Jun 28, 2020. I Samuel 22:6-8

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PARANOIA IN THE PALACE. I Samuel 22:6-8. 6/28/20. #70

I Samuel 22:6-8 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

6 When Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered—now Saul was staying in Gibeah under a tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants standing about him— 7 then Saul said to his servants who stood about him, “Hear now, you Benjamites! Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds? 8 All of you have conspired against me, and there is no one who reveals to me that my son has made a covenant with the son of Jesse; and there is not one of you who is sorry for me or reveals to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as it is this day.”

  • Obsession
    • Saul is sitting on his throne under a terebinth (a variety of pistachio) tree on a hill outside Gibeah
      • He has a spear in his hand, ready for action
      • Saul is not ready to move against the Philistines or other enemies, but his son-in-law David, who has greatly aided him and Israel
    • Saul has an effective internal intelligence network
      • He knows where David is so he can capture him
      • Several times in Saul’s pursuit of David he is able to track him down
    • Obsessions are always destructive
      • The pursuit of wealth, a person, fame…always ends up in disappointment (empty)
      • Obsessions make us neglect the important matters
    • Obsession ruins potential
      • Genesis 4 all Cain could think about was his jealousy against his brother, Abel
      • Genesis 47 after all of Jacob’s manipulation and striving to become great, he says his days were troubled
      • Samson sought power and dominance, but is destroyed by lust and revenge
      • Solomon sought self-glory and ended up bitter
    • Saul’s obsession ate at him like a cancer
      • Saul thought that killing David would end his pain
      • Gaining the object of one’s obsession never meets one’s core needs
  • Paranoia
    • Saul thought that all his servants were against him
      • When Saul looked at his captains, courtiers, and cabinet, all he saw was plotting enemies
      • No one could convince him that this was not true
    • Saul was losing support because he lost his way
      • Saul was king by God’s selection to serve God for the benefit of the nation of Israel
      • Israel was not Saul’s personal property
      • Everything we have is from God and not ours alone
    • Saul felt both the kingdom and his men slipping way
      • The more self-centered Saul became, the more uncomfortable his men felt around him
      • Saul tries to fortify his position by reminding his men that he and not David gave them captaincies, positions, and vineyards (Benjamin = core support)
    • Proverbs 28:1 the guilty flee when no man pursues (Genesis 29-50) Joseph’s brothers expected him to take his vengeance
    • hen one rebels against God, forces align against you (Korah, Abiram, Dathan, Jeroboam, Ahab, Judas,…)
    • None can enjoy power while looking over his shoulder
    • Saul does not take the avenue of repentance
  • Self-absorbed
    • Saul feels sorry for himself (self-pity is miserable)
      • He wants others to commiserate with him
      • A self-pitying king loses respect of subjects
    • Saul imagines Jonathan stirring up rebellion against him
    • Jonathan merely sought to do God’s will
      • Jonathan had no design on the throne
      • Jonathan had chosen God’s side rather than father’s
    • Jonathan was not against Saul, but opposed evil
      • Luke 12:53-55 believers must choose between family and God
      • Jonathan loved his father, but God more (Saul wanted all for self)

Jun 21, 2020. Father’s Day. II Samuel 17:27-29

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BARZILLAI, MAN OF GRACE. DAD’S DAY. 6/21/20. II Samuel 17:27-29

II Samuel 17:27-29 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

27 Now it happened, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the people of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, 29 honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”

