WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:05.900 Well, turn with me in a Bible, if you have one, to 2 Samuel chapter 20. 00:00:06.459 --> 00:00:10.500 If you're looking in one of the Pew Bibles, it's page 272. 00:00:13.300 --> 00:00:18.740 We have been going through the life of David in the book of 2 Samuel. 00:00:20.240 --> 00:00:26.740 And, you know, that song we sung is actually similar to what we'll get to in a couple weeks, 00:00:26.739 --> 00:00:31.079 David's song in chapter 22 where he talks about the Lord is my rock. 00:00:31.779 --> 00:00:36.140 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer and all the things that David went through. 00:00:36.239 --> 00:00:39.159 At the end of the day, he could say, Lord, you are my rock. 00:00:39.739 --> 00:00:42.299 You are the reason I can sing praise. 00:00:43.519 --> 00:00:45.820 So we're reading chapter 20 today. 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:51.379 And I'm going to read verse 1 to 22 for us. 00:00:53.399 --> 00:00:55.000 So here we go. 00:00:55.000 --> 00:01:02.640 Now, there happened to be there a worthless man whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. 00:01:02.719 --> 00:01:05.299 And he blew the trumpet and said, We have no portion in David. 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:07.719 We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:09.719 Every man to his tents, O Israel. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:14.319 So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba, the son of Bichri. 00:01:14.920 --> 00:01:19.379 But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem. 00:01:19.379 --> 00:01:21.400 And David came to his house at Jerusalem. 00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:30.380 And the king took the ten concubines whom he had left to care for the house and put them in a house under guard and provided for them, but did not go into them. 00:01:30.379 --> 00:01:35.039 So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as if in widowhood. 00:01:35.839 --> 00:01:44.000 Then the king said to Amasa, who is the newly appointed leader of his army, Call the men of Judah together to me within three days and be here yourself. 00:01:44.179 --> 00:01:48.859 So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the set time that had been appointed him. 00:01:48.859 --> 00:01:54.260 And David said to Abishai, Now Sheba, the son of Bichri, will do us more harm than Absalom. 00:01:54.379 --> 00:02:00.319 Take your Lord's servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us. 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:06.019 And there went out after him Joab's men and the Karathites and the Pelathites and all the mighty men. 00:02:06.099 --> 00:02:09.300 They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba, the son of Bichri. 00:02:09.400 --> 00:02:13.199 When they were at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. 00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:22.000 Now Joab was wearing a soldier's garment, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath, fastened on his thigh. 00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:23.819 And as he went forward, it fell out. 00:02:24.519 --> 00:02:27.759 And Joab said to Amasa, Is it well with you, my brother? 00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:31.280 And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 00:02:31.799 --> 00:02:35.179 But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab's hand. 00:02:35.679 --> 00:02:41.500 So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died. 00:02:41.500 --> 00:02:45.479 Then Joab and Abishai, his brother, pursued Sheba, the son of Bichri. 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:48.139 And one of Joab's young men took his stand by Amasa and said, 00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:52.280 Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab. 00:02:53.259 --> 00:02:58.060 And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the highway, and anyone who came by seeing him stopped. 00:02:58.840 --> 00:03:04.280 And when the man saw that all the people stopped, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field and threw a garment over him. 00:03:04.920 --> 00:03:09.460 When he was taken out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba, the son of Bichri. 00:03:09.460 --> 00:03:15.600 And Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel of Bethmaca, and all the Bichrites assembled and followed him in. 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:19.620 And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaca. 00:03:20.600 --> 00:03:26.460 They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:28.020 Then a wise woman called from the city, 00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:32.159 Listen, listen, tell Joab, come here, that I may speak with you. 00:03:32.659 --> 00:03:34.860 And he came near her, and the woman said, Are you Joab? 00:03:35.200 --> 00:03:36.280 He answered, I am. 00:03:36.280 --> 00:03:39.020 Then she said to him, Listen to the words of your servant. 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:40.140 And he answered, I am listening. 00:03:40.879 --> 00:03:44.259 Then she said, They used to say in former times, Let them but ask counsel at Abel. 00:03:44.300 --> 00:03:45.340 And so they settled a matter. 00:03:45.840 --> 00:03:48.159 I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. 00:03:48.259 --> 00:03:50.819 You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. 00:03:51.240 --> 00:03:53.620 Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord? 00:03:54.259 --> 00:03:57.780 Joab answered, Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy. 00:03:57.900 --> 00:03:58.659 That is not true. 00:03:58.659 --> 00:04:04.039 But a man of the hill country of Ephraim called Sheba, the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. 00:04:04.180 --> 00:04:06.879 Give him up alone, and I will withdraw from the city. 00:04:07.319 --> 00:04:10.780 And the woman said to Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall. 00:04:11.719 --> 00:04:17.339 Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom, and they cut off the head of Sheba, the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. 00:04:17.399 --> 00:04:21.219 So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city every man to his home. 00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:24.139 And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king. 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:32.740 So my wife and I live in the Worcester Square neighborhood, which, if you've been there, it's the historically Italian neighborhood of New Haven. 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:37.899 And we live in a housing complex that has a large population of older Italians. 00:04:38.579 --> 00:04:45.159 And occasionally, when I'm talking to one of our neighbors, they'll begin telling me about what the neighborhood was like when they grew up. 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:50.399 And they'll say, we had street festivals in the summer, lasted for days. 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:51.899 They'd close down the whole street. 00:04:51.899 --> 00:04:55.859 They'd bring in musicians all the way from Italy. 00:04:56.979 --> 00:05:01.539 And we had lots of kids in the neighborhood who would play ball after school every day. 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:05.139 And we had the Businessmen's Association that would keep the streets clean. 00:05:06.599 --> 00:05:11.199 And then if you ask them about their experience in the neighborhood now, 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:14.479 we'll talk about how all the kids have moved away. 