An everlasting kingdom… (2 things)

• 1^st – A house for God… vs. 1-16 Read: II Samuel 7:1-16
  • 1^st – David wanted to build a Temple for God… vs. 1-2
    • God had brought peace to the Land of Israel – and to the City of Jerusalem…
      • David thought about the beautiful house God had given to him…
      • A house made from beautiful cedar wood – a palace built at the top of the city…
      • Yet the Ark of God was lying outside in an old tent…
      • It just did not seem right to David – God needed a better house!
    • David was blessed because he was taking the time to think about God…
      • When Babylon conquered Israel – 586 B.C. – they destroyed the Temple…
      • When the Israelites returned from captivity – they only rebuilt their houses…
      • Haggai 1:5 – “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?”
      • They were only thinking about their needs – they were not thinking about the God
      • Haggai 1:7 – “You have planted much but harvested little. You have food to eat, but not enough to fill you up. You have wine to drink, but not enough to satisfy your thirst. You have clothing to wear, but not enough to keep you warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!”
      • Cause they missed the most important thing – God – nothing they had was enough!
        
        
    • Nothing in this world will ever be enough for us…
      • We can try to work – planting – but we will find that the ‘harvest’ is little…
      • We can try to eat – but we will only be hungry the next day…
      • We can get drunk – but we will end up sober (with a headache) in the morning…
      • We can be pretty – but the new clothes will wear out and fade…
      • We can try to be rich – but the money will fall right out of the holes in our pockets!
      • Because we were not created by God to be fulfilled by the things of this world…
      • We were created by God to know Him – worship Him – John 17:3
      • And only when we use our life for the purpose God intended for it…
      • Worshiping and getting to know our Lord – will we find we are satisfied!
      • John 4:14 – “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst…”
  • 2^nd – God did not need a house… vs. 3-7
    • David went to Nathan the prophet – and told him the plan…
      • Nathan encouraged David to do all that was in his heart – God was with him…
      • But that night the Lord told Nathan he was wrong – God did not need a house!
      • We are prone to making quick decisions – doing what we think is best…
      • The problem is we do not always have all the information / jump to conclusions…
      • It is ALWAYS best to ask God first – then make our plans after!
    • From the day God brought Israel out of Egypt – He never had a house…
      • He had commanded Moses to build the Tabernacle – a tent…
      • Because this is not our home – we are just passing through – Hebrews 11:13-16
      • Far too often we get way to attached to things in this life and forget…
      • We are not home yet – our home is a place we have yet to see – heaven…
      • We need to remember to keep a light touch on things here – just living in tents!
    • God had never commanded any leader of Israel to build Him a house…
      • Isaiah 66:1 – “This is what the LORD says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you ever build me a temple as good as that?’”
      • So often we get the idea that God lives in the church – the ‘House of God’…
      • That is why people build huge ornate buildings / cathedrals…
      • Iglesia ni Christo – a cult mind you – even teach their churches will go to heaven!
      • The ‘house of God’ is heaven – and the entire earth is just His footstool…
      • So it does not matter if a church is tile and cement / or grass and sticks…
      • The church is not for God – the church is for us – a place to come ‘meet’ with God!
  • 3^rd – God would build a house for David… vs. 8-16
    • God called David to lead Israel when he was just a simple shepherd boy…
      • God had been with David every step of the way – destroyed all his enemies…
      • And God would make David famous throughout the whole earth!
      • Many people try to leave their ‘mark’ – their name on memorials to be remembered
      • But memorials crumble – names fade away – things are forgotten…
      • But everyone has heard of David – even those who do not know the Bible!
      • The things we do for ourselves – the glory of men – are all forgotten…
      • It is the things God does through us – those last forever – Matthew 6:20
        
