WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.060 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.099 --> 00:00:16.539 One of my favorite lines, you have beaten death at death's own game. 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:17.420 What a great line. 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:24.179 I've been at our Denomination's General Assembly this week, which was a really good week. 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:26.160 I'll tell you some more about that next Sunday. 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:27.679 I know you're looking forward to that. 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:35.240 We will be back in Daniel next Sunday for our last two weeks studying the book of Daniel together. 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:43.140 But this week, we have the great privilege and joy of having Lyle Lee here with us to open God's word for us. 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:45.420 Some of you may know him as Lyle Mahesh. 00:00:45.899 --> 00:00:46.799 I don't know that. 00:00:47.840 --> 00:00:53.240 He has been claimed by one of our elders in his family over the last few years. 00:00:53.420 --> 00:00:55.620 That is not, in fact, his last name. 00:00:55.619 --> 00:00:57.739 It is Lee. 00:00:57.919 --> 00:01:00.739 They love him, but he's not actually theirs. 00:01:01.739 --> 00:01:05.239 Lyle has been serving at our daughter church, the village church. 00:01:05.780 --> 00:01:11.400 Has been serving there while he's been training for gospel ministry and going through his seminary courses. 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:18.459 And he has completed those now and is looking forward to where God is going to use him going forward. 00:01:18.539 --> 00:01:20.120 But for now, we get to keep him in Huntsville. 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:22.820 So he and his wife have been married about a year. 00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:27.560 And we're delighted to have Lyle come and open God's word for us this morning. 00:01:27.740 --> 00:01:28.340 Thanks, Lyle. 00:01:28.660 --> 00:01:29.200 Thank you. 00:01:29.200 --> 00:01:31.060 Thank you so much. 00:01:34.260 --> 00:01:35.500 Well, good morning. 00:01:37.740 --> 00:01:44.420 It's absolutely a pleasure, joy to stand before you all. 00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:47.140 It's something that I do not take lightly. 00:01:47.659 --> 00:01:55.299 Any opportunity to preach the gospel, to preach God's word is a time that I enjoy. 00:01:55.460 --> 00:01:59.599 But I also know that there is a lot of seriousness to come along with it. 00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:11.379 Charles Gardner Taylor and James Earl Massey describes preaching as the sweet torture of Sunday morning. 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:16.299 And so you have that juxtaposition there. 00:02:17.079 --> 00:02:19.879 He is correct on a lot of things. 00:02:20.019 --> 00:02:22.340 I am from Lincoln Village now. 00:02:22.479 --> 00:02:23.859 I've been there for five years. 00:02:24.199 --> 00:02:26.879 August 1st will be a year of marriage. 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:31.719 The one thing he was wrong with is that I actually am the Mahesh's child. 00:02:31.960 --> 00:02:32.259 I don't know. 00:02:33.219 --> 00:02:37.519 So I don't know where he got that information from, but I should take it back. 00:02:39.060 --> 00:02:42.359 Being in Lincoln Village, I've had the privilege of meeting a lot of you. 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:47.259 And it's been awesome to be able to work alongside some of you. 00:02:47.740 --> 00:02:54.300 I would like to say a couple of names, even though that means that a lot more people will be upset. 00:02:54.300 --> 00:02:56.939 But I don't think Cynthia Mann is here. 00:02:57.040 --> 00:02:57.760 I haven't seen her. 00:02:58.680 --> 00:03:02.080 But she has done an amazing job at the Village Church. 00:03:02.180 --> 00:03:07.580 She was a co-worker of mine and your family member here at this church. 00:03:07.800 --> 00:03:09.640 She was a co-worker of mine for five years. 00:03:09.920 --> 00:03:15.220 And she and I had a lot of fun making Alex's job very hard. 00:03:15.219 --> 00:03:20.759 So I miss her on this Sunday, but I miss her even more working with her. 00:03:21.300 --> 00:03:28.259 A few people that I've been able to see do great works with Lincoln Village Ministry, the Noehead family. 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:32.699 My wife and I personally are very grateful for your services. 00:03:32.699 --> 00:03:37.259 But they do great works in the community. 00:03:37.459 --> 00:03:46.379 And their daughter, I had the privilege of serving alongside her last summer at our camp that I'm the director at in Lincoln Village. 00:03:46.539 --> 00:03:48.419 So I'm so grateful for that. 00:03:48.519 --> 00:03:57.719 And Dr. Koss, I don't know if he's here, but I came here with a lot of injuries mainly because of sports, but also because I just didn't go to the doctor. 00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:01.960 And when I came here, he's been able to help fix a lot of those kinks. 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:12.139 And the Judge family, the cool thing about Mr. Allen Judge is that actually he helped me buy my house in Huntsville. 00:04:12.539 --> 00:04:15.300 He was the guy that made sure all the paperwork was legalized. 00:04:15.740 --> 00:04:22.959 And so that's when all the confusion started because I was like, so last night you're a judge, but you're a lawyer. 00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:25.079 And he had to explain that to me. 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:34.340 All right, so his son, Joseph, is working with us this summer at Lincoln Village. 00:04:34.340 --> 00:04:36.500 And he's been doing marvelous works there as well. 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:40.440 So it's just a privilege to know so many of you all here. 00:04:40.700 --> 00:04:47.680 And last but not least, my family, the Mahesh family, they, of course, took me in. 00:04:47.740 --> 00:04:51.480 I had the privilege of living with them up until after I got married. 00:04:51.480 --> 00:04:56.120 And so that has been one of the greatest moments and experiences of my life. 00:04:56.600 --> 00:04:59.920 So I'm so grateful for them. 00:05:00.200 --> 00:05:03.180 And so I let you guys know that I know a lot of these people. 00:05:03.379 --> 00:05:07.180 That way you wouldn't boo at me while I'm preaching. 00:05:07.580 --> 00:05:12.840 You would at least wait until you get to the parking lot or inside your car. 00:05:12.839 --> 00:05:21.479 And to the session of the church and to especially Will for giving me this opportunity, I'm so grateful. 00:05:22.019 --> 00:05:26.259 I do want to make one more mention and notice. 