Calvary Eau Claire: Recent Episodes
Calvary Baptist Church Eau Claire
The Love of God
Ephesians 3:14-21
- From His Love Comes Spiritual Strength (vs 14-16)
a. Paul knows he can go to the Lord because He loves
b. Paul knows God can help because He is sovereign
c. Paul knows he can ask of the Lord because He loves
i. “according to the riches of His glory” vs 16
ii. Isaiah 41:10, “I will strengthen you”
- From His Love Comes Spiritual Security (vs 17-18a)
a. Paul knows that eternal security comes through Christ
b. Paul knows that relationships point to our security in Christ.
c. Psalm 95:6, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!”
- From His Love Comes Experiences of His Love (vs 18b-19a)
a. Paul wants them to comprehend God’s love
b. Paul wants them to experience God’s love
i. 2 Types of knowledge
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Objective: The Bible teaches that God loves me.
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Subjective: I have experienced God’s love for me.
a. The truth doesn’t come from experience. But the truth is, God gives us experiences of His love.
b. Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
ii. “Paul is not asking that his readers might become more able to articulate the greatness of God’s love in Christ Jesus or to grasp with the intellect alone how significant God’s love is in the plan of redemption. He is asking God that they might have the power to grasp the dimensions of that love in their experience.” -Carson
- From His Love Comes His Fullness (vs 19b-20)
a. Paul wants them to know God fully
b. Paul wants them to be in awe of God’s nature
- From Our Love We Glorify Him (vs 21)
The Man, The Mystery, The Mission
Ephesians 3:1-13
1. The Man
a. Paul
i. “Prisoner” (vs 1)
ii. “Apostle” (vs 5)
- “One who has seen the risen Christ, is a witness of His resurrection, and, is commissioned by Him to preach the gospel.” -ISBE
iii. Humble “Minister” (vs 7-8)
iv. Shepherd (vs 13)
b. Christ Jesus (vs 1)
2. The Mystery
a. What is the mystery?
i. verse 6, “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
b. His Word is Sufficient and Final
i. “mystery was made known to me” (vs 3)
ii. “Has now been revealed” (5)
iii. “was given” (vs 7)
iv. “might now be made known” (vs 10)
v. God’s Word changes people and culture, people and culture don’t change God’s Word.
vi. “Accordingly, the establishment of peace between Jews and Gentiles in the church is a signal to all powers in the universe. For Paul, there is no more basic division in the human race than that between Jew and Gentile. That they can be united with each other in Christ and be at peace in the church displays the profound wisdom of God, and it proves even to supernatural powers that Jesus is Lord of the universe.” -RC Sproul
3. The Mission
a. Follow God’s Will
b. Understand The Word of God
c. Be Captivated by His Blessings
i. “I am bold to tell you that my Master’s riches of grace are so unsearchable, that he delights to forgive and forget enormous sin; the bigger the sin the more glory to his grace. If you are over head and ears in debt, he is rich enough to discharge your liabilities. If you are at the very gates of hell, he is able to pluck you from the jaws of destruction.” (Spurgeon)
d. Tell Others of His Love
e. Go to Him in Prayer
- Thanksgiving(vs 15-16)
a. Why was Paul Thankful? i. Good news of spiritual blessings ii. Good news about others
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“I have heard of your faith in the LordJesus”
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“I do not cease to give thanks, rememberingyou in prayer”
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Intercession(vs 17-20)
a. Paul recognizes who provides spiritualgrowth i. Who is responsible for growth?
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“The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father ofglory” ii. How does God accomplish it?
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“may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him”
iii. What does the Spirit do?
- “eyes of your hearts enlightened” vs 18
b. Paul prays for their spiritual growth i. “Know what is the hope to which he has calledyou” ii. “What are the riches of His glorious inheritance”
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“It is amazing that God should so treasure as Hisinheritance a gathering of people who were once dead in trespasses and objectsof His wrath.” -RC Sproul iii. “What is the immeasurable greatness of Hispower toward us who believe”
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“immeasurable”
a. The form of this Greek word means “a degree thatextraordinarily exceeds a point on a scale of extent.”
b. The greatness of God’s power is beyond measure.
- Praise(vs 20-23)
a. Paul praises God i. Power
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“that he worked in Christ when He raised Himfrom the dead and seated Him at his right hand in the heavenly places”
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Resurrection
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Ascension ii. Authority
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“Far above all rule and authority and powerand dominion”
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“Above every name that is named”
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“not only in this age but also in the one tocome”
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“He put all things under his feet and gaveHim as head over all things to the church”
a. “to the church” (or “for the church”)
b. “Christ’s supremacy and preeminence overeverything is in some sense given for the benefit of the church. And His authority over all competing authorities and powers paves the way for believers to receive the wealth of riches promised to them in Christ.” -Constantine Campbell
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“which is His body, the fullness of Him whofills all in all.”
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Application
a. Grow in Thankfulness
b. Grow in Knowledge of God
c. Grow in Worship
2 Samuel 19-21
1. Kingdom of Man vs Kingdom of God (Chapter 19)
a. Man’s Kingdom is divided and, ultimately, hopeless
b. God’s Kingdom is perfect and united in Jesus, the True King
i. Isaiah 11:6-9,
ii. Revelation 19:11,
iii. PRAYER:
1. Focus on God and His Perfect Plan
a. Commit your worry, your flesh, your attitude, the chaos of this world, to His control.
b. Remember that His ways are perfect
2. Focus on His coming kingdom and the power of Jesus Christ.
a. His Kingdom is Perfect
b. His Kingdom is Everlasting
3. Praise Him
a. For His promises
b. For His Spirit 2. What Sin Destroys, Jesus Restores (Chapter 20)
a. Sin always destroys and has consequences
b. Jesus is the perfect King who overcomes and restores what sin destroys
i. 1 John 1:9,
ii. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19,
iii. PRAYER:
1. Acknowledge your sin before God
a. Seek His ways instead of selfish desires
b. Ask for Him to reveal sins in your life that you don’t recognize.
2. Acknowledge the Power of God
a. His victory
b. His plan
3. Praise Him
a. For His Son Jesus
b. For Restoration 3. The Battle Against Sin(Chapter 21)
a. Man’s battle with sin is real
i. Ephesians 6:12,
b. God’s battle with sin is over
i. Ephesians 6:13-18a,
ii. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57,
iii. PRAYER:
1. Focus on Victory in Jesus
a. Eternal
b. Gives Peace and Rest
2. Focus on His Armor
a. Stand Firm
b. Have Confidence
3. Praise Him
a. For His sacrifice for us
b. For the assurance of our salvation
c. For complete victory
God Gives Provision and Life
2 Samuel 16-18
- God’s Provisions are Good and Right (16:1-4)
a. Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in
glory in Christ Jesus.”
b. Genesis 22:14, “So Abraham called the name of the place, ‘The Lord will provide.’”
(Jehovah Jireh)
- God Corrects those He loves (16:5-14)
a. vs 10-11, “If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall
say, ‘Why have you done so?’” And David said to Abishai and to all his servants…’Leave
him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.”
b. vs 12, “It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will
repay me with good for his cursing today.”
c. vs 14“David arrived weary at the Jordan. And there he refreshed himself.”
d. Psalm 3:3, 5, “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lier of my head.
