1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:08,220 Well, we come today to the last message in our series on Saul and David, and I really feel today that I’m saying goodbye to a good friend. 2 00:00:08,520 –> 00:00:14,680 I’ve found this part of the scripture has been speaking very powerfully and in a searching way into my own life, 3 00:00:15,000 –> 00:00:20,820 and many of you have spoken or written about the way in which you have been experiencing the same. 4 00:00:21,000 –> 00:00:28,000 This tale of two kings is really the story of two people who simply chose very different paths in life. 5 00:00:28,320 –> 00:00:33,919 And the first book of Samuel that we’ve been following ends with the death of Saul. 6 00:00:33,919 –> 00:00:35,919 You can read it in the last chapter. 7 00:00:35,980 –> 00:00:42,759 He died. A very sad story. On the field of battle on the same day as three of his sons, 8 00:00:43,500 –> 00:00:45,000 Abinadab, 9 00:00:45,000 –> 00:00:47,820 Malchushua, and then of course, the one that we know best, 10 00:00:48,220 –> 00:00:55,380 David’s son, Jonathan. They all died with their Father in a day of great defeat in which the armies of God 11 00:00:56,060 –> 00:01:02,419 were routed by the enemies of God’s people, the Philistines at a place called Mount Gilboa. 12 00:01:02,840 –> 00:01:08,820 It really was a tragic end to what had been a downward path that we followed in this series 13 00:01:09,180 –> 00:01:15,440 throughout the life of King Saul. And then 2nd Samuel, and we’re going to end this series here today, 14 00:01:15,440 –> 00:01:18,279 but just the beginning of 2nd Samuel tells us the 15 00:01:18,620 –> 00:01:20,779 story of how David became king. 16 00:01:20,779 –> 00:01:24,180 If you just glance over to chapter 5 and verse 4, 17 00:01:24,440 –> 00:01:26,080 you will find that David was 18 00:01:26,080 –> 00:01:28,980 30 years old. We’ve got a specific age point 19 00:01:29,540 –> 00:01:34,339 2 Samuel chapter 5 and verse 4. He was 30 when he became king. 20 00:01:34,339 –> 00:01:38,559 And so if you think about what that means for the timeframe of the story 21 00:01:38,559 –> 00:01:44,300 we followed, almost certainly David was a teenager when he felled Goliath, and 22 00:01:45,400 –> 00:01:48,440 the period throughout his entire 20s 23 00:01:49,379 –> 00:01:51,860 Seems to have been a 10 year period 24 00:01:52,900 –> 00:01:55,180 Where he endured nothing but this 25 00:01:55,760 –> 00:02:01,959 relentless onslaught from Saul and you imagine David throughout all of his 20s 26 00:02:02,519 –> 00:02:04,360 He’s on the move 27 00:02:04,360 –> 00:02:09,960 Hiding in caves living in forests and all the rest of it as we followed the story 28 00:02:09,960 –> 00:02:14,339 And if you want to know what he was thinking and what he was feeling 29 00:02:14,339 –> 00:02:21,360 During these years you can read the Psalms that he wrote when he was in his 20s for everyone is younger in the congregation 30 00:02:21,860 –> 00:02:25,020 got to read the Psalms David wrote when he was in his 20s and 31 00:02:25,639 –> 00:02:28,800 You’ll find them the Psalms that begin in the 50s 32 00:02:29,179 –> 00:02:34,479 52 54 56 57 59 all of these psalms of titles 33 00:02:34,940 –> 00:02:42,020 That specifically tell you that they were written during this period in which David was on the run from Saul 34 00:02:42,100 –> 00:02:48,199 There were days of desperate desperate difficulty they were days when David a man of great faith was saying God 35 00:02:48,199 –> 00:02:52,720 Where are you he was asking God for help. He was clinging on to God in faith 36 00:02:53,300 –> 00:02:55,860 terribly difficult 10-year period of 37 00:02:56,380 –> 00:02:58,380 his life 38 00:02:59,899 –> 00:03:06,839 Then at the end of 1st Samuel beginning of 2nd Samuel you have this extraordinary change that comes when finally 39 00:03:07,899 –> 00:03:10,619 After all these years saw the tyrant 40 00:03:12,020 –> 00:03:13,440 dies and 41 00:03:13,440 –> 00:03:16,960 What I want us to look at today and the last in this series 42 00:03:17,639 –> 00:03:21,460 Is very simply the response of David to the death of Saul 43 00:03:22,479 –> 00:03:27,899 And I want you to think first before we come to the scripture as to how this speaks into our lives today 44 00:03:28,100 –> 00:03:30,919 Because it will speak to all of us in particular ways 45 00:03:32,740 –> 00:03:36,839 First it speaks to us because it’s about the end of a difficult relationship 46 00:03:37,779 –> 00:03:39,779 Ten years 47 00:03:39,979 –> 00:03:43,580 where Saul has been making life really difficult for David and 48 00:03:44,320 –> 00:03:46,779 now it comes to an end and 49 00:03:48,240 –> 00:03:54,100 All of us can think of relationships happens when you’re in school that happens throughout life 50 00:03:54,479 –> 00:03:58,960 You’ll be able to think of relationships that you wish could have been better 51 00:04:00,639 –> 00:04:03,059 Some of you have experienced this in marriage 52 00:04:03,960 –> 00:04:05,539 a 53 00:04:05,539 –> 00:04:06,860 collaborator 54 00:04:06,860 –> 00:04:08,139 a 55 00:04:08,139 –> 00:04:10,139 partner in ministry and 56 00:04:10,779 –> 00:04:13,559 There have been efforts over years a 57 00:04:14,600 –> 00:04:19,980 Friendship that seemed to hold a lot