Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 2 Samuel 11:1-2

King David, though a man after God’s own heart, was a great sinner. In 2 Samuel 11, he committed adultery and, in covering it up, he committed murder. But in 2 Samuel 12, we find that David was also a great repenter. He exemplifies the way back to God after we fall into sin.

We must first recognize the causes of David’s sin. In a time of war, David was at home while his army fought without him.

Adrian Rogers says, “The sin of omission is failure to do what you ought to be doing.”

David’s idleness quickly turned into a careless affair with a married woman. That carelessness turned into callousness. After committing the hot-blooded sin of adultery, David murdered his mistress’s husband Uriah in cold blood.

We also see the consequences David faced when he covered up his sins rather than confess them. He aged prematurely, his body groaned inwardly under heavy conviction, and he experienced a spiritual dryness.

Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

For those who are children of God, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins until we confess them. If we do not confess, God must chastise us as he did David. God is more interested in our relationship with Him than in anything else; He will do whatever He has to in order to restore us to Himself.

Then, God will use someone or something in our lives to challenge us about our sins. For David, He sent the prophet Nathan.

Once David realized how far he had drifted from God, he was desperate to find the way back.

Psalm 51:7 says, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

Even when he sinned, David had confidence in God’s lovingkindness. He confessed his sins without any excuse or alibi, and God was faithful to cleanse and forgive.

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

We don’t have to carry around our own condemnation anymore; we can be clean.

Apply it to your life
Do you have any unconfessed sin weighing on you today? Ask God to search your heart and reveal your sin to you. Confess it, and be cleansed by God’s forgiveness.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 2 Samuel 11:1-5

2 Samuel 11 is a dark chapter in the history of King David’s life. David was at the height of his career, seeing continuous blessings from God. But then came —David committed the sin of adultery.

“Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold...” (2 Samuel 11:2).

Marriage is a divine creation, a supreme commitment, and a faithful continuation. It is the first institution created by Almighty God, designed for one man to be married to one woman until death do them part.

Though he did not understand the beauties of monogamous marriage, David broke the marriage vows he made to his wives. When David sinned against his marriage, he ultimately sinned against himself.

Adrian Rogers says, “There is no sin that will do you more damage, hurt, or harm than the sin of sexual impurity. Sexual immorality is harmful spiritually, psychologically, and physically.”

David also sinned against his family, which is the basic unit of society; God established monogamous marriage to meet a family’s deepest emotional, physical and spiritual needs. The glue that holds the home together is sexual faithfulness.

Adultery is also a sin against the church; when a member of a church lives in sexual immorality, he sins against the holy body of Christ.

No matter how society tries to glamorize it, adultery has destroyed great nations in the past: Rome, Egypt, and Babylon, to name a few. It may be the sin that destroys our nation, as well, because it is a sin against Almighty God.

If we want to avoid sinning the way David did, we must make the decision; bring our failures and sins before Jesus Christ and depend on Him. We have a responsibility to exercise our devotion to Christ and to our families.

We must let our love develop, cultivate and grow over time, guarding our hearts; we must be disciplined, and have control over who or what we let into our lives.

Remain determined; make up your mind that you will not fall into temptation before it comes.

Apply it to your life
We have a responsibility to remain faithful in our marriages. Remember your decision to depend upon Him, remain devoted, and develop your love for your spouse; stay disciplined and determined.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 26:21

No man in Scripture ever had a brighter beginning, nor a sadder ending, than King Saul. Any one of us could become like Saul if we dare to play the games that fools play.

First, we must see Saul’s golden opportunities. 1 Samuel 9 notes his superior manhood, modesty, and magnanimous spirit. He was anointed by God to rule Israel—God’s chosen people—surrounded by men of valor and mentored by God’s chosen prophet, Samuel. Yet, despite being set up for success, he started down the road toward self-destruction and became a fool.

His first step toward failure was his self-determination. Saul ran ahead of God’s timing and acted by self-will. He did what seemed good to him rather than obeying God. Those who run ahead of God eventually veer off track.

Second, in his wandering, Saul chose to stubbornly disobey rather than to repent. In his reasoning, he wanted to do wrong so that he could then do right.

Third, 1 Samuel 16:14 says, “But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him.” Something terrible happened to this man as God’s Spirit left him and an evil spirit came upon him.

