2 Samuel Chapter 12:1-10

This master sergeant about going back to the first love. That's what made China to draw David back to the first if you're here tonight and you've known the Lord for a while. You maybe been months maybe even years since you asking to forgive you of your sins, do you serve God with the same passion as you did back then. Do you tell people about Jesus with the same fervor same passion. Welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee, the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina. Today we have deal with this in studio feel is one of David McGee's assisting pastors to help him in his work here at the church and in ministry. Bob looking forward to getting into the teaching the day and just as this plot unfold with David and Nathan, I think it's important when life gets Ada's to remember our first love you think straighten sure that God calls David a man after his own heart. And yet he is perfectly capable of sinning time and yet I think of the heart is going back to the first love going back to what he knows is right and today we see David challenged as a king go back and do what's right is listening and especially David continues our verse by verse study through second Samuel L for dealing with one of the more famous incidences in Scripture. My reaction for infamous incidences in Scripture having to do with David and Bathsheba. So we talked last week we looked at the chapter where David falls with Bathsheba and we learn some stuff from an this chapter. Chapter 12 is an interesting study in a lot of things that are impractical for us number one confronting how to confront somebody love with something that's going on in their life. Biblical restoration how do you restore somebody. It was a fallen and these are things again that we don't necessarily like to talk about but we should talk about it because sometimes what happens is we don't talk about Intel were in the situation and they were scrambling trot figure out the skills to confront somebody in and to restore somebody and please understand according to the Bible. We've been given the ministry of reconciliation. This is something that we all need to be skilled in and seeing somebody restore. I think we can all think of somebody in our life needs restoration in order to start this chapter really listless go back to verse 27 of chapter 11 as is and when her morning talking about Bathsheba was over, David sent, and brought her to his house and she became his wife and bore him a son.

But the thing that David done this please the Lord. So that's a set up for this chapter.

Because here's the deal. Got a year Ryan had been killed. Bathsheba morning for season then married David gave him a son and everything looks like it's all right like nothing was wrong in the David kind of you will got away with snow happens. Chapter 12 verse one says and the Lord sent Nathan to David and he came to him and said to him, there were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor looked percent then the Lord sent Nathan to David who said I the Lord sent Nathan and then saying that Nathan decided to go. Nathan got so mad that is being fed to hear news going to David and senses got sent me the first thing that he and going to some money in talking to him about an issue. Make sure it's the Lord sending you how can you tell it's God sending you. Let me tell you what a couple ways you can tell that if it's not God sending number one if you're very angry that's not God to go to a person in your anger because how many of us in this room have said things in anger that we wish we would've never said and in that delicate moment in your anger to go to somebody. The chances of you blowing saying the wrong thing or not say the right thing are greatly increased, so we have to do is you have to if you're able to calm down and not be angry before you confront somebody with what's going on now I'm using the word confront me doing something because every time I use that word.

There's people in your body confront all his back confront things back confront things not bad but here's what happens, and I wish there's a usually what happens at this two people are going along in a relationship like this walking side by side, then something happens in the two people begin to go part and usually when they get way out here is when we confront friend when you wait that long is too late.

And usually when you wait that long.

You've almost guarantee that the confrontation is not going to go well and there's got to be negative fruit from you. Talking to that person. So what should we do what were going on here and here's an incident bootless talk about this and then usually what happens is we continue to walk together. So don't do it in anger. Don't do it in anger and and sometimes you may not have the time sometime this boom you're in the situation. You might be a little bit hot and if you're in that situation just be very careful what you say.

The Bible says be angry and sin not being angry is not a sin but from that little admonition. It sure seems like it can lead to sin when you are angry to be careful about and notice God sent Nathan who was Nathan David.

