To be sure, there have always been some who have found the thought of grace so overwhelmingly wonderful that they could never get over it.
But many church people are not like this. They may pay lip service to the idea of grace, but there they stop.T heir conception of grace is not so much debased as nonexistent. The thought means nothing to them; it does not touch their experience at all. Talk to them about the church’s heating, or last year’s accounts, and they are with you at once; but speak to them about the realities to which the word grace points, and their attitude is one of deferential blankness. They do not accuse you of talking nonsense; they do not doubt that your words have meaning; but they feel that, whatever it is that you are talking about, it is beyond them, and the longer they have lived without it the surer they are that at their stage of life they do not really need it.–
J.I. Packer, Knowing God (IVP: 1993) pp. 128-129
February 9th, 2010
Yvonne Ortega is a published author, a cancer survivor, a fascinating person and a member of Seaford Baptist Church. You can read her blog at her website www.yvonneortega.com You can purchase her book “Hope for the Journey Through Cancer” here
Her new blogtalk radio show, “Hope for the Journey,” starts today, Tuesday, 2/9/2010 at 10:00 am at this site
February 9th, 2010
Tom Gilson will be speaking on National radio today on a subject which God has been opening doors for him lately, including the really big one today. (Following is a note from Tom that went out a couple of days ago that explain this)
Following is a note Tom sent about today’s talk.
As one of our prayer supporters, you might be interested to know that from 4:05 to 5:00 EST Monday afternoon, February 8, I will have the privilege of being interviewed by Dr. Alex McFarland on his Sound Rezn radio show on American Family Radio. Dr. McFarland is a leading Christian thinker and the president of Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, NC. We’ll be talking primarily about strategies for more effective Christian influence in today’s world, especially to help Christians stand on the truth of our faith with knowledge and with grace.
You may be within reach of an AFR station (listed here, PDF file), but if not, you can click “AFR Talk” here. If you can’t listen, I’d be grateful if you could pray for our talk!
Thank you for all of your support and prayers. We really appreciate you!
Yours in Him,
Tom Gilson
February 8th, 2010
February 21, 2010 – Sermon: Gene Cornett
February 7, 2010 – Sermon: Aaron West
February 7th, 2010
Memory Verse:
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV
Deeper Study Verses:
John 1:14-18 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” 16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known. NIV
Romans 5:12-17 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. NIV
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. NIV
Day 1 Verse:
Psalms 86:1-7 Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. 3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. 4 Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. 6 Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. 7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. NIV
Concept:
Story of a man who had hidden sins and journeyed into humility, honesty and repentance. He experienced restoration with God and his family.
Day 2 Verse:
Ephesians 2:1-9 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. NIV
Day 3 Verse:
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. NIV
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. NIV
Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? NIV
Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, NIV
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. NIV
Day 4 Verse:
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. NIV
1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. NIV
Day 5 Verse:
James 4:66 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” NIV
February 7th, 2010
So far we’ve looked at humility and honesty – and I trust we’ve seen that these areas lay the groundwork for true revival. The next step is responding to the conviction by repentance. Now we hear this word in church all the time, but what does it mean? What does the Bible say about it? Does it give us any ‘how-to’ passages so we know we are doing it right? Let’s look at a single verse to base our definition off of –
Malachi 3:7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ NIV
Return to the Lord, or leaving (forsaking) known sin and obeying what God says – that is repentance. I’ve heard it said it’s a 180 degree turn from sin to God, and that’s good. But if you just are walking towards sin and only turn around to face God (but never step towards Him in obedience), you haven’t experienced or participated in genuine repentance.
Now don’t mishear me – the walk of the Christian is one that may be riddled with potholes of sin. But the characteristic of the Christian is one of humbly confessing and honestly forsaking sin. They are trying to grow in Christ, not use freedom in Christ as a license to sin. You see, we will face temptations as long as we stay on planet Earth. To know that Christ convicts us of sin (that still small voice) is a measure of God’s love and grace to us as we face choices. But I will let you in on a secret I have learned over a few more years than most of you listening to me today in our youth group – what if my choices are between something that seems good and something else that seems good? That is the place I often find areas of growth – I’m not convicted that either way is certainly wrong or improper! But there is only one way that God would have me go, and He wants me to make the decision. I have learned more there than the choices between obvious sin and something that is obviously God’s way. And when I choose the lesser good, I still have consequences and need to look towards repentance if I have failed to meet up with God’s way.
