LOOK TO JESUS

Year Theme and sermon series Year Theme and sermon series Hebrews 11 & Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

How Did David Make it?

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David & Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Hebrews 11:32-34

How did David make it to the list?

Highs & Lows A hardened killer of men 1 Chronicles 22:8 And David said to Solomon: …the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight. Many Wives 2 Samuel 3:2-5. Eight wives and 10 + concubines. Michal, Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah, Bathsheba, (+?)

Highs & Lows Undisciplined Sons I Kings 1:5-6 "Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king"; …. 6 (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, 'Why have you done so?‘) Neglect of God’s instructions (Ark on cart) 2 Samuel 6 Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. 8 And David became angry because of the LORD's outbreak against Uzzah;… 9 David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, "How can the ark of the LORD come to me?"

Highs & Lows Numbered the people 2 Sam 24:10 And David's heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O LORD, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.“ Adultery, Lies, Treachery & Murder (Bathsheba & Uriah) 2 Samuel 11:27 But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

How Did David Make it?

Highs & Lows Goliath – Physical Challenges Psalm writer – (73+). Worship, praise, fighting talk, etc In the cave – Tempted to take the easy way Ziklag – Emotional low. Threatened by his closest friends (Strengthened himself in the Lord, inquired of the Lord) Messianic prophet – Psalm 2 and onwards! Saw (by faith) the messiah

The Greatest Testimony Acts 13:22 "And when He had removed him (Saul), He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'

After God’s own heart… Knew how to repent & the purpose of repentance – Psalm 51 (& 2 Sam 24:10) 1-5 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight--That You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.… Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

After God’s own heart… Knew how to give to God – I Chronicles 21:22-26 Then David said to Ornan, "Grant me the place of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar on it to the LORD. You shall grant it to me at the full price, that the plague may be withdrawn from the people.“ 23But Ornan said to David, "Take it … Look, I also give you the oxen …, the threshing implements …, and the wheat …; I give it all.“ 24Then King David said …, "No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing." 25So David gave Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the place. 26And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on the LORD; and He answered him from heaven by fire on the altar of burnt offering.

Are you after God’s own heart? Not perfect & not sinless! BUT not continuing in sin! Repenting for the right reason! Giving to God for the right reason!

Making the List (Getting on the Hebrews 11 list) 39 And these all, … obtained a good report through faith… What got David a good report? Seeking God again and again! Psalm 27:4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. He was able to hang on in faith because he loved God above all. SO, keep looking to Jesus in Love !

CONCLUSION - looking to Jesus: 1.Deal with sin – repent and get back to sharing the good news HAVE YOU? Will you? 2. Give everything to God for his service. SACRIFICE! Will YOU? 3. Seek to stay in His presence. Will YOU

Question of the year: Are you … Looking to Jesus … and seeking to walk in his presence as a light to the world?