“David: A Life Unfiltered”
“David: A Life Unfiltered” – Part 11 (conclusion)
Text: II Samuel 23:1-7
Date: 9/3/17
“A High Standard”
Intro:
- Professor Dr. Charles Emery story/example of a “high standard”
- The response by the students mirror life in general
Today, we’re concluding our David series. It ends with a summary of sorts with his last official song, or “public words”.
David was God’s chosen servant and model for Israel. In him we find many examples of how to serve the Lord (even now). There are four reminders that he gives us to aspire to as we walk with the Lord and lead others.
First,
I. Remember to Value Justice (v.3)
A. Expect it of ourselves (first) – To realize that I am not “above the rules”.
B. Consistency
- Not with prejudice
- To push beyond the superficial
- There’s a reason for the “rule of law”
C. Resistant to the cultural “winds of the day” – A “long view” of history
Second,
II. Remember to Walk in the Fear of God (v.3b)
A. Remembering Who made everything – Who defines right and wrong
B. Remembering that we are stewards – Jesus often talked about the principle of being a good steward
C. Remembering Who is the final Judge – I will give an account to God for my life, not other people
And third,
III. Remember to be Like the Light of the Morning
Re-read v.4
A. Source of warmth – like being outside on a cold winter night when the first ray of sunshine breaks the horizon
B. Source of Hope
- There’s something hopeful about “first light”
- A person of God should bring “hope-ful-ness”
C. Source of Clarity
- The rising sun dispels darkness
- We should be the same
D. Source of Life – Nourishing the tender grass
IV. Remember that God is God
Re-read v.5-7
A. God makes sovereign decisions – sometimes they are beyond our understanding
B. God fights our battles for us
- Read 22:36-37
- “Armor of God” – Ephes. 6
C. God deals with evil in His way
- Read 22:47-48
- Vengeance is the Lord’s – Deut. 32:35
As we close,
V. Conclusion
- How high are your personal standards
- The good news is that Christ in us makes us “more than conquerors” – Romans 8:37
- We are victors in Christ
- Let’s walk that way!
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“David: A Life Unfiltered” – Part 10
Text: II Samuel 24:18-25
Date: 8/27/17
“Beauty for Ashes”
Intro:
As we’ve looked at David’s life, we’ve seen a lot of success. As a champion warrior, there is no comparison to anyone else. It’s been said that we’re often tempted in our areas of strength as much or more than our weaknesses. For David, it was his victories as a military leader, because later on, pride subtly moved into his heart and he wanted to know the extent of his success.
He ordered a census be taken of the all the military, citizenry and vassal subjects…and sinned against God by doing so. Joab even pushed back and challenged the king somewhat about it, but David insisted. When the results were tallied and delivered to the king, David’s heart was convicted and he realized his failure.
Read 24:10
His old friend the Prophet Gad showed up to speak to him and bring God’s message. The Lord gave him 3 choices:
- 7 years of famine
- 3 months of running from his enemies
- 3 days of plague
David requested that he not be delivered into his enemies’ hands, so God pronounced 3 days of plague. 70,000 men die and David once again confesses his sin and God speaks to him again through Gad:
Read 24:18-25
First, let’s consider:
I. God Offers Forgiveness
Read II Samuel 11:1-2
A. God still had a plan – Although this was the second time David had sinned in dramatic fashion, God was still planning to use him.
B. He had reached brokenness – David had reached the point of not only being convicted, he felt broken over the ugliness of sin (v.17).
Second,
II. True Repentance is Demonstrated
A. David understood there was costs associated with sin and forgiveness
Re-read verse 24
B. David demonstrated a desire to please God and not just be forgiven
And third,
III. God Built Something Beautiful from the Ashes of Sacrifice
A. The Place
- This was no random place
- It was the specific spot where Abraham offered Isaac
- It had been chosen by God for Abraham too
B. The House
- This event started the ball rolling to gather the materials for the future temple
- The house David had imagined also had a God-given location
- The stone where the sacrifice had been made would be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant
C. The Eternal House
Read Isaiah 61:1-3
- This is the passage Jesus quotes in Luke 4:16-21
- God’s plan was always an eternal solution for the ashes
- God’s plan was always for an “eternal house”
- When the vile was torn at the time of crucifixion, “It is Finished!” was the building of the house
- We are His house, His Spirit dwells in us
- He replaces “beauty for ashes” in our hearts when we trust Him
- And our lives each day representing Him, is a presence of beauty in a world of “ashes”
As we close,
IV. Conclusion
- In God’s love and grace, He offers us forgiveness
- First in salvation
- Second, in daily renewal
- Third, to make something beautiful as He fits His church together day-by-day
- Have you experienced “beauty for ashes” in your own life?
