Category Archives: Sermon Notes & Announcements

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DAVID’S SETTING SUN. II Samuel 21:12-22. 01/02/2022. #52.

2 Samuel 21:12-22 [New King James Version]

¹² Then David went and took the bones of Saul, and the bones of Jonathan his son, from the men of Jabesh Gilead who had stolen them from the street of Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them up, after the Philistines had struck down Saul in Gilboa. ¹³ So he brought up the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from there; and they gathered the bones of those who had been hanged. ¹⁴ They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the tomb of Kish his father. So they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God heeded the prayer for the land. ¹⁵ When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. ¹⁶ Then Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels, who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David. ¹⁷ But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.” ¹⁸ Now it happened afterward that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the sons of the giant. ¹⁹ Again there was war at Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. ²⁰ Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number; and he also was born to the giant. ²¹ So when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him. ²² These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

1. House Cleaning
   1. After Gibeon took vengeance upon Saul’s sons and grandsons, David decided to give a proper burial for Saul’s and Jonathan’s bones
   1. Over 20 years had passed since the Phil. killed Saul
      1.  The men of Jabesh-Gilead had taken the bones of Saul and Jon. hanging on a wall
      1.  Saul had rescued Jab./Gil. 60 years earlier
   1. Even though Saul had persecuted David, David honored him as “the anointed of the Lord”
      1.  David wanted to honor Jonathan
      1.  Brings closure to Saul’s legacy
   1. David also had the bones of the men Gibeon hanged
      1.  The disgrace of Saul = put into the past
      1.  God’s judgment on Saul’s house is complete
   1. After this judgment God sent rain back to the land
2. Philistine fade
   1. Over the next several years Israel and the Philistines continually battle
      1.  The traditional enemy of Israel
      1.  Steadily, Israel weakens the Phil.
   1. In the line of the Anakims, Israel fights 4
      1.  Each giant is killed in turn
      1.  One giant had 24 digits and an 8 pound spear that was like weaver’s beam
      1.  Philistine power fades with each battle
   1. David finally gets to that age where he no longer could do battle with young warriors, let alone giants
      1.  Abishai had to rescue him
      1.  David’s men forbade him from going to battle any longer (too valuable to risk)
      1.  David is probably in his late 50’s at this point
3. Autumn of life
   1. Deterioration is slow and mostly imperceptible
      1.  Our minds do not realize that the body had lost both flexibility and strength
      1.  David nearly loses his life because he does not realize that he was no longer could do battle
   1. These wars probably occurred over a decade or so
      1.  After David’s reign, the Philistines disappear as a serious regional power
      1.  Even though God punished David for his sins, he blessed his efforts to further Israel
   1. Notice that God didn’t simply move opposition out of the way
      1.  David had to fight the battles
      1.  David had to discover that his skills were waning
      1.  David had to accept his new role away from battle
   1. The autumn of life is a time of evaluation and mentoring
      1.  David needed to take stock of his life
         1.  Avoid earlier mistakes and sin
         1.  Continue advancing spiritually
      1.  David needed to use his experience to help others
      1.  David needed not to quit or allow past to neutralize him (forgiveness brings restoration and renewal)
      1.  Need to plan to end well
   1. Reduced abilities brings new opportunities
      1.  Experience in our spiritual walk can mentor others
      1.  Not to bemoan what was lost, but moving forward
      1.  Sprinting to the finish line to honor Lord

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FULLY SANCTIFIED. I Thessalonians 5:22-28. 12/26/2021. #21.

1 Thessalonians 5:22-28 [New King James Version]

²² Abstain from every form of evil. ²³ Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. ²⁵ Brethren, pray for us. ²⁶ Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. ²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

