Becoming- Functional in Dysfunction
David & Saul- A Lesson in Dysfunctional Relationships
Some lessons that we can learn from David
David confronted Saul with his issues.
1 Samuel 24:8-22
1 Samuel 26:17-25
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV)
David tried to live in peace even while Saul hated him.
1 Samuel 27:1
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:16-21 (NIV)
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV)
David never tried to subvert Saul.
1 Samuel 24:6-7
1 Samuel 26:8-11
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Ephesians 6:5-7 (NIV)
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:1-7 (NIV)
Learning to live and love in dysfunction-
Be honest
Love beyond what you see
Learn to set boundaries
Live lives of respect for the authorities over you even when their actions may not deserve it
Seek peace in your relationship with God instead of others
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Becoming- Ready
I was talking to a friend of mine the other night on the way back to Davenport about this sermon series (he found this blog) and he brought up a valid point that I'd like to spend a few minutes on.
In the drive to become better Christ-followers I think that many times we are guilty of perpetually focusing on "becoming" rather than "being." One of the points to this weeks lesson was David's readiness for action.
I have certainly been guilty of spending more time questioning what and how God wants me to act then actually acting at times. There is this fine line that we have to walk as Christ-followers between seeking the will and timing of God and carrying out the action.
Jesus was perfect at this. He constantly spent time seeking God and keeping his relationship with God healthy and yet he never missed an opportunity to act.
What if Jesus had spent time questioning the crowd about the details of how they found the woman in John instead of having compassion on her, saving her and teaching them.
What if he had decided that the rich guy in front of him was more important and had passed by the woman with the bleeding problem in Matthew 9.
What if Jesus had decided that God wasn't giving him a clear enough answer in the Garden of Gethemane and had put off his sacrifice until God gave him a sign.
While "becoming" the person that God created us to be we have to make sure that we don't pass by the opportunitiies that He puts in front of us to "be" like Him.
I know that I have missed way to many opportunities in my life. Sometimes I even have great excuses. I wonder how He'll respond to those excuses.
One of the passages that I had wanted to use this week is in Matthew 25. The entire chapter is a call for us to make sure that we stay attentive and ready for Jesus' return. At the end of the chapter He tells us that when the time comes, God will seperate out the people who have lived their lives in readiness. They will be people who accepted, obeyed and followed Christ's example. He explains the criteria this way-
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' 41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:34-46(NIV)
Now while I know that it's really PC and in vogue to be conscious, aware and active in helping those around us who have needs, it has ALWAYS been the work of Jesus' kingdom to be the hands and feet of God. It has always been the work of the church to love, to care for and to introduce people to the presence and provision of our Father.
Let's never forget that "becoming" doesn't mean being self-absorbed, segregated or out of touch. "Becoming" means "being ready" to act, whenever and wherever God puts an opportunity in front of us.
In the drive to become better Christ-followers I think that many times we are guilty of perpetually focusing on "becoming" rather than "being." One of the points to this weeks lesson was David's readiness for action.
I have certainly been guilty of spending more time questioning what and how God wants me to act then actually acting at times. There is this fine line that we have to walk as Christ-followers between seeking the will and timing of God and carrying out the action.
Jesus was perfect at this. He constantly spent time seeking God and keeping his relationship with God healthy and yet he never missed an opportunity to act.
What if Jesus had spent time questioning the crowd about the details of how they found the woman in John instead of having compassion on her, saving her and teaching them.
What if he had decided that the rich guy in front of him was more important and had passed by the woman with the bleeding problem in Matthew 9.
What if Jesus had decided that God wasn't giving him a clear enough answer in the Garden of Gethemane and had put off his sacrifice until God gave him a sign.
While "becoming" the person that God created us to be we have to make sure that we don't pass by the opportunitiies that He puts in front of us to "be" like Him.
I know that I have missed way to many opportunities in my life. Sometimes I even have great excuses. I wonder how He'll respond to those excuses.
One of the passages that I had wanted to use this week is in Matthew 25. The entire chapter is a call for us to make sure that we stay attentive and ready for Jesus' return. At the end of the chapter He tells us that when the time comes, God will seperate out the people who have lived their lives in readiness. They will be people who accepted, obeyed and followed Christ's example. He explains the criteria this way-
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' 41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:34-46(NIV)
Now while I know that it's really PC and in vogue to be conscious, aware and active in helping those around us who have needs, it has ALWAYS been the work of Jesus' kingdom to be the hands and feet of God. It has always been the work of the church to love, to care for and to introduce people to the presence and provision of our Father.