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:36.359 And that is that recently I heard out of the foyer there that Zach and Carlita Howard celebrated their 10th year, I believe, of marriage. 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:38.400 So if y'all would, y'all clap for that. 00:05:38.460 --> 00:05:39.220 That's amazing. 00:05:44.699 --> 00:05:47.180 Like I said, we've almost been married a year. 00:05:47.280 --> 00:05:52.900 And one secret that I've learned in marriage is communication is very important. 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:57.720 There was a couple that had been married for over 45 years. 00:05:58.259 --> 00:06:02.020 And the husband one morning decided he was going to be safe on the romantic. 00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:10.639 And he said, dear, after 45 plus years, I can honestly say that you are tried and true. 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:13.039 And his wife didn't have her hearing aid in. 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:15.299 So she put it in and she said, say that again. 00:06:15.719 --> 00:06:20.979 And he said, after 45 plus years, I can honestly say that you have been tried and true. 00:06:21.379 --> 00:06:25.399 And she looked at him and said, after 45 plus years, I can honestly say I'm tired of you too. 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:30.620 And so just make sure that you communicate very well. 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:32.620 So make sure you communicate very well. 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:34.879 If you will, will you pray with me? 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:39.500 Lord, I'm so grateful for this opportunity. 00:06:39.740 --> 00:06:47.439 Right now, Lord, we ask that you will bring our ears closer to your word and bring our hearts closer to submission. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:52.720 Father, we ask that you will allow us all to decrease and that you may increase, 00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:56.439 that they may see all of you and none of me. 00:06:57.399 --> 00:06:58.980 In Christ's name, amen. 00:06:58.980 --> 00:06:59.100 Amen. 00:07:00.540 --> 00:07:11.660 I will read just for a moment 2 Samuel 12, verses 1 through 7, the first portion of verse 7. 00:07:12.220 --> 00:07:15.840 But we will look at chapter 11 throughout the sermon. 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:18.740 And then towards the end, if you want to have your Bibles ready, 00:07:19.080 --> 00:07:22.280 we will look at a few snippets here and there of Psalm 51. 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:27.659 But the bulk of our time will be 2 Samuel chapter 11 and 12. 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:31.299 Chapter 11, excuse me, chapter 12, verse 1. 00:07:32.559 --> 00:07:33.679 It says, 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:38.280 And the Lord sent Nathan to David. 00:07:38.280 --> 00:07:40.759 He came to him and said, 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:47.920 There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 00:07:47.920 --> 00:07:58.900 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. 00:07:59.420 --> 00:08:03.040 And he brought it up and it grew up with him and with his children. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:08.639 It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms. 00:08:09.200 --> 00:08:10.900 And it was like a daughter to him. 00:08:10.899 --> 00:08:23.259 Now, there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guests who had come to him. 00:08:23.539 --> 00:08:30.099 But he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had came to him. 00:08:31.219 --> 00:08:34.759 Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man. 00:08:34.759 --> 00:08:41.019 And he said to Nathan, As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die. 00:08:41.580 --> 00:08:50.439 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold because he did this thing and because he had no pity. 00:08:51.379 --> 00:08:55.620 Nathan said to David, You are the man. 00:08:57.779 --> 00:09:03.480 We're going to look at the idea or the subject for a few moments. 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:08.399 The gospel is really for you. 00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:11.220 The gospel is really for you. 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:22.240 It has been given to Peter, the apostle of our Lord, the credit of having said the two greatest confessions a man could possibly say. 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:30.060 The first greatest confession and profession being found in Matthew 16, 16, when he said, 00:09:30.059 --> 00:09:34.199 You are the Christ, the son of the living God. 00:09:34.199 --> 00:09:44.099 The second greatest confession and declaration being found in Acts 10, 26, as he tells Cornelius, who had just fell down to worship him, 00:09:44.439 --> 00:09:45.119 Stand up. 00:09:45.919 --> 00:09:48.099 I, too, am but a man. 00:09:49.459 --> 00:09:56.839 It would do us very well to daily recite these two declarations. 00:09:56.840 --> 00:10:03.899 God is God and I am just human. 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:07.280 We have a hard time remembering those two. 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:14.220 We have a hard time remembering that God is God, that he is omnipotent. 00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:16.740 He has all power in his hand. 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:19.840 We have a hard time remembering that God is omniscient. 00:10:20.800 --> 00:10:24.300 That means he sits high, he looks low, he sees everything. 00:10:24.299 --> 00:10:30.500 We have a hard time believing and remembering that God is omnipresent. 00:10:31.199 --> 00:10:33.379 He is everywhere at all times. 00:10:33.740 --> 00:10:40.939 And as the African-American church used to say, that God is so big that when he moves, he bumps into himself. 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:43.459 We have a hard time remembering that. 00:10:43.460 --> 00:10:52.200 But perhaps the thing that we share equally in forgetfulness is that we are just human. 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:58.019 We are limited because limitless is for God alone. 00:10:58.900 --> 00:11:03.519 We get hungry because self-sufficiency is for God alone. 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:07.960 We are finite because infiniteness is for God alone. 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:13.879 We forget that we are just human. 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:19.480 No matter how strong you get, you still got to go to sleep. 00:11:20.400 --> 00:11:25.480 No matter how smart you get, you still get confused. 