of promise and you thought now this is going to be something special 58 00:04:20,140 –> 00:04:24,399 But then that friendship ended up becoming a source of great pain for you 59 00:04:26,059 –> 00:04:32,619 Someone dies in your family or someone who is in some other way connected in your life and 60 00:04:33,260 –> 00:04:35,140 the pain of 61 00:04:35,140 –> 00:04:40,100 What you have felt through that relationship all comes to the surface the sorrow of 62 00:04:40,959 –> 00:04:47,140 All that you’ve felt that relationship might have been in and the regret comes to the surface and you say oh 63 00:04:47,140 –> 00:04:49,459 it could have been so much different and 64 00:04:51,040 –> 00:04:58,480 Now times have moved on there’s been an ending to that relationship and what might have been is not going to happen and 65 00:04:58,739 –> 00:05:00,000 And 66 00:05:00,000 –> 00:05:04,760 Of course the death of Saul also marks. Not only the ending of a difficult relationship 67 00:05:04,760 –> 00:05:10,040 It marks the beginning of a whole new era that is going to be the subject of this second book of Samuel 68 00:05:10,299 –> 00:05:13,640 The death of Saul of course means a new life for David 69 00:05:14,200 –> 00:05:20,140 He can come home. Now. There’s no more hiding in caves and forests no more running from the tyrant the day of 70 00:05:20,480 –> 00:05:23,600 Opportunity now is opening for David. He’s going to be the king 71 00:05:23,600 –> 00:05:28,399 He’s going to be the best king the God’s people ever had in all of the Old Testament 72 00:05:29,720 –> 00:05:32,079 Israel under David was better by far 73 00:05:32,920 –> 00:05:38,899 Than anything that the people ever knew under Saul and so when Saul died it was a new day 74 00:05:40,839 –> 00:05:45,399 Now I want you to try and put yourself today in David’s shoes 75 00:05:45,940 –> 00:05:47,079 and 76 00:05:47,079 –> 00:05:49,339 after ten years of this agony 77 00:05:50,399 –> 00:05:52,799 the day finally comes with 78 00:05:53,600 –> 00:05:57,880 when you get the end of this most difficult relationship and 79 00:05:59,239 –> 00:06:06,200 The day that you’ve been waiting for when everything that God has been calling you to in life suddenly now opens in front of you 80 00:06:07,760 –> 00:06:09,760 What would you have felt 81 00:06:11,200 –> 00:06:13,200 What would have run through your mind 82 00:06:15,100 –> 00:06:18,859 The man who has set himself against you for a decade 83 00:06:19,820 –> 00:06:22,859 Has finally come to an end 84 00:06:24,339 –> 00:06:26,339 himself 85 00:06:27,220 –> 00:06:30,220 And I want you to think about this because there are two very obvious 86 00:06:31,380 –> 00:06:37,679 Temptations that come to a man or to a woman in any situation where a difficult relationship 87 00:06:38,380 –> 00:06:46,519 Ends and in any situation where a new era begins the the first temptation very obviously is simply the temptation to self-pity 88 00:06:46,519 –> 00:06:47,859 to 89 00:06:47,859 –> 00:06:49,859 Start venting your pain 90 00:06:49,859 –> 00:06:51,200 I 91 00:06:51,200 –> 00:06:55,160 Mean after all that we followed and learned in this story over these last weeks 92 00:06:55,160 –> 00:07:01,119 Wouldn’t it have been so easy for David to vent his pain?Oh Saul’s gone now. I can tell you my story 93 00:07:02,760 –> 00:07:05,220 Nobody knows the half of what Saul has done to me 94 00:07:05,940 –> 00:07:11,000 How difficult my life has been let me tell you what I’ve endured at the hand of Saul 95 00:07:11,000 –> 00:07:15,339 You’ll hardly believe it. Let me tell you about how he threw the spear and on and on 96 00:07:17,260 –> 00:07:20,660 We live in a world folks of the expose 97 00:07:22,739 –> 00:07:29,959 Where people feel a need to tell the full story of everything bad that has ever happened to them in all of their lives 98 00:07:32,959 –> 00:07:37,420 Once Saul had gone it would have been the easiest thing in the world for David to do that 99 00:07:37,459 –> 00:07:39,579 He could have drawn people to himself 100 00:07:39,579 –> 00:07:41,959 he could have got all kinds of sympathy if 101 00:07:42,339 –> 00:07:43,660 he had a 102 00:07:43,679 –> 00:07:47,019 Candid telling of all the hurt that he had ever endured 103 00:07:47,579 –> 00:07:52,279 From the hand of this wretched man, and that’s the right way to describe so 104 00:07:54,660 –> 00:08:00,720 The temptation in a transition is to indulge in self-pity and to vent your pain 105 00:08:03,459 –> 00:08:08,100 Second temptation is the temptation to self promotion and to want your triumph 106 00:08:10,100 –> 00:08:12,100 Well folks 107 00:08:12,519 –> 00:08:15,600 We’ve all been through some pretty rough times with Saul, haven’t we 108 00:08:16,820 –> 00:08:18,399 Good news 109 00:08:18,399 –> 00:08:20,220 He’s gone 110 00:08:20,220 –> 00:08:22,220 It’s all over 111 00:08:22,299 –> 00:08:24,299 I’m in charge now 112 00:08:24,660 –> 00:08:26,660 And let me tell you it’s going to be totally different 113 00:08:27,320 –> 00:08:33,580 Let me give you my five-point plan for national restoration. You can hear this kind of stuff can’t you seize the moment? 