We Get Used To the Smell

Posted by David on January 7, 2001 under Sermons

Smells are among the most powerful forces in human experience. Smells are so powerful they can instantly change one of life’s best moments into one of life’s worst moments. Or, they can change one of life’s worst moments into one of life’s cherished moments.

Consider two illustrations. Illustration one: your whole life your dream vacation has been a leisurely visit to a tropical paradise. After planning and saving for years, you arrive in the place of your dreams filled with anticipation. Flowers are blooming. The sky is deep blue. The sun is brilliant. The sights and sounds are mystical. The breeze is gentle, warm, relaxing. The ocean has a hypnotic color and clarity you have never seen. The whole experience is so wonderful you feel like you are in another world. Every sensory experience exceeds every expectation.

But the first night there, the whole town experiences the worst sewage catastrophe possible. Sewage in a tropical climate is stifling! That night the overwhelming smell of sewage penetrates your room. The next day when you go to eat, the smell of sewage is everywhere. You step outside, the smell of sewage “knocks you down.” No matter where you are or what you do, the smell of sewage is everywhere.

How long will you stay? Will you ever forget that odor? Can you ever disassociate that odor from that place? Does the odor destroy your dream?

Illustration two: inescapable necessity forces you to make a trip you literally hate to take. Everything goes wrong. You are stuck in a strange, dreary airport for six hours while a flight is delayed. When that flight finally leaves, it flies through horrible weather. Your rental car breaks down on a deserted road in the middle of nowhere ten miles from a house. You decide to walk for help. A mile from the car a sudden, intense rain storm soaks you with cold rain. You decide to go back to the car. When you turn around, you see a truck speeding away from the car. Someone broke a window and took everything.

The rain finally stops, and you walk for help. You are angrier and more disgusted than you ever remember being. Miles from the car, you approach a house and smell the most wonderful food aromas you ever smelled. The people invite you in and feed you. The food tastes as wonderful as it smelled.

Will you ever forget that aroma? Will you always remember how wonderful the food was? Will that aroma always be of one of life’s wonderful moments?

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?

Smells played a very critical role in Old Testament acts of worship before the nation of Israel existed and after the nation of Israel existed.
1. Before Israel existed, God “smelled” the smoke of animal sacrifices as an “odor of sweet smell.”
  1. For example, one the first things Noah did when he left the ark was to offer many animal sacrifices to God (Genesis 8:20,21).
  2. The smoke and aroma of those burning sacrifices was “smelled” by God as a “soothing aroma.”
  3. After Israel existed, incense played a key, important role in Jewish worship.
  1. There was an altar of incense used to burn incense in the tabernacle and later the temple (Exodus 30).
  2. On the second most important day of worship each year (the day of atonement), if the most holy place was not filled with the smoke and aroma of incense before the high priest entered, he died (Leviticus 16:13).
  3. Some “smell” had to mask the stench of sin when God’s people approached Him.
2. Throughout the entire Old Testament, smells and aromas were an extremely important part of worship.
  1. To honor God, you had to approach Him with sweet, soothing aromas.
  2. Only the right aroma could remove the stench of evil in sinful people.
  3. It has always been true that the natural stench of evil is the smell of death.
After the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, those who trust Christ are the soothing, sweet smelling aroma that God “smells.”
1. In the 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 reading, Paul used a known experience to teach a powerful point.
  1. In the time of crisis a Roman general took several Roman legions and attacked the enemy.
  2. When the war ended, the victorious Roman general and his troops would return to the city of Rome.
  3. To honor the general and to celebrate the victory, Rome would have what they called the triumphal march.
    1. The whole city would line the parade route.
    2. The streets were lined with burners that produced clouds of incense.
    3. All the defeated, condemned captives were paraded through the streets with the general and his troops.
    4. To those captives, the clouds of incense were the horrible smell of death.
    5. To the victorious Romans, the clouds of incense was the wonderful smell of victory.
2. In Paul’s illustration:
  1. God organizes the triumphal march.
  2. Christ is the conquering general.
  3. To all people who accept Christ’s liberation and salvation, the incense is the aroma of freedom from sin and death.
    1. They have been freed.
    2. The smell is the sweet smell of holiness and purity produced by liberation from the power of evil.
    3. To them, Jesus Christ is the aroma of life.
  4. But to all people who love ungodliness, evil, and the unholy, the incense is the aroma of certain death.
    1. They are the soldiers of evil marching to their eternal deaths.
    2. They hate holiness, and purity, and Christ, and God.
    3. To them, Jesus Christ is the aroma of death.
We sinful people get used to the smell of evil, but the holy God never does.
1. We humans get so accustomed to the smell of common evils that we do not “smell” them.
  1. The ungodliness that we classify as horrible has an awful odor.
  2. The ungodliness that is common place all around us has less odor all the time.
  3. The ungodliness that is acceptable does not even have an odor.
  4. The ungodliness that we find pleasurable actually smells good to us.
2. Consider some illustrations.
  1. To many Christians, homosexual acts, prostitution, rape, forced human bondage, incest, abortion, murder, and violent crime have a horrible odor that really turns most Christians off.
    1. Many can’t stand to be around “those kinds of people.”
    2. Many believe the gospel cannot help “those kinds of people.”
  2. To many Christians, adultery, “living together” arrangements, “one night” stands, white collar crime, recreational drugs, and gambling have some odor–but the odor is not that bad.
    1. It would be bad to do those things openly.
    2. But if we can do those things secretly and quietly with “the right people,” its okay–“no big deal.”
  3. To many Christians, deceit, greed, jealousy, selfish ambition, and hate do not have an odor, but those who wrote the New Testament, who understood Jesus and his teachings said:
    1. Deceiving a person insults God (Matthew 5:33-37).
    2. Greed is idolatry, an actual act of worship to a false god (Colossians 3:5).
    3. Jealousy and selfish ambition are ungodly arrogance (James 4:14).
    4. Hate nourishes murder and destroys eternal life (1 John 3:15).
  4. To many Christians, “getting high” on alcohol, “getting high” on recreational drugs, entertainment that is sexually stimulating, unholy experiences that give pleasure, vulgar language, and immoral jokes actually smell good.
    1. “Those things are just a part of life.”
    2. “If they don’t smell bad to me, they cannot possibly smell bad to God.”
In the Judaism of the New Testament and the early centuries beyond, a man could divorce his wife but a woman could not divorce her husband.
1. A few exceptions were allowed.
  1. In the exceptions, the woman could not actually divorce her husband, but she could demand that her husband divorce her.
  2. If my memory is correct, there were five circumstances in which a wife could force her husband to divorce her.
2. I remember one clearly.
  1. If her husband’s occupation was tanning animal hides, she could demand a divorce.
    1. Tanning animal hides was a process that involved horrible odors.
    2. The stench was so penetrating that the odor actually permeated his skin.
    3. Literally, the odor could not be washed off–no matter how much he cleaned himself, even when he could not smell the odor, he still stunk.
  2. If his wife could not tolerate the odor, she could demand a divorce.
3. We lived in West Africa for four years.
  1. After three years, some of our African friends felt close enough to us to be quite honest instead of kindly polite.
  2. Once we asked them what was the most difficult thing they did with the missionaries.
  3. They said the hardest thing they had to do was visit us in our homes.
    1. Shocked, we asked why.
    2. Respectfully, they replied, “You people smell so bad. The odor is almost more than we can take.”
    3. How ironic! We bathed every day, used deodorant every day, we used lotions, and we put on clean clothes every day.
    4. We had showers; they did not. We could afford deodorant and lotions; they could not; we could afford to buy enough clothes to change frequently; they could not.
    5. Yet, we were the ones who smelled so bad they had trouble coming into our homes.
  4. We did not stink to us–we smelled good to us. Yet, we smelled awful to them.
    1. Why? Because of our diet.
    2. Missionaries ate a lot of meat; we could afford to.
    3. They could not afford meat very often.
    4. When you eat a lot of meat, your body secretes offensive odors in societies where most people do not eat meat.

