Take Heed

Introduction:

1 Cor. 10:11-13.  Focus on 10:12. Wedged between “stands” and “fall” are the words “take heed.” We need to take notice of what is going on in our spiritual life. Warnings to be aware are numerous! See 2 Cor. 13:5; Rom. 13:11-14. Warnings of possibility of falling away are seen in Heb. 6:4-8; 10:26-31. And yet, it is while things are going good spiritually – that we can set ourselves up for the fall by failing to “take heed!”

I. Consider what we learn from David’s life:

A.    2 Sam. 11 - a segment in David’s life filled with sin.

1.     Take heed @ any age! No one is too young or even gets too old to fall!

B.    Things had been going extremely well for David. 5:12-13

1.     Between chapter 5 & 11 – all we see is a tremendous success story.

C.    But…he was vulnerable.

1.     5:13 – this contradicted Deut. 17:14-17.

2.     Pride, accomplishments lead to spirit of indulgence.

II. David’s failure to take heed of his vulnerabilities led to his fall.

A.    2 Sam. 11:1 – David not in battle – where he belonged.

1.     Great battles come when time is on our hands; when boredom sets in.

2.     11:2b - we instinctively think of the seriousness of David’s sin.

3.     Bathsheba: careless & foolish.

a)    Rom. 14:12-13 - We must not be a stumbling block to others.

B.    We must work in cooperation with our righteousness!

1.     Give thought to our actions; dress; “looks”, conduct!

2.     David & Bathsheba were both at fault on this occasion!

C.    There is truth in Js. 1:13-15.

D.    In times of temptation – there is one command! Flee!

1.     1 Cor. 6:18 – flee immorality! 1 Cor. 10:14 – flee idolatry!

2.     2 Tim. 2:22 – flee youthful lusts. Pursue righteousness!

E.     There is no resistance to Satan in lust – other than flight! Don’t run? Failure!

F.     Temptation causes us to have spiritual amnesia.

1.     Temptation causes us to forget who we are!

2.     It causes us to forget all the lessons we’ve learned in life to that point.

3.     Temptation causes us to “go out of control.”

III. Pleasures of sin are passing.

A.    Devil shows us the beauty, fun, excitement, and the stimulating adventure of stolen desires.

B.    When the sin is done & the penalties of sin come down – the devil is no where to be found!

IV. Road of temptation leads us away from God.

A.    11:5 –David is presented w/a choice: admit it or cover it up.

B.    11:6-9 – clever idea flops.

1.     11:14 – Uriah unknowingly carry his own death warrant.

2.     11:17 – deed was done. Uriah murdered.

C.    Consequences of sin can be devastating. Have effect on innocent people around us.

1.     Remember – Uriah wasn’t the only one to fall in that battle!

2.     For us it is the same. Our sin can have far reaching effects!

D.    We cover up, scheme until we find ourselves in such a maze we can never escape!

E.     Only way out is repentance & seeking God!

Conclusion:

A.    If you playing w/the sins of the flesh – you’re living on borrowed time.

1.     Psa. 51:3-4 – total misery! Psa. 32:3-4 – full of groaning & agonizing!

B.    1 Cor. 10:11-13 – are you taking heed? Are you trapped in sin?