I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.”
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God Works in the Details (16:15-23)
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God Demonstrates His Control (17:1-14)
a. vs 14, “For the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the
Lord might bring harm upon Absalom.”
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God Provides Protecon (17:15-29)
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God’s Compassion on Display (18:1-5)
a. vs 5: “And the king ordered Joab, and Abishai, and Iai, ‘Deal gently for my sake with the
young man Absalom.’ And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the
commanders about Absalom.”
b. “but God shows his love for us in that while we were sll sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
- God’s Power Defeats the Enemy (18:6-8)
a. Psalm 3:6-7, “I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves
against me all around. Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies
on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.”
b. vs 8: “the forest devoured more people that day than the sword.”
- God’s Way is Victory (18:9-31)
a. vs 9, “Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a
great oak, and his head caught fast in the oak, and he was suspended between heaven
and earth, while the mule that was under him went on.”
b. Psalm 3:8, “Salvaon belongs to the Lord”
c. vs 33, “would I had died instead of you”
d. “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be
the propiaon for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
- Jesus is our Provision and Life
- 2 Samuel 15“Are you a Wannabe or a Worshipper?”Absalom’s Desire to be King (1-12)His Desire Wasn’t Necessarily WrongHis Unchecked Desire Became Evil“Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him.” (vs 1)And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And when he said, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,” Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you.” Then Absalom would say, “Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.”And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. “So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” (vs 2-6b)Approval from people is not the same as Anointing from God.He trusted his own thoughts without seeking God’s.“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8Trusting God’s plan takes faith and perseveranceHis desire became a selfish pursuit at all costs.His Selfishness Seemed RightHe was willing to destroy his father.He was willing to ignore and go against God.“At the end of 4 years…let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the Lord, in Hebron.” vs 7“But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, ‘As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, Absalom is king at Hebron!’” vs 10Instead of bowing before God and finding His purpose and His plan, he creates his own and makes it happen.He goes against the king and The King.His heart was set on building his own kingdom, not supporting the kingdom of God.David’s Desire to Serve The King (vs 13-37)He protected the people“Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” vs 14He didn’t let pride interfere with his responsibility to protect the people.He trusted the LordPeople encouraged himHe remained faithful“Carry the ark of God back into the city.” vs 25“If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place. But if he says, ‘I have no pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.” vs 25-26“But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went.” vs 30He turned to the Lord“And David said, ‘O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.’ While David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him.” vs 31-32A Wannabe Desires Self, A Worshipper Desires GodJohn 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”“he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Philippians 2:6-11
In David, you will see a picture of the ___________________In Mephibosheth, you will see a picture of the ____________In the story, you will see a picture of ____________________Why Is God’s Grace So Amazing?1) God’s grace ____________________ me Mephibosheth was _____________ by a _____________We are not _______________ because we sinWe ______________ because we are sinnersMephibosheth was _____________ by a _____________ 2) God’s grace ____________________ me3) God’s grace ____________________ meGod gives us grace, not because of what ______ do for ______,but because of what __________ has done for ________Because of grace, we receive a satisfying __________Because of grace, we receive a satisfying __________Grace is never _______________ enough.Grace is always far ___________ than enough.God forgives us, not for _________ sake, butfor the sake of someone else – _____________
2 Samuel 2-6
1) David is Anointed King of Judah (Chapter 2)
a) God promised David that he would be king over all of it, but it starts with just Judah.
b) David was patient and waited on God to fulfill His promise.
c) Saul’s Side
i) Abner: The commander of Saul’s army’ (2:8) He knew Saul well and knew David well. He also knew that David was the anointed king by God (2 Samuel 3:9–10).
ii) Ish-Bosheth: Abner had taken Ish-Bosheth, the son of Saul, and made him king over Israel. (2 Samuel 2:8)
d) David’s Side
i) David: He is God’s appointed and anointed king, the one God wants for all his people. He is currently king of only a section of God’s people; Judah.
ii) Michal: A daughter of Saul who once was in love with David (1 Samuel 8:20) and saved David’s life when her father tried to kill him (1 Samuel 19:11–17). In the conflict between Saul and David she is given to another man. (1 Samuel 25:44)
iii) Joab: Joab is chief of ‘the sons of Zeruiah’; men committed to David but they are also men’s men, warriors who are cunning and sharp. He is committed to keeping the kingship of David safe.
e) David continues to grow stronger and gain support while Abner eventually reaches an agreement with David to turn over Judah to David.
f) But Joab murders Abner.
g) David mourns the death of Abner.
h) Ishbosheth is murdered during a nap.
2) David is Anointed King of Israel (Chapter 5)
i) David is anointed as the king over all Israel.
ii) David marches to the city of Jerusalem and captures it to make it both the spiritual and political capital.
iii) He defeats the Philistines!
(1) “David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.” 5:25
3) David Worships the Ultimate King (Chapter 6)
a) The Ultimate King Sends a Reminder (vs 1-11)
i) David tries to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.
ii) They transport the Ark on an ox-drawn cart. Uzzah, one of the men accompanying the Ark, reaches out to steady it when the oxen stumble, is struck down. Dead.
iii) David is initially filled with anger and fear.
iv) Worship is not whatever you want it to be. Uzzah thought it felt right to stop the Ark from falling, but it went against God’s instruction and authority. You may be operating on feeling when it comes to worship, but the starting point is not our feelings, it’s God.
b) Worship Lessons from David (vs 12-23)
i) Worship with Reverence (vs 12, 13)
(1) Now, David has time to reflect and see God rightly, and his response is reverence.
(a) “When those who bore the Ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal.” vs 13
ii) Worship with Joy (vs 12-15)
(1) “Rejoicing” vs 12, “Danced with all his might” vs 14, “shouting and with the sound of the horn” vs 15
(a) David is overwhelmed with the reality of God and he can’t contain his love and worship!
(2) His joy was produced from reverence. His reverence came from his understanding of who God is. He was a humble, passionate, worshipper.
iii) Worship with Freedom (vs 16-23)
(1) David finds out that he has a critic. Michal, Saul’s daughter is watching from a window and “despised him in her heart” vs 16.
(2) She is offended by his genuine worship of God, the very thing that should be attractive about David.
(3) Michal, is disgusted by this and accuses David of “vulgarity” and “uncovering himself before female servants”.
(i) Worship isn’t concerned with pleasing man but rather God!
(4) “It was before the LORD, who chose me about your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD—and I will celebrate before the LORD. I will make myself more contemptible than this, and I will be more humble than this.” 6:21-22
4) Reminders from scripture
a) Worship with reverence, joy, and freedom. Find comfort in the freedom of worshipping God without critics. Give yourself to the Lord fully!
b) Psalm 86:12, “I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.”
