Standing after Falling

2 Samuel 11-12

Intro:

1. RD. Psalm 32:1-2 – the beauty of these verses brings peace to the soul. This peace did not come without a storm preceding it.
2. After you had an auto accident did you ever say, “If only I had… (you fill it in: not reached down for that item that fell; not missed that stop sign; not been driving so close; not blown that red light…). There is a time of regrets after our actions have produced pain in our lives.
3. The people we meet in the Bible are not perfect people with halos that no one can relate to because we all sin but they did not. There is no one in the Bible who is perfected until heaven. Every one of God’s people wrestle with sin in this life on earth.
4. 3 Kings

What I want to say: One of the unique traits of Christianity among all world religions is that we have an answer for the sin problem. David’s fall and restoration are a challenge and comfort to us.

I.      Running the Red Lights (2 Samuel 11:1-4)

A.    Red light #1: Carelessness with your soul

1.    Beware of unguarded strengths

2.    You are not ever immune to any sin.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 NASB95

3.    Vulnerability to temptation increases in 3 settings:

a)    Overload – too busy, no rest

(1)  No down time to evaluate your soul’s condition

(2)  This is one reason God designed a day of rest – if you have no day of rest, your soul is in danger – there’s a train wreck coming

b)    Excessive ease without purpose

(1)  People who have no day-to-day purpose cause themselves and others the most pain

For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.

Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 NASB95

c)    Neglected relationships

(1)  E.g. a marriage in trouble not seeking help

4.    Why was David at home?

a)    15 years after David became king over all of Israel. David is 45 – a mid-life crisis

b)    Peace was a danger to his soul because he did not prepare himself for it

5.    Why was Bathsheba bathing outside in view of the palace when her husband was at war? She evidently had a reputation for great beauty (11:3)

6.    David kept looking

a)    This danger is the same whether the temptation is sexual or financial or drugs or any other form.

Luther: You cannot keep the birds from flying over your head but you do not have to let them make nests in your hair.

Flee immorality. 1 Corinthians 6:18 NASB95

B.    Red Light #2 Lingering over temptation  (:2-5)

1.    It is not possible to totally avoid temptation it is offered to us everywhere.

2.    Temptation to greed or lust or addiction or pride surrounds us

C.   Red Light #3 Ignoring the facts (:3)

1.    When David found out she was married, the brakes should have been applied

D.   Red Light #4 Misuse of authority (:4)

1.    David had greater responsibility in this because of his authority

2.    there is no evidence of Bathsheba’s objection

II.    The Crash (:5-27)

A.    Persistent secret sin is always revealed (:5)

1.    Bathsheba was now pregnant

2.    David now had to make a choice: come clean or cover up. He chose cover up

3.    In choosing cover up he delayed his healing

B.    Attempts to cover-up compound sin (:6-27)

“cover-up” will always be connected in the mind of Americans with Richard Nixon

1.    brought Uriah home from war – (:6-11) assuming he would sleep with his wife

a)    Uriah was not some anonymous soldier. He is listed among David’s mighty men – his body guard (1 Chronicles 11:41)  This is a very personal betrayal.

b)    This went awry because of Uriah’s strong character – he was committed to his band of brothers and would not enjoy pleasure while they risked death.

c)    This is something that David once would have known but pushed aside

2.    Got Uriah drunk with same goal and result (:12-13)

3.    Had Uriah murdered (:14-25)

a)    He involved Joab in his web of deceit

b)    Bathsheba properly mourned

4.    David suffered much during this time of cover up (Psalm 38:1-8)

5.    David attempted to do what was right by marrying Bathsheba – but he still needed to be relieved of the burden of guilt

III.   The Rescue (2 Samuel 12)

A.    The EMT arrives (12:1-7)

1.    Nathan was a true friend sent by God to David (:1)

a)    He could speak to the king because he was a friend – they had a history

b)    He was sent by God

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2 ESV

2.    If a brother or sister in Christ sins loving confrontation is not someone else’s responsibility but yours.

3.    Nathan’s story disarmed David’s defenses

a)    It appealed to David’s sense of justice

4.    “You are the man” – the point driven home

a)    No one likes having their sin revealed but how your respond will determine whether and when you heal

b)    Cp. Stephen before the Sanhedrin – (Acts 7)

5.    The sin described:

a)    Ingratitude for God’s blessing

b)    Despising God’s word (:9)

c)    Murder by proxy

ILLUS> The Count of Monte Cristo – the story begins when a false friend arranges the arrest of his friend to marry his friend’s fiancée

d)    Adultery

B.    Face the consequences

1.    there is no healing without repentance

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17 ESV

2.    Confession brings relief (:13)

a)    This confession was simple but complete

b)    You cannot feel forgiveness unless you have confessed the sin.

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Psalm 51:6 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ESV

3.    restoration of peace is the assurance every sinner longs for.

a)    God answered David’s prayer in Psalm 51:7-15

4.    When God’s children sin, it opens the door for unbelievers to mock God.

a)    View your sin from the perspective of God’s kingdom (:14)

b)    Cp. The Jimmy Swaggart; Jim Bakker; Robert Tilton scandals of the 1970s that made the word “televangelist” synonymous with hypocrite in the popular mind.

IV.  The Reconstruction (:13-25; Psalm 32:8-11)

A.    It all begins with relationship

1.    :15 David’s relationship with God is restored

2.    He feels the freedom to pray once again

3.    He is confident of his salvation (cp. Psalm 51)

B.    Correction is the evidence of love

1.    Why was God so hard on David?

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and chastises every son whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:5-6 ESV

2.    God’s love for David required correction

C.   Forgiveness brings hope (:21-26)

1.    God restores dreams.  In 1 Chronicles 28 we find David commissioning his son Solomon to build the Temple.

2.    28:6 – David reviews God’s promises that he is seeing fulfilled

Concl:

1. Here is hope. A broken bone is always stronger when healed. David never strayed in that way again.
2. Joy will be restored!

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Psalm 32:11 ESV