DATE: 10-12-25

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRO

We’re continuing our series in Romans this weekend and — I don’t want to get you all too excited — but we’re down to our last four sermons in Romans. I believe that today’s sermon is the seventieth one I’ve preached during our time in Romans. And — if you think that’s a bit much — pastor John Piper preached around two hundred and twenty-five sermons when he took his church through the book. We literally could go through Romans two more times to equal that number. So — yeah — you’re welcome for the speediness at which we’ve made our way through the book.

If you’ve been with us in recent weeks and months — you know that we’re in the practical application section of Paul’s letter where — after eleven chapters of rich theological truths — Paul’s now in the “so what” section of his letter. Meaning he’s addressing how all of the theology — that’s found in the first eleven chapters — is to play itself out in how we live. Or at least how it should influence the way we live.

And we just finished a three part mini-series within our series in Romans — as Paul just concluded a lengthy section on how Christians are to disagree with one another regarding secondary issues — or what are sometimes called non-essentials.

For over a chapter Paul has stressed how uniting around the essentials that we believe — beliefs about God, salvation, sin, the Bible, and so on — along with our love for one another — will create an atmosphere of unity even when we disagree with each other over non-essential beliefs or behaviors. And this kind of unity is a signal to the unbelieving world that our faith in Christ actually affects and shapes the way we live.

For we live in a world where division is the norm. Where even the smallest and most minor of disagreements is reason for judgment, name calling, questioning of character, and so on. God dishonoring behaviors that have found their way into the church and among God’s people as we’ve taken our cues from the world instead of the Word. And — any behavior that dishonors God — brings joy and delight to our enemy and foe — the devil. And he’d much rather we fight against our fellow Christians than unite together to fight against him.

Thus the question Paul’s put before us is this: Who will we fight against? One another or our real enemy?

Now — though the mini-series on how to disagree was only a three parter — today’s sermon does reveal to us a result of what happens when we disagree biblically with one another. What result is that? That as a faith family we’ll experience and display hope-filled, Christ-exalting living. For hope-filled, Christ-exalting living is a characteristic of God’s people when they’re unitied together on the essentials of the faith and disagree — biblically — when it comes to non-essentials.

This is what we find in our text for today — which is Romans chapter fifteen — verses eight through thirteen. So if you have your Bible — please turn with me there — to Romans chapter fifteen — we’ll begin in verse eight. There Paul writes…

Romans 15:8–13 ESV

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Hope-filled, Christ-exalting lives — that’s our focus for today. For hope-filled, Christ-exalting lives will be a result of our commitment to being united and unified on the essentials of the faith. Hope-filled, Christ-exalting lives fueled by knowing that…

• One — Christ came to reveal God’s truth.
• Two — Christ came to confirm God’s promises.
• Three — Christ came to show God’s mercy.
• Which leads to Christ being our hope.

That’s where we’re headed today — today — like every time we gather together — is all about Jesus. For he came to reveal God’s truth, to confirm God’s promises, to show God’s mercy, which results in him being our hope.

CHRIST CAME TO REVEAL GOD’S TRUTH

Let’s begin by seeing how Christ came to reveal God’s truth. We’re back in verse eight. There Paul writes…

Romans 15:8 ESV

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness…

Here Paul tells us that Jesus came to earth to be a servant to the circumcised — that’s the Jewish people. And Paul tells us that Jesus became their servant to show them God’s truthfulness. 

Now — before we get to how Jesus did this — we need to remember that — part of the reason there was disagreement and conflict in the church in Rome is because there were Christians coming from Jewish backgrounds along with Christians coming from Gentile — or non-Jewish — backgrounds. The examples of what they were disagreeing over — that Paul used in the previous chapter — show us how their different backgrounds — even different religious backgrounds and upbringings — was causing division and disunity in the church.

I bring this up as a reminder because — here in our verse — Paul reminds us that Jesus came to earth as a Jewish man to show the Jewish people God’s truthfulness. Why would Jesus need to come to reveal God’s truthfulness to the Jewish people? Because the Jews had drifted from God’s truth. 

There are all kinds of reasons for their drift from God’s truth — but they’d drifted so far that — when Jesus came to earth — the Jewish people — especially the Jewish religious leaders and experts in the law — or the Old Testament — thought Jesus was a rebellious law breaker when all he was doing was revealing to them how far they’d drifted from God’s truth.

Think of how far one must drift from the truth in order to see Jesus — not as revelation of God’s truthfulness — but the opposite. I wonder how accurately your view of Jesus aligns with God’s truth? The only way to know is to compare the Jesus you believe in with the Jesus found in God’s Word.

The apostle John — in his gospel — his account of the life of Jesus — emphasizes the connection between Jesus and God’s truth.

For example, in some of the first words of his gospel — John describes Jesus this way.

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word (that’s Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

A few verses later — John adds…

John 1:17 ESV

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

A few chapters later John records Jesus’ conversation with a Samaritan woman who he met at a well. In his conversation with her — the topic of worship comes up — to which Jesus replied…

John 4:23–24 ESV

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

True worshipers of God will worship him in spirit and in truth. Truth matters — for Jesus came to reveal truth.

And pay close attention to what we read in a lengthy encounter that Jesus has with a crowd of people. The crowd was split in their opinion of Jesus. Some believed him — others didn’t.

John 8:31–47 ESV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide (or stay) in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They (these are the folks who didn’t believe in him…they…) answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” 39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

Jesus tells the crowd — and us — that the words he speaks are words of truth. Then he adds that — in believing his words of truth — one will find freedom. Freedom from what? Freedom from being enslaved to sin. Freedom from being ensnared by the lies of the devil. Freedom from self-salvation and other false forms of salvation — for there’s only one way of salvation: faith in Jesus Christ.

• We’re not saved by our opinions about Jesus.
• We’re not saved by our political affiliations.
• We’re not saved because we attend church.
• We’re not saved because the popular vote happens to agree with Scripture.
• We’re not saved because they — the other side of whatever division we find ourselves in — welcomes worse sinners than our side.
• No — we’re saved when we repent of our sins — the big ones and the small ones — and turn to Jesus Christ in faith for our salvation — for he is the only way of salvation.

Well that sounds awfully intolerant. Is Jesus the only way of salvation? This is exactly what Jesus said to his disciples when they were troubled. Jesus said these comforting words to them.

John 14:1–7 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Jesus is the only way of salvation. He is the revelation of God’s truth. And he is where life — the “abundant and overflowing with joy for all eternity” life — is found.

And — in his tenderness towards us — those who follow him today — Jesus says…

John 14:15–17 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

In his love for us — Jesus — who reveals to us God’s truth — with the Father has sent the Spirit of truth to live in his people. And the Holy Spirit lives in us to lead, guide, and direct us according to the truth.

Yet Jesus is still not done revealing to us the truth. For Jesus prayed this prayer.

John 17:14–19 ESV

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Sanctify means “to make holy” — the word can also mean to be “set apart.” And — here — Jesus says that he’s set his disciples — those who believe in him — apart from falsehoods and apart from lies and has set them in the truth. 

And where is this truth found? According to Jesus — now that he’s in Heaven — truth is found in God’s Word to us — the Bible — and in the Holy Spirit — who dwells in us. Thus we long to be Word and Spirit Christians here at Gateway — followers of Jesus who are being made holy by the truth — for Jesus came to reveal God’s truth.

CHRIST CAME TO CONFIRM GOD’S PROMISES

Which leads us to another reason why Jesus came — to confirm God’s promises to his people. This is what Paul tells us in verse eight when he writes…

Romans 15:8 ESV

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,

Here Paul echoes back to something he wrote earlier in Romans. Way back in chapter nine we read…

Romans 9:1–5 ESV

1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

Both here — and in our chapter — Paul’s wanting to remind the Christians with Jewish background that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises God had made to their ancestors — the Israelites. Promises that God made to his people are often called covenant promises. In fact, one definition of the word covenant is a “relationship God establishes with people on the basis of his promises.” (Lexham Survey of Theology)

• Examples of covenant promises would include the covenant God made with Abraham — when God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. 
• A covenant promise is what God made with the Israelites after he rescued them out of their slavery in Egypt. 
• God made a covenant promise with David — for God promised to David that — from his line will one day come a King whose reign and rule will never come to an end. Paul even alludes to this covenant promise with David in some of his first words in the letter when he writes…

Romans 1:1–4 NLT

1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.

And what may be the most familiar covenant promise of all — is what’s called the new covenant.

Jeremiah 31:31–34 NLT

31 “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord. 33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

And — in Jesus — we see the confirmation of all of God’s promises come to fruition. In Christ — God shows us that he can be trusted to fulfill every promise he’s made to us. For from his birth through his death and resurrection — and all that comes in between — Jesus reveals to us the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his promises to his people. 

CHRIST CAME TO SHOW GOD’S MERCY

Which leads us to another reason why Christ came — to show God’s mercy. Let’s go back to verse eight again.

Romans 15:8–12 ESV

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”

In these verses Paul quotes from the Old Testament a lot! For example, “I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name” — in verse nine — is a quote of…

2 Samuel 22:50 ESV

50 “For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.

