Camp Springs Community Church, Clinton, Maryland

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THE MEDIATOR. I Timothy 2:1-7. 3/27/2022. #5.

¹ Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, ⁷ for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth [d]in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

1. Prayer for all men

                a. Paul gives a brief, but profound, lesson on prayer

                                a1. Prayer for all men

                                a2. Prayer for government leaders

                                a3. God wishes that none should perish

                                a4. Jesus is the only mediator

                b. We are to pray for everyone (family, friends, enemies, abusers, leaders…)

                                a1. Just as we are to love even our foes (Matthew 5:45), we are to pray for them

                                a2. It is difficult to pray for oppressors

                c. Pray for government leaders

                                a1. This is God’s will

                                a2. We often mock tyrannical and evil leaders, but God wants us to pray for them

                                a3. We can oppose their evil, but still pray for them (Acts 5, 23:3, Lk. 13:31-35)

                                a4. Respect and prayer for officials is not same as endorsing their actions or complying with immoral rulings

                d. The Lord is pleased when we pray for everyone, particularly the lost, who need to be saved

                e. Giving thanks for all men is more difficult

                                a1. Hard to give thanks for a brutal dictator

                                a2. Goal = to live peaceable, quiet lives

                                                b1. We do not seek conflict

                                                b2. Only when officials compel us to violate God’s will do we oppose them

                f. God desires everyone to be saved

                                a1. Jn. 3:16 God’s love covers all people

                                a2. He loves all, but choses some (Rm. 9)

                                                b1. Election and universal love are also difficult to reconcile

                                                b2. Only God knows how his love and election of a few to salvation fit

2. The One mediator

                a. Paul states that there is only 1 mediator (meso + eimi = go between) man and God

                                a1. There are no intervening priests as in OT  between man and God the Father

                                a2. Jesus (both man and God) bridges the gap between sinful man and the Holy Father

                b. John 14:13; 16:24 Jesus tells us to ask the Father in his name (no other intermediary)

                                a1. James 4:1-10 asking in the will of God

                                a2. Hebrews 4:14-5:10 Jesus is the only worthy mediator, who opened the way to God for us on the cross

                                a3. The one who is our ransom is also our mediator (Romans 8:26-34)

3. Paul, the testifier

                a. Paul testifies to his calling and truthfulness

                b. Prayer is effective through Christ, to be made for all people and officials, and will be heard by God

                c. The answer to prayer is totally up to God (his will determines how and when he answers us)

Key verse: Hebrews 4:14-5:10¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ¹ For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. ² He can [a]have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. ³ Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. ⁴ And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. ⁵ So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” ⁶ As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”; ⁷ who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, ⁸ though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. ⁹ And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, ¹⁰ called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”

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SHIMEI’S LAST ACT. I Kings 2:36-46. 03/27/2022. #7.

³⁶ Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there anywhere. ³⁷ For it shall be, on the day you go out and cross the Brook Kidron, know for certain you shall surely die; your [a]blood shall be on your own head.” ³⁸ And Shimei said to the king, “The saying is good. As my lord the king has said, so your servant will do.” So Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days. ³⁹ Now it happened at the end of three years, that two slaves of Shimei ran away to Achish the son of Maachah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, “Look, your slaves are in Gath!” ⁴⁰ So Shimei arose, saddled his donkey, and went to Achish at Gath to seek his slaves. And Shimei went and brought his slaves from Gath. ⁴¹ And Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had come back. ⁴² Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the Lord, and warn you, saying, ‘Know for certain that on the day you go out and travel anywhere, you shall surely die’? And you said to me, ‘The word I have heard is good.’ ⁴³ Why then have you not kept the oath of the Lord and the commandment that I gave you?” ⁴⁴ The king said moreover to Shimei, “You know, as your heart acknowledges, all the wickedness that you did to my father David; therefore the Lord will return your wickedness on your own head. ⁴⁵ But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever.” ⁴⁶ So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he went out and struck him down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

1. Shimei and David

                a. Shimei (“famous”) is name of 18 men in the Bible

                                a1. Shimei the Benjamite is most famous

                                a2. A prominent Benjamite who supported Saul

                b. 2 Sam. 16 when David fled Absalom, Solemn cursed him, stating that he was being punished

                c. David’s reaction to Shimei

                                a1. Prevents Abishai from executing Shimei, stating that God may have directed Shimei to curse him

