David - After God's Own Heart - Psalm 51

This past Sunday we looked at David's response to his sin in Psalm 51, and why David can be called a man after God's own heart despite the things he had done. Here are the notes:

Acts 13:22: And when he had removed Saul, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, “I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.”

Big Question: How can David be a man after God’s own heart when he has committed such terrible sins? More importantly, how can WE be people after God's heart even when we fail?

David took comfort in God’s unfailing love and mercy.

David was up-front and honest about his sin.

David understood the seriousness of his sin.

David recognized that only God can cleanse him.

David realized the proper response to being forgiven was praise to God, humility before God, and boldness about God.

David's Big Mistake - Sunday, Dec 5

This Sunday we looked at 2 Samuel 11-12, and David's big mistake with Bathsheba. From that we noticed the following:

James 1:14-15

Sinful acts are never isolated. They are caused by desires within our heart that we choose to act on.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

God always provides a way out.

2 Samuel 12:10

Sin always has consequences. Some are spiritual, some are physical, some are emotional, some are mental. Sin is a slave-master.

2 Timothy 3:13; James 1:14-15

Sin is a slippery slope that leads to further disobedience, and can ultimately rob you of your life. Larger failures are usually the result of smaller, unchecked sin in your life.

Covering up sin only leads to more disobedience and pain. It is better to confess it.

Romans 8:1

If you are in Christ, all of your sin (past, present, future) is forgiven.

1 John 3:19-20, Romans 5:20-21

If you are entrenched in sin, and yet your heart desires to be free from it, take comfort in God’s grace.

What has God done for you?

In reading Scripture lately I have noticed how constantly Paul takes the focus off himself, and what he has done and accomplished, and talks instead about what God has done for him. When Paul defends himself as an apostle, he talks about God's work in His life, not his own accolades.

Tonight I read Ephesians 1, and in verses 3-14 there are at least 10 different things mentioned that Paul thanks God for doing in our lives (I'm sure I've missed some). Here they are:

- blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing

- chose us to be holy and blameless in his sight

- predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ

- redeemed us through his blood

- forgiven us of our sins

- lavished grace on us

- made known His mysteries to us

- chosen so that we may be for the praise of His glory

- included in Christ and salvation

- marked us with a seal, the Holy Spirit, to guarantee our inheritance

WOW! It's not about what we have done, but what has been done for us and given to us. Praise be to God, not ourselves.