A Permanent Home - repreach 2009

July 21, 2024 2 Samuel 7:1-14 A Permanent Home 9th Sunday After Pentecost Year B Prelude Call to Worship Come away, disciples of Christ, and rest from your labors. We are weary from our work. Come away, disciples of Christ, and leave the demands of the crowds. There are always more who need our help. Come away, disciples of Christ, and be renewed in fellowship with our shepherd. We too love the sheep, but need our own renewal. We too need to hear anew the teachings of Jesus, to give us strength for the journey. Come away, disciples of Christ, and draw courage from the one who gives us peace. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, BJ Beu) Invocation Wonderful Creator, you come to us with power and gentleness, strength and compassion, peace and joy. We come to you with hope and hopelessness, love and heartbreak, thanksgiving and lament. You fortify us as we go on our journey, assured of your presence and renewed by your love. Give us rest in our coming and our going. Give us joy in ministering in your name. May our worship restore our soul as we dwell in your presence. Amen. (Disciples of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsey) Song Near to the Heart of God UMH 472 Children’s Sermon Title: God’s Promise to David Scripture: 2 Samuel 7 Target Age Group: 3rd-5th grade Lesson Opening Ask: Has someone ever made a promise to you? What was the promise? Did they keep it? Say: People don’t always keep their promises, but you know who does? God! Throughout the Bible we read about many promises that God made to different people, and He always kept those promises. Our story today is about a promise God made to King David, and what’s really cool about this promise is that in some ways it was fulfilled in David’s lifetime, but in other ways God’s promise was kept throughout all eternity! Tell the Story Explain It (Book): This is where you school ‘em! Say: Our story comes from the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel. This is the book that tells the story of David’s life. We have heard several stories from 2 Samuel already, including David being anointed as king, and David fighting Goliath. Last week we learned that Saul, Israel’s first king, was so jealous of David that he wanted to kill him! Say: During a battle between Israel and the Philistines Saul and David’s friend Jonathan, Saul’s son, were both killed. David was finally free from Saul’s attempts to take his life, but he was still saddened by the news that they had died. Say: God had strengthened David and given him victory over all his enemies. Finally there was peace in Israel and David settled into his palace. As he looked at all the splendor around him he said to Nathan the prophet, “How can I possibly go on living in such a beautiful palace while the ark of God stays in a tent on the outskirts of the city?” Say: You see, David had brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, but there wasn’t yet a place for it to rest permanently. So the Ark remained in a tent that David had set up for it. Say: David wanted to build a house for God! Ask: If you were to build a house for God, what would it look like? What would be inside? Ask: Can any building or house truly contain God? Of course not! But David wanted to build a house, or a temple, where God’s presence would dwell and the people could worship the Lord. David wanted to honor God by building a temple. Say: That night the Lord spoke to Nathan telling him what to say to David. God said, “During all the years that Israel traveled in the wilderness I never asked anyone to build me a house. My presence was with you and I traveled in a tent so that I could be near to you. But now I will establish my people in this land and they will have peace at last. I will make David’s name great and I will bless him greatly.” Say: As God continued speaking He made an incredible promise to David. Let’s hear to God’s Word together, and as I read, listen for the promise that He made… Read 2 Samuel 7:11a-16 The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever…Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” Ask: Did you hear the promise God made to David? What was it? Say: God promised that even though David wouldn’t be the one to build a house for him, David’s son would. God also promised that there would always be someone from David’s family on the throne ruling over Israel! Ask: If you were David and had just heard God promise all these wonderful things to you, how do you think you would feel? How would you respond to God? Say: David responded by worshipping God. He was overwhelmed by God’s goodness toward Him and he prayed a prayer of thankfulness. Let’s read David’s response to God. Read 2 Samuel 7:18-29 (portions) Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD?…. How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears…. And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, ‘the LORD Almighty is God over Israel!’ Connect it (Look): Apply it & Answer “How?” Ask: Do you think God kept His promise to David? You bet He did! After David died his son Solomon became the next King over Israel. And just like God promised, Solomon built a beautiful temple for God. We’ll hear more about Solomon and the temple in a few weeks! Ask: What was the other promise God made to David? (That someone from David’s family would always rule over Israel.) Say: God also kept that promise! Ask: Did you know that Jesus was David’s great, great, great, great, great, great grandson? Say: Even though Jesus didn’t sit on a literal throne in Israel, Jesus is the King of kings! He is the ruler of the entire universe! God kept His promise to David by sending Jesus through David’s family. God’s promise is still being fulfilled even to this day, because Jesus is still the King over all creation. Ask: Will there ever be a time when someone else becomes