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:21.879 There's more trash on the streets than there used to be because no one's there to clean it up on a regular basis. 00:05:22.040 --> 00:05:25.319 And the summer festivals are only a shadow of what they once were. 00:05:25.840 --> 00:05:28.000 And the Italian restaurant across the street is struggling. 00:05:28.540 --> 00:05:31.040 And the other one closed down last year. 00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:34.319 Now, it's not a bad neighborhood, right? 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:37.939 There's still plenty of life going on there. 00:05:37.939 --> 00:05:40.920 There's Pepe's and Sally's and a couple other Italian restaurants. 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:43.480 There's a decent playground that our kids enjoy. 00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:51.600 But for many of my neighbors, their feeling is the Italian neighborhood, the Italian community in New Haven has survived, 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:53.899 but it's not what it once was. 00:05:54.899 --> 00:06:00.100 Now, there's a sense of survival and disappointment together at the same time. 00:06:00.100 --> 00:06:11.120 And that's actually what we see in our passage tonight is survival and disappointment in David's kingdom. 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:16.060 This is the conclusion, actually, of the main storyline of 2 Samuel. 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:21.879 It's not the end of the book, but it's the end of the chronological narrative of David's reign. 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:31.019 The next four chapters are a separate section that gather episodes from different portions of David's reign in the beginning, the middle, and the end. 00:06:32.199 --> 00:06:35.480 But what we've seen so far in the story of David is this. 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:36.620 Basically, three episodes. 00:06:36.819 --> 00:06:43.659 First, we've seen the rise of David in the first ten chapters of 2 Samuel, where he unifies the people. 00:06:43.819 --> 00:06:44.800 He defeats their enemies. 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:47.699 He becomes king in Jerusalem. 00:06:47.699 --> 00:06:53.039 He reigns with justice and mercy, and God promises his throne will be established forever. 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:54.099 It's a high point. 00:06:54.959 --> 00:06:57.719 He's David's rise. 00:06:58.699 --> 00:07:07.620 And then the next eight chapters, we see David's fall, beginning with his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, her husband, 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:12.120 and then the revolt of David's son Absalom, and David has to flee into the wilderness. 00:07:14.120 --> 00:07:17.000 We see David's fall and his exile. 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:23.719 But in chapter 19 and 20, the end of this narrative, we see his restoration and return. 00:07:24.599 --> 00:07:30.219 Absalom is killed, and so David is able to assume his position of authority once again. 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:31.839 He pardons his enemies. 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:33.000 We saw that last week. 00:07:33.079 --> 00:07:35.579 And he returns to Jerusalem. 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:39.939 And what we see here in chapter 20 is these two things. 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:42.539 David's kingdom has survived. 00:07:43.219 --> 00:07:45.719 It hasn't totally been destroyed. 00:07:45.720 --> 00:07:47.560 It's been through all kinds of difficulties. 00:07:47.780 --> 00:07:54.720 It's almost, it might have come close to completely disintegrating, but it's been kept together. 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:58.320 But it's also not what it once was. 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:05.940 And it never quite will be again what it was in those early chapters, those glory days. 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:14.199 Now, let me just walk through the chapter, show you how we see this dynamic, and then talk about what do we learn from it. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:19.620 So, verses 1 and 2, first thing we see is this guy Sheba. 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:24.740 And the author tells us exactly what we should think of him. 00:08:24.779 --> 00:08:26.519 The author says he was a worthless man. 00:08:26.519 --> 00:08:35.939 The author of Samuel doesn't normally characterize people that blatantly, but it's pretty obvious he's negative, right? 00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:38.179 He's not somebody that we should like. 00:08:38.699 --> 00:08:42.679 And what he says is, forget David. 00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:44.659 Let's go our own way. 00:08:44.659 --> 00:09:00.240 It's actually the same refrain that two generations later, Jeroboam, who splits off and actually forms the northern kingdom of Israel, he says the same thing in 1 Kings chapter 12. 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:02.120 Every man to his tent, so Israel. 00:09:02.219 --> 00:09:04.339 We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:11.040 But, you know, if you've been here through the story of 2 Samuel, we've seen all kinds of people rising up against David. 00:09:11.180 --> 00:09:14.100 Abner, Ahizabel, Absalom. 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:16.399 Here's another guy, right? 00:09:16.440 --> 00:09:17.399 Another rebellion. 00:09:19.560 --> 00:09:21.500 Well, then, chapter, verse 3. 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:24.800 So, we have another rebel, Sheba. 00:09:25.060 --> 00:09:27.740 Then, verse 3, David comes home to Jerusalem. 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:32.759 So, David's had to leave Jerusalem, and finally he's journeyed all the way home. 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:38.879 But what's the one thing that the author points out that happens when he gets home in verse 3? 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:44.919 The one detail he mentions is the ten concubines. 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:53.779 Now, these were David's concubines who had been left to take care of the palace when David left. 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:57.819 And when Absalom came to Jerusalem, he violated David's concubines. 00:09:57.819 --> 00:10:01.580 They had been dishonored and shamed. 00:10:01.580 --> 00:10:09.220 And so, what David does here, on the one hand, he protects them and he provides for them. 00:10:09.920 --> 00:10:12.460 He takes responsibility to care for them. 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:13.379 All right? 00:10:13.400 --> 00:10:14.000 That's a good thing. 00:10:14.080 --> 00:10:18.460 But then it talks about, it says, the end of the verse says, 00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:22.860 So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as if in widowhood. 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:26.480 Their lives have been ruined, right? 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:35.259 They've been publicly dishonored, and David cannot fully heal the wound that they've experienced. 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:43.259 There's a real sadness in a way this is told, in the way that works out for them. 00:10:43.259 --> 00:10:48.939 And in both of these cases, with Sheba's rebellion and the concubine's loneliness, 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:52.980 David might well have remembered the words of the prophet Nathan. 