ARCC Sermons

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

May 25th

Our Bible reading today is in 1 Chronicles 23,24,25.

In the last months of David’s life, he was busy. The bible reading today says that he was old and his days were full. He may have reached his golden years but he made good use of his time and energy.

That should be inspiring to the “old heads”...the “grey beards”. God used David even when he was old. That’s good news...Praise the Lord!

Continuing in the text...He led his mighty men in war against Edom. Srs. Let us wage spiritual warfare in prayer every day that we have left for the souls of people around the world.

He prophesied and wrote songs of the Greatness and the Holiness of God. Srs. Let us prophesy/proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ as God gives us opportunities as long as we live.

He laid in store much material for the building of the Temple. Srs. Let us lead the way in our church land and building programs. Giving sacrificially over and above our regular tithes and offerings. The younger will follow our example.

He made Solomon king over Israel. Srs. Let us acknowledge Jesus as Lord and King of our own lives every day that God gives us breath.

Sr Adult David appointed leaders, overseers to help Solomon run the country and lead the nation spiritually. And Srs. Let us invest what we have learned as disciples of Christ in our family and our church family.

Let’s draw some parallels from today’s text of David’s organization of the Levites for Temple duties. Every Levitical family was set apart to serve God by serving The Chosen People of God in the work of the Temple. Though only the family of Aaron would be priests, every family of Levi would have their special God-given function concerning the Temple and the worship of God.

Every believer and follower of Jesus is set apart to serve God by serving God’s kingdom kids in and through the church. Peter said it...in his first letter chapter 4. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:”

Peter charged the church in the Cilician region to be who they were saved to be...Spirit-filled. Spirit gifted servant/guardians of the church on her mission to make disciples Christ around the world.

‭‭

Back to our reading today...“The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses.

Aaron was set apart to dedicate the most holy things. Aaron and his sons were instructed in everything holy, everything godly. Starting with their personal character and behavior. They represented God before the people. God forbid that their lives become a stumbling block to the people on their way to God.

Wow. Peter said it in a God quote to the blood-bought church. “....be ye holy...for I am holy. “

Church members are expected to live Spirit-led lives. Holy Spirit led Holy “set apart to God’s use only” lives.

Moving on in the text...“that he, Aaron, and his sons forever should make offerings before the Lord”

Let’s listen to what the Apostle Paul believed was church members’ main offering to their Savior. Romans 12:1...”I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present yourselves a living sacrifice unto God...which is your reasonable service of worship.”

In Christ, we too are priests of worship. Jesus, as our heavenly high priest, offered himself as a living and dying sacrifice for our eternal salvation. And because of that, we offer ourselves every day to Him...to do with us as he pleases for his honor and glory!

“and minister to him”...It seems that the Levitical priests’ main duty was to make sacrifice for the atonement of Israel’s sin. But before the did that they worshipped God...ministering to him in song and praises.

May we never get too busy with good things to forget our Savior and Lord. Worship Him first and continually.

And finally, David reminded the Levites of the reason for God blessing them...to pronounce blessings in his name forever.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭23:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God has blessed us immensely from heaven to earth and back, so that we could be empowered to bless the world through the death burial and resurrection of Jesus!! Amen and Amen!

Have a good day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

May 24th

Our Bible reading today is in Psalms 108-110. These songs about “trust” were written by King David. Most likely in the “spring” when kings went out to battle.

David was the warrior king. He was also the tender songwriter. But he was also a prophet. Seen throughout the Psalms, especially in Psalm 22. Perfectly describing the crucifixion of the Christ a thousand years before it happened. Perfectly describing the effort of the followers of Christ to preach the gospel message to the ends of the earth. Just like we read in Matthew’s gospel and the book of Acts. And there is another scriptural reason to believe David was God’s prophet.

The writer of Hebrews, probably Paul, in the “faith chapter,” lists the “hall” of faith. In that list, Paul lumps the faithful prophets, together...putting David, ahead of Samuel and the rest. Obviously the great apostle believed that God gifted and used David to prophesy the message of God to His people. We definitely see that in the reading today.

“Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom, I cast my shoe; over Philistia, I shout in triumph." Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭108:9-10, 12-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Moab, Edom, Philistia, in particular, David wrote of how God was ruler, not just over Israel, but over them as well. And Scripture tells us that God gave victories over each of those nations to David.