Spiritually depraved, Saul engaged in witchcraft and began communicating with evil spirits for guidance on the battlefield. He put himself in company with the devil and opened himself to the occult.

Seeing his defeat, Saul died in shame by his own hand, falling on his own sword. He became the finished product of the devil’s art.

Saul’s story reminds us that we could have every advantage in the world and still play the fool. Success is temporary, and we have no chance of it without obeying God. If we knowingly disobey Him with our eyes wide open, we put ourselves in danger.

Adrian Rogers says, “Sin is horribly powerful; it will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”

No one is immune to the power of sin; we must get clean and stay that way. 

Apply it to your life
Do you have any unconfessed sin in your heart? Are you ignoring any instruction from God, or daring to run ahead of His will? Carefully pray for forgiveness and guidance; don’t play the game fools play.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 2 Samuel 3:33, 38

2 Samuel 3 tells of the tragic demise of Abner, a great man of middle age and robust health who died in a foolish manner.

Then the king said to his servants, ‘Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel’” (2 Samuel 3:38)?

Abner’s story is instructive for those who want to live lives full of wisdom and abundance.

First, we see that Abner was in a place of fearful danger; he was in the middle of a battle, fighting on the wrong side against David. Seeing his defeat, he fled and was chased down by the brother of Joab, the king’s commander-in-chief.

Abner killed his hunter, and as a result, faced a foolish death, himself. “Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother” (2 Samuel 3:27).

Hebron was a city of refuge where Abner would be safe. But he was lured outside of the city gate by Joab, who killed him to avenge his brother’s death. Abner’s foolish death is an illustration of what it is like to die without faith in Jesus Christ.

Adrian Rogers says, “Jesus is our city of refuge, and yet many great, discerning men are going to die like fools because they will die just outside the gate of the city of refuge.”

Abner, a brilliant man, died like a fool because he was deceived. Likewise, the devil has deceived many into believing he is their ally and God is their enemy. This friendly deceiver lures them outside of Christ our refuge to strike them down.

Finally, we see the final determination of David and his tears after the fact: “And the king sang a lament over Abner and said: ‘Should Abner die as a fool dies’” (2 Samuel 3:33)?

Abner’s destiny was fixed, and David’s tears could not bring him back. Adrian Rogers says, “David wept after the fact, but Jesus wept before the fact. Oh, may God give me a heart that’s broken over the lost destiny of men.”

Apply it to your life
Are you safe in the city of refuge that is a relationship with Jesus Christ? Is your heart broken for the lost? Pray for the salvation of those who may not yet know Jesus.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Kings 2:5-6

In 1 Kings 2, David is coming to the end of his reign. Before relinquishing the throne to his son, Solomon, David proclaims judgment on his right-hand man, Joab.

By all appearances, Joab was devoutly loyal to his king. He was David’s nephew who believed the right things about him. He knew David was the savior of Israel and a sovereign king. He even believed David was a sufficient leader, risking his life for his king on the battlefield.

But in spite of his loyalty, there was still something missing: he never really gave his heart to David.

Adrian Rogers says, “Joab was a man who loved the kingdom without loving the king. He loved the power, but he didn’t love the person. He loved the glory, but he did not love the glorious one who was God’s anointed.”

There are some Christians who will profess their loyalty to Christ, yet remain lost like Joab, the Judas of the Old Testament.

Joab represents those who claim to know and love the Lord, and yet don’t have the mind of Christ. They can’t deal properly with those whom Jesus has forgiven, because they don’t understand it—and they don’t understand it because they haven’t experienced it.

Joab did not have the heart of David. David’s son, Absalom, had rebelled against his father, trying to usurp the throne. But David loved his rebel son and instructed Joab to deal gently with him. Instead, Joab killed Absalom the moment he got the chance.

Nor did Joab have the will of David; it was David’s will that Solomon be king, but Joab sought out other candidates.

There are many like Joab in our churches who will claim to fight in the name of their king, but they don’t have the heart of the king. They don’t deal with other people as Jesus would, or forgive as Jesus forgives.

They don’t seek rebels as Jesus seeks rebels, therefore, they don’t share in His sovereign will. Joab’s tragic story shows our loyalty doesn’t matter if we are still lost. We must consider our own hearts, minds, and wills, and be sure they are like Jesus.