  • A man of distinction
    • Barzillai’s name pops up throughout the Old Testament
      • Merab, daughter of Saul, was given to Adriel, son of Barzillai, instead of David
        • II Samuel 21 later when David was king, Adriel and Merab’s 4 sons were given to the Gibeonites for execution for Saul’s sins against them
        • Barzillai’s family was prominent
      • A Gileadite = general name given for the trans-Jordan land given to Gad, Reuben, and one-half the tribe of Manasseh
      • Barzillai aided David when he fled from Absalom, giving him food for his army
      • Chimham, son of Barzillai goes with David instead of father and is given the inn in Bethlehem where Jesus will be born
      • David places Barzillai’s children in care of Solomon on his deathbed (1 Kings 2)
      • One of Barzillai’s daughters married a prominent priest (Ezra 2; Nehemiah 7) 
    • Barzillai was a very prominent man
      • He was wealthy and well known
      • David could not pay the dowry price for Saul’s daughter, Merab, so she was given to Adriel, Barzillai’s son
      • Later, Barzillai brings food for all the men fleeing Jerusalem with David
  • To whom much is given
    • Wealth and influence = not have to mean pride
    • Most men of wealth are self-absorbed, not believers, and never support Christian works (Besos, Gates, Steve Jobs, Bloomberg, Oprah…)
    • I Corinthians 1:18-31 most believers are not wealthy
    • Few prominent believers are spiritual and charitable (Joseph of Arimathea, Barnabas, Gaius…)
    • Luke 12 wealth and influence are given to serve the Lord and to whom much is given much is required
      • Matthew 25 more is expected of the 5 talent servant than of the 2 or 1 talent servant
      • Solomon squandered his gifts while Tabitha expended hers wisely (Ac. 9; Jm. 2)
    • Barzillai could have stayed out of the fight
      • Barzillai decided to expend a considerable amount of his wealth to refresh David’s men
      • Barzillai wanted to serve the servants of God
  • A godly man is charitable and concerned for others
    • Four parts to generosity: (1) knowing what resources  and calling you have (2) recognizing needs you can meet (3) meeting needs (Proverbs 3:27-28)  (4) expanding and developing resources to meet more needs
    • Barzillai sought out the need and met it
    • No man can meet all needs
      • Every man can meet some needs
      • What needs God calls you to meet he will supply all that is necessary to meet it
    • As Barzillai was alert to needs which God laid upon his heart, so we must be led by Spirit to do same
    • James 2 it is loving charity of helps and provision which enhances our testimony (sets us apart)
    • Barzillai humbly served (using God’s things for him)

Key Verse: I Corinthians 1:18-31

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Jun 14, 2020. Ephesians 5:6-7

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THE GOLDEN PATH TO AN EMPTY POT. EPHESIANS 5:6-7. 6/14/20. AM. #24

Ephesians 5:6-7 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

  • Bad spiritual investment
    • The list Paul gives us from Eph. 4:28-5:5 explains the many ways to do evil and to be evil (lying, stealing, wrath, bitterness, malice, fornication, debauchery, cruelty, mocking, greed…)
    • Chapter 4 speaks of individual sins while Chapter 5 speaks of being habitually identified with a particular sin (being a liar, fornicator, coveter, mocker, idolater…)
    • It is immaterial which path of sin one takes, the results are all the same (ends at the same point: emptiness, useless…)
  • Vanity Fair
    • Emptiness (kenos) is the final destination of the vain, proud, deceitful, cruel, permissive, greedy, lustful, and fool G.K. Chesterton: there are many ways to fall but only one way to stand straight
    • Paul warns that we must not allow anyone to deceive us with empty (vain, worthless, futile) words
      • Words that promise wealth, pleasure, and freedom
      • Words that declare there is no final accountability
      • Words of pride: be your own boss, do your own thing..
    • Emptiness is not a trait, action, or particular sin, but the result of sin
      • I Corinthians 3:12-15 all things not of Christ disappear as if they never were
  • A full discussion on emptiness (much ado about nothing)
    • Philippians 2:7-8 Christ EMPTIED himself out of the privilege of his godhood so he might bring many people to glory (Romans 5)
    • So many strive for power, possessions, and prominence which lead to empty dead end futures that are soon forgotten by everyone
    • Emptiness is not the lot of a faithful believer:
      • 1 Corinthians 15:58 our labor is not in vain (empty) in the Lord
        • Though we do not see immediate results, our labor for the Lord is not useless
        • Galatians 6:9 we must not quit since we will triumph
      • I Thessalonians 3:5 Paul labored so his work will not be in vain
    • Those who labor for self and worldly things will end up with nothing
      • Mark 12 the master destroyed the vine tenders who refused to give him the fruit of his labor (servants returned empty)
      • I Corinthians 15:10 Paul stated that the grace God showed to him was not in vain since he labored more than the rest
      • II Corinthians 6:1-2 those who hear the gospel, but reject it receive grace in vain (falls on deaf ears and hard hearts)
    • Believers who don’t faithfully serve the Lord produce no fruit for him
      • James 1:26 the believer who does not have control over his speech deceives himself and his religion is useless
        • A believer who speaks lies, mocks, wears people down by talking too much, judges, accuses, criticizes, and gossips is useless as a witness for Christ (an embarrassment)
        • Our demeanor, acts, and speech carry testimony
      • James 2:20 faith without fruitful works of charity, grace, love, and comfort are valueless (folly, worthless)
    • A believer can be saved, but useless to others
      • Others are driven away from Christ by a believer who engages in unwholesome speech and who lacks charity
      • Works shout louder than words
  • Conceit is deceit
    • Colossians 2:6-10  Paul warns not to be deceived by empty words
      • Many are cheated out of eternity and rewards through heeding vain philosophies (prosperity gospel, sinless perfectionism, nihilism, fatalism, universalism,  mysticism,…)
      • Only by using the Word of God properly can you discern error and avoid pitfalls (1 Cor. 15:14; 2 Tm. 3:16)
    • Three avenues of deceit
      • Philosophy of men (conventional wisdom) – a utilitarian approach to gain for self all that pleases you (Eccl. 2)
      • Principles of this world (what the world teaches as truth) – what to believe, how to get along, how to conform to society
      • Acts 17:11 lack of investigation by deceived (Romans 10:17)
    • The world follows its gurus to its own destruction (postmodernism)
    • Too many believers follow spiritual celebrity teachers without discernment, evaluation, questioning, or even critiquing with Bible
    • Many will lose reward for follow Dr. X instead of Paul, Peter, and James

