U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris, Jr.
West Fort Hood Chapel
Second Sunday of June
Killeen, TX
13 June 2010
Big Idea: God is speaking to us. Just as we are always present in our dreams regardless of what the dream is about; we are the central object. Likewise, we are always in the center of Scripture too.
Scriptural References: EAI (Expository; Application; Illustration); 1 Corinthians 10:11- Warnings from Israel’s Past - Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come; 2 Samuel 23:8-39 – list of David’s Mighty Men; 1 Chronicles 11:10-47 – another list of David’s Mighty men and Uriah was one of them; 2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-15 – The Story of David’s Double Sin of “adultery” and “murder”; and a reminder that David had grown-up defending lambs; Leviticus 18 – describes the sin of uncovering the nakedness of those other than our spouse; 1 Kings 7:1-17 (Nathan first shared great news with King David); 1 Kings 1:8-45 (Nathan serves as reminder to Solomon’s mother and David that Solomon were to inherit the kingdom); Exodus 22:1 (Restore fourfold represents David’s understanding of Scripture which provides the guidance for a man who steals a lamb) – If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep; Proverbs 12:10 – A good man cares for the life of his animals, but the love of the wicked is cruel; Isaiah 40:11 – he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want; Psalm 51 – David immediately acknowledges and faces his sin; Psalm 32 – another passage believed to be written after David’s sin of adultery and murder; Luke 7:36-48 (ESV) – Much Forgiveness, Much Love (Jesus Anointed by a Sinful woman).
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: 2 Samuel 12:1-7 (ESV)
II. READ THE PERICOPE: 2 Samuel 12:1-7 (ESV)
III. READ THE TEXT: 2 Samuel 12:7 (ESV) - Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul.
IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to others that just as David were the central object in the parable; as believers, we are always the central object of Scripture.
V. SERMONIC THEME: "God Sees, God Hears, and God Listens”
VI. INTRODUCTION:
God Sees, God Hears, and God Listens.
Throughout both the Old Testament and the New Testament, the Word of God warns us (as believers) to be prepared to encounter certain challenges and temptations in this life – on this side of heaven.
In other word, The Good Book says the people of God should never perpetrate and take God for granted and sin – assuming that He’s going to forgive us.
Instead, we should take a closer look at Israel, and learn how to avoid certain temptations and sins.
We should examine Israel and learn from the people of God how to repent when we have fallen short and have yield to temptations.
Again, both the New Testament and the Old Testament serves as warning to us today. We are reminded and warned of other believers’ short falls and we are told of their various temptations and challenges to prevent us from doing the same.
In other words – “we don’t have to do what some have done”. We can do better! We can make God prouder!
But, we have to be mindful of our Biblical History.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 1: We can’t become overconfident.
a. For don’t you remember, the Apostle Paul warned the New Testament overconfident believers in 1 Corinthians 10:11-13 (ESV) by saying:
b. Now these things happened to them (the Old Testament Believers) as an example, …
c. … but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
d. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
e. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability …
f. … but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 2: Psychologists have said, for years, that our dreams are reflections of our experiences.
a. It has been said that we are always present in our dreams regardless of what the dreams are about – we are always the central object. We are always there.
b. Likewise, my brothers and sisters, I submit to you today, that we are always present in Scripture too.
c. We have to listen intentionally asking the question, “where am I in this story or passage of Scripture?”
d. Which character am I? Or am I a part of the background?
e. I know that I’m here, and I’m not so proud to think that this incident is below me.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 3: And when I identify myself and my fault, I must take personal responsibility for my actions and repent and ask God for forgiveness.
a. Because He Sees, He Hears, and He Listens.
b. After King David had sin, and tried to cover-up his sins – God used someone whom David trusted (NATHAN) to show him his sins.
c. For the Scriptures tells us that Nathan rebuked King David.
d. Who can ever forget the story of David’s Double Sin?
e. Therefore, Psalm 51 is King David appealing to the Love of God after it had been brought to his attention that God Sees, God Hears, and God Listens.
f. In fact, we find here that King David appealed to God figuratively (and symbolically) to do three things.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 4: First, DAVID asked God to BLOT-OUT.
a. BLOT OUT implies that David was comparing his sins with human records that could be erased, and never seen again.
b. So, the first thing David asked God to do was BLOT OUT his transgressions.
c. The Second thing David asked our God to do was WASH AWAY.
d. For some reason, David was comparing “Forgiveness” with washing clothes and seeing his clothes being washed by the bank of the river and observing the dirt from the clothes going down-stream – never to return to the clothes again.
e. David said WASH AWAY all of my sins.
f. In other words, David was saying to God. God I don’t want to do what I’ve done – ever again.
g. I don’t even want a reminder. WASH AWAY all of my sins.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 5: If anybody can do it. My God who Sees, Hears, and Listens – can WASH AWAY all of my sins.
a. Then, finally, David requested a CLEANSING …
b. … as if he was participating in liturgical ceremony where he was being purified to participate in worshipping in God’s Temple.
c. In other words, David was expressing his desire for God’s total forgiveness of his wrongdoing, his crime, and his falling away from God’s standards.
d. David said BLOT OUT, WASH AWAY, and CLEANSE ME of all my sins.
e. LORD, I can’t function without your FORGIVENESS.
f. I can’t lead without your FORGIVENESS!
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
CELEBRATION: (Psalm 51:1-7).
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