And…

Psalm 18:49 ESV

49 For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name.

David sang these words of praise to his God who had rescued him from the hands of his enemies. Though the “waves of death” nearly overwhelmed him — and the “torrents of destruction” terrified him — David called upon his God for his rescue — for his salvation — and believed that God would deliver him. And it’s in response to being saved that David praises God — and sings songs of praise to God’s glorious and mercifully saving name — and longs for these songs of praise to be sung by people of all nations.

In our verses Paul also quotes…

Psalm 117:1 ESV

1 Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!

And…

Isaiah 11:10 ESV

10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

The nations, the nations, the nations! 

• People from all nations praising the God who saves. 
• Praising the One who’s a descendant of Jesse — King David’s father. 
• Praising the One who fulfills the promise that God made to David — that he would have a descendant sitting on an eternal throne as King of kings forever and ever. 
• This is the One whom people of all nations will turn to in praise.

And — in this church in Rome — the nations were represented. For many in the church were believers in Jesus who came from Gentile backgrounds. Paul acknowledges this near the beginning of his letter when he writes…

Romans 1:16 ESV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

The gospel — the Good News that God is merciful and saves sinners who put their faith in his Son — the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. People of Jewish background as well as people from all nations.

This is why you’ll often hear that one of our desires — for those who follow Jesus here at Gateway — is that we’d all be Kingdom-minded. Where our desire is for the gospel of Jesus Christ to not only change our community, our state, and our country — but that the gospel would be Good News that changes our world. For that’s what God intends his news to do. For the gospel is news of God’s mercy towards sinners who turn to his Son in faith.

Mercy for all who turn to Jesus. No matter your race or gender. No matter your nationality or socio-economic background. No matter all of the ways the world tries to divide us. Christ came to show all people the mercy of God.

CONCLUSION

And where does all of this lead? That Christ came to reveal God’s truth, that he came to confirm God’s promises, and that he came to show us God’s mercy — where does all of this lead us? What destination have we arrived at? 

To hope-filled, Christ-exalting lives.

In verse twelve Paul writes…

Romans 15:12–13 ESV

12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

The root of Jesse — the descendant of King David — Jesus Christ — is the hope of all who believe in him. For Jews who believe — Jesus is their hope. For Gentiles who believe — Jesus is their hope as well. And — in being our hope — those who believe in Jesus are filled with joy and peace — echoing back to what Paul said earlier are characteristics of what it means to live according to the values of the kingdom of God.

Romans 14:17 ESV

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

For the Holy Spirit — who lives in the people of God — fills us with joy, peace, and hope — a hope that abounds — or overflows — in our lives because of what Christ has done. And — by hope — Paul doesn’t mean wanting something to be true while being uncertain if it’ll come to pass. No — hope — according to Paul — and all the authors of Scripture — is a confidence in God’s faithfulness to his people. A confidence that his words are true and trustworthy. A confidence that every promise he’s made will be fulfilled. A confidence that he is merciful to all who believe in his Son. A confidence that overflows in a person’s life — changing how they live and how they view the world. Leading to a life that is hope-filled and that exalts — or magnifies — the worthiness and beauty of Christ.

The way we describe this kind of hope-filled, Christ-exalting life — here at Gateway — is a life that worships, connects, serves, and goes.

Though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of worship is much more than just gathering on Sundays with God’s people — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize weekly worship with God’s people who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting living in the rest of his or her life.

And though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of connecting to others — or fellowship, as it’s sometimes called — is much more than gathering with God’s people in small groups — what we call Life Groups here at Gateway — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize regularly gathering with God’s people to apply God’s Word to life and care for one another — who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting living in the rest of his or her life.

And though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of service is much more than serving God’s people in a local church — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize serving God’s people in a local church who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting living in the rest of his or her life.

And though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of going is much more than a local church’s missions program — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize going with people in their local church to proclaim the gospel who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting living in the rest of his or her life.

And — like Paul — for in just a few verses he’s about to start name dropping in his letter — naming people who model a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of worshiping, connecting, serving, and going in this church in Rome — it’s tempting for me to want to get ahead of Paul and start name dropping the many of you who are examples of what it means to live hope-filled, Christ-exalting lives here at Gateway. To praise the good works you’re doing to make your Savior look glorious to the world. To tell others of your commitment to God’s truth as revealed to us in his Word. To share stories of your trust in his promises to his people even in the midst of sorrows and tragedies of life. To thank you for displaying God’s mercy to those suffering and in need of care in life’s most sensitive moments.

But — like Paul — I’ll resist name dropping for now. That’ll come when we get to chapter sixteen. Instead — a general thank you will have to suffice for now — a thank you to the faithful ones of our Gateway Church family.

Thank you for worshiping, connecting, serving, and going. Thank you for your commitment to the truth which is God’s Word. Thank you for your trust in God’s promises. Thank you for displaying his mercy to one another. And thank you for living hope-filled and Christ-exalting lives. Thank you — for you are making your Savior look glorious to the world. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for always and only speaking words of truth. For this makes you absolutely and unwaveringly trustworthy. Thank you for guaranteeing that every promise that you’ve made to your people will be fulfilled. This also makes you absolutely and unwaveringly trustworthy. And thank you for being merciful towards us — your people. Mercy is not what we deserve — but mercy is what you’ve chosen to give — making you absolutely and unwaveringly trustworthy.

Holy Spirit, for the truthfulness of your Word to be seen and believed — we first need you to open our eyes and give us hearts to receive. For without you doing so — we remain spiritually blind and cannot see — with spiritually dead hearts that cannot respond. This act of mercy — you giving us eyes to see and hearts to respond — is the fulfillment of a promise given to your people. Open more eyes — give life to more hearts — we ask — so that more might respond and experience your mercy.

And — Jesus — we can confidently and expectantly pray such a prayer because of all that you’ve done for us. You came to seek and save those who were lost. To reveal truth to those who’d fallen for the lies of our enemy. To fulfill promises that would cost you your life — so that — we might live. For the life we live is because of the mercy we’ve received which came at the cost of your death.

But not even the grave could keep its hold on you — for there was another promise to be fulfilled. The resurrection. The defeat of death. The defeat of sin. The defeat of the devil. And the defeat of hopelessness. For your resurrection is the reason why we can live lives full of hope that make you look glorious to the world.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — thank you for truth. Thank you for fulfilling your promises to us. Thank you for mercy. And — friends — “may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available / How to Grow booklet)

May you go living hope-filled and Christ-exalting lives. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 6-8-25

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRO

We’re continuing our series looking at some of King David’s psalms that address the topic of suffering. There are many aspects to suffering — many reasons for our suffering that David touches on in his psalms — and each is important for us to consider. And though you may not be in a season of suffering — suffering has a way of showing up — often unexpectedly. Yet — for the follower of Jesus — suffering is an opportunity: suffering is an opportunity to spiritually grow for those of us who follow a Savior who experienced suffering.

Now — for sure — suffering is not an easy opportunity to grow — often suffering comes when life is most challenging. But — in another sense — suffering is one of the easiest opportunities to spiritually grow — because — when life is most challenging we’re forced to change in some way. The question for us is: Will our change be to become more like Christ?

So let’s continue to see how our Christian faith offers a different opportunity in these hard moments of life: an opportunity to become more like our Savior — Jesus — who — in love for us — experienced suffering, trials, persecution, hardships, rejection, hatred — you name it — he experienced it so that we might have hope in the midst of the sorrows we face.

And I say all of this knowing that not all of us believe in Jesus. But all of us have experienced suffering — or know others who’ve experienced it. And — if you’re honest — it’s scary. Because there’s no good answer offered by our culture as to why we suffer — and even more importantly — how to suffer well. That’s why so many turn to coping mechanisms to numb themselves — drugs, alcohol, overeating, sex, binge watching Netflix — or give up on life altogether in a seemingly never-ending depression.

But is that all there is — is that the best offer on the table in a world full of suffering? It’s not.

Which is what we’re exploring in this series as we look at some of David’s psalms — including today’s psalm — psalm thirty-two. So — if you have your Bible — please turn there — to psalm thirty-two. And while you’re finding psalm thirty-two — last week — if you weren’t here — we looked at the relationship between suffering and our prayer life. And — in the coming weeks — we’re going to look at the suffering we experience at the hands of others, we’ll see the important relationship between our suffering and worship, as well as the relationship between suffering and salvation. But — today — we’re looking at the suffering we experience due to unrepentant sin in our lives. Not a topic many want to address when it comes to suffering — especially in the victim mentality age in which we live — but we must face the reality that — there are seasons of suffering that are a result of decisions we’ve made. David addresses this in our psalm for today — psalm thirty-two — when he writes…

Psalm 32 ESV

1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For 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 dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah 6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. 7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Today we’re addressing an unpopular aspect to suffering: Suffering we experience due to unrepentant sin in our life. But there’s good news in this not so good news — unrepentant sin need not be the cause of our suffering. There is hope — even for those whose suffering is due to our own sin.

THE UNREPENTANT

Let’s return to our psalm — but — before we do so — it’ll be helpful to know that many scholars believe that David wrote this psalm in response to his sin with Bathsheba. David and Bathsheba is a biblical story most people have heard about — but to make sure we don’t leave anyone behind — here’s what happened.

