2 Samuel 11:1-5; Psalm 51 God even shapes through personal failure

I. Shaped in failure: Learned the path into sin

A. Preparingthe way for temptation by careless living 2 Sam 11:1

(ESV) 2 Samuel 11 1 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

B. Allowingtemptation a foothold 2 Sam 11:2-3

(ESV) 2 Samuel 11 2 It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful.

(ESV) 2 Samuel 11 3 And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

C. Actingon temptation 2 Sam 11:4

(ESV) 2 Samuel 11 4 So David sent messengersand took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house.

D. Receiving the consequences of sin 2 Sam 11:5

(ESV) 2 Samuel 11 5 And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, “I am pregnant.”

E. A pattern for falling into sin James 1:14-15

(ESV) James 1 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

II. Shaped in failure: Learned the impact of sin

A. Sin devastates Psalm 38:2-10

1. Great sin psalms – from this major cause

(ESV) Psalms 51 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

(ESV) Psalms 38 2 For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.

4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, 6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning.

(ESV) Psalms 38 7 For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. 9 O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you. 10 My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.

B. Sin is first of all against God Psalm 51:3-4a

(ESV) Psalms 51 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, …

1. More than the impact on me

2. More than the impact on someone else

3. First of all an offense to my God

C. Sin can be forgiven Psalm 51:1-2, 7a, 9

(ESV) Psalms 51 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. … 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

III. Shaped in failure: Learned sin need not be the end

A. God restores Psalm 51:8a, 10-12

(ESV) Psalms 51 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. … 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spiritfrom me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

B. God desires the heart Psalm 51:6, 16-17

(ESV) Psalms 51 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

(ESV) Psalms 51 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a brokenand contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

C. God uses restored lives to help others Psalm 51:13-15

(ESV) Psalms 51 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.