                                a2. Refuses to execute Shimei when he begs for forgiveness upon David’s return

                                a3. Tells Solomon to avenge him upon Shimei

                d. David could have had Shimei executed

                                a1. His implied pardon was not true forgiveness

                                a2. Nothing would have prevented David from executing Shimei

                                                b1. Shimei didn’t have any real power

                                                b2. David seemed to have pardoned him

2. Shimei and Solomon

                a. Shimei’s insult stuck in David’s craw

                                a1. He may have felt that God used Shim. to shame him and therefore, he did not act

                                a2. Didn’t want Sol. to have a known enemy undermining his kingdom

                b. Sol. calls Shim. to his palace

                                a1. Shim. surely feared execution

                                a2. Any leniency would be a relief

                c. Solomon does not execute Shim.

                                a1. Shim. is commanded to build a house in Jerusalem and then never to leave the city

                                a2. Shim. is put under house arrest

                                a3. Solomon must have felt that he could not execute Shimei outright without appearing arbitrary

                                a4. Shimei declares that the terms were fair

3. Shimei’s doom

                a. Shimei must have been a man of some means since he was an owner of slaves

                b. After three years, two of Shimei’s servants run away to Gath of the Philistines

                                a1. Gath is where David hid from Saul

                                a2. Goliath was from Gath

                                a3. David had guards from Gath (Gittites)

                c. Shim. had settled in and forgot about the terms

                                a1. Perhaps, he thought that Sol. would not pay any attention to him after all this time

                                a2. Like King Agag, Shim. thought that his danger had passed

                d. Sol. calls Shim. before him

                                a1. Sol. reminds Shim. of their agreement

                                a2. Sol. had Benaiah execute Shim.

                                a3. Sol. states that Shimei’s blood is on him

                                a4. Judgment delayed is not judgment removed

                e. Sol.’s throne is established as all the old enemies have been eradicated

                                a1. Sol. now has an opportunity to start fresh

                                a2. Israel understands that Sol. will execute justice and his own desires

                f. Gal. 6:7-9 eventually, we will reap what we sow

                                a1. Shimei’s vile curses come back on him

                                a2. Though he seemed to have been forgiven and reprieved, his fate was up to the rulers                 g. It is important to know when and how to stand against what you oppose (James 3 = control tongue)

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THE FIGHT CONTINUES. I Timothy 1:18-20. 3/20/2022. #4

I Timothy 1:18-20 [New King James Version]

¹⁸ This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, ¹⁹ having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, ²⁰ of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1. Paul passes the torch to Timothy

                a. Timothy is a 2nd generation Christian leader

                                a1. Paul is passing the torch to Tim.

                                a2. Must constantly prepare leaders

                b. Paul charges (commands) Tim. to continue the spiritual warfare that Paul was waging

                                a1. Paul’s time was drawing to a close

                                a2. Tim. must continue the work

                c. Even though Tim. was reluctant, he was called to this ministry by God

                                a1. God chose Tim. for this work

                                a2. God made his choice clear via prophecy (“forth telling”)

                d. Tim. was to wage spiritual warfare

                                a1. Eph. 6:10-13 to be a witness for Christ is to engage evil in battle

                                a2. The Gospel and believers are opposed

                                a3. Gospel = convicting and men react

2. Timothy has powerful spiritual weapons

                a. Faith in the Lord enlists the power of God

                                a1. Ac. 5 God will empower believers to do his will

                                a2. Faith is not believing that God will support my will, but his will

                                a3. Faith involves trust in God, growth in Bible understanding (Rm. 10:17), and obedience to Lord (Jam. 2)

                b. A good conscience

                                a1. A godly conscience confirms within us that we are doing the will of God

                                a2. A dull, seared, or evil conscience can confirm only evil within us

                                a3. A good conscience aligns with the Scriptures and God’s work

3. The battle within the church

                a. We expect unbelievers to oppose us

                b. 2 Cor. 11:10-15 the greatest battles are within the church (heresy and disruption)

                                a1. Many start well, but then fall away (apostate), teaching error (Heb. 6)

                                a2. By ego and error, apostates sow destruction and discord in the church

                c. By rejecting sound doctrine, proper conduct and a good conscience, some end in ruin

                                a1. 1 Jn. 2:19 some were never saved, but were false believers (Demus)