The Moabites were called “the arrogant”. They challenged Israel multiple times during the wilderness wanderings. David prophesied that God would make them His “washbasin.”. Not just humiliated slaves to wash the feet of the King of all the nations, but to make them the very “clay bowl” that was used to wash feet. That prophecy was fulfilled in David’s time.

David prophesied that God would “throw” his shoe at Edom. In the day of dirty roads filled with refuse of all kinds, a person’s shoes were regarded with contempt. If a person was angry at another, he would show it publicly by casting his filthy shoe at them. David was saying that God, the King of all nations, had the right to show contempt toward any nation that rejected Him and His promised land people.

David ended the prophetic song with a rhetorical question to impress his theme upon the readers and singers of the psalm.

“Who will bring me into the strong city of Edom...the fortified, impregnable city?”

Perhaps this tells us that David wrote at least some of this song the night before his battle with the great army and fortress of Petra. And instead of being “petrified” with fear, David strengthened his heart with focus upon his great God.

“Who will bring me into the strong city??? “...the help of man is useless...but with God we shall do valiantly!”

King David was not looking for some alliance with other kings and military forces. His God-given faith told him to trust in the only one who could help him and that was Adonai...I Am...everything you need.

Now, did God intend for David to do nothing? No! God intended that David and his men fight. Trusting Him with the outcome, trusting Him to bring His good result whatever that might look like. Fighting with the bravery and the determination that comes through God alone.

“With God, we shall do valiantly...”

With Jesus all things are possible...through Him...who has already proven that He loves us and fights with us and for us...by way of the cross and his resurrection. With Jesus...who never leaves us nor forsakes us...we shall do valiantly!

Have a great day.

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

May 23rd

Our Bible reading is in 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chron. 21,22, Psalm 30.

In the last months of David’s life, he wrote a song that declared the glory of the Lord. Secondly, He fell to the heart idol of pride that not only affected him but also brought the judgment of God upon his nation. And finally, David prepared many materials for the building of the Temple there in Jerusalem, and handed the job of building the Temple to his son, Solomon...just like God said.

Yesterday we read about that new song of worship. We learned that it included glad shouts and robust thanksgivings to God, and fresh lyrics and tune to inspire hearts for joyful singing. The new song also included three declarations that God was “holy”. The one-word description of God that is found most often in the Bible. More than love, more than good, more than righteous, more than faithful, more than powerful, more than any other description. All of the other descriptive words or pictures of God are summed up and beyond in the word Holy.

Holy means “set apart...separated”. Nothing gets close to describing His nature, His character, or His essence...unless it’s Jesus incarnate.

Sometime after David called the nation to sing a new, fresh song of devotion to God he was tempted by Satan with the heart idol of Pride. David’s song was about how great God was. Then later, the devil whispered to the king...”What a job “you” have done. Just look at how the nation has grown and the economy has prospered. And it has been a long time since your last military victory. Why don't you take a “census” of your military might? No king can match your imposing strength.

Instead of believing God and deflecting praise to Him, David believed the devil’s whispers, praised himself, and ordered a census. All the way back in Exodus we read about God’s instructions on “Accountings”. They were to be done at God’s directing because the counting of people or stuff reflected who owned the people and stuff. Moses taught the Israelites that they and their stuff belonged to God...not to themselves.

David’s prideful counting of the Israelis exposed his thinking...”Look what I've done and look how many people belong to my kingdom.”. It was David instead of God. David’s kingdom rather than God’s...sounds a lot like me. God help us.

Worship God one day and sin against him the next. It sounds like a familiar pattern. Even when we are at our best we forget to be on guard. We forget our enemy is relentless and that he hates us and wants to destroy us.

And finally our reading reveals that “David’s heart was struck and he confessed his sin to God. And God disciplined the king. But with a heart after God’s own heart, I believe that what hurt David the most were not his stripes, but rather the stripes of his people that were included in God’s judgment of the king.

Wow...sometimes we forget that our careless sinning against God brings His discipline. And often that discipline hurts those we love.

One more thing...David had a dream to build an appropriate house for the ark of God. A Temple grand enough to remind worshippers that they belonged to a Great and Holy God who Loved them lavishly.

God appreciated the thought but told David that it would be his son to build the “house of God”. Right before David died, he passed that dream on to his son. And a magnificent Temple was built to the glory of God.

Father to son...David to Solomon...Solomon ‘s Temple.