114 00:08:35,239 –> 00:08:40,260 Capitalize on everything that was wrong in the past this happens when a person takes over a business 115 00:08:40,979 –> 00:08:47,179 Happens when there’s new leadership in a church that is in all kinds of situations past was terrible 116 00:08:47,179 –> 00:08:50,080 Nothing was good about it. Now, this is going to be the answer I’m here 117 00:08:51,500 –> 00:08:54,880 So in times of transition there are always these two particular 118 00:08:55,440 –> 00:09:00,260 temptations the temptation to self pity which is to vent your pain 119 00:09:01,159 –> 00:09:04,239 The temptation to self promotion which is to vaunt 120 00:09:05,320 –> 00:09:07,320 your triumph 121 00:09:08,179 –> 00:09:10,880 I think as these temptations are pretty obvious 122 00:09:10,880 –> 00:09:15,900 And then as we look at what actually happened and how David responded when Saul died 123 00:09:16,260 –> 00:09:19,679 That I think this was actually David’s finest hour 124 00:09:20,900 –> 00:09:27,380 Because what David does here is what love does and it’s nothing to do with self 125 00:09:27,659 –> 00:09:30,260 It’s not self pity or self promotion 126 00:09:30,260 –> 00:09:33,239 You know this that self is at the heart of both of these temptations 127 00:09:33,280 –> 00:09:37,200 and so I want you to turn with me to second Samuel in chapter one and 128 00:09:37,340 –> 00:09:41,760 For us to see together what love does at the time of a difficult 129 00:09:42,260 –> 00:09:45,599 Ending and at the time of a new beginning 130 00:09:45,659 –> 00:09:51,440 It’s going to give us a window into the heart of God as we prepare to gather around the table 131 00:09:51,440 –> 00:09:53,440 Well, you notice these very simple things 132 00:09:54,099 –> 00:09:57,599 Number one. Here’s what love does at the end of a difficult relationship 133 00:09:58,559 –> 00:10:00,559 love grieves 134 00:10:00,760 –> 00:10:02,760 love grieves 135 00:10:03,280 –> 00:10:06,260 And David verse 17 lamented 136 00:10:07,400 –> 00:10:09,400 With this lamentation 137 00:10:10,700 –> 00:10:13,099 Over Saul and Jonathan 138 00:10:14,159 –> 00:10:16,159 his son 139 00:10:16,599 –> 00:10:19,739 Now David was a sinner saved by grace just like us 140 00:10:19,739 –> 00:10:23,940 But we’ve seen it from the Bible that he was a man after God’s own heart 141 00:10:23,940 –> 00:10:28,000 That is he was a man with a new heart and a new heart 142 00:10:28,000 –> 00:10:32,359 Of course as you know is the distinguishing mark of everyone who belongs to Jesus 143 00:10:32,559 –> 00:10:33,039 Christ 144 00:10:33,039 –> 00:10:35,419 There’s no such thing as a Christian without a new heart 145 00:10:35,739 –> 00:10:41,739 And it is quite clear from the scripture that out of this new heart David really did love his enemy 146 00:10:43,080 –> 00:10:48,000 Jonathan of course all Son was Davis great friend. There was a real bond between them 147 00:10:48,000 –> 00:10:52,840 So it’s not surprising at all to read here that David lamented over Jonathan 148 00:10:52,840 –> 00:10:53,859 He grieved Jonathan 149 00:10:53,859 –> 00:10:59,119 But what is so striking is to read that’s when Saul had hunted David for a decade 150 00:10:59,619 –> 00:11:03,599 Trying to destroy him and never giving up and never changing 151 00:11:04,599 –> 00:11:08,059 That when Saul dies David grieves over 152 00:11:08,799 –> 00:11:10,799 Saul he’s not gloating 153 00:11:11,580 –> 00:11:13,580 he’s not saying at last 154 00:11:15,640 –> 00:11:21,640 He’s grieving he’s grieving that is what love does a 155 00:11:23,780 –> 00:11:28,479 Lesser man would have heard the news of the death of Saul and would have said 156 00:11:28,979 –> 00:11:30,979 Yes 157 00:11:31,119 –> 00:11:34,020 At last thank you God 158 00:11:35,340 –> 00:11:37,840 Why did it take 10 years? Oh? 159 00:11:39,880 –> 00:11:41,880 My life is going to be so much easier 160 00:11:43,679 –> 00:11:47,460 But you see David is a man after God’s own heart and 161 00:11:48,239 –> 00:11:53,039 Remember what Jesus says to us what do you do when you have a new heart love your enemies? 162 00:11:53,919 –> 00:11:55,739 Love your enemies 163 00:11:55,739 –> 00:11:57,739 David did that 164 00:11:58,479 –> 00:12:01,200 So he grieves at the downfall of Saul 165 00:12:02,419 –> 00:12:04,419 It’s remarkable isn’t it? 166 00:12:06,219 –> 00:12:11,260 David was always loyal to Saul we’ve seen that and proved it when he had the opportunity to take his life 167 00:12:11,260 –> 00:12:13,900 He wouldn’t even touch him wouldn’t harm him in any way 168 00:12:13,940 –> 00:12:20,099 he was the commander of souls army how different it might have been if Saul had understood that and and had 169 00:12:20,299 –> 00:12:23,039 got over his petty jealousy and just kept 170 00:12:23,400 –> 00:12:30,640 David by his side as his commander how much good could have come for the kingdom if Saul had sustained that relationship 171 00:12:33,239 –> 00:12:37,580 And David hears of the death of Saul and grieves the loss 172 00:12:39,280 –> 00:12:41,280 Of what might have been 173 00:12:42,000 –> 00:12:47,219 I’ve had the privilege of visiting Israel as a number of you also have and 174 00:12:47,580 –> 00:12:50,299 And most of the sites where a 175 00:12:50,700 –> 00:12:57,440 Significant event in the life of Jesus took place or marked by some kind of building where people go and sort of place of worship 176 00:12:58,020 –> 00:12:59,099 and 177 