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:57.779 If you look back in chapter 12, verses 9 to 12, 00:10:58.799 --> 00:11:05.340 the prophet Nathan comes to him after he has committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged for Uriah to be killed. 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:07.440 And the prophet Nathan says, 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:09.460 You've struck down Uriah with the sword. 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:12.780 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house. 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:16.600 And so, when Sheba again, another rebel arises, 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:27.639 David would have been reminded again of what he had done to divide and to be disloyal to, 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:32.559 actually one of his most loyal subjects to Uriah, in his kingdom. 00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:38.699 And that's coming back to him again in another way, that disloyalty and division. 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:41.039 And then Nathan had said to David, 00:11:41.179 --> 00:11:47.519 You stole Uriah's wife, and somebody else is going to steal your wives, your concubines. 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:51.340 And that's what David experienced. 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:53.720 David, God had forgiven David of his sin, 00:11:53.720 --> 00:12:00.360 but David was experiencing some of the long-term consequences of his disloyalty and unfaithfulness. 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:05.940 So, again, there's this sense of David's kingdom has survived, 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:11.920 but there's this sadness and disappointment that it's not going to be what it was before. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:16.879 Now, most of the chapter is taken up with pursuing this guy Sheba. 00:12:17.800 --> 00:12:20.860 In fact, if you look at verse 6, verse 7, verse 10, verse 13, 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:24.659 it also talks, all those verses talk about pursuing Sheba. 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:31.860 Now, long story, but it begins with David taking decisive action. 00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:34.399 He says, this is not acceptable. 00:12:34.800 --> 00:12:37.779 We're not just going to let this guy tear apart the kingdom. 00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:39.720 Justice needs to be done. 00:12:39.779 --> 00:12:44.000 So, he sends Amasa, who is his newly appointed army chief, 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:46.300 to gather the people against Sheba. 00:12:46.299 --> 00:12:54.179 But David's plan doesn't actually work the way he intends it to. 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:55.939 First of all, Amasa takes too long. 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:57.879 David only gave him three days, 00:12:57.959 --> 00:12:59.939 so maybe Amasa was a new guy, 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:01.759 and people didn't want to listen to him right away. 00:13:01.859 --> 00:13:03.259 Maybe, for whatever reason, 00:13:03.359 --> 00:13:05.419 he wasn't able to gather a sufficient force, 00:13:05.479 --> 00:13:06.159 and so he delayed. 00:13:06.839 --> 00:13:08.639 And then David's like, this isn't good to delay. 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.459 We can't delay. 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:11.439 We need to deal with this right now. 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:15.259 And that's probably a good thing, right? 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:17.779 David had delayed a long, long, long, long time with Absalom, 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:21.139 with bad consequences, and he doesn't delay. 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:21.819 That's a good thing. 00:13:22.819 --> 00:13:24.899 So, he sends Abishai instead. 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:26.799 But then, what happens? 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:29.240 That doesn't work out the way David wants it to either. 00:13:30.319 --> 00:13:32.899 As the story develops, who takes center stage? 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:36.759 Whose name starts appearing over and over and over in the story? 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:38.860 Joab. 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:44.860 Now, Joab was the army commander for most of David's reign. 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:48.419 David had just replaced Joab with Amasa. 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:52.220 Joab was not happy that he was demoted. 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:53.639 Right? 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:54.460 You ever been demoted? 00:13:55.800 --> 00:13:59.139 You've been the boss, and now you're the subordinate at work? 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:02.500 Most people just leave. 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:03.600 Right? 00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:04.899 Right? 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:06.320 Joab didn't have a choice. 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:06.800 Right? 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:08.439 So, he's got to stay in the army. 00:14:08.479 --> 00:14:10.139 He doesn't have any other workplace where he can go. 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.859 But Joab is not happy. 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:17.719 And so, when Joab happens to meet Amasa, 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:21.339 Joab decides to deal with him right away 00:14:21.339 --> 00:14:23.699 by getting rid of him, by murdering him. 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:26.679 Joab takes things into his own hands, 00:14:26.859 --> 00:14:32.439 and he murders the man that David has just put in charge of his whole army. 00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:40.360 And then Joab and his brother Abishai take over pursuing Sheba. 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:47.660 We see that Amasa has to be literally carried out of the way in order for people to follow Joab. 00:14:48.180 --> 00:14:48.400 Right? 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:49.980 We see the injustice of it all. 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:53.920 Now, in the end, what do we see? 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:55.900 Well, Sheba's rebellion was contained. 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:59.720 Sheba didn't actually seem to gather that much of a following after all. 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:03.580 Abel Beth Maka was sort of as far north as you could get in Israel. 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:05.879 So, it seems like he sort of raised the flag and said, 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.920 Everyone to his tents, O Israel! 00:15:08.060 --> 00:15:14.600 And he runs north, and he just keeps going until he gets to the edge of Israel, 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:18.620 and he's in this sort of lonesome city up there. 00:15:19.300 --> 00:15:22.399 So, his rebellion didn't actually turn out to be that much. 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:25.959 But, his rebellion was contained, right? 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:30.399 Joab besieges the city, and Sheba is... 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:34.600 The woman intervenes and says, 00:15:35.059 --> 00:15:36.399 Let's save a city from... 00:15:37.199 --> 00:15:38.799 Let's save us all from getting killed. 