Key Verse:

Colossians 2:6-10 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Jun 14, 2020. I Samuel 22:1-5

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DAVID ON THE RUN WITH GOD. I SAMUEL 22:1-5. 6/14/20. #69.

I Samuel 22:1-5 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

1 David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was [a]discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. 3 Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.” 4 So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold. 5 Now the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah.” So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.

  • Family affairs
    • David leaves Gath after feigning madness
      • He ends up in a cave at Adullam (13 miles SW of Bethlehem)
      • Adullam is in the forested rolling hills of Shephelah (like the Appalachian foothills)
      • Many limestone caves in the hills
    • Due to David’s status, his family is threatened
      • His family flees to stay with David in cave
      • No mention of how his family knew that David was in Adullam or if they had received direct threats to their lives
    • What impacts one member of a family impacts the entire family (Aachen, Jn. 9 blind man)
    • David desires to move family out of harm’s way
      • He goes to Moab and asks the king to give his family sanctuary
      • David’s great grandma Ruth was Moabite
      • The king didn’t mind a civil war in Israel
    • David and his family + men built a stronghold there
    • Later, David attacks Moab in king’s son’s reign
  • David’s disgruntled men
    • 400 disgruntled men gathered around David
      • God was providing David a force
      • The men were discontent (“bitter of soul”)
    • The men who gathered around David
      • They were discontent with the system (cheated, over taxed, violated, stifled…)
      • Men who had some kind of grievance
    • Like Jephthah, David is leader of rogue raiders
      • The number of men will swell to 600
      • God is establishing David as the future leader of Israel
  • Shifting sands
    • David stays in his stronghold to await events
    • David’s wife, Mical, is still in Gibeah
    • The prophet Gad comes to David
      • An indication of God beginning to promote David over Saul
      • Samuel no longer visits Saul
      • Gad tells David to leave his stronghold and return to Judah
    • David now becomes an irritation to Saul in Judah
      • Saul is never able to catch David
      • David’s reputation and strength grow
  • Being moved by God
    • David does not control any of the events in life
      • God moves David around and sends aid
      • David’s plans are controlled by God
    • Often we try to engineer our own destiny
      • Exodus 4, it is God who promotes one person over another and brings the mighty down
      • God moves in his timing and way
    • When we rest in the Lord, allowing him to lead and fight our battles, we experience peace and power 
      • Focus on praise and holiness, he triumphs
      • Job, Joseph, Daniel = obeyed and He did rest

Jun 7, 2020. Ephesians 5:3-5

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THE IDOLATRY OF SIN.  EPHESIANS 5:3-5. 7 JUN. 2020. AM. #23.

