May 15, 2022

What If I’m Broken?

May 14 & 15, 2022

Primary Text:  Psalm 51:1-17                         

Previous Teaching:  What If I’m Right?

1)  A Slave to Everyone

1 Corinthians 9:19-22:  Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.  To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.  To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.  To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.

DQ 1) In what ways was Paul “free”?  What restrained his freedom?

DQ 2) Why is adapting to the personal and cultural context important in presenting truth?

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2)  All Things to Everyone

1 Corinthians 9:22-23:  I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 

DQ 3) What does it mean to “become all things to all men”?

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This Week’s Teachings

1)  Self-Inflicted Brokenness

Psalm 51:1-4:  Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.  Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.  For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.  Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

DQ 1) How has your own sin broken your soul?  Are you still carrying guilt and shame?

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2)  Originally Sinful

Psalm 51:5:  Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.  

DQ 2) What is the concept (doctrine) of original sin?

DQ 3) How does original sin impact every person and spread brokenness?

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3)  Broken by Others

Psalm 3:1-7:  O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!  Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." Selah.  But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.  To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah.  I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.  I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.  Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! 

2 Samuel 15:13-14:  A messenger came and told David, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom."  Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, "Come!  We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. 

DQ 4) How has the sin of others generally impacted you?

DQ 5) Have you been personally traumatized by the sin of other people?

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4)  Cleansed & Restored

Psalm 51:6-12:  Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.  Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.  Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

DQ 6) What is the process by which God heals and restores broken people?

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5)  The Sacrifices of God

Psalm 51:13-17:  Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.  Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.  O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.  You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

DQ 7) What does it mean to have a “broken spirit--a broken and contrite heart”?

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