WHEN YOU’RE GETTING BACK UP…

Series: Giant Slayer | Pastor Daniel Norris

Text: 2 Samuel 11:27 (ESV)

“But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” (2 Samuel 11:27, ESV)

How do you get back up when you’ve gone from hero to hypocrite?

1. MAJOR FALLS START WITH MINOR FAILURES.

“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, ‘Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’” (2 Samuel 11:1–3, ESV)

Three Failures That Bring Down Leaders

DISENGAGEMENT

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

God ordained rest, but when we abuse it, rest turns into restlessness, and restlessness turns into wrestling with the flesh.

DISTANCE

Real leaders don’t just exercise authority; they embrace accountability.

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12, ESV)

DECEPTION

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13, ESV)

Deception is deadly, but confession is cleansing. 

2. THE STORY OF REDEMPTION OR REJECTION IS DECIDED BY THE RESPONSE.

“For the believer, there are only two options: humility or humiliation.”  Leonard Ravenhill 

“You are the man.” (2 Samuel 12:7, ESV)

“I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12:13, ESV)

Godly Repentance

Honesty — David owned his sin

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” (Psalm 51:3, ESV)

Humility — David grieved what he had done

“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…” (Psalm 51:4, ESV)

Healing — David asked for heart change

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, ESV)

Helpfulness — David let God use his story

“Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” (Psalm 51:13, ESV)

Forgiveness removes guilt; it does not remove consequences.

3. THE LORD WRITES THE FINAL HEADLINE OVER OUR LIVES.

“…he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart…’ Of this man’s offspring, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus.” (Acts 13:22–23, ESV)

How does God rebuild a fallen giant slayer?

Confrontation — God exposes what we try to hide.

Humiliation — God breaks what pride built.

Restoration — God restores the inner life before the outer life.

Recalibration — God doesn’t change his mind about you.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17, ESV)