God the Father to the Son, Jesus. And The Son did all that was necessary at the cross and his resurrection to build the Temple.. The Temple of the Holy Spirit...you and me who believed Him...” we” are that Temple...And God sits on the throne of our hearts! Halleluiah!

Have a great day.

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

May 22nd

Our Bible reading is in the Royal Psalms of David. Each will identify God in His Royalty over everything...creature and creation. Psalms 95,97, 98, 99.

“Come... let us “sing” to the Lord. Let us “shout” joyfully unto the Lord...the “Rock” of our salvation. Let us come into His presence with Thanksgiving. Let us make a joyful noise with songs of praise. For the Lord is Great God and great King over all...”

David was compelled by the Spirit to call the people of promise to the worship of their Great God and King. He said, “Let us honor Him...not ourselves...but Him.

“Let us begin our worship in our hearts...on our way to tabernacle... with thanksgiving for His blessings...” “Let us worship with declaration “shouts” of “Who He is” and “whose He is”...as a community. “And let us with joy, fresh from His presence, sing songs of praise to Him!”

Twenty years ago, I spent fifteen days with Ray Vanderlann in Israel and Turkey, the land of the 7 churches of Revelations. One of the Jewish Rabbis taught us about the “shout” in tabernacle and temple and synagogue worship.

Jewish community worship always began with the recitation of the “Shema”...a portion of Deut. 6:4...”Hear, O Israel, the Lord ...our God...the Lord is one. And “they” would “shout” it. “Hear”...(listen to this) “O Israel”...(God’s treasured ones). Shouting as if their words could reach the farthest place where Israelis lived and toiled, to remind them of their Great God...their Holy God...their Good God...their Covenant God. He is One (One and only God!)

David was saying in these songs...Let’s worship Him...O you who are His.And friends, that includes us who believe the Messiah Jesus.

Jewish parents for generations have taught their children to recite the Shema every night at bedtime...”Hear O Israel, the Lord our God...not somebody else's God...Our God...the Lord is One.”...Let us forever worship Him.

And I learned from a Messianic Jew on my trip to Israel, an inspiring testimony. When he and his brothers and sisters would recite Shema as children, their parents would speak of the Messiah to come as the One. And later when he heard the gospel and began to read the New Testament, and heard Jesus saying “I am the Way”...the “One” Way...he and many of his friends recognized “Shema” in the Gospel of Jesus...O Israel...The Lord...God...the One...Wow....could this be the Messiah?

Now just a bit more of the text...“The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble; He dwells between the cherubim.”

Picture the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant within the vale of the Holy Place. The lid on the chest was called the mercy seat of God. On each end of that lid an angel stood cherubim. Not the harp picture of an angel in our mind, but Ezekiel’s Warrior Angels. Strength and power of all earthly creatures and heavenly ones.

David knew in His heart that God not only lived...but He ruled. He reigned over His Kingdom in heaven and on earth. Friends, that’s what we know in our hearts from the Bible record. That’s a wow!!

And from His throne, whether in heaven or in the tabernacle in David’s day, He would command Mighty Angel Armies without number to assist Him in carrying out His righteous judgment.

No wonder David said, “Let the peoples tremble and the earth be moved.”

People in the world for generations have ridiculed the Quakers for trembling when under the power of the Holy Spirit. Had the naysayers been able to understand the “Majestic otherness” of God, they too would have quaked in His Awesome presence.

May we truly get it...that God is so Set Apart and Above us in essence and nature and character...that His attentiveness to wretches like us is mercy and grace beyond our understanding...thus we worship and even humbly tremble in his presence too.

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

May 21st

The Last Words of a King...David...not his death bed words to his wife and children, but his last poem put to music, expressing his heart thoughts and soul’s longings. 2 Samuel 22,23 and Psalm 57.

David was thinking on God’s wondrous benefits. Humbly confessing his own sins. Professing his own faith in the Lord. Comforting himself with thoughts of his covenant relationship with God. And one last time pronouncing a warning of destruction coming for those who would choose not to believe the Lord.

As Christopher Trapp put it, “Oh how much.... in so little.”

I'm older now than David was when he died. If he was inspired to sit down and write the most important thoughts in his mind and heart as a part of his legacy...so might I.

What a life was David’s. Son of a humble farmer, raised up by God to lead a nation. Anointed by God and then men. With a beautiful gift to express his innermost devotions for God to others.