The spiritual truth: every human stinks to God. Sin makes us stink. There is enough evil ingrained in all of us to make each of us give off a horrible odor to God. Our diet included evil every day of our lives, and the evil makes us stink to God.

Only one thing can remove the odor: God’s forgiveness administered through Jesus’ cleansing blood. When a person trusts God’s acts in Jesus’ death, the blood of Jesus removes the odor. God will remove the odor from any person who enters Jesus and lives in Jesus.

“Preacher, do you know what is wrong among Christians? I’ll tell you what is wrong. We have a huge behavior problem in the church.”

I certainly agree that Christians have a huge behavior problem, but that is not the foundation of our problems. The foundation is this: too many Christians do not trust God. They were not baptized because they trusted God. Trust had little to do with their baptism. They did not want a holy or a pure life. They still do not want a holy or a pure life. They love some forms of evil. They want the smell of evil, not the smell of purity and holiness. To them, the greatest option in all life is to smell like evil and stay out of hell.

When you look at your personal holiness and purity, are they more important to you today than a year ago? Is your purpose to “get used” to the smell of evil in your life? Or, is the purpose to let God cleanse you every day of your life so that you have the smell of holiness and purity?

Does January’s Intents Affect December’s Results?

Posted by David on under Bulletin Articles

Joyce and I married in 1961. I was a senior in David Lipscomb College. She earnestly sought a job, any job (which took three months to find). I preached for the Old Charlotte Road congregation for $25 a week. Rent was $50 a month. The other $50 actually bought our food and paid our bills.

In 1961 we bought our first life insurance policy. The amount: $10,000. We were assured (and convinced) that $10,000 could care for Joyce for life.

Has our world changed? Radically! In the 1960s people used goals to prepare for the future. Goals were calculated and strategies formed. While change was a part of the formula, it was an extremely small part. Change occurred very slowly.

Now a formula’s most important factor is change. At times change seems to be the entire equation! Age 61 rapidly approaches. This year Joyce and I celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. The 1961 amount of $10,000 that could “care for a lifetime of needs” cannot buy a “mid-line” new car, or provide housing for two years, or buy groceries for a long period.

Today life travels in amazing transitions at breakneck speeds. The 1960s was a goal-oriented era. It was so simple: set the goal; form the plan; work hard; reap the results (choose a career, get the education, accept the job, reach a secure retirement).

Now it is so complex. That “goals era” is dead. Now it is “identify and address existing now needs.”

“Now” we must prepare well for the uncertain. Not the uncertainties of 2010–the uncertainties of 2001! How can we make “good preparation” for the uncertain? We prepare for 2001’s uncertainties by addressing “now’s” needs wisely. We use “now” wisely by doing three things. (1) Identify basic “now” needs. (2) Admit those “now” needs are real. (3) Honestly address “now” needs.

We prepare for 2010 by addressing the needs of 2001. It is impossible to live in the past. It is impossible to imagine the future. What is possible? Address “now” wisely.

Your staff does not preach sermons just to “say something,” or teach classes to do “our job,” or plan and pray because “preachers should.” We constantly study, think, pray, and plan as we ask God to use Jesus to address the very real needs of “now.” We refuse to work, plan, preach, or teach “haphazardly.” May everyone seriously approach God in serious times. Daily live in relationship with God. Worship to change your heart.

Jesus said, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness … Do not be anxious for tomorrow … Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33,34).

Just the Facts on the Frequency of the Lord’s Supper

Posted by John on January 1, 2001 under Articles

People ask us why we take communion every Sunday. Sometimes we even ask ourselves that question. What are the historical and biblical facts that make this practice more reasonable than any other proposal?

WHY STUDY THE MATTER?

Neither the writers of the New Testament nor those in the early church actually discussed this topic. It was a non-issue. That was then. As with baptism by immersion, the practice was in place and had not been changed. But now changes in the original practice exist. Since we have an obligation to be steadfast in the apostolic traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15), the “frequency” becomes an “issue” today by the very nature of the case.

A WORD ABOUT FACTS AND PROOF

Facts are statements that have a high degree of certainty attached to them. In the study of any matter, it is important to stick with the facts as a basis for our conclusions.

It should be noted that very few things are proven by just one fact. It is a set of facts that cooperate and reinforce each other that makes a case certain. The goal is not proof beyond all doubt, but beyond a reasonable doubt.

WHAT ARE THE FACTS ON THIS TOPIC?

#1 Historical facts outside the New Testament

The writings of early Christians outside the New Testament prove that taking the Lord’s Supper each Sunday was a consistent practice of the churches from the apostolic era onward for several centuries. It was an “identifying mark” of Christianity. (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 3 , p. 1923; The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Vol. 4, p. 198; Wycliff Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 2 , p. 1049; Early Christians Speak, Everett Ferguson, p. 97).

The fact that it was a unified and consistent practice clearly points back to a standardized teaching concerning its observance because if that were not the case, more diversity in practice would be observed.

In the writings of these early Christians, the apostles are looked to for authoritative teaching on Christian belief and practice (Paley’s Evidences of Christianity, p. 113-151). So, it is unlikely that anyone but the apostles would be giving authoritative instructions as to how and when the Lord’s Supper is to be observed. And apostolic instructions should carry considerable weight in the mind of Christians today, as it did then (John 16:13).

#2 New Testament Facts

The observance of the Lord’s Supper was an important matter to Jesus (Luke 22:19). He wanted the apostles to teach the new converts how to observe all that He had taught them (Matthew 28:20). This would include the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). And from the very outset the apostles taught the new church about the Lord’s Supper. (See Acts 2:42 as contrasted with just taking food in 2:46.) In Corinth, the church met regularly on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1,2). When they met it was to take the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20). The fact that the instructions to Corinth in 1 Corinthians 16:1 are also to the churches in Galatia, makes it evident that they followed the same practice. And when seen against the historical facts listed in #1 above, it is clear that they are all following the same practice! This also can be said for the gathering at Troas on the first day of the week. (Contrast Acts 20:7 to Paul just taking food for his journey in 20:11ff.)

