John Barton preached for us this morning, we are very proud of him!

2 Samuel 7:18 [ 34:29 ] Play in Popup | Download

2 Samuel 7:18-26

Background

David had built a palace and wanted to build temple to replace Tabernacle. Nathan (prophet) agreed, a good idea, but God said no. You want to build a house for me; I will build one for you – The House of David (a dynasty).

Who am I? (18)

David a great king, mighty warrior, had reason to be proud, but remained humble. Humility is really only possible if we are great. Predecessor, Saul, was humble. 1 Sam 9:21, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the smallest tribe in Israel and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.” Later on, however, 1 Sam 15:17, “Although you were once small in your own eyes . . .” Just before this conversation God had revealed to Samuel that “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honour.” (1 Sam 15:12) Greatness led to pride, but greatness came from the Lord.

How do you see yourself? Humility is important, not just in eyes of others but in our own eyes. Arthur Watson told me the story of great preacher who liked people’s praise. He told his wife he had been told he was a model preacher. His wife showed him the dictionary definition – a cheap imitation of the real thing. Paul had it right. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:13)

Pride is relying on self – like Samson. Humility is about relying on God. How should we think of ourselves? Famous sketch in Frost Over Britain featuring John Cleese, Ronny Barker and Ronny Corbet, “I know my place”. But Bible tells us our place. Eph 2:6 says, “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms.” Where is your place? “Seated in the heavenly realms.

How great you are. There is no-one like you (22)

We can be too proud of ourselves, but not too proud of our God. I love, “How great is our God” and “How great thou art.” We need to remind ourselves of this. But we can be proud not only of his creation but also of his salvation plan. How proud are you of our God. We need to apologise over things done in the name of Christianity, but never for our God. But is that all?

Who is like your people? (23)

Can we be proud of the church? We can. The church is responsible for much good in the world, much of which we can be proud. Secular society will knock the church – I understand that. But it hurts me when I hear Christians criticising other believers. It’s easy for preachers to knock the church. Many years ago I heard people quoting 1 Chr 16:22, “Do not touch my anointed ones,” to mean be careful how you treat pastors. However, this is not about kings, priests or preachers. It is about the whole nation of Israel. Read the context. It’s a warning about how to treat the church. We need to be careful that we don’t harm the church.

Summary

Don’t be proud of yourself – but know where you are seated

Be proud of your God

Be proud of the church – seek to build it up

Closing Instruction

Before you leave today, tell someone that you are proud of them.