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Jesus-looking God

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

Reconciling The Holidays – 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

November 26, 2023

Today’s message focuses on 2 Corinthians 5:11-22, where Paul shares the transformative love of Christ with the people of Corinth. Paul is in defensive mode due to false teachers, accusers, haters, and wicked people attempting to taint the gospel message and the character of Paul.

I Have Overcome The World

November 19, 2023

Today’s message focuses on John 16:25-33 and the promise that Jesus has conquered the world. Jesus prepared the disciples for his death, resurrection, and second coming. First, he uses parables, but now he speaks to them in plain language. Jesus prepared them for all the tough times ahead, knowing their souls would experience distress, but he reminded them that he had overcome the world.

The Prodigal God – The Prodigal God Mini-Movie – Sermon VI of VI

October 29, 2023

Today, we conclude our new message series, “The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith,” by showing “The Prodigal God” mini-movie. This mini-movie is message VI of VI and is a masterpiece dramatization of the entire message series. Dr. Keller unpacks Luke 15:11-32 (NIV), 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.

The Prodigal God – The Feast of the Father – Session V of VI

October 22, 2023

Today, we conclude our new message series, “The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith.” Our message is titled “The Feast of the Father.” This sermon is V 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 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 elder 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? Before you listen to the message, you are encouraged to go to our website and download the lesson bulletin for this message, dated October 22, 2023.

The Prodigal God – The True Elder Brother – Sermon IV of VI

October 15, 2023

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?

How To Share Your Faith In The World

August 20, 2023

Today’s message is titled “How To Share Your Faith In The World.” Today we unpack 1 Peter 3:13-22 and are reminded of our primary purpose as disciples. When we look at the decline of the “BIG C” Church, we have to be honest with ourselves and take ownership of the decline. We must quit blaming the devil, Satan, demons, principalities, and powers for everything that doesn’t go our way. Secularists have done a better job of evangelizing than believers have. If the trend continues, by 2070, 50% of the population in the United States will be secular, e.g., atheist, agnostic, and irreligious. If we believe the “good news” is the “best news ever,” we must start acting like it. We must share our faith and Jesus regularly and be invitational to the world’s countless lost souls suffering, wounded, and excluded.

Where Are You, God?

July 16, 2023

Our message today is titled “Where Are You, God?” We unpack John 8:12-36 and what it means to say, “God is everything, or He is nothing.” We learn why Jesus demands that we either crown him King or crucify him.

A Jesus-looking God

December 25, 2022

On Christmas day of 2022, we lean on the lectionary and the Hebrews 1:1-4 Scripture, teaching us that Jesus is God’s entire manifestation and essence. As Christians, we worship and follow a Jesus-looking God. Thank you for joining us for today’s message.

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