#3 The practice keeps Gospel facts before the church on a regular basis

The death and resurrection of Jesus are matters of “first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:1-5) and Jesus made them a central part of His teaching (Matthew 16:21; Luke 24:26). Our very forgiveness is linked to both His death and resurrection (Romans 4:25, 1 Corinthians 15:17). These two items are tied together. So, taking the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (resurrection day, Luke 24:1-21; Revelation 1:10) ties together in memorial those things that are tied together in reality. The practice is designed to teach the core reason for the existence of the “called out” (1 Corinthians 10:14ff).

To have the Lord’s Supper on any other day would destroy the design of the practice by not reflecting the gospel events. (Even though Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper on Thursday night it is interesting that this day was not chosen as the day of observance but “resurrection day” instead.)

Since the “death and resurrection” of Christ are matters of “first importance,” their meaning should be pondered by all assembled (1 Corinthians 14:27). They are not to be forgotten. Only weekly communion on Sunday can best effect this.

OVER-ALL CONCLUSION FROM THE FACTS

The weight of evidence clearly shows that weekly communion is of apostolic origin and has a practical design for the spiritual life of the church. No other arrangement can deliver what this practice can.

APPLICATION

It is a mistake to classify the frequency of the Lord’s Supper with optional matters like the color of paint to use, style of songs to sing or how many containers to use in serving the fruit of the vine. Something more than “just personal choice” is evident from the facts above.
The practice has been an “identifying mark” of faithful churches since the beginning. Is there any reason why it should not be so now?
We need to focus more on what is “going on” when the Lord’s Supper is served. It is not “just a thing to do,” but it is designed to make us really ponder our position before God and offer up thanksgiving.

Follow the Evidence

Posted by John on under Articles

A statement is proven by the presence of evidence and not the absence of evidence. In the popular CSI program the accurate catch phrase is “follow the evidence.” That is, something positive must be there that points one in a specific direction over other possibilities. This is called the “weight of evidence.” You can’t make a case for something without evidence for it!

As often is the case, some pieces of the puzzle are missing. Some details are not there. But this does not mean that one conclusion is just as good as another. Usually the bulk of facts point to one view over others as being the truth of the matter. For example, if one were to just go with the positive evidence given in the New Testament about the act of baptism, total immersion in a body of water would be the conclusion supported by that evidence. While every case of baptism is not listed and some details of the baptisms that are listed are not given, there are enough facts given to say that we are “being led by the Spirit” to see that total immersion in water was the original design.

It simply won’t do make a case without giving positive evidence to support it. Those who want to pour or sprinkle for baptism simply say that there is no evidence against these modes and there is an absence of any mandate to stay with the original design. These are not arguments from evidence but from the absence of evidence. The “it doesn’t say not to” idea proves nothing. (This could be applied to other “issues” as well.)

Because Churches of Christ believe that God has given us the New Testament to learn of the beliefs and practices of the church under Apostolic oversight, we go to it to give documentary evidence for what we teach and do. This is “following the evidence.” This is sound.

David and Anger

Posted by David on December 24, 2000 under Sermons

“IT’S THE HEART”
part five

One great enemy of the godly man and the godly woman is anger. It is not evil to be angry. It is evil to allow your anger to control your motivations, decisions, and actions. Paul declared to the Ephesian Christians, “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity” (Ephesians 4:25,27).

We can be angry and not sin. However, human anger presents Satan an enormous opportunity. Remember the enormous opportunity that Cain’s anger provided evil (Genesis 4).

It takes a heart truly dedicated to God’s heart to prevent great anger from providing Satan great opportunity.

I want to focus you on one of David’s heart qualities that made his heart special to God. Consider 1 Samuel 25.
1. May I begin with a simple observation: violence hardens the hearts and minds of people.
  1. In war people cope with so much dying by “getting used to death.”
  2. In continual work with tragedies, people cope by “getting use to suffering.”
  3. People who live or work around lots of blood “get used” to seeing blood.
  4. People who work around a lot of pain get accustomed to seeing others in pain.
  5. The process is called desensitizing.
  6. Violence desensitizes people to death, suffering, blood, and pain.
  7. From the death of Goliath, David was around and involved in a lot of violence.
  8. As violence desensitizes a person, violence becomes the acceptable way to solve problems.
  9. Anger tempts that person to be violent.
2. David and his troops were hiding from the forces of King Saul in the wilderness area south of the city of Hebron.
  1. Evidently, they had a “safe” base camp in that area that they used frequently (the area is about seven miles south-southwest of Hebron).
  2. As David and his men traveled to and from their camp in this wilderness area, they never posed a threat to Nabal’s shepherds or flocks.
    1. That was unusual: it was common for bands of thieves and marauders to find security in wilderness areas.
    2. These bands were threats to shepherds and flocks (who were considered “fair game” of opportunity to violent bands).
  3. David and his men treated Nabal’s shepherds with respect, never took anything from their flocks, and protected Nabal’s shepherds and flocks from dangerous people–quite a contrast to what was commonly the situation.
3. The time of year came for sheep shearing.
  1. This was a time of celebration and feasting.
    1. Special workers were brought to the flocks to shear them.
    2. There was a lot of food, drink, and feasting because people celebrated their new prosperity.
    3. It was common to thank God for the gift of prosperity.
    4. It was common to give gifts to the less fortunate as an expression of your joy and your gratitude to God.
David sent ten young men to bring a statement of blessing to Nabal and to ask for a gift.
1. Because of the time of year that we now celebrate, we should relate well to David’s expectations.
  1. The greeting was something like wishing Nabal a long life and best wishes for the coming year; may it be a good one.
  2. Nabal was a wealthy man.
    1. He likely had experience with dealing with bands of thieves and marauders who threatened or attacked his shepherds and flocks.
    2. Maybe he knew what the forces of Saul did to the priests at Nob when they were massacred and did not want to get in the middle of that feud.
  3. Whatever he knew, whatever his motives, he was a greedy, evil man who had no respect or appreciation for anyone but himself.
    1. Stupidly, foolishly, he insulted David’s men by rejecting their greeting and showing them no respect.
    2. “Why should I do anything for you? I should be impressed that you follow a runaway slave? Why should I reward the likes of you?”
  4. David’s men returned to camp and told David about Nabal’s insult.
    1. David told four hundred of his men to put on their swords.
    2. The insult deeply angered David.
    3. In anger, he decided it had been a mistake to be kind to Nabal’s shepherds and take nothing from his flocks.
    4. His intention was simple: kill everyone.
2. Abigail, Nabal’s wife, was a very unusual woman for that time: she was a lady of excellent understanding, and she was beautiful.
  1. Her heart was incredibly open and approachable.
    1. A servant felt free to report to her the horrible thing her husband did and explain why it was unjust.
    2. She listened to a servant criticize her husband.
    3. Both Abigail and the servant clearly understood the danger created by Nabal’s insult.
  2. Likely her job in shearing time was coordinating food preparation for the workers.
    1. She quickly gathered a huge gift of food–enough to load several donkeys–and sent the food and a servant in the direction that would encounter David and his men as they came to attack.
    2. The food preceded her; David would see the gift before he saw her.
    3. She hoped the gift would soften David’s anger.
  3. Abigail met David with great respect and used great wisdom.
    1. She asked David to hold her responsible for what happened because she failed to see his men come.
    2. She asked David to allow her gift to appease his anger and not to attack Nabal.
    3. “My husband is a foolish, stupid man.”
    4. “You are too significant and he is too worthless for you to kill him.”
    5. “You are not the kind of man who takes vengeance for yourself. You let the Lord care for such matters. You fight to defend the Lord, never to defend yourself.”
    6. “The Lord protects you, and the Lord will make you the next king of Israel.”
    7. “Avenging yourself will only cause you trouble and grief. You are not that kind of man.”
3. David saw God at work in Abigail and was thankful.
  1. He blessed God for sending Abigail to stop him.
  2. He blessed Abigail for being a wise, insightful person.
  3. He was thankful that he was stopped before he avenged himself, something that he had never done.
  4. He told Abigail to return home in peace; he had heard her plea and would respect her request.
Abigail returned home to find Nabal feasting, celebrating, and drunk, and she did not talk to him about anything.
1. The next morning when he was sober she told him what she did.
2. Her actions seemed to cause him to have a stroke.
  1. Ten days later he died.
  2. It says simply that the Lord struck him and he died.
3. Some time after Nabal’s death, Abigail agreed to be David’s wife.
In this incident I want you to note a quality of David’s heart that made him a man after God’s own heart.
1. David was a violent man, a man of war, a man who was responsible for a lot of people’s deaths.
  1. David never killed to avenge himself.
  2. David only killed to avenge God’s honor.
    1. He killed Goliath because Goliath defied and mocked God.
    2. He killed the Philistines because the Philistines defied God and worshipped an idol they called god.
    3. David refused to harm Saul (even in self-defense) because Saul was God’s anointed.
  3. Defending God, fighting for the Lord, was the focus of all David’s acts of violence.
2. Yet, personal anger generated by the insult of an evil man almost caused David to avenge himself, to kill for the sake of his own honor.
  1. Anger almost caused David to do something he would never do when he thought clearly.
  2. David did nothing to avenge David.
  3. David did everything to honor his God.
3. When David realized what he almost did to avenge himself, he knew that act was not true to who and what he was.
  1. He was close to behaving like an angry person who did not belong to God.
    1. Angry
    2. Driven by negative emotion
    3. Self-centered
    4. Being his own avenger, his own instrument of justice.
  2. He blessed God for sending Abigail to stop him.
    1. He clearly saw God working through Abigail.
    2. He praised her wisdom and understanding.