1. From salvation to sanctification
   1. Salvation is a deliverance (from penalties of sin)
   1. When we receive Christ we are sanctified (set apart)
      1.  Salvation is not an end in itself
      1.  Salvation is the start of spiritual maturity
   1. Sanctification means “to be set apart” or “separate”
      1.  God is set apart from his creation
      1.  Spiritually = to be separated from evil unto God
      1.  Same word used to translate holy, holiness, saint, sacred, sanctify; sacrament
   1. God is described as Holy Father (Jn. 17:11)
      1.  I Peter 1:15-17 be holy as I am holy
      1.  Revelation 4:8 the beasts before the throne day and night proclaim God to by “holy, holy, holy”
2. Three Levels of sanctification
   1. Three levels of sanctification:
      1.  POSITIONAL SANCTIFICATION – upon receiving Christ a believer is set apart for God (Rm. 8:29-30)
         1.  No longer destined for hell (John 5:24)
         1.  Galatians 3:28 all believers, no matter what social status or gender, are equally sanctified before the Lord
      1.  PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION – we are to grow in spiritual maturity to become like Christ
         1.  Colossians 1:28 goal is to become like Lord
         1.  Ephesians 5:18 we have a choice whether to yield to the Spirit or follow own desires
         1.  I Corinthians 3 believers can remain immature
         1.  Ephesians 4:22-24 we must put off the old nature in order to embrace the new one
         1.  I Corinthians 3:12-15 we choose the level of our eternal rewards through our level of commitment & submission to Lord (II Timothy 2:20-21 vessels of honor & dishonor)
      1.  PRESENTATIVE SANCTIFICATION – completed process upon glorification
         1.  I John 3:2 we will be like the Lord
         1.  I Corinthians 15:51-52 we will be changed in the twinkling of an eye (Philippians 3:21)
   1. In OT, objects/people used in worship were declared holy
      1.  Vessels, Tabernacle, Temple, priests, temple oil, sensors, altars, etc. = set apart for worship alone
      1.  Robes, special days, holy ground… = sanctified
   1. In NT, Jesus fulfilled all holiness of on our behalf
      1.  We do not have holy robes, buildings, days…
      1.  Revelation 3:7 Jesus’ holiness is like that of the Father
      1.  1 John 2:20 all required holiness fulfilled in Christ
3. Paul desires that God will fully sanctify believers
   1. One day we will be fully sanctified
   1. COL. 1:19-29 – the goal of discipleship is to become mature in Christ to our fullest potential
      1.  To set every part of our being apart for God
      1.  Philippians 4:8 all our thoughts submitted to Lord
      1.  James 1:19-25 our attitude & actions submitted
      1.  Luke 10:27 submit mind, body, soul, & spirit
   1. I Peter 2:9 holy priests dedicated to God’s service
   1. Paul then asks for prayer, sends greetings, & commands that his letter should be read by all the saints

Key verse: Colossians 1:19-29 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. 24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

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MERAB’S NIGHTMARE. II Samuel 21:1-11. 12/26/2021. #51.

2 Samuel 21:1-11 [New King James Version]

¹ Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.” ² So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; the children of Israel had sworn protection to them, but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah. ³ Therefore David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? And with what shall I make atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of the Lord?” ⁴ And the Gibeonites said to him, “We will have no silver or gold from Saul or from his house, nor shall you kill any man in Israel for us.” So he said, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.” ⁵ Then they answered the king, “As for the man who consumed us and plotted against us, that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the territories of Israel, ⁶ let seven men of his descendants be delivered to us, and we will hang them before the Lord in Gibeah of Saul, whom the Lord chose.” And the king said, “I will give them.” ⁷ But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the Lord’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. ⁸ So the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; ⁹ and he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the hill before the Lord. So they fell, all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest. ¹⁰ Now Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until the late rains poured on them from heaven. And she did not allow the birds of the air to rest on them by day nor the beasts of the field by night. ¹¹ And David was told what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.