                                a2. 1 Cor. 3 some were immature saints

                d. Alexander and Hymenaeus are examples

                                a1. Alexander the metalworker (coppersmith) started well (Acts 19:33), but ended up doing much damage (2 Tm. 2)

                                a2. Hymenaeus and Philetus taught that Christ had already come (2 Tm. 2)

                e. Error => divisions, cults, and confusion

                f. Hebrews 13:7-17 – leaders = charged as guardians

Key verse: Hebrews 13:7-17⁷ Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ⁹ Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. ¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. ¹³ Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. ¹⁵ Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. ¹⁶ But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. ¹⁷ Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

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SOLOMON CLEANS HOUSE. I Kings 2:26-35. 3/20/2022. #6.

I Kings 2:26-35 [New Kings James Version]

²⁶ And to Abiathar the priest the king said, “Go to Anathoth, to your own fields, for you are deserving of death; but I will not put you to death at this time, because you carried the ark of the Lord God before my father David, and because you were afflicted every time my father was afflicted.” ²⁷ So Solomon removed Abiathar from being priest to the Lord, that he might fulfill the word of the Lord which He spoke concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh. ²⁸ Then news came to Joab, for Joab had defected to Adonijah, though he had not defected to Absalom. So Joab fled to the tabernacle of the Lord, and took hold of the horns of the altar. ²⁹ And King Solomon was told, “Joab has fled to the tabernacle of the Lord; there he is, by the altar.” Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down.” ³⁰ So Benaiah went to the tabernacle of the Lord, and said to him, “Thus says the king, ‘Come out!’ ” And he said, “No, but I will die here.” And Benaiah brought back word to the king, saying, “Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.” ³¹ Then the king said to him, “Do as he has said, and strike him down and bury him, that you may take away from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood which Joab shed. ³² So the Lord will return his blood on his head, because he struck down two men more righteous and better than he, and killed them with the sword—Abner the son of Ner, the commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, the commander of the army of Judah—though my father David did not know it. ³³ Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab and upon the head of his descendants forever. But upon David and his descendants, upon his house and his throne, there shall be peace forever from the Lord.” ³⁴ So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and struck and killed him; and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness. 35 The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his place over the army, and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.

1. Abiathar exiled

                a. Abiathar was the priest who sided with Adonijah

                                a1. Abiathar was the only surviving priest of the 84 killed by Saul, using Doeg

                                a2. Ahimelech, his father, had given David bread and a sword when he fled from Saul

                b. Solomon does not want to kill a priest, so he exiles Adonijah to his fields

                                a1. Priests are not supposed to have fields, but are supposed to be supported by tithes

                                a2. Adonijah is stripped of his priesthood

                c. This is the first time we see a ruler take dominion over the priesthood

                                a1. I Samuel 1 God determines who is priest

                                a2. II Chronicles Uzziah tried to make a sacrifice as a priest and was struck down with leprosy

                                a3. Psalm 110:4 the priesthood and kingship would not be recombined until Christ came

                                                b1. Genesis 14 Melchizedek was king plus priest

                                                b2. Aaronic priests = separate from kings

                d. This is a fulfillment of what God through Samuel had told Eli at Shiloh (priesthood was removed in the 4^th generation of priests descended from Eli)

2. Joab meets his fate

                a. David had not dealt with Joab’s murders

                                a1. Had instructed Solomon to take vengeance

                                a2. Joab had chosen to follow Adonijah and so Solomon had his own reason to execute him

                b. Joab had not defected to Absalom, but to did defect to Adonijah, his brother

                c. Joab fears for his life (first time Joab is said to fear)

                                a1. He grabs the horns of the altar

                                                b1. The idea that no one would kill inside a holy place doesn’t work

                                                b2. The priests can’t grant asylum unless in a city of refuge until a trial

                                a2. The act of fear puts Joab in a weak position

                                                b1. To flee from Israel would mean leave his family and property behind

                                                b2. Little chance of Joab surviving

                d. Solomon orders Benaiah to execute him

                                a1. Ben. tries to coax Joab out of the Tabernacle so that he won’t pollute the sanctuary

                                a2. When Joab refuses to leave, Solomon orders him executed at the altar, which Ben. does

                                                b1. The murders of Abner and Amasa are avenged (though quite late)