- You can today…
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“David: A Life Unfiltered” – Part 9
Text: II Samuel 11 & 12
Date: 8/20/17
“Choices Have Consequences”
Intro:
Beginning with mentioning the story of The Andy Griffith Show episode of “Opie the Birdman”.
Today, I want to talk about a subject that has almost disappeared from our cultural norms. There has been great effort made in recent decades to remove it from our way of life, and that’s the reality that choices have consequences.
Chapter 11 starts with 5 haunting words, “It happened in the spring…”
- It’s a familiar story
- It’s an applicable story to today
- And it’s not a beautiful “love story” of two people finding their true “soul mates” through adultery like a modern romance movie
- It’s an ugly story of cheap, carnal lust
- And it contains many of the “overarching” truths of the scripture
First, let’s consider:
I. The Process of Decision
Read II Samuel 11:1-2
A. The Opportunity
- Important to realize that verse 1 is the “second part” of the previous verses. The war was still unfinished.
- Idleness is not the same as rest (it is rest-less-ness) and dangerous
B. The Second Look
- We see things
- We hear things
- The second glance and the lingering look is the step onto the banana peel!
- Two warnings – I Corinthians 10:12 and James 1:14-15
C. The Inquiry
Read verse 3
- Wanting more information about sin is rarely a good thing
- Paul says in Romans 16:19 to be simple toward sin (don’t try to live close to it)
D. The Act
Read verse 4
- The point of no return
- Numerous opportunities to stop short
- There is a “line of consequence” when crossed sets things into motion
Second,
II. Owning the Decision
A. Concealment versus transparency
Read verses 5-13
- Sin loves darkness
- It would have made everything easier
B. The cost of concealment
Read verse 15
- The decision was made the Uriah should bear the cost of concealment
- Sin often affects others and not just us
C. Rationalization
Read verse 25
- “Things happen in war”, don’t let it worry you
- It was providence and was just his time to go
- He was a soldier and knew the risks
D. There was no ownership
- No fault recognized
- Someone else should pay
Sooner or later, we will have to own our decisions
And third,
III. Living with a Decision
A. Nothing escapes God’s view
Read 12:1-9
B. Godly review connects the dots
Read 12:10-12
C. There is forgiveness
Read verse 12:13
D. There are consequences
Read verse 12:14 (the however)
E. There is the moving forward
Read 12:20
Read Psalm 51:10-13
- Create in me a clean heart
- Renew a steadfast spirit within me
- Restore the joy
- Help me to teach others (v.13)
As we close,
IV. Conclusion
Ecclesiastes 11:13-14
- The very reason for the gospel is that choices have consequences
- May we walk humbly
- May we choose wisely
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“David: A Life Unfiltered” – Part 8
Text: II Samuel 8, 9, 10
Date: 8/13/17
“Living Honorably in a Culture Without Honor”
Intro:
Culture Changes over time. In the “old days”:
- You could make deals with a handshake
- Kids could roam free in the neighborhood
- Projects required much less paperwork
But today, there is such complexity and seemingly more dishonesty. Today, we’re looking at the subject of “honor”. The term itself can be used in different ways, such as a title or redeeming a coupon, but let’s think about it in terms of character and personal interaction.
At this point in David’s reign, he was “taking back the borders” to re-establish rule over the land God promised Abraham. So, in that context, I want to consider three things about “honor”:
First,
I. God Always Acts Honorably (8:6 & 14)
Read II Samuel 8:6 & 14
A. He keeps His promises
(ALL of them-the ones that have positive consequences and the ones that have negative consequences)
B. He honors those who love Him
- Psalm 91:15
- James 4:10
C. Others are also blessed as a result, not just the one getting honored (8:15)
- Peace
- Prosperity
- Justice
- Law and order
- Opportunity
- Prosperity
Second,
II. We Are to Act Honorably (9:1-13)
Read 9:1-7
A. Honor starts in the heart
- Matthew 15:7-9
- James 4:10 (again)
B. David kept a promise (to Jonathon)
Honorable people think about honorable things.