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:32.700 No matter how big your house is, we all get the same size coffin. 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:36.700 Because we are just human. 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:39.220 Sometimes we forget that. 00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:44.540 We would like to believe, we want to believe that we are perfect. 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:48.440 That we like to believe we're superheroes. 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:52.000 That we are above so many things. 00:11:53.340 --> 00:12:00.620 When the fact is, when it comes to the need of Jesus and his salvation, we are all on the same level. 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:05.580 Now here, we find King David. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:12.779 The one that has been chosen to be king even though he was the youngest of eight. 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:19.840 The one that defeated a bear and a lion that came to harm his sheep under his care. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:20.620 King David. 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:29.879 The only one that was bold enough to fight Goliath even though he was just a shepherd boy in the midst of soldiers. 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:30.879 King David. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:31.299 King David. 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:38.600 The one whose rhythmic fingers could calm the angry soul of Saul. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.340 This David. 00:12:41.379 --> 00:12:49.220 The one that would not disrespect or kill King Saul even though he knew that the throne would one day be his. 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:52.720 Here we have King David. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:58.460 The one who Paul said was a man after God's own heart. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:02.540 And with all this being true about David, he was just a man. 00:13:02.539 --> 00:13:14.719 If we look at chapter 11, quickly we will see what leads up to Nathan's rebuke in chapter 12. 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:17.679 Chapter 11 verse 1 opens up with, 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:39.120 Now some like to look at this verse 1 and say, see, this right here, that's the problem. 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:41.879 They reprimand David for not going to war. 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:46.179 It says it was the time that kings went to war and yet David stayed at home. 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:51.039 Whether it's laziness or idleness, whatever it is, here we already have a problem. 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:56.000 You can look at it that way, but I don't think that's necessarily the case here. 00:13:56.720 --> 00:14:06.440 I don't think that we're looking at David's idleness or lack of going to war as the beginning of this great sin that we see here in chapter 11. 00:14:06.440 --> 00:14:11.840 I think the author was just telling us that this is a time that they usually go to war. 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:15.080 So David sent his army and he decided not to go this time. 00:14:15.880 --> 00:14:19.560 My professor at Beeson said, David is the king. 00:14:19.660 --> 00:14:21.040 He can do whatever he wants to do. 00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:27.860 Whether the author is trying to foreshadow David's sin or not, we don't know. 00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:31.120 Nevertheless, David stays at home. 00:14:32.160 --> 00:14:33.080 And what does he do? 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:34.800 He does what most people do. 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:40.259 He began to walk around the house and then he does what most people don't do. 00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:41.979 He begins to walk on his roof. 00:14:42.579 --> 00:14:46.059 And he walks on the roof and he sees a woman bathing. 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:53.179 And we're looking at the story and we're watching the movie and we're saying, oh no, David, turn away. 00:14:53.359 --> 00:14:53.939 Turn away. 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:55.419 Close your eyes. 00:14:55.419 --> 00:15:02.799 But the Bible says that he was mesmerized and he inquired about her. 00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:04.199 Who is she? 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.299 I must know. 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:17.599 This would probably mean that the people he was asking, he had to go get them, bring them to look at her if she was still bathing, and ask, tell them, look at her, who is she? 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:23.519 Now, he has pulled other people into his sinful lust and desire. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:27.000 The description is pretty detailed, right? 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.360 If you read it, it says this. 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:34.860 That's Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:38.680 So, they give him pretty good description. 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:40.139 David, this is Bathsheba. 00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:40.860 You know her. 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:44.940 Well, all right, if you don't know her, surely you know her father, Eliam. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.759 Yeah, that's his daughter. 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:53.539 All right, you may not, I know you know Eliam, but just to be sure you know who she is, this is the wife of Uriah the Hittite. 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:56.680 So, what is this? 00:15:56.680 --> 00:16:04.460 Uriah was known and recorded in the Bible as one of David's most loyal fighters. 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:11.820 And we will see even later on in chapter 11 that when David brings him home, he refuses to go home because he says, 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:14.960 I can't go to fight when my brothers are on the war field. 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:17.019 I can't stay here and relax at home. 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:18.759 I want to go fight with my brothers. 00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:20.139 He was a loyal fighter. 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:24.200 Well, that's who Uriah is. 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:27.800 He's her husband. 