10 27 2002 Promising a Righteous Ruler 1 Motivate You overhear someone end what they are saying with I just don t know what this world is coming to What kinds of things do you think they might they have been talking about world events the economy the behavior of young people today the price of gasoline the Cowboys won the drought the flood the heat the cold poor service at a store a restaurant the spiritual condition in our world lack of proper attire to come to church shorts jeans short skirts etc 2 Transition Why might some people have the impression that God is no longer in control of the world all the bad things that are happening how evil seems to continue to triumph so much world turmoil Today we will look at how God s covenants demonstrated his care and love for His people Ultimately God fulfilled His covenant in the person of Jesus the Messiah The Righteous Ruler During good times and times of uncertainty and stress we can be assured that God s covenant holds firm 3 Bible Study 3 1 A Promise to Count On What kind of covenants or contracts or deals did you make with your children when they were growing up do chores for allowance homework before TV call if you are going to be late we ll pay for the car you pay for gas insurance keep grades up Listen for the covenant God makes with David 2 Samuel 7 8 16 Now then tell my servant David This is what the LORD Almighty says I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone and I have cut off all your enemies from before you Now I will make your name great like the 1 10 27 2002 Promising a Righteous Ruler names of the greatest men of the earth 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed Wicked people will not oppress them anymore as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel I will also give you rest from all your enemies The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you 12 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 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever 14 I will be his father and he will be my son When he does wrong I will punish him with the rod of men with floggings inflicted by men 15 But my love will never be taken away from him as I took it away from Saul whom I removed from before you 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me your throne will be established forever What had God done for David in the past took from pasture to be ruler been with him where he went cut off enemies before him What was God promising He would do for David in the future make name great provide place for Israel give them a home of their own no longer disturbed no more oppression rest from all enemies establish a house for David raise up offspring to succeed David discipline for David s successor love never taken away from David s son David s offspring like Saul house kingdom throne established forever What promises in God s word have you claimed and see God fulfill provide a job physical healing when elders prayed according to James 5 protection for children wisdom for a hard decision joy in the midst of turmoil Upon what or who did God s promises to David depend On God on God s faithful love not on the faithfulness of David nor that of his heirs The fulfillment of God s promises to us is not based on human strength Not based on our deservedness It is based n God s divine power and authority Note the use of the word throne in the passage What are some different meanings for this word the physical chair the ruler sat in can refer to the ruler s royal dignity authority power judgment 2 10 27 2002 Promising a Righteous Ruler How was it used in this passage God promised to establish the ongoing authority of David s line forever God was thinking far beyond the time of David and Solomon s time Ultimately it implied the spiritual rule of Jesus the Messiah 3 2 A Reason to Hope As we read this passage underline the words that describe God Circle the words that describe David Psalm 89 1 4 I will sing of the LORD S great love forever with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations 2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself 3 You said I have made a covenant with my chosen one I have sworn to David my servant 4 I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations List the descriptive words for God great love faithfulness thru all generations love stands firm forever David God s chosen one my servant This is a hymn psalm the people sang this in worship What are some hymns and gospel songs that express these same concepts about God How Great Thou Art Oh Worship the King I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever If you have a piano and a pianist you Love divine all loves excelling might sing one of Amazing Grace these more well Oh For a Thousand Tongues known songs Wonderful Grace of Jesus If you wrote a song about God s steadfast love in your life what examples would you include of that love constant supply God is able times when He answered prayer the enjoyment of the beauty of a garden God s artistry in beautiful sunsets the joy of loving family encouragement when I feel down strength to go on 3 10 27 2002 Promising a Righteous Ruler Who are some people to whom we need to declare God s loving kindness and great faithfulness neighbors family members people on our class list people who cannot make it out to Sunday services people who need encouragement in their new found faith kids grandkids God wants us to maintain our confident hope in spite of difficult circumstances 3 3 A Ruler to Come Listen for words which describe the One for which Isaiah hoped Isaiah 9 6 7 For to us a child is born to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders And he will be called Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Everlasting Father Prince …