South Union Sermons

Bottom line: God invites us to His table of grace as sons and daughters to enjoy His provision for us because of His love for His Son, Jesus.

When it comes to our “movin’ on up” in God’s Kingdom, it’s not the result of self effort, energy, hard work, etc. It’s because of God’s grace. And the most poignant example of a “movin’ on up” story of grace in the OT is found in King David’s outpouring of grace to an unknown, crippled kid of Jonathan named Mephibosheth. The story of Mephibosheth’s “movin’ on up” from a place of barrenness and desolation to the King’s palace and provision is a story of grace. It illustrates the reality of salvation in the life of every believer.

Bottom line: When there's a cleanup on aisle 9 (my life), there's a revival in my soul.

David sought to cover up his sin, but in doing so he only made the mess even larger affecting not only his life but the lives of others. What David needed was a cleanup not a coverup. And only God could supply the cleansing and forgiveness of sin that David truly needed. When David was seeking to cover up his sin, he should actually have been calling for "a cleanup on aisle 9" (i.e. a cleanup of sin in his heart and life).

Bottom line: A spring fling with sin results in our being flung to a great fall.

David was no rebellious, wild, sinful, sexual pervert, so how did it happen? How did David, a man after God's own heart, end up having a "spring fling" with Bathsheba driving his life over the cliff of temptation and sin? He did it one small step at a time over time.
We can learn from David how to avoid what David experienced, i.e. his crash and burn. That's why God recorded this episode of David's life in His Word.

Bottom line: If a king can "dance" in the presence of the KING, and the KING can dance with a king, then surely we can do what David did and experience what David experienced.

David followed and obeyed the precepts of God. In doing so he experienced freedom, joy, celebration, and worship. He worshipped God like an uninhibited child before his father. When we obey God's precepts and apply His principles to our lives, we experience freedom to enjoy, celebrate, and worship our Heavenly Father.

Bottom line: God keeps His word.

When a new sheriff comes to town, when life is in transition, when it looks like everything is in flux, on the move, and changing, God is still the same. God keeps His word.

From chapter 31 of 1 Samuel through the conclusion of chapter 5 in 2 Samuel, we see a new sheriff (king) come to town (kingdom). As David ascends to the throne and Saul is removed, the theme that God is in charge, does not change, and keeps His promises is clearly in view.

Bottom line: We are being true disciples of Christ when we are busy glorifying God and loving others.

Bottom line: True and lasting satisfaction (peace, safety, etc.) is not found in enemy territory. It is found in God’s blessing.

The big D of discouragement can drive us from God, but God can also use it to drive us to Him in a place of repentance and dependence. When you’re in "Big D,” encourage yourself in the Lord. Cry out to God. Turn to God. "Lord, I need you. Help me. Direct me."

Bottom line: We overcome our own worst enemy (self) when we release our perceived enemy instead of taking revenge.

David's greatest victory wasn't won on a battlefield. David's greatest victory wasn't defeating Goliath, or, for that matter, any victory David ever won over someone else. His greatest victory was won over himself not on a battlefield but in a cave. David overcame his flesh nature's desire for revenge and instead released Saul and trusted God to avenge him.

Bottom line: No giant can stand against you when you come at the giant in the name of the LORD.

David slew the giant with a sling, but there was something preceding the stone and the sling that was even more important than the weapon he chose. David saw something about Goliath that no one else saw. And what he saw allowed him to realize that the battle wouldn't be won because of a particular weapon but because of God. David recognized that Goliath was outside of a covenant relationship with God. David told Goliath that God would deliver him (the giant) into David's hand because the battle belongs to the LORD. We have to see that in connection to every giant we face, there is a spiritual component. We don't defeat giants in our own strength. God defeats our giants as we stand in faith and fight our giant in the name of the LORD.

Bottom line: Being faithful in the small things proves us to be faithful and prepares us to be entrusted with the large things.

Let's be faithful with whatever we've been entrusted to steward, our station in life, our current assignment no matter how small. And then let's work on increasing in our lives the priorities God is looking for: spiritual sensitivity, a servant's humility, and a soulish integrity. These are the things God saw in David as a shepherd boy that caused God to "king" him.