FBCWest 527 | No Good, Very Bad, Terrible Decisions - David
Recorded On: 10/30/2022
Bulletin
Hymn # 463 “He’s Everything to Me”
SCRIPTURE READING – Galatians 2:20
Giving of Selves and Our Offerings
OFFERTORY PRAYER
OFFERTORY MUSIC – Pru Hungate
Praise and Worship
“Only Jesus”
“At the Cross”
“Endless Light”
Proclamation of the Word
Message by Pastor Joe
“No Good, Very Bad, Terrible Decisions:
David, not Where He Was Supposed to Be”
PRAYER TIME / Time of Reflection
“Amazing Grace”
Benediction “God Really Loves Us”
Acknowledgements and Announcements
Sermon Notes
2 Samuel 11:1 David not where he was supposed to be
2 Samuel 11:2 & 3 David informed that the woman was married
2 Samuel 11:4 & 5 The woman becomes pregnant
2 Samuel 11:6 – 17 David attempts to cover it up
2 Samuel 11:27 Made the woman his wife
2 Samuel 12:1 – 10 The prophet Nathan tells David that David Is the man in the story
2 Samuel 12:15 – 23 David tries to change God’s decision & Davis’s response when it isn’t changed
Psalm 51 Psalm of Davis showing his contrition and repentance
Scritpures
Transcript of Service
If you have your Bibles, please turn to. Second Samuel Chapter 11. As we shared last time, going through a miniseries. Not mistakes decisions. There is as suggest the last time a Downing dumbing down of sin. And so you're here. From the pulpit. Or you'll hear from Christian music. How we've made mistakes and how God Forgives our mistakes. Getting the answer to a math problem wrong is a mistake. Dressing incorrect. Fashion is a mistake, maybe investing in one stock versus another stock. Maybe in this state? That's not what I'm talking about. We all make mistakes. We're all human. But I'm talking about decisions that result in sinful Honda. And the first few people will be taking a look at. Initially are people that you would say would not make these bad decisions these. Decisions that lead to sin. Last time we took a look at who now we call Adam Moon who God created, who gave him a helper and placed him in an idyllic situation in the garden. And God walked with him. That he made. A decision that resulted in sin. Today we're going to take a look at one who has been told that he has had a heart after God. And yet we would say, well. He would make these. No good, very bad, terrible decisions, but we're going to see that even he did, and next week we're going to take a look at someone who we were going to would think would be 2 wise. To make such. Bad decision. The reason that we're taking look at it is that because bad decisions. Is common to us all. It's not well, this person is so smart he won't make bad decisions or this person is so close to God that he won't make bad decisions and so it is a warning for us all to see what not to do. So that we might do what is to do and see where these. Decision points come where we would make. A better decision. In David situation, sometimes you make a decision and it seems to be inconsequential. His first decision we'll see in in Chapter 11 of Second Samuel says that it happened in the spring at the time when kings go out to battle, but David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besiege Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. David was not where David was supposed to be. David was supposed. To be with his army commanding the field. Now, it seemed that this was not a consequential decision because it seemed that his commanders were doing a great job and they were having victory in their campaign, but David was not where David was supposed to be. And oftentimes we find people making great mistakes when they are either not where they're supposed to be. Or where they're not supposed to be the reverse of that. And you can see everything from the news or other things when people are not where they're supposed to be, bad things happen. But you think, well, this is a decision he just decided to stay home. It doesn't seem to have consequences. All too often though. The first bad decision. Doesn't have an immediate concept. But it leads us to additional bad decision, and that's what's going to happen to David. And so if you don't hear anything else beyond this point. When you're placed in a position where you're not supposed to be somewhere, leave or when you're supposed to be somewhere, get there because it's going to go downhill from there. Verse two says now when evening came, David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the King's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. So because David wasn't where he was supposed to be now, he's placed in a situation where he observes someone. Who's beautiful? Bathing, and so because we have a. Multigeneration, I'll leave the rest to your understanding, but he sees her. She's very attractive. So David sent and inquired about the woman and once said, is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Ilium, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? So David is told. She's married. It's not, it's not a mistake, David. It's going to make. David has been told he's married. And he's been told, Boo she, she's not just some woman, she's. Bathsheba, she is the wife of Uriah the Hittite. David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him they he laid with her. And when she had purified herself from her uncleanliness, he returned to her house. Even though David knew she was married. David committed adultery. Now I'm pretty sure based on the fact that I am also a man. But he probably, when he made a decision to have her that he committed adultery in his heart. 