- Introduction
a. Picture 1
b. Picture 2
c. “Your actions, reactions, behavior, responses, and words are more shaped by what's inside of you than what's outside of you.” Paul Tripp
- The Fall of Saul (Chapter 31)
a. The Battle Rages On (vs 1-3) i. READ 1-3
b. Saul Gives Up (vs 4-7)
i. Paul Tripp says “That's unbelief. By giving in to the pattern of self-swindling, you are not taking humbly and seriously the convicting message of the word of God. This always leads to further turning away, because the word of God is meant to be the spiritual anchor. When you cut the rope of the anchor, you give room for the evil of your heart to grow. And ultimately, like Saul, your heart is hardened and that thing that once bothered me doesn't bother me anymore.”
c. The Philistines Disgrace Saul (vs 8-10)
d. Valiant Men Respect the king (vs 11-13)
i. Hebrews 3:12-13, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
- The Rise of David (2 Samuel 1)
a. David Defeats the Amalekites (vs 1)
b. An Amalekite Seeks Advantage (vs 2-10)
i. “his clothes torn and dirt on his head” (vs 2)
ii. “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear…he said to me ‘stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, and yet my life still lingers.’ So I stood beside him and killed him And I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.” (vs 6-10)
iii. Do you tell stories to make you more of a hero than you are? Do you stretch the truth to promote your success? Are you tempted to grow your stories to impress people? Do you treat others differently because that person may bring more reward to you?
c. David Mourns (vs 11-16)
i. READ vs 11-16
d. David Shows God’s Heart (vs 17-27)
e. The Power Within
i. The power within Saul was of his own dependence, and it led him down the path to destruction.
ii. The power within David was the heart of God and it led him to this point; mourning the death of his enemy!
iii. Gatorade 3 picture
iv. Micah 3:8 says “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD.”
v. Ephesians 3:16 says, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being”
vi. We do not lose heart, because, even “though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” 2 Corinthians 4:16
- David lost his way (Chapter 27)
a. He knew God’s way was right i. “The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness…and may He deliver me out of all tribulation.” (26:23-24)
b. He lost sight and chose the way of deception. i. “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines.” 27:1 ii. “And when it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer sought him.” 27:4 iii. “He has made himself an utter stench to his people, Israel; therefore he shall always be my servant.” vs 12
- Saul chose the wrong way. (Chapter 28)
a. He knew what way was right i. “Saul inquired of the LORD” 28:6a
b. His heart was set on his own way i. “the LORD did not answer him.” 28:6b
c. He pursues a forbidden way i. “Then the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice.” 28:12
d. Saul is shown God’s way i. “The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David…the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me.” 28:17, 19
- The Philistines push David away. (Chapter 29)
a. “As the LORD lives, you have been honest…I have found nothing wrong in you…you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God Nevertheless…depart as soon as you have light.” 29:6-10
- David changes his way. (Chapter 30)
a. David sees the way of destruction. i. “The Amalekites had made a raid…burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great.” (30:1-2)
b. David turns back to God as his way. i. “But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” ii. “David inquired of the LORD, ‘Shall I pursueafter this band? Shall I overtake them?’” vs 8 iii. God answered David, “Pursue, for you shallsurely overtake and shall surely rescue.” vs 8
5. Mankind isn’t the way.
a. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
b. “None is righteous, no, not one. No one understands; no one seeks for God.” Romans 3:10-11
c. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
6. Jesus is the The Way.
a. “So what we encounter in this Gospel is the living God, the Creator of the world, present among us humans, in our world in his Son — the infinitely loved, eternal, image and radiance of his essence — and through faith — through believing and receiving him for all that he is — we are connected to this One and through him to the Father, and so share in eternal, supernatural life, even now.” -John Piper
b. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” John 14:6
c. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
d. God is my refuge. God is my Goodness. God is my portion and cup. God is my counsel. God is always before me. God is my joy. God is my security. God is with me. God is my guide. God is my fullness. God is mypleasure. God is my everything!
e. Colossians 1:15-20
A Reminder of God’s Providence
1 Samuel 25-26
1) David’s Reasonable Request (25:1-9)
a) Nabal “was very rich…harsh and badly behaved.” vs 2-3
b) Abigail was “discerning and beautiful” vs 2-3
c) It’s sheep shearing season and David makes a reasonable request.
i) “Let my young men find favor in your eyes” and treat them as your own servants in this celebration.” vs 4
2) Nabal’s Disrespect and David’s Response (25:10-13)
a) Nabal Responds to David’s Request
i) “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” vs 10-11
b) David Responds to the Disrespect
i) “Every man strap on your sword!” vs 13
3) God’s Providence through Abigail’s Intervention (25:14-35)
a) As David reacts, God intervenes. Abigail gets word about David’s plan and proceeds to rush to David.
i) “Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs.” vs 18
b) She greets David quickly and respectfully (vs 23-31)
c) She reminds David of God’s Providence
d) David listens to God’s reminder and doesn’t pursue Nabal.
i) Verses 32-35, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion…For as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male.”
e) God used Abigail’s Intervention to Remind David of His Providence and Faithfulness.
4) Nabal’s Death and God’s Glory (25:36-44)
a) Abigail tells Nabal of the events after “the wine had gone out of him” verse 37
b) The news causes Nabal a heart attack of some sort
i) “his heart died within him” vs 37
ii) “ten days later the LORD struck Nabal, and he died.” vs 38
iii) “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Galatians 6:7
iv) “Blessed be the Lord who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal…The LORD has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head.” verse 39
c) After Nabal’s death, David takes Abigail to be his wife. (vs 39-42)
5) The Continued Tension between Saul and David (26:1-8)
a) “So David and Abishai went to the army by night. And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army lay around him. Then Abishai said to David, “God has given your enemy into your hand this day. Now please let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice.” vs 7-8
b) “Just because the circumstances make it possible for me to do a certain thing, doesn’t mean it’s God’s direct leading for me to do it.” -Pastor Derek
6) David’s Mature Response (26:9-16)
a) “Do not destroy him, for who can put out hishand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” vs 9-11
i) “Do not speak evil against one another.” James 4:11
ii) “Do not grumble against one another” James 5:9
iii) “Encourage one another and build one another up.” 1 Thess 5:11
7) Saul’s Humility (26:17-25)
Lessons from Chapters 25-26
a) TRUST IN GOD’S PROCESS
b) TRUST IN GOD’S PROVIDENCE
c) TRUST IN GOD’SPLAN
Psalm 56
What do I do when I’m overwhelmed, feel hopeless, attacked, or troubled?
1. David Recognizes the Reality of Man and the Reality of God (Psalm 56:1-4)
a. Man’s Ways are Wrong while God’s Ways are Right (vs 1a)
b. Mankind is vulnerable, God is not. (1b-4)
2. David Recognizes Man’s injustice, but God’s Justice (vs 5-7)
3. David Recognizes God’s Intimate Care (vs 8-11)
4. David’s Confidence is in God’s Eternity (vs 12-13)
a. Trust the Lord
b. Obey the Lord
c. Study His Word
d. Give Thanks
e. Remember your Salvation
f. Focus on Eternity
Reminders from God1 Samuel 21-23
1. David Responds to Fear _______ _________
a. Reminder: God Loves You
2. David Responds to Fear _______ __________
a. Reminder: God Helps You
i. Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.”
ii. Hebrews 13:6, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
3. David Responds to Fear ________ _________
a. Reminder: God Has A Plan For You
i. Ephesians 2:10, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
ii. Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
4. David Responds to Fear by ____________ _______
a. Reminder: God Guides You
i. Psalm 37:23-24, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”
1 Samuel 15 Screens
1. The Word of God is Clear (15:1-3)
a. Samuel is appointed to deliver God’s Word (vs 1)
b. Samuel is obedient to Deliver the God’s Word (vs 2-3)
i. READ vs 3
c. Saul must choose to obey or disobey
2. Saul Appears to Obey (15:4-9)
a. Saul assembles an army and defeats the Amalekites.
b. Read vs 8-9
3. God’s Regret is Not Like Man’s Regret (15:10-11, 29, 35)
a. God reveals to Samuel the disobedience of Saul.
b. God’s Regret is His intimate response to the reality of man’s rejection.
