The End of an Era, Part 2

You've chosen a milestone date to be with us today on Insight for living. Chuck Swindoll presents his final message in a comprehensive 24 part series on David. He's titled this hallmark study in the book coincides with David amount of passion and destiny. Our study today begins in first Chronicles 28 in this passage we read about the dramatic transfer of power from one generation to the next is David's family and the nation of Israel says farewell.

Chuck titled this final message in the series, the end of an era. David Olden perhaps stooped now in years.

After four decades of service says to his son Solomon. Solomon, no. The Lord, he speaks first of godliness, know the God of your father. I mentioned one of my thinking over column some time ago.

The true story of George Jagger and I repeated this evening when George Jagger took his three sons and an elderly grandfather out of the Atlantic Ocean for a fishing trip. He had no premonition of the horror that he would face in a matter of hours before he would step on shore.

Again, Jagger would watch each son and then his father died victims of exhaustion and lungs filled with water. The boat engine installed in the late afternoon while increasing winds whipped the sea integrate waves. The boat rolled and pitched helplessly in the water then began to list dangerously. When it became apparent they were sinking the five Jagger men put on the life vests tied themselves together with the rope and slipped into the water. It was 630 in the evening when the sinking crap disappeared and the swimmer set out to work their way toward shore. 6 foot waves and a strong current made the swimming almost impossible. First one boy and then another and another swallow too much salt water helpless George Jagger watched his sons and his father die eight hours later he staggered onto the shore, still pulling the rope that bound the bodies of the other four to him, I realized they were all dead. My three boys and my father but I guess I didn't want to accept it. So I kept swimming all night long.

He said to the reporters. My youngest boy, Clifford was the first to go.

I had always taught our children not to fear death because it was being with Jesus Christ before he died. I heard Cliff say I'd rather be with Jesus and go on fighting performance under stress is one test of effective leadership. It may also be the proof of accomplishment when it comes to evaluating the quality of a father in that awful Atlantic night George Jagger had a chance to see his three sons someone every ounce of energy and courage, and self-control. He had tried to build into them. The beautiful way they died, said something about the kind of father Jagger had been for 15 years. Few fathers will have their leadership effectiveness tested so severely dramatically.

Suddenly, for most men.

The test will come in small doses over a long period of living, but the test comes to all, and sooner or later the judgment is rendered. Dad's mom's one life will soon be passed on investment and no longer be called your little ones, though then began to emulate the lifestyle and the character you have invested in your chance will be over. David looked deeply into the eyes of his beloved son of Grace Solomon who came from the loins of Bathsheba.

What grace and he saw and Solomon.

The markings of waywardness and loose living he saw those events and so he said to Solomon knowing his son know God boy know God.

The second thing he said was to serve the Lord see it in verse nine. Serve him.

How with a whole heart, with a willing mind. Solomon don't make God force you to worship him do it wholeheartedly.

Do it willingly. You know how David good sales, things that David had his songs on the hit parade all over Israel was the same error. Here was a sweet singer of Israel who would set up songs of praise and Solomon knew them as well. What is your investment heads once for all of this over and that makes me search my life, my kids will be growing up thinking my dad served with a whole heart and willingly the Lord God are they, or will they realize their home was ruled by sort of the petticoat government.

Her mom was the one that continually had to push and pull and jab encourage and set things right.

Spiritually, why why are there not fathers.

More fathers at the head of their home. Spiritually setting up that wholehearted willing feeling concerning the worship of the Lord God. David could say it because he did it not perfect but some kind of model. In fact, the ads Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts what you think David had in mind that dark day back years before when kings went forth, and David didn't made a tragic mistake fell into sin Asus Solomon if there's any possible way. Don't fall into my shoes. There the third thing he says to Solomon verse nine to seek him if you seek him, he will let you find them if you forsake him, he will reject a consider now for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be courageous and act love that in verses 11 through 19.

He talks about instruction. I just love the way it unfolds. You can just see David Solomon to sides and a look Solomon I got all these plans laid out and so I unrolled these construction plans and send it on their hands and knees. You know your Solomon one side.

David, on the other. Verse 11, he gave Solomon the plan supports the temple its buildings at storehouse's upper rooms in the rooms. The room for the mercy seat, the plat of all they had in mind is that was his dream and he couldn't build it. So is it Solomon if you're going to build it, build it right now. Look at has to be built, and he lays out room room room for room Celica dead just like we would've done it, do it right. Solomon get with it the model of diligence alertness, keen perception is David but a man.

Beginning in verse 20 he addresses the subject of ruling because that was to be his primary calling and career. David said that his son Solomon. Be strong and courageous and act. David knew some of the problems of political ruler of the political ruler reason don't be afraid. Don't be dismayed you have people on one side people on another you live in a pressure cooker.

David says to Solomon walk with God, the Lord our God is with you. He will not fail you. He will not forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.

Describe the assignment and that he turns to the people.

Verse one of chapter 29. King David said to the entire assembly.

My son Solomon.

