I Chronicles 17
God's message to David was not just a disappointment, but a great grace that revealed His plan to build a house through David's lineage.
Chuck Smith discusses David's desire to build a house for God and the subsequent disappointment when God tells him he cannot. Despite this setback, God reassures David of His grace and promises to establish David's lineage forever, culminating in the coming of the Messiah. David's reaction is one of overwhelming gratitude and humility, recognizing the magnitude of God's blessings in his life. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding God's will and the grace that accompanies His plans, even when they differ from our own.
Text
"TOO MUCH"
Intro: David sitting in his house expressed to Nathan the prophet his
desire to build God a house. Nathan encouraged him to do what
was in his heart.
I. GOD'S MESSAGE TO DAVID.
A. Great disappointment - "you are not to build a house."
1. His dreams and plans were shattered.
a. Sometimes we overreact to disappointment.
1. We start accusing God of horrible
things.
2. How could God do this to me?
b. It is possible to have our hearts set upon
something that is not God's will.
1. We may even receive confirmation.
2. Hard to discern God's will.
c. Some people's love and service for God is
very tenuous.
1. As long as He goes along with their
plan.
2. They are not really seeking God,
they are just seeking a back-up man.
d. God's message not through yet.
B. Great grace.
1. "I took thee from the sheepcote."
a. You were just a shepherd, I made you a king.
b. In our disappointments, how easy it is for
us to forget the good things God has done for
us.
2. "I have been with thee."
a. Cut off enemies.
b. Made your name great.
c. Given you this land.
3. What is more, "I am going to build you a house.
a. Now God promises David that through him the
Messiah is to come.
1. His kingdom and throne to be
established forever.
2. He will build a house - Eph. 2:19-22
II. DAVID'S REACTION TO THE MESSAGE.
A. He was overwhelmed - God is too much.
1. "Who am I?"
a. These are the kinds of men upon whom God
bestows His grace.
b. Some feel they deserve the best from God.
c. I look around at what God is doing and I
ask who am I?
1. God has chosen ridiculous things
to confound the wise.
2. God likes to keep them guessing.
2. "That you have brought me here."
a. to this place of authority.
b. to this place of luxury.
c. to this place of blessing.
B. And if that isn't already too much, you didn't even stop there.
1. You have spoken of what you yet intend to do in the
future.
a. Look what God brought you out of.
b. Look what God has brought you into.
c. Look where God is taking us. "Beloved now are
we the Sons of God. . . "Thanks be unto God
who hath begotten.
C. "What more can I say, you know my heart."
1. Words become an inadequate means of expression.
2. David, one of the most articulate men in history,
smitten speechless by the grace of God.
3. Oh God, you know my heart. Read the praises, blessings
and thanksgiving that are written upon it.
Sermon Outline
- God's Message to David
- David's Reaction to the Message
- A points: - He was overwhelmed - God is too much - These are the kinds of men upon whom God bestows His grace - God has chosen ridiculous things to confound the wise
- B points: - And if that isn't already too much, you didn't even stop there - Look what God brought you out of, look what God has brought you into, look where God is taking us
- C points: - What more can I say, you know my heart - Words become an inadequate means of expression - David, one of the most articulate men in history, smitten speechless by the grace of God
Key Quotes
“You are not to build a house.” — Chuck Smith
“I have been with thee, I have cut off all thine enemies, and I have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.” — Chuck Smith
“What more can I say, you know my heart.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should not overreact to disappointment, but instead seek to understand God's will and plan for our lives.
- We should be grateful for God's great grace and blessings in our lives, and not take them for granted.
- We should seek to understand God's sovereignty and plan, and not try to impose our own will on Him.