Never let anger decide who you are. Never let anger determine what you do. Serve God, and always leave justice in God’s hands. Only the man or woman whose heart belongs to God can do that.

Romans 12:17-19 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Paul acknowledged an ancient truth for people whose hearts belong to God.

Where Is the Awe?

Posted by David on under Sermons

We live in a cynical nation during cynical times surrounded by cynical people. No, I am not trying to be Ebenezer Scrooge saying, “Bah humbug,” on Christmas Eve Day. I just ask you to look at our circumstances and situation.

Consider a list of ten commonly accepted views many Americans do not question. Please do not agree or disagree. Instead, ask a question: “Do the majority of people I know think this the way?”

Our systems of education are a destructive force in our children’s lives.
Teens are supposed to distrust their parents.
Parents are supposed to have trouble with their teens.
People married to each other are supposed to fight with each other.
People should not expect marriages to last.
Needy people learn how to be con artists.
Unprincipled people make good politicians.
Businesses care about money, not about people.
Positive role models are a thing of the past.
Beware of strangers who want to something good for you.

Are those common views cynical?

Today you and I live in a society that holds little in awe.
1. We have just concluded a long, long political campaign which is an excellent illustration.
  1. “It is fair to misrepresent your opponent in any way you can as long as what you say is technically true.”
    1. “It is okay not to tell the whole truth.”
    2. “It is okay if the political ad is deliberately biased and oversimplilfied.”
    3. “It is okay if the political ad deceives.”
    4. “The uniformed may hear a lie; the uninformed may believe a lie; the uniformed may be deceived; but it is okay as long as what is said is technically correct.”
  2. One evening I heard a political analyst seriously suggest that the late night comedians seemed to be in better touch with people’s reactions than political analysts.
    1. That is an incredible statement.
    2. The satire, critical statements, and cynical suggestions of David Letterman and Jay Leno more correctly reflect the thinking of the American public than do the insights of a serious political analyst.
  3. We are supposed to accept as fact that nothing is sacred in our society.
    1. Nothing is above ridicule.
    2. Little if anything is trusted.
    3. Everything done is for some self-serving reason.
2. Many would react by asking, “What is wrong with that? That is a good situation, not a bad situation.”
  1. “That protects people from being disillusioned.”
  2. “It protects those who are gullible.”
  3. “It helps shock proof our society.”
  4. “People learn to expect the worst (that is good!), to not trust others (that is good!), to understand everybody functions on bad motives (that is good!).”
For all their faults, flaws, and failures, Old Testament Israel at times did hold God in awe.
1. Deuteronomy 16:16 states:
  Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.
  1. All of the adult men of Old Testament Israel were commanded to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for national sacrificial worship threes times each year.
    1. At the time of Passover when they remembered the night they were released from Egyptian slavery.
    2. At the time when the first gatherings of the harvest were sacrificed to God.
    3. At the time when the harvest was completed
  2. Families could accompany them if the men so chose.
2. In the book of Psalms there is a collection of psalms (Psalm 120 to Psalm 134) that are known as the songs of ascents.
  1. These seem to be the songs sung by the Israelite pilgrims as they were going up Mt. Zion on special occasions.
  2. Listen to some of the verses in their songs as they gathered to praise and honor God.
  3. Listen to the awe.
At this time of the year many people talk about the awesome thing God did when He sent His son to live in this world.
1. It is easy to talk about the awe while we are concerned about things that have nothing to do with the awe.
  1. The month of December is an important month in our economy.
    1. In the retail business, it is the most important month of the year.
    2. What stores sell in December often determines if a business survives.
    3. But those concerns are not about the awe.
  2. Probably more family reunions occur in December than any other month of the year.
    1. For some people it is a frantic time.
    2. For some people it is a time of deep depression.
    3. For some people it is a time to renew love and relationship.
    4. But those matters are seldom about the awe.
2. Let me ask you about the awe.
  1. What do you consider to be the most awesome thing God did when He permitted His son to be born into this world?
    1. The separation when Jesus left heaven and became a human infant?
    2. The fact that God would let a part of Himself become human?
    3. The sending of a Savior to a world that did not deserve a Savior?
    4. The mercy and forgiveness that Jesus made possible?
  2. All of those are awesome, but to me something is more awesome.
  3. The most awesome thing to me is what God made possible in all human life.
    1. In many places this morning men and women are worshipping God through Christ as they sit on bamboo poles mounted in dirt floors.
      1. Many of them cannot read, never went to school, and never owned a book.
      2. They speak a language that has not yet become a written language.
      3. They are sick most of the time, and they will not live over forty years.
      4. Some of them will never travel fifty miles from the village of their birth.
      5. But God has zero problem understanding them, knowing them, or making them 100% His sons and daughters.
    2. In many places this morning men and women who are well educated and highly successful are worshipping God through Christ.
      1. They are among the most educated, intelligent people alive.
      2. They speak more than one of the most advanced languages known in the circles of the educated.
      3. They enjoy the best benefits and opportunities known on earth.
      4. They often travel to the population centers of our world.
      5. And God has zero problem understanding them, knowing them, or making them 100% His sons and daughters.
  4. Because of Jesus Christ, no person is beneath God and no person is above God.
    1. No one is too small for God to hear, understand, and help.
    2. No one is too accomplished for God to hear, understand, and help.
    3. And, to me, that is awesome!

