Peter Barnes | 2 Samuel 12:1-7a
SERMON NOTES
SINNERS CONDEMN THEMSELVES
2 Samuel 12:1-15a; Luke 7:36-50
Spurgeon: ‘Sheep may fall into the mire; swine wallow in it.’
1. God pursues His people.
– 12:1. This was not Nathan’s idea to confront David, and it certainly was not David exercising his own free will. God was displeased with David – 11:27b. Yet He was also gracious.
– Calvin: ‘there is nothing better than when God sends us messengers of his wrath.’
– Jonah 3:1; John 21:15-17
2. In presenting God’s Word, we need discernment and courage.
(a) discernment or wisdom. The message is ‘turn or burn’, but look at how Nathan tells David a parable – 12:1-4.
– Matt.21:23-27; Luke 7:40-47; John 8:1-11.
(b) courage. Nathan confronts the king because he fears God more than he fears the king.
3. We condemn ourselves in condemning others.
– 12:5-6. David overdoes it (Ex.22:1).
– Rom.2:3; Matt.7:1-2. He has condemned himself. We all do.
– The right response to God is not a false defence but a grateful surrender.