Ephesians 5:3-5 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

  • Many faces of idolatry
    • We think of idolatry as worshipping false gods and idols
    • Anything or anyone replacing God in your life is an idol
    • Chapter 4 deals with sins to avoid while ch. 5 list sins that  are so prevalent in one’s life they identify who person is
    • FORNICATOR (porneo from which comes pornography) = practicing sexual immorality
    • UNCLEANNESS (akatharsis = not clean) refers to filthy
      • Can mean physically polluted (Matthew 23:27 = tomb)
      • Metaphorical impurity (immorality, crudeness, vileness, perversion, corruption, depravity…)
    • COVETOUSNESS (pleonexia = Eng., pleonasm => to seek plenty, to be excessive or obsessed with gaining more)
      • Brood over obtaining what you do not have
      • Sensual, greedy, craving, longing, lust
      • The object of greed may be sexual, power, possessions, fame, money…
      • When asked how much money was enough, he said just a little bit more
    • FILTHINESS = debauchery, lewdness, sexually permissive and obsessed, morally corrupt (Mark 7:21, 2 eats away within)
    • FOOLISH TALKING (morolegia = Eng., moronic dialogue)
      • Inappropriate speech (crude, base, cruel, crass)
      • Speech that lacks understanding and sensitivity
    • COARSE JESTING OR JOKING = flippant, frivolous, buffoonery, inappropriate humor, crude taunting
  • That which is befitting of a saint
    • Paul calls being identified as a fornicator, impure, greedy, frivolous, or a mocker an IDOLATEROR
    • Idolatry is putting anything ahead of God
    • 3 levels of idolatrous rebellion in this list:
      • Prideful self-exaltation
      • Lustful self-indulgence
      • Cruel mockery, ridicule, and persecution
    • These things are not befitting a saint
      • FITTING (propei = Eng., proper) = what is suitable, becoming, or appropriate
      • Believers are to project a godly image that comes from a godly mindset and motivation
    • Whatever dominates a person’s life and desires is what he is and if what controls him is not spiritual life in Christ, he is an idol worshipper (1 Corinthians 6:9-20)
  • Cut out of the inheritance
    • Paul places THANKSGIVING (eucharistia) in opposition to the idols he mentioned (instead, be grateful)
      • We would expect him to use purity, holiness, cleanness, or spiritual as the right response
      • The word means “good grace”
    • Paul is emphasizing that those who seek more than what God has given them and who seek different things than his order or provision are ungrateful to him
      • Even though God made Adam and Eve in his image and gave them paradise, they sought more
      • Those who reject how God has made them and what he has provided are ungrateful and reject God
    • A heart not full of praise to God is seeking meaning elsewhere and therefore, is not of God
    • One who is identified with fornication, greed, impurity, cruelty, mockery, and folly can’t inherit the kingdom of God
      • To identify with sin is not to identify with Christ
      • 1 John 5 those who identify with Christ are not identify with sin
    • Even though believers still commit sin (1 John 1) they are not identified by sin (a liar, cheat, womanizer, brawler…)
    • Salvation is via faith and ongoing sin shows one is unsaved

Key Verse:

I  Corinthians 6:9-20 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Jun 7, 2020. I Samuel 21:10-15

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DAVID BETWEEN TWO SPEAR POINTS.  I SAMUEL 21:10-15. 6/7/20. #68.

