KWAME KILPATRICK AND GREAT FALLS IN THE BIBLE
Text: 2:Samuel 1:27
INTRODUCTION:
1. This was a historic week for the state of Michigan. After months of controversy, the Mayor of Detroit plead guilty to two felony counts of lying under oath and accepted a sentence of 4 months in jail forfeiture of his state pension, forfeiture of his law liscence, and repayment of 1 million dollars over five years.
2. After a rocky start he seemed to be a man with an incredible future. Addressing the DNC national convention hosting the All Star Game, Super Bowl etc. He instigated a Detroit rebirth.
3. Before the day was over, he had blamed the press and the governor and unnamed political forces for his downfall.
4. But, in the end he fell.
5. This is a time of sadness for his family and the region but what can we learn from the event.
6. How the mighty are fallen
Discussion:
I. In many ways his rise and fall resemble the rise and fall of king Saul.
A. They both came from wealthy powerfully connected families.
Samuel 9:1-2 1 (NKJV) There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. 2 And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
B. Saul repeatedly blamed his problems on the people around him
C. In the first case he blamed Samuel for being late, the people for deserting and the Philistines for preparing to attack (1 Sam 13:8-13).
D. In the second case he blamed the people for bringing back the best and claimed he had obeyed the lord (1 Sam 15:8-20).
E. Only when he realized he had lost all did he “sort of” repent.
F. At his death David lamented.
2 Samuel 1:17-20 17 (NKJV) Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son, 18 and he told them to teach the children of Judah the song of the Bow; indeed it is written in the Book of Jasher: 19 "The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon-- Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
2 Samuel 1:27 27 (NKJV) "How the mighty have fallen, And the weapons of war perished!"
II. I’M REMINDED OF THE FIRST MAN AND WOMAN.
A. They too had it all, but took a fall.
1. They were placed in the beautiful Garden of Eden.
2. Everything in the Garden was good.
3. Except the tree of good and evil.
4. GENESIS 3:1-5
B. RESULTS OF THEIR DISOBEDIENCE.
C. Problem....They were disobedient to God because of a lack of faith in God’s word.
D. Must follow God’s instruction
III. Aaron’s two oldest sons took a fall.
Leviticus 10:1-3 1 (NKJV) Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 3 And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ’By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’ " So Aaron held his peace.
A. Problem....took strange fire.
B. Fire fell down from heaven and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.
C. Problem, they wanted to do it their way, but the Lord had clearly given them instruction.
D. Their fall was similar to Saul’s.
2 Samuel 15:22-23 22 (NKJV) So David said to Ittai, "Go, and cross over." Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over. 23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness.
E. RESULTS OF THEIR DISOBEDIECE.
1. They two of them could have been great workers for the Lord.
2. But they died.
3. Their father AARON, probably was very sad but he held his peace.
4. He must have been broken hearted, He probably thought, "O my sons, what you have been?"
IV. THE FOOLISH MAN HAD A FALL.
Matthew 7:21-27 21 (NKJV) "Not everyone who says to Me, ’Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ’Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ’I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ 24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
A. We read about two men.
B. These two men had choices to be made.
C. One was wise and one was foolish.
D. One build on the rock and one on the sand.
E. The one on the Rock stood firm.
F. But the one on the sand would fall flat.
G. And GREAT WAS ITS FALL.
H. What is the lesson for us?
1. When it comes to our lives, we too must build upon the solid rock.
2. What is that rock:
1 Corinthians 3:11 11 (NKJV) For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
3. Life will be so much better ehen folks have Christ as their foundation.
4. Talking about people understand the importance of faith and obedience.
5. FAITH COMES BY HEARING AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD.
6. JESUS SAID, IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU WILL KEEP COMMANMENTS.
V. A COUPLE WHO TOOK A FALL.
A. ACTS 5:1-10
1. Was theirs to do as they wished.
2. Problem was that they lied to the Holy Spirit.
3. When asked the question, He took his fall immediately.
4. Wife, came in three hours later.
5. She had conspired with her husband.
6. She too, took a great fall to her death.
B. WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF THIS?
1. ACTS 5:1-15
C. What is the Lesson for us today?
1. Honesty is always a must.
2. We give to God as we have been prospered.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 1 (NKJV) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
VI. How do we guard against taking a fall.
A. Be aware of the danger.
1 Corinthians 10:11-13 11 (NKJV) Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
2 Corinthians 13:5 5 (NKJV) Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.
Peter 5:8 8 (NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1. Have watched a lion stalk a beautiful speedy gazelle in the high grasses of the plains of Africa?
B. Faith in God.
Proverbs 3:5-8 5 (NKJV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
Sermon History:
09-07-2008 PM Waterford Church of Christ.
David E. Parks
Outline modified from one shared by C. G. Griffith at Polishing the Pulpit 2008