At this point in history — David is king of Israel. And one day — while his army was off at war — David was back at his palace when…

2 Samuel 11:2–27 NLT

2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. 5 Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.” 6 Then David sent word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent him to David. 7 When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab and the army were getting along and how the war was progressing. 8 Then he told Uriah, “Go on home and relax.” David even sent a gift to Uriah after he had left the palace. 9 But Uriah didn’t go home. He slept that night at the palace entrance with the king’s palace guard. 10 When David heard that Uriah had not gone home, he summoned him and asked, “What’s the matter? Why didn’t you go home last night after being away for so long?” 11 Uriah replied, “The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, and Joab and my master’s men are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I would never do such a thing.” 12 “Well, stay here today,” David told him, “and tomorrow you may return to the army.” So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next. 13 Then David invited him to dinner and got him drunk. But even then he couldn’t get Uriah to go home to his wife. Again he slept at the palace entrance with the king’s palace guard. 14 So the next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver. 15 The letter instructed Joab, “Station Uriah on the front lines where the battle is fiercest. Then pull back so that he will be killed.” 16 So Joab assigned Uriah to a spot close to the city wall where he knew the enemy’s strongest men were fighting. 17 And when the enemy soldiers came out of the city to fight, Uriah the Hittite was killed along with several other Israelite soldiers. 18 Then Joab sent a battle report to David. 19 He told his messenger, “Report all the news of the battle to the king. 20 But he might get angry and ask, ‘Why did the troops go so close to the city? Didn’t they know there would be shooting from the walls? 21 Wasn’t Abimelech son of Gideon killed at Thebez by a woman who threw a millstone down on him from the wall? Why would you get so close to the wall?’ Then tell him, ‘Uriah the Hittite was killed, too.’” 22 So the messenger went to Jerusalem and gave a complete report to David. 23 “The enemy came out against us in the open fields,” he said. “And as we chased them back to the city gate, 24 the archers on the wall shot arrows at us. Some of the king’s men were killed, including Uriah the Hittite.” 25 “Well, tell Joab not to be discouraged,” David said. “The sword devours this one today and that one tomorrow! Fight harder next time, and conquer the city!” 26 When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. 27 When the period of mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to the palace, and she became one of his wives. Then she gave birth to a son. But the Lord was displeased with what David had done.

Around a year goes by before God sends a man named Nathan to confront David and — eventually — David responds with repentance. But it’s this year of unrepentance that David’s probably describing when he writes — in verse three of our psalm…

Psalm 32:3–4 ESV

3 For 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 dried up as by the heat of summer.

And skipping to verse nine we read…

Psalm 32:9–10 ESV

9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. 10a Many are the sorrows of the wicked…

Did you notice how David describes the consequence of his unrepentance? Similar to last week’s psalm — David says his bones were wasting away. Last week — when David used this phrase — I mentioned how we don’t know if David’s suffering was self-inflicted or caused by others. But — here — we’re fairly certain that this is self-inflicted suffering. Yet he uses the same phrase — “my bones waste away” — which means his sorrow and suffering has affected all of who he is — down to his bones. I’ve been reading a book titled Counseling the Hard Cases and — in one chapter — there’s a repeated idea: The mind affects the body, the body affects the mind, and a downward spiral begins.

In David’s case — it could’ve been the anxiety of being found out — someone doing pregnancy math and saying, “This doesn’t add up.” Or someone blabbing about the orders he gave to have Uriah murdered. The mind affects the body and the body affects the mind.

I wonder how many of us can relate? Have you ever done something and waited in angst for the consequences?

• Maybe you’re sixteen and you accidentally ran a red light. You didn’t tell your parents, but live in fear that — every ring of the doorbell is the police.
• Or a night out having fun and partying and too much to drink led to a night you can’t remember. And — as you wait for the pregnancy test result — your stomach’s upset, your head aches, you experience involuntary shakes. The mind affects the body and the body affects the mind.
• Or you’ve maxed out your credit card and know you can’t even make the minimum payment. Your body is tense — your temper is short.

One of the reasons why self-inflicted suffering is so hard is because — deep down — we know we don’t have anyone else to blame for our situation. We were the ones looking at our phones while driving. We had the extra drink. We saw our version of Bathsheba and — like David — made sure we got what we wanted.

“Well how do you know that what David’s referring to was self-inflicted?” By the way he personally takes responsibility in other verses in our psalm. David uses the phrases “my sin” — which he uses twice — and “my iniquity” and “my transgressions” to describe the cause of his suffering.

But it’s not just the act of sinning — that’s the cause of his suffering — David’s unrepentance is also a contributor. To repent means to turn away from sin — which includes confessing — or admitting — the wrong you’ve done. Unrepentance is what David describes in our psalm when he gives the command to not be like a horse or mule which must be curbed — or restrained — by a bit in its mouth.

What a picture of how stubbornly unrepentant we can be. That I can be. That you can be. God help us all to respond to our sin with repentance — and to respond to those who lovingly point out our sin with gratitude. For rare is the friend who loves us enough to call us to repentance. It’s much easier — isn’t it — to distance ourselves — “if I don’t see him I won’t have to talk to him about…” — or explain away — “that’s just her personality” — it’s tempting — and all too easy — to avoid doing what Nathan did for David.

Yet none of us are without sin — we’ve all sinned. And — if we’re honest with ourselves — some of the suffering we are — or have experienced — is due to sin that we’ve committed. And — until it’s repented of — it will waste away our bones and dry up our strength and cause us to groan — which is what we experience if we’re blessed. Because many — instead of groaning and dried up strength and wasting away bones — many continue in their stubbornness and unrepentance and will experience far more serious — and eternal — consequences.

THE BLESSED

But — for those who are blessed — the groaning and wasting away and weakness — is not God’s end goal. Instead — as we read in verse one…

Psalm 32:1–2 ESV

1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Let’s be mesmerized by the blessing of forgiveness. David says that blessed — or happy! — is the one whose transgression is forgiven. Transgression is a word that means “rebellion against God.” So blessed — or happy! — is the one whose rebellion against God has been forgiven. And blessed — or happy! — is the individual whose sin is covered. Sin means “turning away from the true path.” So blessed — or happy! — is the person whose turning away from the true path has been covered. And blessed — or happy! — is the person who the Lord counts no iniquity. Iniquity means “distortion, evil, perversion, or disrespect for God.” So blessed — or happy! — is the man, woman, or child whose disrespect for God is no longer counted against them.

What’s being described here are the actions that happen to us — and our sin — when we repent — when we turn from our sin and turn to God in faith.

First, we’re forgiven — which means that our transgressions are removed from us — our rebellion against God is removed from us. Second, our sin is covered — it’s concealed from sight. And — since our sin has been removed from us — that’s what forgiveness means — this concealing of sin doesn’t mean that the sin is still present with us — remember it’s been removed from us — but this sin which has been removed from us — God no longer regards — he no longer considers — it’s not on his mind. Which results in God not counting our iniquity — or are disrespecting him — against us.

This is what it means to be blessed — which results in us being happy! For what could possibly make us more happy than to know — I mean think about this — that the God who created everyone and everything — who we’ve had the gall to disrespect — because we’ve turned from our sin and turned to him — he forgives us and no longer counts our transgressions against us — and puts it all out of his mind.

Which — with great hope — should cause all of us to ask: How do I receive this blessing? Meaning — how does one go about having their transgressions forgiven? Who are these people that God counts no iniquity against them?

REPENTANCE LEADS TO BLESSING

We find out in verses five and six of our psalm.

Psalm 32:5–6 ESV

5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. 6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.

How do we receive this blessing — what’s the key to true, lasting happiness? Repentance — acknowledging our sin to God. No longer covering it up and trying to hide it away. Instead we confess our sins to God as we turn to him in faith — trusting that he forgives all who come to him truly repentant of their sin.

What sin might you need to acknowledge to God — to stop covering up and pretending as if it’s not part of your life?

We often think of sin as bad things we do — and that’s definitely an aspect of sin. But — equally important — sin also includes not doing the good things that we’re commanded to do. Here’s an easy example.

Stealing — stealing is sin. It’s wrong to take from someone what’s rightfully theirs. We get that — Christian or not. But the Bible goes further. For you can not steal — and yet — still sin in regards to money. For example, you can be selfish with it — greedy — and not be generous towards others which is also a command in the Bible.

“OK. I get all of that Josh. So what’s the big deal?” The big deal is that this tells us that sin isn’t just the presence of evil — sin also includes the absence of good. After all, Jesus’ younger brother did write…

James 4:17 NET

17 So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin.

Thus the biblical goal — in regards to money and wealth — isn’t just “don’t steal” — though it’s one of the ten commandments and should be obeyed — but the biblical goal — in regards to money and wealth is to be generous. The absence of generosity is sin in a person’s life — which I know can be hard for us to grasp — that the absence of something good can be just as sinful as the presence of something evil.

To which — one theologian said…

If I have a hole in my sock, the hole is not anything at all, it is just an absence of wool or cotton or whatever, but it is a perfectly real hole in my sock. It would be absurd to say that holes in socks are unreal…just because the hole isn’t made of anything…Nothing in the wrong place can be just as real and just as important as something in the wrong place. If you inadvertently drive your car over a cliff, you will have nothing to worry about; it is precisely the nothing that you will have to worry about. (Systematic Theology 13.3.5. Sin as Privatio)

I wonder how many of us are comfortable with the absence of something good in our lives — not realizing that its absence is just as sinfully serious as accidentally driving your car off a cliff?

