Entanglement - A Family Affair

Pericope: 2 Samuel 12:9-12 - 9 Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’

11 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”

Sermon Text: 2 Sam 12:10 - 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’

Sermon Title: Entanglement Pt 2 – It’s a Family Affair

Point 1: The transparency of a family affair.  Matthew 12:46-50 - 46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

         We like to white wash this text but slow down and really read it. Jesus isn't just making a theological devotional doxological statement. Before you hang your hat on verse 49 and 50  49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Reread 46 through 48 - 46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”

While Jesus was preaching during church service, Jesus put the family business on full display. You see his brothers and sisters didn't believe he was the Savior/Messiah and mommy has brought them to church to convinced them. Jesus put a stop to that.  Now we know later his brother James later believed and became the leader of the Jerusalem church.

Point 2: The transcendence of a family affair.  2 Sam 12:10 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, …

 2 Sam 7:16 - 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”

Now for this second point we can get into our text.  There are two things I want to point out as a contradiction in the text. On one hand God said David as a result of your sin, calamity will always be a part of your family. On the other hand, God said the Kingdom will go through your family. Here is why.

1.    If you are persistent with the promise on your life you're proud public pain won't stop God's blessings.

2.    The Kingdom can come through all of our lives if we don't give up. David never gave up on God nor himself so God could transcend his life for his glory.

Point 3: The transgenerational of a family affair. Gen 9:25 - 25 he said, “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.”; 10:6 - 6 The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put and Canaan.

There has been no other set a family so humiliated and endured so much pain as African Americans. The world misinterpreted that text an enforced a worldwide slave industry.

Point 4: The trust of a family affair.  John 13:34…love another

1.      Grace is simply love.  It’s a continuous caring, an offering of opportunities, and a meeting of needs. This kind of love isn’t a biochemical rush. Feelings can change in a second. Grace doesn’t change. Grace is what every family needs.

2.      Intentionality which is simply a sense of purpose. Prov. 19:21 - Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Family life in this chaotic confusing rushed world must be intentional. Randomness won’t raise a fabulous family. Intentionality is a compass, a roadmap.

3.      Intimacy Romans 12:10 - Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Intimacy is closeness, an openness, a sharing of what’s in your heart and on your mind with others, especially others you trust and are close to. Transparency between family members builds trust to get through the difficult times.

4.      Empowered families beat the odds in three ways. 1 Thes. 5:11… build one another up… Roman 12:9 - Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves..  It possesses authority, a sense of identity, and a sense of direction. A covenant family knows who it is. It permits family members to develop into individuals.  It celebrates and uses its strengths and weaknesses. 

5.      Life’s lessons. Romans 8:28…all things work together…  Bad things happen to everybody. A covenant family has a history and learns from it.  trouble, difficulties and setbacks happen to every family  - learning from it makes it a fabulous family.

Life Application:

1.    Listen to the podcast on family.

2.   Zoom with First Lady and I for the family prayer call

3.   Hold your family close – pray as they return to school.