00:12:59,099 –> 00:13:04,979 One that I will always remember is half way down the Mount of Olives as you’re going into the city of Jerusalem 178 00:13:06,000 –> 00:13:09,539 there is this building this place of worship and 179 00:13:10,799 –> 00:13:14,820 it is built in the shape of a teardrop and 180 00:13:15,119 –> 00:13:18,119 And it is called the teardrop Church 181 00:13:19,599 –> 00:13:20,900 And the reason for that 182 00:13:20,900 –> 00:13:27,739 Of course is that it marks the place where it is thought that the Lord Jesus coming into Jerusalem. You remember what he did he wept 183 00:13:29,219 –> 00:13:31,219 over the city of Jerusalem 184 00:13:32,859 –> 00:13:37,299 If you friends have ever ever had in your mind 185 00:13:39,039 –> 00:13:41,359 The idea that somehow God 186 00:13:42,059 –> 00:13:45,260 Rejoices at the lostness of waste lives 187 00:13:46,979 –> 00:13:53,659 You come in your mind to the teardrop Church and you see Jesus 188 00:13:55,059 –> 00:13:57,760 God in the flesh and 189 00:13:58,960 –> 00:14:00,960 He’s weeping 190 00:14:02,080 –> 00:14:04,080 Over lost lives 191 00:14:05,900 –> 00:14:10,299 Because of his love for a lost person like you 192 00:14:12,280 –> 00:14:14,280 Love grieves 193 00:14:15,700 –> 00:14:18,659 That’s God in the flesh and that’s how we know who God is 194 00:14:20,599 –> 00:14:26,919 That’s the love that streams out to you even as you’re pushing God away as some of you are doing even right now 195 00:14:29,380 –> 00:14:31,380 Love grieves 196 00:14:31,919 –> 00:14:34,280 Do you know the more you become like Jesus 197 00:14:35,280 –> 00:14:42,460 The more you may find yourself also weeping over wasted lives and wasted opportunities and ruined 198 00:14:42,640 –> 00:14:47,840 Relationships, and family and work and ministry that might have been so much more 199 00:14:48,840 –> 00:14:50,840 Love grieves 200 00:14:51,880 –> 00:14:53,880 It does not gloat 201 00:14:54,840 –> 00:14:56,840 It does not gripe 202 00:14:57,559 –> 00:14:59,559 Love grieves 203 00:15:01,679 –> 00:15:03,780 Secondly, love covers 204 00:15:05,239 –> 00:15:12,700 Here I want to draw your attention to something that the scripture says that is really folks very very hard for us in our culture 205 00:15:12,719 –> 00:15:18,119 To take in at all we live in a culture where there is a vast audience 206 00:15:19,200 –> 00:15:24,960 For anyone who wants to tell a story that will bring someone else down. That’s just the world in which we’re living 207 00:15:25,119 –> 00:15:27,119 It’s very sad 208 00:15:27,159 –> 00:15:32,900 But we are living in a culture in which because of the sinfulness of the human heart. There is a vast audience 209 00:15:33,900 –> 00:15:36,059 For anyone who wants to tell a story 210 00:15:37,380 –> 00:15:42,659 That will bring another person down which shows how far we are away from love and how little we know about it 211 00:15:44,419 –> 00:15:49,340 Here’s the scripture that I have in mind Peter says this above all keep loving each other 212 00:15:50,500 –> 00:15:52,500 earnestly deeply 213 00:15:53,000 –> 00:15:56,039 Since love covers a 214 00:15:57,380 –> 00:15:59,380 multitude of sense 215 00:16:00,059 –> 00:16:02,140 Love covers a 216 00:16:03,900 –> 00:16:05,900 Multitude of sins 217 00:16:06,260 –> 00:16:13,239 It’s what love does and if love is in you it will be very common for you to be covering 218 00:16:15,099 –> 00:16:22,020 Multitude of sins in the life of another person that you love because that is what love does 219 00:16:23,700 –> 00:16:25,700 So when Saul dies 220 00:16:26,200 –> 00:16:33,239 Instead of drip feeding the lurid details of Saul’s many many failures 221 00:16:34,280 –> 00:16:39,960 David speaks only about the good that could be said of him all through this chapter that was read to us 222 00:16:41,119 –> 00:16:43,419 And I want you to notice why 223 00:16:44,080 –> 00:16:51,039 David doesn’t vent about Saul not only because of his love but specifically verse 20 says something quite fascinating 224 00:16:51,400 –> 00:16:53,400 Tell it not in Gath 225 00:16:54,200 –> 00:16:56,200 Publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon 226 00:16:56,880 –> 00:17:03,780 Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice you see David knows that God’s people have enemies 227 00:17:04,780 –> 00:17:09,459 There are those out there who hate the Church of God and want all their ammunition 228 00:17:09,459 –> 00:17:15,800 They can get against anything that carries the name of Christ Gath and Ashkelon were two of the five 229 00:17:16,459 –> 00:17:17,540 Philistine cities 230 00:17:17,540 –> 00:17:25,140 And would they not just love in Gath and Ashkelon where they hate the people of God would they not just love to hear everything 231 00:17:25,219 –> 00:17:29,900 that’s worst about Saul, and what could they do with copy like that and 232 00:17:31,880 –> 00:17:37,160 Saul says I will not give it to the enemies of God. I will not give ammunition 233 00:17:38,579 –> 00:17:40,579 for the enemies of God 234 00:17:41,119 –> 00:17:43,780 to fire in the face 235 00:17:44,680 –> 00:17:46,680 of the Almighty 236 00:17:47,180 –> 00:17:50,859 So when Saul dies he speaks about that which is good 237 00:17:52,660 –> 00:17:54,579 About this very very 238 00:17:54,579 –> 00:17:55,939 wanting 239 00:17:55,939 –> 00:17:57,939 King isn’t that striking? 