Updated: 11/13/2024
Sermon Prep
I’ve never prepped for a sermon as much as I did for this latest message. Last one before taking a break and focusing on family bonding while on paternity leave. I really sunk my theological teeth into this final sermon of 2024. Not only did I prep over a month for this, but also studied so much that there were several key things left out. Here’s a few of the leftovers that didn’t make the cut, but not everything:
- Could or did Bathsheba consent to sex?
- Consent is a modern construct, so ANE people didn’t think that way.
- What the king commanded was law (i.e. Nebuchadnezzar II in Daniel 1-4).
- We need to be trauma-informed on tough topics for the needs of the neighborhood.
- Does Uriah know that David slept with Bathsheba?
- David’s guards who took Bathsheba could’ve known (2 Samuel 11:4, 9).
- Uriah was by the gates where those very guards may have stood watch.
- Is Uriah knowingly trying to shame David by not going home?
- Uriah would’ve had to stone Bathsheba because of the Law.
- Said no to king’s command and brings up sleeping with his wife, not David (2 Samuel 11:8-13).
- After this worst episode, David named one of his sons in honor of Nathan (1 Chronicles 3:5).
- This fact implies either friendship with or even respect for Nathan.
This was one of the few messages where I asked for a lot of feedback. A lot of deliberation on my part on what to include and what to shy away from. Given the sensitivity and the grey areas involved with this subject, we as a leadership team decided to just keep the main thing the main thing. David sinned and there’s a right way to repent.
Since we break off into small groups and sometimes with total strangers immediately after our messages, we’re very careful what we do teach about. Given that, it’d be unwise to let loose untrained leaders to guide groups focused on these sensitive subjects. There’s nothing worse then having someone unequipped address issues without the care and gentleness required to do so. Now here’s the notes I did use and the recorded message for this sermon.
Sermon Notes
Opening Line
- Grew up watching whodunit detective dramas with my Mom (i.e Midsomer Murders).
Intro
- Today we’re going to learn about a howcatchem → see crime, then solve the case.
Main Point
- David’s worst episode is written as a minimal facts approach (i.e. the Corinthian Creed).
- Sin has collateral consequences on others, but there’s a right way to correct the damage.
A King’s Crime
- Read 2 Samuel 11:1-27a.
- David should’ve been at war, but disobeyed and stayed home (2 Samuel 11:1, 12:26-32).
- Bathsheba was either bathing at home or publicly at the Siloam Pool (2 Samuel 11:2).
- Never told she’s naked or on the roof. Bathing at dusk/sunset was modest in ANE.
- Too hot to bathe during the day; people walking by can’t see her.
- Never told she’s naked or on the roof. Bathing at dusk/sunset was modest in ANE.
- Uriah was of the 30 mighty men and became an Israelite convert (2 Samuel 11:4, 23:39).
- Eliam was also of the 30 mighty men; Uriah’s from Anatolia (Syria/Turkey).
- He was loyal, so Uriah wouldn’t abandon Israel in their hour of need (2 Samuel 11:9-13).
- Great display of covenant love for the king and the nation at large (2 Samuel 5:1).
- Uriah unknowingly was the messenger of his own death sentence (2 Samuel 11:14-17).
- He and a group of soldiers were unnecessarily slaughtered to cover up sin.
A King’s Correction
- Read 2 Samuel 11:27b-12:23.
- bat (בַּת) is daughter and also the beginning of Bathsheba’s name (2 Samuel 11:3, 12:3).
- Nathan waited years for God’s timing before approaching David about his sin.
- “Once we prayerfully determine the right thing to do, we must still contemplate the right way to do it (240).” – Zack Eswine, Sensing Jesus
- Nathan’s story and Bathsheba’s lament shows she loved Uriah (2 Samuel 12:1-4).
- Absalom’s coup in David’s latter reign is prophesied here (2 Samuel 12:10-12, 16:22).
- David had true repentance as he pleaded for God’s grace (2 Samuel 12:16-18, Psalm 51).
- Accepted God’s will, even when he didn’t get his way (2 Samuel 12:20-23).
Why It Matters
- David’s sin had collateral consequences: a wife was taken, a husband murdered, soldiers slaughtered, and a newborn died. In all, God was dishonored by David’s disobedience.
- “David was self-deceived. Your greatest flaws, the habits of the heart that are killing you the most by definition, are the ones you don’t see.” – Timothy Keller, The Sinner Sermon
- When we don’t repent, we deceive ourselves into thinking everything is under control.
Power Text
- Read Psalm 51:1-11, 16-17.
- Repentance is the changing of your ways and your will (i.e. body + soul → Acts 26:20b).
Outro
- Read 1 John 1:6-10.
- It’s better to examine yourself and confess your sin, then to get caught and exposed.
- Repentance is the first step to being redeemed, restored, and reunited to God.
Final Thoughts
This was not only one of my greatest messages, but also one of my more technical in the precision that I said things as well. For context, we know people who have similar things to David in our community and we also know people who’s stories are related to Bathsheba or Uriah’s situation too. It’s a brutal balancing act to acknowledge the depravity of sin and that there’s hope for those who repent.
There’s no easy way to do both simultaneously, especially to a large public audience. That’s where trusting the Holy Spirit to provide exactly what to say is so important. It’s his word and I’m just a vessel to communicate his message. In this case, I think the message was clear and resonated with our congregation. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.
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