Let's never forget that "becoming" doesn't mean being self-absorbed, segregated or out of touch. "Becoming" means "being ready" to act, whenever and wherever God puts an opportunity in front of us.
Today's Lesson Outline- 1/18/09
Becoming- Ready
David & Goliath
1 Samuel 17
Goliath
“Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us." 17:8-9 (NIV)
42 He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 1 Samuel 17:42-43 (NIV)
Saul
On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 1 Samuel 17:11(NIV)
Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth." 1 Samuel 17:33 (NIV)
Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you." 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 1 Samuel 17:37-38 (NIV)
David
"What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 1 Samuel 17:26 (NIV)
"Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." 1 Samuel 17:34-37 (NIV)
"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands." 1 Samuel 17:45b-47 (NIV)
David, Goliath & Saul's spiritual state dictated their response to the situation at hand.
Goliath responds with arrogance.
Saul responds with fear.
David responds with trust that God would take care of things which spurs him to action.
David was able to see what God wanted him to do because he was ready.
Are you ready?
Your response to every situation in your life is going to be affected by your state of readiness.
Ephesians 6:18 - Be in prayer and stay alert
1 Thessalonians 5:6 – Don't be asleep, stay alert and self-controlled
1 Peter 5:8 – Satan is out to get you so stay self-controlled and alert
Be in continual relationship with God through Jesus.
Live a life of honest Christ-following.
Be alert and ready for action.
David & Goliath
1 Samuel 17
Goliath
“Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us." 17:8-9 (NIV)
42 He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 1 Samuel 17:42-43 (NIV)
Saul
On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 1 Samuel 17:11(NIV)
Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth." 1 Samuel 17:33 (NIV)
Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you." 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 1 Samuel 17:37-38 (NIV)
David
"What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 1 Samuel 17:26 (NIV)
"Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." 1 Samuel 17:34-37 (NIV)
"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands." 1 Samuel 17:45b-47 (NIV)
David, Goliath & Saul's spiritual state dictated their response to the situation at hand.
Goliath responds with arrogance.
Saul responds with fear.
David responds with trust that God would take care of things which spurs him to action.
David was able to see what God wanted him to do because he was ready.
Are you ready?
Your response to every situation in your life is going to be affected by your state of readiness.
Ephesians 6:18 - Be in prayer and stay alert
1 Thessalonians 5:6 – Don't be asleep, stay alert and self-controlled
1 Peter 5:8 – Satan is out to get you so stay self-controlled and alert
Be in continual relationship with God through Jesus.
Live a life of honest Christ-following.
Be alert and ready for action.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Becoming: Okay
Why the word okay? Well in my life when I have truly been willing to follow God my answer to His prompting always comes out as “Okay!.”
This week we looked at David's life and the multitude of moments when he responded to God with an "okay." David was faithful in his response whether it was accepting God's timing in making him king, respecting Saul's position even while trying to kill him or God's discipline in the midst of David's sinful acts. In the end David's character is revealed in trusting God's timing and plan for his life.
To take things a little further, I think that there are two important questions that we need to tackle in the midst of talking about Godly character in this area. First, how does becoming “okay” reveal a Godly character? Secondly, (and most importantly as a follower of Christ) does Jesus life exemplify this?
One of my favorite and most used tools in Godly decision making comes from a guy by the name of George Mueller. (You can find a wikipedia article about him here) Mueller came up with several thoughts on how to find the will of God; the first being this:
I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the LORD's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
(check out his book “Answers to Prayer” for more)
I don’t know about you but I find that statement extremely profound and applicable. What he’s saying here, is that first and foremost, we will never be able to become the person that God has called us to be, or do what he is calling us to do, until we can honestly say to him, "okay". Now I don’t personally believe that it always has to be an upbeat, overly happy, “okay”. God doesn't like brown nosers! There are times that our responses to God are mixed up in getting over what we want. I think that he understands and allows us some grace in our response as we mature. Some of the most faithful men and women that I have encountered in God’s kingdom have been called to actions and places that weren’t on their agenda and that they to this day wouldn’t have necessarily picked themselves. Their character led them to act and live faithfully however by responding positively to God's leading no matter what.
