Message Outline -

Introduction:

• Continuing on with our endeavor to change our life style, part of doing so requires sacrifice.
• I asked that you pick one or two items that you are very uncomfortable with, and to turn them over to God for his guidance and strength to overcome.
• I mentioned during my last message that there will be times of difficulty when making changes, or when stepping outside your comfort zone.
• I also mentioned that leaders lead by example, in today’s message the leader is King David, and in this case as found in the book of II Samuel chapter 24.
• Before we get into the heart of today’s message let’s try to understand what has lead King David into this particular situation.

 II Samuel 24: 1-4 

• God is angry with the people of Israel
  • Of which David is part of, and is a representative of.
• What does it mean “The Lord incites David against Israel?”
  • Did God cause David to sin?
  • James 1: 13
  • I Chronicles 21: 1-2
  • Conflict?  Who caused David to sin?
  • God has dominion over Satin (see Job)
    • David caused David to sin!
    • God allowed Satin to entice David into Sin
      • When we walk outside of God’s will we easily give into our desires, which then become sin
      • Seeking God’s will enables God to protect us from Satin
• Joab was deeply concerned with King David’s order (no immediate need to have a count of fighting men)
  • Why was David so adamant about this (he knew it was wrong!)
    • How often do we do this ourselves?

 II Samuel 24: 9-10

• David’s sin is his pride in the size of his empire, and perhaps by the depth of security he felt he had created for himself.
   
• God is offended by King David’s actions and sends David’s seer, Gad, an ultimatum of:
  • Three years of famine in your land
  • Three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you
  • Three days of plague your land

 II Samuel 24: 14  David’s response . . .

• David knows the mercy of God, and moreover, the lack of mercy with man!
• God chooses the plague and wipes out 70,000 people before the Lord was grieved and called for a stop to the death.
• The angel of death was at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

II Samuel 24: 17-21

• Why a threshing floor?

• Threshing floors are typically located on the highest point around
• Describe threshing
• Of great value because they were a critical part of sustaining life!
• It’s a place of labor, which itself is a form of sacrifice
• It’s a place to separate the good from the bad, truth from false!

• What is so special about this particular threshing floor?

• God commanded David buy the floor from Araunah the Jebusite.
• It would later become the location of  Solomon’s temple
• Was the location of Mount Moriah and the offering place of Isaac by Abraham
• This floor is . . .
  • A place to receive blessing (the wheat)
  • A place of offering (Isaac & Abraham)

  A place of worship (Solomon’s temple)

   

• When we enter into worship, we enter into a time of 'threshing', of separation and purification, a time of preparation to meet our God.  Biblical examples . . .

• Esther who under went a year of beauty treatment before meeting the king
• Ruth also washed and anointed herself before going to meet Boaz

II Samuel 24: 22-25  Let’s see what David does.

• David could have received the ground and oxen for free, but would that be a true sacrifice to God?

• Ex. A guy doesn’t pay himself for the engagement ring he is giving his girl
• David chose not to and has turned his heart to God again! (this is the act of starting the sacrifice)  This is repenting!!!
• There needs to be a personal sacrifice for your offering to God
  • God & Jesus
  • Abraham & Isaac
• Our preparation in life to meet God is an offering and must be a sacrifice
   
• Methods of personal sacrifice . . . 
  • Strive to be 'sanctified, cleansed, and washed by Christ with the water of the word

(Ephesians 5:26)

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

• Read God’s word daily
• Put on the clothes of tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forgiveness, love, peace, and thankfulness.

(Colossians 3:12-17)

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

• Go out of your way this week to help someone less fortunate
• You must anoint yourself with the oil of joy putting on the garment of praise.

(Isaiah 61:3)

. . . and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

• Be joyful in all you do
• Tie mercy and truth around your neck a necklace displayed for all to see.

(Proverbs 3:3)

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

• Without exception be honest in your dealing with others
• Your reward is you wear an everlasting crown of joy on your head

(Isaiah 35:8-10)

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness.  The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.  No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there.  But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Conclusion Statement . . .

• Like Esther and Ruth, are you willing to 'dress' and prepare to meet your King?