Do you realize what that means to your life? Your life is never too small, too complicated, or too accomplished for God to understand and to help. May you look with awe at what God can do for you!

David Repented

Posted by David on December 17, 2000 under Sermons

“IT’S THE HEART”
part four

“The nominations are now open for the spiritual activity that people who seek to follow God least understand and do poorly.” There are several nominations.

Mercy and grace
Forgiveness
Love

“Well, David, what would you offer in nomination?” My nomination for the spiritual activity we least understand and do poorly is repent. “Why would you nominate repentance?” There are three reasons.

In all ages, God’s people have misunderstood repentance.
God’s people commonly substitute “being sorry” for repentance.
(We can “be sorry” for reasons that have little to do with repenting.)
It is difficult to repent–repenting involves the heart and understanding.

We have been studying why David’s heart had special significance to God. Why was David a man after God’s own heart? We noted David trusted God, and we understood what that meant to David. We noted David praised God, and we understood what that meant to David.

Tonight we want to focus on another “unimpressive” truth: David repented when he did evil. Our immediate reaction is, “Of course he did!” But, just as in his trust and his praise, we may not understand what that meant to David.

I want to thank Roy Dunavin for pointing me in the direction of the ideal illustration. David’s repentance is best seen and understood by contrast. An excellent contrast exists when we look at King Saul and King David.

I want to begin by looking closely at King Saul’s heart and actions in 1 Samuel 15.
1. The background of 1 Samuel 15 actually began with Israel in the wilderness as they traveled from the slavery of Egypt to Mount Sinai.
  1. Exodus 17:8-16 states the Amalekites made an unprovoked attack on Israel at Rephidim as Israel began its journey.
    1. In this battle, as long as Moses held his staff above his head, Israel prevailed.
    2. But Moses’ arms tired.
    3. This was the occasion when Aaron and Hur had Moses sit on a stone so that they could help hold his arms up.
  2. When this battle was over, God gave Moses a special instruction.
    1. “Write this down and make certain that Joshua knows it well.”
    2. “I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”
2. Generations later God through Samuel commissioned King Saul to keep God’s promise.
  1. The instruction God gave Saul through Samuel:
    1. “I will punish the Amalekites for their attack on Israel in the wilderness.”
    2. “Attack and destroy them.”
      1. “Utterly destroy them.”
      2. “Kill all the men, women, and children and all their livestock.”
  2. Saul took 300,000 soldiers and destroyed the Amalekites.
    1. The only person he kept alive was King Agag.
    2. The troops kept the best of the clean livestock and killed the rest.
3. God spoke to Samuel immediately after Saul’s victory before Saul returned home.
  1. “I regret I made Saul king; he refuses to do what I ask.”
  2. God’s message deeply grieved Samuel.
  3. Remember, Samuel anointed Saul to be king and presented Saul to Israel.
4. The next day Samuel traveled to meet Saul as he returned.
  1. In Saul’s greeting to Samuel he said, “I have carried out the commandment of the Lord!”
  2. Samuel asked, “Then why do I hear the oxen?”
  3. Saul replied, “The troops kept the best animals to give in sacrifice to God, and we utterly destroyed the rest.”
  4. This was the explanation: the people want to honor God with a special sacrifice. These animals will be used in tribute to God.
  5. Samuel said, “Let me tell you what God told me last night.” And Saul said, “Tell me.”
    1. “You know God made you what you are–God took you from nothing and made you king.”
    2. “God gave you a mission: exterminate the Amalekites.”
    3. “Instead of obeying God, you did evil by keeping spoil of your battles.”
  6. Saul replied, “I did obey God; I accomplished God’s mission.”
    1. “The only person who survived was King Agag.”
    2. “The troops kept the best animals for a sacrifice.”
  7. Samuel said, “Worship can not be substituted for obedience.”
    1. “Rebellion against God is worse than idolatry.”
    2. “Because you rejected God’s instructions, God has rejected you as king.”
  8. Consider several things:
    1. Saul thought he was obedient. His concept of obedience was not correct.
    2. Saul did not want God to remove His presence (as is evident in the last of the chapter).
    3. Saul did not intend to rebel against God.
    4. In a single conversation, Saul went from the triumphant king who had already erected a monument to his victory to a man whom God rejected.
5. After his conversation with Samuel, after declaring he obeyed God, after declaring that he had fulfilled God’s mission, after disagreeing with Samuel, only then did he confess, “I have sinned.”
Now I call your attention to David’s horrible sin (2 Samuel 11,12).
1. King David committed adultery with Bathsheba.
  1. Bathsheba in no way seduced David; David created the opportunity and instigated the adultery.
  2. As a result of the adultery, Bathsheba was pregnant.
2. David earnestly attempted to conceal his sin.
  1. He ordered Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, to be sent from the military campaign to Jerusalem.
    1. David hoped Uriah would spend the night with Bathsheba and everyone including Uriah would think the baby was Uriah’s.
    2. But Uriah thought it was inappropriate for him to spend the night with his wife when the army was engaged in warfare, and he refused to go home.
    3. Every attempt that David made to get Uriah to go home to his wife failed.
3. Frustrated, David sent Uriah back to the troops with a message for Joab, the commander.
  1. The instructions read, “Put Uriah in the fiercest part of the battle, and then withdraw from him so that he will fight the enemy alone.”
  2. That guaranteed Uriah’s death.
  3. David’s orders were followed, and Uriah was killed.
4. After Bathsheba appropriately mourned her husband, David married her.
  1. David thought the sin was concealed, but God knew the evil he did.
  2. Months later, Bathsheba had a son.
5. Months later, after the child was born, God sent Nathan to David with a problem.
  1. A rich man with many sheep killed the only lamb of a poor man to fed the rich man’s guest.
    1. David was deeply angered by the rich man’s actions.
    2. David said, “He deserves to die!”
    3. “He will give 400% restitution.”
  2. Nathan replied, “You are the rich man.”
    1. “God anointed you king and delivered you from Saul.”
    2. “He gave you Saul’s house and his wives, made you king of the entire nation, and blessed you.”
    3. “By doing evil you despised God’s word.”
      1. “You had Uriah killed.”
      2. “You took his wife.”
  3. In consequence:
    1. “Violence always will be present in your family.”
    2. “Your own family will do evil to you.”
    3. “Your wives will be sexually humiliated in daylight in public.”
6. Listen to David’s response: “I have sinned against the Lord.” David knew his sin was more than against Bathsheba or Uriah; it was against God.
  1. Not, “That is awfully harsh for a man who had done so much for God in wicked times.”
  2. No self-justification: “Look at all I have done for God in Israel.”
  3. No, “Doesn’t all my past faith count for something?”
  4. No, “Okay, I really messed up, but:
    1. “Consider Goliath.”
    2. “Consider my behavior toward King Saul.”
    3. “Consider my desire to build God a temple.”
    4. “Consider the honor I gave God in the psalms I wrote.”
According to God’s law, David and Bathsheba should have been executed for their act of adultery.
1. Exodus 20:14 prohibited adultery in the seventh commandment: “You shall not commit adultery.”
2. Leviticus 20:10 stated both the adulterer and the adulteress should be executed.
3. David understood the legal consequences of adultery; he knew the significance of his confession.
4. I understand that to be the reason that Nathan said, “God removed your sin, you shall not die.”
5. However, David’s consequences were continuing and severe because he gave God’s enemies occasion to blaspheme God.
I want you to note the power of being a person after God’s own heart; I want you to understand the importance of your heart belonging to God.
1. David was not killed for his sin as the law instructed.
2. Instead of being killed, Bathsheba remained David’s wife.
3. God permitted their next son, Solomon, to become king of Israel.
4. Does this suggest it was acceptable for David to commit adultery?
  1. Absolutely not! The consequences were severe and long lasting.
  2. David in repentance did not condone or excuse his evil.
  3. David in repentance accepted complete responsibility for his evil.
  4. When David realized what he did to God, He was deeply grieved.
  5. David had known for months his relationship with God suffered.
  6. Listen to Psalm 51:1-13:
    Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
    According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
    Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
    And cleanse me from my sin.
    For I know my transgressions,
    And my sin is ever before me.
    Against You, You only, I have sinned
    And done what is evil in Your sight,
    So that You are justified when You speak
    And blameless when You judge.
    Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    And in sin my mother conceived me.
    Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
    And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
    Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
    Make me to hear joy and gladness,
    Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
    Hide Your face from my sins
    And blot out all my iniquities.
    Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
    Do not cast me away from Your presence
    And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
    Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
    And sustain me with a willing spirit.
    Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
    And sinners will be converted to You.