Now you’ve heard me say the words repentance — which I’ve said is turning from sin — and confession — but what is confession? Confession means either to admit sin or affirm belief. Both aspects are important for us to understand. Most of us — I think — when we define confession usually focus on the admitting sin part — and it’s an important part. But — similar to what James taught us about not doing the good we know to do — confession also has a positive side to it: confessing what we believe.

In church history, confessions — or statements of belief — have been written to positively articulate what Christians believe. And confessions have been used — not only to guide us in knowing when we’ve sinned — but also in fighting temptation before we sin by reminding us of the truths we believe. In our church tradition — the Westminster Confession of Faith is a positive statement of what we believe.

What does the Westminster Confession have to say about repentance? It says…

Repentance which leads to life is the blessed product of the gospel working in believers’ lives. (WCF 15.1)

Jesus connects repentance to the gospel — the Good News of what he accomplished in his life, death, and resurrection — while explaining how all of the Bible was about him to his disciples after his resurrection.

Luke 24:44–48 NLT

44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things.

What good news indeed! There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.

The Westminster Confession says…

In this repentance the sinner is able to see his sins as God sees them, as filthy and hateful, and as involving great danger to the sinner, because they are completely contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God. Understanding that God in Christ is merciful to those who repent, the sinner suffers deep sorrow for and hates his sins, and so he determines to turn away from all of them. And turning to God, he tries to walk with him according to all his commandments. (WCF 15.2)

The Bible distinguishes repentance from the sorrow of being caught. Paul explains it this way to Christians in Corinth who had received a letter calling them to repent.

2 Corinthians 7:8–11 NLT

8 I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.

Repentance leads to change — a change of direction — a change in our choices. Repentance leads us away from sin and towards God. True repentance even results in thankfulness for the one whom God used to call us back to him — no matter how severe and painful it was to hear.

About repentance — the Westminster says…

Just as there is no sin so small that it does not deserve damnation, so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent. (WCF 15.4)

Two truths we must remember. First, there are no insignificant sins. Every sin is worthy of eternal judgment — may this humble all of us and call us to repentance. Second, no sin is so great that forgiveness can’t be offered to those who repent. As the apostle John tells us…

1 John 1:9 ESV

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

And as the prophets of the Old Testament remind us…

Micah 7:18–19 NLT

18 Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. 19 Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!

And…

Isaiah 43:25 NLT

25 “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.

For as the Westminster Confession says about God…

He is completely loving, gracious, merciful, and long-suffering. He overflows with goodness and truth. He forgives wickedness, transgression, and sin, and rewards those who diligently seek him. (WCF 2.1)

Friends, this is why it’s important to know what you believe and to have Scripture that backs it up. This is why the historic confessions of the church are so helpful — and necessary — in our day when many believe that biblical illiteracy is at an all time historic high. May the truths we’ve looked at today lead us to repent when we sin and fight against sin when we’re tempted.

REPENTANCE LEADS TO JOY

For all of this good news — this good news about repentance and forgiveness and who God is —what does it all lead to? It leads to our joy. In verse seven of our psalm — David writes…

Psalm 32:7 ESV

7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.

And skipping to verse ten…

Psalm 32:10–11 ESV

10b but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Even when our suffering is self-inflicted due to sinful choices we’ve made — joy is still possible. How so? Because the steadfast love of the Lord surrounds those who trust him — who trust that he always forgives those who turn to him in repentance. 

Earlier we saw the command to not be like the stubborn horse or mule. Here — the commands are much more positive. We’re commanded to be glad in the Lord and to rejoice and to shout for joy! Why? What’s the source of our glad rejoicing and shouts of joy? This truth: The steadfast love of the Lord surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Nothing else in all of creation can guarantee unwavering joy — even in the midst of suffering — accept knowing that you are surrounded by the love of God. A reality we so easily forget. A truth that our spiritual amnesia is the first to snatch from our hearts. This is why you hear from me every single week what? That God loves you. And that I love you too. Because no one hears these words enough — and none of us believe them to the degree that they’re true. We don’t. I don’t. You don’t. But here’s what I so love about us.

We’re believing in God’s love for us more and more every time we gather together. Our forgetfulness isn’t as quick as it once was. And — not only are we remembering God’s love for us — individually — but we’re reminding each other of God’s love for us. It’s the norm now — when I talk to you on the phone — for the call to end with us saying “I love you” to each other. And I pray that this isn’t just when it’s me on the call — but that we’re all loving each other and reminding each other of God’s great big forgiving love.

CONCLUSION: LISTEN TO GOD!

Therefore — may we all leave here today listening to God! As David writes…

Psalm 32:8 ESV

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

This is God speaking and acting in these verses. It’s God who is instructing and teaching us the way that we should go. It’s God who’s giving us counsel — who’s attentive to what’s going on in our lives — even in our seasons of suffering. Therefore — may we all leave here today listening to his instruction — receiving his teaching and counsel on repentance and forgiveness and how loving, kind, and merciful he is. May we leave here knowing that he’s aware of what we’re going through. And may this bring us comfort — may it give you comfort — that the One whose steadfast love surrounds you is the God who so cares for you — that he offers relief from our suffering even when we’re the cause of it. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Gracious Father, what a marvelous truth: your love surrounds those who trust in you — even when we’re suffering. Even when our suffering is due to sinful choices we’ve made.

Holy Spirit, help us to trust — to really believe — that we’re loved by you. For when we know that we’re loved — repentance will be our heart’s desire. For our love for you will exceed our love for sin.

Jesus — you came to make forgiveness of our sins possible. For the joy set before you — you endured the cross — to pay the debt for our sins. And now — for the joy set before us — eternal life with you — we choose to trust in your never-ending, always pursuing and protecting love for us — and that you always forgive those who turn back to you in repentance. 

For you — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — are completely loving, gracious, merciful, and long-suffering. You overflow with goodness and truth. You forgive wickedness, transgression, and sin, and reward those who diligently seek you. May many more seek you today. May many trust in your love. May many repent of their sin. And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available / Self-inflicted suffering)

May you go with great joy — even in suffering — knowing that the steadfast love of the Lord surrounds you. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

Date: 09/16/2020

Questions

I had always heard and in personal reading saw that God is not mentioned in the book of Esther. Recently I read that Esther means “something hidden” and in fact God is mentioned at least 5 times in the book of Esther through acrostics in the Hebrew. Curious if you’ve ever heard this and do you agree with it?

1. Bible Project (goes pretty in depth in its videos) doesn’t mention the acrostics.
2. I found some commentaries that briefly mention the acrostics, but I don’t know if a big deal should be made about this. It feels a bit like the Bible Code books where you can find JFK and Hitler in the Bible if you take the first letter of every 37th word or something. 
3. The Hebrew word Esther, at least in the 10 Bible dictionaries I looked at, don’t have the word meaning “something hidden.” Other than the name, Esther, the word can mean “star.”

I have a question about a discrepancy in a story that is told in two different passages in the Bible. In both 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21 we read of God punishing Israel because David sinfully took a census of the tribes. Things get a little funky because in 2 Sam. it says God incited David to do this because he was already angry at the Israelites. However in 1 Chron. it says that Satan incited David to take the census. What do you make of this? Is it just two different narrators interpreting history differently or is there something else going on? And if 2 Sam. is the “right version”, why would God use a census as a reason to punish the Israelites?

1. Progressive revelation
   1. As the Bible moves chronologically, God’s people understand more of who He is, who we are, how things work, etc…
   2. This doesn’t mean that earlier authors were wrong. They just didn’t have as full of a view of things as later authors did.
   3. E.g. – The 12 disciples pre-Jesus’ crucifixion and the same disciples post his resurrection. Their revelation (understanding) had progressed after the resurrection on who Jesus is and what his death accomplished.
   4. 1/2 Chronicles were the last OT books written. Probably around 450-400 BC. 2 Samuel was written anywhere between 150-200 years earlier.
2. Given progressive revelation and that Chronicles was written hundreds of years after Samuel, most likely the author of Chronicles is showing us how the understanding of theology had progressed. That, similar to what we see in the book of Job, though God is ultimately in control of all things, God uses Satan in David’s life just like he did in Job’s life. Interestingly, just like in Job, Satan is mentioned briefly and then not mentioned again in this story from David’s life. 

In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestled with a man. Was the man God or an angel?  Jacob receives a blessing from him and afterward Jacob says “I have seen God face to face,” but if it was God why didn’t God overpower Jacob? And why does the man give Jacob a limp?

1. First off, Jacob was 97 years old when he did this wrestling match!
2. His life, up to this point, has been one of living up to his name (Jacob = liar and deceiver)
3. From one of my commentaries: The opponent is blandly identified as “a man”. There’s no explanation provided for the attack. The word “wrestled” (wayyēʾābēk) is a play on “Jabbok” (yabbōk). As a play also on Jacob’s name (yaʿăqōb), it is a prelude to the name change he receives by virtue of outdueling the “man.” The passage heightens the name “Jacob,” for it conveyed as much as anything the selfish character he exhibited until his transformation at the Jabbok…Physical strength characterized Jacob’s life: at birth grasping the heel of Esau (25:26), moving the stone to water Rachel’s sheep (29:10), and working Laban’s herds for twenty years in difficult conditions (31:38–40). Here he vigorously clinches the “man,” who in what appears to be desperation, injures the patriarch in a failed attempt to free himself. The irony is that Jacob’s physical weakness will recall the transformation of his moral strength. (NAC)
4. As his name becomes Israel — which means “struggles with God” or “God fights.” 
5. The point of the story. No longer look to your past — Jacob, you’re a liar and a cheat — but look to your future and your offsprings’ future. The Israelites were people who God both fought with and for.

