They’ll Find You Out: 2 Samuel 12:1-7
Illus: Billy Bob –South Pittsburg
My friend Billy Bob Johnson lived in South Pittsburg, Tennessee when he was a young whipper snapper. By our standards South Pittsburg Would be considered out in the sticks at that time, but they had a soda shop at the local drug store. That is where all the young people hung out.
Billy Bob was happy with his lot in life, they lived in a nice house in town, that even had inside plumbing.
Billy Bob’s dad worked at the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet Factory, everything in Billy’s life was perfect, He had Friends and his dad gave him an allowance.
One day disaster stuck, Billy Bob’s dad came home and declared “I’m sick of this city life, we are moving to a farm in Hazel Green, Alabama”. Poor ole Billy Bob was in shock as they loaded up and moved to Hazel Green, leaving his friends at the soda shop was devastating.
Upon arriving at Hazel Green Billy bod discovered that they didn’t have indoor plumbing but used an outhouse down by the creek. Billy had all kind of chore to do, but what he hated most was that outhouse.
One day Billy Bob was down by the creek, He didn’t see anyone around. Temptation got the best of Billy, he set off at a dead run and hit that outhouse up high and it tumbled into the creek. He thought he heard a scream but chalked it up to imagination.
Billy went home since it was supper time, but dad wasn’t there. They waited for about an hour, the door flew there stood dad soaked and wet steam coming from his ears. Billy Bob would never forget what dad said “GET TO THE WOOD SHED, BOY, I SAW YOU THROUGH A CRACK IN THE DOOR”. Poor old Billy Bob learned a hard lesson, YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT
Moral: Your Sins will find you Out
Most of us have never toppled an outhouse, however we can identify with the Billy Bob in at least three ways.
1. there is an urge within us that wants to do wrong. We have a choice to make, choose right or choose wrong.
2. our choices affects others.
3. there are consequences to our choices.
Text: 2 Samuel 12:1-7
12 So the LORD sent Nathan to David. When Nathan arrived he said, “There were two men in the same city, one rich, one poor. 2 The rich man had a lot of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing—just one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised that lamb, and it grew up with him and his children. It would eat from his food and drink from his cup—even sleep in his arms! It was like a daughter to him.
4 “Now a traveler came to visit the rich man, but he wasn’t willing to take anything from his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had arrived. Instead, he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the visitor.”
5 David got very angry at the man, and he said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the one who did this is demonic![a] 6 He must restore the ewe lamb seven times over[b] because he did this and because he had no compassion.”
7 “You are that man!” Nathan told David. “This is what the LORD God of Israel says: I anointed you king over Israel and delivered you from Saul’s power.
What brought about this encounter with King David and the Man of God ?
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.
1. David’s Profile
a. Great King of Israel
b. David was : a shepherd, warrior, general, king, poet, champion, musician, prophet, worship leader, brother, husband, son, parent, leader, hero, builder, ancestor of Jesus, a man after God's own heart
BUT
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
David was also: a ladies' man, adulterer, murderer
1. David had an urge within him to do wrong(Bathsheba & Uriah). He had a choice to make, choose right or choose wrong.
2. His choices affected others.
3. there are consequences to our choices.
B. Consequences of Sin (sow and reap)
1. Takes you further than you want to go (SIN)
2. Keeps you longer than you want to stay
3. Costs you more than you want to pay
DAVID
a. Loss of child
b. Conflict within his family
B. Sin is Not Hidden to GOD
Achan
1. Achan had an urge within him to do wrong(Garments, Silver, Gold). He had a choice to make, choose right or choose wrong.
2. His choices affected others.
3. there are consequences to our choices.
Jazebel
1. Jazebel had an urge within her to do wrong(Naboth’s Vineyard, Controlling Nature). She had a choice to make, choose right or choose wrong.
2. Her choices affected others.
3. there are consequences to our choices.(dogs)
Sin breaks the heart of God -- "Brings a tear to God's eye."
When we sin -- and we will:
a. Admit our sins to God
b. REPENT: Change our behavior
c. Face the consequences with dignity
d. Experience the gracious restoration of God
3. Serve the God who goes the second mile to bring his children back to himself;
