God’s Presence for Sinners and Sufferers Alike – Sermon by Harold Long
December 10, 2023
Hello Kingdom Family,
Welcome to our Jesus-centered community. We are glad you are listening to today’s message.
“We are People Helping People Experience a Jesus-centered Life.”
In today’s message, we unpack 2 Samuel 11 & 12. We look at the life of David and Bathsheba, focusing on the sin of David and the need for healing by Bathsheba. We wrestle with why it’s important for forgiveness and healing to take place to experience Emmanuel, God, with us. We also learn how Emmanuel, God with us, means that as Christians, we are Jesus with skin to the world.
The Bible doesn’t paper over the sins of its “heroes.” David, the most famous of Israel’s kings, makes this abundantly clear.
David was the second king of Israel, the one immediately following Saul. It’s hard to say enough of the importance of King David. Biblical architecture is relevant to his story. He is credited with writing most of the book of Psalms. He was heralded as Israel’s greatest king. His biography is recorded with more detail than any other Old Testament figure. Most significantly, God promised that one of David’s offspring would “establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:13).
And yet, like many in Jesus’ genealogy, David sinned greatly. His most notorious moment of sin is recorded in 2 Samuel 11, when he used his power to force Bathsheba, a married woman, to have sex with him, then killed her husband (and probably others) to cover it up. Reflect momentarily; how would you respond to such a person in your faith community or family? Would you disown them? Avoid them at all costs?
Yet God includes a man like this in Jesus’ genealogy? Why?
Scripture doesn’t record David’s sins to minimize them or excuse them. It records David’s sins to reveal the scandal of forgiveness. David’s sins are great. God’s power to forgive is greater. We are right to find this offensive. God’s grace is undeserved and scandalous.
But that’s only half of the story.
Because Matthew, the apostle who begins his Gospel with Jesus’ genealogy, does not merely mention David. He notes that Jesus came from the lineage of David and Bathsheba (Matthew 1:7). This was unheard of in the ancient world, where genealogies only followed the line of the fathers. Matthew paused to highlight this most unlikely couple, David and Bathsheba, together. Why?
There is a hint here that God’s salvation extends to those who have sinned and those who have sinned against Him. David, the sinner, needs forgiveness. Bathsheba, being human, also needs forgiveness. But in the context of 2 Samuel 11–12, she is primarily sinned against … and thus needs healing. The salvation of Jesus offers both.
The Greek word for salvation, sozo (everyone please say “sozo.” literally means “wholeness.” We tend to think of salvation primarily as a matter of forgiveness—dealing with the problem of sin (which is true). But it is just as much a matter of healing—dealing with the problem of suffering (which is also true). The barrier to wholeness changes the road back to wholeness. So, for the sinner, Sozo means forgiveness. For the sufferer, sozo implies healing.
All of us listening to this message need forgiveness and healing.
And since all of us are a mixture of sinners and sufferers alike, sozo means we need forgiveness and healing to be made whole again (sin blocks us from each other and God and creates a soul sickness. We need forgiveness and healing to experience God’s presence again.
This salvation—forgiveness and healing—comes at a great cost. David, reflecting on his sin, said his wrongs must be “purged” and “blotted out” if he was ever to be restored to God’s presence (Psalm 51:1, 9). How can any person on their behalf expunge their record with God?
We all need restoration, placed in a position where we can become happy, joyous, free, and experience wholeness. Amen.
Before you listen to the message, you are encouraged to go to our website and download the lesson bulletin for this message, dated December 10, 2023. The publication contains questions to reflect on as an individual, couple, or small group. You can find them on the home page by clicking the Bulletins and Lesson Plans tab. Today’s message is “God’s Presence for Sinners and Sufferers Alike.”
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Merry Christmas,
Hill-Tran Ministries
- Harold Long
- 2023 Advent Series
- 2 Samuel 11
- 2 Samuel 12
- 2 Samuel 7:13
- Matthew 1:7
- Bathsheba
- David
- David and Bathsheba
- Forgiveness
- Healing
- Jesus
- Jesus the Christ
- Jesus-Centered
- Jesus-centered Christmas
- Jesus-centered Community
- Jesus-Centered Faith
- Jesus-centered life
- Jesus-Centered Living
- Jesus-looking God
- King David
- Salvation
- Sozo
- Wholeness
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
The Prodigal God – The True Elder Brother – Sermon IV of VI
October 15, 2023
- Harold Long
- The Prodigal God
- Hebrews 2:11
- Luke 15:1-6; 25-32
- Philippians 2:4-10
- Forgiveness
- Jesus
- Jesus the Christ
- Jesus-centered life
- Jesus-Centered Living
- Jesus-looking God
- Joy
- Reconciliation
- Self-Centeredness
- Sinners
- Tax Collectors
- The Gospel of the Kingdom
- The Great Commission
- The Parable of the Lost Coin
- The Parable of the Lost Sheep
- The Parable of the Prodigal Son
- The Tale of Two Sons
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Today, we continue our new message series, “The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith.” Our message is titled “The True Elder Brother.” This sermon is IV of VI and sets the stage for the rest of the series. We unpack Luke 15:1-6; 25-32 (NIV) and unpack the most popular of the three parables in Luke 15, which included the first two parables, The Parable of the Lost Sheep and The Parable of the Lost Coin. This message should shock and move every person engaging in the scripture and teaching. In our message today, we look at the true younger brother, Jesus the Christ. We are all called to be true elder brothers, and the question is, can we be humble and honest enough to own it and, even more importantly, do something about it?