He was his friend he was in his enemy. He was his friend. Be careful when you go to confront somebody who is your enemy because your motives may not be pure I tell you, here's another little litmus and in and going to somebody and help them through situation is do you have compassion for do you have compassion for if you don't have compassion for you, probably out either pray to get compassion or pray to somebody with compassion for the person goes because you know I've had people come to me and say some really think things were hard to hear but they said it was such a love that was able to receive had people say things just small things, but they said in such a way that it was made like going there don't hear so pray for that compassion and if you don't have that compassion know you're using phrases like, well, I've never� Your lacking compassion verse two. Nathan continues with this parable of you will. The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds with the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought in their extending grew up together with him and with his children and eight of his own food and drink from his own cup, and lay in his bosom was like a daughter to him. Nathan has obviously prayed about this and he is so being the lead of the Lord is no. As I was looking at this and studying this passage is just is just incredible. The story that Nathan weaves, if you will and you know you understand good storytelling as part of ministry love. It's all stored in the Bible has so many cool stories and it in here we have Nathan begin the story and think of what he's doing very masterfully very easily.

He's being led by the spirit of God. He's drawing David back roots as a shepherd talking about a sheep and David extends his heart in this moment. David becomes very vulnerable because Nathan is reminding David in and Damon's mind taught me thinking about the sheep he probably goes back to the times when he was out in the field worshiping God and in singing and playing unto the Lord, and he remembers this time and think Nathan is really in part, drawing him back to his room of his worship of God and his relationship with the Lord and you know what that is so important when you're talking to somebody that has something going on in her life going back to the roots. It's interesting in the book of Revelation. The seven letters to seven churches. The first letter. Revelation chapter 2 verse two says I know all the things you do I've seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don't tolerate evil people. You've examine the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not you have discovered they are liars patiently suffered for me without quitting, but I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first. Look how far you fallen from your first love turned back to me again and work as you did at first.

If you don't I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. Interesting passage. It's interesting passage because a passenger same of this church and what you you're doing a lot of things well and apparently apologetic to be will standing up for the truth they were doing very well. But then Jesus has to remind him. But you know what why you're taking a stand for what's right. You forgot to love me and you forgot to love people is an interesting thing. I enjoy apologetics what I mean by that word is a people who defend the word of God. I enjoy that. But here's what I've noticed and it goes right hand-in-hand with the Scripture this passage in Revelation that people who do apologetics often lack grace that is so needed and that ministry and then they begin to get even harsher and harsher till it looks like there's just an absence of love for people and are more concerned about being right than loving God and loving people. That's a big generalization letting everybody in apologetics ministry does that, but everybody in apologetics ministry is in danger of doing this passage talks about going back to the first love. That's what Nathan's trying to draw David back to his first love.

If you're here tonight and you've known the Lord for a while. You subpoena maybe been months maybe even years since you've asked him to forgive you of your sins since you were born again. Do you serve God with the same passion as you did back then. Do you tell people about Jesus with the same fervor same passion as you did back then are you consumed in worship the way you were then then friend let me ask you question the answers no to any of those things did God change the scene. Christianity there's almost disbelief that you know there's a season when you first get saved.

Were you you know you act like that but after a little time you're not supposed to act like that anymore. I totally reject that people refer to the blush of first love all the land soon enough. That's not every special event was for us to go back to our first love is a life lesson here is we should always remember our first love and I'm not talking about some girl you dated in high school. I'm talking about Jesus.

Jesus is supposed to be our first love were supposed to love him with all our heart all around our soul, especially first are like no other gods before that source was to be doing. Keep in him first in our lives. The love of God and you love people the way used to what can happen is you can begin the get calloused towards the needs and the burdens of people and have to be careful as a pastor that I don't do that. Pray often, and God in his wisdom he has these ways of keeping my heart saw. Does that mean that ministry can be a little more painful.

That's what it means. But the alternative is I end up as this uncaring, calloused person I would end up like that. I would much rather take the pain you're listening to Pastor David McGee on cross the bridge will be back with more than just a moment but first, if you haven't been to our website and across the bridge.com yet what are you waiting for go to cross the bridge.com to learn more about how listeners like you are helping get the life-changing truth of God's word to more people to the radio, Internet and mobile technologies across the bridge.com you can also check out our broadcast schedule.

Listen to more teaching from Pastor David@up for Pastor David's free daily devotional and there's more thereto, so visit cross the bridge.com today. Now here's Pastor David as he continue showing verse by verse, verse four continues with a story and a traveler came to the rich man who refused to take from his own flock and from his own her to prepare one for the wayfaring man who would come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who would come to him so notice the story reveals part of what would the problem is and that that's covetousness or that wanting what somebody else has friend dear Eliza, that always leads to a bad place.

