The Death Of Conviction

2 Samuel 11:14-17 KJV And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. [15] And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. [16] And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. [17] And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

1 Kings 15:5 KJV Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

I. INTRODUCTION -- COLLAPSE IN COLORADO

I am certain that he started with a dream, it was a dream that was driven, it was a dream bound to succeed. In fact, the dream began in his mind but was housed in his basement. It wasn’t very long until the dream had outgrown the basement and the dream had to be traded in for a larger place. In fact, before all was said and done, the basement was left far behind. . . the little church had been traded for a huge empire of buildings and a mass of financial wealth. Yes, indeed, God had been good. . . or so folks thought.

He was a graduate of a leading charismatic seminary in Tulsa with a polished image and a warm personality to boot and all of that was just a portion of the equipment that this young man leaned on. He worked diligently as a young pastor. His dedication begin to peak with mid-life and accomplishments and accolades became a dime a dozen. He climbed the hills and broke new ground. He advanced to Senior Pastor and then to the national director of the National Evangelical Association which is a hodge-podge of Christians that rank some 30 million strong. He was on the phone with the White House. He was busy being interviewed on TV by Barbara Walters. He was active in a friendship with James Dobson at Focus on the Family. Among all of this prestige, he was a highly sought after speaker, appearing numerous times on Christian television networks all around the world. Last year, he was listed among the 25 top influential evangelicals in the United States.

But somewhere along the way, as the mountainous walls of challenge were scaled, as the treacherous waters of change were navigated, and as the small church grew from the basement to 14,000 members, God’s business slowly turned into monkey business.

When you are climbing mountains, sailing seas, and changing lives, little time is left for prayer and the tiny but ever so crucial things required in pastoral ministry. When your time is spent more on carnal calisthenics than on personal pastoral growth given in the Pastoral Epistles by Paul, it won’t be long, until exposure will come. Sin is like a detective and it will be found out. It is never a matter of if but of when.

So on yesterday (November 4, 2006), Pastor Ted Haggard was forced out of New Life Church, the one that he started in his basement, because of behavior unbecoming of a minister. I won’t spend my time with the morbid details but suffice it to say that he is (in my mind) disqualified from pulpit ministry for the rest of his life.

-All of this follows revelations of Florida Republican Senator Mark Foley, who one month ago, was exposed by his past sins.

-Sin has huge consequences.

Thomas Watson -- Sin is such a trade that whoever follows is sure to break. What did Achan get by his wedge of gold? It was a wedge to cleave asunder his soul from God. What did Judas get by his treason? He purchased a halter. What did King Ahaz get by worshiping the gods of Damascus? They were the ruin of him and all Israel, 2 Chronicles 28:23. Sin is first comical and then tragical.

Thomas Manton -- Sin is an ill guest for it always sets its lodgings on fire.

II. THE MATTER OF URIAH

1 Kings 15:5 KJV Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

A. Background of Failure

-David could find no man more loyal to him than Uriah. Perhaps Ittai the Philistine might be more loyal than Uriah. But the problem with Uriah was that his blind trust and devotion to David led to his own death. . . . in fact his death warrant was signed by the man whom he completely trusted, King David.