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.980 David, you know her, right? 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:31.139 The daughter of Eliam. 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:38.819 Eliam was known as one of David's elite 30 soldiers and warriors that stayed close to him at all times. 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:45.360 It would be like, I guess, a mixture of the Navy SEAL and the security next to the president all combined. 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:48.379 And then you mix in some Bruce Lee and all that stuff. 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:50.159 He's an elite warrior. 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:55.120 So, David knew Eliam and he knew Uriah the Hittite. 00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:56.659 And what does David do? 00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:01.699 Does he say, huh, I can't believe I even thought about that. 00:17:01.719 --> 00:17:02.100 I'm sorry. 00:17:02.179 --> 00:17:02.459 I'm sorry. 00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:03.719 You can go about your business now. 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:04.859 No. 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:09.519 He says, bring her to me. 00:17:12.119 --> 00:17:21.119 He's completely inconsiderate because his sin has caused him not to care about who these people are and what they have done for him and their loyalty to him. 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:28.299 He knows that Bathsheba is the wife of one of his top soldiers, soldiers that is off to war. 00:17:28.439 --> 00:17:31.500 And he knows that she's the daughter of one of his elite warriors. 00:17:31.719 --> 00:17:34.959 And their loyalty and service means nothing to him right now. 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:36.619 He sins for her. 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.779 And she came. 00:17:38.179 --> 00:17:39.599 And he lay with her. 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:50.539 Now, if you look in verse chapter 11, after this, we find out a key detail that David probably knew before he laid with her. 00:17:51.679 --> 00:17:58.119 She was bathing as part of her purifying ritual from her uncleanliness. 00:17:59.459 --> 00:18:01.959 It's more than likely one of two reasons. 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:04.679 One of two reasons that she was purifying herself. 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:09.220 Because of Old Testament laws, she may have just came off her menstrual cycle. 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:15.000 And the Bible says that you cannot touch a woman during or after until she has cleansed herself. 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:21.259 Or she could have been on her way to worship, which is probably what was going on. 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:29.539 Before Israelites went to worship, there was about two or three cleansing ceremonies they had and rituals they had to perform. 00:18:29.620 --> 00:18:31.460 Usually they would clean herself at home. 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:36.120 And this cleansing is a reminder that they need to be cleansed spiritually as well. 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:38.059 Their soul needs to be cleansed. 00:18:38.340 --> 00:18:40.740 And so they would travel to the temple. 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:47.880 And the temple would have another area where they can cleanse themselves again in case their feet or legs or whatever got dusty along the way. 00:18:49.360 --> 00:18:54.180 If it's the latter, if she was cleansing herself because she was heading to the temple, 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:59.279 it is possible then that her husband is headed for war. 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:02.420 She is headed for worship. 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:05.220 And David has chosen neither one of them. 00:19:05.860 --> 00:19:08.140 He's headed towards wickedness. 00:19:09.820 --> 00:19:15.820 And now this woman, Bathsheba, that has just cleansed herself, 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:22.819 has been tainted by the king they are all supposed to be able to trust. 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:26.399 Now we know the rest of the story. 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:30.220 If you don't know, I will try to fill you in real quick. 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:32.079 She sends a message to David. 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.339 I'm pregnant. 00:19:34.439 --> 00:19:37.000 He sends a message for Uriah to come. 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:40.579 Now, Uriah comes home and relax. 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:45.619 And he tells him, go home, enjoy your wife, be merry. 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:51.619 And Uriah decides he's going to stay there in the king's palace and sleep instead. 00:19:52.279 --> 00:20:00.319 Because he cannot see himself enjoying his wife, enjoying drinking from his cup, 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:05.359 eating his own meal while his brothers are off at war. 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:09.359 Uriah does not go home. 00:20:09.439 --> 00:20:10.919 So David says, I know what. 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:13.199 I'll get him drunk. 00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:15.539 And then convince him to go home. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:18.899 See, I got to get him to lay with his wife so when he finds out she's pregnant, 00:20:18.979 --> 00:20:19.859 he would think it's his. 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:28.199 But even a drunken Uriah shows more character than David does at this moment. 00:20:28.939 --> 00:20:31.079 He refuses to go home. 00:20:31.679 --> 00:20:35.179 So David decides, I have to kill him. 00:20:35.959 --> 00:20:41.319 So he writes a letter saying, put Uriah on the front line. 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:46.559 And when the battle gets heavy, everybody fall back and leave Uriah by himself. 00:20:47.939 --> 00:20:52.179 He writes in a letter, he seals it, and he has Uriah, 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:57.100 he has Uriah send his own execution letter to their commander. 00:20:57.099 --> 00:21:13.000 So you can kind of see how one sin, one act can cause so much pain, so much more sin. 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:17.680 Uriah is killed. 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:21.500 Belshazzar, Belshazzar, Belshazzar, Belshazzar, Belshazzar, Belshazzar, Belshazzar, Belshazzar, Belshazzar, Belshazzar, Belshazzar. 