Sermon Reflections from Stumble to Surrender | Sara Wade | June 15, 2025
It was a delight to have Sara back with us as Pastor Alex was traveling with his family. The movie Sara highlighted was Toy Story. This is a great Disney classic with characters one can identify with and take lessons from. In the story Woody, the young boy’s favorite toy is jealous of the new toy, Buzz Lightyear. He fears being replaced in the boy’s affections. He acts wrongly towards Buzz and then compounds it by trying to fix it and really makes it worse. The main question is: what do we do when we know we have done wrong? Do we say we’re sorry or try to fix it with more lies?
The Biblical example of this dilemma is David when he sins with Bathsheba. When David finds out Bathsheba is pregnant, he tries to trick Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, to account for her pregnancy. But Uriah is an honorable man and does not sleep with his wife when David calls him to Jerusalem because his men are still fighting at the front. David then decides to use his power to place Uriah at the front, stranding him there so that he is killed. The prophet Nathan, confronts David over his sin in a clever way so that David realized his sin and the need for repentance. (2 Samuel 12)
David’s reaction to his sin is recorded in Psalm 51. David confesses his sin and the state of his heart. He shows his remorse and repentance and his desire to be right with God. He bows to God’s mercy and lays himself before Almighty God knowing He is a just God.
Sara highlighted 4 of the benefits of confession.
· 1-Confession releases us and leads to freedom. David was trapped in his sin and could not be freed from his guilt and shame until he laid it before God. God forgave David, but it was not without consequences. The child died but David accepted God’s just judgement. His heart was broken over his sin as expressed in Psalm 51 and he desired a new heart and freedom only God could give. Vs 1-2 “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!”
· 2-Confession is confession not just an excuse. David was honest with God and accepted his sin. He did not make any excuses to justify his behavior! Vs 3 “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”
· 3-Confession asks for forgiveness for an incident and healing from a condition. David wanted freedom from the guilt and shame he had brought upon himself through his sin. He sought solace and forgiveness from God. Vs 4a “. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,”
· 4-Confession is an orientation of the heart. David was fully aware of the state of his heart and the need for cleansing. Vs.10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. vs. 17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
David shows us how to talk to God about our sin and the right attitude we need to have in our heart.
Sara left us with a challenge to write our own Psalm this week. May we take a lesson from David and be truly heartfelt in our repentance.
Linda
Linda’s Psalm
Father God you are holy and just
You see my sins and show me through your Holy Spirit the error of my ways.
I do not deserve even to be looked upon or considered.
Yet, you in your mercy have loved me from the beginning.
You have loved me even before I knew you.
You had a plan to redeem me and desired that I know and love you.
Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place so that I may live through faith in Jesus with you forever. That I may know you more fully and be guided and lead by your Holy Spirit.
You make all things possible through Jesus.
Your salvation makes me whole and is glorious.
May I glorify you with my life in words and deeds.
May I show others how marvelous and wonderful you are!
MESSAGE LINK
Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass
Watch on Youtube
LINDA'S BLOG
Linda is a member of Crossroads church and regularly blogs about her faith.
Fearless Living
Fearless Living
CROSSROADS CHURCH
Discovering God is a fresh look at how God is moving in our lives. Rooted in the Crossroads Church community, we reflect on sermons, share stories, and explore everyday moments where God invites us to grow. Join us as we take steps toward Him together. Learn more at www.wearecrossroads.church.
Discovering God is a fresh look at how God is moving in our lives. Rooted in the Crossroads Church community, we reflect on sermons, share stories, and explore everyday moments where God invites us to grow. Join us as we take steps toward Him together. Learn more at www.wearecrossroads.church.
GIVE
Support the ministry of Crossroads and help us tell the story of Jesus with others.