Four lessons on our faith following Jesus.
I. Our faith leads us to do what is right not what is expedient.
-David maintains the sanctity of the Lord's anointed.
II. Our faith demands that we trust God's sovereignty with patience.
-David refuses to take a shortcut or seek vengeance.
-Ps. 37:7, I Peter 2:20
III. Our faith makes us willing to admit fault.
-David seeks a way of repentance if he has sinned.
IV. Our faith trusts the Lord to right all wrongs.
-David trusted the Lord for vindication.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
I Samuel 25
I. Nabal demonstrates the danger of self-centeredness.
-Nabal = fool
-Is. 32:6
-Similarities between Nabal and Saul.
1. Saul set up a monument for himself at Carmel. Nabal's business was at Carmel.
2. Saul chases David in Maon. Nabal lives in the region of Maon.
3. Saul is king. Nabal is wealthy and celebrates like a "king."
4. Nabal's name means "fool." Samuel told Saul he had acted foolishly (13:13; Saul admits acted foolishly 26:21).
5. Nabal refers to David as the "son of Jesse." Saul refers to David as the "son of Jesse."
-Dangers of self centeredness.
1. All attention is placed on the temporal.
2. Self-centeredness is self-idolatry.
3. There is no willingness to help and share with others.
4. There is a refusal to acknowledge the divine source of what we have.
-Heb. 13:16
II. Abigail faithfully intercedes.
-Contrasts between Abigail and Nabal.
1. Nabal was a fool. Abigail was discerning.
2. Nabal was harsh. Abigail was beautiful and gentle.
3. Nabal acts with arrogance and contempt toward David. Abigail acts with humility and deference toward David.
4. Nabal has no concern for David's future. Abigail is concerned for the future impact of David's present actions.
-Impact of her intercession.
1. She interceded for the sake of her family.
2. She interceded for the sake of David's guiltlessness.
-James 5:19-20
III. David has to gain "wisdom transfer."
-Wisdom transfer = the ability to apply the principles of past lessons to present situations.
-Lessons of application
1. Avoid the dangers of selfishness by loving God and loving people.
-Rom. 2:8, James 3:14-16, Phil. 2:3
2. Be ready to intercede for others.
-Gal. 6:1-2
3. We must learn "wisdom transfer," applying past lessons to present situations.
4. Victory over sin today doesn't guarantee victory over sin tomorrow.
5. Praise God for His restraining hand.
-Nabal = fool
-Is. 32:6
-Similarities between Nabal and Saul.
1. Saul set up a monument for himself at Carmel. Nabal's business was at Carmel.
2. Saul chases David in Maon. Nabal lives in the region of Maon.
3. Saul is king. Nabal is wealthy and celebrates like a "king."
4. Nabal's name means "fool." Samuel told Saul he had acted foolishly (13:13; Saul admits acted foolishly 26:21).
5. Nabal refers to David as the "son of Jesse." Saul refers to David as the "son of Jesse."
-Dangers of self centeredness.
1. All attention is placed on the temporal.
2. Self-centeredness is self-idolatry.
3. There is no willingness to help and share with others.
4. There is a refusal to acknowledge the divine source of what we have.
-Heb. 13:16
II. Abigail faithfully intercedes.
-Contrasts between Abigail and Nabal.
1. Nabal was a fool. Abigail was discerning.
2. Nabal was harsh. Abigail was beautiful and gentle.
3. Nabal acts with arrogance and contempt toward David. Abigail acts with humility and deference toward David.
4. Nabal has no concern for David's future. Abigail is concerned for the future impact of David's present actions.
-Impact of her intercession.
1. She interceded for the sake of her family.
2. She interceded for the sake of David's guiltlessness.
-James 5:19-20
III. David has to gain "wisdom transfer."
-Wisdom transfer = the ability to apply the principles of past lessons to present situations.
