Am I Saved ( How it Looks To Grow in your Santifacation).

Objective:

To provide an outlook at a key component of Sanctification. Being that sanctification is a process that all believers go thru it is very important for the believer to look at growth markers and his or her walk. My prayer is after the sermon that the man or women of God takes time out to self examine themselves ( 2 Corinthians 13:5).

Diagnosis:

We live in an all-inclusive society, wherein all is loved and all is tolerated. We rarely see Christians speak out against sin and when we do it seems if as though they pick and choose what sins they speak out against. Our fellowship with one another is weak, but our fellowship with those in the world is strong. The bible teaches us to seek the lost, but not to tolerate sin and turn a blind eye to evil. However, evildoers are promoted, loved and embraced. Individuals in society can no longer look to the church because the church is no longer a institution that promotes separation because it seeks to be holy. But now it has become a place that wants to share in the worlds identity. What should separate the church is the people who make up the body. However, those individuals have become crippled by hyper-grace and only check their love box without ever looking to see if they truly hate sin

Sermon:

In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul challenges the believer to examine yourself (Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!). However, the question is how do I examine myself to see if I am growing in my salvation. It is true that after some years of following Christ that you should be able to recite scripture, you have a heart of service, I would think by now you are serving in a ministry, and having a tongue season with grace . However, all these things can be superficial, now it is true that even the character trait that I am speaking on today can also be superficial, I find this trait to be a true measuring stick. When a person hates sin and it is express by said person it tends to put a target on that persons back. And when the heat comes down on said person two things usually happens the buckle under the pressure to conform to society or the stand strong and resolute. Sadly, the later is rarely ever done . I want us to look at a man today that God said had a heart after his own. David response to his own sin was remarkable, but what is ever more amazing is David’s outlook towards sin throughout his whole live. I want us to open our bible’s this morning and I want us to look at King David right before his lowest point ever and his life; and all though this moment is somber, when can learn so much from this great man of God. Lets pray!!!

2 Samuel 12:1-23 2 Samuel 12:1–23 (ESV)

Nathan Rebukes David

12 And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”

7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 8 And I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’ ” 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.” 15 Then Nathan went to his house.

David’s Child Dies

And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he became sick. 16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

Recap: The first thing we notice is that God send to David a man of God. This isn’t something just to be overlooked the prophet is called to point just how egregious this sin is

There are five points that just organically derive from the story, if you are reading well and comprehending you will see them. These six points as you grow in your salvation, as sanctification is bringing you closer to holiness should stand out .

The first thing we see David do is Acknowledge his Sin. David doesn’t bob and weave, he doesn’t deflect, and he makes know excuses. David acknowledges his sin and immediately says who it is that he sinned against. ( 2 Samuel 12: 13-14)

Interwoven with in the acknowledgement he has a hate for his Sin. Although, Nathan used a different context to bring David under judgement; David still shows he has an healthy hate for sin. ( 2 Samuel 12: 5-6)

David before he does anything else he confess his sin, this is also a public confession because what David did is publically known, and if it wasn’t publically know before after this word got around ( 2 Samuel 12:13-14)

David after this showed remorse, David was torn apart and with God’s Judgement upon him he agonized over the results of he sin. ( 2 Samuel 12:15-18)

Within his agony David is lead to repentance. David is drive to his knees to worship his God. Repentance, gives you a revelation that what is done is done, and now it is time to turn and move on. It is no need to cry over what can’t be changed. ( 2 Samuel 12:19-20)

Lastly, David forgives himself. David doesn’t wallow in self pity his outlook over the situation is he understands that it is time to move on. When you forgive yourself as God already has then you move on and understand that God is Sovereign ( 2 Samuel 12: 21-25).

However with all of this being here we tend to struggle with hating sin the most.

Drawing closer to God when at your lowest is much easier when you are living your life to be identical to him. You know you will never be him, but Paul says that the goal is to become more like Christ, until he transforms us into his glorious image.

However, you will find yourself at a major cross road if you don’t develop a healthy habit of hating sin. David was a master at hating sin. Hating sin doesn’t mean that you will life a sin free live, but God is the one who judges the heart. A person who loves sin is a person who’s heart is a constant state of evil ( Genesis 6:5)Genesis 6:5 (ESV)

5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

David’s outlook on sin should be the outlook we all have. David hated what hated God hate David hated sin how about you. David shows his heart the best and his approach to sin in the book of Psalms.

Psalm 5:5-6 Psalm 5:5–6 (ESV)

5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;

you hate all evildoers.

6 You destroy those who speak lies;

the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

Psalm 11:5 Psalm 11:5 (ESV)

5 The Lord tests the righteous,

but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

Psalm 106: 40 Psalm 106:40 (ESV)

40 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people,

and he abhorred his heritage;

Psalm 26: 5 Psalm 26:5 (ESV)

5 I hate the assembly of evildoers,

and I will not sit with the wicked.

Psalm 119: 113 Psalm 119:113 (ESV)

Samekh

113 I hate the double-minded,

but I love your law.

Psalm 119: 21-22 Psalm 119:21–22 (ESV)

21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,

who wander from your commandments.

22 Take away from me scorn and contempt,

for I have kept your testimonies.

Closing:

Awareness, Brokenness, and Change is acronym that is used in biblical counseling. It is better known as A.B.C in its own right I would have to say that this is the process of Sanctification. Let’s walk through it. When Christ first effectually called you and pressed upon your heart you became aware that you needed him. You realized you needed him because without him the weight of sin in your life was to great. Next, after you realized the weight of sin it broke you and the need that you had turned to a want. That want lead you to repentance and from there it lead you to change. This cycle should be evident in the life of the believer. If you can’t identify it , it doesn’t mean your not saved, but it could be the caused of some unacknowledged sin, or UN-confessed, or maybe you did something and you had little to no remorse, or maybe repentance has taken place, or maybe you are still holding on to some guilt. Whatever, it is you have a savior who loves you and that is waiting to embrace you. However, if it is not there then maybe you haven’t really asked God in you heart and your not saved, or you thought you have and after today you realized my believe has been in vain. Here is the good news you to still have that same savior ready to embrace you. There is no sinners pray and know magic tricks. On your knees to night you can truly turn your life over to Christ

Prayer and Benediction: Go in Peace