November 6, 2016

A Passionate Heart

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: Developing a Heart Like God's Scripture: 2 Samuel 6

Developing a Heart like God’s
A Passionate Heart
2 Samuel 6

(To download and print blank sermon notes to complete while you listen, click HERE.)

We human beings are worshippers. We are passionate about something. We will give our full devotion to something or someone.

Our Primary passion is intended to be for God!

Setting The Stage: Background On The Ark

  • A Special Meaning

“There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.” (Exodus 25:22)

  • Some Specific Instructions

“At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD to stand before the LORD to minister to him and to bless in his name, to this day.” (Deuteronomy 10:8)

  • A Serious Warning

“And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry.” (Numbers 4:15)

A Story in Three Acts

Act 1 – Uzzah’s Death (1-11)

It is possible to be religious without having an appropriate awe, reverence and respect for God

We Treat God Lightly When We:

1. Disobey the command of God

Where did they get the idea to move the ark on a cart?

“Now then, take and prepare a new cart and two milk cows on which there has never come a yoke, and yoke the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them. And take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart and put in a box at its side the figures of gold, which you are returning to him as a guilt offering. Then send it off and let it go its way” (1 Samuel 6:7–8)

Beware the subtle invasion of Philistine Philosophy

2. Disregard the holiness of God

Uzzah assumed that his Hand was less polluted than the earth

We are most like Uzzah when we:

  • Decide not to Obey God Fully – The details matter! Worship without obedience is a mockery!
  • Take the things of God Lightly (sacred things and sacred moments)
  • We seek to reduce God to a Box – seeking Him only when we need something

Act 2 – David Dances (12-15)

David had learned his lesson

“Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.”
(1 Chronicles 15:13–15)

David was Fully Alive in his relationship with God!

Worship is not just a command, it is a Natural Response

We praise those things that we love or appreciate. Our praise completes our enjoyment.

We are most like David when we:

  • Fully obey all of God’s commands out of a heart of Love
  • Joyfully pour ourselves into worship out of a heart of Gratitude

Worship without emotion is an Aberration

Act 3 – Michal Responds (16-23)

Like her father Saul, Michal’s heart was Dulled toward God

She was not Free to worship, she therefore mocks David’s worship

We are most like Michal when we:

  • Limit worship to a Dutiful Display without engaging the heart
  • Judge others as being inappropriate or insincere
  • Focus on our Image rather than how our heart is relating to God

David’s celebration was before the Lord!

Warning: It is so easy to drift into partial Living and partial Loving

God Deserves and Desires my deepest love and highest passion!

Making It Personal

  • How passionate is my heart toward God these days? Any evidence of partial living and partial loving?
  • Any areas where I have begun to disobey the commands of God or disregard the holiness of God?
  • Am I fully obeying God out of a heart of love? Am I joyfully pouring myself into worship out of a heart of gratitude?

 

other sermons in this series

Dec 4

2016

A Broken Heart

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 2 Samuel 13–19 Series: Developing a Heart Like God's

Nov 27

2016

A Generous Heart

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 1 Samuel 30, 2 Samuel 9, 1 Chronicles 29 Series: Developing a Heart Like God's

Nov 20

2016

An Encouraged Heart

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 1 Samuel 22 Series: Developing a Heart Like God's