                                                b2. David needed Joab, so he did not administer justice

                                a3. Benaiah = takes Joab’s place as army chief

3. Intrigue of death

                a. All this death and intrigue is due to lust, greed, and pride

                                a1. The lack of self-control and desire for self-promotion ends in disappointment and destruction

                                a2. David, Adonijah, Joab, and eventually, Solomon end poorly due to selfish ambition

                b. Prideful and lustful acts are a double loss (both here via ruin and in eternity due to loss of reward for saved)

                                a1. All of Joab’s good deeds are forgotten

                                a2. Abiathar’s aid to David during rebellion counts for little due to his last acts (Ezekiel 18)

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FROM ABUSER TO APOSTLE. I Timothy 1:12-17. 3/13/2022. #3.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 [New King James Version]

¹² And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, ¹³ although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ¹⁴ And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. ¹⁶ However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1. Paul’s gratitude

                a. Paul was very thankful to be called to serve Lord

                b. Paul had moved from persecutor of Christ to promoter of Christ

                                a1. Acts 9:1-16 Saul was a Pharisee who persecuted the church (Acts 7) => Paul

                                a2. Christ intercepted him on road to Damascus and converted him

                c. Paul was overwhelmed with gratitude

                                a1. God enabled (lit., empowered) Paul to become a minister of the Gospel

                                a2. God counted him faithful (Paul would serve diligently and not quit)

                d. Paul’s pre-salvation life was vile and arrogant

                                a1. A blasphemer = he cursed the name of Jesus Christ, nor realizing he was divine

                                a2. A persecutor (lit., to drive away; to make to flee) of the church of Christ

                                a3. Insolent = violent, spiteful, hateful, abusive, and arrogant

                e. Paul thought that he was doing God’s will

                                a1. John 16:2 Paul thought that he was doing God’s work when he persecuted believers

                                a2. Paul did evil when he thought that he was doing great good

                f. Many people believe they are doing good when they do and promote wickedness (tolerating sin in the name of God’s love is an example)

2. The greatest of sinners can become greatest of saints

                a. Paul = persecuted believers out of ignorance

                                a1. He thought that he was serving God

                                a2. Different from purposely opposing God

                b. Paul obtained mercy because he truly desired to honor God, but followed tradition and not evidence

                                a1. If evidence goes against your tradition and beliefs, it is time to change to the truth

                                a2. We are responsible to seek truth on own

                c. Millions reject Christ without investigating the evidence supporting his claims (Luke 24)

                d. The Lord gave Paul a “superabundance” (huper [over; above] + pleonazo [plethora; plenty]) of grace (overflowing; lit., beyond fullness)

                                a1. Paul had been a persecutor of the church and murderer of Christians

                                a2. Paul was selected for salvation and to be an apostle (far above even great grace)

                e. God’s longsuffering to Paul is an example that God can save anyone (criminals, immoral, thieves, blasphemers, persecutors, perverts, deceivers…)

                f. Romans. 6 God’s grace overcomes all sins

3. Awe of the God of all

                a. Paul breaks into praise of the everlasting, invincible, all wise God (in awe)

                b. Paul ascribes to God eternal glory and honor

                                a1. This is God’s due and right

                                a2. Psalm 19 all creation is to glorify God

                c. Salvation should lead to gratitude and praise

Key Verse: Acts 9:1-16

¹ Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” ⁶ So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ⁷ And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. ¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” ¹¹ So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹² And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” ¹³ Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

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ADONIJAH’S DEATH WISH. I KINGS 2:13-25. 3/13/2022. #05.

1 Kings 2:13-25 [New King James Version]

¹³ Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, “Do you come peaceably?” And he said, “Peaceably.” ¹⁴ Moreover he said, “I have something to say to you.” And she said, “Say it.” ¹⁵ Then he said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had set their expectations on me, that I should reign. However, the kingdom has been turned over, and has become my brother’s; for it was his from the Lord. ¹⁶ Now I ask one petition of you; do not deny me.” And she said to him, “Say it.” ¹⁷ Then he said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.” ¹⁸ So Bathsheba said, “Very well, I will speak for you to the king.” ¹⁹ Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed down to her, and sat down on his throne and had a throne set for the king’s mother; so she sat at his right hand. ²⁰ Then she said, “I desire one small petition of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” ²¹ So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as wife.” ²² And King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also—for he is my older brother—for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.” ²³ Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life! ²⁴ Now therefore, as the Lord lives, who has confirmed me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has established a house for me, as He promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today!” ²⁵ So King Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he struck him down, and he died.