240 00:17:58,119 –> 00:18:03,640 Do you see how he’s doing what Peter calls us to in the new testament love covers a multitude of 241 00:18:04,780 –> 00:18:06,780 sins 242 00:18:07,699 –> 00:18:09,699 Brothers and sisters in Christ 243 00:18:10,000 –> 00:18:12,000 Think 244 00:18:12,280 –> 00:18:15,380 About the sins that God has covered for you 245 00:18:17,099 –> 00:18:20,459 You’re going to come to the communion table in just a few minutes time 246 00:18:21,959 –> 00:18:27,939 And here together we are going to be reminded of just how God has loved us and 247 00:18:28,959 –> 00:18:32,739 Here’s how he has loved us Micah puts it this way. He has compassion on us 248 00:18:32,739 –> 00:18:39,119 He loves us and what does it look like he treads our. Iniquities underfoot and he casts our sins 249 00:18:39,920 –> 00:18:42,099 into the depths of the sea 250 00:18:43,599 –> 00:18:45,599 He covers them over 251 00:18:46,180 –> 00:18:48,180 He puts them out of his sight 252 00:18:49,939 –> 00:18:52,859 That is what God has done for me 253 00:18:53,839 –> 00:18:54,780 and 254 00:18:54,780 –> 00:19:02,500 If you are truly a Christian today, that is what God in Jesus Christ has done for you. He has said your sins and 255 00:19:03,400 –> 00:19:05,400 your iniquities and 256 00:19:05,459 –> 00:19:10,839 There are many for all of us, but he said your sins your iniquities. I will remember 257 00:19:11,420 –> 00:19:12,560 no 258 00:19:12,560 –> 00:19:14,560 more 259 00:19:15,260 –> 00:19:22,140 Now understand this because it’s very important I speak to my Christian brothers and sisters all of you who are in Christ I 260 00:19:23,479 –> 00:19:29,780 Want you to remember today that you will be in heaven not because you are without sin 261 00:19:30,180 –> 00:19:31,800 But 262 00:19:31,800 –> 00:19:35,199 Because God does not charge your sins against you 263 00:19:35,900 –> 00:19:41,400 That’s the only reason that you’ll be in heaven. That’s the only reason that I will be in heaven. God has a case 264 00:19:42,819 –> 00:19:49,119 That he could bring against you and against me Christian brother and sister simply on the basis of the past week 265 00:19:50,680 –> 00:19:53,839 That if he chose to bring it would be enough to condemn us to hell forever 266 00:19:54,260 –> 00:19:55,839 And Matthew explains the child to him 267 00:19:55,839 –> 00:20:00,520 Because in this last week we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God God as a case 268 00:20:01,380 –> 00:20:03,140 That if he chose 269 00:20:03,140 –> 00:20:08,880 He could bring against you and against me simply on the basis of the last week that if he were to bring it 270 00:20:09,239 –> 00:20:12,540 Would be enough to condemn you and me tonight today 271 00:20:13,599 –> 00:20:19,719 And to hell forever and you ask the question why then doesn’t he do it? Why? Because you’re in Christ 272 00:20:19,719 –> 00:20:21,719 Because 273 00:20:21,880 –> 00:20:23,880 He loves you 274 00:20:24,479 –> 00:20:30,979 Because he has said they’re sins and very nicotinous, I will remember no more I will cover them over 275 00:20:32,760 –> 00:20:35,280 So that we read in the scriptures 276 00:20:36,439 –> 00:20:38,439 blessed is 277 00:20:38,599 –> 00:20:40,599 the one whose 278 00:20:40,920 –> 00:20:44,180 Transgression is forgiven and whose sin is 279 00:20:45,000 –> 00:20:46,640 covered 280 00:20:46,640 –> 00:20:48,640 Who wrote that? 281 00:20:48,880 –> 00:20:50,880 It’s a song pick a guess 282 00:20:51,479 –> 00:20:53,380 David wrote it 283 00:20:53,380 –> 00:20:57,339 He knows how much God has covered for him 284 00:20:57,339 –> 00:21:03,640 And that that’s the only reason he has any standing with God at all, and when you know, how much God has covered for you 285 00:21:05,099 –> 00:21:08,599 Then it begins to give you a heart of mercy a heart of grace 286 00:21:10,319 –> 00:21:14,680 Even towards the souls in your life who may have hurt you badly 287 00:21:15,420 –> 00:21:19,900 And how wonderfully David demonstrates this here 288 00:21:21,459 –> 00:21:27,300 Love grieves it’s what it does at the ending of a difficult relationship love covers 289 00:21:28,119 –> 00:21:29,839 Here’s the third thing 290 00:21:29,839 –> 00:21:31,560 love 291 00:21:31,560 –> 00:21:33,079 commands and 292 00:21:33,079 –> 00:21:39,540 I want just to introduce here a verse from the New Testament because it gives us the principle on which David is 293 00:21:40,160 –> 00:21:41,160 obviously 294 00:21:41,160 –> 00:21:42,660 working here 295 00:21:42,680 –> 00:21:45,739 Philippians chapter 4 in verse 8. You know this it’s a verse 296 00:21:45,739 –> 00:21:51,140 I think that I quote almost every day and I need to quote it every day in my own life 297 00:21:51,420 –> 00:21:54,660 It’s always with me and it’s so important 298 00:21:56,020 –> 00:21:58,020 brothers sisters 299 00:21:59,260 –> 00:22:01,640 Whatever is pure whatever is lovely 300 00:22:02,859 –> 00:22:07,699 Whatever is commendable if anything is excellent if there’s anything that’s worthy of praise 301 00:22:09,020 –> 00:22:11,020 Think about these things 302 00:22:11,420 –> 00:22:13,420 Get your mind on that stuff 303 00:22:14,140 –> 00:22:17,239 Get your mind off all the