Tag: The Life of David

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:04 — 17.9MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 11:1-27

The Life of David
David and Bathsheba
II Samuel 11:1-27

Sandwiched in the middle of these chapters is the shocking account of David’s dreadful sin with Bathsheba.

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you’re willing to pay.”

I. The Causes of Sin (II Samuel 11:1-4)
We are not told that David was busy with the affairs of the kingdom or that he was busy taking care of the problems of his people. Instead, he was on his couch.

As soon as David heard that she was married, he should have stopped pursuing her.

Sin does not just come upon us. It is not foisted upon us so that there is nothing we can do about it.

II. The Consequences of Sin (II Samuel 11:5)
But a consequence of sin is that more often than we like other people know about it.

III. The Cover-up of Sin (II Samuel 11:6-27a)
Sometimes our desire to cover up our sin by some kind of deception does not work.

IV. The Condemnation of Sin (II Samuel 11:27b)
What David had done was evil in his eyes. David had violated the law of God. David deserved to die. David’s sin condemned him to death.

Psalm 51:1-2 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:43 — 18.3MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 10:1-19

The Life of David
David Defeats Ammon and Syria
II Samuel 10:1-19

In II Samuel 10, David once again extended kindness, that is, hesed or steadfast love, to the son of a friendly neighboring king, who had died.

Like Onada, many people are fighting a lonely battle against the God who is offering reconciliation and peace.

I. Kindness Is Offered (II Samuel 10:1-2)
However, now that Nahash had died, David wanted to extend hesed to Hanun, Nahash’s son, for the hesed that had previously been extended to David by Nahash.

Well, Jesus’ offer of kindness is by far the best offer ever extended to anyone.

II. Kindness Is Rejected (II Samuel 10:3-5)
The rejection of David’s kindness points us again to the rejection of Jesus’ kindness. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.

III. Kindness Is Redressed (II Samuel 10:6-19)
David offered kindness. And that offer of kindness was rejected by Hanun. So, David set out to take action.

Joab recognized and affirmed that God was in sovereign control of the outcome.

David’s redressing of his kindness that was rejected teaches us that Jesus will redress any rejection of the kindness that he offers.

Those who have rejected Jesus will know in that moment that all their greatest treasures were nothing compared with him, and they will bitterly regret that decision.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:49 — 14.3MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 9:1-13

The Life of David
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
II Samuel 9:1-13

Our scripture today about Mephibosheth, and particularly about David’s kindness to him.

I. Kindness Is Initiated (II Samuel 9:1-4)
So, David wanted to fulfill his covenant promise to Jonathan.

That is why he wanted to make sure that he was keeping his covenant promise to Jonathan when he asked, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

But the good news of the gospel teaches us that David’s Greater Son, Jesus, takes the initiative to bring kindness–God’s steadfast love–to us.

II. Kindness Is Provided (II Samuel 9:5-8)
The lesson for us is that Christians are the recipients of God’s unmerited and gracious kindness.

III. Kindness Is Experienced (II Samuel 9:9-13)
But David initiated kindness toward Mephibosheth, he provided kindness for Mephibosheth, and then Mephibosheth experienced the kindness of David.

You don’t pay love back; you pay it forward.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:19 — 16.7MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 8:1-18

The Life of David
David’s Victories
II Samuel 8:1-18

“The Lord’s Prayer.” The prayer has an introduction, six petitions, and a conclusion.

I. The Conquests of the Kingdom (II Samuel 8:1-6,13-14)
The kingdom boundaries were extended to what God had originally promised to Abraham.

So, just like the Philistines, the Moabites were no longer a threat to Israel.

As we read about the conquests of the kingdom, our esteem for David grows.

David illustrates that the kingdom of God will conquer all opposition, not because of David’s prowess but because of God’s power.

II. The Spoils of the Kingdom (II Samuel 8:7-12)
The spoils of the kingdom, which are the blessings that Jesus secures, are available to any person who is willing to submit to Jesus.

