Special Guest Rev. Josh McClain "Repentance

Repentance is not a self-generated effort or a matter of simply trying harder to be better. It is a gracious gift from God, a divine work that opens our eyes to see our sin, moves our hearts to grieve over it, and turns our lives back to Him for renewal. This renewal restores our joy, our worship, and our witness. David’s story in Psalm 51, written after his grievous sin with Bathsheba, is a powerful example of true repentance. Even though David never returned to his former glory, he became a model of what it means to turn to God in brokenness and humility.

Repentance involves three essential elements: an intellectual recognition of sin, an emotional sorrow over it, and a volitional desire to change. We cannot even see our sin unless God opens our eyes. The Holy Spirit convicts us, showing us the depth of our rebellion against God. But seeing our sin is not enough; we must also feel godly sorrow—not just regret over consequences, but grief over having offended God Himself. Finally, true repentance includes a desire for transformation, a longing for God to create in us a new heart, not just to fix the old one.

David’s prayer in Psalm 51 is marked by an appeal to God’s mercy, not his own merit. He confesses honestly, without blame-shifting or excuses, and he longs for renewal—a new heart and a steadfast spirit. He recognizes that only God can do this work, and he pleads for God to create in him something entirely new. The fruit of such repentance is not just personal restoration, but a life that overflows in worship and witness. David promises to teach others, to sing of God’s righteousness, and to declare His praise.

Repentance is the pathway to the purpose for which we were created: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Sin is antithetical to our purpose, robbing us of joy, fellowship, and meaning. But when God grants repentance, He restores us to joy, obedience, humility, evangelism, worship, fellowship, and zeal. The invitation is open: ask God for the gift of repentance, whether for the first time or in a deeper way. He will not despise a broken and contrite heart, and through Jesus Christ, we are welcomed, forgiven, and made new.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Repentance is a Gift, Not a Work True repentance is not something we can manufacture by sheer willpower or resolve. It is a grace that God grants, opening our eyes to our sin and drawing us back to Himself. This means that our hope is not in our ability to change, but in God’s willingness to give us new hearts and new desires. [06:43]
• 2. Threefold Nature of Repentance: Mind, Heart, and Will Repentance involves an intellectual recognition of sin, an emotional sorrow over it, and a volitional desire to turn from it. All three must be present for repentance to be genuine. We cannot repent of what we do not see, nor can we change without a deep grief over our offense against God, and a real longing for transformation. [17:46]
• 3. Honest Confession Without Excuses David models true confession by refusing to blame others or minimize his sin. He owns his failure completely, bringing it before God without spin or justification. This kind of honesty is liberating, breaking the chains of shame and restoring fellowship with God and others. [25:33]
• 4. Longing for Renewal, Not Just Relief Repentance is not merely about escaping consequences or erasing the past; it is a plea for God to create something new within us. Like David, we must ask God to give us a new heart, not just a spiritual tune-up. Only God can bring about this kind of deep, lasting change, and He delights to do so for those who humbly ask. [29:36]
• 5. Repentance Restores Purpose and Produces Fruit When God grants repentance, it leads to restored joy, worship, witness, humility, and fellowship. Sin is fundamentally opposed to our created purpose, but repentance realigns us with God’s design—to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. The fruits of repentance are not just inward but overflow into our relationships and our mission in the world. [39:17]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:22] - Honoring Faithfulness and Introduction to Psalm 51
• [02:42] - David’s Fall and the Context of Repentance
• [04:18] - The Nature of Repentance: What Is It?
• [05:44] - Defining True Repentance
• [06:43] - Repentance as God’s Gift
• [09:09] - The Three Elements of Repentance
• [12:44] - Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow
• [17:46] - The Volitional Aspect: Desire for Change
• [20:26] - The Marks of Repentance in Psalm 51
• [22:55] - Honest Confession and Owning Sin
• [26:27] - The Desire for Renewal
• [29:36] - “Create in Me a Clean Heart”: The Need for Newness
• [35:00] - Worship and Witness as Fruit of Repentance
• [39:17] - The Fruit and Purpose of Repentance
• [45:24] - Invitation to Repentance and Prayer
• [48:25] - Assurance of Forgiveness in Christ
• [50:22] - Praying for Repentance for Ourselves and Others
• [52:23] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Reading

Psalm 51:1–19 (ESV) — To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 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.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 51, what does David ask God to do for him, and what does this reveal about David’s understanding of his own ability to change? ([29:36])
2. What are the three elements of repentance described in the sermon, and how are they reflected in David’s prayer? ([09:09])
3. In verses 16–17, what kind of sacrifice does God desire, and how is this different from outward religious actions? ([37:16])
4. How does David’s response to his sin go beyond just asking for forgiveness? What does he promise to do if God restores him? ([35:13])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says repentance is a gift from God, not something we can manufacture by willpower. Why is it important to recognize repentance as a gift, and how does this change the way someone approaches their own sin? ([06:43])
2. The threefold nature of repentance—mind, heart, and will—means that true repentance involves seeing, feeling, and desiring change. Why might someone stop short at only one or two of these steps, and what are the dangers of incomplete repentance? ([18:00])
3. David’s confession is honest and without excuses. What are some ways people today might try to “spin” or minimize their sin, and why is honest confession so crucial for real change? ([25:33])
4. The sermon says that repentance is not just about escaping consequences but longing for God to create something new within us. How does this perspective shift the focus from self-improvement to dependence on God? ([29:36])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged the idea that repentance is just “trying harder.” Are there areas in your life where you have been relying on your own willpower instead of asking God for the gift of repentance? What would it look like to ask God for a new heart in that area? ([06:43])
2. Think about the three elements of repentance: recognizing sin, feeling godly sorrow, and desiring change. Which of these is most difficult for you personally, and why? How can you invite God to work in that specific area? ([18:00])
3. David’s confession in Psalm 51 is honest and without blame-shifting. Is there a sin or struggle in your life that you have been making excuses for or blaming on others? What would it look like to own it before God and others? ([25:33])
4. The sermon described the difference between wanting relief from consequences and truly longing for renewal. When you confess sin, are you more focused on escaping the fallout or on being transformed? How can you shift your prayers toward asking God to “create in you a clean heart”? ([29:36])
5. Repentance leads to restored joy, worship, and witness. Can you think of a time when repentance brought new joy or freedom in your life? How did it affect your relationships or your willingness to share your faith? ([39:17])
6. The invitation at the end of the sermon was to ask God for repentance, whether for the first time or in a deeper way. Is there an area where you sense God inviting you to deeper repentance right now? What step can you take this week to respond? ([45:24])
7. The sermon mentioned that God will not despise a broken and contrite heart. How does this promise encourage you to come honestly before God, even when you feel unworthy or empty? ([37:16])