If you want to talk about scripture, I don’t think that Hosea would have picked a prostitute to marry (check out the book of Hosea in the Old Testament for this guys wild ride...talk about saying okay!) or that Jesus really wanted to go to the cross if there was another way. Both men however responded to God with an okay. Their character led them to acting and living faithfully.
Godly character will lead us to respond to God's leading with an "okay" whether we like where He is leading us to or not. By submitting to God's will instead of our own we prove that his is more important. By trusting God's lead when things don't make sense we live in faithfulness. Our response to God's timing and plan reveals the true state of our relationship with him.
That leaves question number two. Did Jesus live this concept out? Did he respond to God with an okay?
I already mentioned one of the most visible acts of acceptance of God’s will over his own in the Garden of Gethsemane. I think sometimes we paint Jesus’ moments leading up to his sacrifice as almost stoic. In reality Jesus spent time with God just before his arrest petitioning God on both his own behalf and ours.
We find the account in Mark 14.
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Mark 14:32-36 (NIV)
It says that he actually prayed this several times. Clearly he was hoping for another way. (I have met some immature Christ-followers who reject this idea, as it doesn't fit in to a health/wealth view of God's care) Scripture is pretty clear in describing him as “troubled” and “distressed.” He outright asks God for another way for our salvation to occur in verse 36. While that is what he asks for his character is revealed in that last phrase, “Yet not what I will, but what you will." That was Jesus’ “okay” to God. That statement reveals to us that his heart was ready to accept whatever God was calling him to. It wasn't wrong to ask, it just would have been wrong not to be ready to accept God's answer and act on it.
When Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew 6 he told them to pray that God’s Will would be done (v.10). Why? In everything that Jesus did, both action and word, he claimed to only be doing what his Father was showing and telling him to say and do. Every action and word was done in submission to the will of God. Jesus lived faithfully because he continually sought out God’s will for his life and replied, “okay.”
My question then for you is what are you becoming and what do you want to become?
If you're truly committed to becoming Godly in your character, then ask God this week to work on your character in helping you to become content in His will. Before you do however I want to warn you that your life will change dramatically. It may be a tough, wild ride. In asking him to help you trust him you may end up working through things that you could never imagine and in places that you thought you'd never be. The only promise is that you will experience God's love and care in measures that you didn't previously know existed.
Below are a few questions to help you process through this weeks lesson.
On a scale of 1 - 10 rate your heart-state to this statement:
I am willing to accept God's leading no matter what.
Does your head or your heart or your faith lead your responses?
What is God calling you to become right now?
What is God seeking a response from you in?
What could God ask of you that you would respond “no” to?
Why the word okay? Well in my life when I have truly been willing to follow God my answer to His prompting always comes out as “Okay!.”
This week we looked at David's life and the multitude of moments when he responded to God with an "okay." David was faithful in his response whether it was accepting God's timing in making him king, respecting Saul's position even while trying to kill him or God's discipline in the midst of David's sinful acts. In the end David's character is revealed in trusting God's timing and plan for his life.
To take things a little further, I think that there are two important questions that we need to tackle in the midst of talking about Godly character in this area. First, how does becoming “okay” reveal a Godly character? Secondly, (and most importantly as a follower of Christ) does Jesus life exemplify this?
One of my favorite and most used tools in Godly decision making comes from a guy by the name of George Mueller. (You can find a wikipedia article about him here) Mueller came up with several thoughts on how to find the will of God; the first being this:
I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the LORD's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
(check out his book “Answers to Prayer” for more)
I don’t know about you but I find that statement extremely profound and applicable. What he’s saying here, is that first and foremost, we will never be able to become the person that God has called us to be, or do what he is calling us to do, until we can honestly say to him, "okay". Now I don’t personally believe that it always has to be an upbeat, overly happy, “okay”. God doesn't like brown nosers! There are times that our responses to God are mixed up in getting over what we want. I think that he understands and allows us some grace in our response as we mature. Some of the most faithful men and women that I have encountered in God’s kingdom have been called to actions and places that weren’t on their agenda and that they to this day wouldn’t have necessarily picked themselves. Their character led them to act and live faithfully however by responding positively to God's leading no matter what.
If you want to talk about scripture, I don’t think that Hosea would have picked a prostitute to marry (check out the book of Hosea in the Old Testament for this guys wild ride...talk about saying okay!) or that Jesus really wanted to go to the cross if there was another way. Both men however responded to God with an okay. Their character led them to acting and living faithfully.