1. The Gibeon Gambit
   1. Josiah 9 – the Gibeonites fooled Joshua into believing that their city was far off, so he made a covenant with them
      1.  Gibeon was in Canaan 17 miles away over the ridge
      1.  Soon, Joshua had to defend Gibeon from attack
   1. Due to the Gibeonite deception Joshua made them servants
      1.  Gibeon was spared from destruction
      1.  Joshua had not consulted the Lord first
      1.  The Gibeonites were to be perpetual choppers of wood and drawers of water for the Tabernacle
2. Brass sky
   1. For 3 years a drought gripped the land of Israel
      1.  David recognized this as punishment
      1.  David inquired of the Lord as to its cause
   1. God informs David that this was punishment for Saul massacring a number of Gibeonites
      1.  Saul treated the Gib. as undesirable aliens
      1.  Saul had no command from Lord to do this
      1.  Punishment came in David’s day; not Saul’s
   1. Saul was a rebellious self-willed tyrant
      1.  Saul did what he felt like doing
      1.  Saul sacrificed before battle instead of waiting for Samuel in battle against Philistines
      1.  He kept King Agag and the Amalekite livestock alive
      1.  He makes a foolish vow, curtailing his own victory
      1.  He seeks to kill David, who slayed Goliath and many Philistines in battle
      1.  With no provocation, he kills the Gibeonites
3. The face of revenge
   1. David asks the Gibeonites what would appease them
      1.  Implication is that God would accept their price
      1.  Since Saul was dead, they wanted to execute seven male descendants of Saul at Gibeah (Saul’s town)
   1. The moral dilemma of the request
      1.  Ezekiel 18:20-32 a person is not supposed to be punished for another person’s crimes
      1.  Moral inversions: the sins of the fathers are visited on the 3rd and 4th generations (Exodus 34:5-7), Job’s 10 children die to test Job, Aachen’s family dies with Aachen, Jeroboam’s newborn son dies for his sins (1 Kings 14), Bathsheba’s son dies…
   1. David honors the request
      1.  He takes all 5 of Merab’s sons
         1.  Not Micah (copy error), who was childless
         1.  Merab could have been David’s wife
         1.  Merab was David’s sister-in-law + married to Adriel, Barzillai’s son (David’s benefactor)
      1.  David takes the 2 sons of Rizpah, Saul’s concubine
         1.  Ishbosheth accused Abner of lying with her
         1.  Rizpah stays with bodies night and day, chasing away birds and predators
      1.  After the executions, rain returned to the (vs. 14)
         1.  God accepted the price for Saul’s sins
         1.  Saul’s line would not prosper
      1.  Often the innocent are devoured with the guilty
         1.  Grief must be solaced by faith (purpose)
         1.  Only God understands moral inversions

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ALL THAT A BABY IS. CHRISTMAS 2021. John 1:6-14. 12/19/2021.

John 1:6-14 [New King James Version]

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. ⁸ He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. ⁹ That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. ¹¹ He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

1. Jesus is eternally fully God
   1. Jesus is all that God is
   1. All the attributes of God are possessed by Jesus
      1.  Romans 1:20 he is omnipotent as part of the Godhead
      1.  Ephesians 3:21 he is all glorious
      1.  I Timothy 1:17 he is the eternal invisible immortal king
      1.  II Timothy 1:8-11 omniscient (knew Paul before beginning)
   1. As God, Jesus felt no pain, fatigue, thirst, hunger, cold, warmth, loneliness, needs, threats, limitations…
2. As man, Jesus took on the limitations of man
   1. Philippians 2:8 though still fully God, Jesus laid aside his divine attributes (omniscience, glory, omnipresence, omnipotence…)
   1. As a baby, he needed others to take care of him
      1.  He needed to be fed, changed, kept warm, protected…
      1.  The God of the universe who had no needs, now had a multitude of needs
   1. Jesus experienced the limitations of being human
      1.  Luke 8:23 he needed to sleep
      1.  Matthew 4:2 he needed food
      1.  Matthew 2 he needed physical protection from Herod and others who attempted to harm him
      1.  Luke 22:43-44 he perspired in the Garden of Gethesemene, experiencing anxiety
      1.  John 19:34 he could bleed
      1.  John 8:40 he took on the title “Son of Man”
   1. Acts 2:22 Jesus was recognized as a man both before and after his resurrection (Jn. 20)
   1. What Jesus experienced as a man was unique to God
      1.  We know of nothing else but the human experience
      1.  The experience of limitations, pain, sleep, vulnerability, thirst, fatigue, hunger, and anxiety were new experiences for the Lord of the universe
3. That we might be redeemed
   1. Romans 5:8 Jesus took on the entire human experience so that he might be the sacrifice for our sins, so that we may be given eternal life (John 3:16)
   1. The necessity of the Incarnation is laid out in Scripture:
      1.  Galatians 4:4-5 Jesus had to come “under the Law” so he might fulfill the Law, which we could not do
      1.  Hebrews 9:22 Jesus had on take on blood, so that he could shed blood to pay for our sins
      1.  Hebrews 10:5 Jesus had to have a body prepared for him that was not tainted with sin
      1.  1 Peter 1:19 the blood Jesus shed had to be untainted, untouched by sin, and pure before God the Father
   1. The baby in the manger, having been born in a stable according to a divine plan of love and grace from before the foundation of the world is God’s gift to us for all eternity
   1. The power and depth of God’s love deserves, demands, and expects a response of devotion, worship, praise, and service