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:24.640 David no longer has to worry about the husband knowing, right? 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.820 He's good. 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:27.000 He's safe. 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.500 Come home to me. 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:30.080 I will take care of the child. 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:31.779 No one has to know about this. 00:21:32.899 --> 00:21:34.159 He's good. 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.980 He's in the clear. 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:43.779 Except for one very key detail at the end of chapter 11, verse 27. 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:52.480 But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. 00:21:54.700 --> 00:22:03.200 So now we get to chapter 12, and it opens by saying that the Lord sent Nathan to David. 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:08.079 Now there's been a lot of sending going on in chapter 11. 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:10.079 I don't know if you ever read it or noticed it. 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.160 There's a lot of sending. 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.079 It's a lot of sending. 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:17.819 David sent Joab and his servants to battle in chapter 11, verse 1. 00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:21.319 David sent and inquired in verse 3. 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:24.759 He sent messengers to Bathsheba in verse 4. 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:28.399 Bathsheba sent news to David that she was pregnant in verse 5. 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:34.339 In verse 6, David sent word to Joab saying, send me Uriah. 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:36.699 And Joab sent Uriah to David. 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:42.259 David wrote a letter in verse 14 and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:43.440 Verse 18. 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:46.740 Joab sent and told David that Uriah is dead. 00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:47.880 Verse 22. 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:53.080 The messengers told David all that Joab has sent them to tell. 00:22:53.079 --> 00:23:02.039 And lastly, in verse 27, when Bathsheba was done mourning, David sent and brought her to his house. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:05.339 It's been a lot of sending going on. 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:08.119 And now we get to chapter 12. 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:15.539 And since everything in chapter 11 is being sent either to or from David, the Lord decides, I'm going to do some sending. 00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:18.579 And what does he do? 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:23.039 He sends Nathan to tell David this parable. 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:29.619 David, there was a rich man who had plenty. 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:32.399 He had all kinds of cattle. 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:34.619 He didn't even have to work hard for it. 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.960 Had plenty. 00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:44.119 And then we have this poor man who with his own money bought one female lamb. 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:48.240 And this lamb, oh, David, he loved the lamb. 00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:50.619 He treated the lamb like his own child. 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:53.819 The lamb ate from his plate, his drink out of his cup. 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:59.439 At bed, sometimes he would lay with the lamb and he would hold the lamb and his children all together at one time. 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.679 He loved the lamb. 00:24:01.899 --> 00:24:03.799 And then there was a traveler that came, David. 00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:07.779 And he went to visit and stay at the rich man's house. 00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:13.879 Now, Israelites law required that if the sojourner needed somewhere to stay, you gave it to him. 00:24:13.919 --> 00:24:17.000 And not only that, you gave him food to eat and water to drink. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:22.039 You took care of the widows, the poor, the orphan, and the sojourners. 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:25.380 So he says, all right, I'll obey the law. 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:28.019 I will take care of them. 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:32.279 But instead of David, of using all the options he had of his own sheep, 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:40.579 he decided to take the only sheep whom the poor man loved to feed the stranger. 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:43.720 David got angry. 00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:47.339 David is angry. 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:51.439 And he says, this man deserves to die. 00:24:53.659 --> 00:24:58.899 If nothing else, he will repay that sheep fourfold, which was their law. 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:01.980 If you stole something or you took something unlawfully, 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:04.799 you had to return it and pay four times the amount. 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:12.180 And Nathan looks at him and says, you're the man. 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:14.839 Gosh. 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:19.220 Can you imagine how David felt? 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:27.720 His friend and prophet Nathan knows the secret. 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:34.620 He, David, now knows it clicks what actually happened. 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:45.720 And even more importantly, he realizes the Lord, Yahweh, knows what he has done. 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:57.240 What must it have felt like for David to be humbled by the realization of sin? 00:25:58.620 --> 00:26:05.220 He realizes that he's the king of Israel and he's no better than anyone else. 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:09.519 Everyone sees him as a hero. 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:17.620 And he faces the realization that according to his own word, he deserves to be put to death. 