Impact Church London

Series: “Scandalous”. Sermon #4 “Rock The Block Jesus Style”

“The Holy Spirit never brings condemnation He always reveals the blood.”  Smith Wigglesworth

“Morality may keep you out of jail, but it takes the blood of Christ to keep you out of Hell.”   C. H. Spurgeon

1 Peter 1:18-20  “…redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

The feast of Passover:

Today bring sacrifice for inspection. Today they got rid of the leaven. This day Jesus came for inspection. This day He cleansed His temple. Begins His final assult to secure  JUSTICE FOR ALL!

The Father does not inspect you He inspects His Son.  “The Lamb of God”.  He is PERFECT!   You are PERFECT!

Pictures — Donkey with cross on its back!

Matthew 21:9 “Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the  Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!’”

Matthew 21:10 “And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’”

Moved:— (Seio) to shake, agitate, cause to tremble

Luke19:41-44  “He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes’ … because you did not know the time of your  visitation.”

Why was Jesus so upset?  Crowd was with Him.

We’ve got momentum here … don’t mess it up!!!

Visitation:– (Episkope) investigation, inspection, oversight. 

God came to exercise care and they missed the moment.  Did not embrace His purpose.

Matthew 21:12-13 “Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text: My house was designated a  house of prayer;”

Psalm 89:13-15 “Your arm is powerful, your hand strong, your right hand victorious.

Equity and justice are the foundation of your throne…

“… Loyal love and faithfulness characterize your rule. 

How blessed are the people who worship you! O Lord,  they experience your favor.”

When Jesus Rocks The Block:

1. Hindrances Are Removed 

“…threw out… kicked over” vs12

Unwelcomed Additions   Barriers and Limitations

Injustice:— the quality or fact of being unjust; inequity. violation of the rights of others; unjust or unfair action or treatment. Discrimination

2. Proper Purpose Restored

 “…a house of prayer.”  vs13

Place where prophetic songs invite the nations to come and be reconciled to God!

Isaiah 56:7 “Make them joyful in my house of prayer… for all nations.”

Prayer:— (tef-il-law’) Intense prophetic prayer, accompanied by music

3. Power Is Demonstrated

 “…blind and lame came …and He healed them.” vs14

 John Wimber “In what meeting do you do the stuff?”

4. Religious Spirit Manifests

vs15 “…they became indignant”

When liberty and freedom are in expression, religion goes into full manifestation.

5. Atmosphere Of Triumph  vs16

“Out of the mouth of babes …You have ordained strength, (PRAISE) Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy  and the avenger.”  Psalm 8:2 

Hosanna:– from two words, (save or liberate) and (now or beseech): we beseech you save us, liberate us, now!

The Spirit of God is crying out to the CHURCH: Demand justice! 

Series: “Scandalous”. Sermon #3 “Lets’s Talk About Blood”

John 1:17-18  “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”  Jesus Is God!!!

Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Colossians 1:20-22 “…having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight…”

“The Holy Spirit never brings condemnation He always reveals the blood.”

               Smith Wigglesworth

“ Jesus was cursed on the tree in our place and bore our sin in His own body. He did not bear our sin in His blood. It was just as holy on the cross as it ever was. As He offered the sin sacrifice to God, He was covered with pure, innocent, justifying, redeeming, sanctifying blood so that He was able to dismiss His spirit to His Father at death.”    David Alsobrook

“The blood and the Spirit always bear testimony together. Where the blood is honored in faith or preaching, there the Spirit works; … He always leads souls to the blood. The Holy Spirit could not be given until the blood was shed. The living bond between the Spirit and the blood cannot be broken.”

                Andrew Murray

True redemption is found exclusively through the blood of Jesus.

A working revelation of the blood of Jesus will give you ongoing access to the glory of God.

Where the blood of Jesus flows the Holy Spirit goes.

“Scripture teaches … that life lies in the blood. Blood, therefore , is the mysterious link between matter and spirit. …certain it is that this is the mysterious link which unite these apparently dissimilar things together, so that the soul can inhabit the body, and the life can rest in the blood”  C.H. Spurgeon

Jesus is the lamb slain from before the foundation of the world. 

Redemption through His Blood was always His eternal plan!

1Peter 1:20   “… he was chosen and destined for this before the foundation of the earth was laid, but he has been made manifest in these last days for you.”

“O happy fault that earned for us so great, so glorious a Redeemer.” Ambrose of Milan

          felix culpa (Happy Fault)

The covenant that the Father made with His Son took me from from sinful to SONFUL!!!

4  Truths Regarding The Blood

1. It Has To Be Blood — Why?

Life is in the blood.  Lev. 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’” No blood No freedom  

Hebrews. 9:22  “…  without shedding of blood there is no remission.”

“aphesis”:— Release From Bondage

Remission is a legal term.

Remission is the pardon of offence.

Remission is a once-and-for-all event.

Remission brings freedom.