Let's recognize that there is something in our fallen human nature that this covetousness thing just pops up like that done it. Your friend, you know you got a friend or you got a neighbor shows you whatever new car new television.

Whatever shows it to you, and almost every time must be honest almost every time you look at the end of will will will you go one of Dexter flash, that's not the spirit of God, the Spirit of God will go that's so cool you got that such a blessing to you and your family.

I'm so glad that you're blessed like that and you can enjoy something like you guys have been needing the new car is usually what is that what crops some of your being on your nerves are no these read my mail.

Now let's hear/pops up at that moment. This is what's happening in the story and friend if you let that feeling go unchecked, is currently too bad place so my shows you the new vehicle or new to them or whatever and you will also need to look at your car. What you been person perfectly satisfied for a long then you going to move the court ruled McCrory more and there's a multibillion-dollar industry to get you dissatisfied with that you presently own sealed by something you don't mean can't afford to impress people you don't like and is very active television shows in all the shows of these mansions inside perfectly satisfied with your house you want one of these shows and you look really good tool lock is a coverage that you won't want to see which schedule more personal somebody gets a raise or get the promotion. What you think Paul work can't believe he got the promotion.

I wish I had that got a job see the moment you start thinking I wish I had that kind of job.

I wish I had that canap� I wish I had this unit. What happens you can't be covered. You can be coveting something and be counting your blessings at the same time so the moment you begin to covet something else. Guess what now you're dissatisfied will overeat. It is that God is Artie blessed to so now not only are you sending in the sense that you want something that's not years that somebody else has now.

You're also not satisfied or content with the things God has blessed you wish I had the house which has that kind of job. I wish I had this I wish I had that did the best with what God is are blessed you with and be grateful what happens. Nathan tells a story what happens. Well, very predictably.

Verse five said David's anger was greatly aroused against the man and he said the name of the Lord lives. The mandalas done this so Shirley and he shall restore for full for the lamb because he did this thing because he had no pity.

This is interesting because according to the Bible. This man did not deserve that by taking this other man's lamb that was not ace it was not something that was worthy of the sentence of death and and yet that's what David proclaims in now. He says giving fourfold understand this is that the model restoration given forth in Exodus chapter 22 verse one is a man still slots are sheep and slaughters it or sells it shall restore five oxen for Noxon for sheep for sheep hours. As usual somebody's oxen had to get Bob back if you still want you know when she had before she why is that because you had to give more in restoration because that menu got negative reinforcement for today it's it it's amazing you know there is all main company but but they found this company that was guilty of milking all like $1 billion out of people and they gave him a fine hundred 50 million hope they learn their lesson. It was bad to make $850 million in profit.

That's not has not restitution restitution to give back more than you to consider that's that's what they were talking about here, but David is very angry at this man. An interesting was that David could see something in this man, that at the moment they conceal himself. It was all angry at this guy who really know in the story of Nathan. This guy took one sheep compared to what David done really wasn't that big of a deal. So I David angry. Well, it brings us the next life lesson. We often see the sand in the lives of others more clearly than we see the sin in their own life. We often see the sin in the lives of others more clearly than we see the sin in their own life. When you look at the life of somebody and you find them. You find yourself getting angry at their sin should stop and ask yourself in my angry because I'm seeing something in them that I'm engaging in the answer. A lot of times is yes were more comfortable convicting other people of their sins, then we are being convicted for our ever sent in a message when you are done. It's not you sit there and you heritage in your new message and you're going and this is good stuff. Wish so-and-so was here to get the recording and give it to mean this as opposed the you who doesn't everyone there in John chapter 8 when he's dealing with a forgiven woman.

The woman that was caught in adultery and then forgiven, not the voters and Jesus students down and he starts writing in the sand and he says he who is without sin. Let him cast the first half of what was Jesus writing that's one other things that we could find out.

I don't know what is right today about me. I just I want hey here's here's one thing that I wonder. I wonder if the personally brought the woman in the present as the man we call this woman in adultery wasn't there to love. But here's the woman and then he start wondering Jesus was right in the names of the guy's in that crowd of what they've been doing it with and assist slowly, they walked off when someone else does or Senate which bad, but when we do it well. We start to justify.