III. The Administration of the Kingdom (II Samuel 8:15-18)
It is also the first of many occurrences in the Bible of the phrase “justice and equity,” or sometimes translated as, “justice and righteousness.”

Jesus’ administration, however, will be perfect. All his enemies will be defeated forever.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:30 — 17.5MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 7:18-29

The Life of David
David’s Prayer
II Samuel 7:18-29

As soon as David heard what God was going to do for him, David responded in prayer.

I think that the most difficult thing to do as a Christian is prayer.

I. Praise for God’s Plan (II Samuel 7:18-22)
Do you take time daily to sit before the Lord and talk to him in prayer?
A. Praise for Previous Grace (II Samuel 7:18)
B. Praise for Promised Grace (II Samuel 7:19)
Are you justified by faith alone in Christ alone by God’s grace alone?
C. Praise for Sovereign Grace (II Samuel 7:20-22)

II. Prayer for God’s People (II Samuel 7:23-24)
David recognized that God’s people are unique. God had chosen them out of all the other peoples on the earth.
A. Prayer for God’s Redeemed People (II Samuel 7:23)
You used to belong to Satan. But then God redeemed you by the blood of his Son, Jesus Christ, and now you belong to God.
B. Prayer for God’s Preserved People (II Samuel 7:24a)
C. Prayer for God’s Privileged People (II Samuel 7:24b)
He becomes our God and we become his people when we are united to Jesus by faith in him.

III. Petition for God’s Promise (II Samuel 7:25-29)
A. Petition for God’s Name to Be Magnified (II Samuel 7:25-27)
His petition is for God to glorify himself in the wellbeing of his believing people.
B. Petition for God’s Promise to Be Fulfilled (II Samuel 7:28-29)
David gave praise for God’s plan, prayed for God’s people, and petitioned for God’s promise to be fulfilled.

1st, plan to spend time each day in prayer.
2nd, use a plan to guide your prayer.
3rd, use a prayer list.
4th, don’t give up.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:43 — 16.3MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 7:1-17

The Life of David
David and the Covenant of God
II Samuel 7:1-17

Even though David died, God promised David that he would “establish the throne of his kingdom forever”.

I. God Is Sovereign (II Samuel 7:1-3)
But as soon as David became king, he wanted the ark of God placed in Jerusalem, which was to be the political and spiritual capitol of the people of God.

David believed that God is sovereign. He clung to God so that he could sense the safe, sovereign heartbeat of God.

II. God Is Condescending (II Samuel 7:4-7)
Are they a pilgrim people on their way to the land of promise? So, he is the pilgrim God, sharing the rigors of the journey with them.

God knows that his people are in trouble. He condescends to help them in their time of need.

III. God Is Gracious (II Samuel 7:8-11)
David was the recipient of God’s unmerited favor.
That is, David did absolutely nothing to earn or merit the favor of God. God’s grace is unconditional.

IV. God Is Indefectible (II Samuel 7:12-17)
God’s promises often have two fulfilments, one in the short-term and the other in the long-term.

The Davidic covenant is an expression of the covenant of grace in that it tells us that David’s Greater Son, Jesus Christ, will rule on his throne for ever and ever.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:25 — 16.8MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 6:16-23

The Life of David
David and Michal
II Samuel 6:16-23

God blessed David for his obedience, as well as for his desire to restore the ark to its central place of worship for the people of God.

In the narrative of David bringing the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, we see different responses to the Lord’s will.

I. Obeying the Lord’s Will Brings Blessing (II Samuel 6:16-19)
We note that as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, that is, Jerusalem, King David was leaping and dancing before the Lord.

A. Obeying the Lord’s Will Brings Blessing to Me (II Samuel 6:17)
Far too many people want the blessing of God, they want eternal life, and so they think that all they need to do is show up to a worship service once or twice a month, and that will punch their ticket to heaven and glory.

