The Kingdom of God in a Fallen World

Order of Service

• Hymn — God, All Nature Sings Thy Glory
• Call to Worship — Psalm 104
• Hymn — God, All Nature Sings Thy Glory
• Prayer of Invocation
• Corporate Confession of Sin — 1 John 1:10
• Assurance of Pardon — Isaiah 12:2–3
• Scripture Reading — Acts 22:22–30
• Hymn — O Father, You Are Sovereign
• Pastoral Prayer
• Offering
• Hymn — O God, Our Help in Ages Past
• Sermon
• Hymn — Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
• Benediction

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Sermon Title: The Kingdom of God in a Fallen World

Scripture: 2 Samuel 20

I. The Kingdom in a Fallen World Consists of Sad Endings

A. The ten concubines David left behind when fleeing Absalom are cared for but permanently isolated — living as widows until death (2 Samuel 20:3)

1. These women were violated by Absalom at the counsel of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 16)
2. Their suffering traces back to David's own sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, and Nathan's prophecy of consequences (2 Samuel 12)
3. David's personal sin reaches far beyond himself, producing innocent victims

B. Historical illustration: Lady Jane Grey

1. A devout, Reformed young woman of 17 who never sought the throne, thrust into power by John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland
2. Her reign lasted only nine days; she was convicted of high treason and beheaded despite her innocence
3. Her final words echoed Christ: "Lord, into your hands I commit my spirit" — the kingdom's story in a fallen world is filled with tragic and sad endings

II. The Kingdom in a Fallen World Consists of Tainted Victories

A. Joab eliminates his rival Amasa through treachery (2 Samuel 20:8–10)

1. David had appointed Amasa as general to replace Joab as an olive branch to Judah (2 Samuel 19)
2. Joab feigns a brotherly greeting, concealing a sword in his left hand, and strikes Amasa dead
3. Joab then leads the army to victory over Sheba and is listed first among David's officials (2 Samuel 20:23) — David cannot remove him

B. David's relationship with Joab compared to America's alliance with Stalin in World War II — a necessary but morally compromised partnership

C. Historical illustration: Constantine's victory at Milvian Bridge (AD 312) and the Edict of Milan (AD 313)

1. Brought genuine relief from persecution and humanizing civil reforms
2. But also introduced civil magistrates wielding authority over the church, opening the door for so-called Christian emperors — like Constantius — to persecute orthodox believers (e.g., those holding to the Nicene Creed)
3. The kingdom in a fallen world is filled with tainted victories and complicated heroes

III. The Kingdom in a Fallen World Consists of Close Calls

A. Joab besieges Abel of Beth-maacah in pursuit of Sheba; the entire city is nearly destroyed (2 Samuel 20:14–22)

B. A wise woman intervenes, calling the city "a mother in Israel" and "the heritage of the Lord" — appealing to Joab not to destroy the Lord's people

1. A negotiation is reached: Sheba's head is thrown over the wall; Joab withdraws
2. A righteous pursuit of a rebel nearly became a wicked destruction of the Lord's own inheritance
3. This echoes Saul's slaughter of the priests at Nob (1 Samuel 22) — David's kingship momentarily resembled Saul's

C. The pattern continues in church history and today: leaders charged to shepherd the flock sometimes place the flock under their thumb

IV. Conclusion: Turn Your Eyes Upon Christ

A. The world uses the church's sordid history as a weapon against her — sometimes the accusations are factually wrong and should be corrected, but our posture should not be defensive

B. Our hope is not in the pristine history of the church but in the pristine person and work of Jesus Christ

C. Mark's Gospel — likely sourced from Peter — does not hide Peter's failures: his rebuke of Jesus, his boasting, his denial (Mark 14)

1. Peter wanted readers' hope to rest not in Peter but in the sinless Christ who dies for sinners

D. There will continue to be sad endings, tainted victories, and close calls in the church — because the church is made up of sinners, and wheat and weeds grow together

1. Yet the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against the bride of Christ (Matthew 16:18)
2. Before a watching and accusing world, point not to yourself or to Christian heroes — point to Christ