00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:27.819 My brothers and sisters at Southwood, has Nathan come to your house? 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:38.439 Has Nathan told you the parable of people addicted to bad drugs? 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:45.980 And as soon as you get angry and start condemning and convicting them, he says, you're the man. 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:49.439 Because you can't go to a house without caffeine. 00:26:49.440 --> 00:27:01.360 Has Nathan knocked on your door and told you about the people that go to the strip clubs and sleep with prostitutes. 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:05.120 And as soon as you get finished condemning them, he says, you're the man. 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:08.460 Because it's no different than pornography. 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.039 Has he? 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:18.360 Has Nathan come to your house and turned on your TV so that you can see all the burglars and robbers out there? 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:25.640 And as soon as you get finished saying what the law ought to do to him, he says, you're the man. 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:28.740 Because you lied and cheated on your taxes. 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:34.019 Has Nathan come to your house? 00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:42.340 Has he revealed to you that you judge people that sin differently than you? 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.660 Look, we're all sinners. 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:52.500 David was not perfect. 00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:55.039 No one, except for Jesus. 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.580 Get it? 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.400 I want you to understand this. 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:58.100 No one in the Bible was perfect. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:05.660 Not even that great apostle Paul who said of himself in Romans 7, 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:08.779 for I do not understand my own actions. 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:14.220 For I do not do what I want, but I do the thing that I hate. 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:21.360 So it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:25.180 For I know that nothing good dwells in me. 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:27.000 That is, in my flesh. 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:31.079 For I know that nothing good dwells in me. 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:35.680 For I have the desire to do what's right, but not the capability to carry it out. 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:38.039 Paul was not perfect. 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:46.759 The older Paul got, the more he saw how big of a sinner he really was. 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:49.599 He says this in one of his earlier letters. 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:50.740 He says this, 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:56.740 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle. 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:58.519 What is that? 00:28:58.880 --> 00:29:00.700 He's the least of what, 12 people? 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:07.019 And then later on, in Ephesians 3.8, he says this, 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:09.720 I'm the very least of all the saints. 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.880 He's getting a little bit more perspective. 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:20.100 But then, in one of his later writings, and the older he got, he said this in 1 Timothy 1.15, 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:27.720 Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 00:29:29.560 --> 00:29:32.020 See, Paul said, I'm the worst of all the apostles. 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.640 Then he lived a little longer. 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:36.320 Then he said, I'm the worst of all the saints. 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:43.799 He lived a little longer and found out, I am the chief of all sinners. 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:50.539 And as you're nodding your heads, and as you're agreeing, Paul is right about himself. 00:29:51.159 --> 00:29:54.519 I'm here to tell you, this isn't about Paul anymore. 00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:57.059 You're the man. 00:29:57.059 --> 00:30:07.919 How could Paul say this and still feel safe with God? 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:13.740 Because he knew what he wrote earlier in Romans 5.20, 00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:19.379 where sin increased, grace increased more. 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:31.220 See, this is the time for David to know that God's grace is not just for the bad people. 00:30:33.340 --> 00:30:36.280 It's for the believers and followers of Yahweh. 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:42.480 Too many Christians act as if Jesus did not die for them. 00:30:42.780 --> 00:30:45.860 If he didn't die for my sins, I'd still be okay. 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:51.099 He didn't have to die on the cross for my sin. 00:30:53.139 --> 00:30:54.479 Maybe just one nail. 00:30:54.639 --> 00:30:55.379 I think that would have done. 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.839 Maybe a little bit of a whooping. 00:30:56.959 --> 00:30:58.639 That would have taken care of my sins. 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:03.599 He did not die just for the rapists and serial killers. 00:31:04.479 --> 00:31:09.299 He did not die just for the people in the jailhouse and the courtrooms. 00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:12.139 The gospel message isn't just for them. 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:16.280 It is for each and every person in Southwood today. 00:31:17.600 --> 00:31:23.780 So whether or not you don't know Jesus, the gospel is for you. 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:31.480 And even if you're here to advance the kingdom of God and experience and express his grace, 00:31:31.780 --> 00:31:34.280 Jesus and the gospel is still for you. 00:31:35.620 --> 00:31:38.080 Jesus is for everybody. 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:40.500 The gospel is for everybody. 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:47.740 And it's only by God's grace and mercy that you are the person you are today. 