4. Samuel Obeys God while Saul Defends His Disobedience. (15:12-33)
a. READ vs 12-19
b. Saul’s disobedience leads to defending his sin, lying about his sin, and his own glorification.
i. Samuel is told that Saul made a monument for his own honor, not God’s. (vs 12)
ii. Saul claims obedience. (vs 13)
iii. Samuel calls him out. (vs 14)
iv. Saul passes blame (vs 15)
v. Samuel stops the nonsense and reminds Saul of the command (vs 16-19)
vi. Saul doubles down on his defense and blame (vs 20-21)
vii. Samuel speaks about the heart behind the action. (vs 22-23)
1. Read vs 22-23
2. God want’s the heart. And from the heart, the actions are produced. Saul is producing actions with a heart that’s in love with himself.
3. God wants a man after His own heart. Saul is not that man.
viii. Saul’s heart is not repentant (vs 24-31)
5. Samuel Shows what Obedience is (vs 33)
a. “And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord.” Vs 33
6. Steps to Obeying God
a. Give your life to Jesus
b. Trust that He is both Sovereign and Intimate.
c. Trust that He is intentional. His purpose cannot fail, and He has a purpose in everything.
d. Commit to knowing Him deeper.
1 Samuel 13-14 Screens
1. Historical Update
a. Saul reigned 2 years and chose 3,000 men (13:2)
i. 2,000 were with Saul
ii. 1,000 were with Jonathon
iii. Jonathon defeated the garrison of the Philistines (13:3)
b. Philistines
i. Continued to exist and grow in Israel. They were a significant presence.
ii. Gathered “30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude.” (13:5)
iii. They were dominant and advanced in technology/equipment
1. vs 19-22 talk about how they controlled all blacksmiths making Israel unarmed except for Saul and Jonathon.
2. Israel Army had to make their own weapons
2. Saul Chooses Fear (13:8-18)
a. Samuel gives Saul the Lord’s instructions.
b. Saul grows fearful and offers the sacrifice himself.
c. READ vs 11-12
d. READ vs 13-14
e. Disobedience has consequences.
f. Obedience is more important that convenience.
g. Obedience requires patience.
h. Fear resulted in disobeying God rather than turning to God.
3. Jonathon Chose Faith (14:1-23)
a. Jonathon attacks the Philistines on his own, trusting in God’s power and deliverance.
b. Jonathon fights for God’s people.
c. We see Jonathan’s faith, not fear.
i. “The Lord will work for us…nothing can hinder the Lord.” (14:6)
d. Jonathon is faithful, and men are with him while Saul has men abandoning him
i. Read verse 7
e. God is with this attack of Jonathon and his servant and their attack causes great panic in the camp of the Philistines.
f. Saul hears of the battle and joins and the fighting ends with the Philistines fleeing. (14:22)
g. Obedience was chosen over convenience.
h. Obedience was chosen over immediate gratification.
i. Jonathon’s faith resulted in victory.
4. God chooses the Righteous (14:24-52)
a. God’s favor is on Jonathon. A man of faith and obedience.
b. God’s favor can be on you with the righteousness of Jesus.
1 Samuel 9-10
1. God is Sovereign Over the Details (9:1-27)
a. Sovereign Over Saul’s Family (vs 1-2)
i. Kish was wealthy and had status in his tribe.ii. Saul was a tall, handsome young man.
- “There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than all ofthe people.” vs 2
b. Sovereign Over His Creation (vs 3-5)
i. Lost Donkeys
c. Sovereign Over who He Chooses (vs 6-16)
i. God chose the servant
ii. God chose Samuel
- “Now the day before Saul came, the LORD had revealed to Samuel: ‘Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel.’” (vs 15-16)
d. Sovereign Over Timing (vs 17-20)
e. Sovereign Over Status (vs 21-27)
i. The tribe of Benjamin
-
Least of the tribes in Israel.
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History of sin and corruption.
ii. The honor is from God
2. God Uses People for His Glory (10:1-16)
a. Samuel Anoints Saul (vs 1)
i. “the LORD anointed you to be prince over His people Israel” vs 1
b. The 2 men by Rachel’s tomb (vs 2)
c. Three men at the Oak of Tabor (vs 3-4)
d. Group of prophets (vs 5-8)e. Saul (vs 9-16)
i. “God gave him another heart” vs 9
ii. “What has come over the son of Kish?” vs 11
3. God Is Near and Rules Closely (10:17-23)
a. Saul is hidden
b. God is near
i. “For I have seen my people because their cry has come to me.” 1 Samuel 9:16
ii. Saul hides but God isn’t hiding from you.
4. God Cannot be Outdone (10:24-27)
1. Israel Rejected God as King (vs 1-5, 19-20)
a. Their Desire wasn’t Wrong
b. Their Desire became a Demand and Showed Their Motive
i. “they have rejected me from being king over them.” vs 7
c. Their Faith was by Sight
i. “Appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” verse 5
d. Their Identity was from Other’s
i. Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
e. Their Rejection was Illogical
i. “king over us…to judge us…go out before us….fight our battles.” Vs 20
2. Samuel Served God as King (vs 6, 21)
a. He faithfully went to the Lord with his feelings
i. “And Samuel prayed to the Lord.” vs 6b
b. He faithfully went to the Lord with everything
i. “And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord.” vs 21
3. God is the King Above All (vs 7-18)
a. God’s Comfort is on Display
i. 2 Corinthians 1:3, “God of all comfort”
ii. “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Luke 10:16
b. God’s Patience is on Display
i. “Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness” (Exodus 34:6, Psalm 103:8, Psalm 145:8, Joel 2:13, Nehemiah 9:17)
c. God’s Grace is on Display
4. God Allowed Israel’s Demand to be Granted (vs 22)
a. “Obey their voice and make them a king.” vs 22
b. God gave them what they wanted in order to show them what they needed.