1 Samuel 21:10-15 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

10 Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?” 12 Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? 15 Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

  • David in the grip of the vice
    • David is seeking a place of refuge
      • David is not safe in Israel, for Saul seeks his life
      • David is heading for the Philistines, an enemy he has slain
    • David does not cross the Jordan or the Sinai to go to Egypt
    • Many of David’s Psalms were written about his flight from Saul
      • There were enemies on all sides of him
      • David felt threatened, abandoned, and hopeless
    • The dynamics of persecution:
      • David had done nothing wrong that he deserved death
      • David was alone in his trial (his friends could not endure it for him or even be much help in bearing the load)
      • God often seems silent and distant in the midst of trials
        • God is actually very near and working through it
        • Romans 8:28 God will work good via the trials
    • The dynamics of faith
      • Proverbs 3:5-6 David had to trust God’s leading (Job 13:15)
      • Galatians 6:9 David must not quit or succumb (Jeremiah, Elijah)
      • John 16:33 David needed to continue serving faithfully while he worked through the anxious moments
      • David must not try to take over God’s job by manipulating the outcome (unlike Jacob, Saul, Jephthah, Balaam)
      • Trust in Lord, obey his Word, and allow God to work (Romans 12:12-21)
  • A Gaff at Gath
    • David ends up at Gath (home of Goliath)
      • It is hard to know why David chose to go to Gath
      • David had successfully fled Saul but ends up at the gate of Israel’s greatest enemy
    • David stands before King Achish
      • The king’s servants recognize David as the one the Israelite women sang about: “David has slain his 10,000s”
      • David immediately fears for his life
    • David had to think fast in order to save his own life
      • David feigns madness (foaming at the mouth and clawing the city gate)
      • Madmen (moon-struck—thus the word lunatic) were considered possessed by spirits
      • Kings kept some madmen around to receive insight from the spirit world about the future of secret events
    • King Achish orders David removed from him (he has enough madmen)
    • God protected David, though the Philistines would be expected to kill him as a brutal enemy
  • Renegade and Rebel
    • Odd things begin to happen: David joins forces with the Philistines
      • Was David a traitor?
      • How could the Philistines trust David?
    • David’s life had taken several dramatic turns
      • He was a shepherd boy in a minor family (#8 son)
      • He is anointed by Samuel to be the next king
      • He slays Goliath the Giant of Gath and wins a great victory
      • He becomes a captain in the army + Saul’s son-in-law
      • He has to flee for his life from Saul
      • He ends up in Gath, the home of Goliath
    • Being in great distress is of great benefit to us
      • Teaches faith, trust, patience, and humility
      • It prepares us to comfort, guide, and help others + for tasks

May 31, 2020. Ephesians 5:1-2

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CHRIST IMITATORS. EPHESIANS 5:1-2. 31 MAY 2020. AM. #22.

Ephesians 5:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

  • The imitators
    • “imitate” from Greek is word we get “mimic” from–“followers” in KJV
      • Not the word for “disciple” (matthieus) – learner or trainee
      • Emphasis = to exactly follow & do what master instructs
    • Paul uses the term to apply to himself
      • 1 Corinthians 4:16 imitate me
      • 1 Corinthians 11:1 imitate me as I imitate Christ
      • This passage is a summation of chapter 4, especially, 4:32
    • To imitate God is to pattern life after God in virtue & charitable works
      • We can’t be like God in essence or position, for he is the only God (Is. 14, Gen. 3 no one else can be as God is)
      • Genesis 1:26-28 man was made in the image of God
        • Man has an eternal soul
        • Man has intellect, will, & conscience
        • Man is a moral agent, knowing right from wrong
      • As his children (teknon) –to be like Father (true offspring)
    • When man sinned in Eden, he lost the ability to be like God
      • John 16:7-11 only the restraining power of the Holy Spirit prevents men from being as wicked as he could be
      • Genesis 6 God had to destroy all mankind (except 1 family) due to the extreme wickedness of the entire human race
    • Old Testament saints were empowered by God to imitate him (Abraham, Joseph, Job, Moses, Daniel…)
    • Christ via the Holy Spirit empowers believers to imitate God in lives
      • The Holy Spirit empowers believers to imitate God
      • The end purpose of salvation is to BECOME LIKE CHRIST — COLOSSIANS 1:19-29  to present every believer mature in Christ
    • Modern concept of mentoring
      • Moses mentored Joshua, Elijah mentored Elisha, Jesus mentored his disciples, Paul mentored Timothy…
      • With a complete Word of God, the indwelling of the Spirit, & mature believers, we are mentored by Christ
  • Walk in love
    • Walk = a metaphor for a way of life
    • Christ showed the way of love
      • John 3:16 sent by God
      • Romans 5:8 became our for sin, he took our form to be an offering to God in our place
      • Ephesians 3:19 Christ continues to love us
    • Love focuses on the object being loved and not the one loving
      • phileo (affection) centers on emotions of the one expressing love
      • agape’  (choice love) centers on the object being loved
        • incorporates emotion, charity, choice, & service
        • a love not conditioned on being loved in return
      • New Testament infuses agape’  with the meaning of selfless sacrifice (classical Greek uses it as a statement of fact without assignment motivation)
    • To walk in love is more action than speech or emotion
      • Walking in love is showing love
      • Concern, charity, grace, sacrifice, commitment, succor, support, encourage…
  • Christ’s love–our example
    • Christ’s love for us = shown in his sacrifice
      • No greater demonstration of love
      • By his actions Christ demonstrated his love for us
      • Christ’s love for us was despite our rebellion against him (Romans 5:8)
      • We are the object of his unconditional love
    • Christ’s sacrifice was a sweet aroma to God
      • euodias – lit., “good odor”
      • I Samuel 15 sacrifice was sweet if from a repentant believer
    • A walk of love by a faithful believer is a sweet aroma to God