C. Honoring God includes showing grace
It wasn’t because he felt sorry him with the disability (because David didn’t know), it was because of a desire to do an act of grace and kindness.
And lastly,
III. Others May Not Act Honorably (10:1-19)
Read 10:1-4
A. David’s motive was right
(Honorable people think about honorable things)
B. Hunan was a fool
(He lacked the ability to receive the kindness)
C. Lack of honor affects others (Syrians)
D. In the end, true honor prevails
- Hanun’s foolishness was eventually on display for everyone to see
- The window of honor had passed
As we close,
IV. Conclusion
Regardless of what’s happening now in our culture, we must follow God’s model of behavior and at times even be proactive.
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“David: A Life Unfiltered” – Part 7
Text: II Samuel 6:1-15
Date: 8/6/17
“David’s Do-over”
Intro:
One of my all-time favorite movies is “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (some personal anecdotes).
In the story of David, the Ark of the Covenant has an interesting and central moment.
A quick review of the Ark’s history:
- During the exodus, God gave very specific instructions on building a tabernacle, furnishing it and the procedures for worship.
- Inside the tabernacle was the Most Holy Place where the ark rested
- God’s glory would be upon the Mercy Seat of the Ark
- It was not to be approached casually (ever!)
- It was to be moved only in a very specific manner, (and only by Levites)
- At the end of the Judges Era, the Ark was in Shiloh at the tabernacle
- The Philistines captured it when the Hebrews brought it to the battle in 1 Samuel 4
- The Philistines placed in the temple of their god Dagon and then found their stone idol of Dagon lying prostrate before the Ark of God in the morning
- After replacing it on the pedestal, the next morning they found their idol again prostrate before the Ark with the hands and head removed
- The Philistines suffered great physical plagues until they returned it
- Once it came back, the Hebrews mishandled it and many of them were struck dead
- It was eventually placed in the home of Abinadab and left there
For today, I want to look at David’s handling of the Ark. After becoming king over all of Israel, he wanted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem (his capital).
Read 2 Samuel 6:1-2
First, before looking at the events of chapter 6, I would like to consider:
I. David’s Previous Pattern of Decision-making
Read I Samuel 30:6-8
A. He resisted urgent peer-pressure (v.6)
B. He stopped and made the extra effort to be reverent (the ephod)
C. He set aside his track record of victories to inquire of God
Second,
II. David’s Plan for the Ark
Read 6:3-5
A. No record of seeking the Lord
- It seemed logical
- Everyone was on-board with it (so it must be right!)
- Popular opinion was on David’s side
B. He chose to use the world’s pattern for moving it (like the Philistines in I Samuel 6)
C. The Result
Read 6:6-11
- Death of some he involved
- Anger at God for his own mistake
- Fear of repercussions going forward
- Mission failure
However, there’s more:
III. David’s Do-over
Read 6:12-15
This time, since he was following God’s instructions the results were far different:
A. There was joy (v.15)
B. There was confidence (v.14)
C. There was also criticism (v.16-23)
- Michal was exposed as having the same attitude of her father Saul
- Often, when we have a big spiritual victory, there is a joy-killer just waiting to make a comment
As we close,
IV. Conclusion
After time had passed, David wanted to build a permanent home for the Ark, but God spoke through the prophet Nathan and asked, “Have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I have commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?””
David was still assuming that there was a wrong to be fixed, but God cleared that up. As we finish, here are 3 questions for us to consider together:
- What is your pattern of decision-making?
- What is your point of action?
- Do you simply assume or stop and ask for God’s guidance and will?
Going forward today, may we approach God humbly and often…
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“David: A Life Unfiltered” – Part 6
Text: I Samuel 22:1-5 & Psalm 34
Date: 7/23/17
“In the Wilderness”
Intro:
(Personal Story of being deployed in the desert and Psalm 18)
Today, I want to look at David’s time “in the wilderness”. There were multiple places that he traveled; the wilderness of Moab, Maon, Ziph, the forest of Hereth, and others.