'cause he desired her. You would say, well, Jesus said. That if you can commit adultery in your heart. You are guilty of adultery. They say, well, why not go ahead and commit adultery? I mean, you're already guilty, right? So go ahead and do the deed because you've been guilty. Here's the problem with that thing. Not only does David commit adultery in his heart. He commits adultery. Not only does he commit adultery now, Bathsheba commits adultery. Not only now is Bathsheba committed adultery, he, David. Has defrauded Uriah, her husband from the sanctity, holiness and intimacy of that marriage. But David is now not only guilty of adultery in his heart. He has committed adultery himself. He has committed adultery. In reality he has defrauded and he's in essence caused a Shiba to commit adultery, which under Mosaic law would say that she would could be stoned and he could be stoned. Now I understand he's the king. And even though we have this little saying in today's world. Shows you how little things change. The rules apply to the but not to me. OK David, and expect I'm king. I get to do whatever I want now, David. Had a whole lot of wives. If he had that itch he could have scratched it a different way. So what we see his burst off when he sees her? Guess what? Mariah is his neighbor. 'cause he can see her baby so. So he has coveted his neighbors wife. He has committed adultery. 2 biggies in the tent. The woman conceived and sent and told David and said I am pregnant. So now it is going to be obvious. Something happened because Uriah is with the army. Oops, but David does what most people do. Let's cover it up. Verse six then David scented Joab, saying, send me Uriah the Hittite. So Joab sent Uriah to David. And when Uriah came to him, David asked concerning the welfare of Joab and the people, and the state of the war, basically David. Made stuff up. He was pretending to wanting to know what's going on. We could get right in there. But he's trying. He's deceiving Uriah why he brought him here. The reason he wants Uriah here? Is so he goes home. So then everybody will say, well, you're I went home and everything and it's your eyes baby. Then David said Uriah, go down to your house. And wash your feet. Muriel went out of the King's house. And from the presents from the king was sent out after him. But Uriah slept at the door of the King's house. With all the servants of his Lord, and did not go down. To his house. So your eye is not going with the plan. Here I decided to sleep on the King's door and not at home. Now when they told David saying your ride did not go down to his house, he was going oh. My plan isn't working. But David said d'oria Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house? Go home. Uriah said to David, the Ark and Israel and Judah are staying in temporary shelters and my lower joab and the servants of my Lord are camping in the open field. So I then go to my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife. He goes. I am going to not take advantage of this situation because my comrades in arms are out in the field suffering and working and I am not going to have the comforts of home while they are in peril. And then he goes on to say by your life and the life of your soul. I will not do this thing. He makes a commitment he may says, I'm not going to do this, but so that you understand just how serious I am, I'm swearing by your life and your soul. I would never do that. Then David said to her, Uriah, stay here today also at tomorrow, and I will let. You go so you Rider remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. Now David called him and he ate and drank before him and he made him drunk. And in the evening he went out to lie on his bed with his Lord servants, but did not go down to his house. David, OK if I get him drunk. I can then get him to violate his convictions. And go to his house. But Uriah is such a man of integrity. He refuses even. In that situation. So David's lie. Has not worked. For David coveted. David committed adultery and David lied. Now in the morning, David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah, which is interesting. The very message. Is going to be taken by the man of integrity. Get written in the letter saying place your eye in the frontline of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him so that he may be struck down and die. So it was as job kept watch on the city that he put Uriah at the place where he knew there was balyan men. The men of the city went out and fought against Joab, and some of the people among David's servants fell, and you ride the Hittite. Also died. Now David is responsible for murder. He didn't send him out to just do battle. He sent him out so that he might specifically dock. That was his plan. Here's a man after God's Own Heart doing all of this. Then Joab sent and reported to David all the events of the war, and he charged the messenger, saying, when you have finished telling all of the events of the war to the king, and if it happens, that the King's wrath rises, and he says to you, why did you go so near to the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall when they struck down abalak and the? Sons of dhruba Did not a woman throw a upper millstone on him from the wall so that he died at his death? Why did you not go so near the wall then? You shall say your servant Uriah the Hittite. Is dead off. So he says. When all these things happen and we have this minor set back in this battle, and we seem to lose this battle and a number of men, it's not because I was a bad commander because I did what you told me to do. But not only has David committed murder, he's got others to do. His deeds as well. His sin is growing and growing and growing. So the messenger departed. And told David all of these things. I want you to jump. Dude verse 27. Well, let me go with verse 26 now. When the wife of Uriah heard that her Uriah, that her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. But she showed the proper respect.
Something that I didn't say before. David and her committed adultery. It says that. Took a bath and cleansed herself. She didn't do that because she's thin. He did that because she became unclean. Became unclean because of. The consequences of what they did. It wasn't sin, it was. If it was even a. Proper relationship. He would have been unclean. And so would David had been unclean. He followed the law. It doesn't seem that David did. If you want to know why she became unclean and talk to. Me later now I'll tell you why, but. Again, we have. Young years here. So she again does. She follows mosaic law. She then mourns in the appropriate time. And then David having multiple wives. When the time of mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house and she became his wife. Then she bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight. All of these things David made a bad decision after a bad decision after a bad decision after a bad decision. Again, a man after God's own heart. And David, thanks. Well, fine. I've covered it. She's pregnant, he's now my wife. No little, ask any questions 'cause she's my wife. Husband's dead. Nobody is going to know. Any better? Except the Lord. Chapter 12 then the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said. Now, Nathan. Must have come from, must have been a. Ancestor of my family and I'm not Jewish, so he couldn't have been. 'cause my family loved to tell stories. That's how they. Told you what was right and what was wrong. So my mother would tell a story which would have a moral to it. Rather than saying don't do this, you can tell the story and and that so Nathan is going to tell a story. There were two men in one city and one rich and. The other poor. The rich man had great many flocks and herds. But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb. Which he bought and nourished, and it grew up together with him and his children, and it would eat of his bread and drink of his cup, and lie in his bosom. And it was like a daughter to him. This I know some of you love your pets and you're convinced your pets are going to heaven, and you know, bear your children and you know. And whatever. They were saying. Is this lamb was a member of the family they loved. This wasn't just. A lamb. This was family. This is how much the story says that this family cared about this. Little lamb. Now, a traveler came to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take from his own flock. Or his own herd. Prepare for the Wayfarer, who had come to. Him rather he took the four man Ulam and prepared it for the man who had come to him. But rather than taking of his multitude of flocks to provide for this traveler, he takes the poor man's. And uses that. Speed travel. In the story. And the story has its desired result. David, then David. Anger bird rately against the man. And he said to those Nathan, as the Lord lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die. And he must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did not. He did this thing and had no compassion. Now First off. David desires just. How does 4 land? Then replace the one that you treated as your daughter. Make it fair. You can't. But David is looking at just. He's angry. And rightfully so, because on this story this person, this rich man who did this thing is reprehensible. Then Nathan said to David. I've heard some people. Say that they they could see. Nathan Bony finger pointing. When Nathan says this, I I disagree because this Bony finger has a tendency to .3 fact. Why go? I think he goes? Are the man. Or the man? Does the does the Lord God of Israel? So now Nathan is going to pronounce judgment. It is a. It is I who appointed you king over Israel and his I who delivered you from the hand of salt. I also gave you your masters house and your masters wives into your care. And I gave you the House of Israel and Judah. And if it that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things than these. Not saying I loved you. I cared about you, I gave you everything. I gave you which is. I gave you fame. I gave you power, I gave you it all and if that wasn't enough I would have. Given you more. And it sounds like how God is blessed up. And yet we're. Always, but it's not enough, but it's not enough, but it's.
I would have given it or. God is personal here. God is saying. You were a man after my own heart. And you did these things. You took a man's wife. You killed him. So that you might not be discovered, and yet you had many wives, and I have given you. So much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord? By doing evil in his spine. I outlawed all of the commandments they've they've violated. He didn't just violate the commandments, he knew it and did it anyway. And also so I said it's not a mistake. You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, who have taken his wife to be your wife and have filled him with the sword of the sons of M. And now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me, and have taken the wife Uriah the Hittite, be your wife. Using these bad decisions that you've made is going to have irrevocable consequences. You are now going to be a man of war forever. The rest of your Kingdom. Thus says the Lord. Behold, I will rise up evil against you from your own household. I will even take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. What you did to Uriah's wife, and secret, I don't have all your wives done in daylight. You want justice, David? You're going to get justice. But it's going to be done in daylight. Not in secrecy. There's going to be civil war in your family. Indeed, you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel under the sun. Then David said to Nathan. I have sinned against the Lord. David's first right decision. He didn't try to excuse himself, he didn't seek to blame others. Well, you know she would have taken a bath up up on the roof. I would not. None of this would happen. He accepted responsibility. I didn't make a mistake. I sin. Against the Lord. And Nathan said to David, the Lord also will take away your sin. You shall not die. Because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord who blasphemed the child. Also, that is to be born, who you shall surely die. So Nathan went to his house. Nathan basically told David because you admitted guilt. God is going to spare your life. But he's not going to spare the life of the baby. That baby is going to die. Now we're going to see David response. Then the Lord struck the child that Uriah's widow board to David, but he was very sick. David therefore inquire of the Lord for the Child, and David fasted, went and lay all night on the ground, and the elders of the household stood beside him in order to raise him up from the ground. But he was unwilling and would not. Eat food with them. David is fasting and praying and prostrating himself because he wants God to change his mind. He wants God to spare this child. He's doing everything he can to get God to change his mind. And it happened on the 7th day that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. But they said, behold, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to her for our voice. How then can we tell him that the child is dead since he might do himself harm pigling? This guy was just grieving at such an extent, we're afraid to tell him. The truth. Because if that's how he was when before the child died, how he's going to be afterward? When David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived and the child was dead. So David said to his servants, is the child dead? And they said. He is dead. So David arose on the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes. And he came into the House of the Lord and worship. Bob didn't change his mind. But David. But scented himself to the Lord and worship him. Didn't get mad at God. Didn't get angry, didn't. Well, if if that's what you're going. To do God, then I'm going to. No David worship. And he came into his own house, and when he requested they set food before him, and he ate. Then his servant said to him, what is this thing that you have done while the child was alive? You fasted and wept. But when the child died, you arose and ate food, and he said, while the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. For I said, who knows, the Lord may be gracious to me that the Lord, that the child may live. But now he has died. Why should I fast and I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me. David understood that he had the opportunity to try to change God's mind. God didn't, so he's going to worship him and he's going to go on with the consequences that God has laid out. Because David. Understood his sin. And repented. The last Scripture I want us to look at his Psalm 51. This is a Psalm that David wrote. It's a Psalm that I think you need to know about if you don't, and if you. Find yourselves in this situation of having sinned. This is an excellent form to read. Phone 51 be gracious to me. Oh God, according to your loving kindness notice he said he gracious according to your love, not do that I deserve it but because of who you are. According to the greatness of your compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. He's asking God for cleansing. For I know my transgressions on my sin is ever before me. All this I have done it is always. Ahead of me. Wash me clean me. Take care of my thing against you. You only have I sinned and done is what is evil in your sight so that you are justified when you speak and blameless when you judge. He goes I deserve exactly what you've said. I don't seek to justify it. I don't seem to say it was a mistake. I send against you, you're correct in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in my and send my mother can see. Me goes. I grew up this way and I'm still. This way, behold. You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden parts you will make known. You'll make me know wisdom. Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. It's you God that can do this. I can't turn over a new leaf and become a new man. I need you to cleanse me and to wash me and to make me this whitelist. Make me to hear joy and gladness. Let the bones which you have broken rejoice hide your face from my sins and blot out all of my iniquities. Here's the. Great part of this song. Create in me a clean heart. I once was a man after your own heart and my heart became utterly wicked and sinful. Create a new heart. A new heart. In me a clean heart. And renew and steadfast spirit within. There was a time when I would mock at those who would. Say anything about my God. And I was the one who violated his word. Give me that steadfast spirit again. Do not cast me away from your present and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Now this is the line you need to memorize. He didn't stayed. Lord saved me again. Because once we are saved, we are eternally saved. There is nothing that can separate us from. The love of God. Nothing that we can do. But when we send, we can take that joy away from our salvation. So David says God give me that joy again. I'm not asking for salvation because that is guaranteed permanent. It's not what I do. It's what you have done. Give me that joy. Maybe it's why so many people who go to church and and sit in the pews seem to be so miserable. Because we don't have the joy of our salvation. And sustain me with the willings. Have me keep on keeping on because I want to. Follow you guys. Then I will teach front dressers your ways and sinners will be converted to you 'cause they're going to hear about what I have done and what you've done in response to me. And they're going to say I want to worship that God. I want to be forgiven. I want to have joy. What is it that I need to do? People will hear those testimonies. And be converted. Deliver me from the blood guiltiness of God and the God of my salvation. Then my tongue will joyfully sing of your righteous. Not of me, but of your rights or Lord over my lips, that my mouth may declare your praise, or you do not delight in sacrifice. Otherwise, I would give it. You are not pleased with burnt offering the sacrifices of God or a broken spirit, it broken and a contrite heart. O God, you will not despise. It's not about what we offer to God. Other than to say. Plans me change me use. Buy your favor do. Good design and build the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the righteous soccer. And burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings then young bulls will be offered on your own. We offer sacrifices to God not to get our sins forgiven, but to recognize what he's already done. And once we restore our relationship to God, then the sacrifices ought to come. You don't present your offerings during the time of offering and ties because you're trying to by God. You do it as a result of the fact that you know that he's already forgiven you, that you're following him, that you're doing what you're supposed to do. It's not where it is supposed to be. And it LED. The destruction. Of his family. To the death. Of a man of integrity. Reminds me when in in Hebrews it talks about men. But this world is not worthy. Uriah was not worthy of death. And yet, Uriah. Followed him. Bid what you're writing. But the story doesn't end here. God's grace is soulmates. God is going to take this relationship. Between David and Bathsheba. There will be another son born. And that son. Will be king over Israel. And that son. Will be known as the wisest man who ever lived. That man. All right? These yaste Found Solomon. You will give us wisdom and understanding. God will take this. And create something new. His grace is amazing. If I were God. The last thing I have done is blessed. David and bashing. If I were God, I'd probably never let David forget. Mariah beshi But not God. And when God, when David asked God, cover his. When we asked God to cover our sins, he thought. Because his grace is amazing, not a single person who's ever received grace ever deserved. I don't care what. Bad decision to make. I don't care what no good decisions you make. I don't care about what terrible decisions you. God Grace is greater than all of that. And all its God's people sent.