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  GETTING RIGHT WITH GOD
  by Theodore Epp
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking a clean heart
and living in fellowship with God for effective Christian living and
evangelism.

Topics: "Fellowship With God", "Restoration"
Scripture References: Psalm 51:10-11, Psalm 51:13, 1 John 1:9

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DESCRIPTION
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Theodore Epp emphasizes the importance of getting right with God, as
illustrated in Psalm 51, where David pleads for a clean heart and
restoration of fellowship with God. He explains that while regeneration
is necessary for the unbeliever, Christians must seek renewal to avoid
being sidelined by sin. Epp highlights the assurance of our position in
Christ but stresses the need for a victorious condition through ongoing
fellowship with the Lord. He concludes that once restored, believers can
effectively share the Gospel, reflecting God's grace in their lives.

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CONTENT
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Psalm 51:1-17

David asked God to create in him a clean heart (see Ps. 51:10). With
regard to the unbeliever, this would be a matter of regeneration, but
for the Christian it involves renewal and restoration.

David said, "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy
spirit from me" (v. 11).

This is Old Testament doctrine and has to do with the fact that when a
person had the Spirit of God and was disobedient, the Holy Spirit might
leave him as He left Saul. David did not want this to happen to him.

In this Church Age the Spirit of God comes into the believer's life to
stay. Nevertheless, many Christians, some of them Christian workers,
have been put on the shelf and are useless to God because of some sin
that they have allowed to control, or dominate, their lives.

Our position before God in Christ is assured, but our condition, or
experience, if it is to be victorious, must be one of living in
fellowship with the Lord.

Then the grace of God comes into full view as we see David saying, "Then
will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto
thee" (v. 13).

Once the individual has been restored to fellowship, then, by the grace
of God, he can effectively share the Gospel with others.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/theodore-epp/getting-right-with-god/
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