I’m Sorry

Text:

Matthew 3:1-2:

1   In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2   And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

 

Psalm 51

 

Theme:

I’m Sorry

 

Introduction:

• When I was growing up in Tennessee, we, boys, would always find us in trouble from mischief. We were always doing something that was contrary to my mama’s will. However, as a bunch of “Mama’s Boys”, would yet live with the eternal desire to take care of Mama and make Mama proud. So, even though we were intentionally in the wrong but hoped to not get caught, we would wholeheartedly tell my fussin’ Mama, “I’m Sorry!”. We didn’t want to hurt Mama…and we didn’t want Mama to hurt US!! J   This feeble plea for mercy always resulted in my Mama telling us in response to our plea, “I know you’re SORRY! Just don’t do it again!!!” JJJ
  • Only certain parts of the boy were saying, “I’m sorry!”
    • His upbringing
    • His love for his Mama
    • His fear of his Mama
  • The boy was more “sorry” that he got caught than he was that he did it.

• “I’m sorry!” is so common that we forget that the word has different meanings.
  • “I’m sorry!” à   Sorry = full of sorrow, pity or regret
  • “I know you’re sorry!” à   Sorry = inferior, poor, wretched
    • This is why my mother would play on the word “sorry” to construe my statement of regret to be one of admittance.

• Not only are kids known to say “I’m sorry!”. It is also an exclamation that is very common in relationships.
  • “Baby, I’m sorry”
  • “I’m sorry. I didn’t know that that was what you really wanted.”
  • “I’m sorry but I have just been so busy.”
  • “I’m sorry, but I can’t tonight”

• Biblically, we have institutionally associated REPENTANCE with saying “I’m sorry”
  • When John the Baptist delivers one of the greatest sermons ever when he addressed the concept of repentance with the children of God.
  • “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”
  • • John the Baptist implied much more than merely SAYING, “I’m sorry!” It’s not that easy or convenient!

Body:

• •  Repentance begins with PENITENCE. One must have a penitent spirit!
    • First, must get connected, once again, to God
      • Seek mercy/pardon from God
      • Psalms 51:1, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”
    • Then, must see one’s self
      • You can’t see God until you first see yourself!
      • Psalms 51:3, “… my sin is ever before me.”
    • Then, guilt must be experienced
      • You can’t blame anyone but yourself!
      • Psalms 51:4, “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.”
    • Then, confession (Acknowledgement)
      • Psalms 51:3, “For I acknowledge my transgressions….”
    • Then, deepened conviction must settle in
      • Psalms 51:7, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

• Once these have been satisfied, true REPENTANCE can occur!
  • It is now fully in the presence of God.
    • Psalms 51:11, “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”

• Repentance realizes:
• Depravity
  • I was made to sin, but I don’t have to sin!
    • Psalms 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
    • Psalms 51:14, “Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.”
• Truthfulness
  • We have to be totally honest with God
    • Psalms 51:6, “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”

• After repentance, RESTORATION to God begins
  • 1John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
  • Required purity/perfection
    • Keeps us ever repentant before God
    • 1Corinthians 15:31, “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our LORD, I die daily.”
  • Joy is restored
    • Psalms 51:12, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”
    • Nehemiah 8:10, “for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
  • Spiritual Renewal
    • Ignites a fire using the “pilot light” already existing within us through the Holy Spirit
    • Psalms 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
  • Divine Support
    • Lord, I need your help to go on!
    • John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
  • Effectiveness in God’s work
    • NOW, after all this has been done, we can be effective workers for God. WHEW!!!
    • Psalms 51:13, “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”

Conclusion:

•  After God has restored our relationship/right to His blessings, WE MUST SUBMIT/ACCEPT.
  • 2Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
  • “IF”
    • You have free will!
    • It’s your choice
    • You don’t have to do it
  • “THEN”
    • Repentance and Penitence are REQUIRED to expect God’s redemption
    • If you have no joy, one of the two or both are missing!
  • What are the benefits?
  • “Will I hear from Heaven”
    • The Lord will RESPOND!!
  • “Will forgive their sins”
    • We are forgiven, cleansed, and restored!
  • “Will heal their land”
  • God FIXED IT!!!!!!!

 

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