Pastor Matt reminded us that the scandalous grace that came to David is also available to us. God reached into the darkness, found each one of us, and He made us His treasure
MY STORY
Describe a person you know who completely turned his or her life around because of experiencing the grace and mercy of God.
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah ... (Matthew 1:6)
David said to Nathan, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. " Nathan said to David, "You are the man! (1 Samuel 12:5-7)
Why is it significant that that Pastor Matt pointed out that David should have been doing something different (namely being with his army in their battles) at the time of this encounter with Bathsheba?
To what lengths did David go to cover up his sins? How did he ultimately fail in this attempt?
How do we reconcile David's actions with God describing the King as a man after God's own heart?
According to Pastor Matt, why is it that we cannot, at any level, hold Bathsheba responsible for what happened?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passages above, what are the factual "takeaways" that are meaningful to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
React to the following statement:
"Rationalization covers a multitude of sins"
How have you seen this play out in your own life?
What is the difference between genuine repentance and a fake apology?
Why is the scandalous grace of God guaranteed to those who own up to their sins without deflecting responsibility to anyone?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and new understanding, how is the Holy Spirit nudging us?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Pastor Matt said, "The joy of Christmas is that God didn't wait for us to clean up our mess, He stepped into it. He entered our darkness, our pain, our rebellion, and called us His treasure."
In what sense were you in need of the scandalous grace of God when you first came into saving faith?
How might you need it now?
In your confession, what does it mean to fully own up to what God can plainly see is true about your damaging words and actions – and the dark motives behind them?
Write out a detailed confession to God, and offer that up to God with a truly contrite heart. Share that confession with someone you trust, and who was not impacted by the damaging words or behaviors you're acknowledging.
What does God want ME to do? Based on your answers to these questions, toward what creative actions is the Holy Spirit leading you?
Message Notes
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