While moving around, he was learning more and more about life and trusting God. There are four things I want to consider today.
First,
I. There was Provision
Read I Samuel 21:1-9
A. Physically-showbread
(Protocol set aside to feed God’s anointed)
B. Spiritually-Gad & Abiathar the Priest (22:5, 22:20)
- Prophet to hear from God and be accountable
- Priest for proper/formal worship (David and his followers)
Second,
II. There was clarity
Read Psalm 52:1-9
A. Saw a clear contrast between good and evil (v.1-7)
(We often need to step back or be moved back to see it)
B. David was strengthened in his trust of the Lord (v.8-9)
And next,
III. There was the unexpected
A. Sent to Hereth (22:5) – Although comfortable, it was “time to move”
B. People kept showing up uninvited (23:13) – Time in the wilderness often involves people we don’t know before
And fourth,
IV. There was Testing
- David had constantly been trying to stay ahead of Saul’s attempt on his life
- On two occasions, David could have easily killed Saul
- Read 26:9-11
A. David refused to disrespect God’s sovereignty
B. Both occasions meant choosing more time in the wilderness
(The temptation can be strong to take things into our own hands, like Abraham did)
V. Conclusion
“Wilderness” times are often part of the journey
- Appreciate God’s provision
- Learn from the clarity
- Expect the unexpected
- Grow from the testing
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“David: A Life Unfiltered” – Part 5
Text: I Samuel 22:1-5 & Psalm 34
Date: 7/23/17
“David’s Status Update”
Intro:
At this point in our series, the story begins to move forward:
- First, Saul gives Michael to David as wife
- Saul was trying to get David killed by asking him to kill Philistines as a wedding dowry
- Saul continues to relentlessly pursue him
- David and his men escape to Samuel
- Saul sends men to Samuel
- Saul goes to Samuel
- David escapes to Gath
- David escapes from King of Gath pretending insanity
Read I Samuel 22:1-5
After the events in Gath with his family and random people showing up at his hideout, David pauses for what we would call a “status update” titles Psalm 34
Today, I want to look at Psalm 34 and consider 5 habits of a Godly life:
First, let’s read verses 1-3:
I. There is praise (v.1-3)
A. At all times (v.1)
- Constantly
- A decision to honor God with words
B. Boasting in Him (v.2)
- Elevate the name of the Lord, have a high view of God
- Not using the name of the Lord carelessly
C. Other God-fearing people will be encouraged
- Someone needs the encouragement you can be
- Sometimes, you need to be encouraged by others
Second, let’s read verses 4-7,
II. There is a seeking (v.4-7)
A. A proactive posture of worship from us toward God
B. The results are noticeable
C. A proactive posture of protection from God
Third, in a Godly life,
III. There is a proving (v.8-10
Read 8-10
A. More than a nibble-commit to dine (9v.8)
B. There is satisfaction
C. There is no lack of good things (v.10)
- Not lack of anything, but good things
- Romans 8:28, good things according to God’s purposes
The fourth habit of a Godly life is:
IV. There is Teaching (v.11-16)
Read 11-16 (all his family there, etc.)
A. Actively teach the young to fear the Lord (v.11)
B. Be willing to define good and evil (v.13-14)
C. Teach them to pray (v.15)
D. Remind them that God judges evil, regardless of what it appears like in the culture (v.16)
And lastly,
V. There is Remembrance (v.17-2)
A. The Lord hears the righteous, even if it doesn’t feel like it (v.17)
B. The Lord is near to the broken-spirited (v.18)
(and David refers to this verse in Psalm 51 after Bathsheba)
C. The Lord delivers His own (v.19)
D. The Lord ultimately redeems His own (v.22)
VI. Conclusion
- There was a consistency in David’s life because of these things
- It’s important to remember that he was “David” because of these things, not the other way around. In other words, these habits as a shepherd made him who he was before being a hero.
- Also, even David stumbled when he left these practices and followed a fleshly appetite.
