Archive for November, 2003

One Unusual Message

Sunday, November 30th, 2003
This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Christmas Perspectives

READ AT BEGINNING OF SERVICE:

John 1:1-5 (NIV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

INTRODUCTION:

Perspective is an interesting thing. What you or I see is not always the same as what someone else sees?

Have you ever noticed: When the other fellow acts “that way”, he is ugly; when you do, it?s nerves. When others are set in their ways, they?re obstinate; when you are, it is firmness. When your neighbor doesn?t like your friend, he?s prejudiced; when you don?t like his, you are a good judge of human nature. When he tries to treat someone especially well, he?s a flatterer; when you try it, you are being thoughtful. When he takes time to do things well, he?s a slowpoke or lazy; when you do, you are deliberate and careful. When he spends a lot, he is a spend thrift; when you do, you?re generous. When someone picks flaws in things, he?s cranky and critical; when you are, it is graciousness. When someone dresses especially well, that person is extravagant; when you do, it is tastefulness. When he says what he thinks, he?s spiteful; when you do, you are being frank. When he takes great risks in business, he?s foolhardy; when you do, you are a wise financier. (Autoillustrator.com, PERSPECTIVE)

Lack of perspective or a poor perspective often leads to tremendous breakdowns in communication as can be seen by the following example:

A school superintendent told his assistant superintendent the following: “Next Thursday at 10:30am, Haley?s Comet will appear over this area. This is an event which occurs only once every 75 years. Call the school principals and have them assemble their teachers and classes on their athletic fields and explain this phenomenon to them. If it rains, then cancel the day?s observation and have the classes meet in the auditorium to see a film about the comet.” Assistant superintendent to school principals: “By order of the superintendent of schools, next Thursday at 10:30 Haley?s Comet will appear over your athletic field. If it rains, then cancel the day?s classes and report to the auditorium with your teachers and students where you will be shown films, a phenomenal event which occurs only once every 75 years.” Principals to teachers: “By order of the phenomenal superintendent of schools, at 10:30 next Thursday Haley?s Comet will appear in the auditorium. In case of rain over the athletic field, the superintendent will give another order-something which occurs only once every 75 years.” Teachers to students: “Next Thursday at 10:30 the superintendent of schools will appear in our school auditorium with Haley?s Comet; something which occurs once every 75 years. If it rains, the superintendent will cancel the comet and will order us out to our phenomenal athletic field.” Students to parents: “When it rains next Thursday at 10:30 over the school athletic field, the phenomenal 75 year old superintendent of schools will cancel all classes and appear before the school in the auditorium accompanied by Bill Haley and the Comets.” (Autoillustrator.com, PERSPECTIVE)

Perspective is that word that describes the condition that many of us can readily identify with in our own lives but rarely struggle to understand in another. Perspective influences our actions, our reactions and sometimes even our lack of action. When we look at something in a certain way we have a certain perspective on it ? one that is often unique to us alone and rarely duplicated in the way someone else looks at the same thing. Perspective depends on several filters through which it is developed: circumstance, experience, and character. Your perspective is shaped by the circumstances you are in, the experiences you?ve had in the past, and who you perceive yourself to be. But perspective can also be influenced by what I like to call the HOSI (How Others See It) factor that is, one?s openness to try to see things through another person?s perspective.

I would like to give an example of this HOSI factor. I?d like to describe something to you.

It is a self-balancing, 28-jointed adapter based biped with the following: Millions of warning signals, railroad and conveyor systems?crushers and cranes (of which the arms are magnificent 23-jointed affairs with self-surfacing and lubricating systems); A universally distributed telephone system needing no service for 70 years if well managed; An electrochemical reduction-plant, integral with segregated stowages of special energy extracts in storage batteries, for subsequent actuation of thousands of hydraulic and pneumatic pumps, with motors attached?62,000 miles of capillaries. And the whole, extraordinarily complex mechanism is guided with exquisite precision from a turret in which are located telescopic and microscopic self-registering and recording range finders, a spectroscope, etc., and the turret control being closely allied with an air conditioning intake-and-exhaust, with a main fuel intake. Within a few cubic inches that house the turret mechanism, there is room, also, for two sound wave and sound-direction-finder recording diaphragms. There is an expertly devised analytical laboratory large enough not only to contain minute records of every last and continual event of up to 70 years experience, or more, but to extend, by computation and abstract fabrication, this experience with relative accuracy into all corners of the observed universe AS WELL AS a forecasting and tactical plotting department for the reduction of future possibilities and probabilities to generally successful specific choice. (Autoillustrator.com, PERSPECTIVE)

What did I just describe to you? I described man! You see the HOSI factor can also shape our perspectives. Some of you may be influenced by this description of “Mr. Jones” in such a way as to have a different perspective on your makeup as a human being -

Psalms 139:14 (NIV)

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

As we approach the Christmas season year after year each one of us have different perspectives on what Christmas is all about. However to a large extent ? year after year ? our perspective of Christmas risks being affected more and more by the HOSI factor than by any other filter it is derived through. The immense commercialization of the season of Christmas and saturation with Christmas “products” has led to the development of a materialistic perspective of Christmas rather than a perspective that finds its roots in the Word of God and in the Love of God. The Christmas Story is sometimes too easily replaced by the Christmas Store. But how do we keep a “right” perspective on Christmas and the Christmas Story in the face of so much that influences us otherwise? The answer is to let our perspective of Christmas be filtered by the HOSI factor of those who were there NOT by a world that has forgotton.

For the next few weeks we are going to be looking at the Christmas Story from the perspectives of different people who were there. As we ponder how they viewed the events and the different things that occurred in their lives hopefully our perspective of Christmas will be forever altered and changed ? maybe a little, maybe a lot, but nevertheless changed.

PRAY

Today we are going to begin our Christmas Perspectives series by looking at how Mary and Joseph perceived the Christmas Story.

It all started with one unusual message?

one unusual message?

Luke 1:26-56 (NIV)

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me– holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

MARY:

The Christmas Story? It began for me in the spring. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was out for a walk in the early evening with my heart practically bursting in joy as I reflected on the way my beloved Joseph had proposed to me. Oh I was so excited about our marriage to each other. “Just think, in few more months I will be a wife and I will have a husband!” Oh, God is so good! In my excitement I began skipping down the road and laughed merrily as I sung praises to my God in my heart and with my voice. The man of my dreams, I am marrying him!

All of a sudden a voice stopped me in my tracks and I turned around quickly and beheld a man who was most incredible. He spoke again and I knew that this person was no ordinary man. When he greeted me it was so unusual and the words echoed around my heart ? “Highly favored? I am but an ordinary woman living in the “backwater” of the world ? sure, I may be descended from the line of King David but until the Messiah comes, all the favor that I have is only from my family and my betrothed. As for the Lord is with me? Yes, He most definitely is, for how else could I have been given my Joseph!”

The angel interrupted my thoughts as I looked at him wide-eyed and apprehensive. He told me not to be afraid, that I had found favor with God. Oh, how my heart leapt as I heard those words pass his lips. But then the angel said something that absolutely floored me. I will have a child? And he went on to say that this would not be any ordinary child ? in fact, it was clear that this child would be King ? would be Messiah. I didn?t understand this. How could I have a child? Let alone such an important child? “I am so young ? I am just getting married ? I have never?well ? I?m a virgin and?” the emotions going through me at that time were so intense ? I looked at the angel and whispered, “I am a virgin ? how will this happen?”

The angel looked into my eyes and smiled as he told me that this child would be a miracle of God and that the child would be God?s Son! I was so amazed by his words ? I almost fainted! How could a woman be a mother to God?s Son? But the angel went to say that my older cousin Elizabeth was pregnant with a child ? in fact in her sixth month ? I had heard rumors but it?s true? Truly, nothing is impossible with God. I believed the angel, I believed God, and even though I was afraid, and I had so many questions, and so many doubts, and so many fears, I believed.

When the angel left it was so sudden and so quick. I couldn?t contain myself, I couldn?t tell Joseph yet ? would he understand? Would he believe me? Yet I needed to tell someone ? and I quickly decided I would make the journey to Elizabeth ? surely she would understand and know what I should do about Joseph and in the meantime I can help her with her coming child!?

What did Mary feel when she received this unusual message from the angel Gabriel? What would you ladies have felt ? think back to when you were in your late teens ? think about being told that you were going to be pregnant with a child, a child who would be the Son of God! But what about Joseph?

It all began with an unusual message…

Matthew 1:18-24 (NIV)

18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

Joseph:

When I first read the letter I had received from Mary I was distraught. It was bad enough that she had disappeared out of the blue ? I had heard she had gone to her cousin Elizabeth?s but still, for her to not even say good-bye or tell me she was going?What is it with women? At first I thought, maybe she?s having second thoughts about our marriage. I mean, perhaps she got thinking it might be better to be married to someone other than a carpenter. But no, she would have told me ? then I thought maybe it?s a family emergency ? something that just couldn?t wait and that?s why she couldn?t tell me right away ? but then, what reason would there have been not to tell me ? in fact I could have gone with her and protected her on the journey. I had just settled on the thought that Mary was planning a surprise for me that she didn?t want me to know anything about when I got the letter? Oh there was a surprise all right! But not a very pleasant one. The words burned themselves into my mind, “Joseph, I am pregnant?” She went on to tell me about the angel and the message she got from God but I had so much trouble getting around those first words. At first I was angry, and then I was in agony. My heart sank as I realized what this meant.

The next couple of days were torture ? Mary said in the letter that the only other person who knew was Elizabeth and that she had written to me first because she didn?t know how I would take it and in the hopes that God would reveal to me what He had revealed to her ? about the?about the child. At first, I didn?t know what to believe. I knew Mary would never have cheated in such a despicable way ? she was too pure, she was too much in love with God for that to happen ? and yet how else could she be pregnant? The story she told about the angel and all?I didn?t know what to believe ? it just isn?t possible and even if it was true ? where did that leave me? I wasn?t the father of this child. The woman I loved was carrying someone else?s child?I knew that I couldn?t marry Mary ? I wouldn?t be allowed in the synagogue and would become unclean, sure if we married soon enough no one would know ? but I would. And yet, there is no way I could put Mary through the public disgrace and shame that would come if I were to expose her in a public divorce. Besides, what if she was right? What if this really is God?s child? I will not be responsible for making Mary and child an object of scorn and misery. And so I resolved to divorce Mary quietly, I would write a letter ? and she would receive it as I had received hers. Even as I began writing it, the tears ran down my face ? all my joy, my love, my hope for family was being extinguished by each stroke of the pen.

While writing the letter I fell asleep ? and while asleep I had a dream. In this dream an angel of God appeared to me and confirmed everything Mary had told me about the child she was carrying. Then, joy of joys, I was told to take Mary as my wife and name the child (who would be a son) Jesus! This wasn?t any ordinary dream ? it was so vivid and the words of the angel so powerful that when I woke up everything was still as clear to me as I had seen in the dream. Oh the joy, that filled my soul as I raised my eyes and arms to heaven and praised the Lord for His goodness and His blessings. Could it really be? Could this child that my?my wife be carrying be the promised Messiah? One who would save His people from their sins?

I ripped up the letter that I had begun and began packing things to make the journey to Elizabeth?s ? “Mary! I?m coming to marry you!!! YEEE HAA!!”

For Joseph, the Christmas Story began with disappointment. No doubt the news of his pregnant fianc? would have been hard to accept. But his disappointment would have been quickly replaced with relief as he realized that this child Mary was carrying was in God?s will and for God?s purpose and was no ordinary child.

For both Mary and Joseph ? their perspective of the Christmas Story would have been an intimate one as it began with the unusual message that they were the chosen earthly parents of God?s Son. Mary the virgin mother and Joseph, her betrothed were privileged to be the first hearers of the Christmas message. This same unusual message rings out to you and I this morning as we begin to look at this story from their perspective, “To you a child will be born and His name is Jesus, and He will save His people from their sins.” Folks the Christmas story began with that announcement and it begins with that announcement in our lives. Mary and Joseph perceived the message from God as truth and received it in faith. If you look at this message through the eyes of Mary and Joseph you will see it as truth and receive it in faith yourself. Feel the wonder, know the joy of the promise of God through the birth of His Son in your heart! Do you believe!

However, we won?t end there ? for Mary and Joseph still had 9 months ahead of them ? a time that I will call the journey.

the journey

Matthew 1:25 (NIV)

25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Luke 2:1-5,7b (NIV)

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child?there was no room for them in the inn.

Joseph:

The wedding was?

Mary:

?beatiful?

Joseph:

Through the whole celebration we kept looking at each other. We communicated with our eyes our love for each other, the joy we each felt, and the secret we shared.

Mary:

We made the decision right away that we wouldn?t umm?

Joseph:

?consummate our marriage until the baby was born.

Mary:

We simply thought it was wise ? so there would be no opportunity for doubt that this child truly is a miracle.

Joseph:

The months following the wedding were, well?

Mary:

?interesting?

Joseph:

?difficult at times. Naturally there were a few rumors going around because of how soon Mary began to show evidence of the child she was carrying.

Mary:

There were the jokes and the snickering here and there, “Boy, you two sure didn?t wait long to start a family eh!” “The stork didn?t waste any time with you, right Mary?”

Joseph:

And then there were the questions we ourselves struggled with ? I mean this is no ordinary child. Can you imagine what its like knowing that you are being entrusted with the most important child to ever be born!

Mary:

At least Joseph, we didn?t have to worry about picking out a name!

I had heard that first-time mothers have a lot of concern over the progress of their pregnancy and I guess I was not an exception ? except that I was probably driving Joseph crazy with all the little concerns I kept having?

Joseph:

Especially the “cravings”, why, you sent me on a two day trip to Elizabeth?s once because you had a craving for her special shepherd pie!

Mary:

It?s the way she makes it Joseph! Any way, there were times when we both felt that maybe God had made a mistake in choosing us ? but then we were always comforted and held on?

Joseph:

..to the promise He had made us.

There was one thing that happened that really got me worried at one point. It was when Caesar issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. We were told that because we were of the line of King David that we had to go to Bethlehem to register for the census. This was no easy journey especially since Mary was due to give birth at any moment.

Mary:

All the way there Joseph was constantly looking back over his shoulder at me while leading the donkey I was riding. The expression on his face and in his eyes spoke volumes to me of the love he had for me and the concern he had. I kept reassuring him that I was fine ? while at the same time trying to reassure myself that everything would be fine. We both spent much time in prayer on the way to Bethlehem!

Joseph:

When we arrived in Bethlehem we were exhausted and tired and I immediately began searching for a place for Mary and I to stay. I knew that Mary was going to have the baby soon and so I was trying to look for a place that would be suitable.

Mary:

Each time Joseph came out of a doorway shaking his head, I shared with Him the sorrow that he carried for the lack of room. We both thought ? If only people knew who this child was I am carrying!

Joseph:

Finally I found a place ? it was all I could find but it was just in time.

Mary:

It was a stable. Joseph got me comfortable and then we waited as the labor pains grew more intense?waited in the hush of the night- and with the expectancy of the wind.

Mary and Joseph?s perspective of the Christmas story would have also been influenced by the Journey in between the unusual message and the birth of the child. It was a journey that would have been full of ups and downs and fears and joys. Yet, Mary and Joseph did not waver from their faith and because they believed in the truth of the message. Because of that belief they were able to endure the journey that eventually found them in Bethlehem, in a stable.

Some people may look at this story with a perspective that causes them to say, “Wait a minute, what is going on here! Mary and Joseph ? God is ripping you off! He?s gone and told you that you?re going to be looking after His Son and then He doesn?t do anything about your late pregnancy journey to Bethlehem and of all places having to stay in a stable. You guys should talk to him about this ? I mean you have a little leverage don?t you?”

But Mary and Joseph didn?t share that perspective in fact, the Bible records their simple obedience to God?s Word and their beautiful acceptance of His plan.

There is a journey that everyone of us face as well. It begins the moment we hear the unusual message and it continues as we believe and have faith in the promise of God. In this journey there may be many ups and downs and there may be times when it seems as if things don?t make sense but keep believing in God and have faith in His promise. Remember the Christmas story is not only about God coming to earth on that very special day ? but it?s also about Jesus Christ remaining with us every day of our lives. What is your perspective?

Then there was the moment?

the moment

Luke 1:41-45 (NIV)

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

Luke 2:6-7a (NIV)

6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger?

Mary:

As I lay in between labor pains my mind flashed back to the moment I first walked into Elizabeth?s house after hearing the message from the angel. As soon as I said hello, the baby in Elizabeth?s womb moved in an extraordinary way and Elizabeth began to bless me and?she knew?she knew that I was carrying the Son of God. Clearly it was the Spirit of God upon my cousin! Oh, how I rejoiced in hearing this confirmation of the message of the angel. I sang praises to God, to my Savior and rejoiced in Him.

The labor pains brought me back to the present and as Joseph held my hand the moment came when the child was born. Joseph was the first to behold the baby and I saw his face enraptured in an expression of pure joy and peace. It?s as if his entire countenance had changed with looking at the baby. Then he brought the baby boy to me and I beheld his eyes for the first time.

Mary and Joseph: There was a tremendous awe that came over me as I realized whose eyes I was looking into. It was sometime before I looked back up at my husband/wife ? for the moment, all time had stood still as I found myself silently worshipping God?s Son, Our Savior, Our Lord ? in the flesh ? the fulfillment of the message and the promise?

This moment is the perspective of Joseph and Mary on the Christmas Story ? for them it was an intimate, real time with God. This moment is the single most defining point in the history of humanity ? it is the moment that God came to be with us himself.

When Quirinius was governor of Syria, in a town called Bethlehem, a child was born who, beyond the power of anyone to account for, was the high and lofty One made low and helpless. The One who inhabits eternity comes to dwell in time. The One whom none can look upon and live is delivered in a stable under the soft, indifferent gaze of cattle. The Father of all mercies puts himself at our mercy. (Autoillustrator.com, CHRISTMAS, quoted from A Room Called Remember, by Frederick Buechner, p.61)

Thus Christmas looked through the eyes of Mary and Joseph is seen with the perspective of the message, the journey, and the moment. God?s message to them, is His message to you ? He came as a man as the savior of the world ? as a promise of salvation for all who would receive Him. In our journeys of life may all of us come to the moment of being present at the birth of Jesus – at His birth in our hearts. This Christmas, experience the moment in your life and witness the promise of God being fulfilled in your own heart.

The grounds for belief and disbelief are the same today as they were two thousand or ten thousand ? years ago. If Joseph had lacked faith to trust God or humility to perceive the holiness of his spouse, he could have disbelieved in the miraculous origin of her Son as Easily as any modern man; and any modern man who believes in God can accept the miracle as easily as Joseph did. (Autoillustrator.com, CHRISTMAS ? quoted from C.S. Lewis)

Posted in Christmas, Sermons, Sunday Morning Service | 1 Comment »

David: The Shepherd King

Sunday, November 23rd, 2003
This entry is part 7 of 15 in the series When the Heroes of Faith speak...

Read at beginning of service:

John 15:1-8 (NIV)

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Recap series, “When the Heroes of Faith Speak”

PRAY

This morning, we?re going to look at possibly the most beloved character in the Old Testament.

He lived a life of success and sorrow, faith and failure.

He knew the humility of being a simple shepherd?

He knew the honor of being a nation?s King.

His name was David?and Scripture tells us that David was a man “After God?s own heart”.

And yet, David made some horrible mistakes in his life that brought shame upon him, and pain/suffering upon his family.

As I pondered what King David would say if he stood in this pulpit this morning, I was literally overwhelmed.

We could spend months looking at his life?

I could preach entire sermon series on the life of David.

How could I possibly boil his entire life down into just a few words of advice?

I believe that if David were here, he would share these 3 bits of wisdom with you.

First, I believe that David would remind you?

PRIDE KILLS FAITH

I Samuel 16 tells the story of the Shepherd boy who became a King.

The youngest of 8 children, David was out in the fields tending sheep when Samuel came to his father?s house to anoint a new king over Israel.

Jesse sent 7 of his sons before Samuel, beginning with the oldest.

He was a fine looking fellow, probably a cross between a young Tom Cruse, Bruce Willis and Richard Gere.

Samuel thought for sure that this was the man to be King?he just looked like a king!

But God said to him in I Samuel 16:7,


1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

6 more sons passed by Samuel, and God didn?t allow Samuel to anoint any of them as the new King.

Finally, Jesse called David from the fields.

Verse 12 tells us the he was bright, red headed and good looking.

Samuel anointed the young boy David as the new King of Israel.

The youngest brother – a poor peasant sheep-herder was made the king of Israel.

But there was only one problem.

King Saul was still on the throne and refused to accept that he was fired!

He still remained on the throne, and David couldn?t take his place until God had removed him.

Saul was slowly going crazy, and verse 14 says that a distressing spirit troubled him.

David came to play some music for Saul, and even though he was the rightful King, remained in submission to Saul.

Fast forward with me to chapter 17?The armies of Israel were on one side of the hill?.The armies of the Philistines were on the other side of the hill, and “No man?s Land? stood in the valley before them.

Each day, a nasty nine foot tall guy by the name of Goliath walked out into the center of the valley and challenged any one of the Israelites to fight him, winner take all!

This was the beginning of what we call in sports today, “Sudden death Overtime”.

This is when the game goes into overtime and the first team that scores wins the game.

Except, this really was “Sudden Death Overtime!”

Not a single soldier, including David?s own brothers, would dare face down Goliath.

David came to the camp to bring food to his brothers, and heard Goliath down in the valley.

David heard Goliath trashing the nation of Israel, and blaspheming God.

He was enraged?He went straight to Saul and volunteered to fight Goliath.

In the valley stood a giant and a boy, and warrior and a child.

Goliath looked down at David and said in verses 43-44, “?Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I?ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

David could handle a lot of abuse, after all, he had 7 older brothers!

But he couldn?t handle hearing God cursed, so David said in verse 45-47

1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV)

45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

He stunned Goliath with a rock from a slingshot, and used Goliath?s own sword to cut off his head.

And on that day, David showed everyone he really know how to get ahead in this world!

And as soon as he was done, he went right back to being the shepherd boy who played music for the king.

He went right back to his position of submission under Saul, and waited for God to make him the king.

Here?s the point that I want you to see.

David didn?t stand on his own abilities, strengths or talents.

David didn?t play politics, curry favor and try to take the king?s place.

David didn?t take the credit for the victories that God gave him.

Do you remember what David said when he faced Goliath?

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me?”

David knew that the victory belonged to God.

David understood who was the Shepherd and who was the sheep.

David understood who was the potter and who was the clay.

David was careful not to let himself become prideful in his own ability.

Jesus said it more appropriately in John 15:5

John 15:5 (NIV)

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Friends, we need to get a hold of that principle for our lives?David knew it well.

Without Jesus, you and I could not accomplish a single thing!

In my opinion, there tends to be a lot of pride in the church of Jesus Christ.

We talk about how we did this or we did that.

Friends, let me say this as your pastor?We haven?t done anything.

God has done everything.

This church is moving forward ? not because of anything we?ve done but because of what God is doing!!

Exciting things are happening here!

It?s not the preaching, teaching, caring, sharing, or giving that?s growing this church?It?s Jesus!

It?s not good management, careful budgeting, missions or outreach that?s growing this church?It?s Jesus.

He is the vine, we are the branches?

If the preaching/teaching are good, it?s because Jesus used some simple men/women to speak His truth.

If the caring/sharing minister to you, it?s because Jesus uses each of you to love one another.

If good management/careful budgeting helps us reach the lost, it?s because Jesus guided each person to make that happen.

If this church is reaching the lost through missions or outreach its because God planted passion/vision in come folks hearts to make that happen.

Let me share with you the quickest way to destroy God?s work in a church.

Just get prideful and start taking credit for what God?s doing!

The moment we start giving the credit to us rather than God, His blessings will disappear.

Friends, we need to make sure that we have David?s heart.

David knew that he couldn?t kill Goliath?but he knew that God could!

David knew that he couldn?t take the throne from Saul?but he knew that God could!

May I give you what I believe is a very accurate way to tell whether you suffer from “holy pride”?

How willing are you to stay out of God?s way and let Him work in your church and your life?

Pridefulness believes that it all depends on us.

Pridefulness has to have control.

Pridefulness resists any new ideas.

Pridefulness can?t step out on faith.

Pridefulness puts God in a box and says, “God, we make the rules here, not you. We know what we?re doing better than you do!”

In my experience, the more prideful a person is, the more controlling and resistant they are to allowing God to work freely.

And friends, here?s the secret that young David knew.

God can?t work in an atmosphere of pride.

His own people will quench His Spirit when they?re prideful.

His own church will stop His work when pride rules the roost.

Would you agree with me on a few things here this morning?

We really don?t deserve a God?s love that sent His son to die for us.

We really can?t do anything to earn our way to Heaven.

We really can?t become less sinful unless God?s Holy Spirit leads us.

We really can?t get God to love us more by doing favors for Him.

We really don?t want our way, we want God?s way.

We really can?t accomplish anything for God unless He accomplishes it through us.

Could you say those things this morning and really mean them?

Then you understand what David understood.

Don?t ever let yourself become prideful in your own ability.

So, before we go on, what happens when we let go of all pride and let God?s Spirit work through us, depending on Him for the results.

A. We?ll stop fearing failure.

We just do the work that Jesus sets before us, and let Him worry about the results!

B. We?ll be Free to Take a Step of Faith.

When we simply follow God?s leading and stop worrying about failure and results, then we?re not afraid to take those God led steps of faith.

We took a step of faith when we initiated the building project.

We stepped out on faith, trusted God for the results, and He isn?t letting us down!

When we strip away all pride in our personal ability, then God can really move and work in our midst.

David say to us this morning, “Pride kills faith”

2nd David would plead with us?

2. Don?t let too much idle time cause you to sin.

We?re going to fast forward again quite a few years ? Now the shepherd boy has become king over Israel.

He?s a king, anointed by God, placed on the throne to serve the people.

Turn to II Samuel 11 (Pew Bible Page 306)

2 Samuel 11:1 (NIV)

1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

And so began the most horrible time in David?s life.

He saw Bathsheba bathing on a nearby roof.

The roof was considered a private place, away from the prying eyes at street level.

But the palace towered above the other buildings in Jerusalem.

David saw Bathsheba, found out she was married, and still called her to the palace to have sex with him.

She became pregnant, and David called her husband home from the battlefield to sleep with her and hide his sin.

Uriah refused, so David had him murdered on the battlefield.

Turn with me to II Samuel 12 and see the horrible results of David?s sin.

2 Samuel 12:1-12 (NIV)

1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. 4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.” 5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” 7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ 11 “This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”

Even though David repented, there were still terrible consequences for his sin.

The young baby conceived by David/Bathsheba died from illness.

Incest was committed in David?s own home as David?s son Amnon took his stepsister Tamar.

David?s own son, Absalom, murdered Amnon is revenge for Tamar, then rose up in rebellion against David.

He drove David from the palace in Jerusalem, and took David?s wives and slept with them to insult/humiliate his father.

The rebellion was crushed, and Absalom was killed.

David lived the rest of his life in constant strife, sorrow and violence, just as Nathan had foretold.

If David was here this morning, He?d plead with you.

He?d say, “Don?t let too much idle time cause you to sin!”

Let me explain?Look back again with me to II Samuel 11:1.

2 Samuel 11:1 (NIV)

1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

Kings were supposed to accompany their armies to battle.

Kings weren?t supposed to sit idle around the palace.

I believe that David?s sorrows began when he stayed in the palace, with too much time on his hands.

If David had gone to war, he wouldn?t have seen Bathsheba on the rooftop.

If David had gone to war, he wouldn?t have called for her ands slept with her.

If David had gone to war, he wouldn?t have had to order her husband to be killed in order to marry her and hide the shame.

If David had gone to war, Nathan would have never pronounced God?s judgment on David.

There would have been no rape.

There would have been no murder.

There would have been no rebellion.

David would not have to watch as 2 of his sons died.

All that grief and pain caused by too much idle time on his hands.

Many years ago, someone said, “Idle hands are the Devil?s playground.”

How true it was in David?s case?How true it is in our lives as well.

Do you have too much idle time on your hands?

Do you find yourself being tempted when you have idle time?

Do you give into that temptation too easily when you have idle time and no accountability?

There is a solution for this. And I can attest to it. If you are married, have lots of kids (sic). Just joking.

But it is important that you have what I call accountable idle time.

Don?t allow idle time with no accountability. Plan what you do with your idle time and be accountable to someone about what you do!

David, a man after God?s own heart, sinned when he had too much time on his hands.

You?re no stronger than he is.

David would freely tell you this morning that Idle time destroyed his life.

He?d say, Don?t let too much idle time cause you to sin.

Last, David would plead with you.

He?d say?

Don?t be afraid to admit when you?ve blown it.

Look back at II Samuel 12:13.

This is David?s immediate response to Nathan when he exposed David?s affair.

2 Samuel 12:13 (NIV)

13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.

Now, I want you to turn to Psalm 50. (Pew Bible Page554)

David wrote it in response to his sin with Bathsheba.

READ PSALM 50

CONCLUSION

Do you want to know why an adulterer who committed murder is called “A man after God?s own heart”?

Psalm 50 tells us why!

David wasn?t afraid to admit when He?d blown it!

May I challenge to do the same thing right now?Don?t be afraid to admit that you?ve blown it!

You won?t be telling God anything that He doesn?t already know!

Take that first step toward forgiveness/restoration today?Be like David?.Don?t be afraid to admit when you?ve blown it!

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Samuel: Revival Man

Sunday, November 16th, 2003
This entry is part 6 of 15 in the series When the Heroes of Faith speak...

Read at beginning of service:

Matthew 16:24-27 (NIV)

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

INTRODUCTION

recap message series, “When the Heroes of Faith Speak”

Today we?re going to look at the life of a man who was dedicated to God before he was born. In 1 Samuel, chapter 1, we are introduced to him.

Here we learn that there was named Elkanah, and Elkanah had 2 wives. The first wife was Peninah, and Elkanah and her had many children. Elkanah?s second wife is Hannah, and as much as she tried, she wasn?t able to conceive a child with her husband. Her heart ached to hold a little baby of her own. Elkanah must have known how much his wife hurt because verses 4-5 tell us?

1 Samuel 1:4-5 (NIV)

4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb.

Hannah was a sad, hurting, disappointed woman and her husband stood beside her as she dreamed of giving birth to a child to call her own. We find out also in chapter one that Hannah was even more tormented because Peninah did everything she could to make Hannah?s life absolutely miserable.

1 Samuel 1:6-7 (NIV)

6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.

As the story continues, we learn that each year the family would make a trip to Shiloh, which was the spiritual center of the Israelites at that time. With her hurt/pain/anguish, Hannah wandered to the Tabernacle to pray. Her tears splashed down her cheeks, and in verse 10 we learn that,


1 Samuel 1:10 (NIV)

10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.

She was at the end of her rope, and she cried out in anguish?

1 Samuel 1:11 (NIV)

11 And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

Her prayers were answered, and God gave Hannah a son. She named him Samuel, which means “Heard of God” or “God heard me.” And Hannah kept her promise to the Lord. When Samuel was weaned form his mother, at 2 or 3 years of age, she took him to the Tabernacle, dedicated his life to God, and gave him to Eli the Priest to serve God in the Tabernacle. In the first 10 verse of Samuel chapter 2 is a wonderful prayer of a mother who loves her Lord and loves her child ? I would encourage you to read those verses sometime.

So this morning we?re going to look at the life of this child who grew up to be a mighty man of God ? Samuel.

Now Samuel is one of those people on the list of faith who appears a little more frequently in the pages of Scripture. By way of introduction there are a few quick comments I would like to make about him?

God shaped Samuel?s life from the start. Like Moses, Samuel was called to fill many different roles: judge, priest, prophet, counselor, and God? man at a turning point in the history of Israel.

Samuel was used by God to assist Israel?s transition from a loosely governed tribal people to a monarchy.

He was the last and most effective of Israel?s judges.

He anointed the first two kings of Israel.

While Samuel?s entire story is found in 1 Samuel 1 ? 1 Samuel 28, a very significant verse makes this observation about him:

1 Samuel 3:19-20 (NIV)

19 The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD.

Yes, Samuel was a great man of God and a man who accomplished much. As I approached his story in preparation for this message I found that there is so much that Samuel might say if he were here this morning ? that I didn?t know how I could narrow it all down to the time we have here today. I would never presume to be able to state to you what exactly Samuel would say to us this morning, but my attention was drawn to a major incident that happened in Israel during his tenure as judge. I believe that Samuel would have a lot to say about this event and so I?m going to zero on it this morning.

The event I?m referring to is found in our text for today ? 1 Samuel 4:1-10

READ TEXT AND PRAY

There is a popular children?s show on the Disney Channel called “Out of the Box”. The theme song is one of those songs that, once you?ve heard it, sticks in your mind all day. It ends with the words, “Out of the box, it?s really up to you what comes out of the box.”

In the business world there is a catch phrase that frequently pops up – “thinking outside the box.” It is a challenge to go beyond the ordinary and do something extraordinary.

I believe that Samuel would speak today to a church that is stuck in the box. For the most part ? the church in our society has a focus that has shifted from people to pews, from saving souls to sacred Sundays. Today when you mention Christianity most people immediately think of the worship assembly ? a church building ? or denomination. As long as we continue with this mentality we are stuck in the box without hope of growing beyond ? and fulfilling God?s mandate for us as Christians.

One of the greatest accomplishments that happened in Samuel?s life was when God worked through him to bring the nation of Israel to the place of revival. I believe Samuel would take one look at the church in Hanover and say, folks ? it?s time for a revival. I believe Samuel would say,

“If we want to experience revival in the church, if we want this family of God to grow then we must let God out of the box and back into our lives before we suffocate.”

In thinking about the them song from the Disney kids show ? “Revival, it?s really up to you what comes out of the box!”

Samuel and the Israelites had an experience similar to the one facing us today.

? The Israelites were losing a war to the Philistines like we are fighting a war against Satan. (which at times feels like a “losing” war)

? The Israelites? answer was, “Bring us God in a box.” Our answer is “We all need to go to the box (church – building).”

? The Israelites? answer brought them defeat, not Victory. Our answer will lead us to defeat unless we experience transformation by the hand of God.

.

Even in a time when “the word of the Lord was rare.” (1 Sam. 3:1) Samuel led the people in Revival. I hope this morning, Samuel does the same for our hearts.

So let?s turn our attention to what he would say to us today about “the box”

You are Relying on a Box

Israel?s answer to defeat was God in a box. 1 Sam. 4:3

1 Samuel 4:3 (NIV)

3 When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the LORD bring defeat upon us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.”

Notice how it?s recorded that they said, “so it may go with us” rather than so God may be with them!

By bringing in the ark they thought they had secured the presence of God.

they had attached more significance to a “symbol” of God?s presence than to the actual presence of God!

Certainly some of the Elder?s would remember the story of when the Israelites first crossed into the Canaan and the miraculous crossing of the Jordan that involved the Ark of the Covenant?(Joshua 3)

The story of the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6)

The ark was a symbol of the presence of God ? but in and of itself it was nothing powerful ? it was just a beautiful, decorated box!

Their focus was on personal success and not on glorifying God.

Their focus wasn?t on glorifying God. Their focus was on beating up the Philistines. They weren?t seeking justice ? they were seeking revenge. And they thought that by bring “the box” they could win.

Our answer to our battles as Christians (whether it be with satan/world/sin) has been far to often faith in a box.

Far too often when we face a defeat we arm ourselves with the symbols of God?s presence and walk out to battle again. When we approach evangelism ? we equip ourselves with the symbols of God?s presence and head out to witness. Folks, I want to tell you something, listen carefully ? worship (by that I mean praising God in song or speech), prayer, reading your Bible, or even gathering together with other believer?s for a ministry or service are all very important and good things. However, they are all “symbols” of God?s presence.

We associate praising and worshipping God with inviting His presence.

We associate prayer with communicating with His presence.

We associate reading the Bible with learning about His presence.

We associate coming together with dwelling in His presence, or serving in His presence.

Now, listen to me carefully I must prelude my next statement by making the following clarification, I?m not saying these things are irrelevant, or that they are insignificant, or that they are not needed. But what I am saying that you can have these things attached to your Christian utility belt and still not have the presence of God. How is this possible?

When our faith shifts from the one symbolized to the symbol itself.

For example,

when we put more faith in a style of music or a particular song, or clapping our hands, or the way we worship than the one we?re worshipping.

When we put more faith in what we pray or how we pray than who we are praying to!

When we put more faith in the act of reading the Bible than in the one who wrote it.

When we put more faith in what we are doing for God than in Him who wants to do things through us!

An example of this is found in our emphasis on going to church, over being the church! When we associate our success with “the box”

Friends, I believe Samuel would draw parallels between the Israelites putting their faith in the “box” they carried to battle against the Philistines and the “boxes” we rely on in our life. I believe he would point out that many of us are relying on these “boxes” for victory and freedom. But then, I believe Samuel would next ask a pointed question? you are relying on a box, now?

Where has the Glory gone? (1 Samuel 4:12-22)

relate the story of the Ark of Covenant being taken by the Philistines and Eli finding out the news. Then emphasize verse 19-22

1 Samuel 4:19-22 (NIV)

19 His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. 20 As she was dying, the women attending her said, “Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond or pay any attention. 21 She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel”–because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”

A. With the ark gone the glory was gone from Israel. 1 Sam. 4:12?22

1. Israel?s hope was gone without the Ark of Covenant (the box).

2. The sad reality is that it was a false hope. God was never really with them.

B. When people put God in a box then they lose the glory.

1. Some people associate the glory (presence of God) with “the box” (or symbols of God?s presence).

2. Some people see Christianity as a “fix” instead of a way of life.

Imagine for a moment the feeling of the Israelite soldiers when the Ark of Covenant comes into the camp. “Yah! Now our victory is assured, the Ark is here”. Imagine the confidence that they carried with them into battle that day. But then imagine the sinking feeling in their gut when they realize that they are losing! When they realize God isn?t with them!

It?s the same feeling that many Christians have experience. Myself included. Haven?t you ever asked the question ? “Where are you God”? I?ve prayed, I?ve read your word, I worked for you, I?ve worshipped you ? but where are you?

For some of you that is where you are at today. And this is why when I pose that question that Samuel might ask himself ? it brings forefront ? “Where is the glory of God?” – Isn?t it every person?s desire to experience a revival that changes their life, makes it better, gives them hope? Isn?t that the most sought after experience in a believer?s life?

I believe Samuel would begin by saying, “You are relying on a box” then continue with the question, “Where is the glory” and finally direct us to the answer?

When we decide to live for God and rely on Him (instead of for what He brings), the glory will return. Stop relying on a box!!

I want to draw your attention to where Samuel enters the picture in 1 Samuel 7:2-10


1 Samuel 7:2-10 (NIV)

2 It was a long time, twenty years in all, that the ark remained at Kiriath Jearim, and all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD. 3 And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. 5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the LORD for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah. 7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. And when the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. 10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.

Several key things happened here that resulted in revival (victory over the Philistines).

The Israelites realized how important God was to them.

Verse 2 says that, “all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD.” With the symbol of God?s presence gone (and with it the glory of God) they came face to face with the emptiness and loneliness of being without His presence. There was a void, a vacuum that they knew could only be filled by God.

Friend?s I believe that one of the catalysts to relying on a box is when we start to take God for granted. When we take Him for granted we start forgetting how much we need Him. We move “out of the box” and into reliance on God when we start realizing how much we need Him and when we miss His presence. That?s the first thing that happened with the Israelites ? and they “sought” after Him.

Samuel said, “choose your sides” and stick with it.

He basically said, “If you really mean it, if you really want to return to the Lord with all your heart, then make sure it?s with all your heart!” He called for a total commitment and undivided service to Him.

Friend?s if you are really seeking God, if you are really wanting to experience His glory and come into His presence then halfway measures aren?t going to cut it. If there is something that is dividing you from your pursuit of God then that “idol” has to go!

The Israelites confessed and repented and Samuel prayed?

The first step toward God is the last step away from your sin. The Israelites confessed their lack of faith and their divided loyalties, and their sins and repented of those things (the evidence of their repentance was found in their actions). When Samuel prayed for them it wasn?t because of his choice of words, or his stature as a man of God that somehow resulted in the return of God?s presence (that would be relying on a box again!) It was because of the attitude of their hearts that God heard Samuel?s prayer.

CONCLUSION

Friend?s I believe it?s time for the church to get out of the box. I hope you?ve heard the message of Samuel this morning? What boxes are you placing God in? Are you missing the presence of God. Are you wanting His presence. Are there things in your heart/life that divide your attention to that desire? Friend?s for us to experience and witness and walk in and know revival and the glory of God in our midst we must be committed wholeheartedly to seeking Him and serving Him.

For really it?s not revival we?re after ?it?s God we want ? it?s that deep, intimate, life-changing relationship with His awesome, supernatural person. Revival is just the side-effect.

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Samson: The Bible’s “Incredible Hulk”

Sunday, November 9th, 2003
This entry is part 5 of 15 in the series When the Heroes of Faith speak...

Read at beginning of service:

Psalm 34 (whole chapter)

INTRODUCTION

PRAY

Recap series, “When the Heroes of Faith Speak”

Today we?re going to look at the Incredible Hulk of the Bible?.(explain who the Hulk is)

Today we?re going to look at Samson ? who I consider to be the incredible Hulk of the Bible! If Samson were here this morning, I believe that he?d spend hours telling you how God worked in his life. He?d admit his lusts, bad choices and consequences, and he?d be honest with you about his journey of life.

Samson?s story is found in Judges 13-16 and I don?t have time to read all of his story too you but I am going to be highlighting a few incidences in the course of this message.

Before we look at what Samson might say, let?s look at the context and background of his life. We?re going to be looking at Judges 13 so I invite you to turn in your Bibles to that passage if you have it.

The book of Judges tells us that for 400 years, Israel was locked in a vicious cycle of sin and repentance.

Every new generation would fall away from the lord.

They would become rebellious toward God.

They would become disobedient.

They would fall into idolatry.

And they would abandon God.

Again, the people had fallen away from God.

Again, God had allowed them to be oppressed/conquered by their enemies.

The Philistines were the latest enemy.

And into this world was born a little baby named Samson.

Judges 13 tells us that Samson was a specific answer to prayer.

His parents were childless.

An angel appeared to them, and promised them a son, if they would take a Nazirite Vow on his behalf.


Judges 13:3-5 (NIV)

3 The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, “You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son. 4 Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean, 5 because you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”

NAZiRITE = Devoted or separated one

Nazirites took an oath to ABSTAIN from worldly Influences & CONSECRATE their lives to God…

There were 4 Commitments that were Common to the Nazirite

1 ? To Abstain for All Intoxicating Drink & Grape Products

2 ? To Not Cut the Hair

3 ? To Avoid Contact with the dead

4 ? To Refuse to eat Food Regarded as Unclean

The vow could be taken by any Israelite for a period of time to commit themselves to God.

Typically it lasted 30 to 100 days.

Only 3 men in the Bible were thought to have taken the Nazirite vow for life ?

Samuel…John Baptist…and Samson.

Samson was one of those men whose intent was to serve God his entire life.

God had chosen him to free His people from the Philistines.

Samson had it made in many ways?

His parents were Godly…

His purpose was revealed clearly to him…

His Spiritual heritage was assured…

His path was carved out…

All he had to do was stay faithful and walk in it!

And yet, he lost his way, and failed to accomplish his God ordained, life?s purpose.

He never freed the Israelites from the Philistines.

There is much that we can learn from Samson?s life this morning.

I believe that Samson would warn you to be careful.

He?d say that?

Your Greatest Strengths can be destroyed by your Smallest Weakness

Samson was the strongest man who ever lived.

But all of Samson?s strength was overcome one slight weakness?.

Samson?s greatest problem was impulsive behavior.

Samson had a problem with wandering eyes

He just couldn?t be satisfied with what God had made available to him.

There were plenty of Israelite women, and I?m sure many of them were beautiful.

And I?m sure many of them would have been thrilled to have Samson come courting.

But Samson couldn?t be content with the beautiful Israelite women all around him.

He wanted to cross the line.

He wanted to taste forbidden fruit.

He wanted to see how long he could dance with the devil without getting burned.

Friends, here?s truth you can take to the bank!

If you let your eyes wander long enough your feet will surely follow.

You can?t play with fire without getting burned!


Job 31:1 (NIV)

1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.

David evidently learned his lesson with Bathsheba because in Psalms 101:3, he said


Psalm 101:3a(NIV)

3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing?

In Colossians 3:2, Paul says,

Colossians 3:2 (NIV)

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

These men knew what would happen if they let their weaknesses loose.

These men know what would happen if they let their sinful thoughts to percolate.

These men knew what happened once our focus on sin change from a glance to a gaze. (EXPOUND)

But, for all his strength, Samson didn?t (Not couldn?t) control his weakness.

Scripture says that Samson went down to Timnah.

Timnah was a border city in the no man?s land between the Philistines and the Israelites.

It was populated by both Israelites and Philistines.

It was kind of like the red light district of a large town.


Judges 14:1-3 (NIV)

1 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.” 3 His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.”

Timnah wasn?t the only where he let his eyes wander?.eventually married the woman from Timnah ? riddle ? ended up woman and her family were killed?Samson visited a prostitute in Gaza?Eventually fell in love with a woman named Delilah in the Valley of Sorek. I want to tell you something folks?Samson wasn?t seduced by temptation – he willingly took steps that led him in the wrong direction.

Eventually Samson reached a place where he was no longer in control of his life. (Briefly tell the story of Delilah as told in Judges 16)

His hair was the secret to his strength.

When he allowed Delilah to cut his hair, he lost his strength.


Judges 16:21 (NIV)

21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison.

Here?s the Irony..Samson was a strong man, but he was also a weak man.

He was strong in public, but he was weak in private

His public life was good enough to fool a lot of people, but his private life was in shambles

Someone famous said, “Character is who you are when no one is looking.”

In spite of his physical strength, he ended up being defeated by his enemy, without his enemy even striking one blow,

He just laid his head in Delilah?s lap and went to sleep. Yes, it was the Philistines that bound him and put out his eyes, but not until Samson of his own free will revealed the secret power of his covenant with God.

It was his covenant with God that gave him his power

When his covenant was gone so was his power

It didn?t happen all at once, it was a gradual thing

The enemy will never tell you that you have to choose between him or God.

He?ll tell you that God trying to keep you from having any fun.

He?ll tell you that God is trying to run your life.

He?ll tell you that God is holding you back.

He?ll tell you that those “so-called” sins will make you happy. That there is nothing really wrong with them.

Listen friends, Samson?s mess was of his own making,

It was a series of wrong choices that brought him down.

This is where a lot of people are today

They have made wrong choices so long, that in their minds, what used to be wrong is now right.

If you justify wrong attitudes/actions long enough, you will sear your conscious to the point that you no longer feel any conviction over wrong thoughts, or actions.

If you allow your flesh to rule in your life, you will reach the point where you may be on the top, doing everything you want to do, enjoying the grass on the other side of the fence?.

But Spiritually you will be on the bottom?

No joy. No peace.

No victory.

No song in your heart.

Samson ended up a slave, eyes poked out, bound by the Philistines, grinding mill like a mule in the Philistine?s camp.

He didn?t get there because his enemy was so powerful

He got there because he was so weak.

He let his flesh/impulses/lusts/desires rule him.

Let me ask you a very pointed question this morning.

What?s your lust?

What?s your impulse?

What sin is ruling your life?

? Are you a blind slave to alcohol/drugs?

? Are you a blind slave to pornography?

? Are you a blind slave to illicit sex?

? Are you a blind slave to greed/money/power?

? Are you a blind slave to gossip/backbiting?

? Are you a blind slave to destructive relationships?

how about pride? Unforgiveness? Lying? Envy?

I want to tell you something – you didn?t get there in a day.

You?re blind, bound and broken because of a series of choices that you?ve made.

They probably started long ago, maybe even innocently.

Nobody gets up one morning and says, “I think I?ll begin serving Satan today”.

We all need to realize that, no matter how strong we all are, just one weakness can destroy us!

Don?t ever think that you?re too strong to be broken by sin! That in itself is a sin ? the sin of pride!

Don?t ever think that bad choices really don?t matter.

Don?t ever think that your reputation doesn?t matter.

Do you remember that tacky Fox network show “Who Wants to marry a Millionaire”?

That program caused quite a scandal?

After a prime time, beauty pageant romance Darva Conger married millionaire Rick Rockwell in front of millions of viewers.

Allegations that Rockwell was abusive emerged immediately.

Darva Conger sued for an annulment to the marriage because she said she, “Wanted her privacy”.

Then, she promptly posed as a centerfold for Playboy magazine.

Her life is an example of bad choices.

In an ABC TV interview, she told ABC?s Diane Sawyer, “I have worked my whole life to be a credible person, a person of integrity. Unfortunately, in two hours I destroyed much of that credibility. And … I?d like it back.”

I believe that Samson would warn us that your greatest strength can be destroyed by your smallest weakness.

But here?s the good part.

I think that Samson would also remind us that:

God is willing to give you another chance?

Thankfully this story doesn?t end with Samson in a slave?s pit.

Samsons life did end on a positive note.


Judges 16:22 (NIV)

22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

When the hair returned, so did the strength.

I don?t want you to make a mistake, though, in thinking that it was his magical hair that gave him his strength.

He had the long hair because he had taken a lifelong vow of faithfulness to God.

It wasn?t the hair that made him strong, it was the renewal of his commitment to God.

You see, somewhere Between Barber Shop & the Coliseum?Samson got something he hadn?t had in a long time ? He got real with God!

His broken heart cried out to God.

As he turned to mill wheel, his mind dwelled on:

? All the missed opportunities.

? All the impulsive emotions.

? All the times he flirted with sin.

? All the disobedience to his Parents

? All the disobedience to his calling.

? All the disobedience to his God.

I believe that while his hair was growing, his faith was also growing.

I believe that Samson got real with God, and became broken before God.

Psalms 34:18 (NIV)

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalms 147:3 (NIV)

3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalms 51:17 (NIV)

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

And I believe that God heard the cry of a man who had wandered far away from God.

Scripture doesn?t spell it out, but can?t you feel Samson?s repentant heart as he worked in the grinding mill?

Numbers 6:12 tells us about what a Nazirite is supposed to do when he sins.


Number 6:12 (NIV)

12 He must dedicate himself to the LORD for the period of his separation and must bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. The previous days do not count, because he became defiled during his separation.

Friends, that?s called repentance!

This verse means that after repentance ? Nazarites start all over and the old sins are gone…

That?s exactly what happened with Samson.

He found himself standing between the pillars that held up the Temple of Dagon.

Dagon was the god of the Philistines.

In Judges 16:28, Samson does something that Scripture hasn?t shown him do for a long time.

He begins to pray?


Judges 16:28 (NIV)

28 Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.”

Judges 16:30 (NIV)

30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.

I believe that Samson?s final choice to come back to God was what qualified him as a hero of the faith.

CONCLUSION

It doesn?t matter how far you?ve run away, it only matters that you?re willing to come back.

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