1. Restoring the Fallen
2 Samuel 12

2. Restoring the Fallen
This is the responsibility of the spiritual Galatians 6:1-2
It is an important work James 5:19-20
Restoration is more urgent than evangelism 2 Peter 2:20-22
Some of the strongest Christians are those who have fallen away and were then restored

3. The Best Example of Restoration
Nathan confronts David 2 Samuel 12:1-12
STEP 1: Nathan gets David committed to the right principle 12:1-6
Uses a situation David knows well
Nathan evokes empathy for the wronged person
David is objectively applying the principle (his responsibility as king Deuteronomy 17:18-20

4. Nathan Confronts David 2 Samuel 12:1-12
STEP 2: Nathan applies the principle to David 12:7a “You are the man”
Most people put Step 2 before Step 1
Reversing the steps provokes resistance
STEP 3: Nathan reminds David of all the good that God had done for him 12:7-8
Restoration must be God-centered
The fallen away have forgotten something 2 Peter 1:5-11

5. Nathan Confronts David 2 Samuel 12:1-12
STEP 4: Nathan specifically confronts David’s sin 12:9
How it affects his relationship with God
What he did that was wrong
The cover-up was worse than the sin he was trying to cover up
Nathan exposes the sin so the cover-up was in vain
Judgment Day is not for deciding guilt or innocence but for giving an account of our deeds to God Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10

6. Nathan Confronts David 2 Samuel 12:1-12
STEP 5: Nathan gives the consequences of David’s sin 12:10-12
They resemble the sin 12:10
They are caused by the sin
Amnon 2 Samuel 13:21-22
Absolom 2 Samuel 13:26-38
Absolom’s rebellion 2 Samuel 14:21-24,32-33; 15:1-12, 31
Ahithophel 2 Sam.16:20-23, 17:1-14,23; 11:3; 23:34

7. Nathan Confronts David 2 Samuel 12:1-12
THE RESULTS
David confesses his sin 12:13, Psalm 32:1-5
God forgave him 12:13, Psalm 32:6
He still suffered the consequences 12:14

8. LESSONS
Teach a person the principles, get him to objectively commit to them, then apply them to issues that he is emotionally involved in
Remind the person of God’s goodness to him
Specifically point out the deeds that violate God’s principles
Encourage confession and repentance
Remember that forgiveness doesn’t cancel consequences