Remission involves a sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:14, 18.  (TPT) “And by his one perfect sacrifice he made us perfectly holy and complete for all time!”  —  “So if our sins have been forgiven and forgotten (remitted), why would we ever need to offer another sacrifice for sin?”

2. It Had To Be Jesus Blood —Why? 

Precious Blood    1 Peter 1:18-19 “…but with the precious blood of Christ, …without blemish and without spot.”

Blood of God      Acts 20:28 “…church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

3. Jesus’ Blood Had To Be Shed

His Body Was Pierced In 7 Places

A. Sweat Drops Of Blood

Jesus fulfilled all righteousness on my behalf. He was fully obedient to the will of the Father. Not My will but Yours!  I have fulfilled all righteousness. I plead the blood!!! 

B. Stripes He Received 39 Lashes

Isaiah 53:4 “And by His stripes we are healed.”

Unexpected Genetic Roots

“When we ranked mutations using our method, striking patterns emerged, revealing 39 novel genes having a potential role…” Brenden Frey (UofT News Dec.14 2014)

The Gene Myth: Our DNA is NOT Our Destiny  (Dr. Caroline Leaf)

“…it’s principally our thoughts that influence those genes which are active … So, when all is said and done, we are very much in control, and not victims of our biology.”

http://drleaf.com/blog/single-entry/print/the-gene-myth-our-dna-is-not-our-destiny/

C. Beaten and Bruised 

Inner bleeding. Hidden wounds.  Unresolved issues from your past.  Words that torment. Past failures.

Jesus blood deals with all the unseen issues of the heart.

D. Crown Of Thorns 

Galatians 3:13-14 “…having become a curse for us …that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”  “…make His blessings know far as the curse is found.” Joy To The World

E. Spikes In His Hands

Priests. Hand are for blessing … restore our authority to BLESS – Gate of heaven

F. Spike In His Feet 

Kings. Restored Dominion … Every place my foot treads brings Kingdom!

Revelation 1:5-6 “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 

His blood positions you in His Glory.  Open Heaven!  In-Christed Forver.   YOU REIGN AND RULE!!!

G. Sword In His Side

His heart was broken so mine can be restored … betrayal wounds to heart.

Psalm 69:20 “Reproach has broken my heart, And I am full of heaviness.”

Luke 4:18 “He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,…”

4. The Blood Must Be Applied

Two Ways Blood Applied In O.T.: 

1. Diffuse  Hyssop – It gets everywhere.

Hebrews 9:19 “… of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all …”

2. Directional  Finger – Very specific.

Leviticus 16:14 “…with his finger sprinkle it …”

Luke 11:20 “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.”

Matthew 12:28  “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”

You have a legal right to the throne room by the blood.

Holy Spirit has a legal right to invade you by the blood.

The Blood speaks … It is voice activated.

How do you apply the blood? 

Word of your Testimony!!!   I plead the blood!!!

HOW DOES IT WORK????

Isaiah 43:25-26  KJV

“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.”

The blood will speak by the power of the Spirit to every circumstance in your life!!!

You just have to agree with the proceeding word by getting it on your mouth.

Heaven’s GPS  The blood will position you for constant victory!

Series: “Scandalous”. Sermon #2 “I CANNOT Sin”

2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP) “He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].”

Our Place As Rulers Was Surrendered 

Simply put:   Sin (NOUN) is the problem.    Jesus is the solution.

What is sin?   A tyrant. Selfishness. Choosing independence from God.

What you misdiagnose, you mistreat. 

If sin is defined as bad behaviour we gather weekly for sin management courses.

If it is rule breaking we have to make you a better rule keeper.

PICTURE: Two Trees … Adam and the results of the fall.   In Adam or In Christ

“The eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was not only an act of disobedience; it was an attempt to gain autonomy, to decide for oneself what is right and wrong.”   Millard Erickson

“The eating of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil represents humanity’s choice to be their own gods, to define morality and determine their own destiny. This act of rebellion led to a broken relationship with God and the need for salvation.”  A.W. Tozer

Ravi Zacharius “Jesus didn’t come into the world to make bad people good. He came into the world to make dead people live.”

Religion teaches moralism. Religion is self help.

Moralism:— the belief that the Gospel can be reduced to improvements in behaviour.

Galatians 2:21 “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

“Adam’s sin caused a rupture in the cosmic order, allowing Satan to gain a foothold in the world and become the prince of this world. This gave him a measure of authority over the world that he did not have before.”    Augustine of Hippo

“O happy fault that earned for us so great, so glorious a Redeemer.”  Ambrose of Milan

     felix culpa (Happy Fault)

GOOD NEWS:

God forgives sinners – God Is Love

God conquers sin – Sent His Son to deliver us from power of sin, satan and death.  LIFE

Colossians 2:13-14 “He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements (LAW) that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

1Corinthians 15:56-57 (Message) “It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!”

Hebrews 2:14 “Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.”

Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

John 3:17-18 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is  condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 1:17-18  “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”  Jesus Is God!!!

Are you going to partner with Moses or Jesus as you confront sin?

Religion attempts to cancel people, we are here to reconcile.

