SHALL WE DANCE ? 2 Samuel 6: 16-23
Why in the world would they get so excited about it? Because they're free. When you obey, you're free. When you disobey, you're in bondage. All around us we see individuals in bondage because they're in sin, and all they talk about is freedom. They're not free. The obedient guy dancing is free.
I should warn you, when you're really free, the people who are not so free will have trouble with your being free. Look at David's wife in verse 16. Her husband is down there dancing and singing and shouting, and there's Michal up in the second floor flat, frowning down on her husband. "Then it happened as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart" (2 Samuel 6:16).
Two things strike me here. Both have to do with the issue of focus; one is horizontal, and one is vertical. David's eyes were on the Lord; Michal's eyes were on other people.
I. THE BETTER YOU KNOW WHERE YOU STAND WITH THE LORD, THE FREER YOU CAN BE.
A. When you know where you stand with the Lord
B. When you follow His plan, you are free, really free
C. Many won't understand 1. To some, you will be seen as a maverick. 2. You'll be misunderstood. 3. But you won't care that much about public opinion either 4. You'll care mainly about the Lord's opinion. 5. There is no freedom like the kind He provides. 6. In a word, it's grace.
II. THE FREER YOU ARE BEFORE THE LORD, THE MORE CONFIDENT YOU WILL BECOME.
A. Knowing where you stand, that’s real security.
B. Knowing where you stand before the Lord leads to true freedom.
C. Being free before the Lord, you will become confident, and that is genuine security.
Illustration: True Christianity is more than a religion of don’ts .
It is the freedom within the confines of grace to do.
The freedom that Jesus calls us to is like our horse. When we would bring another horse to the farm they would all run and play. That other horse would want to get in the pasture with those horses. They would go so far as to break through the fence in order to get in.
Why ? because although they thought they were outside of the bonds they were not enjoying their freedom like those in the fence were.
I convinced that if our faith and freedom is to be contagious, we must act as if we are free. Who would ever desire to have bonds placed on them that will take the joy away?
( John 8 :30) If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 3
