Abuse, Power, Reform

October 25th, 2026

Sermon Info

• Speaker / Pastor: Rev. Douglas Dill;  Scripture read by Paul Hand

Scripture References

• 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 26-26, 12:1-9 – recounting David, Bathsheba, Uriah and Nathan; used to expose abuse of power and consequences.

• Psalm 51 – David’s prayer of confession cited to show repentance and God’s mercy.

• Matthew 21:33–41 – the parable of the tenants used as the Gospel reading and to illustrate judgment on those who misuse stewardship.

Central Message

• God’s people are called to use authority to serve others, not to exploit them; when leaders sin, God remains faithful but calls for repentance and reform.

Key Points

• 1. David abused his royal power: he stayed home during war, watched Bathsheba, summoned her, and used his position to exploit her.

• 2. Bathsheba’s limited agency is highlighted — the real moral responsibility lies with the one who had power over her.

• 3. Uriah’s faithfulness contrasted with David’s failure; David engineered Uriah’s death to hide his sin.

• 4. Nathan’s confrontation: the prophet exposes David with the parable, declaring, “You are the man.”

• 5. God remains faithful despite human sin, but calls for change — forgiveness does not remove the need for moral reform.

• 6. Historical parallel: Martin Luther and the Reformation were invoked to show how institutional abuse requires prophetic correction and transparency.

• 7. Church’s mission: the community exists for everyone; ministry and service should be for the common good, not personal gain.

Notable Quotes

• > “You are the man.”

• > “God remains faithful to David. The things that David did wrong, God still remains faithful because God remains faithful to us even when we do wrong.”

• > “One person exerting power for what they want without consideration for others. That’s a problem. That’s abuse.”

Application

• Refuse to use authority for personal gain; use any influence to serve and protect others.

• When confronted with wrongdoing, respond with genuine repentance and make practical reforms.

• Support and sustain ministries that serve the whole community, not individual agendas.

• Practice transparency in leadership and be attentive to how power affects vulnerable people.

Reflection Questions

• 1. What areas of my life or leadership might be tempted toward abuse of power, and how can I change that?

• 2. When confronted with my wrongdoing, do I respond with denial, excuses, or genuine repentance like David after Nathan’s rebuke?

• 3. How is our church using its resources and influence to serve the whole community rather than a select few?