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A WISDOM THAT SAVES. II Samuel 20:14-22. 12/19/2021. #50.

2 Samuel 20:14-22 [New King James Version]

¹⁴ And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and Beth Maachah and all the Berites. So they were gathered together and also went after Sheba. ¹⁵ Then they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maachah; and they cast up a siege mound against the city, and it stood by the rampart. And all the people who were with Joab battered the wall to throw it down. ¹⁶ Then a wise woman cried out from the city, “Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, ‘Come nearby, that I may speak with you.’ ” ¹⁷ When he had come near to her, the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your maidservant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” ¹⁸ So she spoke, saying, “They used to talk in former times, saying, ‘They shall surely seek guidance at Abel,’ and so they would end disputes. ¹⁹ I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?” ²⁰ And Joab answered and said, “Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy! ²¹ That is not so. But a man from the mountains of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has raised his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city.” So the woman said to Joab, “Watch, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” ²² Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew a trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, every man to his tent. So Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

1. A woman sees the craziness of it all
   1. Sheba had led a number of the northern tribes in rebellion
      1.  This is after Absalom led a rebellion
      1.  The schism was over who had more right to claim David as king
   1. Sheba ends up in the northern town of Abel
      1.  Even though Sheba undoubtedly had many of his followers with him, most of the town were probably uninvolved bystanders
      1.  Joab lays siege to the town
   1. An unnamed wise woman sees the absurdity of the situation
      1.  Sheba does not represent the beliefs of the town
      1.  Joab is attacking one of Israel’s own town
      1.  The town leaders were doing nothing about it
      1.  Scores of people could be killed
   1. Frequently, it takes one wise person not in charge to stop the madness of obsessed men
      1.  Naaman’s servant prevented the general from storming away from Elisha uncured
      1.  Mordecai intervened to save the Jews
      1.  Abigail saved her household from David’s wrath
      1.  Paul’s nephew warned of Paul of a plot to kill him
2. Wisdom takes charge
   1. This unnamed wise woman takes the initiative
      1.  She does not go to the elders of the town first
      1.  She probably knows that the leaders would ignore her of debate her words
   1. The woman courageously calls to the men bashing the gate
      1.  She wants to talk to Joab
      1.  The men fetch Joab to speak to the woman (an extraordinary turn of events in itself)
   1. The wise woman queries Joab
      1.  Why is he attacking a city in Israel?
      1.  Does Joab know that Abel is known as a place to settle disputes, not create them?
      1.  Does Joab plan on wiping out a part of Israel’s inheritance?
   1. Joab answers the wise woman
      1.  God forbid that Joab would wipe out inheritance
      1.  All Joab wants is the traitor Sheba, son of Bichri
3. Heads will roll
   1. The wise woman tells Joab that Sheba’s head will be tossed over the wall momentarily
      1.  She explains to the elders the situation
      1.  They agree that Sheba’s life is not worth the loss of the town and the battle is not theirs
   1. No one in the city government thought to ask Joab why he was attacking one of Israel’s cities
      1.  No one seem to object that this was not their fight
      1.  The city officials would have allowed their town to be destroyed rather than seek a peaceful solution
   1. Apparently, Joab had not asked that Abel surrender Sheba to him before he attacked the city
      1.  The leaders had one track minds
      1.  Common sense is an uncommon commodity
   1. Sheba’s head is tossed over the wall and Joab’s army leaves
      1.  Wisdom needs to be offered, even if not accepted
      1.  Only the gospel of Christ can stop today’s madness

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THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL. I Thessalonians 5:22.  12/12/21.  #20.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 [New King James Version]

²² Abstain from every form of evil.