Godly character will lead us to respond to God's leading with an "okay" whether we like where He is leading us to or not. By submitting to God's will instead of our own we prove that his is more important. By trusting God's lead when things don't make sense we live in faithfulness. Our response to God's timing and plan reveals the true state of our relationship with him.
That leaves question number two. Did Jesus live this concept out? Did he respond to God with an okay?
I already mentioned one of the most visible acts of acceptance of God’s will over his own in the Garden of Gethsemane. I think sometimes we paint Jesus’ moments leading up to his sacrifice as almost stoic. In reality Jesus spent time with God just before his arrest petitioning God on both his own behalf and ours.
We find the account in Mark 14.
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Mark 14:32-36 (NIV)
It says that he actually prayed this several times. Clearly he was hoping for another way. (I have met some immature Christ-followers who reject this idea, as it doesn't fit in to a health/wealth view of God's care) Scripture is pretty clear in describing him as “troubled” and “distressed.” He outright asks God for another way for our salvation to occur in verse 36. While that is what he asks for his character is revealed in that last phrase, “Yet not what I will, but what you will." That was Jesus’ “okay” to God. That statement reveals to us that his heart was ready to accept whatever God was calling him to. It wasn't wrong to ask, it just would have been wrong not to be ready to accept God's answer and act on it.
When Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew 6 he told them to pray that God’s Will would be done (v.10). Why? In everything that Jesus did, both action and word, he claimed to only be doing what his Father was showing and telling him to say and do. Every action and word was done in submission to the will of God. Jesus lived faithfully because he continually sought out God’s will for his life and replied, “okay.”
My question then for you is what are you becoming and what do you want to become?
If you're truly committed to becoming Godly in your character, then ask God this week to work on your character in helping you to become content in His will. Before you do however I want to warn you that your life will change dramatically. It may be a tough, wild ride. In asking him to help you trust him you may end up working through things that you could never imagine and in places that you thought you'd never be. The only promise is that you will experience God's love and care in measures that you didn't previously know existed.
Below are a few questions to help you process through this weeks lesson.
On a scale of 1 - 10 rate your heart-state to this statement:
I am willing to accept God's leading no matter what.
Does your head or your heart or your faith lead your responses?
What is God calling you to become right now?
What is God seeking a response from you in?
What could God ask of you that you would respond “no” to?
Today's Lesson Outline 1/11
Becoming: Okay
David’s Story
-David is anointed as God’s chosen king.
1 The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king." 2 But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me." The Lord said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.' 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate." 4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?" 5 Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord." 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The Lord has not chosen this one either." 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the Lord chosen this one." 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The Lord has not chosen these." 11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." 12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NIV)
-David serves Saul in his court 1 Samuel 16:14-23
-David kills Goliath and leads army to victory- 1 Samuel 17
-Saul gets jealous- 1 Samuel 18
-Saul plans to kill David, Jonathan intervenes and then Saul tries to kill him- 1 Samuel 19
-David goes into hiding, leads a band of rebels and thieves, goes to live with the enemies of Israel and confronts and spares Saul’s life twice!- 1 Samuel chapters 20-26
2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. 3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, "This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.'" Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord." 7 With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way. 8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 1 Samuel 24:2-8 (NIV)
7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him. 8 Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice." 9 But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord's anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the Lord lives," he said, "the Lord himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go." 12 So David took the spear and water jug near Saul's head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep. 1 Samuel 26:8-12 (NIV)
The Point
Saul’s character leads him to act outside of God’s timing and plan.
David’s character causes him to continually re-examine what seemed right and made sense to faith that God would work in his own way.
He was content to wait on God.
He was willing to obey God.
He didn’t try to force God’s plan.
Becoming…
Give up on having to know the plan.
Jeremiah 29:11
Focus on and surround yourself with reminders of God’s faithfulness.
1 Chronicles 16:9-12
Psalm 143:5
Seek out God’s direction in each decision.
Jeremiah 10:23
Psalm 119:33-37
Talk through each anxiety with God.
Ephesians 6:18
Psalm 5:1-3
Wait on God’s prompting.
Romans 8:25
Psalm 27:11-14
Acts 1:4
David’s Story
-David is anointed as God’s chosen king.
