ARCC Sermons

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April 20th

Our Bible reading today is in the “Ascent” Psalms once again...Ps. 121, 123-125, 128-130.

Psalms 120-134 are called Songs of Ascent. The Jewish people, on their pilgrimage to the heights of Jerusalem, 2700 ft, would sing these sonnets together. Four are attributed to David, one to Solomon, and the rest are unknown. This string of songs seems to begin with the people far away from Jerusalem...as far as 80 miles between Jerusalem and Eastern Syria.

Ps 120 begins with the words “my distress”. Distress from lying lips Distress from sharp arrows and burning coals of the broom tree. These pilgrims had experienced war...and were looking for peace. Remind you of someone?

Isaiah prophesied concerning the Messiah’s birth...Jesus’ birth...(in chapter 9:6...)” For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest upon his shoulders...and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Looking for peace of soul and mind? Jesus...“that’s” who He is...not just for heaven...but for every day!

The songwriter of Ps 121 begins with an explanation of where his help comes from. He uses an everyday experience in the life of God’s people living in the valleys and plains of Israel. They were easy prey for the marauders east of the Jordan. So those Israelites learned to evacuate their homes and villages and hide in the mountains that were parallel to them. When the raiders were detected by gatekeepers or watchmen...the people headed for the hills.

These people sang songs about raising their eyes to the hills around them...the place from which their help came from. They sang about “longing” to be in those high places away from cruel intruders and the fear of loss and death. And so from this very real everyday life experience, the Israeli pilgrims were reminded to lift up their eyes beyond the hills. All the way to their Lord... who made heaven and earth. He would be their help...far better than any cave on a mountain.

In John 8:24...Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I Am.” Ring a bell? Remember what God told Moses to tell the Israelite people when they questioned Moses’ authority?...when he showed up to deliver them from their Egyptian bondage?

“Tell them “I Am” sent you!” Tell them “I Am everything you need” sent you. Jesus was that I Am that sent Moses. Jesus would be where Moses’ help would come from. Jesus is where our help comes from...He is Everything we need...from here ...all the way to heaven. Can't get any better than that.

Now enjoy the rest of the songs...

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April 19

Our Bible reading today is in 1 Samuel chapters 28,29,30,31...and Ps 18.

Once again Saul is confronted by Achish and the Philistine army...this time at the Mt of Gilboa, south of the Sea of Galilee. The Philistine presence was intimidating. Samuel was gone and Saul was alone and afraid.

So he prayed to God. We would say,” Good call, Saul...” God was silent. Or as others might say,...“God was slow to answer.”...SO...Cant God be silent sometimes? Sure He can!

I recall Zephaniah 3:17...”The Lord your God is in your midst...at times He will exult over you with joy and at other times He will be quiet in His love.” Rejoicing was good...but so was silence.

Can't God be slow to answer sometimes? Sure He can! Isaiah preached to Judah...”They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength...they shall mount up with wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint.” Isaiah exhorted God’s chosen ones to “wait”, especially when it seemed that God was slow to answer prayer.

What Saul needed was strength to believe God again...he needed God’s wings to soar above his fears...he needed the Lord’s endurance to hit the wall and push in through to the finish line...Saul needed the courage to walk with the Lord and not quit.

Everything Saul needed would be found in his waiting for God. But instead, Saul sought out a medium...a fortune teller...a necromancer...one who would help him communicate with the dead so that he could know the future of the upcoming battle with the Philistines.

Perhaps Saul forgot what Samuel taught him from the law of God. “Those who seek guidance from the dead...I will set my face against them...and most surely they will be cut off from their people...they will die.”

Perhaps Saul forgot the stories told by his parents and grandparents about how God led and directed His treasured ones...“when the cloud moves, we move...and not before.”

Yes, maybe Saul just forgot God’s Word to His people about His guidance about how HE would lead them. About how HE would tell His people of His plans and secrets when He was ready.

Yes, maybe Saul just forgot...about the discipline of waiting...waiting on the Lord...not waiting until the “time” seemed right...but waiting until “God” moved.

Maybe Saul just forgot...or maybe he was just that conceited...thinking so highly of himself, it became easier and easier to disregard the promptings of God and choose his own plans...even to the death of his three sons. That’s cold.