5. God, the King, Has a Plan
a. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
b. A Follower of Christ Seeks the King’s Plan
6. God, the King, is Wise
a. “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
b. A Follower of Christ Turns to the King’s Wisdom
7. God, the King, is Trustworthy
a. Isaiah 26:4 “Trust in the Lord forever.”
b. A Follower of Christ Obeys the King’s Command
1 Samuel 4-7
1. THE POWER OF GOD IS MISPLACED (Chapter 4)
a. Israel relied on the ark, not God. (vs 1-5)
b. The Philistines miscategorized God (vs 6-11)
c. The people didn’t take responsibility. (vs 12-22)
2. THE POWER OF GOD IS DEMONSTRATED (Chapter 5)
a. The Philistines don’t recognize God’s rightful place. (vs 1-2)
i. Psalm 97:9 says, “For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.” God is going to show this in action because the statue of Dagon is about to be put in it’s place.
b. God shows that the glory is His (vs 3-5)
i. “Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” Psalm 29:1-2
c. God shows that the power is His (vs 6-10)
d. The Philistines still don’t see that God is bigger than they can comprehend. (vs 11-12)
3. THE POWER OF GOD DESERVES RESPECT (Chapter 6)
a. In their misplaced recognition, the Philistines try to buy God’s favor. (vs 1-5)
b. In their attempt to not recognize God, they look for a coincidence. (vs 6-12)
c. In their joy and celebration, the Israelites dishonor God’s commands. (vs 13-21)
4. THE POWER OF GOD RESULTS IN VICTORY (Chapter 7)
a. Israel still doesn’t want to take responsibility. (vs 1-2)
b. Samuel shows that repentance begins with the heart. (vs 3)
i. “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away foreign gods…and direct your heart to the Lord and serve Him only.”
1 Samuel 2:11-3:21
- The Sons of Eli Ignored God’s Guidance (2:13-17)
a. How worship/sacrifice was supposed to be handled
i. Fat of the sacrifice was to be burned as an offering to the Lord. (Lev. 17, Num. 18)
ii. Certain parts were allocated to the priests for food (Lev. 7, Deut. 18)
b. How the sons of Eli handled it (Read 13-16)
i. With greed and dissatisfaction
ii. With aggression
iii. With contempt
- Samuel Followed God’s Guidance (2:18-21)
a. “was ministering before the Lord” vs 18
b. “a boy clothed with a linen ephod” vs 18
- The Consequence of Rejecting God’s Guidance (2:22-36)
a. Rebuke (vs 22-26)
b. Rejection (vs 27-36)
- Samuel Hears God’s Guidance (3:1-14)
a. “the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.” vs 1
b. “Samuel was ministering to the LORD.” vs 1
c. “Then the Lord called to Samuel…and he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’” vs 4-5a
d. “But he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ So he went and lay down.” vs 5
- Samuel Speaks of God’s Guidance (3:15-18)
a. “Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.” vs 15
b. “Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him.” vs 18
- The Ways of God’s Guidance
a. God Guides Through People
b. God Guides Through His Spirit
c. God Guides Through His Word
- The Result of God’s Guidance (3:19-21)
a. Progress
b. Productivity
c. Purpose
i. To Glorify God
ii. To Serve God
d. Presence
What’s Guiding You?
READ 1 Samuel 2:1-10
1. Proper Worship Focuses on God. (verse 1)
a. Hannah’s Spirit is Thankful
b. Hannah’s Entire Being is Thankful
i. “My heart…my horn (or strength) …my mouth”
c. Hannah is Focused on the Source
2. Proper Worship Recognizes the Nature of God (verses 2-3)
a. Hannah declares God’s Uniqueness
i. “None holy like the Lord”
ii. “There is none besides you” (One True God)
iii. “There is no rock like our God” (Strong and Faithful)
iv. “the Lord is a God of knowledge” (Knows All and Acts Accordingly)
b. Hannah declares her Position
i. “Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD” Jeremiah 9:24
3. Proper Worship Recognizes the Ways of God (verses 4-5)
a. His Ways are Different
i. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
1. Matthew 5:3,5, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
b. His Ways are Right
i. “The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.” Psalm 19:8
4. Proper Worship Recognizes the Power of God (verses 6-8a)
a. His Power Has the Authority
i. “The Lord makes’, “raises”, “lifts” (vs 8)
b. His Power Transforms lives
5. Proper Worship Recognizes the Sovereignty of God (verse 8b-10)
a. “For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.” 8b
b. The Sovereignty of God gives Hope Now
c. The Sovereignty of God give Hope Eternally
1) Introduction
a) Author/Date
b) Historical Context
c) Themes
i) God’s Guidance
ii) God’s Kingdom and coming King
iii) God’s Sovereignty
iv) God’s Redemption
2) Hannah’s Grief (vs 1-9)
a) Her Grief Turned to Resentment
b) Her Pain Prompted Action
3) Hannah’s Request (vs 10-20)
a) She went to God as she was
i) “distressed” and “bitter” (verse 10)
(1) She trusted that He cared for her pain
(2) She knew that she could trust Him
(3) She didn’t have to “clean up” or “get right” before coming to Him.
b) She gave to God what He was due
i) Honor
ii) Honesty
iii) Humility
iv) Heart
c) She got from God what she needed
i) Hope
d) She got from God what she desired
i) “Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, for she said, ‘I have asked for him from the Lord.’” Verse 20
4) Hannah’s Offering (21-28)
a) She was Faithful
b) She was Grateful
c) She was Generous
5) Closing
a) God cares for the brokenhearted.
b) God is worthy of our praise.
c) God alone provides salvation through Jesus Christ.
Jesus Gives Eternal Life
1. 1 Timothy 6:11-16
b. “flee these things” vs 11
i. “unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth…love of money.” 1 Timothy 6:4-5, 10
ii. The follower of Jesus will flee these things.
c. “Pursue” vs 11
i. “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” vs 11
ii. The follower of Jesus will pursue these things.
d. “Fight the good fight of the faith.” vs 12
i. The fight is good:
1. Its an active effort against evil.
2. It is for God, truth, and salvation!
3. It is under the leadership of Jesus!
4. Its culmination is Eternal Life!
e. “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” verse 12
i. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13
2. New Heavens and New Earth
a. Heaven is a real, tangible location.
i. John 14:2-3
b. Heaven now is not how it will always be
i. Heaven now is the intermediate state.
1. “Absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8
c. There will be a New Heaven and New Earth
i. “You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God. . . . In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him” 2 Peter 3:11-14
ii. What will the New Heavens and New Earth be like?
1. A physical place
2. Free from decay, disease, and disability. Free from corruption.
a. Romans 8:21, “that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”
b. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more…He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1,4
3. We will have physical, glorified bodies.
a. Jesus after the resurrection is the example.
b. He was recognizable.
i. Appearance was different but familiar
ii. Voice was familiar
c. He was physical but with upgrades.
i. He arrived and disappeared unlike us
ii. He had “flesh and bones”
iii. He ate with the disciples.
4. We will experience emotions.
5. We won’t know it all!
6. We won’t be bored!
a. Psalm 16:11, “in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
7. We will work.
a. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15
b. Everything in the new earth will only maximize your joy and His glory!
8. There will be animals.
a. Isaiah 11:6, “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.”
b. “Everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150
9. The Fullness of Glory will be the greatest!
a. “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24
Easter Sunday 2023
- Jesus was not “just” another resurrection
a. Lazarus
i. John 11:1-3, “Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”
ii. John 11:43, “Lazarus, come out.”
iii. John 11: 44, “And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.”
b. Jesus
i. “Truly this was the Son of God” Matthew 27:54
ii. ““Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.” John 20:1
- His Resurrection Means…
a. God Accepted the Sacrifice
i. “Was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 1:4
ii. "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1
b. God’s Justice Prevails
i. “He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:31
ii. “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Acts 14:12
c. God’s Power is in us
i. Romans 8:11, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
ii. His power gives Joy
-
“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
-
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11
iii. His power gives life
- “I am the resurrection and the life!” John 11:25
iv. His power gives victory
- Romans 6:4, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in the newness of life.”
d. We are Justified and Sanctified
i. “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14
ii. “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11
iii. “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10
e. We are Free
f. We are not Alone
i. He is with us always
- “behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
ii. He is at God’s right hand for us
- “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:34
The Veil Was Torn
1. Jesus’ Reign is Different
a. Read Luke 19:35-36
b. Read Luke 19:38
c. Jesus is a King like no other.