1 The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king." 2 But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me." The Lord said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.' 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate." 4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?" 5 Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord." 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The Lord has not chosen this one either." 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the Lord chosen this one." 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The Lord has not chosen these." 11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." 12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NIV)
-David serves Saul in his court 1 Samuel 16:14-23
-David kills Goliath and leads army to victory- 1 Samuel 17
-Saul gets jealous- 1 Samuel 18
-Saul plans to kill David, Jonathan intervenes and then Saul tries to kill him- 1 Samuel 19
-David goes into hiding, leads a band of rebels and thieves, goes to live with the enemies of Israel and confronts and spares Saul’s life twice!- 1 Samuel chapters 20-26
2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. 3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, "This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.'" Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord." 7 With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way. 8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 1 Samuel 24:2-8 (NIV)
7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him. 8 Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice." 9 But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord's anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the Lord lives," he said, "the Lord himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go." 12 So David took the spear and water jug near Saul's head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep. 1 Samuel 26:8-12 (NIV)
The Point
Saul’s character leads him to act outside of God’s timing and plan.
David’s character causes him to continually re-examine what seemed right and made sense to faith that God would work in his own way.
He was content to wait on God.
He was willing to obey God.
He didn’t try to force God’s plan.
Becoming…
Give up on having to know the plan.
Jeremiah 29:11
Focus on and surround yourself with reminders of God’s faithfulness.
1 Chronicles 16:9-12
Psalm 143:5
Seek out God’s direction in each decision.
Jeremiah 10:23
Psalm 119:33-37
Talk through each anxiety with God.
Ephesians 6:18
Psalm 5:1-3
Wait on God’s prompting.
Romans 8:25
Psalm 27:11-14
Acts 1:4
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The story of David
Okay I know that some of you are going to start reading and begin gnashing your teeth (get really angry ;) ) because you didn’t come here for a history lesson. Well, give me a break. It’s my first real series here :) To really understand what’s going on with this guy David you need to know this stuff, trust me.
And I promise. The rest of the weeks won’t have all the history lessons :) If you already know your Sunday School stories then I give you permission to jump past the history part but let me warn you, your going to miss out on a masterfully written narrative. haha!
History-
First let’s talk about the Israelites and how they got a king.
Let’s start all the way back in Egypt. Back in Genesis 46 Joseph convinces his father Jacob to move his family to Egypt to make it through the severe famine that is gripping that area. So Jacob’s twelve sons live in Egypt and over the years their families form into an entire nation. (This is the nation that God promised Abraham in Genesis 15. Abraham’s son is Isaac who has a son which is Jacob.) At some point the Pharaoh of Egypt enslaves them, which prompts the exodus recounted in the aptly named second book of the Bible…Exodus :) If you remember the Israelites wander around in the desert for a couple of generations before they are willing to trust God in giving them the land that He had promised them (and Abraham.) Moses dies, Aaron leads them forward and they take over this land (all of this you can find in the book of Joshua) and divide it among the twelve tribes. At this point the people have been led by several leaders; Moses, Aaron and Joshua. They have led them both as a people and militarily, receiving direction straight from God. Over the next few hundred years the people are led primarily by Judges, people who are respected and Godly leaders among the people, and Prophets, people chosen by God to speak for Him to His people. This can be found in the book of Judges. Somewhere in here the people look around at the other nations with their kings and start to grumble to themselves thinking that they want a king instead of their prophets and judges. Samuel is the prophet at the time and kind of takes this personally for God. God however tells him to take it easy and give the people what they want. (Actually it doesn’t play out so succinctly. God actually gives them what they want but explains that this wasn’t how He designed things. He does however let them take on a harder existence in setting up a kingdom, with a king, to live under. Us and our stupid desire to use free will.) Anyway, God directs Samuel to pick out a king for the people and leads him to a guy named Saul. Saul starts out pretty well but has this bad character trait of impatience. He continually jumps the gun and acts before God gives him the go ahead. These hasty acts ultimately lead him to live outside of God’s will and commit some big no-no’s. God then tells Samuel to let Saul know that his days as king are numbered and to go anoint a new king.
This finally leads us to David. While Saul is still king God leads Samuel to a little town called Bethlehem (name sound familiar?) and anoint a little kid who is a sheep herder named David to be the next king.
A little about David-
We’re not sure about the actual date that David lived and reigned although many scholars would put him somewhere around 1000 B.C.
Biblically we find the account of David’s life in three different books in the Old Testament. His story starts in 1 Samuel 16, continues through the entire book of 2 Samuel and ends in 1 Kings 2:11. The book of Psalms is attributed to David. It is a collection of psalms (songs & poetry) written by David and few others in David’s kingdom to worship God.
