“A tree is best measured when it’s down.” David was a man after God’s own heart. And yet, he made tons of mistakes. As we learn from his mistakes, let’s also learn from his response to those mistakes! Not only did David leave us a lifetime of lessons about things NOT to do, he also left us a lifetime of lessons about how to repent. And that sadly, there are some things that even repentance cannot change.
1. David’s Ultimate Flaw
A. After Saul’s death, David walks with God and becomes the king of Judah,
living and ruling from Hebron for about 7 years, notice what the Bible says
about his time there! – 2 Samuel 3:1-4, 6 children by 6 wives in 7 Years!!
B. David knew God’s original plan, Genesis 2:24 & Deuteronomy 17:14-17
C. His family was too big to lead properly, how could he have spent time with all
these kids? Guiding them, showing them the way of God?
D. This departure from God’s will is the small insignificant injury that will eventually
mature into a great and wicked cancer that send the nation of Israel and Judah
into captivity! - 1 Kings 11:1, one of those wives was Naamah the
Ammonitess, worshipped Milcom & Molech, and subverted a pure faith in the
true God, MOTHER of Rehoboam!!
E. What one generation tolerates, the second generation will accept, once
accepted the third generation will embrace.
F. Don’t accept any departure from God’s will. Because your children are learning
from you! David’s children learned that they were not as important to him as his
kingdom, and so at his death none are there to comfort him. – 1 Kings 1:1-4
G. Learn from David’s mistakes. Forsaking God’s way will bring destruction in your
family! Ignoring sin will only allow it to grow! It could cost your children their
lives. – James 1:12-17
2. Never Give Up On Yourself!
A. Roller Coaster effect. When you’re up and things are good, you loosen your grip,
on the downward spirals, you hold on for dear life! – Psalm 34:1-4, Psalm 34:10
B. It’s human nature to cry out when things go wrong, but we need to become
consistent Christians! Trusting in God all the time! – James 5:11-12
C. No matter if you are at the top or the bottom, stay faith filled! God you through!!
When a man of God fails, nothing of God fails. When a man of God changes, nothing of God changes. When someone dies, nothing of God dies. When our lives are altered by the unexpected, nothing of God is altered or unexpected. Isaiah wrote; “Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isa. 65:24) There’s still hope for you and me!!!
1.) Don’t lean so much on crutches that can be taken, lean on God!
2.) Don’t fake your faith, trying to both live in sin & in the Lord, it won’t work!
3.) Don’t let small seemingly insignificant sin go un-repented of, influence…
4.) Even in all these troubling failures, David is still called “A man after
God’s own heart!” – So there’s hope for you and me!!!
CREDIT TO CHARLES SWINDOLL, THIS SERMON IS BASED ON HIS BOOK, "DAVID: A MAN OF PASSION AND DESTINY."