The Prodigal God – The Tale of Two Sons – Sermon II of VI
October 1, 2023
- Harold Long
- The Prodigal God
- Luke 15:11-32
- Elder Brother
- Forgiveness
- Grace
- Pharisees
- Reconciliation
- The Parable of the Lost Coin
- The Parable of the Prodigal Son
- The Tale of Two Sons
- Younger Brother
Today, we continue our new message series, “The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith.” Our message is titled “The Tale of Two Sons.” This sermon is II of VI and sets the stage for the rest of the series. We unpack Luke 15:11-32 (NIV) and unpack the most popular of the three parables in Luke 15, which included the first parables, The Parable of the Lost Sheep and The Parable of the Lost Coin. This message should shock and move every person engaging in the scripture and teaching.
How To Grow Spiritually In 2003
January 1, 2023
- Harold Long
- New Year's Day
- 2 Peter 3:14-18
- Forgiveness
- Forgiving
- Grace
- How To Grow Spiritually in 2023
- Inventory
- Jesus-Centered Faith
- Jesus-Centered Living
- Mercy
- Truth
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Happy New Year! Today we unpack 2 Peter 3:14-18 and discover how to grow spiritually in 2023.
Life On God’s Terms
October 23, 2022
- Harold Long
- Romans: I'm Not Ashamed of the Gospel
- Romans 8:1-17
- Excluded
- Forgiveness
- Grace
- Jesus-Centered
- Jesus-Centered Living
- Mercy
- Self-Centeredness
- Selfishness
- Sin
- Sin Nature
- Spiritual Bankruptcy
- Suffering
- The Body
- The Power of Sin
- Wounded
- Hillsboro UMC
Today we continue our message series “Romans: I Am Not Ashamed Of The Gospel.” Our message today is titled “Life On God’s Terms?” We unpack Romans 8:1-17 and discover what it means to live in a world of the Spirit versus the world system. We look at the root of the human problem: extreme self-centeredness. Lastly, we learn how to live an other-centeredness life from a little boy named Jimmy the Prophet.
There’s Room For Everyone On The Nice List
December 12, 2021
- Harold Long
- Christmas At The Movies
- 1 John 3:16
- 1 Samuel 16:7
- Ephesians 6:1-4
- John 15:9-10
- John 3:16
- Philippians 4:6-9
- Romans 12:6-8
- Adoption
- Christmas Cheer
- Christmas Spirit
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Healing
- Love
- Nice List
- Pain
- Reconciliation
- Suffering
- The Delusion of Inequality
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Welcome to our Advent Message Series, “Christmas At The Movies.” Our message centers on the Christmas classic “Elf.” We hope you enjoy this message series, especially after coming off another year of COVID-19 and the political divide. It’s time to learn from Jesus and have fun doing it. Today, our message is titled “There’s Room For Everyone On The Nice List,” delivered by Pastor Harold Long. Please join us as we learn about the Spirit of Christmas from Buddy the Elf and the Word of God.
God Desires a Broken Spirit
August 1, 2021
- Harold Long
- Summer In The Psalms
- Psalm 51
- Clean Heart
- Confession
- Crucifixion
- Forgiveness
- Joy
- King David
- Reurrection
- Salvation
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Welcome to our message series, “Summer In The Psalms.” Today’s message is titled “God Desires a Broken Spirit” Pastor Harold unpacks Psalm 51 and helps understand why coming clean is necessary to experience a clean heart.
Week Three – FORGIVING – Red Letter Challenge
March 7, 2021
Hello Podrishioners, Welcome to our latest message series, “The Red Letter Challenge.” Today’s message on “forgiveness” sets the stage for this week’s teaching and challenge centered on “FORGIVING.” We are glad you are with us on this 40 Day Lenten journey. If you would like to support Hill-Tran Ministries financially, please visit us online at… Read More »
Forgiveness 70 X
September 13, 2020
- Harold Long
- Summer 2020 Lectionary Series
- Matthew 18:21-35
- 12 Steps
- Accountability
- Anger
- Conflict
- Fear
- Forgiveness
- Kingdom Accountability
- Mentorship
- Resentment
- Sponsorship
- Tube Theology
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Thank you for joining us for today’s message. Today Pastor Harold unpacks Matthew 18:21-35 and what it means to forgive someone else. We learn that forgiveness is what Jesus commands from all of us as kingdom people, and if we fail to live it out, we are no better than the example of the unforgiving lord in today’s parable. Pastor Harold helps us discover what leads to an unforgiving heart, which is fear, anger, and resentment. We are reminded that we need to be on the lookout for the Big Three R’s, Resentment, Resistance, and Revenge. Pastor Harold’s demonstrates his popular teaching on a term he coined “Tube Theology.” This message is a message you don’t want to miss and one that will help liberate you spiritually, especially if you have been stuck or not experiencing the presents of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Kingdom Accountability
September 6, 2020
- Harold Long
- Summer 2020 Lectionary Series
- Accountability
- Anger
- Bible
- dark side
- devil
- Forgiveness
- Jealousy
- Justified Anger
- Kingdom Accountability
- principalities and powers
- Resentment
- Satan
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Thank you for joining us for today’s message titled “Kingdom Accountability.” In our message today, Pastor Harold unpacks Matthew 18:15-20 and helps us learn and discover what Jesus was talking about in this passage, which is only Jesus speaking. We will understand the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness on both sides of the harm done. We hope today’s message impacts your life and that you share the message with others.