-Lessons of application
1. Avoid the dangers of selfishness by loving God and loving people.
-Rom. 2:8, James 3:14-16, Phil. 2:3
2. Be ready to intercede for others.
-Gal. 6:1-2
3. We must learn "wisdom transfer," applying past lessons to present situations.
4. Victory over sin today doesn't guarantee victory over sin tomorrow.
5. Praise God for His restraining hand.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
I Samuel 23
Four contrasts between Saul and David.
1. At Nob, Saul was the destroyer of Israel. At Keilah, David is the deliverer of Israel.
2. Saul complains that no one discloses urgent matters to him. God discloses things to David.
3. Saul's companion is Doeg, who covers Saul's hands with blood. David's is companion Jonathan, who strengthens his hand in God.
4. Saul accused David of conspiracy that didn't exist and wanted to kill him. David was the victim of real conspiracy by Ziph (and potentially by Keilah) but holds no grudge.
I. The difference God-centeredness makes.
-Shephelah = lowlands, area between the Judean mountains and the coastal plain
-Characteristics of God-centered people
1. They put others before themselves.
2. They desire to do God's will.
3. They don't hold grudges.
II. The blessing of God's word.
-II Pet. 1:2-3
III. The fortifying work of Gdo's encouragement.
-II Cor. 4:1, 7-12, 16-18
IV. The reassurance of God's providence.
(Picture of desert of Maon and Picture of Engedi)
1. Those who follow Christ, put othes before themselves.
2. We have the blessing of owning and reading the very Words of God.
3. Whatever the heardship, don't loose heart.
4. While we may grow weary in the desert, we can be comforted by God's providence.
5. In the desert, God may provide rest and refreshing in the "strongholds of Engedi."
1. At Nob, Saul was the destroyer of Israel. At Keilah, David is the deliverer of Israel.
2. Saul complains that no one discloses urgent matters to him. God discloses things to David.
3. Saul's companion is Doeg, who covers Saul's hands with blood. David's is companion Jonathan, who strengthens his hand in God.
4. Saul accused David of conspiracy that didn't exist and wanted to kill him. David was the victim of real conspiracy by Ziph (and potentially by Keilah) but holds no grudge.
I. The difference God-centeredness makes.
-Shephelah = lowlands, area between the Judean mountains and the coastal plain
-Characteristics of God-centered people
1. They put others before themselves.
2. They desire to do God's will.
3. They don't hold grudges.
II. The blessing of God's word.
-II Pet. 1:2-3
III. The fortifying work of Gdo's encouragement.
-II Cor. 4:1, 7-12, 16-18
IV. The reassurance of God's providence.
(Picture of desert of Maon and Picture of Engedi)
1. Those who follow Christ, put othes before themselves.
2. We have the blessing of owning and reading the very Words of God.
3. Whatever the heardship, don't loose heart.
4. While we may grow weary in the desert, we can be comforted by God's providence.
5. In the desert, God may provide rest and refreshing in the "strongholds of Engedi."
I Samuel 24
I. David refused to take a "shortcut" to be king.
-Matt. 4:8-9
II. David relied upon God for justice.
-I Peter 2:22-23
-I Peter 2:21, Rom. 12:19
III. David was reassured of God's promise.
-Luke 24:25-26, 44-48
-Rom. 8:17, I Cor. 1:7-9, II Cor. 4:17-18
1) There are no shortcuts in following Christ.
2) Because of the divine authority of God, we must respect human authority.
-Rom. 13:1
3) As followers of Christ, we must not seek retribution. We depend on God to execute justice and vindication.
4) Be encouraged in your relationship with Christ because of God’s eternal promise.
-Matt. 4:8-9
II. David relied upon God for justice.
-I Peter 2:22-23
-I Peter 2:21, Rom. 12:19
III. David was reassured of God's promise.
-Luke 24:25-26, 44-48
-Rom. 8:17, I Cor. 1:7-9, II Cor. 4:17-18
1) There are no shortcuts in following Christ.
2) Because of the divine authority of God, we must respect human authority.
-Rom. 13:1
3) As followers of Christ, we must not seek retribution. We depend on God to execute justice and vindication.
4) Be encouraged in your relationship with Christ because of God’s eternal promise.
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