I get the feeling of this verse, whom alone God has chosen is still young and inexperienced and the work is great for the temple is not for man, but for the Lord God, you see Solomon as he stands there, inexperienced, untried battle scarred father who'd been through 40 years of ruling and he hands over the plans for the temple and the scepter of Israel but a moment here. There are moments that a father goes through that cannot be described by any man their feelings we have a man in our congregation who recently along with his wife, watched his son go through medical school and that he and his wife boys parents when up to that area where the boy finished schooling and they said in the audience. As the sun received his degree is MD yes that father what it was like he can't put in words and not words to describe suddenly realizes that here is here is the master's plan is boys life and he will cut out a new course new direction in the great concern the part of that godly fathers that that boy walk with Christ. Regardless of how find a physician may become walk with God is inexperienced, educated young, untried, so it was with David to give you a list of the things Solomon enjoyed as a result of his father's hand. The nation was now unified under one flag, a royal capital had been established in Jerusalem, a military force was now respected by all the enemies around Israel. Every enemy had been subdued. The Philistines included righteousness and a hunger for God was obvious the boundaries had been extended from 6000 to 60,000 mi.². Prosperity had been brought in by extensive trade routes that David set up the sounds of his father's song could be heard in all the land. What a legacy sons, daughters, your lives are marked by your but your parents sit down with them and say to them I want to tell you thank you for some specific things you have done in my life and just go over them one by one, thanking them for the investment.

Make a list of you might also have a little box of glycerin tablets handy so that you know that your little heart seizure. You can help them out over that one of the marks of a new generation is ingratitude has seldom how seldom we specify in verbal fashion.

Our gratitude to our parents for that which they have invested in our lives and yet we soak up the benefits just like the waves of the sea crashing on the shore just constantly soaking up the benefits of a godly home constantly. Every once in a while.

Parents eight to hear the truth from their children needs to be said. Even though young and inexperienced. You can express your gratitude, not challenge and do that then naturally David falls on his knees and then he utters this prayer beautiful prayer. Prayer is not made to be its positive prayer there there expressed to be guides in worship, analyzed prayer I just want to read it to you and feel it with you. Look at the praise of verses 10, 11, 12, praise means that man is out of the picture and God is exalted. The magnifying glass looks up. Nothing is mentioned of man, all of God and look at what he says. Blessed be the blessed art thou, Lord God of Israel are father forever and ever. The final Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty. Indeed, everything that is in the heavens and in the earth and is the dominion over Lord, and thou dost exalt myself as head over all, both riches and honor come from the and thou dost rule over all, and in thy hand is power and might and it lies in thy hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now, therefore, our God, we thank the and praise thy glorious name dad's. The last time you children heard you pray outside time around the table. Here's David in the scene that didn't require prayer, but spontaneously responding to God in gratitude for all God had done over those years, and that life he fell before the Lord, and he prayed. Tough question. Dad's. We need to answer it will be teaching by our model about prayer embarrassing to realize how seldom our children interruptus while reprinting the stumbling on us, and there we are before the Lord, what a perfect time when that happens, to put your armor on your child and say come on join me me that kind of memory is never forgotten.

Ever. We thank the and praise thy glorious name now Thanksgiving changes.

It from praise and thanksgiving. Who am I and who are my people, that we should be able to offer as generously as this and he thinks of the lavish grace of God has given them all.

One good thing after another and for all things comfortably and from by hand, we have given the we are sojourners before the intendants is all our fathers were our days on the earth are like a shadow and there is no hope. Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided to building a house for thy holy name. It is from thy hand in all this time.

Talk about a proper scale of values. David was surrounded by limitless riches, and it never captured his heart. David was never grabbed by materialism uses Lord everything we have is yours always beautiful places where we gather for worship.

The place where I live the throne room, all of it is yours. Everything passing on to our children a proper scale of values, but an important investment. Knowing how to handle the good things of life, and knowing that those good things are just a wisp here today and gone and how to handle it when things aren't easy now.

He intercedes, since I know all my God, that thou tries to harden the lightest and uprightness in the integrity my heart and willingly offered all these things. So now with joy. I have seen by people who were present here make their offerings willingly to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Isaac and Israel are fathers preserve this forever in the intentions of the heart of my people, and direct their heart disease in intercessory prayer turned the heart of these people to the gift to my son Solomon, a mature heart to keep my commandments by testimonies by statutes and to do them to build a temple for which I had made provision. Then David said to the assembly. You bless the Lord your God, that's precisely what they do spontaneously in response to the prayer. It says all the assembly bless the Lord, the God of their fathers bowed low and did homage to the Lord and to the king.