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:41.059 And so, Sheba is killed. 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:44.720 The war ends, and Joab returns to Jerusalem to the king. 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:45.939 Right? 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:48.759 So, Sheba's dealt with, but Joab is never dealt with. 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:49.159 Right? 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:51.759 Joab... 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:54.759 I mean, as far as we see, Sheba... 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:58.519 We don't even have a record that Sheba actually murdered anyone. 00:15:58.980 --> 00:15:59.120 Right? 00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:01.039 Sheba just called for a rebellion. 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:04.159 Joab actually murdered someone that the king had put in charge of the army. 00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:07.639 Joab returns to Jerusalem to the king. 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:09.600 Nothing happens. 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.620 So, we see this irony, right? 00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:16.139 Sheba's rebellion is contained, but Joab is unrestrained. 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:16.279 Right? 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:23.039 And David seems powerless to do anything about it. 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:27.600 Now, if you go and look down at verse 23, 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:32.139 there's a summary of the officials in David's administration. 00:16:32.319 --> 00:16:34.319 I want you to turn back to chapter 8, 00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:38.100 where there is a similar summary at the end of chapter 8. 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:45.159 So, at the end of chapter 8 is in sort of the glory days of David's reign, 00:16:45.680 --> 00:16:49.639 when he reigned with justice and righteousness and victorious over his enemies 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:52.740 and with kindness and mercy. 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:58.560 Chapter 8, verse 15 to 18, is a list of David's officials. 00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.800 It begins with the words, 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:16.559 Now, keep your finger in there. 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:19.259 Go back to the end of chapter 20. 00:17:20.639 --> 00:17:23.279 It's almost the same list. 00:17:24.639 --> 00:17:25.940 Joab's over the army. 00:17:26.879 --> 00:17:30.119 Benaiah over the Carathites and Pelathites, the mighty men. 00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:33.440 There's a new guy, Adorim, in charge of forced labor. 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:40.200 That's probably not a good sign when basically the king has to institute a draft 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:43.380 because there's not enough people who are willing to serve. 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:49.480 But there's no comment on that. 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:52.759 But that's probably showing a development. 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:55.640 And then there's a few other minor name changes. 00:17:55.840 --> 00:18:00.880 Some people may have died and been replaced by others or whatever. 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:06.160 But what's missing if you compare these two summaries, 00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:09.920 one from the glory days in the beginning and one at the end? 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:16.319 The first sentence in chapter 8 is conspicuously missing. 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.940 That first sentence that says, 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:23.840 David reigned over all Israel with justice and equity. 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:28.319 And that sentence is absent in chapter 20. 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.400 Right? 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:33.640 To be sure, David's still the rightful king. 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:36.039 Chapter 20, verse 22, 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:38.019 Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king. 00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:39.120 He's still the king. 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:46.219 But his reign is not characterized by justice and equity anymore. 00:18:46.639 --> 00:18:48.319 It's been too compromised. 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:53.779 And so the author can't say that in such an unqualified way. 00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:54.019 Right? 00:18:54.219 --> 00:18:59.019 There's been a terrible injustice done to Amasa and nothing is done about it. 00:19:00.159 --> 00:19:02.539 Amasa has been murdered in cold blood. 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:07.639 There is no justice that David carries out against Joab. 00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:13.079 And so we see David's kingdom has been weakened. 00:19:13.399 --> 00:19:17.599 It's survived, but it's not what it once was. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:22.059 And this is where the chronological story of David in the book of Samuel ends. 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:28.279 And it continues in 1 Kings. 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:33.679 But that pretty much starts with arranging for Solomon to be the successor. 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:38.679 So survival and disappointment. 00:19:39.619 --> 00:19:45.179 Now, the book of 2 Samuel is not unique in the Bible in ending this way. 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:52.380 In fact, if you read the whole Old Testament, if you think of the big story of the whole Old Testament, 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:54.340 it follows almost the exact same pattern. 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:58.619 God calls the people of Israel, right? 00:19:58.740 --> 00:20:00.679 He brings them into the promised land. 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:08.240 They're sort of their rise with people like David and some of the great kings 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:11.639 and establishing them in the promised land. 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:16.480 They rise to prominence and then they fall into sin and ultimately they're exiled. 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:22.699 Like David had to leave Jerusalem, the people of Israel have to leave and are exiled into Babylon. 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:26.059 And then what happens 70 years later? 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:26.880 They return. 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.720 They're restored. 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:34.700 If you go to Ezra or Nehemiah or the end of… 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:38.720 Or Ezra or Nehemiah or some of the later prophets, 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:42.259 it talks about the return to Jerusalem. 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.940 But what do you… 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:47.140 When you read those books, have you ever read those books? 