Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction: Leaders Confront

Belgic Confession Article 29: The Mark’s of the True Church

The church engages in the pure preaching of the gospel;

of the gospel;

it makes use of the pure administration of the sacraments as Christ instituted them;

as Christ instituted them;

it practices church discipline for correcting faults.

for correcting faults.

In short, it governs itself according to the pure Word of God,

rejecting all things contrary to it and holding Jesus Christ as the only Head.

Role of Elders:

Elders must provide for the true preaching of the Word, instruction for faith formation for both youth and adults, regular celebration of the sacraments, and faithful counsel and discipline while keeping in confidence those matters entrusted to them.

And they must promote fellowship and hospitality among believers, ensure good order in the church, and stimulate witness to all people.

Correcting faults- a role given to elders for thousands of years.

But how??

Untrained elders- pride, lack of communication

Culture of Autonomy- self-law

Sense of Covenant

Churches

2 part series:

2 part series:

Leaders confront

Nathan: Leaders confront

David: Leaders repent

Leaders repent

God Sends Nathan

How Prophets Worked in the Old Testament

David commits adultery and murder

Covets his neighbors wife

Kills his neighbor

Commits to Bethsheba

 And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son.

But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.

Chapter 12- Boom: God sends Nathan

Chapter 12- Boom: God sends Nathan

Confrontation:

Tyndale Old Testament Commentary, Joyce G. Baldwin: Whereas in countries such as Egypt the king was regarded as divine, in Israel he had to submit to the Lord God who had chosen him, and observe all the commandments given to Israel (, ).

It was the task of the prophet of the Lord to encourage the king to fulfil these obligations, and to rebuke him in God’s name if he failed to do so.

Whereas in countries such as Egypt the king was regarded as divine, in Israel he had to submit to the Lord God who had chosen him, and observe all the commandments given to Israel (Deut.

17:15, 20).

It was the task of the prophet of the Lord to encourage the king to fulfil these obligations, and to rebuke him in God’s name if he failed to do so.

TOTC: Whereas in countries such as Egypt the king was regarded as divine, in Israel he had to submit to the Lord God who had chosen him, and observe all the commandments given to Israel (, ).

It was the task of the prophet of the Lord to encourage the king to fulfil these obligations, and to rebuke him in God’s name if he failed to do so.

Three things we learn from Nathan:

Nathan is called to do what??

1. Nathan was faithful to his calling

2. Nathan Confronts Thoughtfully

Scared?

Apprehensive?

3. Nathan Confronts Boldly

Apprehensive?

Nathan was faithful to his calling

All we know from the text:

Nathan was faithful to his calling

vs. 1: And the Lord sent Nathan to David.

He came to him...

vs. 1: And the Lord sent Nathan to David.

He came to him...

Nathan was faithful to his calling:

Nathan just left

How Prophets Worked in the Old Testament

Scared?

Apprehensive?

vs. 1: And the Lord sent Nathan to David.

He came to him...

Tyndale Old Testament Commentary, Joyce G. Baldwin: Whereas in countries such as Egypt the king was regarded as divine, in Israel he had to submit to the Lord God who had chosen him, and observe all the commandments given to Israel (, ).

It was the task of the prophet of the Lord to encourage the king to fulfil these obligations, and to rebuke him in God’s name if he failed to do so.

Nathan knew his Role as Prophet:

God’s mouthpiece.

Listening to God

Nathan knew his place:

Not the first time we have meaningful dialogue between Nathan and David:

: Message of Promise

David wants to build a temple

Nathan says, ‘Go ahead!’

But then the Lord comes to Nathan and tells Nathan to deliver another message...”

,

, ,

: Message of Sin

Nathan: Track record of gobbling up his words in order for God’s Word to shine through.

Nathan: Humility, faithfulness, obedience...

God says go, Nathan goes.

Revealer of Sin

Leaders can learn from Nathan:

Eat your words and let God’s Word shine!

We don’t know how he felt, but I imagine that receiving this information must have been shocking!

Like, David, what were you thinking!

Commentators reflect: Scared?

Apprehensive?

Angry?

Are you taking advantage of God’s grace?

: “Judge not, that you be not judged.

2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

How did Nathan Feel?

:  For what have I to do with judging outsiders?

Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside.

“Purge the evil person from among you.”

: Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

: Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.

But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

: Do not speak evil against one another, brothers.

The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law.

: So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.