1. The forms of evil
   1. This is an obvious admonition
      1.  Forms of evil are to be avoided
         1.  Obvious forms of evil are recognized: lying, murder, hatred, thievery, adultery, gluttony, gossip, slander, fornication, jealousy, profanity
   1. It is an obvious command to abstain (to hold oneself back from) doing evil
      1.  Believers are to live pure lives before the Lord
         1.  Christians should be known for holy living
2. A word with a deeper meaning
   1. The word used for form in the Greek goes deeper than just a kind or class of recognized evil (blasphemy, immorality, lying, cheating…)
      1. Five  common Greek words translated “form”:
         1.  Schema (we obtain our words scheme, schematic, and scheming from this word) –  a design, a planned approach, or purposeful intend (thus, something that is evil by nature)
         1.  Morphe (as in morphology, metamorphosis) – the form of something; it’s shape and nature
         1.  Eidos (we obtain our word eye from it) – that which is perceived or appears
         1.  Tupos (our words, topology, topographical) – an outline of something
         1.  Hupotuposis – a pattern or sketch
   1. Schema is commonly used to express a purposeful intent or plan
      1.  Philippians 2:8 Jesus was found in the appearance (fashion, form) of a man
         1.  I Corinthians 7:31 …the form of this world is passing…
   1. Morphe  is used of a complete rendering or pattern
      1.  Galatians 4:19 …until Christ is fully formed in you
         1.  II Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but deny its power…
3. Beyond the form
   1. The word used for form in this passage is Eidos
      1.  Not only are we to stay away from that which is evil, but that which even looks like evil to others
         1. a2. Avoiding compromising appearances
   1. Eidos is used only three other times in the New Testament:
      1.  Luke 3:22 the Holy Spirit came in form of a dove
         1.  John 5:37 no man has seen the form of God
         1.  II Corinthians 5:7 we walk by faith, not sight
   1. Appearances of evil can be many things:
      1.  II Corinthians 6:14-18 keeping bad company
         1.  Romans 14-15 offending a weaker brother by insisting on using our liberty in Christ
         1.  A man helping a widow by fixing things in her house, but he is alone with her
         1.  Listening to gossip
         1.  The office Christmas party where drunkenness is common
         1.  Laughing at crude jokes 0
         1.  Becoming embroiled in a senseless argument
         1.  Counseling someone of the opposite sex
   1. Appearances of evil are hard to avoid, especially when dealing with unsaved family members
      1.  In every way possible we need to avoid compromising and questionable situations
         1.  There a many places of pitfalls: fraternities, sororities, parties, clubs, hotels with casinos…
   1. It is easy to get caught off guard (Joseph and Mrs. Potiphar)
   1. II Timothy 2:20-26 – being on guard means continuing to cleanse self of impurity so we can discern and act properly
   1. We need to stay away from the edges of impropriety
   1. When in doubt, leave it out

Key Verse:  2 Timothy 2:20-26²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

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PROVING GROUNDS. I Thessalonians 5:21. 12/5/21. #19.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 [New International Version]