king instead of Jesus? Say: No way! Jesus is our King forever. There is no one more powerful than Jesus, and we can praise Him because He is a good and perfect King in every way. Ask: What are some reasons that Jesus is a good king? Say: One thing that makes Jesus a wonderful King is that He truly loves and cares for us, His people. He cares so much for us in fact that He was willing to die for us. Apart from King Jesus we are totally separated from God because of our sin. But Jesus is such a kind and good king that He died on the cross so our sin could be forgiven. Jesus has made a way for us to be brought back to God! Now, whoever puts their faith in Jesus is part of His forever kingdom! God’s Kingdom isn’t just in heaven when we die. His kingdom is also here and now! We can live in God’s kingdom now by following Jesus. Ask: What are some ways that we can be part of God’s kingdom? (Obey and love God, love God’s Word, care for others, share the gospel, etc.) Say: We can thank God for inviting us to be part of His Kingdom by sending Jesus to be our forever King. Let’s pray and thank God now! Review Questions • What did David want to build for God? (A temple) • Who did God use to tell David that he wouldn’t be the one to build the temple? (Nathan) • What was God’s promise to David? (David’s son would build a temple, and someone from David’s family would always be on the throne.) • Who is our forever King? (Jesus!) • What does this story teach us about God? Affirmation of Faith UMH #887 Passing of the Peace Scripture 2 Samuel 7:1-14 Sermon Walls – why we need them Walls are an important part of our life. What would we do without them, especially in our climate. They protect us, they help us define ourselves, it separates us from people and things that are not in our best interest. And there are certain walls, in certain buildings with have great meaning for us. They tell our story of who we are and what is important to us. Houses – beautiful homes Walls are an important part of our dwellings. They create beautiful homes and buildings. Beautiful houses of God Some of the most beautiful buildings in the world are the ones that we build for God. Churches are beautiful buildings dedicated to God. We just got someone asking to get married in our sanctuary, because it was such a beautiful place. Creating a beautiful place to worship God is a part of our worship experience. So when David decided that he was going to build a beautiful house for God – he was just trying to make sure that his God, had the same respect that all of the others gods of the people around him had. When a national leader came into power, it was expected that you would build a momument for God. What better monument to God could there be besides a house to come and to worship, and say thank you and to acknowledge God as the king of our lives. David’s intention -If he was going to be king – God had to be king David’s intention were very pure. He realized that if he was going to be King, that God had to also be King. God ad brought him from a very long way. God had brought him through some pretty tough times. God had bought his people through some times which questioned the very foundation of who they were and who they were supposed to be. But God had bought David to a good place now, he had bought the country to a stable place. And it was time to make sure that God was in that same place, and taken care of just as well. David had to learn an important lesson that day. Just because the world changes, just because our understanding of God changes – God remains the same. Nathan said no David was told that he was not the build God’s house. That God was not ready to join him in the mist of his success God is still king. God lives with the people.God doesn’t live inside of walls. David could not build a house for God – but God would build a house for David. God promised David that there would always be a member of his family on the throne. That his son would build the temple That his sons would be blessed, and that his son would have to power to be raised up so that David’s name would be remembered forever. People are the true house of God. God doesn’t live within walls, and never will. The true house of God is the hearts of his people. That is where God has always lived and where God will always live. God is free to live with the people. The real problem are walls of our hearts. Walls are important to us, they protect us. They define us, they tell our story. But walls can also hold us in, they can keep us trapped in beliefs that no longer serve out best interest, they can keep other people out, they can keep us from really witnesses what god is doing in the world. They do not contain the spirit of God. The real problem is not the walls that we build around us, the real problem is the walls that we build inside of us. Soldier story In World War I, there was a soldier who was killed in France. His friends wanted to make sure that he was buried before they had to move on. They went to the nearest cemetery to ask if they could bury their friend. The priest asked if he had been baptized catholic – and he had not. So the priest said that he could not be buried. Distraught they buried their friend right outside of the walls of the cemetery. The next day – the priest feeling guilty for not allowing the soldier to be buried within the walls –went outside and moved the fence, so that the soldiers grave would be inside. There are barriers that still need to be torn down People still need to bring them down. Ephesians talks about the walls of our hearts. The ways that we define ourselves in order to exclude those who are not like us. There were still ways that the congregation was dividing itself. Jews felt that they could not associate with gentiles. Greeks felt they could not talk to barbarians. - Anyone who is not like me is an outsider was the mindset. Ephesians message