Sermon Recap 4-10-11

Morning: The sermon, "Don't Just Stand There! Do Something!" explored 1 Samuel 30:1-25. This passage explores an event in David's life. We drew an analogy between David, God's anointed and David's son, Jesus Christ. In this passage, we see David as a deliverer. As we read this account, we get a glimpse of how God works through his Anointed.

We need to perceive the danger (1 Sam. 30:1-6). David's troop find Ziklag destroyed, and their families taken captive. They realize the danger that their families are facing, and they are moved to respond. Likewise, we need understand the danger that spiritual captives are facing. We have family and friends who are enslaved to sin, dead in their trespasses, blinded to the glory of God, and subject to eternal punishment. We need to allow the perception to move us to action.

We need to hear the command and trust the promise (1 Sam. 30:7-8). David seeks God's guidance, and hears the command to go. But he also hears the promise of victory. Again, we see this in Jesus' words, "Therefore go and make disciples . . . And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt. 28:19-20). We are called to serve, and promised that our labors will be rewarded. We need to join the fight.

But each of us must battle with the strength God has given us (2 Sam. 30:9-10). The men who stayed behind are not shamed for their action. They are not accused of treason. Instead they are left to guard the supplies. Today, some of us are on the front lines, while others are behind the scenes. But a day may come when the roles reverse. Until then we labor in the strength we have.

We must remember that it is God who brings the victory (1 Sam. 30:11-20). Through the providential hand of God, David and his men are able to find and defeat the Amalekites. We are not in control of the events of our lives. Some work out for us, and some work against us. When success comes we must always remember that it was God who made it happen. Jesus continually pointed to the work of the Father. To be like Jesus we must honor the work of God.

Finally, we can be confident that all of Christ's people share alike. David would not consider depriving those who stayed with the baggage of a portion of the spoils. Jesus has made us co-heirs with him. We don't all perform the same tasks, but we all serve the same Master.

As we close our 21 days of prayer and fasting, we have to resist the temptation toward self-righteousness and self-reliance. Success in an endeavor like this is all of grace. Should God choose to answer our prayers, it will be because he delights in saving sinners, and because he delights in putting those sinners into service.

Evening: We did our Foundations 16 class. We looked at the story of Ruth, which I believe can be summed up by Ruth 4:14. We also looked at the life of Samuel from 1 Samuel 1:1-28:20.

Principles

(from Ruth)

•  The Lord is faithful, even when his people aren't.

• The Lord will redeem his people.

(from Samuel)

• The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (see Jam. 5:16)

• God will display himself as holy through and among his people.

• God will not be mocked.

• God is our King, we need no other.

• God demands faithfulness.

• God doesn't look on the outside, but on the inside.