²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good,

1. Not by feel, but by fact
   1. Test or prove = certify, examine, confirm by evidence
      1. Spiritual truth is not ascertained by feeling, personal belief, wishful thinking, or speculation
      1. This passage negates the “direct revelation” approach of Pentecostal doctrine
      1. Truth claims can be tested by evidence & are not subject to private interpretations that others cannot evaluate
   1. Testing eliminates uncertain truth claims & untenable spiritual proclamations
      1. Revelation 2:1-3 the Ephesian church was commended for examining the claims of those who promoted themselves as spiritual teachers
      1. Deuteronomy 18 those who claim to speak for God, but who do not are accursed (Galatians 1)
   1. Key to examining truth claims are the Scriptures
      1. II Timothy 2:15 must know the Scriptures in order to examine what others are teaching & promoting
      1. Should know the basic doctrines of the faith & what supports those doctrines
      1. We know how to sequence & understand areas of our interest (cooking, computers, gaming, crafts, hobbies, pop culture, fashion, decorating, landscaping…), so we can do the same if we make the Bible a keen interest
      1. Learn to pull together pertinent passages that support major Bible doctrines
2. The student pitfall
   1. Most people tend to accept whatever is taught them without critiquing the information
      1. Often they are taught contradictory things, but believe the contradictions without even realizing that they are contradictory, so impossible
      1. Celebrity speakers are authoritative in the minds of the undiscerning
   1. Each believer is responsible to guard own beliefs
      1. A “tell me what to believe” approach opens one to falsehoods & dire consequences
      1. It takes effort, discernment, skepticism, constant diligence, & meticulous study to know truth
   1. Categories of error:
      1. Proof texting – taking passages out of their context to make them say something they do not (a most common error built on desiring to prove an idea or teaching one believes in)
      1. Allegorizing – claiming that Bible texts are not literal, but merely illustrations or spiritual stories that can mean many different things
      1. Contextualizing – applying the Bible to modern circumstances in a way that changes the meaning & intent of the passages (liberation theology)
      1. Systemization – fitting Bible into a philosophy
      1. Fallacy of Categories – mixing interpretation of genres (figures of speech, prophecy, narrative…)
3. Proper interpretive principles
   1. What is the historical & grammatical context of passage?
   1. Identify genre (historical, poetry, doctrine, parable…)
   1. What is the context in the chapter, book, testament, Bible?
   1. If the plain sense of passages is clear, don’t seek another
   1. If you have come up with a unique interpretation = wrong
   1. Make sure interpretation is consistent with rest of Bible.
4. Holding firmly to what is good
   1. Bad influences & laziness will cause beliefs to erode
   1. Staying true to right beliefs is tedious (II Timothy 2:14-19)
   1. Satan, the world, & false believers attack your faith
   1. Holding firm = keeping a tight grip on truth & holiness

Key verse: 2 Timothy 2:14-19

¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. ¹⁶ Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

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THE JAWS OF JEALOUSY. II Samuel 19:41-20:3. 12/5/21. #48

2 Samuel 19:41-20:3 [New International Version]

⁴¹ Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?” ⁴² All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king’s provisions? Have we taken anything for ourselves?” ⁴³ Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king; so we have a greater claim on David than you have. Why then do you treat us with contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel. ¹ Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted, “We have no share in David,    no part in Jesse’s son! Every man to his tent, Israel!” ² So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. ³ When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.

1. Fickle followers
   1. Israel and Judah go from rebellion against David to fighting over him to claim him as their king
      1. a1. The controversy is petty, immature, and divisive
      1. a2. Rivalries are generally trivial and unprofitable
   1. People are typically fickle and self-absorbed
      1. a1. Very few people act on righteous core values alone (Jonathan, Barzillai, Daniel, Joseph, Samuel…)
      1. a2. Most people respond on how they feel at the moment and by what gives them an advantage
   1. From the beginning of the kingdom, Israel was divided between the northern tribes and Judah
      1. a1. Rarely did the tribes show absolute unity (under Deborah, Gideon, Rehoboam…)
      1. a2. The tribes of Israel never saw themselves as one nation (common cause of fighting off enemies demonstrated a unity of necessity)
   1. Several features are important for a unified nation:
      1. a1. Common culture and purpose
      1. a2. Set boundaries
      1. a3. Unifying sense of bonding and identity
   1. Many nations are divided by sub-classes (tribes, clans, ethnicity, ideology, provincialism, values…)
      1. a1. America was founded on an idea (freedom and government by consent of the governed)
      1. a2. Unity under God should have sustained Israel
2. Judah claims David
   1. David had to coax Judah to escort him back to Jerusalem
      1. a1. Now they claim that David is more their king than he is of the other tribes
      1. a2. They wanted none of David or all of David
   1. The northern tribes are highly offended by Judah’s claim
      1. a1. They are jealous and accusatory
      1. a2. They already feel like outsiders: Jerusalem is in territory of Judah
   1. Judah argues that David was a member of their tribe
      1. a1. Judah did not depend upon David feeding them during the war as Israel had
      1. a2. David does not seem to intervene in this bickering
   1. Rivalry is usually dangerous, leaving bitter feelings
      1. a1. 1 Cor. 3 the factions in Corinth cause strife in body
      1. a2. 3 Jn. the petty control by Demetrius harmed ministry
   1. The bitter words were sure to bring hostile division
   1. Instead of mutual rejoicing, David’s victory brought strife
   1. Israel needed to be united (enemies all around them)
   1. Arguing who had greater claim over David was absurd
      1. a1. Like the disciples arguing who was greatest in the kingdom (Luke 9:46-47)
      1. a2. All such jealousies are founded upon pride (Proverbs 16:18)
      1. a3. The Gideon/Ephraim squabble (Jude 8)
3. The second rebellion
   1. Israel goes off to their tents in a huff
   1. Sheba the Benjaminite leads the rebellion (Benjamin was often a problem: Jud. 20, Saul, Shimei…)
   1. This silly squabble ends up in another civil war
      1. a1. The core issues after the war still remained
      1. a2. David was unsuccessful in uniting the tribes