other stuff that’ll drag you down 304 00:22:18,420 –> 00:22:20,739 will suck you into bitterness and 305 00:22:21,180 –> 00:22:27,859 Make a choice that is a choice that David quite clearly makes here in second Samuel in chapter 1 on the death of Saul 306 00:22:27,859 –> 00:22:33,979 I am going to focus my mind on every good thing that could possibly be said about that man who caused me so much difficulty 307 00:22:35,579 –> 00:22:40,260 His love for Saul who treated him so badly not only covers the multitude of sins 308 00:22:40,300 –> 00:22:43,180 I mean, he could have said well folks my lips are sealed 309 00:22:43,520 –> 00:22:48,439 And of course, if he’d said that that would have spoken volumes, wouldn’t it? Everyone way to know knows there’s a story there 310 00:22:50,219 –> 00:22:52,219 But he doesn’t simply 311 00:22:52,479 –> 00:22:54,479 Cover over he commenced 312 00:22:55,579 –> 00:23:02,560 He goes further he writes this song and he teaches it to people and he says let me tell you what was good about Saul 313 00:23:02,560 –> 00:23:06,099 This is a song that has what was good about Saul 314 00:23:06,920 –> 00:23:08,920 remarkable and 315 00:23:09,420 –> 00:23:14,619 What’s significant and this is very important? There’s no faking there’s no pretending in this 316 00:23:14,939 –> 00:23:21,500 There’s nothing here about Saul’s loving God which he didn’t do there’s nothing here about Saul obeying God which he didn’t do 317 00:23:21,500 –> 00:23:24,640 There’s no lies. There’s no pretending there’s no dressing up 318 00:23:24,660 –> 00:23:30,079 there is simply a choice to identify that which was good and 319 00:23:31,199 –> 00:23:38,140 David finds three good things verse 22 solves military achievements verse 23 his partnership with Jonathan 320 00:23:38,219 –> 00:23:44,219 that was very effective there was never a good partnership with David and that was to be lamented, but there was with Jonathan 321 00:23:44,219 –> 00:23:44,400 so 322 00:23:44,400 –> 00:23:48,459 There’s something to be praised and the prosperity verse 24 that came as a 323 00:23:48,719 –> 00:23:53,479 Result of the spoils of war and he commends these things goes out of his way to do it 324 00:23:53,900 –> 00:23:56,199 Whatsoever things are good you think about these things 325 00:23:56,959 –> 00:23:58,959 That’s what love does 326 00:23:59,140 –> 00:24:01,140 It’s what loved us 327 00:24:01,439 –> 00:24:03,880 Again think of how God does this with us 328 00:24:03,880 –> 00:24:05,680 remember 329 00:24:05,680 –> 00:24:09,859 how Jesus told the story about a master and he gives talents to his 330 00:24:09,959 –> 00:24:15,859 Servants and then he goes away and then when he comes back two of the servants actually hear the master say 331 00:24:16,560 –> 00:24:18,560 Well done good and faithful servant 332 00:24:19,260 –> 00:24:21,459 enter into your master’s joy and 333 00:24:21,760 –> 00:24:27,660 Every Christian believer knowing that that points to the last day when we’ll stand before the Lord every Christian believer wants 334 00:24:27,859 –> 00:24:31,119 To think would I hear God say to me 335 00:24:32,079 –> 00:24:36,459 Well done good and faithful servant enter into your master’s joy 336 00:24:39,040 –> 00:24:43,839 But if you’re anything like me you will have asked from time to time how in the world is that possible 337 00:24:45,119 –> 00:24:47,920 You will sometimes look at your own best efforts 338 00:24:48,599 –> 00:24:53,660 And you will wonder if God will really see any value in them at all 339 00:24:55,079 –> 00:24:57,079 How would it be possible? 340 00:24:57,680 –> 00:25:00,839 for this Almighty and this Holy God to look at 341 00:25:01,599 –> 00:25:06,300 the work done by flawed believers like me and like you and 342 00:25:07,479 –> 00:25:09,479 Then find them commendable 343 00:25:11,180 –> 00:25:13,920 And the answer to that very real question is 344 00:25:15,619 –> 00:25:21,839 He will find them commendable believer because when he looks at you in Jesus Christ 345 00:25:21,939 –> 00:25:24,500 He also sees your work in 346 00:25:24,760 –> 00:25:26,760 In Jesus Christ 347 00:25:26,760 –> 00:25:28,479 It’s wonderful 348 00:25:28,479 –> 00:25:34,020 When he looks at you in Jesus Christ, he also sees your work in 349 00:25:35,380 –> 00:25:37,380 Jesus Christ 350 00:25:39,319 –> 00:25:41,939 That’s what gives it value in the eyes of God 351 00:25:43,859 –> 00:25:47,680 After Christmas this year I started a new project 352 00:25:48,979 –> 00:25:52,760 like most of you, I love music and it is 353 00:25:53,719 –> 00:25:56,660 Marvellous to me that I can get 354 00:25:57,439 –> 00:26:04,180 Hundreds of songs on my phone. I mean, it’s just amazing, isn’t that amazing absolutely remarkable and 355 00:26:05,359 –> 00:26:06,819 Listen to them on the car 356 00:26:06,819 –> 00:26:10,079 I can take them in a little thing this side of my pocket listen to them and playing 357 00:26:10,400 –> 00:26:16,400 anywhere in the country anywhere in the world it’s amazing why bother with a whole box of 358 00:26:16,719 –> 00:26:21,239 CDs when you can get absolutely everything right there on your phones marvelous 359 00:26:22,160 –> 00:26:25,959 Now for those of you who are younger you need to know 360 00:26:26,719 –> 00:26:28,199 that before 361 