1. Adonijah’s request

                a. Adonijah had barely escaped execution earlier

                                a1. Adonijah declared himself to be king before David had died

                                a2. David installed Solomon as king

                                a3. Solomon promised to spare Adonijah if he proved himself a worthy man

                b. Like David, who lusted after Bathsheba, Adonijah lusts after Abishag, David’s caregiver

                                a1. Since Absalom cared for the king and shared his bed, she was off limits of everyone else

                                a2. Absalom probably was secluded with David’s wives and concubines

                c. Adonijah knows better than to approach Solomon directly for any favors (suspicion)

                                a1. Adonijah approaches Bathsheba to ask her to ask Sol. to give him Absalom to be his wife

                                a2. Adonijah figures that Solomon wouldn’t turn down any requests from his mother

                d. Bathsheba did whatever was asked of her (this is her nature; not an insightful or thoughtful person)

                                a1. Many people are not equipped to reason

                                a2. Glamor was her main asset

2. Wisdom runs off the rail

                a. Adonijah would have been wise to leave well enough alone

                                a1. Many men have been slain by lust

                                a2. He knew that Solomon wouldn’t grant his request, so he tried to manipulate him with his mom

                b. Bath. sees nothing wrong with the request

                                a1. A simple desire of a man for an attractive maiden (David did worse by taking her)

                                a2. Especially after Adonijah acknowledged that the Lord had put Sol. on throne, Bath. Did not see him as a threat (though Adonijah claimed that all of Israel was following him)

3. Request with a death sentence

                a. Solomon tells his mother that he’d grant her any wish

                                a1. Open ended commitments are dangerous

                                a2. Solomon sees the request as Adonijah’s request, not his mother’s (she was being kind and helpful)

                b. Solomon explodes into anger and indignation

                                a1. Probably confusing to Bath.

                                a2. Solomon views Adonijah’s request as a threat to his rule (David’s caregiver = a connection)

                                a3. Solomon = sensitive to possible threats

                c. Adonijah made mistakes on three levels:

                                a1. He needed to stay away from Solomon

                                a2. By going after Absalom, he raised suspicions

                                a3. By using Solomon’s mother, he insulted the king

                d. There is a difference between fighting necessary battles and just stirring up trouble for yourself

                                a1. Some people speak the truth in an abrasive way, compromising their position (Ep. 4:15)

                                a2. Proverbs 27:12 a wise man avoids trouble

                                a3. Acts 5 only when trouble finds you as you promote truth and honor, is it proper

                e. Adonijah picked a fight via his own desires (James 1:12-15)

                                a1. Absalom = not worth dying for

                                a2. By Adonijah manipulating Bath., he dies

                f. Solomon orders the death of Adonijah

                                a1. Solomon figures that Adonijah will be a risk always                                 a2. Adonijah’s lust led to his death (fatal attraction)

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MORAL LAW. I Timothy 1:8-11. 3/6/2022. #2.

1 Timothy 1:8-11 [New King James Version]

⁸ But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, ⁹ knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, ¹⁰ for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, ¹¹ according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

1. The place of the Mosaic Law

                a. Many teach that there is nothing in the OT Law that pertains to the church

                                a1. Matthew 5:17 Jesus came to fulfill the Law

                                a2. Romans 6:12-14 not under law, but grace

                b. Romans 7 the Law is righteous

                                a1. All the tenets of the moral law (honesty, fidelity, purity, respect…) are still valid

                                a2. The Law is the foundation of moral teaching and behavior

                c. 3 aspects of the Law have no authority over us

                                a1. Romans 5 the penalty of the Law has been paid for by Jesus & believers are under

                                     no condemnation because of it (Romans 8)

                                a2. The ritual of the Law is of no effect, being made void at the cross (Hebrews 10)

                                a3. The trappings of the Law are superseded by grace (no Sabbath Day observance, Yom Kippur, Tabernacle, Passover…)

                d. Legalists try to incorporate restrictive rules

2. The Law is made for the lawless

                a. Romans 7:7-8:1 the Law defines sin & convicts sinners; it can save no one

                b. A righteous person needs no Law (Romans 2:15-17)