David was a man after God’s own heart because David understood repentance, and David repented when he did evil.

God Is At Work Among Us

Posted by David on under Sermons

God is powerfully present and active when His people are convinced that evil is winning. That is and always has been the case when God’s people fall victim to the deceit that they have God figured out. Why are we easily deceived when we think that we have God figured out? Why are we easily deceived when we become confident that we can predict where God is going and what God will do?

Why? God never does things the way we do them. His priorities are different. His purposes are different. His methods are different. His objectives are different. The way God measures success is different. When we are certain we correctly determined how God will do something, we commonly have concluded that God would do it like we would do it. Our conclusions are more likely to reflect our preferences than God’s desires.

In Matthew 16 Jesus asked the twelve men who were his special trainees what people were saying about him.
1. Jesus was the talk of the Jewish nation.
  1. The Jewish people could not ignore Jesus.
  2. He simply had to be explained.
    1. The way he lived demanded an explanation.
    2. The way he used his life demanded an explanation.
    3. His teachings demanded an explanation.
    4. His miracles demanded an explanation.
    5. Why he showed such compassion and concern for the poor and the sinful demanded an explanation.
2. So Jesus asked these twelve men how people explained him.
  1. The Jews had a rich history over a thousand years old that was rooted in God’s prophetic activity.
  2. When the Jews explained things, their explanation began with God.
  3. They explained Jesus as they commonly explained things: Jesus represented prophetic activity.
    1. The twelve reported what they heard people say about Jesus.
    2. People said he was the resurrected John the baptizer, or the resurrected Elijah, or the resurrected Jeremiah, or he was a prophet.
  4. Jesus then asked them a direct question: “What about you? How do you explain me?”
    1. Peter immediately said that Jesus was the Christ, the living God’s son.
    2. Jesus said Peter understood that for one reason: God revealed it to him.
    3. Jesus also declared not even death could prevent him from accomplishing his purpose.
3. Because of Peter’s awareness, because Jesus confirmed this awareness come through God’s revelation, because Jesus pronounced powerful blessings on Peter, Peter was certain that he had God, Jesus, and the future figured out.
  1. Shortly after Peter correctly declared Jesus’ identity (maybe even on that occasion), Jesus began to inform his disciples that he would suffer, be killed, and be resurrected in Jerusalem.
  2. That was not what Peter had figured out.
    1. According to Peter’s understanding, that was not God’s plan.
    2. Since Jesus confirmed that God revealed to Peter Jesus’ identity, why shouldn’t Peter believe his understanding of Jesus’ future came from God?
    3. After all, Jesus said Peter would receive the keys to the kingdom.
    4. His understanding of the kingdom had to be the correct understanding.
  3. Peter became extremely bold.
    1. He took Jesus aside privately and rebuked Jesus; Peter knew he understood the situation better than Jesus did!
    2. “It is not going to happen! You are not going to die! That is ridiculous!”
  4. Now Jesus told this man to whom God revealed that Jesus was the Christ that he is working for Satan.
    1. “Peter, you are the bait stick in a snare!”
    2. “You are not thinking about what God wants; you are thinking about what you want.”
    3. Peter put Jesus’ surrender and commitment to the test!
  5. Jesus then told the twelve that if they wished to follow him it would require self denial (beyond anything they had surrendered) and carrying a cross.
    1. I have no doubt they thought they already were experiencing self denial.
    2. And the idea of carrying a cross was disgusting and shameful in the Jewish nation.
4. In this entire situation, I want you to be extremely aware of one truth: Peter, one of the twelve, a disciple hand-picked by Jesus, a man whom Jesus confirmed received God’s revelation, this Peter had God, and Jesus, and the future all figured out.
  1. And he was wrong.
  2. In fact, he could not have been more mistaken.
What Jesus said would happen did happen.
1. One of his twelve hand picked men betrayed him.
  1. Did the disciples see God at work doing things His way?
2. Roman troops and the temple guard arrested Jesus.
  1. Did the disciples see God at work doing things His way?
3. The religious elite of Israel tried Jesus and condemned him to death.
  1. Did the disciples see God at work doing things His way?
4. The Roman authority permitted his execution by crucifixion.
  1. Did the disciples see God at work doing things His way?
5. Jesus was humiliated and disgraced mercilessly.
  1. Did the disciples see God at work doing things His way?
6. Jesus was disgraced in death in crucifixion’s pain and humiliation as though he were a horrible, dangerous criminal.
  1. Did the disciples see God at work doing things His way?
7. No.
  1. No one believed God did things that way.
  2. The presence of evil was much too powerful, much too overwhelming.
  3. The living God’s son sent to be the Christ was killed.
  4. Everything he did was lost; the future could not happen; evil was defeating God.
8. You and I do not see it that way.
  1. We look back with hindsight, understand and say, “Wow! Look at God!”
  2. Having full benefit of God’s explanation, believers see this moment as God’s second greatest triumph over Satan and evil.
  3. (God’s greatest triumph will come when God casts Satan in the abyss and Jesus judges all people to eternally destroy death and evil.)
  4. BUT…if you and I stood near Jesus’ cross by his hand-picked disciples, we would have seen the same thing they saw: evil destroying God’s plans.
I thank God that I am a part of this congregation right now.
1. God is at work in some incredible ways right here right now in our elders.
  1. Every Sunday morning at 8:45 a.m. our elders gather as a group to pray for us and the day.
    1. They report prayer requests.
    2. And everyone of them leads the group in prayer.
    3. As a group, every Sunday, they spend thirty minutes in prayer for us.
  2. The prayer request forms on the back of each pew are more than “a nice touch” to create an impressive effect.
    1. Our elders made the conscious, sincere decision to be our shepherds instead of our business managers who function as a board of directors.
    2. They placed the finances and facilities in the hands of deacons who are quite capable of caring for those needs well, and the elders are seriously committed to learning how to “turn loose.”
    3. Our elders are just as committed to learning how to devote their energies and strength to ministering to us spiritually.
    4. That is not a simple commitment, but they are serious.
    5. They want us to trust them; they want us to know that they will keep our confidences; they want us to turn to them for help and encouragement; they want to pray for our needs and concerns.
  3. Every Tuesday evening they are visiting among us.
    1. Their purpose is not to put us on a guilt trip or to drive anyone away.
    2. They want to encourage and to understand.
    3. Every Tuesday night one team tries to visit people who have recently placed membership, or been baptized, or have visited with us.
    4. Every Tuesday night several teams try to visit to encourage and support.
    5. They visit to listen, and they visit to encourage.
  4. Every Sunday morning two elders are in room 100 for the invitation song.
    1. Some of our traditions in the Church of Christ are powerful.
    2. One tradition that is not understood by most people who have little contact with the Church of Christ is our invitation song.
    3. It is an open invitation for anyone to ask for our prayers or to be baptized.
    4. However, responding to an invitation in front of a group this large is quite intimidating to many.
      1. We commonly have people who ask us to pray with them who do not use the occasion of an invitation song.
      2. Recently, we had three baptisms in less than two weeks, and none of them used the occasion of an invitation song.
    5. We also have people who want to pray with someone who do not feel their need is addressed by responding to an invitation song.
    6. Each Sunday morning we sing the invitation song for anyone who might wish to respond in that manner.
    7. Each Sunday morning two elders are in room 100 to talk to or pray with anyone who would like their help or encouragement.

