Updated: 11/12/2024

Sermon Prep

We were 4 weeks out from the expected due date for our daughter Willow. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I had prepped these 3 sermons as an unofficial trilogy before I went out on paternity leave. Of the 3, this was the one where it was just a sermon.

I didn’t have any personal favoritism like with the story of Mephibosheth and didn’t have a heavy weight of responsibility on my shoulders like with the story of Bathsheba and Uriah. So if anything, the prep here was the easiest in that I relied a lot on the notes of our teaching pastor who always maps out the series we’re in at a high level and go from there. Speaking of notes, here’s those below and the recorded sermon as well.

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

• Have you ever joined an organization only to now realize that you’re in deep conflict?

Intro

• Explain dinosaurs in the Congo and work acquisition, along with church conflicts.

Main Point

• You can trust in God’s guidance and strength in conflicting times.
• Let’s see how David was at the center of a power vacuum and yet relied on God’s power.

A King’s Covenant

• Read 2 Samuel 5 aloud.
• David is crowned king over all of Israel, thus ending the civil war (2 Samuel 5:1-5).
  • Like the American Reconstruction era, it takes time to repair a divided nation.
• “we are your bone and your flesh” alludes to Genesis 2:23 → Hosea 2:16 → Ephesians 5:28-32
  • Progressive revelation is the slow reveal of God’s plan as humans advance.
• David is great because God is with him and David relies on God (2 Samuel 5:6-12, 8:15).
  • The Jebusites try to provoke David, so then David taunts back (2 Samuel 5:6-8).
• For as great a leader he was, David shows his weakness with women (2 Samuel 5:13-16).
• Trusting God and his guidance, David defeats the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:17-25).

A King’s Victory

• Read 2 Samuel 10 aloud.
• Once again, David wants to show the lovingkindness of God (2 Samuel 10:1-2a).
  • Nahash (Serpent → Eden Test) was kind to David in the wilderness (1 Samuel 12).
• Hanun is threatened by bad counsel and shames David’s servants (2 Samuel 10:2b-5).
• The Ammonites lose this fight and Hadadezer’s men surrender (2 Samuel 10:6-19).

A King’s Pride

• Read 2 Samuel 12:26-31 aloud.
• Joab captures Rabbah, yet David isn’t at war because of his affair (2 Samuel 12:26-31).

Why This Matters

• David relied on God’s power and guidance to deliver him through his battles.

Power Text

• Read Psalm 144:1-2 aloud.
• It’s God who resolves conflict and brings victory, not us and our own efforts. 

Outro

• Trust in God’s power to overcome the battles and struggles that you face.

Final Thoughts

My wife Glory had her baby shower right after church, so my Mom and Sister were in town for that event. It was a special service since I got to preach and they got to be there for that as well. This was a fine message that got the job done. Nothing controversial or unique that made it stand out and that’s certainly okay sometimes.

What’s often the case is that most sermons are serviceable. They’re not all hall of fame messages, but rather simple and straightforward. In the day and age of outrage, simple sermons are a great antidote. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.