Some other things to keep in mind are we should repent at the moment of conviction. If something takes place, and God convicts you that you were in the wrong (sinned) – fix it then, don’t wait! The longer you wait, the harder it gets. We start to justify our actions and grow more distant from those we sinned against – and more importantly – and apart from God (in fellowship). Keep in mind that God doesn’t ask you to do anything that He has not provided the strength and grace to accomplish.
Let’s look at a passage of scripture that illustrates a proud heart, one that is not in the ‘humble’ position at all. This may give us a good review of how NOT to keep our hearts.
2 Chronicles 26:3-5 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem. 4 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done. 5 He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. NIV
Here we see King Uzziah came to the throne when he was about your age! He had a good role model in his father (since he followed in his footsteps and did what was right in the sight of God). He had the council of the prophet Zechariah (who reinforced what he had been taught). And as long as his mind and hearts posture was on God, God gave him success. It reminded me of a certain movie I really like. As a lead in, this movie stars a CG Dragon with the voice of Sean Connery and also has Dennis Quaid in it. A lad who will become king is being trained to follow the code, to be a better king than his father is. Unfortunately, he is mortally wounded and in need of healing. The dragon provides part of his heart to do the trick, and has the promise the code will be followed. We pick up with the lad leaving from the place of his ‘restoration’…
(Note – here we viewed a DragonHeart clip)
He has already forgotten his ‘savior’ and teacher. Ah yes, once the king got older, it didn’t get better. Let’s continue in our scripture today, look what happens.
2 Chronicles 26:16-21 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. 18 They confronted him and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.”
19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead. 20 When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him.
21 King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house – leprous, and excluded from the temple of the Lord. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land. NIV
You know – when a huge wave turns to boat you are in over, a good course of action may be to try to right the craft again so you can get back in. Yes, you’ll need to bail out water, and stuff may be damaged, but you’re afloat again! And that’s repentance – it is not a restoration to a state of perfection, a way to make all wrongs right again. But understand it does restore the fellowship with God so that we can again be used for His purposes. And that certainly is part of personal revival. Let’s break into our small groups and discuss our scripture lessons more.
Discussion questions:
- God prospered Uzziah because he sought after the Lord. What changed to cause Uzziah to act unfaithfully to God?
- While in the act of sin (vs. 17-18) Uzziah was given an opportunity to repent. How did God call Uzziah to repent?
- How did Uzziah respond when confronted with the truth? What were the consequences?
- What would our community (or church or youth group) look life if we lived as people who repented? How could this impact our culture?
- How would you explain the concept of repentance to a small child?
February 7th, 2010
Note – this is our lesson for the evening, created and taught by one of our youth – Bennett Keene. Great job Bennett, thanks for teaching us about meekness!
Scriptures:
Psalms 45:4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
1 Peter 2:21-23 For even here unto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Zephaniah 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.
Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Open in Prayer
Who knows what meekness is? Meek is humble in spirit or manner. Meek is one of the characteristics Christians need. Jesus had it, and boy did it show.
God has set a challenge for us. To show, act, and seek meekness. In 1st Peter 2:21-23 is explains Christ died for our sins and setting an example for us. When he suffered he didn’t threaten anyone but gave himself and everything to God. He had healing powers and greatness. But he knew why he came to Earth. He taught us how to be meek. He showed us the way to go. And we still sometimes get off that lighted path and go our own happy little ways.
Zephaniah 2:3 explains that we should seek the meekness because it maybe hide the day of God’s anger. We need to go after the meekness that is available because I mean who wants to be with God for eternity?
God is so amazing that he offers us eternity with him in Heaven and he tells us that since we follow him, it results with us and him being together.
Matthew 5:5 says that the meek are blessed and the earth is theirs. The earth is theirs for the keeping because they were meek and believed that God can do things that seem impossible. Isn’t it amazing how much God loves us? He gives us so much advice for our lives in the Bible. God just loves us so much and he is so amazing, his glory is too powerful for the human eye to bear.