Apply it to your life
Do you have the heart and mind of Christ, thinking what He thinks, loving whom He loves? Don’t let a Joab or a Judas or any other hypocrite keep you from loving Jesus and serving in your church.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 24:1-7
King David was a remarkable man after God’s own heart. He lived by principle, not by appearance. He was a warrior who knew many victories, but perhaps his greatest victory was the one over his own spirit when subjected to authority.

In 1 Samuel 24, David is hiding in a cave after King Saul has put a bounty on his head. King Saul comes into the cave, unaware that David and his men are hiding just out of sight. David has the opportunity to kill Saul, the man actively trying to kill him. But he does not; instead, he shows us how to behave in a cave, when no one else is watching.

He refuses to take vengeance and acts as we should according to Scripture: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

Like David, we must remember the principle of spiritual authority. David knew that he had no right to take Saul’s life because Saul was God’s chosen and anointed king. There is no king, no power, no ruler that has not been ordained of God. To rebel against them is an act of rebellion against God. We are all subject to them and must submit to their leadership.

Second, David gently pleaded for change, with reverence, respect, and reason. David relied on God to change Saul’s heart.

If the authority in question commands us to do something that is contrary to the Word of God, we should obey God rather than men. But we must be sure that even when we disobey our appointed leader, we have a warrant from Scripture. Even still, we should act in a manner that respects authority. God took care of Saul, and God will take care of our enemies as we learn to rely on the Lord.

Finally, David made a gracious promise to King Saul, that when he became king, he would protect Saul’s loved ones.

The spirit of God was in David. Adrian Rogers says, “David never won a greater victory than he won that day in the cave: a victory over self, a victory over Saul, and a victory over sin.”

Apply it to your life
Are you facing conflict in submitting to spiritual authority? Consider how David behaved in the cave. Recognize the great principle of authority and show respect to those God has placed over you.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-4

A blood covenant is a biblical principle that permanently unites two people together in marriage, business or friendship. It is made when the blood of two individuals is mingled together, and the two parties adopt a lovingkindness toward each other, meaning their love surpasses all differences.

Jonathan and David’s blood covenant in 1 Samuel 18-19 is a picture of the blood covenant God made with us, through Jesus.

After David came into power, the former King Saul’s descendants were scared that he would kill them, especially his grandson, Mephibosheth. But because of the covenant David made with Mephibosheth’s father, Jonathan, he was shown lovingkindness.

2 Samuel 9:7 says, “And David said unto him, ‘Fear not; fear not; for I will surely show thee kindness, for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and I will restore unto thee all the land of Saul, thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.’”

Mephibosheth changed his mind and ratified the covenant first made by his father. King David, who was once his enemy, became his friend. Once he ratified the covenant, a transformation took place. Mephibosheth, deformed, dethroned, deceived, and good as dead, was now a son of the King. He shared the King’s possessions, protections, and personhood.

In the same way, when we change our minds, we take a new King into our lives: Jesus Christ.

The blood covenant is not just a biblical principle… it is the subject of the Bible; Jesus entered into a blood covenant with God the Father on our behalf. On the cross, the blood of God and the blood of man mingled.

As a result, we now live by the steadfast promise and the saving power of the blood covenant. We have received the King’s forgiveness, His fellowship, and His fortune.

Adrian Rogers says, “Because of the blood covenant, the meek shall inherit the earth. We’re heirs of God and joint-heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Thank God that God sought us, just as David sought Mephibosheth. We are in the king’s family; whether we feel it or not, our sonship is a matter of the blood covenant.

Apply it to your life
Adrian Rogers says, “Jesus came to Earth to make a blood covenant so that we might enjoy what we have with our Lord, share the wealth of His possessions, and rest in the shadow of His protection.”

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-4

A true friend is of great value and worth the find. The Bible places a great emphasis upon friends, but it also encourages us not to have too many of them. Rather, we are to consider friendships as an investment. We invest time, energy, prayers, and emotions into people. We cannot fully invest in more than we can maintain.

Jesus loved many people in his time on Earth. He made good acquaintances, but he regularly invested himself in his twelve disciples. In his humanity, Jesus needed a friend, and He showed us the virtues of a true friend.

1 Samuel 18 provides a vignette of David and Jonathan, and the fortune and formula of their beautiful friendship. “Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1).

