"God Sees, God Hears, And God Listens"

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.