We Need A Clean Heart – Co-op City Baptist Church

Church Building Fund

$2,540 of $0 raised

Comebackability.

“The doctors said I probably wouldn’t live very long….”  

Our founding pastor, the late Rev. Julius Sasportas, would often share the story of his fragile start in life. But he defied the odds and lived for over 90 years.

Rev. Sasportas’ experience is a metaphor for the Co-op City Baptist Church.

We’ve had to scrape, sacrifice and fight for everything. Although we’ve been knocked down many times, by God’s grace, we have never been KNOCKED OUT.

Any day now, cranes will arrive on the site, and the “digging” will begin!

Our new church edifice will include a state-of-the-art facility to house a comprehensive youth education and recreational program.

But, we can do more things faster for our kids if we’re not in debt. Working in the red is why many large community-based projects shut down. And we will not fail these kids! We need to earn $100,000 in a year.

Kindly donate, and share this link through social media so others can join this effort.

It’s easy to say you want our kids to excel in math, reading, technology and science, but will you actively support such an outcome?

Even if you don’t know us, please do this **(seriously)** …

Pray over your credit card. Then make your donation as a love offering to God. He will bless you for being a blessing to children.  Thank you!

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We Need A Clean Heart

by Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams

Message for Sunday March 18, 2018

Scripture: Psalm 51:8-12

Text: Psalm 51:10

Theme: We Need A Clean Heart

Nowhere in the Bible is the danger of falling into sin more powerfully portrayed than in the life of David. Relaxing on his balcony when he should have been at war, David caught a glimpse of a beautiful woman as she bathed. Tragically, he surrendered to temptation and committed adultery with her while her husband, Uriah, fought Israel’s enemies. This woman, Bathsheba, became pregnant as a result of David’s immoral union with her. The panicked king brought her husband home from the battlefront with the expectation that he would be reunited with his wife. However, Uriah was loyal to his men and refused to enjoy his wife’s company while his fellow soldiers slept on the battlefield. When all David’s attempts to make Uriah appear to be the baby’s father failed, David arranged for Uriah to be placed on the front lines of the fiercest battle. As anticipated, he was slain there.

Adultery and murder … these are the despicable sins of Israel’s king, the sweet psalmist of Israel, the man after God’s own heart. David stole the wife of one of his most faithful warriors a loyal friend who would have gladly died for David and then arranged for his death.

For nearly a year, David persistently refused to deal with his shameful sin. Eventually, God sent the prophet Nathan to confront the king, and he finally repented. Psalm 51 is David’s heartfelt confession to God.

Of all the psalms, the fifty-first is one of the best known and loved because it is so personal: we are all guilty of grievous sin and in frequent need of God’s abundant grace. This deeply intense psalm teaches us several critical lessons about sin and forgiveness:

Even the most godly people can fall into terrible sin.

Sin is serious, causing inescapable consequences. Just one lapse into sin can change our lives and the lives of others forever.

We never sin so grievously that we cannot come to God for forgiveness.

When we confess our sin to God sincerely, He will forgive, cleanse, and restore us regardless how appalling the sin is.
As David confessed his terrible sin to the Lord, he made two promises to God. First, he would use his experience to teach others. Second, he would praise God for His boundless mercy and grace. Along with Psalm 32, Psalm 51 is David’s fulfillment of these vows. In it, he teaches us how to confess our sins, and he exalts the Lord for His faithfulness to forgive and restore us.

1. Cry out for God’s mercy and compassion (vv. 1-3).
2. Confess your sin (vv. 4-7).
3. Pray for restoration and renewal (vv. 8-12).
4. Make a renewed commitment to God (vv. 13-17).
5. Intercede for others, (vv. 18-19).

I pray that you will come and join us for worship on Sunday’s at 8:00 or 11:00 and Wednesday’s at noon.

May God continue to bless you and your family richly.