MAN UP BIBLE SERIES Living a Life that Counts LESSON ONE

The Real World A few years back on a trip from Colorado to Kansas Ronda and I stopped off at Dodge City. We went up to Boot Hill and saw Old Joe. His Tombstone read, “ Here lies old Joe. He died with his boots on.” At the end of the grave were a set of boot toes sticking up the in ground. King David has an Epitaph found in Acts 13:22: “ I have found David, son of Jesse a man after my own heart, he will do everything I want him to do.” That is what I want God to say about me. How do I get there? What is the process ? That is what this MAN UP Bible Series will be all about. Being a Man after God’s own heart. But as I look at David’s life and his actions I do not see perfection. In fact it appears to be just the opposite. This is the reality of a man. So much good is possible. So the real question is: Are you ready to be all God wants you to be?

The Real Word JEREMIAH 5: “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city. 2 Although they say, ‘As surely as the L ORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.” 3 L ORD, do not your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain; you crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. 4 I thought, “These are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the L ORD, the requirements of their God. 5 So I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the L ORD, the requirements of their God.” But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds. 6 Therefore a lion from the forest will attack them, a wolf from the desert will ravage them, a leopard will lie in wait near their towns to tear to pieces any who venture out, for their rebellion is great and their backslidings many. 7 “Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes. 8 They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for another man’s wife. 9 Should I not punish them for this?” declares the L ORD. “Should I not avenge myself PSALM 51 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is [b] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.b 18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Real Talk What is Your Heart’s Desire? Write your own inscription on your tombstone: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ When God looks at your life what does He see?

Real Steps What can we learn from the life of David? Shed the blood of thousands – I Chron. 22 :8 He was an Adulterer – 2 Sam 11: 4 He Murdered – 2 Sam. 11: A poor father – 2 Sam 13: 15 – 18 How can God call him “ A man after God’s own heart?” Are you a Man after God’s Heart?

Time to Close So… What is the real answer to this quest to be a Man after God’s own heart? It is found in God’s grace! David by his actions did not deserve God’s blessing. But in his heart he has a longing to follow and please God. I know that is true for those of us who will walk together through this study of David’s life. Want some proof? John Newton - Writer of the hymn, “Amazing Grace” … The wretch that is mentioned in the first verse is him… A slave trader.. At his dead he is quoted as shouting out … My memory is gone but I remember two things.. I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior. No matter how bad your past has been… Your future is so very Amazing… All because of Grace! Time to MAN UP!