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SPIRIT LED.  I Thessalonians 5:19-20.  11/28/2021.  #18.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 [New King James Version]

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies.

• Response to the Spirit
  • Three admonitions concerning the believer’s response to
    • the Holy Spirit:
      •  Ephesians 5:18 be filled with the Holy Spirit
      •  Ephesians 4:30 do not grieve the Holy Spirit
      •  I Thessalonians 5:19 do not quench the Spirit
  • Being filled with the Spirit = yielding to Spirit
    •  Obeying the Word of God, the leading of the Spirit while worship and testifying of the Lord
      •  Spirituality based upon continual seeking the Lord and his will
  • Grieving the Spirit = rebellion against God; sinning
    •  I Corinthians 3, 11 disobedience that leads to a poor testimony, discouragement in body of Christ, and chastisement of the Lord
      •  Grieving the Spirit is the ultimate expression of ingratitude to the Lord, who saved you
• Quenching the Spirit
  • Quenching the Spirit is resisting the work of Spirituality
    •  Refusing to listen or yield to the Spirit (Heb. 5-6)–Elymas, Alexander the Coppersmith
      •  To discourage others from yielding to the Spirit (Euodia and Syntyche; Demetrius in III John)
      •  Quenching = to put out (as water on a fire)
  • Many ways to quench the Spirit
    •  Ignoring the Spirit’s leading, usually through concentrating on temporal desires and issues
      •  Dampening someone else’s enthusiasm to serve the Lord
      •  Infighting (Galatians 5:15)
  • There are dire consequences for resisting the Spirit or causing others to stumble
    •  I Corinthians 3:11-15 loss of reward
      •  Matthew 18:7 the Lord pronounced a curse on those who give offense
  • Quenching the Spirit is more subtle than grieving the Spirit
    •  Something as simple as following a self-oriented routine can quench the Spirit (ignoring the Bible, worship, service + superficial prayers and believing that merely attending services is mark of spirituality
      •  Revelation 2:1-5 the Ephesian church was doing well, except they had left their first love
  • Signs of quenching of the Spirit
    •  Lukewarmness about your faith
      •  Little desire to serve the Lord, praying, or even gathering with other believers
      •  Only a passing familiarity with the Bible
  • Only a vibrant Spirit led life pleases God (Romans 8:5-11)
• Do not despise prophecies
  • Despise = to make of no account; to bring to nothing; to show contempt for
  • Prophecies = speaking forth the mind of God
    •  Not just predictions or foretelling
      •  I Peter 4:11 speaking the oracles of God (presenting accurately the Word of God is prophesying)
  • There are those who claim to be Christians who do not like what the Bible says about morality and doctrine
    •  The Bible is not open to critique
      •  We are not given the option to pick and choose what we like or dislike from the Bible
  • The Word of God is very convicting
    •  Those things that convict us are to our benefit
      •  We can correct, ignore, or reject the counsel of God, but only correction furthers holiness
      •  Those who reject or despise the instruction of the Word of God are in rebellion, do not seek the will of God, and show great ingratitude
  • The Word of God is suppose to make us uncomfortable
    •  Hebrews 4:12; II Timothy 3:16 the Word works against our sin nature (and our pride)
      •  We need to be thankful that the Word convicts us, so we can draw close to God and be blessed
  • Despising the Word means that we have not yet given up pursuing sin and our own selfish desires

Key verse:  Romans 8:5-11

⁵ For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. ⁸ So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ¹⁰ And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

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BARZILLAI’S REWARD.  II Samuel 19:31-40.  11/28/2021.  #47.