David’s life was not perfect. He and his brothers couldn't get along. He and his wife struggled. He suffered repeated family crises, including an attempted insurrection by one of his sons. So-called friends bailed on him when things looked darkest. And yet, David recognized the grace and mercy of God upon his life.

He certainly had downtimes, that’s for sure. But even in the midst of the bad and the hard, God was drawing him ever closer to Him. And David knew it. And thus he repeatedly declared, “Bless the Lord O, my soul...”

David’s son, Solomon, reigned in Israel for 40 years after his father’s death. He blessed his father’s name and God used him to pen parts of our bible. His reign seemed perfect. He enjoyed a reign of peace and prosperity and glory in the world.

Yet the Bible has far more praise for David than Solomon. What made the difference. Well...Perhaps it had to do with their personal relationships with God. Perhaps the difference lay in spiritual desire...just guessing.

David desired fellowship with God...”For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than dwell in the fine tents of wickedness...” Ps 84.

Solomon desired personal improvement from God. Including wisdom, which was honored by God. However, David wanted to worship God. Solomon wanted to impress God.

The biblical record shows another difference between David and his successful son. David endured to the end. Loving and serving God through the final chapters of his life. Solomon forsook God in his later years.

This so reminds me of Paul’s commentary on fellow disciple, Demas...found in his second letter to Timothy. “...because Demas has loved this world, he has deserted me...and gone to Thessalonica.”

Demas and Solomon both had good starts on their missions with the Lord. And sadly, they both failed to finish well.

Lord, help us to be of a mind and heart, above all else, to love and worship You...to the end of our days.

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

May 20th

Our reading today is in Psalms 5,38,41,42.

David is praying for his own healing. Let’s listen...“As for me, be gracious O Lord...heal me for I have sinned against You...”

All through the songs, we hear David interceding for Israel...the sons of Jacob...and their children. But today he prays for himself.

“He is sick”...“in his body”. And he is praying to the Lord...“for “healing mercy” and grace.”

There we have it...in the psalms...our invitation to pray as David...for our own healing. Certainly, the Holy Spirit can direct our praying just as He did with David, what exactly to pray and if and when we should stop.

David is not making an appeal for justice. Not once does he say “give me what I deserve”...He prays for mercy. David knows that his “sinning” deserves discipline...even physical illness should God choose it.

But without pause, David prays for healing mercy. It is indeed revelatory to me that “inside” David’s appeal for healing for his body, he includes an appeal to God “to forgive his sins”. “...heal me for I have sinned against You!”

Saul and Judas each said, “I have sinned.” David said, “I have sinned against you...” A simple, honest soul confession of his sins. All of which he knew were actually against God.

It was a confession without excuses. It was a confession without any qualifications or explanations. It was a heart-rendering confession...not a superficial one. Thank you, David Guzik.

David’s enemies knew that David the King was on his sickbed. Instead of offering their head of state condolences, they spread even more evil lies about him. Some would even say that it would be good if he just died. How cruel.

Consider fighting your own battle against disease. That’s hard. Then add reports that say that your religious or political opposites are hoping for your death.

“When will he die and his name perish?” They want his whole family dead.

David is sick. He not only wants to be well so that he can combat the lies against him. David prays for God to heal his body so that he can be strong to protect his loved ones from the evil in their world.

Thank You, Lord, for the revelation of You. We see it and hear it in a humbled David...not perfect David...but a trusting one, after your own heart.

Have a great day.

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

May 19th

The Bible reading today shows David returning to his throne in Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 19-21.

The “big” thing I noticed is how King David pardoned his enemies and sought to unify Israel once again. David forgave the men who rebelled against him. He forgave long time friends who deserted him in self-serving. He even pardoned the one who killed his son.

Remind you of anything? Let us remember this...”Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Jesus forgiving you and me even when we were his enemies. Thank You, Lord.

Yes, David “forgiving his enemies” was the “big” one. I also saw “perspective” in the reading today. David mourning the death of his son Absolom was every bit Ok. But his “excessive” mourning was not. David’s extended, excessive mourning was “selfish” in some ways. Men and families that stayed loyal to David were the most affected by David’s over the top grieving.

There would be wives whose husbands bravely fought and died to save the king, who became confused and embittered. It’s been many days since the victory over the rebels. But instead of David giving grateful recognition to his mighty men and their families who sacrificed greatly for him, David could only see the loss of his rebellious son...the same one whose actions cost the lives of so many.