Key Verse:

Colossians 1:19-29 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

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.

May 31, 2020. I Samuel 21:1-9

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THE PRINCE & THE PRIEST. I SAMUEL 21:1-9. 31 MAY 2020. PM. #67.

I Samuel 21:1-9 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

1 Now David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech was afraid when he met David, and said to him, “Why are you alone, and no one is with you?” 2 So David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has ordered me on some business, and said to me, ‘Do not let anyone know anything about the business on which I send you, or what I have commanded you.’ And I have directed my young men to such and such a place. 3 Now therefore, what have you on hand? Give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever can be found.” 4 And the priest answered David and said, “There is no common bread on hand; but there is holy bread, if the young men have at least kept themselves from women.”

5 Then David answered the priest, and said to him, “Truly, women have been kept from us about three days since I came out. And the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in effect common, even though it was consecrated in the vessel this day.” 6 So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread which had been taken from before the Lord, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day when it was taken away. 7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord. And his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chief of the herdsmen who belonged to Saul. 8 And David said to Ahimelech, “Is there not here on hand a spear or a sword? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.” 9 So the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, there it is, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it. For there is no other except that one here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

  • Surprise visit
    • David flees SE of Gibeah to Nob, 3 miles distance
      • Priests are at Nob with Tabernacle (moved from Shiloh)
      • David is looking for provisions
      • Apparently Jon. had not given David supplies (too risky)
    • High Priest Ahimelech is stunned to see David
      • David is a captain in the army and is never at the Tabernacle
      • For David to suddenly show up to the Tab. is disturbing
        • What was David’s purpose for being there?
        • Why was David not with his troops and unarmed?
    • Ahimelech sensed that something was amiss
      • David needed to explain his presence and intent
      • Ahim. knows David as a man of war (unnerving)
      • Ahim. could not think of any good reason for David’s action
      • Ahim. also knew of Saul’s temper and self-will
  • The Fatal Fib
    • David lies to the High Priest (not to a wicked king)
      • David lies to God’s consecrated High Priest
      • David claims to be on a secret urgent mission for Saul
      • David lies to save his own life
        • Had the priest known that David was a fugitive from the king’s wrath, he would have to tell Saul
        • Due to David’s urgency and necessity, he lies
    • Was David justified in lying to the priest?
      • Protection issue often justify deception: the Egyptian midwives (Exodus 2), Rahab (Josiah 2), Samuel (1 Samuel 16:1-2), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38), to Ahab (1 Kings 22), post-Rapture (II Thessalonians 2:10)
      • Unique passage: a righteous man deceiving a righteous man
    • David’s lie has devastating results
      • The priests were innocent bystanders
      • This incident will cost the lives of 83 priests
      • Could David have left the priests out of his escape?
  • Some bread, a sword, and a dog
    • We are not told where David picked up the young men (or how many)
    • David needed food and weapons
      • All the priest has is consecrated showbread on table
      • The bread is replaced daily and priests eat the older bread
    • The priest offers David the replaced holy bread if his men are clean (kept from intimacy with women)
      • David tells priest that men haven’t been with women three days
      • Since the bread was replaced and the men holy, then it is the same as common bread now (may be a stretch in logic)
    • Matthew 12:4 Jesus states that David was guiltless due to his necessity, so his disciples were guiltless for plucking and eating grain on Sabbath
      • NECESSITY OVERRIDES CUSTOMARY REGULATIONS
      • This is not a New Testament issue since the ceremonial law ceased
    • Doeg the Edomite, Saul’s chief shepherd, was in the Tabernacle (a potential enemy agent of Saul’s–odd have an Edomite in Tabernacle)
    • David asks for any weapons in Tab. (priests usually don’t have weapon)
      • Goliath’s sword was kept in Tab. in honor of God’s victory
      • David takes the sword, which has no equal
    • David is the anointed of God to replace Saul
      • Saul is responsible for all evil done in chasing David
      • When Power opposes God, God’s faithful servants are duty bound to oppose the evil power (Ephesians 5:11)