Our country is going through one of the most unusual and uncertain periods of its existence. As we continue traveling through this period of uncertainty, I want to share this thought. Jesus Christ is bigger than American politics. He is bigger than American economics. He is bigger than American social status. He is bigger than American education levels. He is bigger than American poverty.

Can a Democrat be a Christian? Certainly! Can a Republican be a Christian? Certainly! Can an independent be a Christian? Certainly! Can you believe in a populist movement and be a Christian? Certainly! Regardless of your economic situation, can you be a Christian? Certainly! Regardless of your social status, can you be a Christian? Certainly! Regardless of your education level, can you be a Christian? Certainly!

Is biblical Christianity dependent on democracy? Many Christians in this world live and die never experiencing democracy. Is Christianity dependent on freedom? Many Christians in this world live and die never experiencing freedom. Is Christianity dependent on wealth or lifestyle? Many Christians in this world live and die in poverty conditions you do not even want to know about.

I certainly am not unconcerned about what happens in our nation. I deeply appreciate the blessings of life in America as an American. But I would make a horrible mistake if I tied my faith in Jesus Christ to life in our country. God through Jesus established His kingdom in an immoral world that worshipped many idols and gods. Nothing stopped Him. God always has been at work in His kingdom among His people–anywhere. May we be His kingdom. May we be His people. May we rejoice as God through Christ works through us and among us.

“Turn Around” Time

Posted by David on under Bulletin Articles

As a whole, Americans tend to be impatient people. As a people, our expectations commonly demand (a) speed, (b) efficiency, (c) effectiveness, and (d) productivity. “We want results! We want the right results! And we want the right results now!”

You want to make the American public complain? Make them tolerate “slow.” Force them to endure “inefficient.” Make them accept “ineffective” results. Require them to wait without explanation.

American Christians are Americans. Because our culture is impatient, we tend to be impatient. Our impatience creates a basic spiritual problem. We impatient Christians belong to an extremely patient God and follow an incredibly patient Savior. Our God endured the “slowness” of spiritually “ineffective” people who “produced” negative results for hundreds of years. He refused to allow faithless, untrusting people to deter Him from moving toward the perfect solution for evil in human life. Our Savior made preparation to teach earth’s entire population without benefit of technology by training twelve men. It was almost three hundred years after Jesus’ crucifixion before believers became a world movement.

To us, anything requiring a decade “takes too long.” Anything requiring more than a lifetime is totally unacceptable. “My life is not a spiritual investment in someone else’s future! I intend for my life to produce NOW spiritual results to my benefit!”

Consider a common attitude among Christians. “Marriages failing? Fix them now! Parenting techniques alienating children? Fix them now! Evil tempting and destroying teenagers? Fix situations now! Too many spiritually weak in the church? Remedy the situation now! Too few being led to Christ? Remedy the situation now!” Whatever the problem, find the cause, find a solution, and fix it! We demand results! Now!

Have you noticed (in your own life if nowhere else) people problems do not “fix” quickly? Do we really believe human dilemmas created by problem situations over a period of fifty years can be “fixed” in a month? six months? a year? Do we really believe it is as simple as discovering “the solution” that “works” and “plugging” it in a system?

West-Ark does not seek “quick fixes.” We are committed to genuine “turn around”–in developing marriage commitments, teaching parenting commitments, making sick relationships healthy, resisting temptations, building spiritual strength, and guiding people to Jesus.

For these worthy goals to become reality, “turn around” must occur. Where? In our understanding of spiritual existence. In our hearts. In our minds. In our Christian character. In our Christian integrity. In our relationship with Jesus. In our relationship with God. We must desire to be in Christ what God knows we can become.

David Praised God

Posted by David on December 10, 2000 under Sermons

“IT’S THE HEART”
part three

Have you ever praised God? “Certainly?” It is an insult to suggest that a serious Christian believer never praises God! Each of us who regard ourselves to be Christians, who are serious about our faith would be deeply offended if anyone seriously suggested that we did not praise God.

Since all of us agree that Christians praise God, let’s ask ourselves some simple questions. I am definitely including myself. In a typical month, how often do you praise God? I know each month is different. I know each month is filled with a variety of situations and circumstances. I know exceptional situations or circumstances motivate us to be more “praise conscious” than we otherwise are. But on average in a typical month, how often do you think that you praise God?

When you praise God, what are some of the common experiences or awareness that create the desire in you to praise God? When are you genuinely moved in your heart, your emotions, and your thoughts to declare praise to God? What specifically motivates you to do that?