Let’s commit today to:
- Praising the Lord
- Seeking the Lord
- Proving the Lord to be true
- Teaching kids about the Lord
- Remembering that the Lord is near
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“David: A Life Unfiltered” – Part 4
Text: I Samuel 18:1-16
Date: 7/16/17
“Submission”
Intro:
- (personal story for illustration)
- Jesus modeled submission (Luke 2:51-52)
- James speaks of it James 4:7-10
For today, we’ll be looking at three people and three different aspects of submission:
Read 18:1-16
First is Saul,
I. A Half-Submitted Heart is Restless
Saul had a history of half-trusting God which led to three things:
A. Suspicion without reason (v.9)
(restlessness and insecurity was causing him to imagine that David was trying to undermine him.)
B. Fear of Godliness (v.12 & 15)
- The fear of David was a clear realization that God was present with him
- The gripping presence of truth was challenging him
C. Anger for no reason (v.10-11)
- The restlessness of Saul’s heart and mind exploded in a violent attempt on David’s life
- He was trying to eliminate the convicting presence and avoid coming to terms with his condition (repent)
Second is Jonathon,
II. A Fully Submitted Heart is at Peace (v.1-4)
Some general points about him:
- Jonathon is much older than David (maybe 20 years or so)
- Jonathon was a seasoned warrior (I Samuel 14)
- Jonathon was next in line for the kingdom
- Most likely an older brother-younger brother type relationship, where each one loved the other one being around
A. There is insight (v.1)
- He listened
- He observed
- He considered what it meant
B. There is a spirit of appreciation (v.3)
(Jonathon recognized and appreciated God’s sovereignly chosen next king-v.3)
C. There is a sense of security
(Jonathon had no problem giving David his royal weapons, royal attire (including equipment with royal insignias)
Lastly is David,
III. A Submitted Mind Grows in Wisdom
Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”
Let’s consider David in verses 5 & 14
A. He was teachable
(from the beginning David had a pliable spirit regarding the Lord)
B. He was personable
(He was agreeable to be around and interacted well with others)
C. He was usable
(Because of his submitted heart, wherever he went, God used him for His glory.)
IV. Conclusion
- Where does your heart rank on the ‘submission meter”?
- Is there peace and usable qualities?
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“David: A Life Unfiltered” – Part 3
Text: I Samuel 17:1-58
Date: 7/9/17
“The Death of Goliath”
Intro:
- Familiar story
- Often thought of in “cartoonish” imagery
- Reality was not “cute” or “cartoonish”. Ancient warfare was grisly and horrific affair, with far-reaching results
- The background is typical battle array of the time
- A “representative battle” was also common
- Size and strength is important in hand-to-hand combat (arm reach, slashing power against a shield, etc.)
- The Philistines saw an advantage with Goliath
- 40 days was a long time to be camped and listening to Goliath twice a day
- Jesse sends provisions with David
For today, I want to consider four things regrading Goliath’s challenges:
First,
I. Spirit-led Eyes See Things Differently
Read Verses 17:26 and 16:13 (as a reminder from Part 2)
A. Physical eyes saw an overwhelming threat
(even the battle-tested eyes saw a certain, painful death, with no chance of survival)
B. Spiritual eyes saw a blasphemous heart within the threat
(verse 16:7 works both ways, God sees the good AND bad heart)
C. Spiritual eyes see a clear comparison
Next,
II. Spirit-led Actions Aren’t Always Welcomed (v. 28)
A. Discouragement and mockery are often close-by
B. Motives are sometimes questioned
C. Resentment can build over time
Also,
III. Spirit-led Battles are Fought God’s Way (v.33-40)
Read verses 33-40
A. Pick the right battle (very, important)
- Eliab-wrong battle, wrong time
- Goliath-right battle, right time
B. Be confident in your own equipping
(God equips and uses us all differently)
C. Remember God’s faithfulness
(memorials and remembrance are important)
Fourth,
IV. Spirit-led lives Glorify God (v.41-51)
Read verses 41-51
A. David was most interested in God being glorified
(he could have left for home and nobody would have thought anymore about it)
B. The situation had become a question of honoring God as His people
C. God had already chosen to end Goliath’s life (he was already defeated)
(just like the Hebrews facing the Canaanites years earlier, God wanted a willing servant)
V. Conclusion
- Are you Spirit-led?