We know our reason and irrationality. What really the real reason the reason we did that Senate was in a really bad reason. It was a good that's what we talk ourselves into.

So David condemns this man to death verse seven. Then Nathan said the David you are the man, thus says the Lord God of Israel. I anointed you king over Israel not delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your keeping gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and that had been too little.

Also would have given you much more why have you despise the commandment of the Lord to do evil in his sight, you have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword. You've taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.

Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house because you have despised me and of taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. We often don't talk to somebody that's engaged in wrongdoing or maybe they just had shown up at church and and we feeling comfortable inviting him or whatever. And because we might be uncomfortable. We don't talk to people about situation.

Nathan could have been executed for what he did here David with a motion of his hand could have Nathan kill Nathan knew that but he still told David while not because he was angry that the because he loved David and he cared for David. He was willing to risk the relationship by saying these things. See, this is something that we are supposed to be engaged with with one another.

Now I've discovered you have to have some sort of relationship in order for this to function properly. In other words, you know, I just write down the street you know it.

And there's a goblets of the universe that there is drinking a beer or something and I just yell out the car whenever you know that's probably not can be very effective but if I have a relationship with somebody and say menacingly are struggling in this area and no one only help you with this. This often will lead to the moment where this verse is so misquoted was quoted correctly but so out of context. You get to share with you makes it hey are you doing okay with this because it cannot see this in your life and I just want to help much in on praying for you that often leads to that she be judged. We love the sling that went around the Marines do something. Interestingly enough I been told was an agreement that unit they would square off with her with her buddy 6 feet apart, look each other over from your head to their tone and say hey bro your your boots not tying her. This is wrong or that's not buccal.

Where's your gun, you don't. They were going about it on hundred and you know what, whatever they look at each other and I tell each other now. I cannot imagine in that moment the Marine looking another, but he goes on, you know what, thanks so much again for going abound and am I gonna so why is it once my cares enough about us to say something to us that we really don't want to hear, is in that moment and it's it's a fragile moment when somebody is willing to risk the relationship to bring something to us that they already know.

We don't want to hear. I know this you know what this to a certain degree I do this every week from this platform, but you guys need to know something I don't I don't want to ever do this in anger want to do in love and there's been times. To be honest I couldn't even mention certain subjects because I knew about. Then I be doing in anger and in the November I'm done that member.

I've spoken in anger from this platform. May the Lord forgive me because I've never meant to do plenty of pastors out there taking up the slack adjustment is gotta be in love is gotta be luck.

Galatians chapter 6 verse one says his brethren in the man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted new living translation says it like this, dear brothers and sisters of another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right gently and humbly if you can't do it gently and you can't do it humbly, don't do it within willing to confront them in their sent. Gotta find somebody you can do it like this, then this Scripture saying you know what you're good to be tempted in and be harsh to somebody in your and your spiritual pride friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now own Legion.

A short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now.

Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen it friend if you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. Jesus said he would not turn anybody away who comes to him and he came for those people who knew they needed forgiveness. Those who were sick, not the righteous to congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you prayed that prayer was David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit crossed the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. You can also write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life. Now before we go in a world it seems chaotic at every turn. Jesus wants you to experience peace this year want you to experience his shalom, which is wholeness, joy and hope. No matter what the circumstances are that you face every day. Neild we have a resource that can help our existence with this yet about Pastor David wrote a simple book that can show you how to experience this shalom that you were just talking about it's easy to read and full of great analogies to share powerful biblical truths across the bridge to life. Discover your venture will be a blessing to any of our listeners about. That's a great gift to think any of our listeners that financially support us to help more people crossed the bridge from death to life. Go to cross the bridge.com to request your copy today also.

Each day you can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David through the word of God with this email. Devotional life lessons that consider daily reading plans and even biblical thoughts to meditate on throughout your day. From the heart of Pastor Dave yes Neil and it's free and easy to sign up today across the bridge.com. Thanks again for listing folks and we hope you join us next time.

As we continue studying first flavors section 7