Question: at the end of today’s reading, Saul dies. Where did he go when he fell on his sword and died? Answer: Samuel appeared to Saul in the medium’s call to the dead. Samuel told Saul that by the end of the battle that he and his sons would die and be with him where he was.

And where was that exactly? Seeing that they lived and died before the death and the resurrection of Christ...Sheol... place of the dead...a place of torment to the soul of the wicked...and a place of no torment and some measure of comfort and rest to the souls of the righteous.

So how much difference did the first Easter weekend make to Samuel and Saul?

That’s the rest of the story

Have a great day

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April 18th

Our Bible reading today is in the Psalms once again...17,35,54,63.

Early in our marriage and ministry, Bev and I led our church to serve in the Billy Graham Crusade in Houston, Texas. One of the highlights for me was a pastors’ meeting with Dr. Graham a few months before the Crusade began. Toward the end of that “day-long” conference, Billy invited “questions” concerning our daily pastoring of our churches.

One pastor asked Dr. Graham how he nourished himself spiritually. Without hesitation, the Preacher of the Gospel to the world said, “Quiet time with my Savior every day is my goal."

How do you fill that time, Dr. Graham? "I try reading 5 psalms...1 proverb...and 4 chapters in the gospels...inspiring me to prayer and praise for the happy and the hard days of my life...a proverb for daily wisdom...and a short walk with Jesus on His way to the cross.”

I believe that David was a "man after God’s own heart" because God drew him to His side...in prayer”.

And just how did God draw him?... Through trials and hardships...and “all” times of need.

Psalm 63 has the heat and smell of the furnace upon it. David was being tried in the furnace of unjust persecution. Our spiritual eyes and ears will recognize Jesus.

David said that he thirsted for God...where?...In a dry and thirsty land...the wilderness of Judah.

Wow...the the Jewish people have always called the promised land...”God’s land”...including the wilderness.

Makes sense...“David thirsted for God in a dry land”...because water would not have quenched his soul’s thirst...” only” God could.

Feel dry spiritually, friends? We say, “Been there and done that”. We dig wells ...we search for springs...we listen to every expert that’s out there.

But “Our thirst” is for God. We might have forgotten that in the midst our battles and our running to and fro. We may have missed the signs...”Jesus is the Way”. He says “come to me, you who thirst...I'll quench your thirst always!”

David said, “I thirst”. So did Jesus...on the cross. They both were certainly in positions to be thirsty for water...but Jesus knew better than anyone that only the Father had what he needed.

David prayed...Lord I have looked upon You in the sanctuary...beholding Your power and glory...my lips will praise you because your steadfast love is better than life. Yes, even in the wilderness dying of thirst...I will see your face one day...I will awaken...and be as You are.

This was David’s way of trusting God...” if this turns out bad...”I'll see you in heaven Lord...for into Your hands I commend my spirit.”

Thanks, David for inviting us into your quiet time.

And Jesus, thanks for the walk to the cross...all the way to heaven.

Have a great day

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April 17th

Our Bible reading today, 1 Samuel chapters 25,26,27, begins with the announcement of the death and burial of Samuel, the last and greatest judge in Israel.

The day of the judges was over. Samuel anointed the “people’s king”, Saul. Then God used Samuel to anoint “His king”, David from whom the King of Kings would come as promised from the line of Judah...Jesus!

Samuel seemed to be unappreciated in Israel during his life. But the whole nation came to Ramah, Samuel’s hometown, to honor him in death. Samuel’s legacy would live on in remarkable ways.

His organizing and dispersing of the Levites into every tribe of the promised land was the cornerstone laid for determining and dispatching servants to the Temple that would represent every region in Israel. It was Samuel who remembered the Passover upon settling into the promised land. And it was him who kept Israel in remembrance of her great deliverance from Egypt by God.

In Jeremiah 15, God spoke to his prophet, Jeremiah, about his interceding for Judah. God told him that great intercessors had come before the Lord for Jacob’s children...such as Moses and Samuel.

Samuel would always be remembered as one of the great intercessors for God’s children in scripture. But not “the” Intercessor...because that is Jesus. Not just his praying...not just his miracle-working power...but his “paying” our sin debt through his suffering and sacrificial death on the cross. Our advocate before the Father taking the penalty for our sins. Dying in our place and giving us his eternal life. Now that’s INTERCEDING!

Plus, when God breathed the divine words of scripture, those words of God included Samuel’s induction to Heaven’s Hall of Faith recorded in Hebrews 11. All of the judges had their God moments...recognizing Him...obeying Him...listening to Him...and believing Him.

But the biblical record on Samuel says he loved and served the Lord his whole life. From early childhood until his heavenly homegoing. Now that’s a spiritual legacy to pass down.

One more foreshadowing of the coming Savior, Jesus.

There was a Godly woman in Israel named Abigail. She was married to a worthless, faithless man named Nabal. Nabal offended David. David rose up to get satisfaction from the arrogant offender. David called his 600 warriors to strap on their swords. And he did the same. And off they went to Nabal’s huge estate/property in keeping with his wealth.

Abigail met David and his mighty men just down the road. She had with her the best of their herds and crops and the finest of their vines and wines...enough for all in the army of David. That day, the righteous judgment of David was satisfied by the offerings of Abigail. She risked her life to save her no-good husband.

Do you see it?... Abigail pictures Christ and his offering on the cross. Jesus satisfied the righteous judgment of God upon me and my no good, sinning life...not by risking his life...but by laying down his life to save me and you.

Abigail, your story definitely belongs in the Bible. You saved your husband’s life, even if but for a while.

But we know you agree that Jesus’ story is far better. Thanks, Jesus!

Have a great day

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April 16th

Our Bible reading today is also in the songs of David...written in the years of his banishment from his home in Bethlehem and service to Saul in Gibeah.

Psalms 56, 120, 140-142.

David has been brought very low during his fleeing from Saul’s hatred. David has his family with him. He has his loyal men and their families with him. Now they are in Philistia...under the watchful eye of their long time nemesis. No real trust is here. No settled security here...just a break from running. Yes, in times of great distress David’s prayers and songs have wings to God’s throne with great earnestness. May our distresses give serious flight to our prayers to God, dear friends.

The Hebrew introduction to these songs gives interesting insight. David is in the territory of the Philistines...hiding from Saul’s 3000. David calls himself “The silent dove in distant places” ...apparently the title of Psalm 56.

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “the Philistines took him in Gath...David was like a “dove” in strangers’ hands.

David had shed much Philistine blood over the years in protecting Israel from their cruel and ambitious neighbors. Now David is there, not for blood, but for peace. David was trading one enemy for another. He was committed to “not fight” his King...Saul. And if he had to fight anyone for a “safe and peaceful” retreat, then let it be a Philistine stranger.

This is a segway to our text...“Be gracious to me O God...” Psalm 56:1

David, in a distant place away from home, in need of God more than ever starts his prayer with the plea for God’s mercy...God’s grace.

And when would a man beg for God’s mercy and grace? When he was feeling guilty and needing forgiveness for his own transgressions...his own sin.

David begins his conversation with God by wrestling with his own conscience. Was it some daily sinning that was bothering him? Or was he feeling guilty for the fact that he chose to seek shelter among the enemies of his people?

Maybe both...back to the text. “All day long many attack me...the fighting is daily...” I believe that David was saying...” there is not a morning that I can awake to the thought that no one is coming against me today.” I believe that David was saying...” there is not a night season that I can lay my head down with the confidence that no one can get to me and mine here.”

Oh, friends, I'm reminded of Jesus and His daily battles with the scribes and Pharisees. I'm reminded of the constant attacks of the devil, day and night, ...temptations and tormentors. His battles were not over until He cried “It is finished” and won our salvation with His death on the cross.

Fellow followers of Jesus, our lives in and with Christ mean opposition and trials and temptations and daily fighting the good fight for the sake of the gospel...even unto death. It’s what we have been called to in Jesus...crucified with Christ, nevertheless, we live, yet not us but Christ lives in us!

In the reading today, David said that as bad as it got he would not be afraid...for God was with Him...what could man do to him...even if he did his worst. To live, to fight, to struggle, to die...all of it for the glory of God. Amen...sing on soldiers of the cross...fight on...rest... on Jesus...He won for us!

Have a great day

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April 15th

Today's Bible reading is in 5 Psalms...7, 27,31,34,52.