Religion looks to disqualify people, we are here to qualify.

Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Romans 5:18-19 (Message) “Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.”

1 John 2:1-2  “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

When you act outside of the nature of God you are not behaving like your regenerated self.

That’s when your faith has to be activated. I am a child of God!!!

Jesus as your advocate completely backs you up. 

1 John 3:9 “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”

Two basic views of verse 9

1. Habitual — random acts of sin is okay, its habitual sin that is bad.    NO NO NO!!!

2. Absolute — You are free from sin absolutely. Power over sin. Still It is never okay. Don’t do it. It is destructive.

“The provision for our salvation originated in the love of God. And since we have experienced the love of the Father, we have no desire to live in sin.”    Warren Wiersbe

“He could have hardly meant that Christ sins not at all and those who abide in Him sin but not a lot.” Bob Wilkin (Do Born Again People Sin)

“The fact that he has been begotten of God excludes the possibility of his committing sin as an expression of his true character, though actual sins may, and do, occur so far as he fails from weakness to realize his true character.”   A.E. Brooke

Hebrews 10:2  “For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.” Freedom comes from your focus on His finished work and not on trying not to fail.

“All he thought about for three straight month prior was falling. It was the first time he ever thought about falling, alway before he thought about nothing but walking the tightrope.”

Helen Wallenda — Wife of Karl Wallenda 

John 8:2-11 (NET)“Early in the morning he came to the temple courts again. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them. The experts in the law and the Pharisees (Team Moses) brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of them …

… and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?” (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. …

…When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground Now when they heard this, (being convicted by their conscience NKJV) they began to drift away one at a time, starting with the older ones

… until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. (until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. NLT) Jesus stood up straight and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’

She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

“Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.” TPT

There are consequences for bad decisions but there is no condemnation or judgement from your Saviour JESUS!

GOOD NEWS

God forgives sinners – God Is Love

God conquers sin – Sent His Son to deliver us from power of sin, satan and death.  LIFE

Sermon Series:  “Scandalous”  Sermon: “What Is Sin?”

1 Peter 2:24 (TPT) “He himself carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we would be dead to sin and live for righteousness. Our instant healing flowed from his wounding.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP) “He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].”

Ephesians 2:1-2 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,  in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,”

Until we come to Christ and receive by faith the gracious gift of his life, we remain spiritually dead and dominated.

Faith in the finished work of the cross makes us alive, raises us up and seats us with Him.  Reigning!

John Piper “Sinning is any feeling or thought or speech or action that comes from a heart that does not treasure God over all other things. A heart that prefers anything above God, a heart that does not treasure God over all ot

Karl Barth – (Christian Dogmatics). “It is true enough that unbelief is the sin, the original form and source of all sins, and in the last analysis the only sin because it is the sin which produces and embraces all other sins.”

Augustine  “Sin is believing the lie that you are self-created, self-dependent, and self-sustained.”

Paul Ellis “What is the definition of sin? It is not rule breaking or acting immorally as much as it is walking by sight and leaning on your own abilities and understanding. It is trusting in yourself and living without regard for the things of God.”

Darrell Johnson “Sin is not believing that God is as good as He says He is.”

Sin and disobedience are the fruit of distrust.  

Our Place As Rulers Was Surrendered 

Simply put:      Sin is the problem.    Jesus is the solution.

What is sin?     Selfishness. Independence from God.

her person and all other things.”

What you misdiagnose, you mistreat. 

If sin is defined as bad behaviour we gather weekly for sin management courses.

If it is rule breaking we have to make you a good rule keeper.

Ravi Zacharius “Jesus didn’t come into the world to make bad people good. He came into the world to make dead people live.”

Religion teaches moralism. Religion is self help.

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life (Not Bios but Zoe), and that they may have it more abundantly.”

You are under new management!  Devil’s grip has been broken.

In Christ, you have been freed from sin the noun, the tyrant sin. 

There has been a change of government, sin has no dominion over you. 

You don’t have to obey your former master.

Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

Romans 3:21-24 “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

 …..  For there is no difference;  for all have sinned and fall short of  the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”

Paul talks about sin 48x’s in the book of Romans. 

Noun 46x’s and Verb 2x’s Harmatia :—(noun) to be without a share in, to miss the mark to err, be mistaken.

First time sin appears in Scripture.

Genesis 4:7 “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin (Noun khata:— fail miss goal) lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

What mark do we fall short of?  “The Glory of God,”

Glory dóksa :— from dokeō, exercising personal opinion which determines value. that something has inherent, intrinsic worth.  We sin when we do not embrace God’s values.

Romans 1:18-19 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.”

Ungodliness (asebeia):— want of reverence towards God, the opposite of the word for revere or adore, disregard for God’s person.

Ungodliness is not bad behavior. Ungodliness is unbelief in the grace of a good God. It’s saying, “God, who needs you? I’m fine without you.”

PICTURE OF TWO TREES

Genesis 3:7-8

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day,…”

“…and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”

God is going to kill us!???

