I. Intro Big Idea: Our worst nightmares can prepare us for God’s greater dream.
II. Stole the Hearts A. Absalom made empty promises. 2 Samuel 15:1-4
B. Absalom offered false humility. 2 Samuel 15:5-9
III. Escape A. Absalom deceived the people. 2 Samuel 15:10-13
B. David acted like a good shepherd. 2 Samuel 15:14-18
IV. Toward the Wilderness A. David was still God’s man. 2 Samuel 15:19-22
B. David gained courage by honoring God. 2 Samuel 15:23-29
V. Return A. A better King would return to Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 15:30-31
B. Trust God’s counsel. 2 Samuel 15:32-37

​​​​*The sermon video will be available after Sunday. To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.

I. Intro Big Idea: God’s justice and grace are perfect.
II. Troubling A. People can be desperate for peace. 2 Samuel 14:1-3; Jeremiah 6:13-14
B. David extended the King’s pardon. 2 Samuel 14:4-11
III. Favor A. David practiced expedience. 2 Samuel 14:12-17
B. David practiced cheap grace. 2 Samuel 14:18-24
IV. Appearance A. It’s easy to value appearance over substance. 2 Samuel 14:25-27
B. Giftedness without character is dangerous. 2 Samuel 14:28-30
V. Before the King A. Our King sees us. 2 Samuel 14:31-32
B. Our King summons us. 2 Samuel 14:33

​​​*The sermon video will be available after Sunday. To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.

I. Intro Big Idea: The harvest of our wrongdoing can be great, but God’s mercy is greater.
II. Ten Lessons
1. Lust consumes. 2 Samuel 13:1-2; Song of Songs 2:7, 3:5, 8:4
2. Friends can give bad advice. 2 Samuel 13:3-5
3. A dad’s sin affects the whole family. 2 Samuel 13:6-11; James 1:13
4. Rape underscores the sacredness of sex. 2 Samuel 13:12-14
5. When lust is satisfied it turns to disdain. 2 Samuel 13:15-19; Psalm 147:3
6. Passive parents fail to protect their children and others. 2 Samuel 13:20-21
7. Bitterness consumes. 2 Samuel 13:23-29
8. Grief is very deep. 2 Samuel 13:30-33
9. The harvest from what we sow is always later, and greater. 2 Samuel 13:37
10. People are evil and need a Savior. 2 Samuel 13:38
III. Our Teacher 1. God sent His Son. Romans 12:9; 1 John 1:9
2. Think ahead. Ephesians 5:15-16

​​*The sermon video will be available after Sunday. To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.

I. Intro Big Idea: Confrontations can remind us of God’s grace.
II. No Pity A. Stories can convict. 2 Samuel 12:1-6; John 16:7-9; Galatians 6:1
B. God takes our sin personally. 2 Samuel 12:7-10
III. Calamity A. God’s judgment resulted in natural consequences. 2 Samuel 12:11-12; Galatians 6:7
B. God is gracious. 2 Samuel 12:13-14
IV. Sackcloth A. David expressed his sorrow while his child lived. 2 Samuel 12:15-20
B. David understood our lives are eternal. 2 Samuel 12:21-23
V. Loved A. David and Solomon were loved by the LORD. 2 Samuel 12:24-25; Joel 2:25; Galatians 2:20
B. Joab gave David an opportunity to be restored. 2 Samuel 12:26-31

Rev. Steve Trent
​1/1/2023

​*The sermon video will be available after Sunday. To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.

I. Intro Big Idea: God’s glory came to us.
II. A Great Light A. In dark days remember, a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:1-2
B. Someone greater than our greatest hero arrived. Isaiah 9:3-5
III. The Zeal of the LORD A. The Son reflects His Father. Isaiah 9:6-7a
B. Jesus exceeds our hopes. Isaiah 9:7b
IV. In Those Days A. Jesus arrived at the right time. Luke 2:1-3
B. Jesus came to the right place. Luke 2:4-5
V. A Son A. Jesus was born our King. Luke 2:6-7a
B. Jesus entered our brokenness to save us from it. Luke 2:7b

​​​*The sermon video will be available after Sunday. To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.

I. Intro
Big Idea: God’s glory is greater than our failures.
II. High and Exalted
A. We tend to focus on ourselves. Isaiah 6:1a
B. God is powerful and present. Isaiah 6:1b-4
III. Atoned For
A. God’s presence reminds us we’re not Him. Isaiah 6:5-7
B. God reminds us He is gracious. Luke 2:8-10
IV. The Messiah
A. We need a personal Savior. Luke 2:11
B. We need to recognize our poverty. Luke 2:12
V. Glory to God
A. Resting in God’s grace brings Him glory. Luke 2:13-14
B. Go tell others what you’ve been told. Luke 2:15; Matthew 11:28-29; 28:19-20

I. Intro
Big Idea: God’s glory is greater than darkness.
II. Fruit
A. God has given all we need. Genesis 3:1; Matthew 6: 28-34; Ephesians 1:3
B. God has set good boundaries for us. Genesis 3:2-3
III. Good and Evil
A. The serpent lies. Genesis 3:4-5
B. We’re glory deceived. Genesis 3:6-7
IV. Where Are You?
A. Our sin separates us from God, but He pursues us. Genesis 3:8-9
B. God desires to save us from death. Matthew 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:3-5
V. Fulfilled
A. God planned to deliver us for His glory. Matthew 2:14-15
B. Our present struggles won’t last. Matthew 2:16-18; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

​​*The sermon video will be available after Sunday. To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.