A portion of this sermon did not record (at the end). The following is the rest of the sermon:

“When was the last time we asked Jesus search and know our hearts? To try us and see if there is any think in us that is grieving him?     

If you’re willing, let me encourage you to take Psalm 51 and use it this week.  Picture yourself at Jesus’ feet as you tell him in desperation: 

 Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!

3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
    and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

 If you’re desperate for his forgiveness, and you land on your face before Him, Jesus never turn you away.   “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)  The beggar before Jesus has a view of the holes in his feet  – the marks his body bears still from the Cross he bore for you and me.  If we hang on his every word for hope, then we will hear His voice from the Cross saying – “Father, forgive them.”  And when His Word speaks forgiveness to you, then His Spirit comes and assures you that you are restored.  Christ got up and walked in resurrection power over our sin.  In the new life, he tells everyone covered by his blood to rise, and walk with Him. 

 You don’t need to persuade Jesus to forgive you, you only need to ask, and trust Him. 

 I like to imagine that the cleansed leper and the healed cripple ran into each other down the road.  Maybe, realizing they had such a remarkable experience in common, they started meeting up regularly to talk about Jesus, and what a difference He made in their lives.  Maybe they had a long relationship that wasn’t ever divided or destroyed by their disagreements, because they remembered that moment of having nothing without Jesus. 

 Church, that’s a picture of us.  A family full of desperate testimonies, with Christ’s grace in common.  If Christ has forgiven us, we can forgive each other.  If Christ has forgiven us, He can forgive any desperate outcast or sinner we meet.  A church that forgives one another glorifies Jesus.  People who tell about Jesus’ ability and willingness to forgive glorifies Jesus. 

 And church, if Christ has forgiven us and washed us clean – we have a lot to be joyful about.  It wasn’t that long ago when he touched you and you knew your sins were washed away.  I can still remember how free I knew I was when he took away my guilt and gave me His grace.  We are clean – we can walk in life.  So the next time another believer asks you how you’re doing – consider responding with a joyful smile, “I’m forgiven.” 

 And for any who are desperate for that joy, Christ is able and willing to forgive you.  Face him, fall at his feet, trust Him, and He will forgive you and raise you into new and joyful life. 

 Let’s pray. “