                                a1. Romans 3:23 = no one is righteous

                                a2. Isaiah 64:6 = the most righteous fall short

                c. Jesus added thought life to sinful acts (Matthew 5)

                d. The Law defines sin and assigns guilt

                e. This partial list of sins of lawless & rebellious convicts everyone:

                                a1. General: ungodly, sinners, & unholy

                                a2. Profane (“cross the threshold”) = to go beyond decency, morals, & honor

                                a3. Murderers of fathers & mothers

                                a4. Manslayers (slayers of men)

                                a5. Fornicators (porneia, illicit sexual intercourse) – only marriage is legitimate avenue for sexual intercourse

                                a6. Sodomites = homosexuals

                                a7. Kidnappers = slave dealer

                                a8. Liars (pseustais, falsehood) = deceiver

                                a9. Perjurers – to swear a false oath

                                a10. Opposing sound doctrine

3. Using the Law properly

                a. By using the moral law to teach proper Christian behavior, we properly teach holy living

                b. If we attempt to bring believers under the Law, we falsely use God’s Law

                c. One can be moral without being legalistic

                                a1. Satan loves when the Word of God is twisted into error

                                a2. The Word must be used properly

                d. Gal. 1 no other gospel is the true Gospel

                e. The Lord wants us saved, moral, & serving

                f. The heart of sound doctrine is righteous living

Key verse: Romans 7:7-8:1⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” ⁸ But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. ⁹ I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. ¹⁰ And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. ¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. ¹² Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. ¹³ Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. ¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. ¹⁶ If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. ¹⁷ But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. ¹⁹ For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. ²⁰ Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ²¹ I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. ²² For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. ²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. ^8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

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DAVID’S DEATHBED INSTRUCTIONS. I Kings 2:1-25. 3/6/2022.  #4

I Kings 2:1-25 [New Kings James Version]

¹ Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: 2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. ³ And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; ⁴ that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’ ⁵ “Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed. And he shed the blood of war in peacetime, and put the blood of war on his belt that was around his waist, and on his sandals that were on his feet. ⁶ Therefore do according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace. ⁷ “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother. ⁸ “And see, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a malicious curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by the Lord, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’ ⁹ Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood.” ¹⁰ So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David. ¹¹ The period that David reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years. ¹² Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established. ¹³ Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, “Do you come peaceably?” And he said, “Peaceably.” ¹⁴ Moreover he said, “I have something to say to you.” And she said, “Say it.” ¹⁵ Then he said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had set their expectations on me, that I should reign. However, the kingdom has been turned over, and has become my brother’s; for it was his from the Lord. ¹⁶ Now I ask one petition of you; do not deny me.” And she said to him, “Say it.” ¹⁷ Then he said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.” ¹⁸ So Bathsheba said, “Very well, I will speak for you to the king.” ¹⁹ Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed down to her, and sat down on his throne and had a throne set for the king’s mother; so she sat at his right hand. ²⁰ Then she said, “I desire one small petition of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” ²¹ So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as wife.” ²² And King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also—for he is my older brother—for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.” ²³ Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life! ²⁴ Now therefore, as the Lord lives, who has confirmed me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has established a house for me, as He promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today!” ²⁵ So King Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he struck him down, and he died.

1. David’s spiritual instruction to Solomon

                a. David is about to die, so he calls for Solomon

                                a1. Solomon has been placed on the throne

                                a2. Solomon had superseded many other older sons of David to the throne (1 Chronicles 3)

                                                b1. Abigail’s son, Chileab (Daniel), was the oldest surviving son of David

                                                b2. Bathsheba had 3 older sons

                b. David gave sound spiritual advice to Solomon

                                a1. David charged (commanded) Sol. to be strong and show himself to be a true man

                                a2. Solomon = keep the commandments of the Lord

                                                b1. Walk in his ways (holiness, integrity)

                                                b2. Keep statutes (specific decrees to him) and commandments (laws; precepts)

                                                b3. Keep judgments (rulings) and testimonies (situational rulings, such as

                                                      covenant with Gibeonites or prohibition against the Moabites)

                c. If Sol. honors God, he will prosper

                                a1. Difficult = David and Bathsheba/Uriah

                                a2. Solomon is drawn off by women and wealth

                d. If David’s royal progeny walked with God, the royal line would not end (ends with Zedekiah in 586 BC)

                                a1. Jesus will ascend to the throne in Millen.