David, the warrior and soon to be king, writes verse and sings songs, as prompted by God’s Spirit. These songs teach us about God...about His faithfulness, His greatness, and His Sovereign power to save His people of faith.

These were songs of the personal testimony of David in the midst of great trial. These verses, these songs revealed David’s “heart trust” in his God and Savior. These are songs written during the 10 years that jealous Saul sought to kill David. These were stressful days for David, as he moved from one mountain to another...

one desert to another...one hiding place to another...trying to stay out of sight and just ahead of Saul’s 3000 assassins.

Now listen to David...listen to God speak to our hearts through his Spirit-inspired songs...

“O Lord my God, in You do I take refuge...save me from my pursuers and deliver me.” Ps. 7:1

“Lord, save me...deliver me from my pursuers...”

Sounds like a desperate cry...sounds like a very serious circumstance...sounds like a very dangerous, life threatening situation.

Now remember, this is the young man that God called “a man after His own heart.” So?... Do men with a heart for God, like that, get to feeling desperate? Yes! This was the brave man of faith that was mighty in war...putting foreign armies to flight...that obtained promises from God. This was the warrior king...crying out to God for help...for intervention...for a salvation that he couldn't produce.

Do God’s heroes get scared? Yes!

And then what? And so they pray...and...they put their trust in their Savior for what comes next. It’s in His hands...THEY are in HIS hands!

David writes and sings another song...Ps 27 “Though an army encamps against me; my heart will not fear...I will be confident...that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living...”

“No matter how this battle turns out...God will make sure that I’m going to dwell in the house of the living Lord forever!”

“Father, it dawns on me one more time, that it’s not great faith that procures a blessing in our times of trial. It is our great and forever faithfully good Savior that gives faith as our blessing during our trial.”

One more song from David...Ps 34 “I will bless the Lord at all times...his praise shall continually be in my mouth...Magnify the Lord with me...let us exalt His Name forever!”

Is this the David who is being tormented and terrorized by an insanely jealous king with 3000 special ops troops at his command? Yes!

How could he be leading his small army of family members and 600 valiant men in a “praise and worship” service with death lurking nearby with the setting sun? David knew that God inhabited the praises of His people. He also knew that the people needed that sense of His presence more than ever now! So they sang...not to make themselves worthy of God’s presence...they sang and praised God because He had already made them worthy.

Enjoy the rest of the song.

Have a great day

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April 14th

Today’s Bible reading is in 1 Samuel chapters 21,22,23,24.

In our reading today, Saul is seeking another murderous opportunity to destroy David. To his twisted sense of shame, Saul could never find it. Saul was resourceful. Why couldn't he take out David and his few valiant men?

God’s grace.

In this reading today, David is presented with a “fair” opportunity to destroy Saul. To David’s honor, he didn't make use of it. Why didn't he?

God’s grace...God’s grace was “upon” David in the providential protection bestowed upon him by the Lord...as Saul hunted him down. And David understood that “providential grace”. He was trusting God to keep His promise to make David king in Israel. He was trusting God to take Saul out of the picture, not himself. “You've got this, God.” And alertly, rested there.

He understood that God was doing a work “in him” first. That’s why he didn't kill Saul when he had the chance. He knew that “vengeance was God’s”...not his. And he also knew that justice was not in his hands to dish out, but “showing mercy” was.

Yes, David knew that providential grace started “within him” and then it was a work of God “for him”...for his protection and for his provision.

Now to the text. David, his family, and loyal friends made the caves and sheepfolds of Engedi...just west of the Dead Sea...their home, and stronghold...at least for a while. In defense of Saul’s death squad of 3000 that have been chasing David for a year now. Mountains, waterfalls, and valleys of vegetation met the needs of David and his 600.

They had to be tired and somewhat confused. Ten years before, God used Samuel to anoint young David as the next King in Israel. They all believed that. But when was that going to happen? And why keep putting David’s life at risk?

Word got out that David was no longer in Gath, but was now in Engedi. Saul and his men headed that way.

Saul and his army had just gotten back from a several month military campaign against the Philistines. And now, immediately, Saul is chasing down another lead on where David might be?

Wow...forget about his family...forget about his army...forget about his local affairs as king...“This was all about him!”

David and his 600 took to hiding in large caves that were used to house entire flocks of sheep and goats grazing on the mountain slopes. Saul and his band of warriors made it to Engedi. And while they were making camp, Saul went into a cave nearby for relief after the long trip.

