(DAVID #32)-1 Chronicles 28-29...(Read: 1 Chronicles 29:26-30)-"HOW WILL YOUR LIFE END?"
Intro: We have been studying the life of David since August 2006. In the space of 40 sermons,we have watched as the boy became a man, and the shepherd became a king. We have followed David across the high mountain peaks of success and into the deep valleys of defeat. We have seen him when he gleamed with the glory of righteousness and we have seen that glory tarnished by sin. We have watched David as he enjoyed the blessing of living a godly life, and we have watched him as he endured the consequences of his sins. His life has challenged us, because there are so many parallels between his experience and ours. We can identify with David.   In this text, we find David at the end of his life.  He is seventy years old. He has reigned as king for forty years, and is about to pass the torch to the next generation. Before he does, David has some last words for those who have gathered around him, 28:1. In these last words of David, we can see what occupied his thoughts as he reached the end of his life. We will examine the last words of the old king; and in them, we will encounter some characteristics that should mark the end of our own lives. 
I. 28:2-8 IT WAS A TIME OF REFLECTION-- David lets us know that the last days of his life were filled with thoughts of a dream that he never saw fulfilled. David had wanted to build a temple for the Lord, but God had said “No” to David’s dream, telling him instead that David’s son, the next king would build the temple, 1 Sam. 7:1-17. This had been a disappointment to David. Evidently, it was a disappointment that lingered until the day of his death.
But, David did not allow the Lord’s “No” to derail him. David gathered the necessary materials to build the temple, so that Solomon would have what he needed when the time came. In David’s words, we see a man who died with an unfulfilled dream still in his heart. But, David did not look back on what God had not allowed him to do, he instead looked back at what God did permit in his life. In doing so, he displays an attitude we should all have at the end of our lives!   He tells us that God had chosen him to be king! God had picked David the youngest son of an unknown family to be the king over His people Israel, v. 4! God had blessed him greatly, promising to establish his kingdom forever, v. 5-7. David rejoices that God has chosen his son Solomon for a special relationship, v. 6.-(our kids!)
If we are not careful, we will come to the end of the way bitter, disappointed and disillusioned because we did not get to see the fulfillment of our dreams. As we age, it becomes clearer with each passing year that some of our dreams are not going to come to pass. -(Not enough money, health, travel, friendships, etc?)  Or, we can look back with joy, thankful for the things that He did bring into our lives. We can sit around and pout about what we did not get, or we can than Him for what we did get. We can blame Him for what we think we missed out on, or we can rejoice in what He brought into our lives. (Romans 8:28)!
C. So, what kind of shattered dreams are you looking back on today? Maybe you wanted more from your marriage. Maybe you wanted your children to accomplish certain things. Maybe you wanted to achieve certain goals along the way. Maybe you are disappointed in your financial success. Maybe you wanted to succeed in some ministry. Maybe you had big plans and goals for life, but none of them have been achieved. Now, you conclude that those things will never be realized....What does that do to you? How does that make you feel? Are you content with where the Lord has brought you in life? Or, are you bitter that things have not turned out like you planned them?  The best thing to do with the past and its broken dreams is to let it go! Thank God for where He has brought you and what He has done in and through your life. Learn the lesson of contentment that Paul talked about, Phil. 4:11-13. 
II. 28:9-29:1 IT WAS A TIME OF RESPONSIBILITY--Here David speaks to Solomon. He realizes that the young man standing before him is about to shoulder an awesome responsibility. He is untried and untested, but he is about to become the King of Israel. He is about to take the reigns of the nation and David knows that he needs a few words of instruction. David speaks to Solomon on two levels:

A. His Relationship To God – 28:9 – He challenges Solomon to Know God; to Serve God; and to Seek God. . He is cautioned to keep his heart and thought life pure. David wants Solomon to be a Saved man, a Serving man, a Seeking man and a Sold Out man!  David is speaking these words from experience. David knew the blessing of walking with God and he knew about the pain of turning away. Therefore, he challenges Solomon to stay close and to stay clean.-(Parents, before you die, teach your children!)
B. His Reign Over The People – 28:10-21 – In verses 10-19, David gives Solomon the plans and the materials for the construction of the temple. He challenges Solomon to get to the job and to do it right! Then, David turns his attention to Solomon the King. He speaks of the pressures and the doubts that come along with the title of King. He reminds Solomon that no matter what the future holds, he can count on the Lord’s presence, power and promises to help him make it through. What a blessed hope to instill in one’s child!   We must be careful that we do not fill our children’s heads with our own doubts, fears and prejudices. We must never teach them to fret or to worry. They need to see us trusting the Lord by faith.  Most of what our children know about God they learn from their parents. 
III. 29:10-19 IT WAS A TIME OF RELIANCE--In 29:2-9, David challenges the people of Israel to give to the work of the temple. They do so willingly and when they do, David lifts his voice in a prayer of faith, thanksgiving and supplication. 
A. Here at the end of the road, David is still praising the Lord, v. 10-11. He still has a sweet spirit. He is able to praise the Lord for His grace, His blessings and His sovereign power, v. 12-13. His is still amazed at what the Lord has done for him through the years, v. 14-18. He is still praying for others, v. 19. David sets a great example for the rest of God’s saints.
B. The end of life is not a time to let up on spiritual disciplines. It is not the time to stop praying. The end of life is best spent at the altar of prayer, seeking the Lord, praising the Lord and calling on the Lord in the behalf of others. The end of life is a time to draw closer to the Lord.    Far too many people have the attitude that they have what they have by their own power and efforts. They feel that their success in life came about by their own abilities. YOU WOULDN'T HAVE WHAT YOU'VE GOT WITHOUT JESUS!!!
IV. 29:20-25 IT WAS A TIME OF REJOICING--David’s life didn't conclude with sadness. Instead, he leads the congregation in offering worship and praise to the Lord. They celebrate his life and they rejoice in their new king. David does not go out with a whimper; he goes out with a bang! He leaves this life praising the Lord.
The end of life does not have to be a sad time! It is possible to leave this life on a high note when it has been well lived. When you come to the end of the road still close to the Lord; still clinging to the Lord and still calling on the Lord, there is no reason for sadness, but for rejoicing.
In this passage, it is the dying man who is rejoicing. David seems to have no fear regarding his impending death. He does not seem upset by the fact that his earthly journey is about over. Why? Because he knows the Lord and knows where he is going....and that kind of knowledge gives great comfort!  Can you see the end drawing ever closer? How are you going to meet that day? Will you face it with dread and fear? Or, like David, will you be able to rejoice in the day of your death?
Conc: With the death of David and era came to an end. Israel’s second king was her best and brightest king. But, the lessons we learn from the life of David still speak today. As we consider the end of David’s life, let us also consider the end of our own lives. How do we want to finish the race?  Like David, I want to finish strong. I want to end up remembering His blessing; carrying out my responsibilities; relying on the Lord and rejoicing in Him. I want to finish like Paul, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing,” 2 Timothy 4:6-8.