David and the Census

Reference

1 Chronicles 21

Complacency is defined as self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of potential dangers or deficiencies
Complacency is dangerous for a Christian because it numbs our senses to sin.
Complacency almost always comes to those who are comfortable and successful, whether inside or outside of churches.
When the temptation comes and they usually come in a form of money, power, lust, disobedience, the bomb inside of you goes off.
It is not difficult to see the kind of damage complacency is hurting this world right now.
In this sermon series, we have seen how complacency has cost David to fail. But God sent people to confront David in each of those stories.
And more importantly, we learn that David would repent and turn back to God each time.

Satan has tempted David to do a census of Israel. (1 Chronicles 21:1)
God was displeased with the census, and he struck Israel (1 Chronicles 21:7) because it is not up to David to order a census and David neglected to levy a tax for the census that is required by law
David repented: “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” (1 Chronicles 21:8)
God this time sent a prophet by the name of Gad to come to talk to David.
Gad offered David three options for God’s judgment

1. Three years of famine

2. Three months of attacks by your enemies

3. Three days of plague by the angel of the Lord

David chose three days of plague by the angel of the Lord because he knows that he can trust whatever God does -because God's Mercy is very great.
David offered to buy the threshing floor from Ornan as God had commanded through Gad (1 Chronicles 21:22)
David built there an altar to the Lord and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings. (1 Chronicles 21:26)
The threshing floor became the future site for the Temple and David started the building of the Temple right away (1 Chronicles 22:1)
God goes to great lengths to get David’s attention and to make sure that he repents and turns back. God sent people one after another to speak to David and remind him of his disobedience. God simply cares about David too much to let them keep going down the rabbit hole of sin.

God simply loves us too much to shut up and not say anything when he sees us going down the same rabbit hole.
Suffering a painful death on the cross is the price Jesus pays to bring us back.
Unless we are willing to humble ourselves, we will not have true repentance in front of God
Being humble doesn't mean that you are weak. True repentance is a sign of strength, not weakness
"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." Revelation 3:19 (NIV)
God rebukes and disciplines us because we are valuable to Him.
Stop being complacent. Be mindful when you are comfortable.
Punch line: "You will fall. God will rebuke. Will you repent?"

Will you turn back to God and repent?
Will you stop being complacent about your sins?
Have you ever thought about what Jesus has paid in exchange for your complacency?