2. Jesus’ Reign is Perfect
a. Read Luke 19:32
b. Jesus is a King like no other.
3. Jesus’ Reign Demands Worship
a. Read Luke 19:37-38
b. Jesus is a King like no other.
4. Jesus’ Reign is Personal
a. Read Luke 19:41
b. Jesus is a King like no other.
5. Jesus’ Reign is Transformational
a. Read Luke 19:46
b. Jesus is a King like no other.
Communion Slide
Hebrews 10:19-20 ESV
Compelled to Truth
READ EPHESIANS 4:20-25 ESV
1) Compelled to Learn the truth
a) Pursue the Truth of God
i) “Lead me in your truth and teach me” Psalm 25:5
ii) “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11
iii) “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
iv) “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts [truths].” Psalm 119:45
b) Pursue the Truth in Life
i) “Fools believe every word they hear, but wise people think carefully about everything.” Proverbs 14:15
ii) “I will walk in your truth” Psalm 86:11
c) We glorify Him by learning truth.
d) Write down 1 way that you can grow in Pursuing the Truth of God and 1 way you can grow in Pursuing the Truth in Life.
2) Compelled to Live the truth
a) Walk in the Truth
i) “Put off the old self…put on the new self” vs 22 and 24
ii) “He who walks blamelessly” Psalm 15:2
iii) “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
b) Speak Truth
i) “Speak the truth with his neighbor” vs 25
ii) “and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue” Psalm 15:2b-3a
iii) “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” Proverbs 12:22
iv) “Speaking the truth in love” Ephesians 4:15
c) We glorify Him by living truth.
d) Write down 1 way that you can grow in Walking in the Truth and 1 way you can grow in Speaking the Truth.
3) Compelled to Love the truth
a) “They perished because they refused to love the truth and be saved” 2 Thessalonians 2:10b
b) “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:37b
c) We glorify Him by loving truth.
d) Write down 1 way that you can grow in loving the truth.
COMPELLED TO BE GENEROUS
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
1) The Motivation for Generosity
a) Generosity is the expression of our gratitude.
i) “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” vs 15
ii) “Not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” vs 7
b) Generosity is the outpouring of God’s grace
i) “God is able to make all grace abound to you.” vs 8a
ii) “So that having sufficiency in all things at all times you may abound in every good work.” vs 8b
c) Generosity is from the heart.
i) Psalm 86:12, “I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart.”
d) Generosity is NOT motivated by resources
e) Generosity is NOT a predetermined amount
f) Generosity comes from Christ
i) 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, to that you by His poverty might become rich.”
2) The Example of Generosity
a) Giving Joyfully
i) verse 2, “for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.”
ii) verse 4, “begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints”
b) Giving Sacrificially
i) verse 2, “extreme poverty”
ii) verse 4, “according to their means…beyond their means, of their own accord.”
c) Giving Graciously
i) verse 9, “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich…became poor, so that you…might become rich.”
ii) “My grace is sufficient for you.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
iii) “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.” 2 Corinthians 12:10
iv) “But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.” 2 Corinthians 8:7
Compelled to be Thankful
Colossians 3:1-2, 12-17
READ SCRIPTURE
1) The Call to Thankfulness
a) Who is Called?
i) ALL who have received salvation through Jesus Christ. (Colossians 3:1)
b) What is the Call?
i) Be Thankful
(1) A contentment of the heart
(2) “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess. 5:18
ii) Show Thankfulness
(1) An expression or act of the heart
(2) “One generation shall commend your works to another” Psalm 145:4
2) The Object of Thankfulness
a) Thanks is Owed to God
i) “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57
ii) Psalm 105:1, 106:1, 107:1, “Give thanks to the Lord”
3) The Source of Thankfulness
VIDEO
a) Knowledge of God
i) His Goodness
(1) Psalm 106:1, 107:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good”
ii) His Faithfulness
(1) Lamentations 3:22-23, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
(2) Psalm 106:1, “His steadfast love endures forever!”
b) Knowledge of Self
i) “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:3
4) The Product of Thankfulness
a) Humility
i) Psalm 86:5, “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”
b) Unity
i) Psalm 34:3, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!”
c) Peace
i) Philippians 4:6-7, “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
ii) Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
d) Worship
i) We have deliverance from sin!
(1) “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:25
ii) We have God’s grace!
(1) “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 1:4
iii) God listens to our requests!
(1) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
iv) We share in Christ’s inheritance!
(1) “And giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:12
e) Evangelism
i) Psalm 71:15-16, “My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.”
ii) Psalm 105:2, “Tell of all His wonderous works!”
FROM COMPELLED TO SACRIFICE (Romans 15)
- God is our source
a. “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you” vs 5
- Harmony is our Individual Goal
a. “you to live in harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus” vs 5
- His Glory is our Collective Purpose
a. “together with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” vs 7
Romans 12:16-21
- The Heart is the Start
a. “Devoted” vs 10 (NASB)
b. “Commit your way to the LORD” Psalm 37:5
- The Heart Guides our Mind
a. “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23
b. “Live in harmony with one another.”(ESV) “Be of the same mind one toward another.” (KJV, NASB)
c. Harmony means to “set one’s mind on”
d. “be considerate of the feelings of others instead of waiting for them to be considerate of your feelings” -Guzik
- Our Mind Guides our Actions
a. “carrying out the desires of the body and mind” Ephesians 2:3
b. “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly” (ESV) “mind not high things” (KJV)
c. “Never be wise in your own sight, but associate with the lowly”
d. "Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:7
- Steps to Harmony
a. Remember your salvation.
i. Titus 3:1, “Remind them”
i. “The continually present sense of your sins having been once for all forgiven, is the strongest stimulus to live for God “
b. Remember God’s Love for You
i. “Christ died for all” 2 Corinthians 5:15
ii. “God so loved the world” John 3:16
c. Love One Another with God’s Love
i. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
i. “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34
d. It Begins with You
i. “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18
ii. “The Christian is a peacemaker by obligation and aim. Harmony is not always possible, since truth divides as well as unites. Paul’s double qualification (“If … so far as”) recognizes this, but the obligation to strive for peace in personal relations with others remains.” -R. C. Sproul
e. You Must Begin with God
i. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
- Compelled to Sacrifice
a. Sacrifice: “anything consecrated and offered fully to God.”
i. typically associated with death
b. Sacrifice is painful
c. Sacrifice is difficult
d. Sacrifice can feel unrewarding
e. Sacrifice draws us closer to Christ
Romans 15:1-6
- “have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak” vs 1
a. “Obligation” or “ought to”
i. a moral obligation or debt to help those who are weaker
b. Sacrifice requires death to self
i. Submit our life to Him (“living sacrifice”)
ii. In Christ through faith, we give our life fully to Him.