Verse 22 says the eight and they drank that day before the Lord with great gladness that was sort of a family reunion. What a great experience, family reunions, a sort of independently some of my most treasured memories go back to a little baby cottage years ago in my life when the family of on my mother side gathered down at that little spot below fallacious in South Texas along the Gulf Little Bay Inlet from the Gulf of Mexico and we would spend a week there with family is not funny is I say that I remember being in the little tiny bed and they stretch this mosquito net over me. At night we would talk in the mattress underneath me and it was gave me terrible trouble had to get up in the middle night with the bathroom. I remember I couldn't get out of this thing. I think that I was a little boy being on this little blue mosquito net and I hearing outback. My dad played the harmonica and the family singing out there. I didn't realize what roots that would give me in my life but I belong to a body that had roots that had tentacles and went way back. Granddad was there and in those family members, uncles and aunts and a whole bunch all but memories investing just in the immediate family play for all you know your ending an era never pass this way again God gives us holidays in times of refreshment just to do that kind of thing not to be alone is selfishly satisfying. What we want, but somehow to build roots go down deep and it's great when you can eat and drink, and with great gladness before the Lord, have terrific time I made Solomon the son of David King and Solomon set on the throne. Verse 23 and all the officials, the mighty man 24 the sons of the King of King David pledged alliance to King Solomon was a moment that was the Lord highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him Royal Majesty. What that means but somehow Solomon possessed this incredible wisdom from God, which had not been on any King before him in Israel and guess who that thrilled David, the father who knows the feelings of the dad when he looks and sees a son stepping in and moving on his shoes and it says and 28 that he died in a ripe old age old days full of riches full of honor and Solomon reigned in his place when a man of God dies nothing of God dies a man of God dies. None of his principles die. Oh, there may be those try to silence them. They did that with Wycliffe they branded him an instrument of the devil, the author of schism. They banished him as oxfords distinguished Prof. of Divinity.

They drove him into exile and after his death. 29 years later the church council declared him a heretic excommunicated him from the church exhumed the body from the grave burnt the bones to ashes and gather these ashes up and an absolute hatred of his life. They spread those sizes out into the river Swift.

One historian said that was perfect that river move right out into the ocean as if to say, this life will touch the world. You may live and carry out the best years of your life misunderstood like Wycliffe or Lincoln David, that is the end of your day comes, God puts the record together right. Let's face it done many a martyr died a hated man. It was not until years years later that he was seen to be great, far greater than those of his contemporaries ever dreamed to be so. David dies at a ripe old age.

Hello days full of riches full of honor.

This way dies every day brings you closer to it. You don't you don't live months at a time. You live in a day at a time.

I'm I have told you earlier about that old family reunion in the fellow that served my granddad all through his life, names, coats, lot of the wisdom he passed on of this little cotton headed kid when I was stand out there for the barbecue pit which he maintained he put his letter hand on my head shook it. I remember that I was yesterday and he said little Charles brother. The trouble with life is that it's so daily life came in years would be a snap or months, but it's every day. What are you doing with your life. What's the purpose of God in your life for your generation.

Don't miss it and if it includes some unrealized dreams.

Try not to become bitter. Let's bow together so Wycliffe never realized that his words would fall from the lips of a president. 500 years later and challenge a nation in decades to come. You don't realize the sweeping impact of your life. My friend little eyes watching you day and night people where you work fellow members of the body.

Those who were so low, so blue you there. Hope you may not want the job to the model's a perfect evening to just say Lord I give you my allegiance give your life that so daily fresh and and Eli give you my career I marriage my parents my children my life. Heavenly father, thank you for the lessons learned vicariously through the life of the man named David small wonder. He was a man after your heart. We have found hope even in spite of his humanity. We have found challenge even though at times he ran was afraid we been given encouragement even though the man, perhaps more than any other writer of Psalms was a melancholic, thank you for the for the lessons learned through time spent in this life. Give us a touch of the dynamic of eternity. Lord, as a result of this exposure. We've had this study. This very day. Give us for focus is all too horizontal 02 temporal limited with the hearts of fathers and mothers.

Especially tonight, as they look into the faces of their Solomon's Sunday will carry on their place shows the value of proper scale of values with regard to materialism the spiritual walk and wholesome family life, your Lord and we bow before you. This is insight for living and with Chuck Swindoll's closing prayer we wrap up a teaching series that started 24 messages ago. The series is called David a man of passion and destiny to learn more about this ministry, we invite you to visit us online@insideworld.org as we look back on this colorful study of David's life were reminded that the wisdom of God's word is timeless. We know that's true because the stories that you tell us about personal life change. For instance, one of your fellow listers wrote this is exactly what I needed to hear today your study on David is so fitting for my life right now and another said I've read Chuck's book on David twice. It's one of my favorite books, and now I'm listing to the series the biography. This listener is referring to is called David a man of passion and destiny to purchase a copy of Chuck's biography on David give us a call if you're listening in the United States, call 800-772-8888 or visit us online@insight.for and then let me give you a glimpse of our next topic on the next insight for living.

Chuck will launch a study on developing a renewed passion for the Holy Spirit. It's called flying closer to the flame if your soul was longing for a deeper and more fulfilling relationship with God then it's likely time for you to fully embrace the spirit of God were excited about this new study because we believe it will inspire the spontaneous and intimate connection with God. You've been searching for for this daily program is made possible through the voluntary contributions from grateful listeners like you. So please, as God prompt you to give.

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