00:31:48.940 --> 00:31:55.160 Now, if you're realizing what David is realizing right now, and that is, 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:57.720 I'm not as good as I thought. 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:01.339 I have sinned against God. 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:04.819 I continue to fail over and over. 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:06.680 I abandon my responsibilities. 00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:08.259 I cheated on the one I love. 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:10.379 Well, hear these words today. 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:15.259 Where there is sin, there is grace. 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:21.059 Where there is sin, there is grace. 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:24.819 Where there is more sin, there is more grace. 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:27.720 Well, shall I sin so that grace may abound? 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:29.539 By no means. 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:38.299 But no matter how big or small you think your sin is, Jesus died on the cross for you. 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:41.799 It took the cross for you. 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:50.440 David, thanks to Nathan, is confronted with his sin. 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:54.240 Have you faced your sins? 00:32:55.220 --> 00:33:00.500 Have you realized that against God and only God have you sinned? 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.700 Yes, yes. 00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:04.640 David, he sinned against Uriah and his family. 00:33:05.339 --> 00:33:13.140 He sinned against his entire king, but more importantly, he realized, I sinned against God and God alone. 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:27.380 So as I was reading this and reading Psalms 51, I could not get one of the artists, one of the singers that I really like out of my head. 00:33:28.300 --> 00:33:35.940 He ended up cheating on his wife with another singer's wife, another Christian singer. 00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:44.680 After a couple of years of repentance to his own wife, he came out with another album called The Whole Truth. 00:33:45.080 --> 00:33:47.200 And it's a wordplay, The Whole Truth. 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:48.940 It's basically saying, I'm telling everything now. 00:33:49.120 --> 00:33:52.299 But he goes by the name The D-A-Truth. 00:33:52.340 --> 00:33:55.160 He's educated, but he's a rapper, so he has to misspell it. 00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:58.080 And so he goes by The Truth. 00:33:58.079 --> 00:34:08.079 And the reason he's saying The Whole Truth is not just because I'm telling all the truth, but also because he says, me, going by the rabbit of truth, I'm whole again. 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.199 I'm whole again. 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:11.500 Here's some of these words that he says in his song. 00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:16.539 When I was dead, he revived my soul. 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:20.139 He takes the broken and makes them whole. 00:34:20.719 --> 00:34:23.519 He takes the bound and makes them free. 00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:26.059 Takes the weak and makes them strong. 00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:28.699 All of my sins have been erased. 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:30.840 He has lifted my disgrace. 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.739 I'm overjoyed. 00:34:33.259 --> 00:34:36.880 Oh, the joy that Jesus will make me whole. 00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:42.519 See, these are words of someone that understands grace. 00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:48.320 And to be honest, it's a lot of people that understand God's grace. 00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:50.699 That's not the reason they're not coming to church. 00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:54.679 They don't come to church not because they don't think God's gracious. 00:34:54.679 --> 00:34:55.879 They know he's gracious. 00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:58.119 The problem is his people aren't gracious. 00:34:59.239 --> 00:35:04.659 And his people hold sins over people because it makes you feel better. 00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:07.179 At least I'm not like that person. 00:35:07.259 --> 00:35:08.659 At least I didn't do what she did. 00:35:10.399 --> 00:35:11.460 Let me read a few more. 00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:12.679 And we're getting... 00:35:12.679 --> 00:35:14.199 It says, 00:35:14.199 --> 00:35:16.440 It's impossible to keep secrets covered. 00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:19.940 Who would have known that my indiscretions would reach my cousins? 00:35:20.299 --> 00:35:23.019 I apologize to me, me, my niece, and others. 00:35:23.359 --> 00:35:26.799 You should have been able to trust, but I breached the covenant. 00:35:27.339 --> 00:35:29.839 I knew you all before you was able to reach the cupboard. 00:35:30.259 --> 00:35:33.279 Now, when I preach in public, it's all out the window. 00:35:33.919 --> 00:35:37.219 Consent contradicted a lot of what my pen wrote. 00:35:37.219 --> 00:35:39.419 It wasn't hardly right. 00:35:39.739 --> 00:35:40.899 What I did was wrong. 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:42.039 And it ticks me off. 00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:43.219 And it sets me off. 00:35:43.439 --> 00:35:47.119 And I hate the consequences because death results. 00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:50.039 But I know that I reap what I sow. 00:35:50.759 --> 00:35:54.319 He didn't tempt me, but he let me fall. 00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:57.459 Now I carry all that pain. 00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:59.359 Sin left me scarred. 00:35:59.679 --> 00:36:02.480 He let me fall, but he didn't let me go. 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:07.500 And I know I went astray, and sin left me broke. 00:36:07.900 --> 00:36:09.679 At times, I'm quiet. 00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:11.179 I just get a chair. 00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:12.559 I sit and stare. 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:15.260 Think about the ways that sin affected my fiscal year. 00:36:16.199 --> 00:36:18.240 The tide is turning now and shifting gears. 00:36:18.639 --> 00:36:21.719 And though I'm weak, he's giving strength in the midst of tears. 