                                a2. Jesus is the ultimate royal son of David

2. Of revenge and protection

                a. David instructs Sol. to execute Joab and Shimei

                                a1. Joab = murdered Abner and Amasa

                                a2. Shimei = cursed David when fleeing from Absalom during the rebellion 

                b. David had not brought Joab to account

                                a1. Joab had won many victories for David

                                a2. Joab had killed Absalom

                                a3. Joab had sided with Adonijah to be king

                                a4. David’s decree is both revenge and justice

                c. David had pardoned Shimei, both at the time of his mocking of David and when he returned to Jerusalem

                                a1. David had not forgotten the insult

                                a2. It is odd that David did not execute him

                                a3. Again, revenge is a motive, but removing threats to Solomon’s rule may also been a factor

3. Death of a king

                a. After a 40 year reign, David dies at 70 (II Samuel 5:4)

                                a1. Psalm 90 considered a full lifetime

                                a2. 1 Chronicles 29 = was prosperous and blessed

                b. Solomon’s throne was well established

                c. David’s reign was blessed, but sin tainted it

                                a1. Anointed king to take Saul’s place

                                a2. Slaying of Goliath solidified David’s fame

                                a3. David’s army division defeated Philistines

                                a4. Saul attempted to kill David due to jealousy

                                a5. After Saul fell against Philistines, David was anointed to be king

                                a6. David’s reign was successful

                                a7. God declared David to be a man after His own heart (writer of Psalms; led worship)

                                a8. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, killed

                                a9. Judgment on David’s household costs the rape of one daughter, and death of 3 sons

                d. David repented, but faced the consequences

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GUARDING THE FAITH. I Timothy 1:1-7. 2/27/2022. #01.

I Timothy 1:1-7 [New King James Version]

¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, ² To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. ³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may [a]charge some that they teach no other doctrine, ⁴ nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. ⁵ Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from [b]sincere faith, ⁶ from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

1. Introduction

                a. A new section of Paul’s epistles

                                a1. The Pastoral Epistles (First and Second Timothy and Titus)

                                a2. Timothy and Titus were pastoring churches to train leadership

                                a3. Along with Philemon = written to individual people and not churches

                b. Written in early 60s AD

                c. Church polity (organization) comes from these epistles = tells us how the church is to function

                d. Timothy is Paul’s favorite disciple and emissary

                                a1. Timothy felt inadequate for the job

                                a2. Tim. = shier and not as certain as Paul

                e. Paul emphasizes his apostleship

                                a1. What he is giving Tim. is authoritative

                                a2. Tim. = not doubt Paul, but the church needed to know that his words = from God

                f. As Paul moved on to Macedonia (Philippians, Thessalonians), he left Tim. at Ephesus to continue teaching and organizing the church

                g. Paul spent 3 years at Ephesus

2. Timothy, the pastor

                a. Timothy’s primary task = secure church in sound doctrine (solid teaching)

                                a1. Doctrinal drift destroys churches

                                a2. Doctrine effects belief and practice

                b. 3 areas cause doctrinal drift

                                a1. Family and cultural traditions

                                a2. Influence of others around us

                                a3. Sin nature resisting biblical admonition

                c. Paul warns against myths, fables, and endless genealogies that pollute the Word of God

                                a1. The Jews followed heritage as being a sign of spirituality (Philippians 3, Matthew 3:9)

                                a2. The Gentiles were steep in myths

                d. A danger to mix former beliefs with faith

                                a1. Liberal church background = can taint biblical teaching

                                a2. Must cast out old error for God’s truth

                e. Paul states that there are 3 goals (telos = ends)

                                a1. Love and purity from relation with Lord

                                a2. A good conscience (lit. “with knowledge”) = from right belief and practice

                                a3. A sincere faith (sincere = “without wax” => no hypocrisy) – genuine walk

3. False teachers of prideful disputations

                a. Tim. is up against prideful teachers of the Mosaic Law who don’t know subject

                                a1. Self-deceived (think they are experts)

                                a2. Strayed = missed the mark (drifted)

                b. Many grab on to a concept and fixate to error, building an errant belief system (II John 1:4-11)

                c. Idle talk = futile speculation (empty speaking)

                d. Many desire to teach, but are neither called or equipped to do so, leading others astray (James 3:1)

                e. Only the well-grounded can discern error

Key verse: 2 John 4-11

⁴ I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. ⁵ And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. ⁶ This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. ⁷ For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. ⁸ Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