2 Samuel 19:31-40 [New King James Version]

³¹ And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and went across the Jordan with the king, to escort him across the Jordan. ³² Now Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. And he had provided the king with supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man. ³³ And the king said to Barzillai, “Come across with me, and I will provide for you while you are with me in Jerusalem.” ³⁴ But Barzillai said to the king, “How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? ³⁵ I am today eighty years old. Can I discern between the good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any longer the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a further burden to my lord the king? ³⁶ Your servant will go a little way across the Jordan with the king. And why should the king repay me with such a reward? ³⁷ Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you.” ³⁸ And the king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you. Now whatever you request of me, I will do for you.” ³⁹ Then all the people went over the Jordan. And when the king had crossed over, the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own place. ⁴⁰ Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. And all the people of Judah escorted the king, and also half the people of Israel.

• Barzillai, volunteer chief quartermaster of the army
  • Barzillai was an elderly Gileadite (trans-Jordan where the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and one-half Manasseh settled)
    •  Not only did he provide food for David’s army when he fled Absalom, but this rich man continued to provide for them throughout the war
      •  God in his providence raises up support for his own from unsuspected sources
      •  Providence is an expression of God’s mercy, grace, and support
  • Most rich men are self-oriented, selfish, and arrogant
    •  Luke 12 the man who decides to pull down his barns to build bigger barns for his crops
      •  The rich young ruler
      •  King Ahab
  • Jam. 2 = do not show favoritism to the rich–are they not the very ones who take you to court?
    •  The rich tend to persecute, take advantage of, and despise the poor
      •  I Corinthians 1 God has not chosen many who are rich and powerful for eternal life
      •  Proverbs 13:8-14 a man’s wealth ransoms his life
  • God did use some selected rich men to further his well
    •  Job sustained many widows and poor
      •  Abraham gave a tithe of all that he had (Genesis 14)
      •  Joseph of Arimathea provided a tomb and burial spices for Jesus
• David seeks to reward Barzillai
  • Barzillai sustained David’s army, but expected nothing in return (was doing God’s will)
    •  Showed his loyalty and support for the king
      •  In service of God by supporting God’s anointed
  • Barzillai’s reward was to see David return as king
  • David wants to show his appreciation by taking Barzillai back to Jerusalem to sit at his table
    •  Bar. would be an honored guest at David’s table
      •  This honor is the highest David could offer a man who had everything
  • Barzillai protests the honor
    •  He is 80 years old and could not distinguish what food he was eating or discern what was being sung
      •  He would soon die and wants to do so in the city of his parents
      •  Barzillai suggests that the honor be given to his son, Chimham, who could appreciate the amenities
• The sons of Barzillai
  • Chimham goes with David to sit at his table
  • David wants to give more honor to Barzillai’s family
    •  Jeremiah 41:17 David gives Chimham the inn in Bethlehem
      •  The inn is where Joseph and Mary arrive 1000 years later and Jesus is born in the inn’s stable
      •  Barzillai’s kindness to David is honored by his family being a part of the Christmas story, as the Messiah from David’s family is born on the property of Barzillai’s descendants
  • An odd twist to the story
    •  Barzillai’s other son, Adriel, marries Saul’s daughter, Merab, who had been offered to David twice
      •  All five of Adriel’s sons were given to the Gibeonites to be executed as payment for Saul’s massacre of Gibeonite men
        •  Both Saul’s and Barzillai’s grandsons
        •  This is a strange payback to Barzillai
  • Politics entail odd twists and turns
    •  Chimham is honored and Adriel is victimized

 David made no connection between Bar. and Adriel