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:50.180 They're marked by the same sentiment. 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:53.259 Survival and disappointment. 00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:57.519 God's kept the people of Israel together. 00:20:57.660 --> 00:21:00.799 They haven't been totally destroyed in the exile, but they come home 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:03.539 and people look at the new temple and they're like, 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:06.539 it's not as glorious as it once was. 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:11.120 And the kingdom is never restored. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:21.379 And Nehemiah and Ezra are frustrated at the people's ongoing unfaithfulness. 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:25.179 And so there's these great promises, right? 00:21:25.239 --> 00:21:26.979 In the whole Old Testament, there's these great promises. 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:34.000 God's saying, I'm going to establish a people for myself in this world. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:39.279 I'm going to display my glory to the nations of the world. 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:44.299 And then the promises seem so minimally fulfilled. 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:47.019 And you wonder, what's going on? 00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:48.640 Why is there… 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.400 Why does it end? 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:54.140 Why does the Old Testament end with survival but also disappointment? 00:21:54.140 --> 00:22:02.440 And before I answer that, let me ask, isn't that also the situation that we sometimes find ourselves in? 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.580 In our own lives? 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:08.200 I mean, think about looking back. 00:22:08.560 --> 00:22:10.040 Think about how God sustained you. 00:22:11.080 --> 00:22:13.240 How He's forgiven you of your sins. 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:15.200 How He's held you in His hands. 00:22:15.280 --> 00:22:17.140 How He's kept you through trials. 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:20.040 And you've survived. 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:29.759 But I think especially as you get older, you look back on the past and you might feel some regret. 00:22:31.780 --> 00:22:39.240 You might still, like David, be enduring some of the consequences of past sin that God has forgiven you for. 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:43.180 But you still feel some of the bitter effects of it. 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:47.160 Maybe you have ongoing frustration and anxiety. 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:51.039 Maybe work hasn't turned out the way you've hoped. 00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:54.180 Maybe your family hasn't turned out the way you've hoped. 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:59.259 Maybe your relationships haven't turned out the way you've hoped. 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:02.340 And you look back and you feel like, 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:05.560 I had hopes. 00:23:06.560 --> 00:23:08.039 I had longings. 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:12.240 And some of those probably aren't going to happen. 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:15.920 Or you feel disappointed. 00:23:16.100 --> 00:23:17.360 And you wonder what to do with that. 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:25.860 How do I walk with God while I'm feeling this disappointment? 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:32.740 These great promises about what it means to be a Christian and to be united with Jesus Christ 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:34.620 and have the Holy Spirit living inside me. 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:41.719 And the reality of my life day to day just seems hard. 00:23:43.179 --> 00:23:44.479 And it doesn't get easier. 00:23:46.419 --> 00:23:48.179 I was talking to somebody recently and they said, 00:23:48.239 --> 00:23:53.839 you know, I just thought I wouldn't have to face this many difficulties altogether. 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:59.139 I thought I had passed those by at an earlier point in my life. 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:06.159 And now I feel like it's more trouble than I've had to face ever before. 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:16.100 And is that, or is that true in, in, for, is that sometimes true for the church as a whole, right? 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:20.040 I feel the same sense of survival and disappointment. 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:22.259 Jesus promised, I'll build my church. 00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:24.040 The gates of hell won't stand against it. 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:26.500 Jesus prayed that his followers would be one. 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:29.140 The church has survived for 2,000 years. 00:24:29.620 --> 00:24:30.660 You can read church history. 00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:32.640 It's expanded throughout all the world. 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:37.660 But sometimes the church disappoints. 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:46.880 Sometimes there's people like Sheba who cause divisions and upheaval. 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:51.480 People like the ten concubines who've been hurt by others' sin. 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:56.259 And it seems like their wounds can never be fully healed this side of heaven. 00:24:56.259 --> 00:25:06.099 People like Joab who claim loyalty to God's anointed king, but can be very harsh and very unforgiving. 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:13.879 Maybe sometimes you look around at church and you just think, well, it's all right. 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.940 I'm here again. 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.700 It's another Sunday night. 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:20.259 There's 30 or 40 of us here. 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.599 It's okay. 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.740 I mean, it's not bad. 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.640 We've survived. 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.819 But it's not glorious. 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:31.619 Your heart isn't enraptured with joy. 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:42.779 Now, I'm trying to strike a balance here because I don't want to create the impression that we're always going to be feeling disappointment all the time about everything. 00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:43.339 Right? 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:45.180 We don't have to be like Eeyore. 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:46.619 Okay? 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:55.900 Who is always moping around complaining about how gray the sky is and why it's always raining. 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:56.900 Right? 00:25:58.119 --> 00:26:01.160 There is real joy and victory and healing in the Christian life. 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:04.019 And sometimes those things are worth celebrating and embracing. 