B. Obeying the Lord’s Will Brings Blessing to Others (II Samuel 6:18-19)
Tell others about Jesus. That is the greatest blessing we can pass along to others.

II. Opposing the Lord’s will brings misery (II Samuel 6:20-23)
Michal’s understanding of worship was mere outward formality. To her, outward appearances were extremely important.

When we gather for worship, who is our focus? Are we concerned about what other people think of us? Or, do we worship and celebrate before the Lord?

Jesus was more than the visible presence of God in the midst of his people. He was God with us–Emmanuel.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:35 — 16.9MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 6:1-15

The Life of David
David and the Ark
II Samuel 6:1-15

The significance of the ark of the covenant is that it was the visible symbol of God’s presence in the midst of his people.

He said that most young evangelicals believe in what could best be described as “moral, therapeutic deism.”

The holiness of God is something that must be properly revered and respected.

I. God’s Justice and Mercy Must Not Be Confused (II Samuel 6:1-8)
David wanted to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem in order to restore the worship of their covenant God.

Uzzah believed he was doing the right thing by touching the ark so that it did not fall.

God is patient with us. We must take seriously the warning God gives us in the story of Uzzah.

II. Fear Follows a Failure of Faith (II Samuel 6:9-10)
David’s faith failed because he did not obey the revealed will of God.

III. God’s Presence Brings Blessing (II Samuel 6:11-12a)
But the presence of the ark, representing the symbolic presence of God, proved to be a blessing to him and to his entire family.

We say “No” to the presence of God in our lives because we do not accept the offer of the means of grace.

IV. Obedience to God’s Word Brings Joy (II Samuel 6:12b-15)
What I don’t want to miss is that there was great rejoicing when David and all those with him brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem.

Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:47 — 13.6MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 5:17-25

The Life of David
David Defeats the Philistines
II Samuel 5:17-25

The kingdom of God on earth with David as king was intended to point people to the future, eternal kingdom of God.

But, the good news of the Gospel is that God saves ungodly and unrighteous men and women, regenerates them, and gives them new natures, and makes them citizens of his kingdom.

I. God Protects His Kingdom by His Guidance (II Samuel 5:17-19,22-24)
The Philistines were not happy to hear the news that David had been crowned king over all Israel.

Our greatest need in battling against Satan is to ask the Lord for guidance to grant success.

II. God Protects His Kingdom by His Power (II Samuel 5:20a,21,25)
That they left their idols is an indication of how thorough David’s victory was over the Philistines.

When God’s people obey God’s Word, they will see God’s power at work.

Dr. Leslie obeyed God’s Word, and although he did not see direct results of his obedience, the fact is that God’s power was at work through his obedience.

III. God Protects His Kingdom for His Glory (II Samuel 5:20b)
When God blesses us, it is appropriate to give him the glory for who he is and what he has done.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:51 — 14.3MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 5:1-16

The Life of David
David Anointed King of Israel
II Samuel 5:1-16

The stage was finally set for David to be anointed as king over all Israel, as God had promised so many years earlier.

David’s coronation as king over Israel must be understood as something unique, different from any other coronation.

I. God’s King Is Crowned (II Samuel 5:1-5)
They were all descendants of Abraham, and so the elders wanted David to be their king because he was a brother and not a foreigner or stranger.

God was establishing his kingdom on earth. David was crowned as God’s king of his kingdom.

II. God’s City Is Chosen (II Samuel 5:6-10)
God was with David, who was chosen by God to be the king of his kingdom. And so, Jerusalem became the capitol city of the kingdom of God on earth.

III. God’s Rule Is Consolidated (II Samuel 5:11-12)
Centuries earlier, God said to Abraham, “…in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed”.

IV. God’s Kingdom Is Compromised (II Samuel 5:13-16)
The consummated kingdom of God, when Jesus returns to earth, will be a kingdom in which there is no compromise at all.