When Nathan confronted David with his guilt relative to his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, David prayed (Psalms 51:10):

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” 

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O God.

David did not need a physical heart transplant; but he desperately needed a clean Bible heart. 

The Bible heart is identified by what it is said to do.

• The Bible heart thinks (Proverbs 23:7). It reasons (Mark 2:8). It understands (Matthew 13:15). It believes (Romans. 10:10.). This is intellect. 
• The Bible heart loves (Matthew 22:37). This is emotion.  
• The Bible heart obeys (Romans 6:17-18). This is will power.
• The Bible heart judges (1 John 3:20-21). This is conscience.

A clean heart is necessary for one to see God (Matthew 5:8). But how does one get a clean heart? Peter answers: “God put no difference between us (Jews) and them (Gentiles), purifying their heart by faith (Acts 15:9). But it is not by faith only; if so, even the devils would have pure hearts (James 2:19). It is a faith that obeys in  love (Galatians 5:6).  It is a faith that obeys by faith in baptism in the Name of Jesus (Acts 2:38). It is a faith that keeps one penitent and serving. As we leave this point, let me emphasize it says “create in me a clean heart”.

RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT IN ME. 

The right spirit thinks on things that honest, true, pure, just, lovely and of good report (Philippians 4:8). A right spirit brings into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).  A right spirit hates evil with the same passion with which it loves truth (Psalms 119:128). In short; a right spirit does whatever it does in the Name of Christ. (Colossians 3:17).

CAST ME NOT AWAY FROM THY PRESENCE.

The way to effectively pray this can pretty well be summed up in three points.  Draw nigh to God (James 4:8).  Keep one’s body in subject to the will of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:27). Abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9).  

RENEW UNTO ME THE JOY OF THY SALVATON.

Some members have no real joy in God’s salvation. This is the reason for unfaithfulness. It takes no coaxing to get one to do that which he enjoys. Rejoice is an oft-repeated command. Rejoice always (Philippians 4:4). Rejoice in hope (Romans 12:12). Rejoice in Christ (Philippians 3:3). When we delight in the law of the Lord, we will be faithful (Romans 7:22; Psalms 1:1-2).

Now let us notice verse 13:

“Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee”

When David got these things right, he would be in position to teach others effectively.  So will we be. But let us be sure that we teach are “Thy” ways,” not my ways or the ways of any other source.

The church was started by teaching God’s ways, and it can only be kept pure by teaching God’s ways.

Jesse Jenkins

Victory is found in Jesus, not in your own perfection.

• Romans 7:14-25
• I must continue to fight, but victory will only be in Jesus.

Realize that this will be a journey.

• Ephesians 4:20-24 – We must continually put off the old self.
• Luke physical exercise, it is a continual gradual progress.
• Hebrews 5:13-14

Do some addition and subtraction.

• Can I shape my environment to help with temptation?
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• II Chronicles 24:1-2, 15-19 – Joash did good while Jehoiada was alive, but was then influenced by people who led him away from God.
• Add godly people to your life and subtract ungodly people.
• Psalms 119:9-16 – This is how you avoid sin!
• Philippians 4:8 – Dwell on good things!
• Proverbs 5:7-8; 7:7, 25
• Proverbs 13:20
• If it’s going to tempt you, stay away from it!

In the moment, try …

… thinking of God’s love

• John 15:9

… thinking of God’s wrath

• Mark 9:48

Introduction to Galatians

Where was Galatia?

• Near modern-day Turkey, between the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea.

What was Galatia?

• A Roman province with changing borders.

Who lived there?

• Numerous ethnic groups
  • Lycaonians – Acts 14:11
  • Homer and Pausanias – Barbari
  • Other languages
    • Greek
    • Syrian
    • Pisidian
    • Solyman
    • Lydian
  • Major ethnic group – Celtic

Where were the churches of Galatia?

• In Galatia, of course
  • Paul and Barnabas had visited the region (Acts 14)
    • Were run out of Iconium
    • Regarded as gods, but then stoned Paul in Lystra
    • Left to return to Antioch
  • Paul returned later with Silas to Derbe and Lystra (Acts 16)
    • Found Timothy and other brethren
    • There were churches there! (Acts 16:5)
    • Passed through Galatia region, bypassing Asia (Acts 16:6)
    • Passed back through, strengthening disciples (Acts 18:23)
  • Appear to have been churches in
    • Antioch in Pisidia
    • Derbe
    • Lystra
    • Iconium
  • Other principle city of Galatia – Ancyra
    • No record of a visit from Paul
    • Well north of Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium
    • Certainly possible

Writing of Galatians

• Who?
  • Paul (Galatians 1:1)
  • Almost universally accepted
• Why?
  • State his concerns to the churches (Galatians 1:6-7)
  • Affirm his apostleship (Galatians 1:1, 15-16)
• When?
  • AD 53
  • As early as AD 48 or late as AD 58.

Main themes of Galatians

• Salvation by grace through faith
  • No salvation by law
  • Circumcision has no effect (Galatians 5:2-3)
• Authenticity of Paul’s apostleship
  • Nor from men
  • Assigned an apostle by Jesus

End of Mark

The last twelve verses of Mark (Mark 16:9-20)

• In some translations, these verses are removed or annotated to indicate that there is some doubt about their authenticity. The evidence in favor of their authenticity is overwhelming.
• In one survey of manuscripts, out of 620 manuscripts which contain Mark, only two do not contain these verses.
• “Church fathers” dating back to the 100s AD quote from these verses, indicating that they were commonly in manuscripts at that time.

The great commission

• Luke 24:45-49
• Acts 1:8
• John 20:19-23

Return to the last twelve verses

• Mark 16:9-11 – Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene.
• Mark 16:12-13 – Jesus appears to two disciples. Compare Luke 24:13-26.
• Mark 16:14-18 – The great commission.
  • Mark 16:17 – This is not saying that all who believe in Jesus will be able to work signs and miracles. It is saying that the signs would accompany those who were going out to preach (see Mark 16:20).
• Mark 16:19-20 – The great commission executed.
  • They started in Acts 2 just like Jesus commanded.
    • Study suggestion: Memorize all of Acts 2!
  • Peter explains the plan of salvation:
    • Acts 2:22-36 – They heard the word.
    • Acts 2:36 – They believed.
    • Acts 2:37 – Confess.
    • Acts 2:38-40 – Repent and be baptized.
  • The rest of Acts is a history of the apostles doing like they did here in Acts 2.
  • Compare: Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:47-49; John 20:21-23; Mark 16:15-16
  • Mark 16:20 – And they went everywhere doing this! We need to do the same thing!