⁹ Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; ¹¹ for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

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SOLOMON TAKES THE THRONE. I Kings 1:28-53. Feb 27, 2022. #03

1 Kings 1:28-53 [New King James Version]

²⁸ Then King David answered and said, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. ²⁹ And the king took an oath and said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress, ³⁰ just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I certainly will do this day.” ³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and paid homage to the king, and said, “Let my lord King David live forever!” ³² And King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. ³³ The king also said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon. ³⁴ There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ ³⁵ Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, and he shall be king in my place. For I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.” ³⁶ Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, “Amen! May the Lord God of my lord the king say so too. ³⁷ As the Lord has been with my lord the king, even so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.” ³⁸ So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and took him to Gihon. ³⁹ Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” ⁴⁰ And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound. ⁴¹ Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the horn, he said, “Why is the city in such a noisy uproar?” ⁴² While he was still speaking, there came Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest. And Adonijah said to him, “Come in, for you are a prominent man, and bring good news.” ⁴³ Then Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, “No! Our lord King David has made Solomon king. ⁴⁴ The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and they have made him ride on the king’s mule. ⁴⁵ So Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon; and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. ⁴⁶ Also Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom. ⁴⁷ And moreover the king’s servants have gone to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ Then the king bowed himself on the bed. ⁴⁸ Also the king said thus, ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne this day, while my eyes see it!’ ” ⁴⁹ So all the guests who were with Adonijah were afraid, and arose, and each one went his way. ⁵⁰ Now Adonijah was afraid of Solomon; so he arose, and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. ⁵¹ And it was told Solomon, saying, “Indeed Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon; for look, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’ ” ⁵² Then Solomon said, “If he proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.” ⁵³ So King Solomon sent them to bring him down from the altar. And he came and fell down before King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

1. David fulfills his promise to Bathsheba

                a. After listening to Bathsheba and Nathan, David has Bathsheba called into his room

                                a1. David swears that Solomon will rule after David

                                a2. God affirms the choice by allowing the transition to take place

                b. David instructs Nathan, Zadok, and Benaiah to anoint Solomon as king immediately

                                a1. Solomon takes throne before David dies

                                a2. This avoids a potential civil war

2. Ceremony at Gihon

                a. David orders Solomon to be placed on the king’s mule and ceremonially be taken to Gihon Spring to be anointed king

                                a1. Sacrifices, celebration, and the royal horn announce the transition of power

                                a2. Solomon is to sit on David’s throne

                b. The Spring of Gihon is chosen for the event

                                a1. Gihon (to gush forth) is an underground spring that bursts forth in the Kidron Valley outside of Jerusalem

                                a2. King Hezekiah later connected Gihon to the Pool of Siloam through a 1600’ tunnel dug by hand through solid limestone

                c. Much of Jerusalem turns out to the celebration

                                a1. This demonstrates the weakness of Adonijah’s claim to the throne

                                a2. Only after David officially makes his selection does the nation rally around the next king

                d. This event is occurring at the same time that Adonijah’s celebration is going on

                                a1. David moved quickly after Nathan’s prompting him to settle the matter

                                a2. Important to stop Adonijah lest another Absalom disaster occur

3. Adonijah’s reign crumbles

                a. On same afternoon of Adonijah’s ascent, he falls

                                a1. He had no official claim to the throne

                                a2. He did not have the solid support that he imagined

                b. Joab wonders what all the noise from Jerusalem was and what the tumult meant (3 miles away)

                                a1. A celebration greater than Adonijah’s

                                a2. The party was just winding down

                c. Jonathan, son of Abiathar, runs up to group (Jonathan was a messenger during Abs. rebellion and was the one who informed David that his sons were returning to Jerusalem—only Amnon had been killed)

                                a1. Informs Adon. that Solomon now ruled

                                a2. In terror, all those at celebration flee

                d. Adonijah’s support was superficial

                                a1. No one would fight and die for him

                                a2. He was a king of convenience

                e. Adonijah flees to Tabernacle to grab horns of altar

                                a1. Sanctuary and asylum plea

                                a2. He fears Solomon’s retribution

                f. Solomon is told of Adonijah’s fear

                                a1. Sol. = Adon. will live if he behaves

                                a2. Solomon sends Adon. home in peace

                g. Ps. 2 all power not blessed by God is in vain