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“Deny himself” Mark 8:34
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“and take up his cross and follow” Mark 8:34
c. Dead to self means alive in Christ
i. Romans 6:6-7, “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.”
ii. Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
iii. 2 Timothy 2:11, “If we have died with him, we will also live with him.”
d. Alive in Christ means our heart is for others
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“bear with the failings of the weak”
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Christ did it first (“for Christ” vs 3)
a. “the reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” Vs 3
- God is our source
a. “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you” vs 5
- Harmony is our Individual Goal
a. “you to live in harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus” vs 5
- His Glory is our Collective Purpose
a. “together with one voice glorify…for the glory of God.” vs 7
Romans 12:1-2
- We die to self and live for Him.
a. But how? Romans 12 continues and tells us. A “living sacrifice”
- Submit our passions to Him (“do not be conformed”)
a. 1 John 2:15-16, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.”
- Submit our mind to Him (“transformed by the renewal of your mind”)
a. God’s Word
i. Hear, read, study, memorize
ii. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
iii. “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11
b. Holy Spirit
i. “Be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18
Compelled to Love
John 13:12-16, 34-35
- Agape love
a. Conditions of this type of love
i. None. It’s unconditional!
ii. Intense, complete devotion
2. God’s Love is the Source
a. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)
b. “This love is only possible because we are grafted into the life and love of Christ. We love as he loved, because we love with his love.” -Piper
3. Christ’s Love is the Example
a. “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” vs 15
i. Humility
ii. Sacrifice
iii. Suffering (Physical and Emotional)
b. Do you trust His love for you?
i. 1 John 3:23, “that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another.”
- Believe Him and His love for you and you will love one another. You can’t separate them.
4. Others are the Recipients
a. “love one another…if you have love for one another” vs 34-35
5. Your Love is Now the Example
a. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35
b. This type of love can only come from God, so when others see it, it immediately identifies who the follower belongs to.
- Application
a. Philippians 2:1-8
i. Am I in Christ?
- Then I will find encouragement in that and strive for unity.
ii. Am I comforted in the love of Christ?
- Then I will comfort others in the same way.
iii. Am I full of joy because of the unity I have with God?
- Then I will make my goal to be “of the same mind and the same love” with unity as the goal.
iv. Am I doing anything from selfish ambition or conceit? Am I humble in this moment and counting that person as more significant than myself? Am I looking to the interests of others or just myself? Am I a servant?
b. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
i. Am I patient? Am I kind? Am I envying or boasting? Am I arrogant? Am I rude? Am I insisting on my own way? Am I irritable? Am I resentful? Am I rejoicing in wrongdoing? Am I rejoicing with the truth? Am I bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, and enduring all things? (1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Worship the King
Ephesians 2:1-10
READ EPHESIANS 2:1-10
1) The Need for Christmas
a) We are separated from God because of sin.
b) We need Christmas because we need a Savior, because we have sinned.
2) The Reason for Christmas
a) His mercy
b) His love
3) The Response to Christmas
a) We offer gratitude
b) We offer worship
c) We offer obedience
Jesus’ Royalty
Matthew 2:1-11
- Jesus’ Royalty
a. His earthly royalty
i. “Joseph, of the house of David” Luke 1:27
ii. “throne of his father David” Luke 1:33
iii. “reign over the house of Jacob” Luke 1:33
iv. He fulfilled the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7)
- God reaffirms His promise of land in the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants.
a. 2 Samuel 7:10, “I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.”
- God promises that David’s son will succeed him as king of Israel and that this son (Solomon) would build the temple.
a. 2 Samuel 7:12–13, " I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name.”
- God expands the promise
a. 2 Samuel 7:13, 16 “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” and “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever”
b. The promise of an everlasting kingdom. Son of David (not Solomon) would rule forever. Jesus is the Son of David (Matthew 21:9)
b. His divine royalty
i. “reign…forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” Luke 1:33
ii. Jesus reigns at God’s right hand.
iii. Ephesians 1:20-23, God “raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
READ MATTHEW 2:1-11
- Jesus as King is threatening (vs 1-3)
a. King Herod took Jesus as a threat to his throne.
b. Jesus is a threat to our life (if we value our sin)
i. Luke 9:23-25, “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
- Jesus as King is meaningful (vs 4-6)
-“God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Romans 5:5
-“wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” Proverbs 2:10
a. He would come to change the world by His life.
b. He would come and offer salvation by His sacrifice.
c. He would come and give life by His resurrection!
- Jesus as King is powerful (vs 10-11)
a. “fell down and worshipped Him” Matthew 2:10-11
- Why does this matter?
a. He rules perfectly in righteousness
i. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.” Psalm 89:14a
b. He rules perfectly in love
i. “steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” Psalm 89:14b
c. He reigns eternally
i. “Your throne will be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:16
1) Myrrh (*Note for screens: If possible, I’d like this portion of the outline to read A, 2, and D instead of A,B,C. It’s a purposeful mistake that is a reference to Home Alone. I want to hide it here for people to possibly catch the reference.)
(A) Residue secretes from the tree and can be used in its liquid state as an oil, even used as part of an anointing oil; it can also be hardened into a resin for incense
(2) Used prominently in perfumes, cosmetics, and medicine and is still used today.
(D) Used in embalming
READ LUKE 2:1-21
2) Jesus’ Sacrifice
a) “a Savior” vs 11
(1) “Sin is any want of conformity to the character of God, whether it be an act, disposition, or state. Sin is sin because it is different from what God is and God is eternally holy. Sin is always against God, even though it may be directed against human beings.” -Major Bible Themes
(2) “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
(3) “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
3) A Prophecy Fulfilled 1-7
a) Micah 5:2, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
4) A Joyful Announcement 8-12
a) The purpose of this announcement is not fear, but joy!