They instead became accusers of God, themselves and each other.

Wages of sin death.

Man departed from God’s purpose for him.  Became An INDIVIDUAL.

Man now had the capacity to make his own determination of what was right and wrong.

Man developed his own systems of scales and balance. He became the system maker and judge.

Adam lost sight of his own value.

When he ate he fell short.

Darkness descended on His mind and he ran and his from God.

But God came looking for Him.

To restore His value.

Romans 5:17 “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

Hebrews 9:26 “But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin (NOUN) by the sacrifice of himself.”

There only two types of people:

1. In Christ — Reigning in Life!

2. In Adam — Subject to fallen world.

Series: David “King Of Hearts” — Sermon: “Heart For The Glory” 

1 Chronicles 13:3 “…let us bring the ark of our God back to us…”

David desired what Jesus provided.

John 17:21 “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

2 Samuel 5:7 “Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.”

The Jebusites had held Zion until David took possession of it.

Psalm 110:2  “The Lord will send forth from Zion (CHURCH) the sceptre of Your strength; rule, then, in the midst of Your foes.”  

Hebrews 12:18-24  “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven,…”

1 Samuel 7:1 “…men of Kirjath Jearim came and took the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord.”

For Decades God’s presence wasn’t pursued.

The journey of the Ark of God

Eli:— to exalt.  A fat fleshly system.  /   Hophni:— cantankerous, fist fight.  /  Phinehas:— mouth of a serpent.

Ichabod:— No glory, departed

Dagon:—  No God’s before me. Haemorrhoids:— A pain in the bottom 

Abinadab:—  Decades of doing life with no presence of God!!!

Luke 7:16-17 “They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, “God is back, looking to the needs of his people!” The news of Jesus spread all through the country.”

Glory disturbs the status quo: People Climb Trees / People Crash Parties / People Break Through Roofs / People Ignore Barriers / People Get Set Free / Religious People Throw A Fit

2 Sa. 6:6-16, / 1 Ch. 13:5-14

Ark stumbled at Nachon, Chidon.    “Nachon”:– preparation.    “Chidon”:– javelin, ruin

Failure to prepare becomes ruin.

VS.12 “David was afraid of God that day, saying, ‘How can I bring the ark of God to me?’”

David thought he would bring the presence of God to town with strength and might, driving an ox  cart, just like the philistines did.

“Uzzah” :— strength, might.  “Ahio” :— resembling, just like.    Boards and Big Wheels

2 Samuel 6:10 “So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom (servant / blood) the Gittite.”   Gittite:— inhabitant of Gath, gentile.

1 Chronicles 13:14 “The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that he had.”

The presence of God was housed by a gentile and it was GLORY all around!!!

1 Chronicles 15:13-14 “For because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order. … bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, … they offered seven bulls and seven rams.” (BLOOD)

Access to the Glory is found exclusively by the blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 9:7 “But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood,”

The Tabernacle Of David

The Tabernacle of Moses:  It showed the perfection needed to come before the Presence of God. No sin. No illegitimacy.  

The Tabernacle of David:  It showed the grace of God. Faith in God’s promise and His Character. Makes a way so all would have equal access to God’s Presence.

Acts 15:16  “After this I WILL RETURN, and will BUILD AGAIN the TABERNACLE OF DAVID, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.”     

Obed Edom opened his door to allow God’s presence in His house. When You Experience HIM:

1. You Leave Familiar Things

1 Chronicles 15:21 “Obed-Edom”

Galatians 5:25 “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” 

2. You Become A Servant

1 Chronicles 15:24, 26:8 “…Obed-Edom and Jehiah, doorkeepers for the ark.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

3. You Are Given Authority

1 Chronicles 26:15 “…to Obed-Edom the South Gate, and to his sons the storehouse.”

Luke 10:19 “I have given you authority … to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”  

4. You Are Given Provision

1 Chronicles 26:15 “…to his sons the storehouse.”

Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

5. You Are Given His Trust

2 Chronicles 25:24 “And he took all the gold and silver, all the articles that were found in the house of God with Obed-Edom”

Colossians 1:27 “… glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Access to the Glory is found exclusively through the blood of Jesus.

His gracious act of redemption has granted you access to His presence!!!

His Glory Is Gushing Through You!!!

David sent the presence of God to the home of a gentile farmer.

All he did was open the door!

Open the door of your heart.

Change your life FOREVER!!!

Galatians 3:26 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Someone is knocking at the door!

Series “David – King of Hearts”. Sermon. “A Heart For Redemption”

February 8, 2023.  “Latest stinker. I’ll be home soon,”    Zach Meerkreebs

“Stop striving. Stop wearing this heavy burden of ‘I gotta love, because I’m a Christian,’ No, you gotta love because you’ve tasted and seen the goodness of God…You have been loved. You have to continue to put yourself before Jesus so you can be loved by him so you can love others.”

PICTURE — Asbury College Chapel

2 Samuel 3:1 “There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.”

David is anointed as King of Israel

2 Samuel 5:10 “And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts (was) with him.”

David took God to Zion! David took God to His eternal purpose!

