Matt's House Church: Arbutus, MD

Psalms 51 (Part I: 2 Samuel 11-12)

 

Introduction
Opening Reading: Psalm 51:1-2
Today we are going to head straight into the dark heart of humanity. It is the heart
of man that has conceived and carryout the most vial and heinous acts in history.
Everyday on the news we hear the stories of violence and blood shed on our streets,
literally, we live minutes away from a domestic war zone in Baltimore City; a world
where mass murder has become a tool of self-promotion, whether it’s ISIS or a
troubled soul shooting up a theater or school or killing and maiming by exploding a
bomb at a cafe or sporting event; evil even lurks behind the closed doors of our
homes and is perpetrated by those closest to us…those who are suppose to love us
instead they harm us: physically, mentally and sexually, sabotaging and even
destroying any future of hope we might have imagined for our lives. Sin…
Everyday, multiple times a day you and I chose to think, act or speak harm toward
God, others and ourselves.
James the Apostle spoke of our propensity toward evil and gave this insight about
the process of or the birth of an act of sin, that literally leads to death. We walk out
this process on a daily basis…none of us escapes we are either bringing harm by
choosing to sin or we are at the receiving end of another’s act of sin.
Reading: James 1:14-15
Bible
Psalm 51 is a poetic expression of King David’s heart after he recognizes that he has
carried out a series of grave sins that not only lead to the death of his own infant
child, but as a consequence, opens the door to a life time of pain and heartache
within his own household.
Question: Can anyone identify…?
The Signs of Trouble…
Reading/Summarizing: 2 Samuel 11:1-5
Point: When we are about to do a wrong/sin, there are always signs!
• David, as King, fails to lead his army out into battle.
• Key Word: Sent = Cause to Go Out…Under The Authority.
• Spring a time for military campaigns, roads drying, food for the war horses and
men.
• March = Named after Roman God of War = Mars.
• vv.1c: “David remained in Jerusalem.”
The 3 Cover Ups Begin…
Reading/Summary: 2 Samuel 11:6-9 (Cover Up #1)
• vv.9 - “Did not go down to the house.”
Uriah Stands Right Before the King, but the King Falls…
Reading: 2 Samuel 11:10-11
• Uriah acts righteously, as David fails to act righteously.
• Uriah = “Yahweh Is My Light,” a devout observer of God’s Laws
• Uriah Refuses to Violate “War Time” ban of Sexual Relations (1 Samuel 21:4-5)
• Uriah Remains Loyal To: God, King, Country, Fellow Warriors and Wife
Reading/Summary: 2 Samuel 11:12-13 (Cover Up #2)
• David gets Uriah drunk, hoping he would sleep with Bathsheba, to no avail.
• vv.13b - Read, “He did not go home.”
Reading/Summary: 2 Samuel 11:14-24 (Cover Up #3)
• David, sends Uriah back to Joab, Commander of Israel’s Army, with his own death
sentence written in the message he carried.
• Key Word: “Die,” sin always results in death! A separation from LIFE!
• vv.18-21: Joab sends account of battle and excuses his culpability in the death of
his own men, and the death of Uriah.
David’s Justification
Reading/Summary: 2 Samuel 11:25
• David has NO remorse for his wrongful actions, or even that he involved others in
his evil plot.
The Lord’s Response
Reading/Summary: 2 Samuel 11:26-27
• Uriah’s Wife Mourns; “Brought” = Had Brought To Him, under Kings Authority
• vv.27b - “Displeased The Lord.”
Challenge Slide (Instrumental - Sarah & Rebecca or Guitar)
• Question: Do you have a cover up that is plaguing your life right now? Maybe your
holding resentments, pretending that everything ok? Or, maybe your giving
someone the silent treatment in hopes of punishing them for a perceived or actual
harm done? Perhaps your isolating yourself, and ignoring tension born out of a
hurt you received from someone close to you? Maybe you’ve, never come clean
and taken responsibility for a wrong you’ve done?
• Question: What is God speaking to you concerning righting a wrong you’ve done?
• Pray: God give me the courage to right my wrong.
Benediction - Psalm 51:10-12