David and Jonathan’s friendship was selfless. Jonathan was the king’s son, and the heir to the throne; yet there’s not one speck of jealousy of David, the one who would become king. Rather, the Bible says that Jonathan loved David as he loved his own soul.

Their friendship was steadfast, as 1 Samuel 18:3 continues: “Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.” By entering a blood covenant, their steadfast friendship was unconditional.

Their friendship was also sacrificial: “And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt” (1 Samuel 18:4). Jonathan, who lived a life of royalty, shared all he had with David, who lived a life of a shepherd.

Finally, their friendship was sanctifying. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

Adrian Rogers says, “The best thing that could happen to you is to have a friend that so loves God and so loves you that you’re always a better person when you leave his presence.”

Apply it to your life
Do you have a friend who loves, strengthens, helps, corrects, guides, and sustains you? More importantly, are you that kind of friend? Pray and ask God for the wisdom to maintain the relationships in your life.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 17:45-54

Because King David lived by purpose, progression, and power, he saw many victories. But victory can be dangerous if we don’t know how to receive it. It is entirely possible to be defeated by our victories.

In 1 Samuel 17-18, David demonstrates how to live in our victories.

First, we see David’s partnership with Jonathan: “...the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” After David defeated Goliath, King Saul brought David to his home, where he met Saul’s son, Jonathan. They became close friends, and would eventually enter a blood covenant together. Jonathan rejoiced with David as he watched God bless him with many victories.

As the Body of Christ, we are in blood covenant with one another. When one member rejoices, every member should rejoice. When one member suffers, every member should suffer.

Second, we see the problem of the women’s praise: “So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7).

The women praised David, but David knew it wasn’t his victory, it was God’s. We must be quick to pass the praise on to Jesus.

Adrian Rogers says, “The way to lose the next victory is to fail to give God the proper praise for the last victory.”

The third response to victory was the pride of Saul, who felt David’s gain was somehow his loss. The marks of his pride were his anger, jealousy, and fear.

Adrian Rogers says, “No one is a complete failure until he starts disliking the man who succeeds.”

Finally, we see the prudence of David, in his reaction to victory: “And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.” (1 Samuel 18:14)

When we receive praise, it does something to us, either good or bad, according to our own estimation of ourselves. David knew each battle he faced was the Lord’s, which is why God could bless him and use him.

When we receive blessings from God, we should seek wisdom as David did, and be wise in our response.

Apply it to your life
Our true natures are revealed when we receive victory. If you find yourself in a position of praise, direct it all to God. Celebrate with your fellow believers without jealousy.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 17:3-11

The story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 teaches us how to deal with the problems in our lives. Some of us live in quiet desperation, intimidated by our “giants.” But God’s plan for His children is to live like kings and queens in victory.

In this passage, Goliath of Gath represents the vicious enemy behind our problems: the devil. Everything, from his measure, might, manner, and motive, mimic Satan’s testing, trying, sifting, and fighting the people of God.

The encounter in this passage was a vicarious prefiguring of Jesus Christ and Satan. 1 Samuel 17:8 says, “...Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me.” David fought on behalf of the entire army, just as Jesus Christ was crucified on our behalf. David defeated Goliath, just as Jesus defeated Satan.

The story of David and Goliath is also a victorious example of God’s power. As Jesus fought that battle against sin so long ago, there is a continuing battle. In one sense, it’s already won; yet in another sense, it needs to be fought day by day.

There are three principles to remember in order to live like kings and queens in victory.

First, there is a principle of persistence. Battles can only be won by those who are persistent. Filled with a divine purpose, David remained persistent in it in spite of others' dismay, disdain, and discouragement.

Second, there’s a principle of progression. We must learn how to handle the small things before we could ever be trusted with big things. Before David fought Goliath, he fought a lion and a bear. He was simply elevating from victory to victory. Adrian Rogers says, “The reason some of us are not winning our big battles is because we’re losing our little battles.” We have to be faithful where we are, with the least we have, in order to prepare for much more.

Finally, there’s a principle of power. David was only able to take down Goliath because of the power of God within him. He had the right method and served the right master with the right motive.

If we want to live in victory, we must reduce our aim to one thing: that Jesus be glorified.

Apply it to your life
Do you know your purpose? Are you committed to progress -- being faithful in the small things? Are you filled with the power of the Holy Spirit?