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 Prodigal God Mini-Movie – Sermon VI of VI
October 29, 2023
- Dr. Tim Keller
- The Prodigal God
- Luke 15:11-32
- Dr. Tim Keller
- Elder Brother
- Feast
- Jesus-Centered
- Jesus-centered life
- Jesus-Centered Living
- Jesus-looking God
- Moral Law
- Parables
- Repentance
- Resurrection
- Righteousness
- Salvation
- The Parable of the Lost Coin
- The Parable of the Lost Sheep
- The Parable of the Prodigal Son
- The Tale of Two Sons
- Tim Keller
- Timothy Keller
- True Elder Bother
- Transformation UMC
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
- Harold Long
- The Prodigal God
- Luke 15:11-32
- Elder Brother
- Feast
- Jesus
- Jesus the Christ
- Jesus-Centered
- Jesus-centered Community
- Jesus-Centered Faith
- Jesus-centered life
- Jesus-Centered Living
- Jesus-looking God
- Reconciliation
- Restoration
- Salvation
- The Parable of the Lost Coin
- The Parable of the Lost Sheep
- Tim Keller
- True Elder Bother
- Younger Brother
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
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.
“Dangerous Jesus” – Spoken Word
April 9, 2023
- Harold Long
- Easter
- Luke 24
- Dangerous Jesus - Spoken Word
- Easter
- Resurrection
- Salvation
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Urban D.’s “Dangerous Jesus” Spoken Word is inspired by KB’s book “Dangerous Jesus.” So many people have misrepresented the real Jesus for so long that people have settled for an imitation version. The real Jesus was Dangerous to the status quo of religious leaders, politicians, and oppressors. We pray this spoken word will inspire you to search for the truth and get to know Him…
Nirvana or Salvation? (Buddha & Jesus)
January 8, 2023
- Harold Long
- Galatians 5:15-16
- Hebrews 9:11-28
- Buddha
- Buddhism
- Eightfold Path
- Nirvana
- Resurrection
- Salvation
- Siddhartha Gautama
- Spiritual GIANTS
- The Awakened One
- The Enlightened One
- The Four Noble Truths
- The Middle Way
- World Religions
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Today we start our 2023 message series “Spiritual Giants.” Each month in 2023 will discover and unpack what we can learn from each of these GIANTS. We you find this series interesting and practical and that it helps group your faith in 2023. We start our series today by looking at the life of Buddha and Buddhism. We will look to Hebrews 9:11-28 (The Message) and the subject of salvation. We’ll compare and contrast with the Buddha’s concept of nirvana.
Jesus-centered Christmas
November 27, 2022
- Harold Long
- Unforgettable Christmas
- John 1:1-18
- Adoption
- Christmas
- Creation
- Emmanuel
- Foster Children
- Jesus
- Jesus the Christ
- Jesus-Centered
- Jesus-centered Christmas
- Jesus-centered Community
- Jesus-centered life
- Jesus-Centered Living
- Salvation
- Sarah McCracken
- Self-Centeredness
- Selfishness
- Spiritual Adoption
- The Word Became Flesh
- Unforgettable Christmas
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Today we start our Advent Series “Unforgettable Christmas,” Part 1 of IV. We unpack John 1:1-18 and discover what “The Word” means and why Jesus came to earth. We also look at two 21st-century examples to help us better understand what sacrifice looks like and how it demonstrates what it means to keep Christ in CHRISTmas.
Run The Race To Win
October 16, 2022
- Harold Long
- Special Services
- 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
- Redeemed
- Repentance
- Running the Race
- Salvation
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Welcome to today’s special message on 1 Corinthians 9:19-27. Our message today is all about running God’s race. We tackle questions like: 1. Why does there have to be a race? 2. How does one get into the race? 3. How do we know if we are in the race? 4. What are we racing for? 5. Who are we racing against? 6. Is this an individual race or a marathon? We hope you are blessed by today’s message, and if you are, please share the message with others.
How Free Do You Want To Be?
October 2, 2022
- Harold Long
- Romans: I'm Not Ashamed of the Gospel
- Romans 7:1-6
- 12 Steps
- Agency of Sin
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Celebrate Recovery
- Freedom
- H
- Power of Sin
- Recovery
- Salvation
- Sin
- The Law
- Twelve Steps
- Unclogging Our Channel
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Today we continue in our message series “Romans: I Am Not Ashamed Of The Gospel.” Our message today is titled “How Free Do You Want To Be?” We unpack Romans 7:1-6 and what it means to be spiritually free. We assess principles and actions one can take to unclog their channel and connect with God, including the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery.
Understanding The Power Of Sin
July 31, 2022
- Harold Long
- Romans: I'm Not Ashamed of the Gospel
- Ephesians 2:3
- Genesis 2:17
- Genesis 2:21-25
- Genesis 3:6-7
- John 19:34
- John 4:24
- Romans 5:12-21
- Adam
- Adamic Nature
- devil
- Eternal Life
- Faith
- Hell
- principalities and powers
- Repentance
- Salvation
- Satan
- Separation
- Sin Nature
- Spiritual Bankruptcy
- Spiritual Warfare
- The Act of Sin
- The Law
- The Power of Sin
- Thirza Sayer
- Understanding the Power of Sin
- Transformation UMC
Welcome to today’s teaching as we continue in our message series “Romans: I Am Not Shamed of the Gospel.” Our message is “Understanding The Power Of Win.” Today we unpack Romans 5:12-21 and focus our attention on understanding the power of sin. This teaching is imperative for making sense of evil, the world system, polarization, and why humans are so jacked up.
Humanity’s Seemingly Hopeless State of Being
July 24, 2022
- Harold Long
- Romans: I'm Not Ashamed of the Gospel
- 1 Corinthians 1:18
- 1 Timothy 1:11
- 2 Corinthians 4:11-12
- Colossians 3:4
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- Galatians 3:20
- John 15:12-13
- John 3:19-21
- Leviticus 17:1
- Matthew 10:39
- Romans 3:20
- Romans 5:2
- Romans 5:6-11
- Titus 3:5
- Blood
- Blood of Jesus
- Exercising Faith and Repentance
- Favor
- Gift of Faith
- Grace
- Jesus-Centered
- Mercy
- Peace
- principalities and powers
- Redeemed
- Restored
- Salvation
- Satan
- Sin
- Temptation
- The Barna Group
- Zap Theology
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Welcome to today’s teaching as we continue in our message series “Romans: I Am Not Shamed of the Gospel.” Our message is “Humanity’s Seemingly Hopeless State of Being.” Today we unpack Romans 5:6-11, and what it means to be ungodly, a child of God, restored, zap theology, and how to have peace with God at last.