May 24, 2020. Ephesians 4:32

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KINDNESS CHECKMATES MALICE. EPHESIANS 4:32. 5/19/20. AM.

Ephesians 4:32 New King James Version (NKJV)

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

  • Not malice, but forgiveness
    • Paul spent a considerable amount of space urging the Ephesians to remove wicked elements from their lives which grieved the Holy Spirit
      • Lying, stealing, anger…
      • Wrath, blasphemy, bitterness, and malice
    • Paul urges the Eph. to show the love of Christ to each other
      • The word “be” should be translated “become” (not there yet)
      • Paul moves from urging to commandment
    • A great deal of teaching in New Testament is devoted to the aspect of love
      • Matthew 22:36-40 love neighbor is 1 of the 2 great commands
      • James 13:34-35 Christ’s disciples known for love of believers
      • I Corinthians 13:13 among faith, hope, and love, the greatest is love
    • Since one can’t truly love and hate at the same time, love trumps hate
    • Malice and evil must be replaced with charity and goodness
      • Paul states that we have a choice of attitude and action
      • Feelings can be overcome by right choices
      • Emotions will either control you or you will control them
  • Kindness and tenderness
    • Paul moves from those aspects that must be removed to those aspects that must replace what is removed
      • Not an instant change (“become” kind and forgiving)
      • Literally, “become kind and tenderhearted among yourselves”
    • Act of continually making progress from evil to holiness
    • Kindness = goodness
      • This grace, charity, mercy, and gentleness in one package
      • Luke 6:27-36 God is said to be kind and merciful even to the ungrateful and merciful
        • Provides them food and prosperity
        • Delays judgment and God seeks their repentance
      • Goodness is altruistic and not reciprocal
        • Kindness by commandment and desire
        • James 1:21 we need to do right because it’s right to do (a Christian code, duty, obligation…) God’s will
        • Matthew 7: 12 do to others what you want them to do to you (without expecting return in kind)
      • Kindness was shown by David to Mephibosheth, Barzillai to David, the Good Samaritan, Jesus to the blind man, the Syro-Phoenician woman, and women bent over by a demon
    • Tenderheartedness = bowels of mercy
      • Refers to the intestines (Acts 1:18 Judas fell head long, dashing on the rocks, and his bowels gushed forth)
    • Considered the seat of emotions
      • Affections (titus 2:5, a wife is to have affection for her husband)
      • Instead of the heart as the seat of emotions, the Hebrews viewed the intestines as seat of emotions
      • This form of the verb (literally, “good intestines”) is translated compassionate (only place in New Testament)
      • Paul uses tenderheartedness 8 times to Corinth.
    • Comes into our culture with the idioms “gut feeling”, “feeling in the pit of my stomach” (pithy), or “I feel deep inside me” (Not emotion driven, but choice driven by will)
  • Forgiveness
    • Forgiveness = “leave behind” (remove from the place)
    • To no longer hold someone to account
    • Forgiveness is based upon accountable authority (right to judge)
      • Psalm 51:4-6 sin is against God alone (he alone is holy)
      • We are to forgive others because God for Christ forgave us
      • Matthew 18 unless we forgive others, Christ will not forgive us
    • Forgiveness does not make one forget
      • This is why forgiveness is a choice (hurt and pain still there)
      • Romans 12 vengeance belongs to God alone
      • God promises blessing and reward when we forgive (Matthew 5)