b) The words of this announcement are declarative
c) The “sign” to confirm this is of God’s doing
5) A Joyful Response 13-14
6) Worship in Action 15-20
a) The Shepherds proclaimed the news
b) Mary treasured the truth and surrounding events
c) The Shepherds glorified and praised God
7) Jesus’ Sacrifice was intentional and purposeful
a) The Love of God
b) The Justice of God
8) Jesus’ Sacrifice fulfilled prophecy
9) Jesus’ Sacrifice is Joyful News
10) Jesus’ Sacrifice produces a Joyful Response
11) Jesus’ Sacrifice demands worship in action
Jesus' Divinity
(Luke 1:32-37, Matthew 2:1-12)
1. Introduction
a. The miracle of human conception
b. The extraordinary miracle of Jesus’ conception
c. Gifts of the Wisemen
i. Frankincense
- finest burning incense, used in worship
2. Jesus is fully God
a. He is called the names of God
i. “the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father” Isaiah 9:6
ii. “Immanuel” (God with us) Isaiah 7:14
iii. “The Lord our Righteousness” Jeremiah 23:6
b. He has the characteristics of divine
i. Eternal (John 1:1-2, Colossians 1:17)
ii. Omnipresent (Matthew 28:20, Isaiah 9:6)
iii. Omniscient (John 16:30)
iv. Omnipotent (Isaiah 9:6)
c. He has the works attributed to God
i. Creator (John 1:3, 1:10)
ii. Upholder of all things (Colossians 1:17)
iii. Forgives sin (Matthew 9:6)
d. He claimed His own deity (John 10:30, 14:7, 16:22,23)
3. Jesus is self-sufficient (Acts 17:25)
4. Jesus is perfect love (Deuteronomy 10:17)
- Jesus was a servant
a. John 17:5 “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
b. Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
6. Why does this matter to your life? Remember these 2 truths as you celebrate the birth of Jesus
a. Jesus’ Divinity gives us Hope
b. Jesus’ Divinity gives us Life
Fit for a King: The Virgin Birth
Luke 1:26-38
- Virgin Birth implications
a. Knit into the person and work of Jesus
b. Scripture teaches it
i. Matthew 1:18, 20; Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:24-25
c. God is not bound by human processes
d. God is not bound by human understanding
e. Highlights the supernatural
- Salvation is a gift from God
a. Man can’t create salvation
b. Man can’t earn salvation
c. By the grace of God Jesus was sent
d. By the grace of God we are saved
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Jesus is both Divine and Man
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Jesus was Sinless
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What the Virgin Birth means for your Christmas
a. God Cares
b. God has a Plan
c. God is Powerful
God gives Life
Standing Firm with the LionsDaniel 6
1. Daniel’s life was faithful (vs 1-4)
a. He was respected
b. He was “distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps” vs 3
c. He ruled the kingdom without fault
d. He served God faithfully while serving the kingdom rightly.
2. Daniel’s life was a testimony (vs 5)
a. His faith was genuine
b. His faith was true
c. His faith showed others that:
i. God is worthy to be worshipped
ii. God is never to be abandoned
3. Daniel’s life was a target (vs 6-15)
a. It was God they were against.
b. It was self that Darius served
c. It was God that Daniel served
4. Daniel’s life showed complete trust (vs 16-24)
a. In God’s power
b. In God’s protection
c. He showed complete trust
Daniel’s life proclaimed God’s Glory (vs 25-28)
Numbered, Weighed, Divided
Daniel 5
- Background to Daniel 5
a. Chapter 4 we saw Nebs turn to “the Most High God”
b. Nebs died in 562BC, and the kingdom fell apart quickly
i. Father used in vs 2 and 18 means “ancestor” or “predecessor”.
c. 20 year gap between Chapters 4 and 5
i. Daniel is now in his 80’s
- The King’s Party of Mockery (vs 1-4)
a. “a feast for a thousand of his lords” vs 1
b. “commanded the vessels of gold and silver that Nebs had taken from the temple be brought” vs 2 and 3
c. “praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.” vs 4
- The Hand that Causes Trembling (vs 5-9)
a. “Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace” vs 5
b. “Then the king’s color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together.” vs 6 and 9 (“color changed”)
c. “all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation.” vs 8
d. He even promised that the interpreter would “be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” vs 7
- The Confrontation of Pride and Promise of Judgement (vs 10-28)
a. READ vs 18-28
- The Justice of God (vs 29-31)
a. “Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck” vs 29
b. “That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom.” vs 30-31
What Can We Learn?
- Sin is not hidden
a. “No creature is hidden from his sight…” Hebrews 4:13a
b. “You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.” Psalm 90:8
- Confrontation is inevitable
a. “But all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13b
- Judgement is coming
a. “’As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:11-12
- There is a Savior! (Christ Alone)
a. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
b. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Humiliation that Leads to Transformation
Daniel 4:19-37
1. God calls us to Stand for the Truth
a. Daniel demonstrates care for Nebuchadnezzar (vs 19)
b. The king demonstrates care for Daniel (vs 19)
c. Daniel accurately interprets the dream (vs 20-27)
i. The king is the great tree. (His greatness) (vv. 20–22).
ii. The king is the tree chopped down with only a stump remaining (v. 23).
iii. The king will live like an animal outdoors in the fields until “seven periods of time” pass (vv. 23–25).
iv. All of this is to teach the king a valuable lesson. (“The Most High is ruler over human kingdoms, and he gives them to anyone he wants” (v. 25)).
v. Nebuchadnezzar will get his kingdom back when he comes to his spiritual senses (v. 26).
vi. God is gracious and loving and is quick to forgive and show mercy.
2. God Calls us to Repent and be Righteous (vs 27)
a. It’s not too late to follow God
b. It’s not too late to change your ways
c. Nebuchadnezzar had to face his sins.
3. God Calls us to be Humble (vs 28-33)
a. God demonstrates patience (vs 29)
b. God demonstrates correction (vs 28, 32-33)
4. God Calls us to Exalt Him (vs 34-37)
a. Pride gets in the way of our proper view of God.
b. Worshiping God is reasonable
- 4 Reasonable Responses (to the greatness and sovereignty of God) (from Charles Spurgeon)
a. Have a heart of humble adoration.
b. Show a heart of unquestioning acceptance.
c. Exercise the spirit of reverent love.
d. Let your spirit have profound delight.
Standing Firm: Facing Fire with Faith
Daniel 3:1-18
- The King Demands Worship and Loyalties are Tested (verses 1-7)
a. Nebuchadnezzar responds with Pride
b. He verbally demanded and physically required worship.
c. The people obeyed (vs 7)
2. The Peers Demand Judgement (vs 8-12)
a. Sin Disguised as Loyalty
b. Loyalty Was Actually Self-Serving
3. The King Feels Insulted (vs 13-15)
a. Embracing sin leads to more sin
b. Sin is rejection of God
- The Faithful Refuse and Remain True (vs 16-18)
a. Rejection yet Respectful
b. Ownership not Excuses
i. “We have no need to answer you in this matter…our God whom we serve” (vs 16-17)
ii. They served God so the answer was simple, worship God alone.
c. Faith in God, not circumstance
i. Their faith was not limited to the belief in a miracle but included the faith in God’s sovereignty. “God…is able. But if not…” (vs 17-18)
5. Conclusion
a. The Nature of God Demands Our Worship
b. The Nature of God Demands Our Loyalty
Protection and Presence in the Fire
Daniel 3:19-30
1. God’s Plan Survives the Chaos (vs 19)
a. Furnace Picture
2. God’s Plan Overpowers Captivity (vs 20-21)
3. God’s Plan is Constant (when something else seems Certain) (vs 22-23)
4. God’s Presence is what Covered them (vs 24-27a)
- God’s Protection is Complete (vs 27b)
6. God’s Glory is Compelling (vs 28-30)
7. Application
a. Trust God’s Plan
i. Job 42:2
ii. Psalm 33:11
b. Count on God’s Presence
i. Joshua 1:9
ii. Isaiah 41:10
iii. Deuteronomy 31:6
c. Rely on God’s Protection
i. Daniel 3:17
ii. Psalm 27:1
d. Testify who He is and what He has done
i. Hearing about God from you is a testimony to others
1. Psalm 71:14-16
ii. Seeing God in your life is a testimony to others
1. Matthew 5:16
2. Ephesians 5:1
The beginning of the new sermon series looking at the book of Daniel. Daniel: Taking A Stand