The biblical record says that David and his 600 were hiding in the dark recesses of that same cave. David could have killed Saul right then. But he did not. In the shadows, away from Saul, David cut off a piece of the king’s robe.

Let’s leave the narrative for a bit and look at the activity of God here. Saul “just” happened on to the very cave of David and his men. Really? No way this was a coincidence. God put Saul there.

Because God was about to reveal the character of a king. To Saul, THIS was all about him! But what we see in David is so not that. David’s men urged him to seize the moment and strike down the king that was full speed ahead out to kill him.

“Didn't God tell you that you were the next king?" “Didn't God tell you that He was going to deliver your enemy into your hand to do with as you thought was good?”

David could say yes to all of their questions. But other words from God were in His mind and heart. “You will inherit the throne of Israel.” Those words from God meant that Saul would have to die before David became king. And David knew that God was the one who put Saul in the position of king...the place of authority in the land. It would be against God’s law to strike down His king. David knew that It was wrong to justify sinning for the purpose of fulfilling God’s promise.

We can think of Jesus being tempted by Satan to win the world by jumping off the Temple and having angels catch him in the presence of a million people. Jesus refused Satan’s offer. The plan was the cross. Salvation sought any other way would mean disobedience to the Father. Jesus obeyed the Father at the expense of the cross.

Perhaps David...the son of promise...whose throne would one day be occupied by the ultimate “son of promise”...had His words in his heart:

“Love your enemies...do good to those who hate you...”

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

And David, we have all been blessed because you spared Saul’s life at the expense of your own. You lived out God’s grace...What a foreshadowing of The King to come.

Yes, Jesus...we remember!

It wasn't about You...it was about us! Praise Your Name!

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April 13th

Our Bible reading today is in 1 Samuel chapters 18,19,20 and Psalms 11 & 59.

Five chapters of reading. 5 to 10 minutes in God’s faith filling presence for our day.

The Samuel reading tells us that King Saul was jealous and angry at God’s choice for the next king in Israel. Saul was living with a strong determination to be the final decision maker for his destiny and his legacy.

What a memorable beginning Saul had with God...surrendering to his will no matter what. Twenty years later he was bound to be the master of his fate. A grand start...but a very sad ending for a one time hero in Israel.

The rest of the story is the beginning of Saul’s quest to kill David and put his son Jonathan upon the throne in Israel. Right in the midst of Saul’s slide toward murderous infamy, God raised up Saul’s son Jonathan, a mirrored image of the Godly devotion seen in David.

Instead of learning, from his son, a renewed love for God, Saul threw his spear at Jonathan in anger and bitterness toward God. The message of hate and rage in Saul against David was loud and clear...intimidating at least...deadly in promise.

Two things helped David in this critical time of dodging speers and sorting out threats. A “good friend” and “conversations” with God.

The Bible record says that Jonathan stood in the gap between his jealous and angry father and his friend, David. The text says that Jonathan loved David. And that he and David were of the same heart and mind toward God. They both loved the Lord passionately.

Our reading says that the crown prince of Israel removed his royal robe and sword and gave it to David. Jonathan knew that God was upon David to be the next king...not himself. And because of their walk with the Lord, there was no room for awkwardness, just loyalty for each other’s success.

Wow, friends in the Lord forever bound by their one supreme devotion to God. Bound by their single desire to glorify the Lord, in life and death.

So God gave David a faithful friend in Jonathan (for 17 years) who encouraged him and helped him escape Saul’s attempts at killing him. But in addition to a good friend, God called David to Himself in prayer times as testified to by a song that David wrote in Psalm 59.

“O my Strength, I will watch for You...for You O God are my fortress. “My God in His steadfast love meets me and lets me look in triumph over my enemies.” Ps. 59

God gave faith upon faith to His son and servant David that translated into a confidence that saw victory even before the battles were over.

Remember when Jesus said to his disciples that he no longer called them servants but friends? For the master reveals himself to his friends.

Jonathan was exemplary for sure. But Jesus is still way better...when He calls us friends...we remember how he laid aside heaven and laid his life down so that we could have, not just life, but life abundant and life eternal.

Thank you Jesus...enjoy the rest of the story.

Have a great day