Key Verse:

Luke 6:27-36 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, [a]hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

May 24, 2020. I Samuel 20:35-42

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DAWN DEPARTURE. I SAMUEL 20:35-42. 5/24/20 PM. #66.

1 Samuel 20:35-42 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

35 And so it was, in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad was with him. 36 Then he said to his lad, “Now run, find the arrows which I shoot.” As the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. 37 When the lad had come to the place where the arrow was which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried out after the lad and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?” 38 And Jonathan cried out after the lad, “Make haste, hurry, do not delay!” So Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows and came back to his master. 39 But the lad did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew of the matter. 40 Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad, and said to him, “Go, carry them to  the city.” 41 As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so. 42 Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘May the Lord be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants, forever.’ ” So he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

  • A gloomy dawn
    • Jonathan knows that Saul plans to kill David
      • He awakes the next morning with task of telling David
      • Jonathan and his servant boy go to field near Ezel Rock  
    • The boy believes that Jonathan simply wants to shoot some arrows
      • Jonathan shoots arrows beyond the running boy
      • The “beyond you” signal is given to David so he knows all
    • David could not have been surprised at the revelation
      • Jonathan had all night to ponder the situation
      • By morning Jonathan is resigned to the finality of the situation
    • After the boy retrieves the arrows, Jonathan sends him “back to town” with his bow, arrows, and quiver (Jonathan knows what needed to be done)
  • Last Call
    • David emerges from behind Ezel Rock
      • He is distraught and grieving
      • David knows that he must say goodbye and run for his life
    • David approaches Jonathan, stopping @ intervals to bow prostate on the ground three times
      • Homage to the prince and show of gratitude to his friend
      • Acknowledging and submitting to Jonathan’s superior position
      • Genesis 33:3-4 Jacob bowed 7 times to Esau @ Gilead
      • As Jacob was destined to supersede Esau, so David is destined to greatly supersede Jonathon
      • The homage is a sign of David’s respect and friendship
    • David’s grief exceeds Jonathan’s grief
      • Jonathan is resigned to both the parting and his future fate
      • His grief is as real as David’s but tempered by resignation
      • Resignation to reality allows us to move forward with our lives while still grieving (still much left to do)
      • Jonathan’s main concern is David’s safety (he can’t afford to focus on his grief while David is in harm’s way)
    • David’s grief ran deeper due to many more concerns
      • Separation from his friend, Jonathan
      • Separation from his family
      • A fugitive with a death sentence from the king
      • David will be hunted as long as Saul lived
      • Separation from his wife
      • Loss of palace life, prestige, and command of troops
    • They weep and grieve, and prepare to separate before discovered
  • The new normal
    • Jonathan has to prepare David for the new reality
      • David must focus on survival and not his grief
      • After a loss we can’t be neutralized (must still live)
      • Focus on living must override temptation to quit and stew
    • Self-pity and bitterness insure a slow agonizing death + harm to others
    • Grief must be turned to determination to live triumphantly in Lord
    • David and Jonathan renew vows of perpetual friendship
      • Ongoing friendship between the two families
      • Affirms that God is a witness between and guardian over ea.
      • Jonathan as prince sends David away in peace and safety
    • To occupy until the Lord comes (Luke 19:13) means to continue to do the Lord’s work until our task is done no matter the obstacles and pain
      • Elijah leaves Elijah, Moses leaves Joshua, Jesus leaves disciples, Paul leaves Timothy…
      • Grief is a heartache that only faithful living can console
    • Jonathan “goes back to town” to finish his course for God as David leaves