Someone needed to give David a wake-up call. His behavior showed a nation not what he knew, but what he had forgotten. He knew he had lost his son. And David was sensitive enough to know that he played a role in his son’s tragic death. And that’s sad.

But David had “forgotten” what he had...God’s gifts. His faithful mercy and grace. His always good sovereign control and wonderful loyal friends who were there to support him. David understood his loss. But he had forgotten Heaven’s perspective for a while.

So the big takeaways...Forgiving one’s enemies. A God thing to be sure. Lord help me. And Remembering “God’s perspective” in the midst of life and death...such as...” it’s not always about me...”

And one more thought...I am especially drawn to Biblical characterizations of old people. You can grin...your time is coming.

Do you remember the old saying, “A friend in need is a friend indeed...?” Well, “old” Barzillai was such a friend to David. He supplied food for David and his mighty men in Mahanaim while they waited for what was coming next.

The Bible says Barzillai was very aged and very rich. So if he couldn't join the military fight, he “could” at least use the wealth that God blessed him with to aid his king's agenda. And that’s exactly what he did. And he did something else that was noteworthy. He turned down the king’s reward for his help.

Barzillai was very appreciative of the gesture. But he let his king know that it was his pleasure to serve his king in any way that he could. In Luke 12 we hear Jesus teaching about a “foolish man” who laid up treasure on earth for himself...and was not rich toward God.

Barzillai was wise enough to use his resources to lay up treasure in heaven, and he was rich toward God. Yes, there is plenty for golden years saints to do in the building up of the church and the expanding of the Kingdom of God...touching hearts...one heart at a time.

May our motives in serving our King Jesus be as pure as Barzillai’s....” the reward is in the serving and not in the recognition”.

Enjoy the story

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

May 18th

Our reading today is found in the Songs...Psalm 26,40,58,61,62,64.

These songs were written by David in days of trial and trouble. Some are prayers to God. Others are songs unto the Lord concerning David’s neediness for God’s intervention.

Like the Centurian in Luke 7, whose faith in Jesus was observed by his humble neediness, so was King David’s faith. Thus David prayed for God’s help often. But when we read Psalm 62 we see an obvious difference. David is in trouble, but nowhere in the song is David “begging” God for help.

So let’s listen to the text...“For God “alone”, O my soul, “wait” in silence...for my “hope” is from him.”

Instead of petitioning God, David is “gospeling” his own soul...for faith in his God.

O “my “soul” is David’s address. At this time of writing, David’s complete expectation was from God...alone. Not God and something else...but God alone!

“Wait soul”...” trust in God and in Him alone for what we need”. David urges on “himself” to trust God more completely than ever before. “Wait my soul on God”.

I liked what Christopher Trapp wrote about trusting God alone. “They trust not God at all when they don't trust Him alone.” I believe David would say Amen to that!

And David writes...“my hope is from him.”...or said a better way, “From God comes my salvation” (YES...especially in the midst of my fear and confusion and trouble...both in the present ordeal and for what lies ahead in eternity.) From God comes my salvation.

I love Spurgeon’s comments here...“Our natural mind is ever prone to reason...to figure it out...to make sense of it all, when we ought to simply, deeply, and passionately believe Jesus!

Our natural disposition is to be at work doing something when we ought to be quiet. “

Oh my soul, believe God...He is always faithful for us. Oh my soul, be silent...lay aside “your business” and listen for His. Oh my soul, let us trust Jesus as “the way”, instead of ourselves.

David reminds himself that “only God” is his “strong as a rock” courage...David doesn't have it in himself to be courageous. It was God not him...only God is his salvation from everything bound to harm him. Only God is his defense against all comers. Only God is his glory now and forever. Only God is his refuge from enemies without number.

I love it when David, inspired of the Spirit, says that God is not just his defender...“He” is his ever-present protection.

And I love the progression from verse 2....that says...“and therefore I shall not be “greatly” shaken. To verse 7... “and therefore I shall not be moved.”

David’s faith and confidence in the salvation of God has grown. David has done plenty in his life trusting in prayer and in his own strong arm....and was still shaken.

Now he testifies that standing on the Rock with both feet...trusting in God alone...he has not been shaken in his faith, nor his steadfast love for the Lord and God’s people.

“Oh, my soul...let us by the Holy Spirit trust ever more completely in God alone who is our hope...whatever comes.

Have a great day