2022-01-16: The Life of David — David and Ish-Bosheth

Sermon Audio: David and Ish-Bosheth
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 4:1-12
Duration: 24:09
Size: 16.5 MB

The Life of David
David and Ish-Bosheth
II Samuel 4:1-12

Today’s lesson picks up when Ish-Bosheth hears the news of Abner’s death, and what happens to Ish-Bosheth after that.

Sometimes, people even try to order their lives or community through unjust means.

I. Courage Fails When We Ignore God (II Samuel 4:1)
So, news of Abner’s death caused Ish-Bosheth’s courage to fail. And not only Ish-Bosheth, but all Israel was dismayed.

Don’t live as if God is not sovereign over all things.

II. God Will Fulfill His Purposes (II Samuel 4:2-4)
Even today, let us believe that God is fulfilling his purposes.

III. Poor Theology Does Not Cover Sin (II Samuel 4:5-8)
The problem was that their theology was not only poor theology, but it was also wrong theology.

Poor theology, however, may give temporary comfort, but if it is wrong, it will never cover sin.

IV. God’s Saving Work Leads to Gratitude (II Samuel 4:9)
Gratitude is a natural response to salvation. It does not require coercion or encouragement; to the extent that the individual understands what has happened, gratitude will flow organically and abundantly from their heart.

V. God’s Judgment Rests on Sinners (II Samuel 4:10-12)
You and I are sinners. God’s judgment will fall on us unless we turn to Jesus and ask him to have God’s judgment fall on him.

2022-01-09: The Life of David — David Mourns Abner

Sermon Audio: David Mourns Abner
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 3:22-39
Duration: 23:43
Size: 16.2 MB

The Life of David
David Mourns Abner
II Samuel 3:22-39

David was seeking to establish God’s kingdom of peace on earth.

The fact is that Jesus Christ is perfect, and we are not.

I. God’s King Is Peaceful (II Samuel 3:22-23)
Instead of conflict there was now peace, as David received Abner into his fellowship.

II. God’s King Is Innocent (II Samuel 3:24-30,37)
Nevertheless, Joab, unknown to David, sent messengers after Abner and summoned him back to Hebron.

David was innocent of all wrongdoing.

III. God’s King Is Good (II Samuel 3:31-36)
David pointed his people–and us–to the true king, King Jesus. Jesus is good. He is always good.

IV. God’s King Is Gracious (II Samuel 3:38)
King David was showing himself to be a gracious king to those who came to him seeking reconciliation.

V. God’s King Is Gentle (II Samuel 3:39)
David was gentle toward Joab and Abishai. It takes great strength to be gentle.

2021-11-14: The Life of David — David Joined by Abner

Sermon Audio: David Joined by Abner
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 3:1-21
Duration: 26:44
Size: 18.3 MB

The Life of David
David Joined by Abner
II Samuel 3:1-21

Israel was led by General Abner and his puppet king, Ish-Bosheth, and Judah was led by King David.

They study the issue of peace around the world and publish their findings in a document called the Global Peace Index.

War is a terrible thing. Our world has never known a time without war.

I. God’s Kingdom Is Threatened by Personal Failure (II Samuel 3:1-5)
Those in the house of David included Joab, commander of David’s army (although he doesn’t appear in today’s narrative), and David, who was ruling as king over Judah.

From the beginning of creation, marriage was intended by God to be a covenant union between one man and one woman.

What sin are you justifying because everyone around you is doing it?

II. God’s Kingdom Is Helped by Justified Rebuke (II Samuel 3:6-11)
But Abner’s pride would not allow himself to submit to the truth that was in the rebuke.

III. God’s Kingdom Is Advanced by Demanded Restitution (II Samuel 3:12-16)
Restitution is “the restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner.”

IV. God’s Kingdom Is Established by Reconciling Peace (II Samuel 3:17-21)
Abner affirmed that he would gather all Israel and bring them to David so that David could become king over all Israel.

2021-11-07: The Life of David — David Anointed King of Judah

Sermon Audio: David Anointed King of Judah
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 2:1-32
Duration: 27:49
Size: 19.1 MB

The Life of David
David Anointed King of Judah
II Samuel 2:1-32

The way was finally opened for David to become king over Israel. But, even then, David was anointed king over only Judah and not yet all Israel.

The article was about Peggielene Bartels, secretary to the Ghanaian embassy in Washington for 30 years.

God had promised David that he would be the next king over Israel.

I. God’s Kingdom Is Inaugurated by Divine Guidance (II Samuel 2:1-4a)
David was seeking divine guidance from God regarding the establishment of his kingdom.

God’s kingdom is like a mustard seed. It starts small and grows into something that is really big.

II. God’s Kingdom Is Extended by Winsome Appeal (II Samuel 2:4b-7)
There is a wonderful winsomeness about David’s appeal to the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead to submit to his kingship.

III. God’s Kingdom Is Opposed by Rebellious Opposition (II Samuel 2:8-32)
King David now met with rebellious opposition. And this rebellious opposition to the kingdom of God will continue until Jesus returns.

God’s kingdom will triumph. God’s kingdom will prevail. And God’s kingdom will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.

2021-10-31: The Life of David — David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan

Sermon Audio: David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 1:17-27
Duration: 24:01
Size: 16.4 MB

The Life of David
David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan
II Samuel 1:17-27

David and all the men with him mourned and wept and fasted for Saul and Jonathan and for the defeat of Israel at the hands of the Philistines.

To signify the importance of Saul’s death, none other than David, who came to be known as “the sweet psalmist of Israel”, wrote a national lament for Saul.

I. Lament for the Loss to a Nation (II Samuel 1:17-18)
It was not merely a personal and private expression of his grief, but it was a public expression of grief.

He wanted it to become motivation for their response to the attack of the Philistines.

II. Lament for the Loss of Mighty Leaders (II Samuel 1:19-24)
Of course, by the time that David heard about Saul’s death, the Philistines would have already broadcast the news all over Philistia: “We won! Philistia beat Israel! Dagon defeated Yahweh!”

It is right to mourn the loss of mighty heroes.

Nevertheless, now that Saul and Israel had been defeated, there was reason to mourn.

III. Lament for the Loss of a Dear Friend (II Samuel 1:25-27)
There is something that is irretrievably lost when a loved one dies. It is certainly appropriate to lament that loss.