Concord United Sermons

After leading Israel to unprecedented prosperity and power, David allows a spirit of entitlement to overpower him. He chooses not to go out with his army, but to stay back in the comfort of Jerusalem. While there, he has an affair with Bathsheba, the wife of his soldier, Uriah. When he learns Bathsheba is pregnant from their escapade and finds no other way to cover it up, he ensures Uriah is killed in battle and then he marries Bathsheba. Eventually, the prophet Nathan confronts David about his actions. After this confrontation, David repents, astonishingly God forgives, and David changes his ways and leaves Jerusalem to join his army – and Bathsheba eventually bears him a son, Solomon, who will become king. Through David’s affair with Bathsheba and conspiracy to murder Uriah, we learn that none of us are immune to the temptations brought about by a spirit of entitlement. If it can happen to David, a man after God’s own heart, it can happen to any of us. From David’s life we learn the need to repent as soon as we recognize the spirit of entitlement growing in our heart rather than waiting until its consequences are on display for all to see.   

Scripture - 2 Samuel 11-12

After leading Israel to unprecedented prosperity and power, David allows a spirit of entitlement to overpower him. He chooses not to go out with his army, but to stay back in the comfort of Jerusalem. While there, he has an affair with Bathsheba, the wife of his soldier, Uriah. When he learns Bathsheba is pregnant from their escapade and finds no other way to cover it up, he ensures Uriah is killed in battle and then he marries Bathsheba. Eventually, the prophet Nathan confronts David about his actions. After this confrontation, David repents, astonishingly God forgives, and David changes his ways and leaves Jerusalem to join his army – and Bathsheba eventually bears him a son, Solomon, who will become king. Through David’s affair with Bathsheba and conspiracy to murder Uriah, we learn that none of us are immune to the temptations brought about by a spirit of entitlement. If it can happen to David, a man after God’s own heart, it can happen to any of us. From David’s life we learn the need to repent as soon as we recognize the spirit of entitlement growing in our heart rather than waiting until its consequences are on display for all to see.   

Scripture -2 Samuel 11-12

David follows God’s instructions to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. In the procession, David dances in worship before the Lord so passionately that he embarrasses his wife, Michel. With his example, David shows us two keys to authentic worship: worship based on God’s directions not our preferences (by bringing the ark back according to God’s instructions) and fully expressing ourselves to God rather than worrying about looking dignified and put together.  

Scripture - 2 Samuel 6

David follows God’s instructions to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. In the procession, David dances in worship before the Lord so passionately that he embarrasses his wife, Michel. With his example, David shows us two keys to authentic worship: worship based on God’s directions not our preferences (by bringing the ark back according to God’s instructions) and fully expressing ourselves to God rather than worrying about looking dignified and put together.  

Scripture -2 Samuel 6

David’s friendship with Jonathan allows him to escape Saul’s assignation attempts. His faithfulness to his men even when fatigued by the difficulty exile in the wilderness demonstrates he is a trustworthy leader. And his faithfulness to God prevents him from assassinating Saul – even when Saul was seeking his life. Through David’s life we seek that faithfulness to God requires of us faithfulness in our friendships, faithfulness to those we lead even when we are fatigued, and faithfulness to God when we’d rather take matters into our own hands.

Scripture - 1 Samuel 18-24

David’s friendship with Jonathan allows him to escape Saul’s assignation attempts. His faithfulness to his men even when fatigued by the difficulty exile in the wilderness demonstrates he is a trustworthy leader. And his faithfulness to God prevents him from assassinating Saul – even when Saul was seeking his life. Through David’s life we seek that faithfulness to God requires of us faithfulness in our friendships, faithfulness to those we lead even when we are fatigued, and faithfulness to God when we’d rather take matters into our own hands.

Scripture - 1 Samuel 18-24

David was chosen by God for kingship even though he was the youngest child in his family in a culture that valued older children. As a young man, he demonstrated remarkable faithfulness to God’s call to lead the people of Israel – even to the point of being willing to take on the giant Goliath to defend their honor. David’s early life forces us all to ask the question: Are we willing to walk the path that must be walked to follow the calling God has placed upon us even when the path is filled with giants who stand in our way?

Scripture - 1 Samuel 16-17

David was chosen by God for kingship even though he was the youngest child in his family in a culture that valued older children. As a young man, he demonstrated remarkable faithfulness to God’s call to lead the people of Israel – even to the point of being willing to take on the giant Goliath to defend their honor. David’s early life forces us all to ask the question: Are we willing to walk the path that must be walked to follow the calling God has placed upon us even when the path is filled with giants who stand in our way?

Scripture - 1 Samuel 16-17

Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV

Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV