Grace Church: Recent Episodes
Grace Church
Happy Mothers day! We celebrate our mothers today but this sermon is not just for them. Moms, how do you show the glory of the Gospel? How do the rest of us show the glory of the Gospel? Pastor Chris dives into this question with his massage "The Glory of Christ in the Life of Moms. This message was preached by Chris Daukas on May 9th, 2021.
"In Christ, we know there’s more to the end of this life than the transfers of wealth – there is the invisible intangibles of your legacy for the gospel. Legacy might not be remembered, but that doesn’t make it less impactful. Your life is a seed to be planted into the ground and die so that it bears much fruit. "
- Chris Daukas
Due to technical difficulties, the audio is not very great during the first 15 minutes but the remainder of the sermon sounds acceptable.
Pastor Jamie Self speaks on 1 Kings 7:13-51 with his sermon "The Gospel of the Kingdom Gods Strength, Gods Glory". Pastor Jamie was only given a couple hours that morning to prepare this sermon due to Pastor Chris experiencing medical issues. Pastor Chris is recovering well and Pastor Jamie preached an awesome sermon with the time he was given. This sermon was given on November 29th, 2020.
- What is a deacon?
- What does a deacon do?
- Who can serve as a deacon?
- Why do we need deacons?
What should the church do? 1. Honor the deacons 2. Keep serving
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. — 1 Timothy 3:14-15 (ESV)
- What does he say and why is he addressing this?
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. — 1 Timothy 2:8-15 (ESV)
- Disruptions in their gatherings
- Disruptions in their leadership
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; — 1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV)
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. — James 4:1-3 (ESV)
Because the church is eternally, cosmically, missionally important, be unified so that Christ is not diminished through our lives.
likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. — 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (ESV)
Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. — 1 Timothy 2:11-15 (ESV)
- What does he mean by…
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 1 Tim 5:17
Let a woman in quietness Learn In all submission; But to teach, I do not permit a woman Neither to exercise authority over a man But to be in quietness
- How do we apply this at Grace Church?
You may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. — 1 Timothy 1:3-7 (ESV)
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. — 1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)
18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. — 1 Timothy 1:18 (ESV)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. — 1 Timothy 2:1-7 (ESV)
thechurchmustpray
— 1. The Commander’s Battle Instructions
2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV)
for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, — 1 Timothy 2:1b-2a (ESV)
that we may live a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. — 1 Timothy 2:2b (ESV)
But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. — 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12: (ESV)
If we tribalize and troll rather than pray for the promotion of peace, we have missed the mission of Christ.
For us to hate those who are in error, or talk of them with contempt or wish them ill, or do them wrong, is not according to the Spirit of Christ. You cannot cast Satan out by Satan, nor correct error by violence, nor overcome hate by hate. The conquering weapon of the Christian is love. — Spurgeon
- The Commander's Rationale
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was app...
Easter has changed everything for those who believe and that truth has not changed at all.
1. The gospel hasn’t changed at all
15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. — 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (ESV)
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. — Matthew 10:28 (ESV)
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. — Matthew 28:1-8 (ESV)
2. The promises haven’t changed at all
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. — 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
1. We’ve been promised pardon
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 (ESV)
2. We’ve been promised joy
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. — Matthew 14:44 (ESV)
3. We’ve been promised power to obey
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. — Romans 6:12-14 (ESV)
4. We’ve been promised strength to suffer and endure
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in t...
8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. — 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (ESV)
1. Suffering does not discriminate
8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. — 2 Corinthians 1:8 (ESV)
What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. — 1 Corinthians 15:32 (ESV)
For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. — 2 Corinthians 1:8 (ESV)
Paul was so utterly, unbearably crushed that he couldn’t get up, as if he wore a leaden cape. Inertia gripped his being so much that he despaired of life itself. His despair was so deep that he was literally without a way of escape. There was no exit. “Indeed” he says of himself, “we felt that we had received the sentence of death – an official sentence of death – which could have been handed down as an official verdict or as a divine reply to Paul’s prayer for deliverance. Either way, Paul conceded that he was done for, that it was over – he was being utterly crushed under an unbearable weight, helplessly awaiting death. — Kent Hughes
2. God uses suffering to drive us into reliance on Him
For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. — 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (ESV)
3. God uses the prayers of His saints in bringing deliverance
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. — 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (ESV)
Truth: Suffering can’t shake our relationship with God and affliction ought not shake our confidence in God.
1. Our God is a comforting God. (verse 3)
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. — Isaiah 40:1 (ESV)
As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. — Isaiah 66:13 (ESV)
2. Our God loves to comfort us in ALL our afflictions (4a)
Truth: God’s comfort in Christ exceeds all affliction.
For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. — 2 Corinthians 1:5 (ESV)
3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; — Isaiah 53:3-10 (ESV)
3. Our God gives us comfort not just for us, but for the sake of others.
There is a divine purpose in human suffering that is borne for the Gospel’s sake. Thereby the cause of Christ is advance. But one special reason is given in our passage. Those who received encouragement from God are qualified to enter sympathetically into the experience of others whose pathway leads them through a vale of tears. Sympathy is love perfected by experience. — Ralph Martin
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. — 2 Corinthians 1:6 (ESV)
1. It teaches us that affliction is not the enemy of God.
What we need most is not to hear God say yes to our requests. what we need is to be filled with such deep confidence in the character of our Father that when he says no, we know He is doing what is right and good for us. What we need most is the faith to trust him. Some claim that strong faith is defined by throwing our energies into begging God for a miracle that will take away our suffering, and then believing without doubting that he will do it. But faith is not measured by our ability to manipulate God to get what we want; it is measured by our willingness to submit to what he wants. It takes great faith to say to God, “Even if you don’t heal me or the one I love, even if you don’t change my circu...
The gospel compels us to pray with unity.
The gospel compels us to pray with faith.
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. — Luke 12:4-7 (ESV)
The gospel compels us to pray for fruit in the mission.
1. David and Revenge
When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks. 3 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. — 1 Samuel 24:1-3 (ESV)
4 And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’ ” — 1 Samuel 24:4 (ESV)
Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed.” 7 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way. — 1 Samuel 24:5-7 (ESV)
2. David and Justice
8 Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. 9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. 12 May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you. 14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! 15 May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.” — 1 Samuel 24:8-14 (ESV)
3. David and Vindication
16 As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. — 1 Samuel 24:16 (ESV)
17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. — 1 Samuel 24:17-19 (ESV)
20 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21 Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” 22 And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but...
1. Through His Word
Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” But David's men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David inquired of the LORD again. And the LORD answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. — 1 Samuel 23:1-5 (ESV)
When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech had fled to David to Keilah, he had come down with an ephod in his hand. — 1 Samuel 23:6 (ESV)
Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” — 1 Samuel 23:7 (ESV)
8 And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. 9 David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” 10 Then David said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account. 11 Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” 12 Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.” 13 Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the expedition. 14 And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand. — 1 Samuel 23:8-13 (ESV)
By using this oracle you agree that your doing so at your own risk. Authors will not be responsible for any choices based on advices from this oracle. Informations displayed within this site are not necessarily based on facts.
A contemporary believer may say, “I see that, and its all very nice, but I don’t receive the kind of precise, direct guidance that David did.” Neither do I. Because I don’t need it. I’m not the chosen King. It does my ego no damage to concede that David’s function in salvation history is far more crucial than mine. The fortunes of the kingdom of Yahweh in this world rest far more on David’s preservation than on mine. What was essential for Yahweh’s elect king to have he received. For me, it is not so essential. But in principle there is no difference between this elect king and myself. In what context was Yahweh’s guidance given? Was it not in access to God through the appointed priest? And is that not the privilege I enjoy? Through a much greater one than Abiathar? What, after all, does Hebrews 4:14-16 mean? “Since we have a great high priest”, we come to the throne of grace and find grace “for help at just the right time.” Knowing whether Saul will come down to Keilah can’t be any better than that....
# 1. Sin Blinds
2. Sin Destroys
3. Sin Brings Unintended Consequences
We escape from the clutches of sin and the guilt of regret by running to the refuge of Christ.
With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me. — Psalm 142 (ESV)
We escape from the clutches of sin and the guilt of regret by running to the refuge of Christ.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9 (ESV)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. — Romans 5:1 (ESV)
But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
# 1. Desperation and Provision
And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath — 1 Samuel 17:4
2. Where is God in this picture?
What Does David Know That’s TRUE?
Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. — Psalm 56 (ESV)
3. Jesus – the Provision in our Desperation
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. — Psalm 34
When it comes down to it, what holds your ultimate allegiance?
Scene 1 – The Plan is Made
Scene 2 – The Covenant is Reaffirmed
Scene 3 - The Plan Unfolds
18 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. — 1 Samuel 18:1-3 (ESV)
Scene 4 – The Results Are In
Where does your ultimate allegiance in life lie? And how would you know?
1. Allegiance Determines Actions
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” — John 14:15 (ESV)
If allegiance determines actions, then every action you take in every day life reveals who or what is holding your ultimate loyalty.
2. Allegiance Generates Afflictions
26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. — Luke 14:26 (ESV)
For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. — Luke 9:26 (ESV)
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. — 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 (ESV)