2 Samuel 11
SERIES: David: A Person After God’s Heart Cancer in the Body SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: Friends, we come today to one of the saddest stories in the whole Bible–the story of David and Bathsheba. It is sad because it reminds us of the fact that human beings, no matter how gifted or godly or successful, will always disappoint us eventually. We dare not put our ultimate faith in people. It’s sad, too, because it reminds us of our own failures in life–acts…
2 Samuel 9
SERIES: A Person After God’s Heart Loyal Love SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: We come today to my favorite David story. It is a story of love and loyalty and grace. It is a story that will lead us right to the Cross. Will you turn with me to the ninth chapter of 2 Samuel, and I will read from the NIV. I invite you to stand as I read: David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I…
2 Samuel 7
SERIES: David: A Person After God’s Heart When God Says “No” SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: Does God answer prayer? Probably every one of you would answer, “Yes, of course!” But what percentage of the time do you get what you ask for? Forty percent, sixty percent, eighty percent? Does that bother you? Have you ever wondered if an atheist’s wishes are fulfilled any less often than a believer’s prayers? The problem of unanswered prayer (or receiving an answer that is “no”) is one that every believer…
2 Samuel 12:1-14, Psalm 51
SERIES: David: A Person After God’s Heart He Said He Was Wrong SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: John R. W. Stott, one of the great evangelical thinkers of our day, has stated, “Christianity is the only religion in the world which takes sin seriously and offers a satisfactory remedy for it.” I believe that is true. Examine the great religions of the world–Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, spiritism–and none even comes close to the moral standards set down in the Bible or offers a solution to…
2 Samuel 12ff, Galatians 6:7-8
SERIES: David: A Person After God’s Heart Sin Will Take You Further Than You Want to Go SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: More than fifteen years ago Jan and I attended the Praise Gathering in Indianapolis that was sponsored for many years by the Gaithers. On the last day I was tired after the third concert and I almost went back to my hotel room. The Cathedral Quartet was singing, and I slipped into the back row. They did a song that someone handed…
2 Samuel 12:1-14
SERIES: David: A Person After God’s Heart Caring Enough to Confront SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: Suppose you discover that a good friend of yours is addicted to prescription medicine. Or perhaps you learn that someone in your ABF is having an affair. Or maybe a teenager hears that another kid in the youth group is sexually active. What should you do about it? Mind your own business? Spread the information (so others can pray, of course)? Turn them in? Or should you confront them? One of the…
2 Samuel 13-18
SERIES: David: A Person After God’s Heart A Neglectful Father and a Rebellious Son: Recipe for Disaster SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: Absalom is a person it is easy to dislike. He murdered his brother, betrayed his father, and committed adultery in the sight of all Israel. But I believe as we study his life in a little more detail, it is more appropriate to pity him than hate him, for the circumstances of his childhood were less than ideal. No one, of course,…
2 Samuel 15, 16, 19
SERIES: David: A Person After God’s Heart Letting God Be God When Facing Injustice SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: Think back to the last time you were treated unfairly or suffered unjustly. Maybe it was a long time ago; more likely, it happened just this past week. Either way, the memories are undoubtedly painful, because most of us have a very strong sense of fairness. I think the thing I have had the most difficulty teaching my two boys over the years is that…
2 Samuel 24
SERIES: David: A Person After God’s Heart David’s Greatest Sin SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: I regret that my sermon this morning is not a Mother’s Day sermon, but I also remind you that this is not a biblical holiday (though respect for mothers is certainly biblical–and not just the 2nd Sunday in May but every day). Mother’s Day originated in 1908 when a spinster named Anna Jarvis started a letter-writing campaign to set aside a special day to honor mothers, her own…
2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles 28, 29
SERIES: David: A Person After God’s Heart Finishing Strong SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: Just about a year ago we began our study of 1 & 2 Samuel. Today we come to the conclusion of the life of David, a man after God’s own heart. There is a great temptation to slow down just before reaching the finish line. We see it each year in May when spring fever trips up many students on their way to final exams. We see it in athletic competition. Occasionally…
Job 1:1-5
SERIES: The Book of Job Man of Perseverance, Man of Piety SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: Have you heard of the perseverance of Job? The Apostle James assumes you have, for in the last chapter of his NT epistle he is recounting the blessings that come through endurance and says, “You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” Whenever we think of Job, certain word associations immediately enter our minds—not just…
Job 1:6-2:10
SERIES: The Book of Job God in the Dock SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: The Court of Heaven has just been called to order. The Judge sits on His throne and listens as His various messengers and assistants report on their recent activities. Suddenly an intruder makes an entrance. A hush falls upon the entire proceedings. The others recognize this intruder because there was a time when he was a welcome Advocate at the Court. But he has long since abandoned the Judge and has established his…