    • The son of David would build the Temple…
      • David would not be allowed to build the Temple because of the wars he fought…
      • I Chronicles 22:8 – “You have killed many men in the great battles you have fought. And since you have shed so much blood before me, you will not be the one to build a Temple to honor my name.”
      • But God promised to allow Solomon to fulfill the plan of David – build the Temple…
      • God would be like a Father to Solomon – he would not reject him like Saul…
      • If he sinned he would be punished – but God would never stop loving him!
      • My father always wanted to be a missionary – but he had diabetes and could not go
      • But because he was faithful as a Dad – God called his son to be a missionary!
      • We want things to happen today but God never seems to be in a rush…
      • It might even mean we never see God do a work – he uses our kids / grandkids!
      • God does not work with our time – He fulfills all His promises in His time!
      • II Peter 3:8 – “A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, a thousand years is like a day.”
    • God would give David an EVERLASTING dynasty…
      • God was saying the Messiah – Jesus – would come from David!
        • Isaiah 9:6-7 – “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given… Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom.”
        • Joseph and Mary were both from the line of David – Matthew 1:2-16
        • The promise God gave to David was not just for a dynasty of Kings…
        • It was for THE dynasty – from David would come the King of Kings!
      • The plan God has for us is great / beyond anything we could imagine…
        • I Corinthians 2:9 – “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
        • Sitting under a tree watching sheep – the youngest of 8 sons…
        • David could never have imagined he would be THE lineage of Christ!
        • Likewise we may have NO IDEA of all God has planned for us…
        • But we can be sure His plan is WAY beyond anything we could imagine!
          
• 2^nd – The prayer of David… vs. 17-29 Read: II Samuel 7:17-29
  • 1^st – The position of David’s prayer… vs. 17-18
    • When Nathan told David – he went and sat/knelt before the Lord…

• We should always come to the Lord in a posture of humility…
• If you walked into Malacañan Palace – you would not act as if you owned the place…
• You would show humility – and respect knowing you were in a great place!
• In the same way when we come before God in His throne room – Hebrews 4:16
• We need to come in humility – our prayers need to have reverence and respect!

• Not that there is a special or required position when it comes to pray…
  • Examples in the Bible of praying while standing / sitting / lying on their face…
  • God does not listen to prayers made on your knees any more than prayers standing
  • But practically speaking I find it best not to pray lying down – tend to fall asleep…
  • Better to walk and pray – or on our knees – it helps keep us attentive!
• It is not about the position of our body – it is about the position of the heart…
  • David asked who am I Lord – who is my family – that you have brought me this far!
  • In addition to all God had done – to bring the Messiah through the line of David!
  • David was deeply humbled – he had been given WAY more than he deserved!
  • You cannot have a bad prayer – if you have the right heart…
  • If you wonder if you are praying the ‘right way’ – asking the wrong question…
  • Ask yourself why you are praying – if your motive is right – your prayer is right on!
•  2^nd – The clarity the prayer brought to David… vs. 19-24

Our challenge is to get to know God – so we know what He has promised!.

David was speechless before the Lord – because God knew who David really was…

David was not a mighty King who could demand the attention of God…

He was a humble shepherd – a sinner who needed to hear from God!

Many times when people pray – they act important – like God should be listening…

Rather than talking we should be listening to what God has to say to us…

Because there is nothing we know God does not know…

And there is A LOT God knows – what we need to learn!

God had done it all IN SPITE of David…

David thought he was going to do something great for God…

But He realized he had done nothing – God was the one who had done it all!

According to His will / His plan / His power – David was just the spectator!

Thinking about caused David to break out in praise – ‘How Great are you Lord!’

We often come to God with a list of what we want to get accomplished…

But the truth is God has already done all the work for us…

He paid the price – saved us from sin and death – and gave us new life!

When we honestly stop and think about all the Lord has done…

There is only one response we can give – we fall down in gratitude and worship!

There is no one like Israel…

God had not just done amazing things for humble shepherd boy…

He had taken a whole nation of slaves – and made them into His Holy Nation!

God does not just save us – He is in the business of saving sinners!

3^rd – According to your will – let it be done… vs. 25-29

David came to the Lord with his idea – build a temple for God…

But God had an even better idea – build an   house for David…

So David concludes his prayer with – ‘Lord let YOUR will be done’…

Let Your name be honored in all the world – ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!’

Prayer is not about changing God’s mind – getting Him to agree to our plans…

Prayer is about God changing our mind – getting us to line up with His plans

Luke 22:42 – “Nevertheless not my will, but Your will, be done.”

David could pray this prayer – because the Word of the Lord is true!

God cannot lie – Hebrew 6:18 – and God will not change his mind…

If God says something it happens – if He makes a promise He fulfills it!

God will always be faithful to His Word – if God says something – count on it!