2 Samuel 9:1  “Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Jonathan’s Son:

“Mephibosheth”:– exterminate the idol, to shatter the shameful thing.

“Merib Baal” :– contend against baal.

“Machir” :– to sell yourself, sold out.

“Lo-debar” :– no communication barren place, not a pasture.

In silence, in shame, sold out, and surrendered to a life of barrenness. 

5 Grace Observations

1. The Fall Caused Crippling 

2 Samuel 4:4 “his nurse took him up and fled…he fell, and became lame”

In Adam humanity fell and has lost any ability to help itself.   Who dropped you?

Romans 5:17 “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

2. A Word To Keep

1Samuel 20:15-16 “…thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever:” 

He has a covenant to fulfill.

3. Love Is Expressed

1 Samuel 9:5  “Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.”    The barren place.  The silent scream!!!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world He SENT…”

“Grace is God’s Holy love on the move.”   J H Jowett

Romans 5:20-21 (MSG)  “All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. …

All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.”

4. Qualified By The Love of Another

2 Samuel 9:7 “… shew thee kindness for Jonathan…”

Ephesians 1:4-5 “…that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself.”

5. Restoration Is The Purpose

2 Samuel 9:7 “for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”

Ephesians 2:6 “…made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”  

2 Samuel 9:13 “So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.”

The chapter ends with, “his feet both lame.”  — His “walk” didn’t get him into the Kings palace. His “walk” will not keep him in the Kings palace. He is there because of the covenant that was drawn up between David and Jonathan.  

Come and put your broken feet under my table!!!

Restored Position – A Son

Restored Property – Heir of All Things

Restored Power – Ability to Rule

Romans 5:1-2 (MSG)

“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: …

… We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.”

His love has no limits,  His grace has no measure, His power has no boundary known unto men;

           Annie Johnson Flint

I’m still here!

Series: “David: King of Hearts” Sermon: “A Heart for Family”

We have been talking about a guy in the Bible name David.

I think Hollywood would have loved David. He was handsome, charming, a political genius, a great warrior, yet he was poetic and wrote a bunch of songs. He didn’t shy away from how he felt at all.

Because despite all of the good qualities I mentioned above, he was wounded and made decisions out of those wounds that hurt a lot of people. And he also had an eye for the ladies. You’ll see. We have family favouritism, a broken engagement, a forced marriage separation, an affair, a horrific violation that was ignored, a death of a child, lack of discipline, backstabbing, murder, – we have it all today.

Now, if you are wondering why in the world are we looking at this guy to talk about family? I would say you ask good questions! I’m actually going to let Sally Lloyd-Jones, author of the Jesus Storybook Bible answer that for us.

“Now, some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn’t do…But the Bible isn’t mainly about you and what you should be doing. It’s about God and what he has done.”

“Other people think the Bible is a book of heroes, showing you people you should copy. The Bible does have some heroes in it, but (as you’ll soon find out) most of the people in the Bible aren’t heroes at all. They make some big mistakes (sometimes on purpose). They get afraid and run away. At other times they are downright mean.”

“No, the Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne – everything – to rescue the one he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life! You see, the best thing about this Story is – it’s true. There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.”

So, David isn’t a hero for us to copy, but he is part of larger story that points to Jesus, and that larger story will show us that there is hope for families. So, like I said, I read all 66 chapters on David, so I am going to jump in and give you the tea. His life is juicy!

David’s beginning with his father and King Saul.

David and the events surrounding Goliath.

David and all of his wives.

David and Bathsheba.

David’s daughter Tamar.

David and Absalom.

Now you may be asking, I didn’t see a lot of happy endings here, why are you so sure that there is hope for my family? Remember, the Bible isn’t a book of heroes for us to copy.

There is something else that happened in David’s life that you should know about. A promise was made to him; from God to David. David didn’t ask for it; the promise came to him. Here’s the promise:

1 Chronicles 17:10-14 (NASB)

With a flat reading of these verses, it sounds like when David passes away that Solomon will build a great temple for God, be favoured, and be remembered forever. But, remember, the Bible is telling one Big Story. The story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them. Remember, David is part of this larger story.

Here is what I suggest this promise means. David did have a son succeed him and through that blood line came Jesus. And all through the New Testament, Jesus is called Son of David. Jesus is who the verses are talking about. Jesus is who will establish a kingdom forever.

The other beautiful thing I see in this promise is “I will be his Father and he will be my son.” In those ancient near east times, this was the language of adoption, so what these verses imply is that we are adopted into the beautiful, perfect, unbroken relationship our Heavenly Father shares with His Son Jesus with the Holy Spirit. We are part of God’s family. We are part of God’s family.

And we are part of God’s family, not because of ourselves, but fully because of God.

Ten times, ten times in these verses I see God say that this is something He does. And in my red Bible at home there’s a note saying that the original language in this passage “stresses divine loyalty to such an extent that the guarantee of succession is not predicated upon the loyalty of the son”. Like we read earlier, this is about God and what he has done. And what he has done is he has brought us into his family – forever.

