The Rise & Fall Of David - Part 2 - BIO Message Series - LifePointe Church

What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it,

it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help!

I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it.

I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway.

My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

(Romans 7:16-20 – The Message)

is me!

Part 1!

DM 1: David was overlooked, but not in God’s eyes

DM 2: David was overpowered, but not with God’s help

DM 3: David was overjoyed, because of God’s blessings

real people – real stories – real life

THE RISE & FALL OF DAVID (PART 2)

THE FALL OF DAVID THE DECLINING MOMENTS IN HIS LIFE

DM 1: David committed adultery with Bathsheba

David was BLINDED BY LUST

In the spring, when kings go off to war, David sent Joab, along with his servants and all the Israelites, and they destroyed the Ammonites. But David remained in Jerusalem.

One evening, David got up from his couch and was pacing back and forth on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful.

David sent someone and inquired about the woman.

The report came back: “Isn’t this Eliam’s daughter Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” So David sent messengers to get her. When she came to him, he had sex with her.

Then she returned home. The woman conceived and sent word to David. “I’m pregnant,” she said.

(2 Samuel 11:1-5 – Contemporary English Bible)

INSIGHT: God created sex with to be enjoyed within certain parameters.

SEX

WITHIN MARRIAGE

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

(1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 – English Standard Version)

LOVE vs. LUST “Love is patient . . .”

Lust wants what it wants now!

LOVE vs. LUST “Love is kind . . .”

Lust is totally selfish!

LOVE vs. LUST “Love is not jealous . . .”

Lust is insecure & possessive!

LOVE vs. LUST “Love is never rude. . .”

Lust is demanding & disrespectful!

LOVE vs. LUST “Love never fails. . .”

Lust moves on once it has gotten what it wants!

Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband.

God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.

(Hebrews 13:4 - The Message)

DM 2: David ordered the murder of Bathsheba’s husband

David was DRIVEN BY FEAR

Then David sent a message to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” . . .

When Uriah came to him, David asked how the battle was going.

Then David told Uriah, “Go down to your house” . . .

Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him.

However, Uriah slept at the palace entrance . . . He didn’t go down to his own house. David was told, “Uriah didn’t go down to his own house,” so David asked Uriah,

“Haven’t you just returned from a journey? Why didn’t you go home?” . . . Uriah told David. “My master Joab and my master’s troops are camping in the open field. How could I go home and eat, drink, and have sex with my wife?

I swear on your very life, I will not do that!” Then David told Uriah, “Stay here one more day. Tomorrow I’ll send you back.” So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day. The next day David called for him,

and he ate and drank, and David got him drunk. In the evening Uriah went out to sleep in the same place, alongside his master’s servants, but he did not go down to his own home.

The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah.

He wrote in the letter, “Place Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle, and then pull back from him so that he will be struck down and die.� So as Joab was attacking the city, he put Uriah in the place where he knew there were strong warriors.

When the city’s soldiers came out and attacked Joab, some of the people from David’s army fell.

Uriah the Hittite was also killed.

Joab sent a complete report of the battle to David.

(2 Samuel 11:6-18 – Contemporary English Bible)

INSIGHT: Trying to hide our sins & cover up our wrongs is never a good idea.

Whoever hides their sins will not be successful, but whoever confesses their sins and stops doing wrong will receive mercy.

(Psalm 28:13 – Easy To Read Version)

O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.

(Psalm 69:5 – New Living Translation)

You know about all our sins. You see every one of our secret sins.

(Psalm 90:8 – New Life Version)

You may be sure that your sin will find you out.

(Numbers 32:23 – New International Version)

When I kept quiet about my sin, my bones wasted away from crying all day long. My strength was dried up as in the hot summer.

(Psalm 32:4-5 – New Life Version)

DM 3: David ignored the rape of his own daughter by her half-brother

David was CONSUMED BY GUILT

Amnon said, "Clear everyone out of the house," and they all cleared out.

Then he said to Tamar, "Bring the food into my bedroom, where we can eat in privacy."

She took the nourishing dumplings she had prepared and brought them to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. But when she got ready to feed him, he grabbed her and said, "Come to bed with me, sister!" "No, brother!" she said, "Don't hurt me!

This kind of thing isn't done in Israel! Don't do this terrible thing!

Where could I ever show my face?

And you—you'll be out on the street in disgrace. Oh, please! Speak to the king—he'll let you marry me."

But he wouldn't listen. Being much stronger than she, he raped her . . .

King David heard the whole story and was enraged, but he didn't discipline Amnon. David doted on him because he was his firstborn.

(2 Samuel 13:9-14, 21-22 – The Message)

INSIGHT: Our guilt can paralyze us to inaction

The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls — never to rise again.

(Isaiah 24:20 – Today’s New International Version)

DM 4: David conducted a census that dishonored God

David was PLAGUED BY PRIDE

Now Satan entered the scene and seduced David into taking a census of Israel. David gave orders to Joab and the army officers under him, "Canvass all the tribes of Israel, and get a count of the population.

I want to know the number.“ Joab resisted: “Why on earth would you do a thing like this— why risk getting Israel into trouble with God?" But David wouldn't take no for an answer, so Joab went off and did it—

canvassed the country and then came back to Jerusalem and reported the results of the census . . .

And God, offended by the whole thing, punished Israel.

Then David prayed, "I have sinned badly in what I have just done, substituting statistics for trust; I've been really stupid."

(1 Chronicles 21:1-8 – The Message)

INSIGHT: God wants us to trust in Him and not in ourselves

Some people trust the power of chariots or horses, but we trust you, LORD God. (Psalm 20:7- Contemporary English Version)

“You will succeed, not by military might or by your own strength, but by my spirit”, says the Lord.

(Zechariah 4:6 – Good News Bible)

A proud man starts fights, but all will go well for the man who trusts in the Lord. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be kept safe.

(Proverbs 28:25-26 – New Life Version)

Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the LORD in all you do, and he will give you success.

(Proverbs 3:5-6 – New Century Version)

AFTER DAVID FELL – HE ASKED GOD TO FORGIVE HIM

God, be merciful to me because you are loving. Because you are always ready to be merciful, wipe out all my wrongs. Wash away all my guilt and make me clean again.

(Psalm 51:1-2 – New Century Version)

DAVID MADE A DELIBERATE CHOICE TO TURN FROM HIS SIN, TURN BACK TO GOD AND HE RECEIVED FORGIVENESS!

After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.�

. . . . when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep . . .

(Acts 13:22, 36 – New International Version)

"Now it's time to change your ways!

Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins and pour out showers of blessing to refresh you . . . .”

(Acts 3:19 – The Message)

Let’s Pray

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