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:11.139 But disappointment and sadness are also inescapable. 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:22.300 You will not be able to escape disappointment and sadness as a human being living in this fallen world and as an imperfect Christian living in an imperfect church. 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:27.919 And there ain't any other options in this world. 00:26:27.919 --> 00:26:29.599 All right? 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:38.759 No matter how hard you try, you won't be fully satisfied by what this world has to offer, even by what the church has to offer in this present age. 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:42.200 Now, sometimes we don't recognize that. 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:44.039 Sometimes we attach ourselves to something. 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:48.859 We sort of go from one thrill to another, one project to another, one ambition to another. 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:50.019 We always have something. 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:53.180 And this thing is going to be it. 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.779 This thing is going to satisfy me. 00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:56.720 This relationship is going to satisfy me. 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:58.579 Marriage is going to satisfy me. 00:26:58.579 --> 00:27:06.619 And then you get to some points and you think, it's harder than I expected. 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:12.379 And it's not all that I always hoped it would be. 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:16.500 How do I deal with that? 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:26.579 Do I just leave and ditch faith and become cynical and decide I don't believe in anything? 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.439 What do we do? 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:34.159 C.S. Lewis wrote this in Mere Christianity. 00:27:35.439 --> 00:27:36.139 He said, 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:42.319 If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, 00:27:43.159 --> 00:27:46.819 the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:51.539 Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy this desire, 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:56.319 but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. 00:27:56.319 --> 00:28:00.399 If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:04.439 never to despise or to be unthankful for these earthly blessings, 00:28:05.139 --> 00:28:07.639 and on the other, never to mistake them, 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:14.439 for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy or echo or mirage. 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:19.900 I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, 00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:23.140 which I shall not find till after death. 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:27.120 I must never let it get snowed under or turn aside. 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:31.740 I must make it the main object of life to press on to that country 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:34.500 and to help others do the same. 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:41.160 The book of Hebrews, chapter 11, talks about people of faith, 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:43.759 people who had faith in God's promises, 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:46.859 and it describes them this way. 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.799 It describes Abraham this way. 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.099 It says, 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.240 He was living in tents. 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:53.980 He was looking forward to the city that has foundations, 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:56.359 whose designer and builder is God. 00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:58.639 And it goes on. 00:28:58.699 --> 00:28:58.779 It says, 00:28:58.919 --> 00:29:00.039 These all died in faith, 00:29:00.179 --> 00:29:02.099 not having received the things promised, 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:04.839 but having seen them and greeted them from afar, 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:08.559 having acknowledged they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:11.939 They desire a better country, a heavenly one. 00:29:12.459 --> 00:29:16.059 Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, 00:29:16.199 --> 00:29:17.879 for he has prepared for them a city. 00:29:20.219 --> 00:29:23.579 And that's what the end of David's story is meant to teach us. 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:32.119 God sustains David through his rise and fall, 00:29:32.419 --> 00:29:33.879 and he brings him back home again. 00:29:34.939 --> 00:29:36.799 But it's never quite what it once was, 00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:38.419 because it's meant to point us forward. 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:43.720 It's meant to point us forward to a greater kingdom to come 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:51.639 and to a better country than the Israel that David lived in 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:54.240 or the country that we live in 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:56.420 or any other country in this world. 00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:59.460 In the end of the Bible, 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:02.920 the book of Revelation points us forward to a day 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:05.680 when God's promises will be fulfilled 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:08.520 and when we won't be disappointed. 00:30:10.580 --> 00:30:12.560 If you look at Revelation chapter 21, 00:30:13.360 --> 00:30:14.280 we're going to end there. 00:30:15.280 --> 00:30:16.259 Turn there if you want. 00:30:17.100 --> 00:30:17.980 End of the Bible. 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:25.019 Revelation 21 gives us this vision of God's kingdom to come 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:27.220 that we can be part of through Jesus. 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.339 It says, 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:32.120 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:35.480 For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:36.559 and the sea was no more. 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:39.860 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:41.539 coming down out of heaven from God, 00:30:41.620 --> 00:30:43.360 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 00:30:43.359 --> 00:30:45.599 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:48.379 Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:50.679 He will dwell with them, 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.819 and they will be his people, 00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:55.519 and God himself will be with them as their God. 00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:58.659 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, 00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:00.699 and death shall be no more. 00:31:01.679 --> 00:31:03.279 Neither shall there be mourning, 00:31:03.699 --> 00:31:04.399 nor crying, 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:05.740 nor pain anymore. 