Si vis pacem, para bellum – If you want peace, prepare for war.
David lives a really interesting life and under his reign the twelve tribes come together to be a nation. Out of all of the kings of the Jewish people David is remembered as the best. Under his kingship peace comes to the kingdom and the people are continually brought before God by a king whose heart was devoted to Him. Peace was a pretty remarkable thing in that day and age. Remember even though they were given their land by God He had them take it by force. Many of the people that they had relatives living just on their borders and continually antagonized them. Raids and all out war with their neighbors was pretty common. Even within themselves there was some fighting that went on. (Remember they are twelve tribes descended from twelve brothers. Family!) David led armies that crushed his opponents and as a king united the people into a unified nation for the first time.
David’s kingdom was really the pinnacle. Solomon, David’s son, was the wisest and richest however the downfall of the empire begins with him as he marries foreign wives and allows them to lead the people in worshipping false gods.
Even today the Jewish people long for David’s kingdom to return.
So why is this important?-
Well for one thing to understand much of the New Testament it is important to have some idea about who David was and what he did. David’s name is used in 10 of the New Testament books and is constantly referred to in reference to God’s future kingdom and the Messiah.
David is also important for the simple fact that God calls him a man after His own heart. How does a guy who killed, committed adultery, led a band of thieves and let his kids run wild get a title like that from God himself? David is important because his life was complicated just like yours is. We live in a messy world just like David did. We sin and repent, we fail and try to pick ourselves back up, we hurt and break and cry out to God to come rescue us just like David. A guy like David gives me hope. In David God shows me that to be the man that He has called me to be isn’t necessarily about perfection but character. The account of David is a story that allows us to see a boy become a man who becomes a king who becomes a man after God’s own heart. I hope that over the next few weeks you’ll take time to look in the mirror and see who you are becoming.
And I promise. The rest of the weeks won’t have all the history lessons :) If you already know your Sunday School stories then I give you permission to jump past the history part but let me warn you, your going to miss out on a masterfully written narrative. haha!
History-
First let’s talk about the Israelites and how they got a king.
Let’s start all the way back in Egypt. Back in Genesis 46 Joseph convinces his father Jacob to move his family to Egypt to make it through the severe famine that is gripping that area. So Jacob’s twelve sons live in Egypt and over the years their families form into an entire nation. (This is the nation that God promised Abraham in Genesis 15. Abraham’s son is Isaac who has a son which is Jacob.) At some point the Pharaoh of Egypt enslaves them, which prompts the exodus recounted in the aptly named second book of the Bible…Exodus :) If you remember the Israelites wander around in the desert for a couple of generations before they are willing to trust God in giving them the land that He had promised them (and Abraham.) Moses dies, Aaron leads them forward and they take over this land (all of this you can find in the book of Joshua) and divide it among the twelve tribes. At this point the people have been led by several leaders; Moses, Aaron and Joshua. They have led them both as a people and militarily, receiving direction straight from God. Over the next few hundred years the people are led primarily by Judges, people who are respected and Godly leaders among the people, and Prophets, people chosen by God to speak for Him to His people. This can be found in the book of Judges. Somewhere in here the people look around at the other nations with their kings and start to grumble to themselves thinking that they want a king instead of their prophets and judges. Samuel is the prophet at the time and kind of takes this personally for God. God however tells him to take it easy and give the people what they want. (Actually it doesn’t play out so succinctly. God actually gives them what they want but explains that this wasn’t how He designed things. He does however let them take on a harder existence in setting up a kingdom, with a king, to live under. Us and our stupid desire to use free will.) Anyway, God directs Samuel to pick out a king for the people and leads him to a guy named Saul. Saul starts out pretty well but has this bad character trait of impatience. He continually jumps the gun and acts before God gives him the go ahead. These hasty acts ultimately lead him to live outside of God’s will and commit some big no-no’s. God then tells Samuel to let Saul know that his days as king are numbered and to go anoint a new king.
This finally leads us to David. While Saul is still king God leads Samuel to a little town called Bethlehem (name sound familiar?) and anoint a little kid who is a sheep herder named David to be the next king.
A little about David-
We’re not sure about the actual date that David lived and reigned although many scholars would put him somewhere around 1000 B.C.
Biblically we find the account of David’s life in three different books in the Old Testament. His story starts in 1 Samuel 16, continues through the entire book of 2 Samuel and ends in 1 Kings 2:11. The book of Psalms is attributed to David. It is a collection of psalms (songs & poetry) written by David and few others in David’s kingdom to worship God.