was that through Christ we are a new people. We are one people. Like to priest of the cemetery. He doesn’t change the rules, he just expands them to include everyone else. He changes definitions. The jews separated themselves as a way to get close to God – Through Christ, we are all bought near to God. Ephesians – we go from strangers to family All people, no matter who we are go from strangers and aliens to citizens, saints, members of the household of God. We go from divided, suspicious, self destructive to unified, loving and most importantly hopeful. Kindergarten story There is a television documentary about a kindergarten teacher who noticed that the thing she heard most on the playground was “No you cant play with us”. So she made a rule that from now on, all children had to play with whomever asked to play. Even in kindergarten, the children protested. How could we play with anyone who asked. We have a right to define who we want to play with. Other kids in the school could not understand this rule either. Why would you play with just anyone? The kindergarten agreed that they would try to go along with the rule for a week. When they say it worked – they agreed to do it all of the time. It helped them to meet new friends. A few years later, the teacher saw one of her former students in the store. Lisa was twelve now. She asked her old teacher if she still used the play with anyone rule. Yes replied the teacher. Lisa told her teacher that she too stuck to the rule – if including anyone who wanted to play with her in her world. It was very difficult. She got a lot of flack from her friends. A lot of people did not understand her, even more criticized her. But it was important for her to carry on with the rule to learn to play with anyone. How do we play with others? Walls are beautiful things. They are an important part of our life. But they also keep us locked in, they trap us, they stop us from seeing what God is doing in the world, and they stop us from participating in the real work of God. God inside of our walls, but God is also in the world. God dwells in the homes created for God, but God also lives in the hearts of his people. Those inside and outside. Who are the outsiders today? Who are the ones asking to play with us, and what are the ways that we tell them no? Today we live in a world that is so global, that we are neighborhood is bigger them we can comprehend. Jesus is calling us to think beyond being a good neighbor – to become a family of brothers and sisters. In spite of our differences, inspite of our different understandings – there is only one God. One god who has been with the people and always will. Where are we? Song I Love Thy Kingdom Lord UMH 540 Pastoral Prayer God of peace and hope, we are a nation focused on activity. From every source of media we have opportunities to go and see and do a host of activities. They beckon us to come and have fun, there are activities for all ages. But one of the most necessary activities we neglect is our need for rest. We crowd each day, that has been given by you as a blessing, with busyness. We forget what it is like to sit and listen, to rest, to take time to reflect. Help us to find the quiet moments in which our souls can be made whole again. We know that there will always be much for us to do to serve you in this world, but if we keep up this hectic pace, we will be unable to accomplish anything. We have lifted before you this day names of dear ones for whom we have concern. We feel helpless to lift their burdens and their sorrows. Let us turn these concerns over to you, for you are the Master Healer who restores our souls. Help us to place our trust and our lives in your unending care. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Paul, writing to the Christians in Corinth, describes in great detail how he and his companions have engaged in ministry despite the hurdles they needed to overcome. How are we engaging in ministry in our own community, in 2024? Are you, are WE, engaging every day with patience, kindness, genuine love and truthful speech? Can we honestly declare and defend our work as servants of God? We can demonstrate our own desire to join with Paul as loving followers of Jesus as we share our morning offering. Will you let your financial contribution be one signal of your desire to fully engage in ministry? When you give a significant gift (meaning a portion, not a pittance; a tithe, not a token), you show your connection to those who endured much to share the Gospel. With a wide-open heart Paul appeals to the Corinthians to respond to his letter by opening their own hearts. Today, I do the same. Friends, let’s share our gifts, helping us open wide our own hearts to the love of God we know in Jesus Christ. Prayer of Thanksgiving With deep gratitude, God, we offer these gifts to you. We’re grateful for the many people of faith who have gone before us: Paul, Lydia, Peter, many from our own congregation. Help us use each gift to extend your Realm here on earth, sharing Good News with those who yearn to live in loving relationship with you, with others in this community, and with the wider world. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Beloved, listen! God calls us to worship in our gathering and in our scattering. May the Triune God bless you as you go from this place to answer God’s call to worship in everything you do in thought, word, and deed that you may be a blessing of love, hope, and peace to all you meet. Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, May 2024. Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction In your coming and going, may you encounter Jesus on the journey. In your coming and going, may you touch the source of power and healing. In your coming and going, may you find rest. Come and go in peace. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsey) Additional Illustrations