2 Samuel #14: an exposition of 2 Samuel 12:1-25. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, June 9, 2013.
Intro:
Our hymn book is filled with songs of the grace of God. Christian poetry abounds with examples of God’s grace. We each have our own experience of God’s grace. Ask the average Baptist to define grace and without hesitation they will say, “God’s unmerited favor.” Oh, we’re big on grace but I’m not sure we really understand it. We sing, Amazing Grace but are we amazed by it? Are we regularly overwhelmed by the grace of God extended to us? I’m sure we know that we are saved by grace but I wonder if we really understand what it means to be “kept” by grace? Are you daily conscious of the grace extended to you? Yes, we accept intellectually that we are saved by grace, kept by grace and that we will ultimately enter into the presence of God by grace but have you considered how that is experienced or worked out in your life and experience? Are you aware that grace is not always a pleasant experience? Did you know that the expression of God’s holy anger can also be an expression of grace? Often we say, “I’m not under law – I’m a New Testament believer – I’m under grace.” We say that as if the Old Testament saint was not the recipient of grace. The truth is God’s people have always be “grace people.” In 2 Samuel chapter 12, in the midst of David’s great sin, we find an example of God’s relentless, furious, wonderful grace. Our text this evening is 2 Samuel 12 verses 1 through 25.
Text: 2 Samuel 12:1-25
Don’t forget the context:
- At a time when kings go off to war David stayed home.
- He had nothing to prove.
- His kingdom was secure.
- While lounging on his palace rooftop he noticed a beautiful woman bathing.
- Lust took hold of his heart and gave birth to sin.
- David inquired, sent for, took, lay with and then discarded the wife of Uriah the Hittite.
- She became pregnant.
David sent to the battlefield for her husband in hopes he would lay with her and eventually cover his sin. When Uriah proved to be more righteous than the king, David decided Uriah must die. His plan went off without a hitch. After the appropriate mourning time David sent for Bathsheba, took her as his wife – now no one would suspect a thing.
Chapter 11 reminds us of sin’s devastation.
- Even the most devout are vulnerable to sin’s allure.
- Submission to sin leads to profound wickedness.
- Sin always brings God’s displeasure.
Chapter 11 ends on this ominous note, “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.”
Now we expect God’s judgment.
It’s time to pay the piper.
We do find judgment in chapter 12 what is surprising is the presence of grace.
Examined carefully…
Thesis: 2 Samuel 12 causes us to stand amazed at the glory and the wonder of God’s grace.
In our text we find 4 great truths about the working of God’s grace.
- The relentless pursuit of God’s grace forces us to see our sin. (12:1-7a)
- The fury of God’s grace causes us to see the depth and depravity of our sin. (12:7-13a)
- The wonder of God’s grace produces repentance that brings forgiveness. (12:13-14)
- The grip of God’s grace enables us to rise above the despair of our sin. (12:15-25)
Conclusion:
By the time we come to the end of 2 Samuel 12 there is nothing for us to do other than stand amazed at the glory and the wonder of God’s grace.