David’s Chastisement and Restoration

This week’s passage raises some very challenging issues, including:

What do you say to parents whose infant has suddenly died as they wonder, ‘Is it our fault? Is God punishing us? Is our baby in heaven?’
What do you say to someone who is so much in despair that you fear that she may take her own life?
What do you say to a brother or sister in Christ who has passionately sought God’s blessing in a certain situation (a relationship, a job, a dream) and God has definitively answered ‘No’.
Can God bless a marriage which has begun sinfully, perhaps after fornication, adultery, or a divorce?

Our passage this week touches on all of these issues and more.

King David has been forgiven by God for his sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah (in attempt to cover-up his sin).
David, however, will still have to face the consequences of his sin, which include the death of the son conceived through his adultery with Bathsheba.
David pleads for the life of his son, but then when his son dies, he accepts the LORD’s will and worships.
The LORD also shows favor to David as David and Bathsheba have another son (Solomon) who is beloved of the LORD. Also, David is victorious in battle over the Ammonites.
Though he will bear the consequences and the scars of his sin, David’s relationship to the LORD has been restored.

This passage offers both instruction and hope for us as we think of how the LORD deals with us both in chastisement and in grace.

Seeking and Granting Forgiveness

While the most important forgiveness is the forgiveness we receive from God, we are also called upon to seek and grant forgiveness from one another.

The story of Joseph illustrates biblical principles of forgiveness.

1. We must seek forgiveness (quickly and thoroughly) when we wrong others.
2. We must grant forgiveness when others ask us.
3. Joseph teaches how we are able to forgive others (even when it is hard).

Righteousness for the Unrighteous

Why is the Gospel “good news”? Romans 3:21-26 answers that question by showing us that God declares us to be righteous in His sight through faith in Christ, not through our best efforts to obey Him. Here are some questions to consider as you listen to this sermon:

1. What is the “righteousness of God”?
2. How does one receive the righteousness of God?
3. Why did Christ die on the cross?
4. What attributes of God are displayed in Christ’s death on the cross?

David Repents and God Forgives

Last week we looked at the Prophet Nathan’s confrontation of David over his sins with Bathsheba and Uriah.

Tomorrow we will study David’s repentance and God’s forgiveness.

We will see the difference between worldly sorrow (in the example of Saul in I Samuel 15) and David’s godly sorrow.

We also will learn that even forgiven sin may have serious consequences.

The LORD Confronts David’s Sin

This Sunday we resume our series in II Samuel as the LORD sends the prophet Nathan to confront David over his sin of committing adultery with Bathsheba and then murdering her husband Uriah in the cover up. In chapter 11 it seemed that David was in control and that he had literally gotten by with his crimes, but the LORD took notice. Several months later the LORD takes action as he sends the prophet Nathan to expose and rebuke David’s sin.

This passage reminds us that, while a true believer can fall into sin, sooner or later the LORD will do what it takes to bring him to repentance.

Nathan serves as an example of how God calls us to restore one another when someone falls into sin (Gal. 6:1).

It is also a reminder of how we should be receptive to those who come to admonish us.

The Victory of God’s Anointed King

I will be preaching from Psalm 2, which declares the victory of God’s anointed King over those who rebel against Him.
Though the world is in turmoil because of its rebellion against God, He Who sits in heaven is not disturbed. He has established His Anointed One to rule over the earth.
Those who rebel will be crushed which is why all people should submit to God’s Anointed Son while there is time.

As you read the Psalm think of how it speaks of David, how it speaks of Jesus, and how it speaks of our situation.

Radical Grace for Rebellious People

No one likes to hear bad news, but often through it good can come. The same is true for the people of Judah. Their condition was far worse than they imagined, yet the Lord was willing to show them incredible grace. As we look at this passage tomorrow, we will be made aware of the sins that lie deep within our hearts, and be encouraged by God’s gracious work to remedy the situation through faith in Christ.

Please read Isaiah 1 before you come to service tomorrow.