Revelation chapter 20 describes the millennium of Christ’s rule. I’ve recently wondered what Gateway’s stance is on the description of the 1,000 year reign of Christ described in Chap 20. Do we as a church body support and preach a certain way around this topic (Premillennialism, Amillennialism, or Postmillennialism)?

1. Gateway and the EPC don’t have an official position or stance on the millennium. We believe this to be a non-essential matter.
2. I (Josh) personally hold to an Amillennial view (though historic premillennialism has a lot going for it).
3. I do have a resource doc on End Times that may be helpful. We’ll add a link to it.

Revelation 22:2 references the leaves of the ‘tree of life’ having healing properties for the people. Verse 22:2 has been highlighted in my bible for a long time and I’ve never been able to understand the purpose of the tree of life during the millennium. Do the nations of people live hundreds of years with the aid of the tree of life, but still die a natural death?

1. Revelation 22 isn’t the millenium; it’s eternity. 
2. So why would we need a tree that has healing properties if Revelation 22 is eternity — the New Heavens and New Earth? Does being without sin (“perfect”) mean we won’t ever trip and skin our knee? 
3. I’ve recommended this book before, but Heaven by Randy Alcorn gets into this some. Go check it out.

In reference to the 4th commandment, it seems that lately our weekends bustle less with the typical travel, events, business and other secular activities. In the Bible Jesus would spend his Sabbath in the Temple reading. Although it’s not always easy, we should strive to find rest, delighting ourselves in the finished work of the living Word of God, Jesus Christ. Can you help shed some light on how we can pursue this commandment deeper?

1. Ultimately, this commandment — like all others — find its fulfillment in Christ. He is the Lord of the Sabbath and he is our Sabbath rest. In fact, a catechism question asks, “What is faith in Jesus Christ?” The answer, “Receiving and resting on him alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the gospel.” 
2. Does resting in Christ lead us to a less busy lifestyle? Depends on what you’re busy doing. But for many of us (most of us?), we can probably do ourselves some good and slow down. We’re not making the world spin. For example, if you have kids, I guarantee they’d rather do something with mom and dad than do something for mom and dad (like a sport or hobby). 
3. Like Andrew Brunson said, “God has many servants, but few lovers.” I feel like our busyness leads us to be less lovers of God.

[referring to heaven…] I know we will get new bodies. But, what about our mind and heart once we are with the Lord for eternity? We are going through the sanctification process now, but will it somehow be completed when we make that transition into heaven? My concern is the present battle to keep my thinking right, and I wonder what it will be like in heaven. You talked about the tongue also and the Bible says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. In Jeremiah 17:9 it says the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. I know at times my heart is not right.  Bottom line, what will my thinking and heart be like once I’m in heaven with the Lord.

1. We will be fully human when we’re resurrected. That would include our body, soul, mind, and spirit. So all of who we are — not just our physical bodies — will be purified and redeemed and part of who we are in eternity.

Pastor Josh, I’m sure a lot of people probably think you just work on Sundays. But the truth is we know your weeks vary – consisting of sermon prep, leadership meetings, counseling, events and correspondents. Compared to early 2020, how has your work as a pastor changed in the midst of the pandemic? Have certain focus areas consumed more of your time while others now actually take up less?

1. Shaun/Laura – what changes have you experienced and what have you seen different in what I’ve been doing this year compared to previous years?
2. Preaching/teaching
   1. I preached more during the first half of this year than I have in previous years. I think I preached 17 out of the first 19 weekends. I started to balance this out once we realized the pandemic wasn’t going away any time soon, but I’m still probably going to preach more this year than in previous years.
   2. We shifted to recording sermons on Wednesday, which threw off my sermon prep schedule. Then it became my new normal. Then we reopened and my sermon prep schedule changed again.
   3. When other Gateway folks preach, I spend quite a bit of time reviewing their sermon, giving them feedback, have them do a rehearsal of it, etc…It almost takes as much time for me when someone else is preaching than when I preach in preparation.
   4. I’ve participated in extra conversations and discussions in our community due to the racial tension. Both our conversation on race and a local community discussion on diversity.
   5. We restarted the podcast which added back into my schedule something else to prep for.
3. Leading
   1. This has been the biggest shift for me, the elders, and staff. 
   2. Our elder meetings have been the longest they’ve ever been since I’ve been at Gateway during the pandemic.
   3. Helping staff negotiate working at Gateway during all of this. Giving them priorities. Trying to check in and see how they’re doing (we’re humans too and are just as affected by all of the changes like everyone else is).
   4. You’ve got finances that we’ve been watching.
   5. Closing down the church. Reopening back up. Listening to all of the people who think their plan would’ve been better than ours. 
   6. There’s unfortunately been an increased sense of competition between churches. “Who’s going to be the first to reopen because folks are going to flock there. Will you require masks — like the governor has mandated — or not.” Because folks are choosing to worship based on whether masks are required or not instead of things that should be more important to them (like the theology of the church). I told the elders that the first church to restart kid’s ministry was going to have a huge advantage because folks are going to flock there. It’s felt like a grand conclusion to the experiment known as consumeristic Christianity that we’ve had in the US for a few decades. We used to choose which church we’d attend based on the music, or youth ministry, or kid’s programming. For the past few months, it’s been masks or no masks, social distancing, getting to sit where you want, etc…which is all pretty sad to me quite honestly. 
4. Shepherding
   1. I’ve had more lengthy (hour or longer) phone calls with folks either because of concerns they have, comments they’ve made on social media, etc…This whole shut down and pandemic has caused all of us to be mentally exhausted and so there’ve been more unfiltered criticisms by folks. And I’ve found that giving the person a phone call, even though it will take up some time, the calls usually help to bring some sort of understanding.
   2. We still have marriages with significant struggles, people with illnesses, families with births and deaths, and I try to follow up with many of these folks. Again, since we’ve been more isolated, a quick call or text can go a long way (especially when I’m not seeing everyone on the weekend which is when I used to do a lot of follow up).
   3. For example, I was out of the house before 7am yesterday to check in on one of our senior saints whose health is deteriorating and the family had asked if I could stop by as they weren’t sure how much longer their relative had to live. 
   4. I’m meeting with a young man who lives in our community later this afternoon, who is gay and has heard that Gateway hates gay people. That’s what I guess his gay friends have told him. So I’m having more conversations around these kinds of topics as people are much more open to spiritual conversations than they were pre-pandemic.

Date: 11/1/2022

Questions

Do you believe loved ones in Heaven can see what’s going on down here on earth? And do they only see the good?

1. The closest description we have to this is in the book of Revelation where we read, “Now when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Master, holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Each of them was given a long white robe and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached of both their fellow servants and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.” (Revelation 6:9-11 NET)
   1. This doesn’t tell us that these saints see what’s happening on earth, but they have some awareness that they’re still waiting for things to be finished down here.
2. But — other than one parable of Jesus about a rich man and Lazarus, which isn’t meant to describe how things are, but teaches a lesson about salvation.
3. All that to say, we don’t know what people in Heaven know about things going on here on Earth.

Did people who trusted God, before Christ came to earth, have access to the Holy Spirit.

1. We see evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in people in the Old Testament, but not in the same way that we see in the New Testament. A few examples from the OT would be…
2. Numbers 27:18 NLT – The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.
3. Judges 3:9-11 NLT – But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother, Kenaz. 10 The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge. He went to war against King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram, and the Lord gave Othniel victory over him. 11 So there was peace in the land for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died.
4. 1 Samuel 10:10 NLT – When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, they saw a group of prophets coming toward them. Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy.
5. 2 Samuel 23:1-2 NLT — These are the last words of David: “David, the son of Jesse, speaks — David, the man who was raised up so high, David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel. 2 “The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue.”
6. Ezekiel 36:26-27 NLT — And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.
   1. This is the promise seen as fulfilled in the New Covenant.
7. So we do find examples of Old Testament folks being empowered by, influenced by, led by the Holy Spirit. Usually the example in the OT is a leader of some sort — though the Ezekiel passage shows a future time when the Spirit will be upon all of God’s people — which is what we see in the NT. 

Inscriptions from Egyptian sites prove that Joseph did what the Bible claims. What’s more, there are texts that mention his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Why don’t we spread this info?

1. When it comes to apologetics — defending the Christian faith — one kind of apologetics is evidentialism. Where evidence is presented to defend the truthfulness of our faith. Archaeological findings fall into this category. 
2. The difficulty with all apologetics is that you can’t argue someone into believing in Jesus. Some will have their presuppositions challenged and their unbelief will be chipped away at. But no amount of evidence or arguing opens the eyes of a person’s heart or gives life to their dead spirit. God alone does this. 
3. The questioner asks, “Why isn’t the info spread?” I’d suggest that the info has spread because you’re asking about it and we’re talking about it. But some folks get really excited about archaeological evidence, while others get excited about language stuff, and others could care less about either but still love Jesus just as much. So it may not seem to be getting the headlines that you’d like it to, but there’s no conspiracy or anything — in the Christian faith — to hide such evidence.
4. As a side note, some of my favorite series on Rightnow Media are the history stuff — which very much falls into the evidential apologetics category.

