the assurance of our position in Christ but stresses the need for a victorious condition through ongoing fellowship with the Lord. He concludes that once restored, believers can effectively share the Gospel, reflecting God's grace in their lives.
Text
Psalm 51:1-17
David asked God to create in him a clean heart (see Ps. 51:10). With regard to the unbeliever, this would be a matter of regeneration, but for the Christian it involves renewal and restoration.
David said, "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me" (v. 11).
This is Old Testament doctrine and has to do with the fact that when a person had the Spirit of God and was disobedient, the Holy Spirit might leave him as He left Saul. David did not want this to happen to him.
In this Church Age the Spirit of God comes into the believer's life to stay. Nevertheless, many Christians, some of them Christian workers, have been put on the shelf and are useless to God because of some sin that they have allowed to control, or dominate, their lives.
Our position before God in Christ is assured, but our condition, or experience, if it is to be victorious, must be one of living in fellowship with the Lord.
Then the grace of God comes into full view as we see David saying, "Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee" (v. 13).
Once the individual has been restored to fellowship, then, by the grace of God, he can effectively share the Gospel with others.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding the need for a clean heart
- The difference between regeneration and renewal
- David's plea for God's presence
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II
- The permanence of the Holy Spirit in the Church Age
- Consequences of disobedience for Christians
- Being put on the shelf due to sin
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III
- Assurance of our position in Christ
- Importance of living in fellowship with God
- The role of grace in restoration
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IV
- The impact of restoration on evangelism
- Teaching transgressors and converting sinners
- The promise of forgiveness in confession
Key Quotes
“Create in me a clean heart, O God.” — Theodore Epp
“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” — Theodore Epp
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- Regularly confess your sins to maintain a close relationship with God.
- Seek restoration through prayer and repentance to be effective in sharing the Gospel.
- Understand the role of the Holy Spirit in your life and strive to live in obedience.