Si vis pacem, para bellum – If you want peace, prepare for war.
David lives a really interesting life and under his reign the twelve tribes come together to be a nation. Out of all of the kings of the Jewish people David is remembered as the best. Under his kingship peace comes to the kingdom and the people are continually brought before God by a king whose heart was devoted to Him. Peace was a pretty remarkable thing in that day and age. Remember even though they were given their land by God He had them take it by force. Many of the people that they had relatives living just on their borders and continually antagonized them. Raids and all out war with their neighbors was pretty common. Even within themselves there was some fighting that went on. (Remember they are twelve tribes descended from twelve brothers. Family!) David led armies that crushed his opponents and as a king united the people into a unified nation for the first time.
David’s kingdom was really the pinnacle. Solomon, David’s son, was the wisest and richest however the downfall of the empire begins with him as he marries foreign wives and allows them to lead the people in worshipping false gods.
Even today the Jewish people long for David’s kingdom to return.
So why is this important?-
Well for one thing to understand much of the New Testament it is important to have some idea about who David was and what he did. David’s name is used in 10 of the New Testament books and is constantly referred to in reference to God’s future kingdom and the Messiah.
David is also important for the simple fact that God calls him a man after His own heart. How does a guy who killed, committed adultery, led a band of thieves and let his kids run wild get a title like that from God himself? David is important because his life was complicated just like yours is. We live in a messy world just like David did. We sin and repent, we fail and try to pick ourselves back up, we hurt and break and cry out to God to come rescue us just like David. A guy like David gives me hope. In David God shows me that to be the man that He has called me to be isn’t necessarily about perfection but character. The account of David is a story that allows us to see a boy become a man who becomes a king who becomes a man after God’s own heart. I hope that over the next few weeks you’ll take time to look in the mirror and see who you are becoming.
Today’s Lesson outline 1/4/09-
Becoming _____________
What are you becoming?
What do you not want to become?
What do you want to become?
On a piece of paper I want you to draw a line down the middle, from top to bottom. In the left hand column I want you to write down the things that you feel like you need to work on for the year.
In the right hand column I want you to list out the things that we see in these verses.
Philippians 2:15 – Blamless & pure
Matthew 5:7 & 8 – Full of mercy and hearts that are right
1 Peter 1:14 – Obedient
Psalm 34:13 – Truthful
Galatians 5:22-23 – Love, Joy, Peace , Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control.
(To read more about what the bible says about character read through the verses in this link- Nave's Topical Bible and search for the word “character”)
God is more concerned with character than with action.
This is what differentiates Christ-following from religion.
David- God's character study on character-
After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' Acts 13:22(NIV)
For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. Acts 13:36 (NIV)
O LORD, you have examined me, and you know me. You alone know when I sit down and when I get up. You read my thoughts from far away. You watch me when I travel and when I rest. You are familiar with all my ways. Even before there is a [single] word on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD. Psalm 139:1-4 (GW)
Examine me, O God, and know my mind. Test me, and know my thoughts. See whether I am on an evil path. Then lead me on the everlasting path. Psalm 139:23-24 (GW)
What are you becoming?
What do you not want to become?
What do you want to become?
On a piece of paper I want you to draw a line down the middle, from top to bottom. In the left hand column I want you to write down the things that you feel like you need to work on for the year.
In the right hand column I want you to list out the things that we see in these verses.
Philippians 2:15 – Blamless & pure
Matthew 5:7 & 8 – Full of mercy and hearts that are right
1 Peter 1:14 – Obedient
Psalm 34:13 – Truthful
Galatians 5:22-23 – Love, Joy, Peace , Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control.
(To read more about what the bible says about character read through the verses in this link- Nave's Topical Bible and search for the word “character”)
God is more concerned with character than with action.
This is what differentiates Christ-following from religion.
David- God's character study on character-
After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' Acts 13:22(NIV)
For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. Acts 13:36 (NIV)
O LORD, you have examined me, and you know me. You alone know when I sit down and when I get up. You read my thoughts from far away. You watch me when I travel and when I rest. You are familiar with all my ways. Even before there is a [single] word on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD. Psalm 139:1-4 (GW)
Examine me, O God, and know my mind. Test me, and know my thoughts. See whether I am on an evil path. Then lead me on the everlasting path. Psalm 139:23-24 (GW)
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