Sanctification vs salvation: Our group often discusses faith vs works. Is it possible to be saved and do nothing but believe? Isn’t that the core mercy and glory and awesomeness of salvation? (Obviously not ideal, but parable of the vineyard workers – Matthew 20:1-16)

1. Let’s address the parable first. All of the workers in the parable — even the last one’s hired — did some work. The parable doesn’t teach that there are some folks who did nothing and were paid at the end of the day — all of them worked. So I think we have to take it out of the conversation as the parable isn’t answering what the original question is asking about faith vs works.
2. Can we be saved and have no evidence or change? My answer is no. Well — it’s not my answer — it’s directly from the Bible. Salvation always comes with change. Faith is always accompanied by works.
   1. James 2:14-26 NLT – What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well” — but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? 21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. 25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
   2. Luke 3:7-9 NLT – When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”
      1. Only two kinds of trees.
         1. One without fruit (works) = not saved. 
         2. One with fruit (works) = saved. 
         3. What we want to believe is that there’s a tree without fruit (works) that still = saved. And that’s not biblical.
   3. Martin Luther is attributed as saying, “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.”
   4. Part of the question is about the core mercy, glory, and awesomeness of salvation. So what is the core mercy and glory and awesomeness of salvation?
      1. It’s not that God saves us and then expects nothing of us (no change). 
      2. The core of salvation is that God saves sinners. He rescues those imprisoned. He raises the spiritually dead to life. He seeks and saves the lost. 
      3. These biblical ideas tell us that there’s a change that takes place in the person. For you can’t be loved by God in Christ and not be changed. Otherwise, you’re saying that your old, spiritually dead, rebellious against God life and behaviors and morals and views had no need of being changed. And that’s not true! That’s exactly why Christ came to earth, lived, and died. Not just to love us, but to change us because of his love. 

How responsible are we/individuals at interpretation of the scripture? Historical interpretation of the bible (ie, justification for slavery, etc) is not a science and what happens when we are wrong (which we are bound to be wrong) even with the best intent?

1. James 3:1 NLT – Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2. You are just as responsible as I am (Josh) for your interpretation of Scripture. Especially if you’re passing on your interpretation of Scripture to others. And not just in a formal way, but even when we say, “Well that’s not what I think the Bible teaches…I think…” or use a similar phrase. 
3. Let our faith history humble us so we strive to know Scripture so well that we don’t fall into temptation where we interpret Scripture unfaithfully — on purpose or not — to justify behaviors or beliefs that are in opposition to Scripture. I mention our faith history, because much of what we believe — that is false or opposed to Scripture — has been dealt with by previous generations of Christians. Knowing our history. Knowing the doctrines of our faith. Knowing the Westminster Confession of Faith, and so on…all help us to interpret the Bible faithfully as we stand on the shoulders of faithful brothers and sisters who’ve come before us.
4. Having said that, it’s important to know that biblical interpretation is both an art and a science. We believe in objective truth — God means something specific in his Word to us. The goal of interpretation is to get to that: What does God mean here in this text? Yes, whoever the human author is also matters, but ultimately the entirety of Scripture is God’s Word — he is the singular Author of it all — and we’re to seek his meaning of the text.
   1. The science of interpretation would be rules like: 1) God won’t contradict himself in his Word. 2) His Word is truth and truthful. 3) His Word is perfect and without error. 4) His Word is clear (the issue isn’t with the Bible; any interpretation issue is due to our falleness and limited understanding). 5) God’s Word is sufficient. 6) God’s Word is authoritative.
   2. The art comes in interpretative questions like: 1) The apostles often interpreted the OT through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. But they didn’t give us a commentary on every verse in the OT. So how far can we take their interpretative method of the OT?
      1. Can we only interpret Christ in the OT when it’s explicit in the NT?
      2. Or can we take the principles of the interpretation of the OT in the NT and apply it to verses that don’t have NT commentary? 

What is the biggest threat to our church?

1. Biblical illiteracy
2. Individualism/anti-authority
3. Greed
4. Sexual immorality
5. Apathy
6. Fear
7. Political passion/zeal
8. Unholiness

Date: 10/22/2023

Justin’s questions:

• 1) Ruth was a Moabite, outside of God’s chosen people. Do you think God used outsiders like Ruth occasionally to show, even before Jesus, He could and would use those people that demonstrated faithfulness, even it was unexpected and outside of the Jewish people?
  • That’s one possible reason. 
  • Another option, which came to my mind, is God’s demonstration early in the Bible that his chosen people would include all nations (not just the Israelites). The Israelites were his chosen nation — chosen to be a light to the world — to attract non-Jews to the One true God. So we catch glimpses of this in Israel’s history — Rahab and Ruth, are two examples — but ultimately the nation of Israel failed to be the light they were called to be. 
  • Thus, Jesus came as the true Light of the world and would have conversations with, for example, a Samaritan woman by a well one day to make clear that God seeks worshipers of all people who worship in Spirit and in truth.

• 2) The Israelites were not to intermarry with foreigners, yet Boaz marries Ruth. Was this overlooked by the fact the elders wanted to care for Naomi / Ruth?
  • Boaz was fulfilling the role of kinsmen redeemer as Ruth was already married into a Jewish family through her first husband. So I don’t know that Boaz was breaking the foreign wife rule as much as fulfilling his role as kinsmen redeemer. That’s not to say that Ruth being a foreigner wasn’t an obstacle — it was! — but more of a culturally acceptable obstacle rather than a Jewish law one.

• 3) Since we can judge quickly on looks, how can we get better at not doing this? What can lead two friends, for instance, to getting beyond the surface and getting to know each other’s hearts?
  • Pray: God give me eyes to see myself and others as you see us through Jesus Christ. Help me to see them as they will be for all eternity and not simply as who they are now.
  • It’s amazing how this prayer has changed my view of people. You’ll still see their flaws and shortcomings, but you’ll see God’s grace in their lives and who he’s guaranteed them to become.
  • Getting beyond surface level requires having a passion for Jesus and each other that’s beyond surface level. I think that often a lack of passion for Jesus and each other is due to our passion being spent elsewhere.

• 4) You (Josh) encouraged us to not let words bounce off of us. How do you practice this or how would you encourage others in this? For example, you tell us that you love us and God loves us each and every week. How do you let these words not become just another phrase for you?
  • Know yourself. For example, I know that I’m way too quick to dismiss encouraging words and will hold on way too long to criticism. So I’m learning to receive encouragement from others — especially when someone thanks me for my ministry and how God is using me. I don’t want to be ungrateful to God for how he uses me and I’ve found that my response to others’ encouragement is directly related to my gratitude to God for using me. 
  • As far as loving you all, a practice that’s been really helpful over the past few years has been writing a few thank you cards each week to folks who serve at Gateway. I have Ed and Morgan, over at our North Main Campus, and Becca, here at County Road 9, send me a volunteer to thank and how they serve each week. I also watch for 1-2 folks myself and then I write the thank you cards before this podcast goes live. This practice has increased my love for the congregation as I get to pause and celebrate every week the faithfulness of God’s people here at Gateway.

• 5) At what point did we as Christians start to realize that the entire Bible was about Jesus?
  • I think Luke understood this and that’s why he made sure to include it in the last chapter of his gospel. 

• 6) In today’s society, we can react to our leaders’ downfalls in near-real time. Do we have any inkling to how the Jewish people responded to David’s sins? In what ways can Christians respond to leaders’ sin?
  • There were times when they experienced the consequences of his sins. (The whole census situation.)
  • There were times when their behavior was David’s consequence for his sins (his sons rebelled against him for the throne). 
  • How can we respond?
    • Pray. For the leader. For whoever’s been hurt. For your own heart as another’s fall can easily lead to our pride. For those who will be disenfranchised from the faith.
    • Remember that Jesus is the One who never fails — not your favorite pastor, Christian celebrity, author, or whoever. Sometimes we set up folks to not be able to survive a fall because we’ve lifted them too high.
    • Study church history. I once heard a pastor say, “Let all your heroes be dead Christians. That way you know their whole story.” 

Matt’s questions:

• Pronunciation of Eli’s sons’ names
  • Hophni and Phinehas
• Distinction between Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles
  • Samuel – Samuel, Saul, and David
  • Kings – covers the rest of the kings of both Judah and Israel — from Solomon on.
  • Chronicles – Retells the history of the kings, but with a distinct positive view of David (none of his flaws are mentioned, unlike in Samuel). There’s a theological reason for this, which I’ll explain in a couple of weeks when we get to First Chronicles.
• Finding moral truths in the OT…how do we not go too far or fall short in looking at moral/ethical issues (both good and bad) in the lives of these OT characters
  • I don’t know that this is an OT issue as much as a literary genre issue (because the same question is true for the NT). 
  • The question really is about historical narrative parts of the Bible in both the OT and NT — how do we not go too far or fall short looking at the moral/ethical issues in the lives of the people?
    • One, know that sometimes (often?) teaching us a moral/ethical lesson isn’t the point of the historical narrative genre (that’s often the point in epistles). Historical narratives are just telling us what happened without making many judgments about the behavior of the people (other than historical consequences due to their behavior. That’s why, for example with David, you have to take his entire life into account — including his psalms — and not just a historical moment in order to figure out a lesson that we’re to learn. 
    • Instead of looking for a moral/ethical lesson, another approach is to allow the historical narrative to answer other questions, such as:
      • Fallen humanity – when the focus of the text is on sin or suffering, faithfulness or disobedience
        • “Here’s another example of why we need a Savior!”
        • “Here’s why God sent his Son into the world!”
        • Falleness shows our need for Jesus.
      • Typological revelation – a type or shadow whose substance is Christ
        • A real person, place, object, or event that God ordained to act as a predictive pattern or resemblance of Jesus’ person and work.
        • A good study Bible will give you cross-references between the OT and NT.
      • Narrative progression – The OT is the backstory of Jesus.
        • How is this story important in the flow of redemptive history?
        • How does this story help us make progress toward Jesus?
        • Find the story’s “threat” to God’s covenant promise of redemption. Then show how God resolves the threat so that his promise moves on all the way to fulfillment in Jesus.
      • Theological theme – straightforward theological themes, attributes of God, etc…
        • Connect the theme to the person/work of Jesus.

SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel – 7:1-16 (ESV)

‌DATE: 10-22-23

‌As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or are joining us at our North Main Campus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.‌

SERIES INTRO

‌We’re continuing our Finding Jesus series this weekend. This is a series where I introduce you to a book of the Bible that you may or may not be familiar with. I’ll give you an overview of the book — followed by a closer look at a particular section of it. And then — and this is what I hope will be most helpful — each week I’ll show you how to find Jesus. I’ll show you how to find the one story the whole Bible is telling — the story of Jesus. Because the whole Bible is ultimately pointing us to him.

And in this iteration of our Finding Jesus series — we’re looking at the books referred to as the history section of the Old Testament. What these books have in common is that they cover historical events in the life of God’s people. Some of the books cover hundreds of years while others cover a brief period of time — but — together — they tell the history of God’s people. And — today — we’ll be looking at the book of Second Samuel. So if you have your Bible, please turn with me to Second Samuel chapter seven.

In previous weeks we’ve looked at Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and First Samuel. And in the coming weeks we’ll look at First and Second Kings, and First and Second Chronicles. And I hope that you’ll grow to know and love these books and spend time in them — finding Jesus — and the joy that’s found only in him.‌

BACKGROUND OF SECOND SAMUEL

‌So let’s take some time to get our bearings in the book of Second Samuel — and I hope you’ll see that this is a book you’ll want to go read for yourself.

Now I mentioned this last week — when we looked at First Samuel — but the first thing you should know about Second Samuel is that it — and First Samuel — are really one book. 

They’re split into two parts due to them originally being written on scrolls — which were much more limited in length than the books we’re used to reading. And — the content of our two books — was written down on two separate scrolls — resulting in us having a First and Second Samuel in our Bibles.

Last week I also mentioned how the historical books — which we’re covering in this series — pick up where the books of Moses end. God’s people — after being rescued out of Egypt — are led by Moses to the border of the Promised Land. They sent spies into the land to check out their new home — but the majority of the spies gave a report that caused alarm — resulting in the Israelites distrusting God. So — instead of entering into the Promised Land — an entire generation wanders in the wilderness for forty years until they all die. 

Moses — along with Joshua and Caleb — the two spies who trusted in God’s faithfulness — arrive at the border of the Promised Land with the next generation of Israelites — however Moses’ time on earth had come to an end. This is when God appoints Joshua to be the leader of the Israelites and — under his leadership — the Israelites conquer the Promised Land — which we saw in the book named after Joshua earlier in this series. 

After Joshua — there’s a brief period where the people faithfully serve and worship the One true God — but then — in the book of Judges — we read about the people turning their backs on God. They commit apostasy over and over again. Yet God — demonstrating his love and faithfulness to his people — raised up judges — various men and women — who act as saviors for the people — delivering them from the consequences of their rebellion as they lead the people back to faith in God. 

And — it’s during the time of the judges — that the story of Ruth takes place. A love story of an outsider welcomed into God’s family. And the book of Ruth ends by telling us that the son born to her will have a descendant who will be king of God’s people. Which echoes back to the book of Judges and a recurring phrase in the book — “in those days there was no king in Israel.” And the two books of Samuel record the transition between the time of the judges to the time of the monarchy.

Samuel — who the books are named after — is a prophet called by God to anoint the first king of Israel whose name is Saul— we meet him in First Samuel. Things don’t go well for Saul and he ends up dying in battle at the end of First Samuel — his death is repeated in the opening of our book. 

Yet — this tragic ending for Saul began much earlier — for while he was still king — God had removed his anointing from Saul due to his refusal to repent of his sin. Thus God tells Samuel to go to the house of Jesse to anoint Israel’s next king — whose name is David.

‌Now most of First Samuel revolves around Saul chasing after David — trying multiple times to kill him. Saul’s jealous of David — he realizes that God has anointed David to replace him as king — so he wants David dead. But — since I’ve already spoiled it for you — Saul doesn’t get his wish — David lives — and Saul dies at the end of First Samuel — which leads us to the content of Second Samuel.

OVERVIEW OF SECOND SAMUEL

‌Things are great — beyond great, really — for the first ten chapters of Second Samuel. Saul’s no longer king and — what’s evident in the first ten chapters — is that David is blessed by God. Everything David does seems to be the best possible decision — he seems incapable of making mistakes — he’s nearly — dare I say it — the ideal king. But then chapter eleven happens — do you know what happens in chapter eleven? We come to the story of David and Bathsheba.

David makes some absolutely horrible decisions at this time in his life. He sees a married woman — he’s married himself, by the way — desires this married woman — has sex with her — and from this adulterous affair — Bathsheba becomes pregnant. Now — her husband’s been away fighting on David’s behalf in his army — so David’s in trouble — and he tries to cover things up. He summons Uriah — Bathsheba’s husband — back from the front lines hoping he’ll spend some “special time” with his wife to cover up that she’s already pregnant. But Uriah is a noble man — an honorable man — a man who says…

2 Samuel 11:11 (NLT)

¹¹ “The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, and Joab and my master’s men are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I would never do such a thing.”

And — for such a God-honoring stance — David has Uriah murdered in battle. He sends Uriah back to the front lines with a note instructing the man in charge to put Uriah in a situation in which he will certainly be killed. And that’s exactly what happens. 

Yet the depths of David’s depravity have not yet reached rock bottom. After Uriah’s death he takes Bathsheba to be his wife — probably thinking something like “all’s well that ends well.” Well…he wasn’t fooling God.

2 Samuel 12:1–20 (NLT)

¹ So the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: “There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. ² The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle. ³ The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man’s own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. ⁴ One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest.” ⁵ David was furious. “As surely as the Lord lives,” he vowed, “any man who would do such a thing deserves to die! ⁶ He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole and for having no pity.” ⁷ Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. ⁸ I gave you your master’s house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. ⁹ Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife. ¹⁰ From this time on, your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah’s wife to be your own. ¹¹ “This is what the Lord says: Because of what you have done, I will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man before your very eyes, and he will go to bed with them in public view. ¹² You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.” ¹³ Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the word of the Lord by doing this, your child will die.” ¹⁵ After Nathan returned to his home, the Lord sent a deadly illness to the child of David and Uriah’s wife. ¹⁶ David begged God to spare the child. He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground. ¹⁷ The elders of his household pleaded with him to get up and eat with them, but he refused. ¹⁸ Then on the seventh day the child died. David’s advisers were afraid to tell him. “He wouldn’t listen to reason while the child was ill,” they said. “What drastic thing will he do when we tell him the child is dead?” ¹⁹ When David saw them whispering, he realized what had happened. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” ²⁰ Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate.

David accepts the judgment of God upon him for his sin — he receives the consequences for his rebellion. Though he first tried to cover things up — when called out by Nathan for his sin — he didn’t bow up and dig in his heels — he accepts God’s rebuke through Nathan and turns from his sin and turns back to God — David repents. This is why he worships God in response to his child’s death which — I know — seems rather strange. But — in his response of worship — we see that David holds no animosity towards God for the death of his son. 

We may wonder why it’s good or right for the innocent child to die — but David — the father of the child — doesn’t wonder if it’s good or right. He accepts God’s judgment as good and right and just and we know this because of his response — he worships God.

David — a man after God’s own heart — stumbles — and stumbles royally. His fall is great — yet he receives God’s discipline for his rebellion — proving that he is — indeed — a man after God’s own heart. How do you respond to God’s discipline in your life? What’s your response when someone points out sin in your life? And — I know, I know — they didn’t follow the manual on what to say, how to say it, and so on — so — really — your sin isn’t the problem — how they pointed it out to you is the problem — but it isn’t! For the man or woman whose heart is after God will receive God’s discipline — even through others — and turn back to him — and worship him regardless of the consequences of their sin. What is your response to God’s discipline in your life? 

The consequences for David’s sin continue through the next eight or so chapters — all that Nathan said will happen does happen. But — then — in chapter nineteen — David is restored. Redemption happens — again — for the people of God. David’s restoration — in fact — both foreshadows and echoes the fall and restoration of the people of God as a nation. From what we saw in the book of Judges to what we’ll see at later points in their history — God’s people will fail, will rebel, will sin in grotesque ways — and yet God will draw them back to him, redeeming, rescuing, and restoring them because he is faithful — and he always keeps his promises to his people.

