1. Outhouse Consequences
A young boy lived in the country. His family had to use an outhouse, which the young boy hated. It was hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and always smelly. The outhouse was located near the creek so the boy decided that he would push it into the water. After a spring rain, the creek swelled so the boy pushed it in.
Later that night his dad told him that he and the boy needed to make a trip to the woodshed. The boy knew this meant punishment. He asked his father why to which his dad replied, "Because someone pushed the outhouse into the creek and I think that someone was you. Was it?"
The boy responded that it was. Then he added, "Remember when George Washington's father asked him if he had chopped down the cherry tree? He didn't get into trouble because he told the truth."
"That is correct," the dad said, "but his father was not in the cherry tree when he cut it down."
Most of us have never toppled an outhouse, however we can identify with the boy in at least three ways. First, there is an urge within us that wants to do wrong. We call it the sinful nature. Second, our lack of goodness affects others. Third, there are consequences to our choices.
All of these things are at work in The Story, especially in David's life. David had it all -- he defeats the enemies of Israel, unites and expands the kingdom for the glory of God, and for a time finds rest and peace. Then, we see David let down his guard and makes some tragic choices.
2. David --
a. Great King of Israel
b. David was also: a shepherd, warrior, general, king, poet, champion, outlaw, ladies' man, musician, prophet, worship leader, adulterer, murderer, brother, husband, son, parent, leader, hero, builder, ancestor of Jesus, a man after God's own heart (Acts 13.22)!
3. 2 Samuel 11-12 Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah along with consequences
4. What really made David great?
I. Closeness of Sin -- 2 Samuel 11
Romans 3.23
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1.8-10
A. Causes of Sin (for David)
1. Idleness
2. Lust -- 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one; 14 but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death. James 1.13-15
3. Fear (cover up)
B. Consequences of Sin (sow and reap)
1. Takes you further than you want to go (adultery; murder)
2. Keeps you longer than you want to stay
3. Costs you more than you want to pay
a. Loss of child
b. Conflict within his family
II. Confrontation of Sin (2 Samuel 12)
A. David Had Been Involved in a Cover-up [R. Nixon and Watergate June 17,1972
Church Cake Cover-Up
It was time for the annual cake sale at a Presbyterian church. Ms. Billings always made the most beautiful cakes...she was expected to make another one this year. However, Ms. Billings was a very busy woman with the time she spent with her family and the time she gave to her community. She put off making the cake this year thinking she could put it all together at the last minute.
When the cake came out of the oven, Ms. Billings was horrified to see that the cake had fallen. She didn't have the time or the ingredients to make another one...she panicked. Frantically, she devised an ingenious plan. She would find a way to "fix" the cake...then she would be the first one to the sale and buy her own cake back.
She looked around the room, trying to find something that she could use to "prop" the cake back up, and then she found it. A roll of toilet paper was the perfect size. So she put it under the center of the cake and the cake looked perfect. She decorated it bright yellow and took it to the bake sale. Then she stuck around until the bake sale started.
She was the first in line when the doors opened; she smiled to herself about how clever she was. But then there was a terrifying horror crawling up from within her. She looked at every single table; no yellow cake! Someone had snuck in before the sale and purchased it. The helpers couldn't remember who had purchased it either; there was so much going on.
She went home and felt absolutely horrible. That was it: they would find the toilet paper in the cake, trace it back to her, and ban her from ever cooking ever again, except for potlucks.
Well, she didn't have a whole lot of time to dwell on it, like I said she was a very busy woman. She was going to a reception that the Mayor's wife was holding, and she was already a little late.
When she got there, she almost died right where she stood... because there, at the center of a brilliantly decorated table, was a bright yellow cake. She debated all of her options: grab the cake and run, changing her name and moving to Tahiti, calling in a bomb threat, or telling the hostess. It was a dead tie between calling in a bomb threat and telling the hostess, when she decided to muster up the courage to tell the Mayor's wife of the horrors that awaited inside the yellow cake.
But as she got up to tell the hostess about the cake, she overheard someone complementing her. "That is simply the most beautiful cake I have ever seen!" To which the Mayor's wife replied, "Thank you, I made it myself." Ms. Billings then sat down and enjoyed her fruit salad.
1. David attempted to cover up his (and Bathsheba's) sin by bringing Uriah back to sleep with his wife (Uriah had integrity and refused the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were in the field)
2. Finally David had Uriah killed and took Bathsheba as his own wife to cover the sin
B. Sin is Not Hidden to God -- Nathan's story
1. Courage required to confront
2. Compassion Required -- Galatians 6.1-2
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
III. Confession of Sin
A. Potential Responses
1. Denial (as Saul)
2. Death to Nathan
3. Silence
B. David's Confession -- the reason he is "after God's heart"
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. Psalm 51:1-4
C. David Reflected the Character of God
1. A sense of Justice
2. A sense of holiness
3. A sense of restored relationship -- wanted to mend his ways with God
1. The bible warns of a coming day of wrath
a. John the Immerser predicted a baptism of fire for the world
b. God is in no hurry -- 2 Peter 3.9-10
9 The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.
c. Yeshua dreads it -- I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! Luke 12.49
d. The nature of God is restorative; relational; as well as just
1) He has given his love letters
2) He has given his Son -- John 3.16
2. Sin breaks the heart of God -- "Brings a tear to God's eye."
3. When we sin -- and we will:
a. Admit our sins to God
b. Change our behavior
A man who sent a check to the government for back taxes with a note attached that said:
"I felt so guilty for cheating on my taxes I had to send you this check. If I don't feel any better, I'll send you the rest."
c. Live out the consequences with dignity
d. Experience the gracious restoration of God
4. Serve the God who goes the second mile to bring his children back to himself;