Isaiah 53:7 says he was brought to die. He knew what his life would be like before he was born! He knew the penalty he would suffer for our sins. For our sins! as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He didn’t say anything, didn’t complain when he was beaten, whipped, and tortured. The consequence for our sins was death for Jesus, the one who loved us enough to die for the sinners.
Galatians 5:22-23 explains what the Fruit the Spirit includes. Those are what we should strive to have. Of course, meekness is one of them. Meekness isn’t being humble in spirit. But it includes showing you’re humble in spirit. It also includes seeking to be humble in spirit.
I leave you here with this challenge. Go out of this church and show that you are meek. Leave and act meek, think meek too. Extend the branches of your faith to others by showing meekness and compassion. I challenge you to show that you are meek and you truly understand what it is.
Close in prayer
Discussion Questions:
1) What does the word “meek” mean to you?
2) How can we show that we are meek in our everyday lives?
3) Why is it so important to be meek?
4) Name a few biblical characters who show meekness.
5) Who can you think of that can be an example of meekness in your life and how?
6) Will you accept the challenge and try to humble yourself with the word of God?
February 3rd, 2010
Memory Verse:
Psalms 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. NIV
Deeper Study Verses:
Psalms 51 For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. 14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar. NIV
Ezekiel 18:30-32 “Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! NIV
Luke 15:1-7 Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. NIV
Acts 3:17-20 “Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus. NIV
Day 1 Verse:
Psalms 51:1-6 For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. NIV
Psalms 119:59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. NIV
Concept:
Story of a wife who was ‘burned out’ after 20+ years of church. Issue was all her troubles were the fault of her husband (and God gave him to her), but God revealed this folly and offered a new life when she gave up her pride and bitterness.
Day 2 Verse:
2 Corinthians 7:9-11 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. NIV
Day 3 Verse:
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.‘ NIV
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV
Matthew 3:8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. NIV
Revelation 2:4-5 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. NIV
Day 4 Verse:
2 Chronicles 26:3-5 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem. 4 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done. 5 He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. NIV
2 Chronicles 26:16-21 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. 18 They confronted him and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.”
19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead. 20 When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him.
21 King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house – leprous, and excluded from the temple of the Lord. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land. NIV
Day 5 Verse: (none)
January 31st, 2010
You remember us leaving the first session discussion with the thought of individual, or personal revival. If that is a goal we have, then we will need to work in the area of honesty. Specifically, being honest with ourselves. We are quick to make judgment calls on others, but we are just as quick to justify our actions and not be honest about them, or our motivations for them.
While the study had a story of a pastor and his wife having some marital issues, I thought it may be better to share my story – since it has some similar elements and I can certainly relate to it. I pastured for 4 years in a neighboring county, and I believe that I was effective and had a good reputation in the community. The church is still meeting and reaching their community for Christ, so that is a decent sign! But I recall something a bit closer to home for me. Before we moved to Newport News, my wife had that ‘let’s get real’ conversation that some couples never look forward to.
You see, during that time of my life, I had been employed over 15 years with the same company, had an hour and fifteen minute commute each way to that job location (so there goes 2.5 hours every week day), had a wonderful wife and young son, a house on 9+ acres of land that we had built for us, was in school to earn my bachelor degree to graduate from Seminary, and was pastor of a church. Sounds like the world was spinning right! But my wife asked why I was always available for everyone else but her and my son. And in my mind, that translated to my wife had some problem. It wasn’t her having a problem at all – I had the problem. And I thank God that He gave my wife the courage to confront me with the truth I needed to hear. Anyone that asked I made time for – and all my family wanted was me. Something had to give, and God, in His wisdom, grace and mercy opened and closed doors to make it happen. But I admit it was humbling to realize that when I controlled (well, it seemed like that to me) all aspects of my life I was really missing out on what God wanted me to be a part of – and make a priority – my family. God knew what was best for me and allowed healing to take place as I had wounded my wife’s spirit.
