Let's Take Inventory: A Clean Heart
2 Samuel 11:1-27 and 12:1-14 (for background) and Psalm 51
This study is on Psalm 51 - a powerful Psalm of confession and forgiveness. The background of this Psalm, which was written by David, is found in 2 Samuel 11:1-27 and 12:1-14. It is summarized in the title to the Psalm. It is the time that David committed adultery with Bathsheba and killed her husband to cover up his sin. He thought he got away with it. God, however, was displeased and sent a prophet named Nathan to confront David. David confesses, and Psalm 51 was written as his prayer for forgiveness from God.
Background Summary:
It is time for war, but David stays at home and does not take his place where he is supposed to be.
David is looking at what he should not be looking at - a woman bathing in another house. From David's roof he can see her.
David asks who she is. He is told she is the wife of one of his commanders who is out at war where David should be. David has her brought to him and has sex with her. David sends her away.
Three months later a little pink envelope is delivered to David from Bathsheba with 2 words: "I'm pregnant."
David choses denial, not confession. David devises a plan and ends up killing Bathsheba's husband and marries her to cover up his sin.
But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.
Nathan a prophet is sent by God to David to confront him.
David mans up and confesses and says I am the man. David prays Psalm 51.
We look at 3 lessons from David's life.
1. Sin (not following God’s way) is seductive and destructive.
Key Concept: If you are not actively engaged in what God calls you to do – just chillin – sin is going to seduce you and destroy you.
Key Verse: Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death.
Community Group Application: Being a faithful follower of Jesus requires being part of a group of people who love you enough to confront you.
2. Knowing God is the key to forgiveness.
Key Concept: God is always willing to forgive and calls us to spread the message of repentance and forgiveness to all people.
Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:14 - For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing whether it is good or evil.
Community Group Application: We all gather on the Lord’s Day to remind ourselves of God’s forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
3. Knowing yourself is the key to a new heart and a changed life.
Key Concept: You cannot change yourself, but God can change you.
Key Verse: Ezekiel 36:25-26 - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Community Group Application: We receive communion as reminder that Jesus can give us a new heart.