For what do you praise God? Praising God typically means that a person gives God credit for something. What are the “somethings” that move you to give God credit? What are the “somethings” that move you to awareness and gratitude?

We are examining the reasons for God attaching special significance to David’s heart. David was known as “the man after God’s own heart.” Why? Last week we noted that David trusted God. We examined David’s understanding of trusting God.

Tonight I direct your attention to the fact that David praised God. Just as last week, that fact does not sound impressive. To David, what did it mean to praise God?

This evening I want to examine three situations in which David praised God.

Situation one is understood by examining 1 Samuel 19:1-17 with Psalm 59.
1. The situation in 1 Samuel 19:1-17:
  1. Saul’s jealous mistrust and rage against David grew.
    1. Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David whenever opportunity presented itself.
    2. Jonathan was David’s close friend, so Jonathan warned David to be careful.
      1. After warning David, Jonathan went to his father and persuaded him not to harm David because David was loyal and helpful to Saul.
      2. Jonathan then told David he could return without threat or fear.
  2. Again there was a battle against the Philistines (Israel’s serious enemy at the time), and again David had a great victory over them, and again jealous Saul tried to kill him.
    1. David escaped from Saul’s attempt and fled that night to his own home.
    2. Saul sent men to watch David’s house to arrest and kill him the next day.
    3. Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s wife, told David that if he did not escape that night that he would be dead tomorrow.
      1. She helped David escape through a window, and she made a dummy to place in David’s bed.
      2. When the men came to arrest David the next morning, Michael said, “He is sick.”
      3. When they reported David’s sickness to Saul, he sent the men back with instructions to bring David on his bed and Saul would kill him.
    4. When Saul discovered that his own daughter deceived him, he asked her why?
      1. She deceived her father again.
      2. “He said that he would kill me if I did not help him escape.”
2. My question: if an enemy unjustly caused you to flee for your life leaving your wife and your home behind, would that be an occasion to praise God?
  1. Two statements are associated with Psalm 59.
    1. David is declared the author.
    2. And David is said to have written the psalm the night when the men were watching the house.
  2. Remember the situation:
    1. Saul is making an earnest attempt to kill him.
    2. Men are outside watching his house.
    3. His wife is saying, “If you do not escape tonight, you will die tomorrow.”
3. In Psalm 59 please note:
  1. David began by requesting God deliver him from his enemies (verse 1).
  2. It is clear to me in verses 2-4 that David knew the seriousness of the situation and is concerned.
  3. In verses 5-8 David reminded himself of God’s greatness.
  4. In verses 9-15 David comforted and reassured himself by remembering the strength of God; God’s strength was his hope.
4. Consider carefully David’s words in the last two verses of Psalm 59, verses 16, 17.
  Psalm 59:16,17 But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to You; For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness.
  1. First, notice the progression.
    1. Distress and concern because of the situation.
    2. Remembering God’s greatness (as he remembered, the men were still outside).
    3. Renewal of his confidence in God’s strength.
    4. An expression of praise for God.
  2. Please note the nature of the praise David gave God.
    1. “I shall sing of your strength;” would we see God’s strength in that situation?
    2. “I will sing of your mercy when I wake up;” if he fled, he did not then know where he would wake up, and he would be away from his wife and home.
    3. “You are my stronghold (place of safety in danger) and my refuge in distress;” God, You take care of me.
    4. “So I will praise God who is my stronghold, who shows me mercy;” would we feel God’s strength, protection, and mercy in those circumstances?
Situation two is understood by examining 1 Samuel 20:10-15 and Psalm 56.
1. The situation in 1 Samuel 20:10-15.
  1. After David escaped from home with Michal’s help, this is the progression of events.
    1. David fled to Samuel in the town a Ramah, a place known for its prophets.
    2. Then David made contact with Jonathan.
      1. Together, they devised a plan to discover if Saul was determined to kill David; Saul was.
      2. As David fled, he received help from Abimelech the priest.
    3. Consider the danger of David’s circumstances.
      1. David was the victorious commander in Israel’s battles against the Philistines–David was their hated enemy who had killed many of their soldiers.
      2. David’s situation was so serious that the only place he could flee where Saul could not touch him was to the Philistines!
      3. He fled to the Philistine city of Gath ruled by King Achish.
      4. He was quickly spotted and reported to the king.
      5. David knew that he was in serious danger, so he pretended to be insane.
        
        Insane people were not harmed.
        He scribbled on the gates (of the city? in jail?).
        He drooled and let his saliva run down his beard.
      6. King Achish told those who reported David that the king had enough mad people without being concerned about David.
      7. David fled Gath to live in a cave in the wilderness (1 Samuel 22:1).
2. Two statements are associated with Psalm 56.
  1. David is declared the author.
  2. David is said to have written the psalm while he was among the Philistines in Gath.
3. In Psalm 56:
  1. In the first two verses David was honest about his terrible circumstances.
  2. In verse 3 and 4 he stated how he handled his fear.
    1. He put his trust in God.
    2. He would not allow the dangers of the flesh to be as great as the comfort of God.
  3. In verses 5-7 David was honest about the danger.
  4. In verses 8 and 9 he asked God to take special note of his situation.
    1. Remember my wandering about.
    2. Remember my tears and save them (he cried).
  5. Take special note of what David said in verses 9b-13.
    Psalm 56:9b-13 This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, In the Lord, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? Your vows are binding upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You. For You have delivered my soul from death, Indeed my feet from stumbling, So that I may walk before God In the light of the living.
    1. “I know God is for me;” in spite of all that happened and all he endured, he had no doubt but that God was on his side.
    2. “So I will praise him and I will trust him;” the situation and circumstances have nothing to do with his praise and his trust.
    3. “Because I trust God, I refuse to be afraid of people;” trust in God would determine his behavior; fear of people would not determine his behavior.
    4. “Nothing that happens will make me forget to honor you.”
    5. “You have kept me from dying, and You keep me standing.”
    6. “I will not forget that I am walking before You.”
The third situation is seen by examining either 1 Samuel 22 or 1 Samuel 24 and Psalm 57.
1. In both texts, David was in a cave in the wilderness fleeing from Saul.
2. Again, two statements are associated with Psalm 57.
  1. David is the author.
  2. The Psalm was written when David was in a cave fleeing from Saul.
3. As David lives in grave danger, I direct your attention to Psalm 57.
  1. The whole psalm is a psalm of praise.
    1. Verse 1: “God, be gracious to me because You are my refuge Who keeps me safely.”
    2. Verse 2: “God accomplishes all things for me as I live in His mercy and truth.”
    3. Verses 4-6 “Let my terrible circumstances give You glory.”
  2. Especially note verses 7-11.
    1. “My heart is steadfast–I am not undecided about God or filled with doubt.”
    2. “God, You are my glory, and I am not ashamed for anyone to know that I give my thanks to You.”
    3. “I will sing praises to You because Your mercy reaches to the sky and Your truth to the clouds.”
    4. “Whatever happens, may You be exalted and may Your glory be above the entire earth.”

May I give you a sobering thought to take home. Do your worst times and your worst experiences move you to praise God? They did David. That is why his heart was special to God.

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