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:08.619 For the former things have passed away. 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:11.239 And he who was seated on the throne said, 00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:13.459 Behold, I am making all things new. 00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:22.219 This is the promise the Bible leaves us with. 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:24.859 That one day, 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:27.959 Jesus Christ is going to come and make all things new. 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:32.400 And all of our disappointments 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:38.319 in the limitations and the realities of this fallen world, 00:31:38.620 --> 00:31:41.920 all of those are meant to point us forward 00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:44.299 toward that future promise, 00:31:44.600 --> 00:31:45.860 toward that future hope, 00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:49.960 to not let us get too comfortable 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:52.220 in this world, 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:55.100 because this world as it is, 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:58.500 this present evil age is only temporary. 00:32:00.459 --> 00:32:02.579 And it's not where we're meant to find 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:05.480 our final satisfaction and happiness. 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:07.779 And so every time that you feel disappointment, 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:11.619 it's meant to point you forward 00:32:11.619 --> 00:32:14.199 toward the future that God has promised. 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:17.079 Now you might think, 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:19.399 Okay, that sounds nice, 00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:21.119 but how do I know that's real? 00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:23.679 How is that not just 00:32:23.679 --> 00:32:25.819 mythical, 00:32:26.419 --> 00:32:28.339 nice-sounding, 00:32:28.659 --> 00:32:30.539 Christian lingo? 00:32:32.379 --> 00:32:34.479 Well, the way you can know it's real 00:32:34.479 --> 00:32:40.079 is how the story of Jesus ended. 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:42.239 Right? 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:43.699 If you look at David's story, 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:45.059 it was rise, 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.500 fall, 00:32:47.219 --> 00:32:48.019 partial restoration. 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.839 If you look at the Old Testament story, 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:50.480 rise, 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:51.659 fall, 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.939 partial restoration, 00:32:53.379 --> 00:32:54.919 and also disappointment. 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:57.179 But what happens in Jesus' life? 00:32:58.119 --> 00:32:59.379 Jesus comes on the scene, 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:02.099 He rises to public prominence, 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.519 He's baptized, 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:05.559 and God the Father says, 00:33:05.779 --> 00:33:06.659 This is my Son, 00:33:06.939 --> 00:33:08.480 whom I'm well pleased with, 00:33:08.779 --> 00:33:10.259 the Mount of Transfiguration, 00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:13.299 Jesus' glory appears in His glory. 00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:18.019 But then what happens? 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:20.220 Now, unlike David, 00:33:20.379 --> 00:33:21.279 unlike the people of Israel, 00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:23.599 Jesus doesn't fall because of His own sin. 00:33:24.940 --> 00:33:26.599 But Jesus is betrayed, 00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:28.460 like David was. 00:33:29.079 --> 00:33:32.220 Jesus is ultimately crucified. 00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:35.700 But then what's the end? 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:39.139 The end is not a partial restoration 00:33:39.139 --> 00:33:40.839 that's sort of disappointing, 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:43.339 and that makes you think the glory days 00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:44.059 were in the past. 00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:44.460 No. 00:33:44.859 --> 00:33:48.019 Jesus' life ends with resurrection. 00:33:49.139 --> 00:33:49.440 Right? 00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:50.519 On Easter morning, 00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:52.919 the disciples come to the tomb, 00:33:53.079 --> 00:33:53.879 and they think, 00:33:54.399 --> 00:33:58.419 the best has already passed. 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:01.599 And the angel comes to them and says, 00:34:01.919 --> 00:34:02.679 He's not here. 00:34:03.359 --> 00:34:04.019 He's risen. 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:06.799 And because He's risen, 00:34:07.119 --> 00:34:09.860 you too will rise again as well. 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:13.099 And because He rose from the dead, 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:14.300 that's the promise 00:34:14.300 --> 00:34:15.559 that one day He'll come 00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:17.440 and make everything new. 00:34:19.180 --> 00:34:21.079 And He'll make our lives new, 00:34:21.240 --> 00:34:22.820 and He'll make the world new, 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:24.840 and it'll be glorious. 00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:29.240 And that resurrection hope 00:34:29.240 --> 00:34:31.360 is what sustains us 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:33.680 when this world disappoints. 00:34:33.679 --> 00:34:38.819 So even when life as a Christian 00:34:38.819 --> 00:34:39.359 is harder 00:34:39.359 --> 00:34:41.519 than you thought it would be, 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:44.480 even if you get older 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:47.179 and things get harder 00:34:47.179 --> 00:34:48.460 rather than easier, 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:52.299 even if opportunities pass you by 00:34:52.299 --> 00:34:54.119 and you think, 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:57.359 I will never have that opportunity again. 00:34:57.360 --> 00:35:03.240 Remember Jesus' death 00:35:03.240 --> 00:35:05.059 for your sins. 00:35:05.140 --> 00:35:06.200 That's how we can be forgiven. 00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:07.800 And remember His resurrection, 00:35:08.280 --> 00:35:09.300 and that's the promise 00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:11.019 of future hope 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:12.480 that He'll one day make all things new. 00:35:13.599 --> 00:35:14.700 And that gives us the strength 00:35:14.700 --> 00:35:15.800 to keep walking 00:35:15.800 --> 00:35:17.440 and not give up 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:18.660 and not grow cynical 00:35:18.660 --> 00:35:20.200 and not lose heart, 00:35:21.200 --> 00:35:22.700 but to keep walking 00:35:22.700 --> 00:35:24.260 even when life is disappointing 00:35:24.260 --> 00:35:27.079 and look to our King Jesus 00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:30.279 who leads us every step 00:35:30.279 --> 00:35:30.940 along the way. 00:35:35.319 --> 00:35:36.440 Well, we're coming to 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:38.079 celebrate the Lord's table, 00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:38.679 communion. 