00:36:22.260 --> 00:36:30.260 That's the sound of someone who messed up but understands God's love and grace. 00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:31.320 Will there be consequences? 00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:31.800 Yes. 00:36:33.000 --> 00:36:35.840 He will save you from your sins, but not the consequences. 00:36:37.059 --> 00:36:38.460 Will some things change? 00:36:38.860 --> 00:36:39.400 Yes. 00:36:40.100 --> 00:36:46.760 But your sins are the very reason that Jesus came, died, and rose. 00:36:48.120 --> 00:36:50.360 Learn from David real quick these three pointers. 00:36:51.240 --> 00:36:55.240 He tells us three things that Satan does in Psalms 51. 00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:58.539 And he teaches us three things that we can do. 00:36:58.539 --> 00:37:01.840 He teaches us that the devil tempts us. 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:04.019 The devil tempts us. 00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:10.219 If you fall for the temptation, Satan then accuses you. 00:37:10.659 --> 00:37:11.659 He becomes your accuser. 00:37:12.219 --> 00:37:15.099 Not only does he tempt you, but he then tells God what you did. 00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:16.420 And he tells everyone. 00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:18.079 He tries to get everyone. 00:37:18.079 --> 00:37:22.779 After this, the third thing that Satan does is he discourages you. 00:37:23.739 --> 00:37:26.739 He makes you believe no one will forgive you. 00:37:27.819 --> 00:37:30.840 God is so disappointed and upset he will never love you again. 00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:32.880 Your wife won't believe you. 00:37:33.180 --> 00:37:35.019 Your children won't look up to you again. 00:37:35.620 --> 00:37:37.720 Those are the lies that Satan tells you. 00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:41.200 But here's what Psalm 51 teaches us. 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:44.460 It teaches us that you have confidence. 00:37:44.460 --> 00:37:50.280 David in verse 1 asks God to have mercy on him. 00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:57.119 Not because he deserved it, but according to your steadfast love and your abundant mercy. 00:37:58.320 --> 00:38:00.039 After confidence, confession. 00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:03.019 Against you and only you have our sin. 00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:08.840 And lastly, after confidence and confession, you can have cleansing. 00:38:10.320 --> 00:38:13.179 He will blot out your transgressions. 00:38:13.179 --> 00:38:16.460 He will wash you thoroughly and cleanse you. 00:38:16.819 --> 00:38:18.579 He will purge you with hyssop. 00:38:18.980 --> 00:38:21.839 You will be white as snow. 00:38:22.579 --> 00:38:28.980 My brothers and sisters, if you don't get anything else from today, I want you to understand this. 00:38:29.619 --> 00:38:34.639 Joseph and Allison and all of you, I want you to understand this. 00:38:35.339 --> 00:38:39.559 Being a Christian is not being perfect. 00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:47.340 It is saying, God, I need you every hour of the day. 00:38:48.239 --> 00:38:52.500 Being a Christian does not mean you are happy all the time. 00:38:52.699 --> 00:38:55.420 Because happiness is based on what's happening. 00:38:55.960 --> 00:38:59.019 But you will say that the joy of the Lord is my strength. 00:38:59.320 --> 00:39:02.099 And again, I say at all times, I will rejoice. 00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:04.699 That is what it means to be a Christian. 00:39:04.699 --> 00:39:10.859 Being a Christian does not mean you finally have it all figured out and together. 00:39:11.539 --> 00:39:12.439 Or that you're flawless. 00:39:13.460 --> 00:39:15.079 That's not what it means. 00:39:15.419 --> 00:39:19.480 Because no matter what, you can try harder and it won't be enough. 00:39:19.639 --> 00:39:22.779 You can get smarter and it won't be enough. 00:39:22.980 --> 00:39:24.419 You can keep all the rules. 00:39:24.639 --> 00:39:25.799 You can keep all the rituals. 00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:27.679 And it won't be enough. 00:39:27.679 --> 00:39:36.000 Being a Christian means you say I put all my hope and trust in Jesus Christ and what he did for me on the cross. 00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:41.779 So parents, you don't have to be perfect. 00:39:42.679 --> 00:39:44.539 Just be present. 00:39:45.659 --> 00:39:48.559 Children, you don't have to be perfect. 00:39:49.239 --> 00:39:51.319 Just be grateful. 00:39:52.199 --> 00:39:54.599 Spouses, you don't have to be perfect. 00:39:55.059 --> 00:39:56.219 Just be forgiving. 00:39:56.219 --> 00:39:59.319 Christians, you don't have to be perfect. 00:39:59.719 --> 00:40:01.159 Just be faithful. 00:40:01.459 --> 00:40:02.519 Not perfect. 00:40:03.179 --> 00:40:03.759 Faithful. 00:40:04.079 --> 00:40:06.879 You won't be perfect, but be faithful. 00:40:07.099 --> 00:40:12.759 Your life won't be perfect, but you must have perfect faith in the cross. 00:40:13.799 --> 00:40:18.019 And know that Christ loves you. 00:40:18.980 --> 00:40:21.259 He died for you. 00:40:21.480 --> 00:40:23.699 He forgives you. 00:40:23.699 --> 00:40:26.259 He will not forsake you. 00:40:26.699 --> 00:40:29.719 Because the gospel is real. 00:40:30.319 --> 00:40:34.199 And it's really for you. 00:40:35.079 --> 00:40:35.460 Amen? 00:40:36.119 --> 00:40:37.239 Let's pray. 00:40:38.839 --> 00:40:46.619 Father, there are so many times that we look at our sins. 00:40:46.619 --> 00:40:51.980 And we think that these are the easy ones for you to forgive. 00:40:53.619 --> 00:41:01.000 And when our rougher sins come along, we say you will never love us again. 00:41:02.639 --> 00:41:07.639 Father, give us the confidence to approach your throne and ask for mercy and forgiveness. 00:41:07.639 --> 00:41:18.719 Father, give the spouses here the faith to trust the gospel, not just when their spouse lied to them, but even if they cheat on them. 00:41:19.719 --> 00:41:31.139 Father, give the parents the faith to trust the gospel, not just when the children are having a bad day, but even if they commit a crime. 00:41:31.139 --> 00:41:40.819 Father, give the parents to still trust that the gospel is real, it is true, that we must place our faith in you, and that you will love us, you will forgive us. 00:41:43.299 --> 00:41:46.259 And Father, draw us closer to you. 00:41:47.460 --> 00:41:52.019 Remind us that these kind of messages aren't for the person to our right or left. 00:41:52.259 --> 00:41:54.440 It's not for the person that should have came to church today. 00:41:54.440 --> 00:41:59.099 But that these kind of messages are always for us. 00:42:00.460 --> 00:42:00.980 Amen. 00:42:04.500 --> 00:42:08.679 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org.