So, God took a wreck of a family and promised to forever establish them into the kingdom of God and line which the great rescuer – Jesus – came. This promise is also for us. We too have been engrafted into the family of God.

David had to look forward to the promise.

David had to anticipate the promise.

We too are officially and forever part of God’s family. You are part of God’s family.

If you aren’t the family favourite – there is hope, you are part of God’s family and you are his favourite. Look back to last week’s sermon and learn how to strengthen yourself in the Lord.

If you are lonely for family – there is hope, you are part of God’s family and have never lived an unloved moment in your life. Go back to the beginning and see how God is looking for lovers.

If you have undealt with wounds, dysfunction, or unhealthiness – there is hope, you are part of God’s family and He functions in the most healthy way and you walk with him, work with him, and watch how he does it. Go back to a Heart of Resilience and hear how to heal your heart.

If your family doesn’t believe in you and you don’t feel seen by them. If there is jealously and comparison – there is hope, you are part of God’s family and He believes in you and is always with you. Submerse yourself in the message, God looks on the heart and David the Giant Slayer.

If you had an engagement or marriage go sideways – there is hope,

If you are the one who has made a mistake or is responsible for the hurt in your family, there is hope, you are part of God’s family, and He offers unlimited forgiveness and complete access to His Presence. Keep listening to a heart of worship.

If you have experienced great tragedy or abuse – there is hope for your family, you are part of God’s family and His grace reaches further than your pain. He won’t leave you where you are. He will bring you to a safe place of healing. Soak in the past two messages.

There is hope. There is hope for you family. There is hope for your family because you are part of God’s family and He is with You. He has fully equipped you. God is in it for the long haul. God will never give up on you. He will never give up on your family. He is for you. He is for you. He is for you. For a thousand generations. God is always faithful. Always. When you fail, God is faithful. When others fail, God is always faithful. God never fails. And He will meet you where you are – even if it is not where you planned to be. Even if it is not where you want to be. There is hope. There is hope for your family.

Series “David – King of Hearts”. Sermon. “A Heart Of Resilience”

David is now 29 years old. He is still on the run, staying alive. Turned a broken community into an army. He’s in the space between.

Luke 8:15 (NIV) “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

resilience:—the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”   Thomas Edison

“There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.”  

                  Thomas Edison

Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver the first phonograph.

The inventor’s 24-year old son, Charles, searched frantically for his father. He finally found him, calmly watching the fire, his face glowing in the reflection, his white hair blowing in the wind. “My heart ached for him,” said Charles. “He was 67—no longer a young man—and everything was going up in flames. When he saw me, he shouted, ‘Charles, where’s your mother?’ When I told him I didn’t know, he said, ‘Find her. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this as long as she lives.’”

The next morning, Edison looked at the ruins and said, “There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.” Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver the first phonograph.

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”    Winston Churchill

1 Samuel 30:1 “Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire,…”

Ziklag:— winding, applying pressure to expose what is contained inside, to smelt, to  squeeze

The place between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Between the promise and manifestation

1 Samuel 30:4  “Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.”

1 Samuel 30:6  “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”

You will get through your worst day.

1. Weep

John 11:35 “Jesus wept.”

Psalm 56:8 (LB) “You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in your bottle! You have recorded every one in your book.”

2 Corinthians 2:4  “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.”

Psalm 30:5 “Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”

There is sadness but grief will not conquer me because Joy Comes!!! 

2. Be Still

“But David …” vs. 6.  Don’t run, hide, argue, or blame.  Don’t let your anger turn into bitterness.

STOP! Get a hold of yourself. 

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Exodus 14:13 “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord”

3. Strengthen Yourself In God

“But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”  vs. 6

In the middle of this tragedy David was drawing on the resources of God.

“ But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,”  Jude 20

Psalm 84:5-7“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca,They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; …”

4. Ask God What To Do

Vs 8 “So David inquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?’ And He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.’”

God is ready to give you a living word.

Psalm 138:3  “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.” 

5. Act On His Word

“So David went,…”  Vs 9

Obedience is the acid test of faith. Only the word you do is active in your life.

6. Stay Sweet

“Then they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David; and they gave him bread and he ate, and they let him drink water.” Vs 11-15

“They shall share alike.” Vs. 24

Feed the hungry and broken.

Inspire the discouraged. 

7. Be Thankful

Vs, 19 “Nothing was missing, small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken; David recovered all.”

“He has preserved us and has delivered into our hands the troop that came against us.”  Vs 24

Always give glory to God as your source.

8. Share With Others

“Here is a gift for you of the spoil of the enemies of the Lord:” Vs. 26

Bless others as a testimony of God’s goodness in your life. 

God always gives you more than enough so that you have seed to sow.

 2 Samuel 2:4  “And the men of Judah came and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.” 

You Can Persevere Recover All And Realize Your Destiny! 