00:35:40.920 --> 00:35:41.659 And communion is, 00:35:42.199 --> 00:35:42.900 on the one hand, 00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:43.539 it looks forward. 00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:44.340 It's a promise 00:35:44.340 --> 00:35:47.099 of the banquet feast 00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:48.319 that we'll come, 00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:50.759 that we'll participate in 00:35:50.759 --> 00:35:51.759 when Jesus comes again. 00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:54.599 But it's also Jesus saying to us, 00:35:54.719 --> 00:35:55.519 I am with you. 00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:57.119 I am with you 00:35:57.119 --> 00:36:00.059 every step of the way. 00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:03.019 As you take and eat the bread 00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:04.860 and drink the cup, 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:08.800 just as much as you take those things 00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:10.480 and they go into your body, 00:36:10.719 --> 00:36:14.900 Jesus has sent His Spirit 00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:17.000 to dwell in your hearts. 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:18.800 And as you take hold of Him 00:36:18.800 --> 00:36:19.519 by faith, 00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:21.400 as we eat and drink tonight, 00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:23.619 you can be assured 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:26.179 that Jesus will be with you 00:36:26.179 --> 00:36:27.159 through every disappointment 00:36:27.159 --> 00:36:29.579 and that through Him 00:36:29.579 --> 00:36:30.659 you will survive, 00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:32.900 that He won't let you perish 00:36:32.900 --> 00:36:36.019 being connected to Him, 00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:38.820 but that through every disappointment 00:36:38.820 --> 00:36:39.800 He will be leading you 00:36:39.800 --> 00:36:40.719 toward His heavenly kingdom. 00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:42.559 Let's pray. 00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:44.139 Lord, 00:36:44.779 --> 00:36:47.340 we thank You 00:36:47.340 --> 00:36:48.880 for the life of David. 00:36:50.279 --> 00:36:50.840 We thank You 00:36:50.840 --> 00:36:51.679 for how in him 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:52.579 we see 00:36:52.579 --> 00:36:53.779 some of what 00:36:53.779 --> 00:36:54.599 a true king 00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:55.880 ought to be, 00:36:56.099 --> 00:36:56.880 what a great leader 00:36:56.880 --> 00:36:57.699 ought to be 00:36:57.699 --> 00:36:59.579 in His 00:36:59.579 --> 00:37:00.699 kindness 00:37:00.699 --> 00:37:01.539 and mercy 00:37:01.539 --> 00:37:02.340 and justice 00:37:02.340 --> 00:37:03.059 and righteousness 00:37:03.059 --> 00:37:04.579 that we see 00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:06.579 in much 00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:07.299 of his life. 00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:09.200 though, 00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:09.420 Lord, 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:10.080 we thank You 00:37:10.080 --> 00:37:10.320 but, 00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:10.519 Lord, 00:37:10.580 --> 00:37:11.080 we thank You 00:37:11.080 --> 00:37:11.840 also that 00:37:11.840 --> 00:37:14.420 You show us 00:37:14.420 --> 00:37:15.519 in David's 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:16.280 failure 00:37:16.280 --> 00:37:18.380 and even in 00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:19.780 his restoration, 00:37:20.039 --> 00:37:20.240 though, 00:37:20.300 --> 00:37:21.060 with disappointment. 00:37:22.160 --> 00:37:22.960 We thank You 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:23.860 that You show us 00:37:23.860 --> 00:37:25.100 that 00:37:25.100 --> 00:37:28.140 You point us 00:37:28.140 --> 00:37:28.440 forward 00:37:28.440 --> 00:37:29.840 to what is to come. 00:37:31.240 --> 00:37:32.100 You point us 00:37:32.100 --> 00:37:32.420 forward 00:37:32.420 --> 00:37:33.920 to Your Son, 00:37:34.000 --> 00:37:34.660 Jesus Christ 00:37:34.660 --> 00:37:35.740 and to His 00:37:35.740 --> 00:37:36.360 coming again. 00:37:37.300 --> 00:37:38.420 where we will 00:37:38.420 --> 00:37:39.380 never be disappointed. 00:37:40.380 --> 00:37:40.620 So, 00:37:40.720 --> 00:37:40.780 Lord, 00:37:40.820 --> 00:37:41.300 we pray that You 00:37:41.300 --> 00:37:41.720 would sustain 00:37:41.720 --> 00:37:42.240 our hope 00:37:42.240 --> 00:37:43.200 and our faith 00:37:43.200 --> 00:37:44.880 as we 00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:46.220 take and eat 00:37:46.220 --> 00:37:46.480 the bread 00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:46.820 and the cup 00:37:46.820 --> 00:37:47.180 tonight. 00:37:48.100 --> 00:37:48.920 In Jesus' name 00:37:48.920 --> 00:37:49.260 we pray. 00:37:49.539 --> 00:37:49.800 Amen. 00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:49.900 Amen. 00:38:02.400 --> 00:38:02.840 Well, 00:38:02.880 --> 00:38:03.200 as I said, 00:38:03.240 --> 00:38:03.800 we're going to 00:38:03.800 --> 00:38:04.539 take and eat 00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:05.480 the bread 00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:05.980 and the cup 00:38:05.980 --> 00:38:06.620 in communion. 00:38:07.300 --> 00:38:08.840 if you are 00:38:08.840 --> 00:38:10.600 a believer 00:38:10.600 --> 00:38:11.660 in Jesus Christ, 00:38:11.700 --> 00:38:12.080 if you have 00:38:12.080 --> 00:38:12.760 turned to Him 00:38:12.760 --> 00:38:14.800 and called 00:38:14.800 --> 00:38:15.300 upon Him 00:38:15.300 --> 00:38:15.960 as your Savior 00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:16.640 and Lord, 00:38:17.420 --> 00:38:18.700 then you are 00:38:18.700 --> 00:38:19.280 welcome to 00:38:19.280 --> 00:38:20.039 take the bread 00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:20.960 and the cup 00:38:20.960 --> 00:38:22.320 as they'll be 00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:22.900 passed around 00:38:22.900 --> 00:38:23.300 tonight. 00:38:23.880 --> 00:38:24.780 If you're not 00:38:24.780 --> 00:38:25.740 a Christian 00:38:25.740 --> 00:38:26.460 believer here, 00:38:27.280 --> 00:38:28.620 we ask that you 00:38:28.620 --> 00:38:29.440 not take the bread 00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:29.980 and the cup 00:38:29.980 --> 00:38:32.060 because they signify 00:38:32.060 --> 00:38:33.320 trusting in Jesus. 00:38:33.320 --> 00:38:33.880 but instead, 00:38:34.019 --> 00:38:34.660 take this time 00:38:34.660 --> 00:38:35.180 if that's you, 00:38:35.320 --> 00:38:36.559 just pass them by 00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:37.400 and that's just fine. 00:38:38.120 --> 00:38:38.920 But take this time 00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:39.760 to reflect on 00:38:39.760 --> 00:38:40.620 where you are 00:38:40.620 --> 00:38:41.840 with God 00:38:41.840 --> 00:38:45.620 and even to 00:38:45.620 --> 00:38:46.360 pray 00:38:46.360 --> 00:38:47.780 and consider 00:38:47.780 --> 00:38:48.360 taking 00:38:48.360 --> 00:38:49.340 Jesus Christ 00:38:49.340 --> 00:38:49.700 Himself. 00:38:49.699 --> 00:38:54.119 Let me read 00:38:54.119 --> 00:38:56.099 from 1 Corinthians 00:38:56.099 --> 00:38:59.059 Paul's words 00:38:59.059 --> 00:39:00.319 about the Lord's