Identity 2

Hide nothing from him, for you can hide nothing. The Treasury Of David, Psalms 62, Verse 8

Charles Spurgeon

Photos in camera

what we post

when we win

pretty sunset

dogs/cats

cute kids

What we dont post

screenshots

double chins

kids forehead

We edit our story to show people what we want right?

Breakups turn into “We just grew apart”

Anxiety turns into “Im tired”

If we never show the valleys, however, how will we ever show how God works in our lives?

Regardless of if its good, or bad, its part of our identity. Who we are as a human, and in Christ.

Think of all the mistakes in the bible:

Noah getting drunk

Jonah running from God

David lusting after bathsheba

Peter denying Christ

We might never know how God TRULY worked in these mens lives if we didnt see their valleys.

Why do you think God put these bad stories in the bible? Why not just put the good stuff? Right?

Faith, Hope, Love - Because God allows those valleys for us to grow our faith, hope and love.

David who we are talking about through this series had many valleys in his life.

After being anointed, a big chunk of his life was spent on the run (valley)

Multiple times being almost murdered by Saul (valley)

After the Bathsheba incident (we will discuss next week) - A rebuke from the lord (a valley)

Background on Samuel - Author unknown (Possibly Samuel, Possibly david himself) - Impossible to know for sure

2 Samuel 12:1–14 “The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.” David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’ ” Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.””

David mess up with Bathsheba ( dont go into detail, this story will play part in another sermon).

Nathan the prophet is sharing with David the consequences from God.

A few thoughts

David was quick to pass judgement

How often do we judge others (be honest)

We see others at school acting up and we think “At least im not that bad”

We see someone cursing, vaping, partying and we think “Im a sinner, but not like that guy!”

We cast judgement thinking that because we arent as bad or as annoying, or as flagrant as the other person, then we are ok.

We pass ourselves off as “Good” and call it a day.

Nathan was quick to respond

Nathans response is that “OH SHOOT” realization for david

He is understanding, as Nathan is proclaiming, that he screwed up big time

God gave david so much (Gives us so much) and if david wanted more all he had to do was ask.

If we want more all we have to do is ask (is it in God’s will though)?

David was quick to repent

David took responsibility

This world is so quick to pass judgement on others

When we take responsibility for our actions, we can own them, and work through them in God’s time, not other people’s time.

John 15:26–27 ““When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”

We have a job, if we are christian, to share the gospel.

Armor of God - Feet readiness to share the gospel

Our testimony is the most powerful gospel sharing tool we have.

It doesn't have to be dramatic

It just has to be honest.

APPLY

How do we recognize our valleys and use those for the upbuilding of God’s kingdom?

Camera Roll Reflection

On a note card or notes app write 3 lines

A highlight moment

A “no post” moment

How/Where God met you in one of those moment

Turn it into a 60 second story:

“I used to think/feel…when this happened”

“God helped me in this way…”

“Im not perfect but im learning to…”

Dont sit on your story, someone needs to hear it.

Remember, your reputations isnt your rescuer, Jesus is.

Keep your testimony Real, Simple, and Safe

Revisit your camera roll reflection story each week, and add something to it.

Before you know it youre sharing the Gospel.

Make that part of your identity.

Lets pray.