Series “David – King of Hearts”. Sermon. “A Heart Of Patience”

Ephesians 2:4-6 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”

Romans 5:17 “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

Hebrews 6:11-12 “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Galatians 6:9  “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” 

Space between anointing and appointing.

DON’T QUIT!!!   DETERMINATION …MY HEART IS FIXED!!!!

1 Samuel 18:1-7 “Now … Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore.  Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, …And Saul set him over the men of war, …when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, …

 … that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments.  So the women sang as they danced, and said: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.’”

1 Samuel 18:8 “Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him;”

1 Samuel 19:1 “Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David;” 

1 Samuel 21:10-15 “Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. …scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. Have I need of madmen, …”

1 Samuel 22:1-4 “David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. …

…And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.”

… and he said to the king of Moab, ‘Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.’ So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.”

David lost everything overnight:

His Career    His Wife.   His Closest Friend.   His Mentor.   His Personal Safety

Adullam:— “Justice to the people.” A hiding place, a hold, from the Hebrew word “dallah” to dangle.

David was in the stronghold, at the end of his rope, holding on.  The Cave That Formed A King!

Wouldn’t it be great if we had a copy of his personal journals.

I would love to see what was going on in his inner world during this season of his life.

How did he process this intense level of hardship and pain.

Psalm 142:1-2  A Plea for Relief from Persecutors. A Contemplation of David. A Prayer when he was in the cave. 

“I cry out to the Lord with my voice; With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.”

Psalm 57:1(NKJV) – Prayer for Safety from Enemies – To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam (a psalm as precious as stamped gold) of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You;…”

1. Pour Out Your Heart To God

Psalm 22:1 “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me,”

Psalm 25:16 “Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress.”

Psalm 31:9-10 “Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. I am dying from grief;”

Psalm 42:5 “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!”

To get where you’re going you have to start where you are.

Real Intimacy Demands Honesty

2. Open Heart Gains Fresh Vision

Psalm 142:3  “When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.”

Psalm 57:2-3  “… to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.  He will send help from heaven to rescue me,”

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones “Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?”

Psalm 103:1“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!”

God alone gets to frame my way forward.  Not Saul! Not the enemy!

He is God Most High and He will fulfil His purpose for me.

When you process with God you invite God into the process.

Honestly Engages Divine Perspective

3. Vision Results In Divine Action

Psalm 57: 8-9, 11 “Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. … May your glory shine over all the earth.”

Psalm 57:7 (TPT) “My heart, O God, is quiet and confident.  Now I can sing with passion your wonderful praises!”

(KJV) “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.”

(Message) “I’m ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe, Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:”

Babe Ruth (Yankee Stadium “House That Ruth Built”) said, “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”

Ludwig van Beethoven “I will seize fate by the throat; it shall certainly never wholly overcome me.”

Virtuoso violin by 5 … began to write music mentored by Mozart … losing hearing in his 20’s

stone deaf by 50 … Wrote his 9th symphony … cut legs of piano and laid on the floors he could feel the music … conducted the symphony … never heard it with His ears … crowd behind him erupting 

Take it by the throat … “I’m ready!!! Bring it on!”   Take the challenge by the throat!!

God Is For Me!!!!      Take sickness by the throat … Attack on your Family by the throat … Attack on your finances by the throat … Attack on your future by the throat.  

DETERMINATION!!!  I’m ready … I’m fixed … I’m prepared

Acts 20:22-24   “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. …

… But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

James 1:3-4 (MSG) “You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”

David King of Hearts/ David the Giant Slayer

However, the most Iconic pictures of David’s life was that he was known as The Giant Slayer, found in 1 Samuel 17.

This story has been told and taught so many times through literature, and art that David and Goliath and their confrontation have all become cliched symbols for underdogs, antagonist. 

But the story of David and Goliath is so much more than a cliché. It is an account of David’s trust and faith in God which would become one of the defining characteristics.

So let’s Set the Stage for this Epic Confrontation, by taking a look at the scene, the challenger, the challenge, the shepherd boy, the battle and how this reveals David a man after God’s own heart.

The Scene Verses 1-3

 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah… Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

Who Were the Philistines?

What of The Israelites?

Genesis 12:2-3- PROMISE OF DESCENDANTS & BLESSING

I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis 15:18-21- PROMISE OF A LAND

 “To your offspring I give3 this land, from zthe river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,  the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites,  the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.”

GENESIS 17:4-11- PROMISE MARKED BY CIRCUMCISION

“This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.

These men bore in their bodies the sign of that covenant.

The Challenger- verses 4-7

Goliath from Gath which was from one of the chief cities in Philistine territory…

Champion- the superior one, the title holder, the winner.

In the Herbrew this word used only two times  in bible and both times in this chapter

bay-nah’-yim-, middle man… the space between armies where single combats took place, where that single combat would decide the fate of the armies.

His appearance vs 4-7 (three verses to describe in detail his stature and equipment)

His insults Vs 8

The Challenge- This is where the concept of champion middle/ in between comes into play… Goliath invoked this strategy of a single combat to decide the fate of the war. 