00:26:28,199 –> 00:26:30,199 there were CDs 362 00:26:30,560 –> 00:26:34,040 There were little things that looked like a large matchbox called 363 00:26:35,119 –> 00:26:38,660 Cassettes I got boxes of them and 364 00:26:40,160 –> 00:26:43,099 Before there were little things that were called cassettes 365 00:26:44,500 –> 00:26:46,400 there was 366 00:26:46,400 –> 00:26:48,400 vinyl 367 00:26:49,239 –> 00:26:51,979 Records on a turntable with a needle 368 00:26:55,060 –> 00:26:57,060 And I got a lots of them 369 00:26:58,000 –> 00:27:02,719 And it occurred to me after Christmas, you know, I’ve not listened to these things for years and a lot of them 370 00:27:02,719 –> 00:27:04,719 I really rather like and 371 00:27:04,839 –> 00:27:10,579 so I got the gear for making the connection between the turntable with the vinyl and 372 00:27:11,439 –> 00:27:16,739 The computer and thought okay, I’m gonna get them onto the phone. It’s gonna be great can take them anywhere 373 00:27:17,239 –> 00:27:19,239 Marvelous 374 00:27:19,339 –> 00:27:24,260 So I made the first recording got the headphones on 375 00:27:25,739 –> 00:27:27,739 It was awful 376 00:27:29,339 –> 00:27:33,339 You know the breakfast cereal that’s called that’s advertised snap 377 00:27:34,140 –> 00:27:35,819 crackle and pop 378 00:27:35,819 –> 00:27:43,099 Well, that’s exactly what it was snap crackle and pop and I think I cannot possibly listen to this 379 00:27:43,219 –> 00:27:45,640 it’s going to be a disaster then I 380 00:27:46,780 –> 00:27:48,780 Found a piece of software 381 00:27:49,500 –> 00:27:52,900 That is absolutely marvelous. It is called 382 00:27:53,660 –> 00:27:56,060 the depopper and 383 00:27:57,579 –> 00:28:04,540 When you run it through the de popper there if I couldn’t get over the effect you can see that I’m excited about that 384 00:28:05,579 –> 00:28:11,640 How is it possible friends that a recording that is scarged 385 00:28:12,000 –> 00:28:16,040 With scratches and crackle and wear of years 386 00:28:18,119 –> 00:28:24,800 Can suddenly be transformed into something that is beautiful clean sound when I’m hearing it now on the iPhone 387 00:28:26,739 –> 00:28:28,920 That is the most beautiful picture of 388 00:28:29,640 –> 00:28:33,199 What happens in the presence of God to your works your ministry? 389 00:28:33,380 –> 00:28:38,300 Your service when you are in Jesus Christ what we do is so far from 390 00:28:38,900 –> 00:28:40,900 Perfect and yet it becomes 391 00:28:41,020 –> 00:28:46,959 Beautiful in the eyes and in the ears of Almighty God. Did you know that? That’s what happens every time you pray 392 00:28:48,380 –> 00:28:52,020 that all the distortion and all the weakness of faith and 393 00:28:52,880 –> 00:28:56,439 All the things that are firing off and asking for the wrong things in the wrong direction 394 00:28:56,599 –> 00:29:03,079 The snack crackle and the pop gets taken out as it goes in the name of Jesus Christ and assent 395 00:29:03,380 –> 00:29:09,780 to the throne of God so that God the Father lovingly hears and answers the weakest prayer 396 00:29:11,020 –> 00:29:13,640 Of the most ordinary Christians amazing 397 00:29:15,140 –> 00:29:21,079 That’s what gives value to the life, the ministry, the work of a Christian 398 00:29:22,180 –> 00:29:26,520 Believer, that’s what would make it possible for someone who often feels 399 00:29:26,520 –> 00:29:31,160 Am I really accomplishing anything in what I’m doing that I might yet hope that I will hear 400 00:29:31,160 –> 00:29:35,520 through Jesus Christ the Master himself say well done good and 401 00:29:36,420 –> 00:29:38,420 faithful servant 402 00:29:38,420 –> 00:29:43,079 Love commends us what love does God loves you 403 00:29:44,479 –> 00:29:46,160 He loves you in Jesus Christ 404 00:29:46,160 –> 00:29:52,800 And that’s why Christ came for you because without that your best efforts would all be snap, crackle, and pop 405 00:29:54,040 –> 00:29:58,420 They really would and you know it as I know it 406 00:30:00,560 –> 00:30:02,380 There’s the last thing 407 00:30:02,380 –> 00:30:08,119 What does love do? The ending of a difficult relationship beginning of a new era, love grieves 408 00:30:09,339 –> 00:30:13,439 As God does over the wasted lives 409 00:30:15,579 –> 00:30:19,660 Love covers as God does over all your sins 410 00:30:21,359 –> 00:30:27,859 Love commends here’s in this very mixed life that you and I have as a Christian believer with so much 411 00:30:27,859 –> 00:30:31,920 That’s not even as we would yet want it to be God sees that which is a value 412 00:30:31,959 –> 00:30:34,199 It’s in Christ, and that’s how he sees it 413 00:30:35,520 –> 00:30:37,719 The last thing is simply this love heals 414 00:30:40,020 –> 00:30:46,099 David lamented verse 17 with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son and 415 00:30:47,280 –> 00:30:49,079 he said 416 00:30:49,079 –> 00:30:52,260 it should be taught to 417 00:30:52,920 –> 00:30:54,920 the people of 418 00:30:55,660 –> 00:30:57,660 Judah 419 00:30:57,819 –> 00:31:00,839 You say what’s the significance of that which was David’s tribe 420 00:31:02,000 –> 00:31:03,979 from the tribe of 421 00:31:03,979 –> 00:31:05,979 Judah 422 00:31:06,900 –> 00:31:13,400 Not only was David kind in the way that he expressed this marvelous