MAIN PASSAGE

‌And — with that as our overview of the book — hopefully you’ve had time to find 2nd Samuel chapter seven — we’ll begin in verse one. And — for context — this takes place in the time when David is flourishing as king.

2 Samuel 7:1–16 (ESV)

¹ Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, ² the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” ³ And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” ⁴ But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, ⁵ “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? ⁶ I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. ⁷ In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” ’ ⁸ Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. ⁹ And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. ¹⁰ And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, ¹¹ from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. ¹² When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. ¹³ He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ¹⁴ I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, ¹⁵ but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. ¹⁶ And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”‌

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

‌For those of us who’ve been following Jesus for some time — and if you’re newer to the Christian faith or are still trying to figure out what you believe — let me tell you — what I’m about to say will eventually be an obstacle you will face — at some point in our Christian journey we start to get things backwards. What do I mean? Well — like David — in the beginning of our chapter — we start to make what we do for God the point of our relationship with him — instead of what he has and is doing for us being the point of our relationship.

The chapter begins with David making an observation: “I live in a house and the ark of God — which represents the presence of God — lives in a tent.” And this — rightly so — seems off. So David consults with Nathan — the man who will later confront David about his sin with Bathsheba — and Nathan does something that I find interesting because it makes him relatable. After David tells Nathan his concern, Nathan tells him to follow his heart — he even adds “for the Lord is with you.” But — later that night — God speaks to Nathan and corrects him. “I don’t need David to build me a house — David needs me to establish his house.”

So how does this make Nathan relatable? Well apparently Nathan spoke on behalf of God before he sought the will of God. What David said to him seemed like a no-brainer — but it wasn’t the will of God. And how easy it is for us to do this in our relationship with God. Where a decision seems like a no-brainer — even God honoring — nothing more than “following our heart” — and yet — we fail to do the most important step in making our decision: seeking God’s will. Going to him in prayer. Opening up his Word to see if he’s already spoken on the matter. Allowing him to show us how we’re confusing our role in our relationship with him — like believing what’s most important in our relationship is what we do for God — and that’s not true! What’s most important is what God has done for us.

I mean it seems like this is what the chapter is trying to make obvious to us. Just look at what God’s Word tells us in the message God tells Nathan to give to David.

Verse 8 – I chose you to be king.

Verse 9 – I’ve been with you wherever you have gone.

Verse 9 – I’ve fought for you.

Verse 9 – I will make your name great.

Verse 10 – I will provide for my people.

Verses 10 and 11 – I’ll protect my people.

Verse 11 – I will continue your lineage.

Verse 11 – I’ll give you rest from your enemies

Verse 12 – I will raise up your offspring and establish his kingdom.

Verse 14 – I’ll be a father to him.

Verse 14 – I will discipline him.

Verse 15 – My love will not depart from him.

Verse 16 – Your house, and throne, and kingdom shall be established forever.

The “I, I, I’s” and “my, my, my’s” are all God, God, God. This is all about what he’s done and is doing for David — promises God has made to David that are undeserved! Promises God makes even while knowing that Bathsheba and Uriah are in David’s not too distant future. This is God’s grace on display — his undeserved favor and blessing to men and women like you and me.

Yet — what we’re also reading here — is what’s known as God’s covenant with David. Meaning — this is a special promise that God is making. This is a covenant promise that continues the story of God’s faithfulness to his people as seen in the covenant he made with Noah — I will never again flood the earth — and Abraham — that he’s going to be the father of a great nation and through his descendants all families of the earth will be blessed — and the Mosaic covenant — that God’s people are to be “a holy kingdom, in distinction from the offspring of the serpent” — and the covenant that will come later in the history of God’s people — the New Covenant.

Jeremiah 31:31–34 (NLT)

³¹ “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. ³² This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord. ³³ “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. ³⁴ And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

And all of these covenants are the fulfillment of the eternal covenant the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit made with each other in eternity past. Their plan to accomplish our salvation — a plan made before God spoke all things into existence. This is what is called the covenant of redemption.

But the covenant of our text — the Davidic covenant — is the covenant indicating that the king of Israel is to stand as a representative for all of God’s people. The king is called to obey God and to lead the people in obedience of all of God’s commands. And — though king after king will fail to do this — including David — in this covenant God promises that one day a King will come — from the line of David — who will fulfill all of the obligations of God’s people — obligations we’ve all failed to accomplish — as he — this promised King — obeys God as our representative.

FINDING JESUS: THE KING’S COVENANT FAITHFULNESS

‌Ever since the garden — instead of obedience — we’ve chosen to rebel and disobey God. We’ve never kept our end of the covenants — we’re the ones who’ve broken our promises to God — he’s never broken his promises to us. And — what becomes the ultimate twist in God’s story is that these covenants all find their fulfillment — not in our obedience — but in Christ’s obedience. And this is why we must remember that our relationship with God isn’t primarily based on what we do for him — but is based primarily on what he’s done for us.

You see nearly all religions are based on some sort of works — some kind of obligation that must be fulfilled in order to appease the god or gods of that religion. And what makes Christianity unique isn’t that we believe differently in this regard — we do believe that there are obligations that must be fulfilled — there is a standard that must be met — there is a promise that must be kept in order for a person to have a right standing with God. What’s unique about Christianity is that we believe that everyone’s failed to fulfill our end of the covenant. You and me — we’re all promise-breakers — so why would we ever let our relationship with God be based primarily on what we do for him — that’s a recipe for disaster!

And this truth — that all of us are promise-breakers — would lead us to a place of hopelessness until we realize that what’s also unique about the Christian faith is the belief that it’s not what we do that saves us and sustains our relationship with God. It’s what Jesus has done in our place — the work he’s accomplished for us — that saves and sustains us. This is what makes Christianity distinct from all other religions. It’s Jesus’s promise-keeping that makes us promise-breakers have a right standing with God. It’s his faithfulness to us — not ours to him — not even as his followers — that matters most. 

Does what we do matter? Absolutely! But not nearly as much as we’d like to think — especially when compared to what Christ has done for us.

Just think of the night when he was betrayed — Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples. The Passover meal was a celebration of God’s judgment passing over the Israelites who put the blood of a lamb on their doorposts. The Egyptians made no such sacrifice and experienced God’s judgment for their sin — but the blood of the lamb covered the sins of the Israelites — thus God’s judgment passed over them.

And during the Passover meal Jesus…

Luke 22:19–22 (ESV)

¹⁹ Took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁰ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. ²¹ But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 

²² For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”

Notice that Jesus says he’s going to have his blood poured out “as it has been determined.” When was this plan determined — this plan that Jesus would shed his blood on the cross — and who determined this plan? The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit made this plan before time began. This is the covenant of redemption being fulfilled. This is the culmination of all of the covenants coming together — for all of the covenants were leading to Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross as our King and Savior.

You see, Jesus is the King promised in the Davidic covenant who stood in the place of his people — fulfilling our end of the covenant. Solomon — David’s son who will become king — like all sinful kings after him — is unable to fulfill the part of the king in God’s covenant with David. And this is why Jesus came from Heaven to earth — to fulfill our part of this covenant. And not just this covenant — just fulfilled our part in all of the covenants because God knew we humans are all promise-breakers — so he graciously kept his and our side of these covenant promises — so that we might be redeemed, saved, and rescued. That’s the extent of God’s love for us — that’s the extent of his love for you and his love for me.

CONCLUSION

‌And — now — the question for all of us — Christian or not — is how will we respond to all that Jesus has done for us? Our response does matter — what we do and how we live — does matter. But — like David wanting to build a house for the ark of God — God wants to first remind each of us of all that he’s done for us because he loves us. For his love is primary — his love comes first — his love for you is to be the motivation for how you live, why you do what you do, and what you spend your life on. His love is primary — and when it is primary in your and my life — we will live differently — radically different — because God’s love for us and faithfulness to us will be our guide.

So know that God loves you. And know that he’s demonstrated his love for you in sending his Son — Jesus — the descendant of David — the promised King — who gave his life to secure his people’s freedom from Satan and sin and their victory of death and Hell. Let’s pray together.

PRAYER

‌Heavenly Father, thank you for your covenant faithfulness to David and to us. Thank you for your divine determination to never stop loving your people. Thank you that your plans always come to pass and for gently correcting us when we mistakenly think we know your will. And — yes — we thank you for your discipline and rebuke when we sin — for your discipline is your mercy towards us — it’s how you draw us back to you in repentance.

Spirit of God, cleanse us of our sins. Sanctify us — make us holy — wash us, we ask. This is the powerful work that you do for the people of God. You make us acceptable in our Heavenly Father’s sight by making us spotless — without a stain or wrinkle. Draw any whose hearts are stained by sins they’ve tried to wash away on their own — draw them to you and your cleansing power — and may they trust that your cleansing work is sufficient.

And — Jesus — you and the work you’ve done on our behalf as the King of kings — is the reason why we can be cleansed of our sins. For it is by your blood that our crimson stains are washed white as snow. It’s by your sacrifice that we’re made holy. It’s by your loving commitment — to fulfill our end of the covenants — that we’re made right with God. 

No words can express our gratitude to you for all that you’ve done. So we ask that “thank you” would be enough. Jesus, thank you. In your name we pray. Amen.

BENEDICTION

‌May you go responding to God’s love for you — remembering all that King Jesus has done for you. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.