Great illustration of this in the Movie Troy

The Shepherd Boy Verses 12-40

vs 12 “now David the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse.”

Why this reference to the female side of Jesse’s lineage?

Ephrah not Jesse’s mom… but probably great great great grandmother…

Great matriarch married to Caleb, mother of Hur the founder of Bethlehem.

The author is linking Jesse David’s Father to Caleb… Why is this important for us today?

Joshua 14:10-12 (the people of God are on the other side of the Jordan…)

“So here I am today, eighty-five years old!  I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.  Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

Numbers 14:24… God said, “because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.

David may look small:

Ok Back to the Story, why was David there?

Vs 15 David went back and forth from Saul to attend the sheep…

Vs 17-18 Jesse sends David on a cheese and crackers run…He is the Uber Eats Delivery boy.

So, he is delivering the cheese and crackers and out comes Goliath ranting and raving provoking Israel’s troops

Verse 26 David asked:  What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” He is a man without a promise/covenant

His brothers heard David and they were furious with him… why are you here and who is watching your few sheep in the desert…they accuse of conceit; wickedness and you just came down to watch the battle.

However, what David said was overheard and he was taken to Saul, (we found a guy)

Saul said you can’t fight him you are just a boy, and this man has been a warrior since his youth.

So, David tries to convince Saul:

David Continues: “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.  The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

David was not militarily tested on the field, but in the field, he was tested by lion and bear and lived to tell about it.

Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

Saul dressed David in his armour but David said “I cant go in these.” 

So he took his shepherds staff and five smooth stones and put them in his bag with his sling in his hand.

The Battle Vs 41-51- 

Goliath looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. Sorry to reference Troy again… but this reminds me of Menelaus and Paris at the walls of Troy.

Mark Twain “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight it is the size of the fight in the dog”

 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” 

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied…this very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals…All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Vesrse 51 “As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground…David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.”

When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

Verse 52 “And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted,and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley,and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron”

So you may be asking what in this story constitutes David being a man after God’s own heart… It was his unreserved,  complete trust and faith in God.

David had a different Spirit; it was a Spirit of faith and trust… not in himself but in the God…

 “…is there not a cause?” vs. 29

(davar – rhema in septuigent) Do we not have a promise to appropriate.

Every Jew would be well acquainted with the Abrahamic covenant

IT WAS THEIR NATIONAL IDENTITY (REALLY THEY WERE PHYSICALLY DIFFERENT – AND WITH THAT NATIONAL IDENTITY CAME THE PRIVILEGE OF, LAND, DESCENDANTS AND BLESSING

I MAY NOT BE A JEW BY ETHNICITY BUT I AM BY RIGHT OF ADOPTION

Galatians 3:29 ESV And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Colossians 2:11-13  “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands…”

Rom 8 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…”

Romans 8:14 ESV 

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,.

WE HAVE A COVNENANT KEEPING GOD AND HE PROVED IN CHRIST JESUS… AND I KNOW THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL AND WILL KEEP ALL OF HIS PROMISES.

By Brothers – “Why do you come here?”

By Saul – “You are just a boy you are not able.” 

Goliath – “Cursed David mocked him…dog”

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

Romans 8:31-32

If God is for us, who can be against us? 

Philippians 1:28“Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.”

I will not be intimidated by kin, or the fears and doubts of those I serve… and I will not be intimidated by the devil.

“Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.” vs. 36

“I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.” vs 39 

Weapons of our warfare are not carnal.

 “…and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee …David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.” vs. 46-48

A Bold Decree a Bold Act

Proverbs 28:1

 “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.” vs. 47

All I should expect is victory, BECAUSE YOU AND I HAVE A DIFFERENT SPIRIT.

2 Cor. 4:13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak;

Galatians 4:6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

1Corinthians 2:12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God

Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature

I am a child of God that is who I really am… and I have the faith and spirit of a Giant Slayer, because Jesus my Giant Slayer lives in me… 

Whatever Giants are you facing God is your answer … the enemy comes to kill steal and destroy but God has come to give you life,

David Said to that Giant I come to you in the Name of the Lord.

Facing a Giant of Sickness

I come at you in the name of the Lord who is my healer

Facing a Giant of Debt and Scarcity

I come at you in the name of the Lord who is my provider

Facing a Giant of Anxiety

I come at you in the name of the Lord who is my peace

Facing a Giant of overwhelming loneliness

I come at you in the name of the Lord who Sees

Facing a Giant of Addiction

I come at you in the name of the Lord who Sanctifies

Facing a Giant of feeling orphaned or without family

I come at you in the name of the Lord who is my Shepherd

Facing a Giant of condemnation and guilt

I come at you in the name of the Lord who is my Righteousness

Feeling surrounded by not one but many Giants

I come at you in the name of the Lord who is my Banner- He is my confidence in battle, He is my rallying point and my identity is found in Him.

There is no Giant we can’t face with God… Like David we are Giant Slayers