Larry Siegle · Psalm 39:1-4
Link to sermon video: The Desire for Victory – L Siegle
THE SEARCH FOR B.I (BIBLICAL INTELLIGENCE) II
“The DESIRE for VICTORY”
(Psalm 39:1-4)
Series: The SEARCH for B.I. (Biblical Intelligence)
Thesis: The EASY way is not always the BEST way.
INTRODUCTION
1. We are continuing a series of messages that explores the DEPTH of our desire to KNOW God. Christ.
2. The title of the series is THE SEARCH FOR B.I. (BIBLICAL INTELLIGENCE)
3. The title of our message today is: “The DESIRE For VICTORY”
EXPRESSIONS OF COMPLAINT BEFORE GOD
1. All of us have experienced difficult seasons of life when the burdens of everyone and everything around us presses up against us—to the point in time where we cry out “I cannot take it anymore, it is too much!”
2. The Search for Biblical Intelligence is beyond just knowing the “facts”—being able to quote something we have heard some preacher says, or something someone has written in the ‘latest’ book that has been published.
3. 20 years ago, Joel Osteen published his first book: Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential. Since that time, the book has sold more than 8 million copies and remains popular today as a ‘formula for success’ in life.
a. The approach is from within a positive mindset and many of the principles are certainly valid.
1) So…what happens if we have read the book, followed the principles, and still we are not having our ‘best life now’—the problems, situations, and struggles each of us faces remains…
2) If God to blame when ‘negative or bad things happen in the lives of good people’?
3) Do we feel even a deeper sense of fear, depression, and guilt for the uncertain and unexpected events that take place in our lives?
b. There are a whole host of problems, circumstances, and situations that happen that affect the very core of our being:
a. The car breaks down and the expense to have the necessary repairs done are overwhelming.
b. Household issues (refrigerator goes out, the AC is not working in the middle of summer, the washer and dryer quit right in the middle of a load).
c. Employment issues—(too many hours, not enough hours, low wages, too many taxes, ‘downsizing’ the company with the prospect of losing our jobs).
d. Relationship problems (he/she does not love me, does not listen to me, argues with me all the time).
e. Church issues—(the songs are boring, the preacher is annoying, the elders never listen to me, the church building always needs something, the contribution is not enough, water bill, electric bill etc).
c. When it comes to problems men typically give the “Public Relations” answer…the ladies just tell it like it is!
4. We could just stop now, pray and be dismissed!
THE CHARACTER AND LIFE OF DAVID
1. We understand that the description of David in the Old Testament as “a man after God’s own heart” (I Sam 13:14), and who wrote so many of the psalms as expressions of worship and adoration of the Lord. He was a warrior, a man of
battle, loved by the people of Israel (I Sam 18:6, 7).
2. After this news spread throughout the kingdom, Saul who was King at the time, began to literally chase David all around Israel seeking to kill him (I Sam 18:11-16, 29).
3. David was not above temptation and the consequences of what happens when entering into sin (II Sam. 11:1, 2).
a. Difficult situations often arise in our lives when we are not where we belong and doing what we know we should be doing.
b. David was not living his Best Life Now in placing himself in the situation that followed the moment of temptation (II Sam. 11:3, 4).
c. Not only was immorality involved, but as a result Bathsheba was found to be pregnant (II Sam. 11:5).
d. David begins a “cover-up” sending for the husband of Bathsheba and having him come home to be with his wife (II Sam 11:6-13). Uriah was too loyal to even go home to be with his wife.
e. David calls Joab and tells him to put Uriah in the front of the battle and to withdraw from him, allowing him to be killed (II Sam. 11:14-18)—just to cover up and to conceal his sin.
f. The process of sin creates so many problems in our lives (James 1:14, 15).
THE DECISIONS MADE AFFECT THE OUTCOME IN OUR LIVES
1. There are times when certain things in life appear to be simply random and other times when what happens comes as the result of small, incremental decisions and choices we make in our daily lives (Gal. 6:7, 8).
a. God warned Israel because of their actions and lack of faith of the consequences that were to come (Num. 32:13-23).
b. God does not allow sinful attitudes and actions to be concealed (Heb. 4:12, 13; II Cor. 5:10).
2. David who was later confronted by Nathan, the prophet about his sin (II Sam 12:7-14) at which point in time he repents for what he had done.
3. Our attitudes and actions can have an adverse effect on our life and on our health (Psalm 38:1-14).
a. Psalm 51:1-12 is often seen as the result of his repentance and return to God.
b. Psalm 39:1-4 David cries out to the Lord.
BIBLICAL INTELLIGENCE AT WORK
1. God has given us His inspired Word to guide and direct our steps in life (Psa. 119:105).
a. We hide God’s Word in our hearts to avoid sinning against God (119:10).
b. God’s Word lifts the “heaviness” from our hearts and minds (119:28).
c. God wants to “revive” our spirits (119:40, 41)
2. God wants His children to come to a “knowledge of the truth” (I Tim. 2:3, 4).
a. Of the course of time this knowledge can mature into wisdom as we seek the Lord and make application in our lives (Deut. 4:6; Psa. 51:6; 90:12; Prov. 4:7).
b. It is the trials and circumstances of life that cause us to go to the Lord and ask for wisdom (James 1:2-8).
LIFE IS COMPLICATED AND A MAP IS NECESSARY
1. When we were traveling we used to use a “map” to help us find our way from one place to another.
2. Today we have the convenience of using GPS to assist us in our journey to places we may never have been.
3. The Bible tells us two things:
a. Spiritually the Bible tells us where we are.
b. The Bible give us a sense of direction
c. The Bible helps us understand how to avoid certain negative experiences along the way.
d. The Bible is God’s voice in our ear.
THE DESIRE FOR VICTORY
1. None of the difficult experiences we encounter in life are enjoyable as we are going through them.
a. Romans 5:1-11 tells us that God took the first step in restoring broken relationship with Him.
b. God sent Nathan to David.
c. God looked for Adam and Eve in the Garden.
d. God sent Jesus to speak to each one of us.
2. No matter where we are in our walk with the Lord, He is there with us every step of the way (Heb. 12:1-17).
CONCLUSION
1. Only you know where you are in your walk with the Lord.
2. Have we become distracted by things of the world, allowed practices to creep into our lives that are hurtful and destructive?
3. God wants to set us free today.
Outline (Word document): The_B.I_series_II.docx