You know, the Bible has many stories of deception and self delusion, it contains many encounters of people trying to fool themselves and others when hiding their sin. Today I want to bring one to mind that should shock you – because this encounter features the man God said was after His own heart, David. You can read it at 2 Samuel 11. Basically I think of this as the first ‘R’ rated movie recorded in the Bible. David saw Bathsheba bathing on her rooftop, and as king wanted her. And the king got what he wanted, then lied to her, her husband (Uriah), his warriors, and lived a lie before his people. David lied to himself (what I have done wasn’t so bad) as he lived in front of everyone – if he got away with it there would be no major consequences! But David lied to God as well when he was covering up his sin and refused to acknowledge and confess it.
The consequences show up in 2 Samuel 12, as God sends the prophet Nathan to the king. Nathan told a heartfelt story of a beloved little ewe lamb that was wrongfully taken – and revealed that this person was the king. What follows is the realization of sin by the king and the consequences from God. It’s not a pretty story, and I’d encourage you to read it. But what I want to focus on is the humility David had to realize and experience before healing took place. For that, let’s look at Psalm 32.
David, as the king had it all. Everything he could ever want, but that wasn’t enough. So he took what he justified as rightfully his (Bathsheba). He killed her husband. And had a story for it all – but God wasn’t fooled. And David had to experience and work through dealing with the reality of his sin – his failures, no one else’s – before we see the joy of experiencing God’s mercy and forgiveness.
David lived with the conviction of this sin for almost a year, and God had a full-court press on his heart. David refused to confess these sins, and his anguish deepened as this took a toll on him physically, emotionally and spiritually. And if that happened to David because of his sin – do you think we can experience the same symptoms? You bet! Looking at our scripture today you can almost feel the relief coming out of the word David penned. But he had to let go of his pride, position, and what he thought were his ‘rights’. Then he had to humble himself and get real with God and others about his sin.
Perhaps some of you are dealing with things that make you feel alone – isolated because you can’t tell others or else… Perhaps today is the day you get real with yourself, then come clean with God and – if needed – others (remember, revival needs to start with you individually!). If it worked for a king who was a man after God’s heart – it will work for you as well. It doesn’t matter if the issue is small or large, why do you keep hiding it? Let’s break into our small groups.
Discussion questions:
- Look at Psalm 32:3-4 again. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Here we see the torment David describes when he was living a lie before God. Complete these statements that describe how David suffered because of his sin (put this into your own words):
- My bones…
- [God’s] hand…
- My strength…
- In verse 5, once David was finally willing to uncover or expose his sin, how did God respond? Does God respond the same way today? Why or why not?
- We’re born with the uncanny ability to transfer blame for most everything (I didn’t do it, not me!). Is it hard for you to accept responsibility for your choices (good or bad)? Do you struggle with saying ‘I’m sorry’ when you are wrong? Or is it easier to place the blame on someone or something else?
- If it is time for you to get real with God, we would encourage you to do so. If you need to speak with an adult leader, we encourage that as well. If revival doesn’t start in you because of a refusal to see and acknowledge your sin before God, what would it take for you to be humbled? Something on the level of what happened to David? Or…what?
January 31st, 2010
Memory Verse:
Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. NIV
Deeper Study Verses:
Genesis 3:6-13 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me — she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” NIV
Proverbs 30:7-9 “Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. NIV
Acts 5:1-11 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. NIV
Day 1 Verse:
Psalms 15:1-2 Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart NIV
Psalms 24:3-5 Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. 5 He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. NIV
Concept:
Story of a pastor and wife in the midst of marital struggles. The pastor needed to learn the truth of what he was doing to wound his wife’s spirit – she was not the issue, he was. Covering up sin is painful and destructive.
Day 2 Verse:
Psalms 32:1-5 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” — and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah NIV
Day 3 Verse:
1 John 1:5-9 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. NIV
Day 4 Verse:
Mark 9:33-34 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. NIV
Genesis 3:8-9 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” NIV
Luke 12:2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. NIV
Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. NIV
Day 5 Verse:
Honesty with God
Psalms 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. NIV
Honesty with Myself
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. NIV
1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. NIV
Galatians 6:3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. NIV
Honesty with Others
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. NIV
January 24th, 2010
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