love but he was also wise 423 00:31:14,859 –> 00:31:19,839 You can read the story if you would like to do so in 2nd Samuel see how it continues 424 00:31:19,839 –> 00:31:26,359 but it won’t surprise you to know that when saw died there were some people who rallied behind David then there were other folks who 425 00:31:56,400 –> 00:31:59,660 That’s where his base was in the south 426 00:31:59,660 –> 00:32:06,500 That’s where the Judah tribe was and ish bo sheth later in the chapter. He’s made king over Israel the north in 427 00:32:07,060 –> 00:32:14,979 Mahoney, he was over the Ashotites and Ephraim. That’s all North and also the tribes that were further east and 428 00:32:15,920 –> 00:32:22,760 So one surprise you to read in chapter 3 & verse 1 of 2nd Samuel that was then a long war 429 00:32:24,199 –> 00:32:26,199 between the North 430 00:32:26,219 –> 00:32:27,959 the south 431 00:32:27,959 –> 00:32:32,199 not surprising nothing new or unusual in any of that and 432 00:32:32,680 –> 00:32:35,520 That’s what David inherited a divided kingdom 433 00:32:35,520 –> 00:32:39,699 And he had to find a way over time in which he was able to bring keep people together 434 00:32:39,939 –> 00:32:45,579 From these different factions and unite them together around one vision and around one purpose 435 00:32:45,579 –> 00:32:51,939 And so I want you to notice the significance of what David does here as he grieves the death of Saul on day one 436 00:32:52,719 –> 00:33:00,500 David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son and he said it should be taught 437 00:33:01,119 –> 00:33:03,119 to the people of 438 00:33:03,680 –> 00:33:06,819 Judah. So David goes to his own camp and 439 00:33:07,540 –> 00:33:08,979 he says 440 00:33:08,979 –> 00:33:10,479 I’m 441 00:33:10,479 –> 00:33:12,479 grieving Saul 442 00:33:13,479 –> 00:33:15,479 And I want you to do the same 443 00:33:15,959 –> 00:33:18,719 No gloating not from one of you 444 00:33:18,719 –> 00:33:19,880 nothing 445 00:33:19,880 –> 00:33:21,880 No gloating 446 00:33:22,880 –> 00:33:28,119 And so the people of faith of Judah in verse 17 are to join with the daughters of Israel verse 447 00:33:28,359 –> 00:33:32,160 24 in the love that grieves in the love that covers in the love that 448 00:33:32,819 –> 00:33:39,079 Commends and out of this comes the beginning of what eventually will be the healing of the whole nation. It’s beautiful 449 00:33:40,680 –> 00:33:42,680 Here we come to the table now 450 00:33:43,520 –> 00:33:47,219 In which Christ reaches out to us the love that is not only wept 451 00:33:47,219 –> 00:33:50,500 but has suffered and has died and has given Himself for us the 452 00:33:51,239 –> 00:33:56,739 Love that for all who are in Christ covers our multiple sins and goes on doing them 453 00:33:58,319 –> 00:33:59,800 Love 454 00:33:59,800 –> 00:34:05,520 That ends up commending us before God and giving our very lives value in the sight of God 455 00:34:06,040 –> 00:34:07,520 Reframing our entire 456 00:34:07,520 –> 00:34:10,219 relationship with God in Jesus Christ 457 00:34:10,580 –> 00:34:17,459 And He draws us together from all our different backgrounds from those who are far and those who are near and we’re brought together as he’s 458 00:34:17,459 –> 00:34:19,459 the great peacemaker 459 00:34:20,580 –> 00:34:22,580 We’re brought together in 460 00:34:23,239 –> 00:34:27,260 Him, my question is simply this. What do you know of this love? 461 00:34:28,479 –> 00:34:33,879 Love that weeps over someone who has hurt you. Love that covers. Love that commends 462 00:34:33,879 –> 00:34:40,520 Love that makes peace where there’s division, is that kind of love in you at all? 463 00:34:42,020 –> 00:34:46,800 Because it’s awfully different from the bitterness and the 464 00:34:47,739 –> 00:34:52,500 Take the next person down spirit that is dominating our culture today 465 00:34:53,239 –> 00:34:54,659 and 466 00:34:54,659 –> 00:34:56,719 There’s only one way to get that love 467 00:34:57,979 –> 00:35:02,379 And that’s to be in touch with its source. That’s why John says 1 john chapter 4 in verse 19 468 00:35:02,520 –> 00:35:04,520 We love 469 00:35:06,659 –> 00:35:08,659 because he first loved us 470 00:35:10,040 –> 00:35:16,000 The only way that you’re going to be able to love in the brokenness of this world to be able to have loved towards even 471 00:35:16,000 –> 00:35:20,540 Those who have hurt you to have loved like David had towards Saul when he grieved over 472 00:35:21,399 –> 00:35:27,060 Is that this amazing love that covers this amazing love that commends this amazing love of Christ? 473 00:35:27,060 –> 00:35:28,399 should 474 00:35:28,399 –> 00:35:33,879 Come into your heart and should be yours even today. Will you pray with me? 475 00:35:34,439 –> 00:35:37,179 father in your great mercy and in your grace 476 00:35:37,919 –> 00:35:41,399 May your love come and touch and cover 477 00:35:42,679 –> 00:35:45,139 Command and heal us all 478 00:35:46,600 –> 00:35:48,600 May none of us today 479 00:35:49,479 –> 00:35:54,159 Leave this place causing grief to your heart because we resist 480 00:35:54,479 –> 00:35:57,739 The love that reaches out to us in Christ even now 481 00:35:58,719 –> 00:36:02,340 These things we ask in Jesus name and everyone together said