- Are you genuinely, in-the-practical-matters-of-life Spirit-led?
Consider this:
“Spirit-led eyes lead to Spirit-led actions, which lead to Spirit-led battles against defeated enemies to glorify God!”
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“David: A Life Unfiltered” – Part 2
Text: I Samuel 16:14-23
Date: 7/2/17
Intro:
Music has a transcendent and universal aspect to it. For example:
- “Middle C” on a piano is a “C” everywhere, regardless of language
- Tunes easily get stuck in our head (we’re wired to respond to music)
- It’s difficult to speak the words of a popular TV sitcom tune without singing
Today, I want to talk about worship. At this point in David’s story, a key moment happens, let’s look:
Read the text: 16:14-23
First,
I. Worship Connects the Physical with the Spiritual
(Before we talk about Saul, let’s consider true worship itself)
A. There is an eternal connection in worship
- Job 38:7 – God asks Job if he was there when the morning stars sang at creation
- Jesus’ birth and triumphal entry
- Revelation 5:18-14 (read)
- Song/worship was at the beginning, will be in the future, and will be for eternity
B. King Saul was disconnected-no attitude of worship
- Disobedience is the opposite of an attitude of worship
- Amalekites had reached the limit and judgment was on them
- Saul had reached his limit but God didn’t take his life
- However, it resulted in the loss of the Holy Spirit’s protection
- And an evil spirit as a “goad” for Saul “the man” to repent
C. David was connected-an attitude of worship as a shepherd
- Psalm 19 as an example
- Contemplating creation and the Law
Next,
II. Worship Focuses our Attention
A. It takes our eyes off the immediate concerns
B. It turns our eyes toward eternal concerns
C. It trains our heart to remember the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord
(Heart memory is like muscle memory)
And lastly,
III. Worship Affects Us and Others
Re-read verses 21-23
A. It attracts – A life of worship draws others (v.18)
B. It repels – A life of worship repels the enemy and creates tension with some
C. It Communicates – True worship communicates eternal truth
IV. Conclusion
- Do you have a pattern of worship?
- Is your heart trained for worship?
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“David: A Life Unfiltered” – Part 1
Text: I Samuel 16:1-13
Date: 6/25/17
Intro:
- Some background and context:
- Bethlehem (literally “House of Bread”)
- Ruth & Boaz; Obed; Jesse; David
- The Prophet Samuel (“Heard by God”-His mother Hannah’s request)
- Samuel’s sons were no good and rejected to be leaders
- The Hebrew people wanted a king like their neighbors
- Saul chosen to be king
- Saul struggles with trusting God
- Saul rejected by God as king
Which brings us to our subject today:
“When God Steps In”
Read the text: 16:1-13
First, when God steps in:
I. He Puts the Past Into Perspective
A. When the plan seems to fail (8:6 & 16:1)
- Samuel mourning over rejection of himself and his “mentoree”
- Sense of failure
B. When we feel responsible for other people’s choices
- God said, “The people have rejected Me.” (not Samuel) 8:7
- God said, “I have rejected Saul.” (not Samuel’s doing) 16:1
Second, when God steps in:
II. He Illuminates the Present
A. Time to “move on” (v.1)
- You can’t change the past
- The “what ifs” aren’t very productive
- “I am sending you…”, move on to what’s next…
B. God looks past the surface (v.7)
- The Lord looks at the heart
- Why Saul was rejected; a disobedient heart
C. God’s wisdom is often contrary to the world’s
(1 Corinthians 1:27 “God has chosen the weak and foolish things of the world.”
Lastly, when God steps in:
III. He Equips for the Future
A. The Spirit came upon him (v.13)
- Everything we see from now on is prefaced by this moment
- He was empowered to do
B. What was next…going back to the sheep
(an anti-climactic end to a significant moment is often the case, but it doesn’t negate the moment)
- He received no more information at that time
(going back to the sheep wasn’t a temporary set-back, it was part of the plan)
IV. Conclusion
- Do you need perspective?
- Do you need illumination?
- Do you need empowering?
Let’s pray for God to step in today!
__________________________
cchrisholland 