REGAINING THE JOY OF SALVATION

TEXT- PSALM 51:1-13

INTRODUCTION

DURING THE MONTHS OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR I AM PREACHING A SERIES OF EIGHT SERMONS ON THE THEME, "SPIRITUAL MATURITY."

IN THESE SERMONS I AM SPEAKING ON TOPICS THAT WILL HELP US TO PROGRESS IN OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

SO FAR WE HAVE SEEN HOW THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A DESIRE TO GROW.

MANY CHRISTIANS ARE NOT GROWING TODAY SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO.

THE SECOND RUNG IN THIS LADDER TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH DEALT WITH THE NEED FOR GENUINE SELF EXAMINATION.

THIS MORNING OUR TEXT IS FOUND IN PSALM 51:1-13 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS "REGAINING THE JOY OF SALVATION."

ONE OF THE WAYS TO REGAIN THE JOY OF SALVATION ONCE IT HAS DISAPPEARED FROM YOUR LIFE IS THROUGH CONFESSION.

A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER WAS EMPHASIZING TO HER CLASS THE NECESSITY OF PERSONALLY CONFESSING THEIR SINS TO GOD.  AS SHE FINISHED THE LESSON SHE WANTED TO SEE IF HER STUDENTS HAD LEARNED ANYTHING AND ASKED, "NOW CHILDREN, HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE SINS YOU NEED TO CONFESS TO GOD?"  EVERYONE SAT IN SILENCE. AGAIN THE TEACHER ASKED, "ISN'T ANYONE HERE A SINNER?"  FINALLY, ONE LITTLE BOY RAISED HIS HAND AND SAID, "TEACHER, I DON'T HAVE ANY SINS TO CONFESS FOR MYSELF, BUT I KNOW BILLY DOES!"

CONFESSION IS ADMITTING TO GOD YOU HAVE SINNED AND ASKING HIM TO FORGIVE YOU.

AS WE EXAMINE OUR TEXT THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE US TO LOOK AT THREE WAYS TO REGAIN THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION.