When The Past Haunts You Series

STANDING TALL:

WHEN THE PAST HAUNTS YOU

II Samuel 11:1 – 12:15

Psalm 32:1 – 11

S: Courage

Th: Forgiveness of sin

Pr: OUR FAILURE IS NOT TO BE THE END OF THE STORY.

?: How? How is this to be accomplished?

KW: Factors

TS: We will find in our study of II Samuel 11:1-12:15 and Psalm 32 four factors that show how our failure is not to be the end of the story.

The _____ factor is…

I. GRACE (1-2)

II. GUILT (3-5)

III. GUIDELINES (6-9)

IV. GLADNESS (10-11)

Version: ESV

RMBC 16 November 03 AM

INTRODUCTION:

ILL Caught

A lady who was speeding had an officer pull her over to the side of the road. She didn’t have her seat belt on so as soon as she stopped, she quickly slipped it on before the officer got to her window.

After talking to her about speeding, the officer said, "I see you are wearing your seat belt. Do you believe in wearing it at all times?"

"Yes, I do, officer," she replied with confidence.

"Well," asked the officer, "do you always do it up with it looped through your steering wheel?"

Well…

Have you ever been caught?

It was not so long ago, that as a nation, we were riveted to our televisions about someone who had been caught.

ILL Caught: Clinton (written by David Mains)

It was only the second time in 209 years of American history that the House of Representatives had conducted a presidential impeachment vote. Bill Clinton was charged with “obstruction of justice.” Specifically in question was whether he lied under oath in attempting to conceal his relationship with a former White House intern.

Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr made charges against him in a 445 page report containing 11 alleged impeachable offenses. This was a culmination of a four-year, $40 million investigation of the personal, business, and political lives of both the President and his wife, Hillary.

The skeleton in Clinton’s closet was Monica Lewinsky. The relationship had come to light after he gave a deposition in January of 1998 in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former Arkansas state employee. That same year in August, a shaken Clinton admitted in a live television broadcast that he had misled his family and also the nation regarding what actually happened.

This scandal was highlighted for months and months. Every other newsworthy item was dwarfed in comparison to this single issue.

Our former president was not the first leader to be caught.

In fact, in Scripture, we find this sordid story of seduction.

OUR STUDY (Part 1):

I. SEDUCTION (II Samuel 11:1-5)

In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her… Then she returned to her house. And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, "I am pregnant."

David had gained a great reputation.

As a young man, he had dropped the mighty Goliath with faith and a slingshot.

He was a musician and a poet.

As a warrior, he had expanded the borders of Israel.

As the king, he had centralized the nation’s religion and government in Jerusalem.

As a spiritual leader, he was known as having a heart for God.

But this same man blew it.

David dealt a mortal blow to his integrity.

While his soldiers were off at war, he was watching girls from the palace roof.

And one in particular got his attention…Bathsheba.

But instead of admiring from afar, David decided he wanted an up close adventure with her.

And why not?

He was the king.

And the king gets what he wants.

So, when it is all said and done, David sleeps with a woman that is not his wife.

It is called adultery.

But it did not end there.

There was more than just fun for David’s little fling.

There was also a pregnancy.

Bathsheba was with child, and the child did not belong to her husband.

The child belonged to David.

So, to cover his tracks, David is going to have to come up with some…

II. SCHEME (II Samuel 11:14-15)

Yes, he may have been the king, but David also knew that it wasn’t that smart to be messing with his officer’s wives.