08.04.24 "God, You Are Too Much"

1.

David’s desire was to build a temple for God. However, God never granted David this wish. The reason can be found in 1 Chronicles 22, where David prepares all the materials for the temple and assigns his son Solomon the task of building it.

“David said to Solomon: ‘My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God. But this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.’” 1 Chronicles 22:7-8 (NIV)

2.

David could not build the temple because he had shed much blood during his lifetime. Firstly, he was a warrior. It seems unfair because the blood he shed was for Israel, not for himself. Secondly, he took Bathsheba by killing her husband, Uriah. As a king, such issues might be considered minor, but the consequence was the death of Bathsheba's child. It seems unfair. Despite his sincere repentance, David was still severely pursued by his son Absalom. Thirdly, David conducted a census, which resulted in a plague that killed 70,000 people in Israel within three days. This also seems unfair. Why was the census a sin?

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7 (NIV)

3.

Was David’s life a failure? There are times when we, too, encounter a seemingly indifferent God. Yet, within what appears to be indifference, there lies a powerful message from God to David.

4.

For warriors, the greatest reward is the battlefield. This message, proclaimed by Pastor Kevin during Ironmen All-Night Prayer, still resonates with me. Indeed, sin enters during times of peace. David’s sins of taking Bathsheba and conducting a census occurred during times of tranquility. There is no neutral ground in faith. We either grow or fall. Remember the lukewarm faith of the Laodicean church that was rebuked? Our faith must be hot or cold; otherwise, it will be spat out. Those who live in comfortable faith list their acts of devotion to prove their ‘good enough’ faith, but this is already nullified. Those growing in faith never boast about themselves. They are always hungry and thirsty. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”

5.

God sends us to the battlefield to seek “grace to help us in our time of need.”

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

6.

There is no comfortable faith, only peaceful faith. Peace is only possible in God, regardless of circumstances. Without problems, we may think our faith is strong, but this is the trap of comfortable faith. The Holy Spirit shapes us into warriors of faith who overcome problems, teaching us what true faith is in the midst of real-life challenges. In the fires of trials, our faith is refined like gold. This is Faith 101.

7.

David saved Israel by defeating Goliath and then endured ten years of hardship from Saul. Though a fugitive, he shared his life with over 600 refugees. As king, David won many battles, brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, and danced with joy, even embarrassing himself. He established a large choir. But we must not stop there. We must return to the battlefield, seeking a mission to rise again despite problems. Let’s not dwell in past memories but look forward to God’s future works.

8.

David had to shed blood for Solomon’s era of peace. We must meet God on the battlefield, not just in the temple, experiencing His greatness in our lives and offering worship in spirit and truth. We must not pass down a comfortable faith to the next generation but a peaceful faith.

9.

The goal is not to leave a better, more comfortable temple for the next generation but to teach them to stand before the world and Goliath as the temple of the Holy Spirit. We must plant the gospel in them. When the Word is planted in their hearts, it will guide them through every situation. The church must instill spiritual independence in the next generation. Ministers, teachers, youth, and parents must unite in this mission. We must first show them how to keep faith and shed blood on the battlefield. Parents must repent first because children learn by seeing, not hearing.

Enter the battlefield of the self. Go to the Jabbok River (Self-Deprecation River) where Jacob wrestled with God. Fight again with your persistent self and receive the title of victor from God. Receive God's promises.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Enter the battlefield of your mission. Go to the battlefield of your mission, not the Summoner's Rift. I have 1,300 weeks left. Seek a mission to rise again despite hardships, not a comfortable faith without problems. Seek dreams and visions.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 (NIV)

10.

Remember that God is not confined to the temple but dwells within us.

“From the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt until this day, I have not dwelt in a house. From tent to tent and from one dwelling to another, wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders whom I commanded to shepherd my people, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’” 1 Chronicles 17:5-6 (NIV)

11.

Before the temple, God met the Israelites in the tabernacle. The temple is stationary, but the tabernacle moves. Digital watches live by battery replacement, but like the finest automatic vintage watches, the tabernacle lives by movement. There is a vintage craze because vintage items carry history and philosophy. God also seems to miss the days of the tabernacle. In the wilderness, where water was more valuable than jewels, and camel knees were more precious than appearances. We need the voice of John the Baptist crying in this wilderness.

“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” Acts 13:22 (NIV)

12.

God found David, not because he was perfect or accomplished much. God knew David’s beginning and end. Remember last week’s sermon? While everyone in the congregation has equal value, those whom God frequently uses are different. David was a man after God’s own heart, living in sync with God. David spent his life in the era of war, and God knew he would bear many scars. God met David most often not in the palace but on the battlefield.

13.

“Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. LORD, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!” Psalm 20:6-9 (NIV)

14.

God is seeking people like David, awakening the wild spirit within us. The spirit within us must rise, greater than Goliath. God is calling those willing to leave the comfort zone of their faith and return to the battlefield.