Author Archives: John Sanzone

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SAUL’S DEMISE. I Samuel 31. 10/18/20. #83.

1 Samuel 31 [New King James Version]

¹ Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. ² Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons. ³ The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers. ⁴ Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.” But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it. ⁵ And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him. ⁶ So Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died together that same day. ⁷ And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, and those who were on the other side of the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them. ⁸ So it happened the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. ⁹ And they cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and sent word throughout the land of the Philistines, to proclaim it in the temple of their idols and among the people. ¹⁰ Then they put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan. ¹¹ Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, ¹² all the valiant men arose and traveled all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan; and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. ¹³ Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

• Saul’s last battle
  • Saul goes into battle against the Philistines, knowing that Samuel had predicted he would die in the battle
  • The Philistines pressed the battle and Israel was routed
    • This is the same battle David was going to fight in
    • God had taken David out of harm’s way
    • The battle is in far northern Israel near Mt. Carmel
  • Saul lived by the sword and died by it
    • Saul had tried to kill David
    • Saul ordered the death of the priests (Doeg killed the priest’s family as well)
    • Saul even tried to kill his son, Jonathan
  • Saul had the three qualities that made for a wretched ruler:
    • He desired fame and power
    • He was obsessively jealous and paranoid
    • He refused to repent or learn from his mistakes
  • All that Saul tried to gain, he never attained, and then lost all
    • All three of Saul’s sons are killed
    • Israel suffers a great defeat and loss of territory
  • Many others suffered with him, including Jonathan
• Israel’s total humiliation
  • When the rest of Israel heard of the defeat, those near the battle fled their cities, leaving them for Phil. to dwell in
  • Israel had lost their king, much territory, and their freedom
  • When Saul realized that there was no hope, he told his armor bearer to kill him
    • Saul did not want to suffer abuse by his enemies
    • The a.b. was afraid to kill the king, so Saul fell on his sword and the armor bearer followed suit
  • Since God was not with Saul any longer, he could not win
    • Opposing God is self-defeating
    • No one rebelling against God ever attains anything of lasting value (all crumbles to dust)
  • Had Saul obeyed God, his kingdom would have been established, his land would have been prosperous, his legacy would’ve been secure, and his heirs would’ve reigned after him
    • As with Adam and Solomon, Saul gave up everything in an effort to exalt himself, and was left with nothing
    • I Corinthians 1:29 only God can be truly exalted
• A touch of compassion
  • At the beginning of Saul’s reign, he led Israel against the Ammonites to save Jabesh Gilead
    • The Philippians had decapitated Saul and hung his body and that of his sons on the wall of Beth Shean (north Israel)
    • The men of Jabesh traveled all night to retrieve the bodies from the wall
  • To Jabesh Gilead, Saul was their hero
    • They took the desecrated bodies and burned them to remove the disgrace of their humiliation
    • They buried the bones under a tamarisk tree in Jabesh, like the tamarisk Saul sat under at Gibeah
    • They then declared a week long fast to mourn loss
  • Few others besides his family and tribe likely mourned for him
    • Had Saul been a godly man, many would have mourned and celebrated his life
    • The godly are mourned, but the wicked die alone

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STAND FAST. Philippians 1:27-30. 10/11/20. #5.

Philippians 1:27-30 [New King James Version]

²⁷ Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ³⁰ having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

• Passing the baton
  • Paul appreciated the concern of the Philippians church for his welfare, but he reminds them that they are called to proclaim the same Gospel as he is
    • They will also experience the same resistance
    • Paul’s lot in many ways is theirs also
  • Paul calls them to walk worthy of the Gospel
    • “Worthy conduct” (politeuesthe) = the English word “politic” comes from this Greek word
    • “Be worthy citizens” = act as good members of your city (polis; police comes from this word)
  • The Philippians were proud of their Roman citizenship
    • They would be embarrassed to disgrace Rome
    • Walk worthy as citizens of heaven
  • Those who are in Christ are to proclaim the Gospel
    • Those who proclaim the Gospel must act godly
    • Character must align with testimony
• You, too
  • Paul wants the Philippians to know that they would be opposed
    • The same adversaries who attacked Paul would also be the enemies of the Philippians believers
    • There is a chain: hatred to Jesus (Matthew 10) =>  hatred of Paul => hatred of converts => and of us
  • Paul urges the Philippians saints to do three things:
    • To stand in one spirit
      • A united bond of defense of Gospel
      • Galatians 6:9 not to whither under opposition
      • Those who faint under persecution are weak and not worthy of the gospel
    • Strive together = to fight alongside each other
      • We fight a great spiritual battle (Ephesians 6)
      • Paul calls for a unified effort for the faith
    • Do not be afraid of adversaries (Matthew 10:28)
      • Many saints shrink from witness for fear
      • We are commanded to be brave in Christ
  • The Gospel has one of two impacts on people:
    • To the enemies of Christ, it is the sign of judgment
      • Condemnation is why they hate believers
      • Christ’s enemies rather hate than repent
    • To the save the Gospel is the proof of salvation
      • Believers love the Gospel of Christ
      • Even false believers hate the Gospel
  • Both the confirmation of judgment to the eternally lost and confirmation of blessing to the eternally saved are of God
• Tribulation Trail
  • Paul informs the Philippians that with belief comes suffering
    • They should not be surprised at suffering or fear it
    • Salvation and suffering are sisters here (I Peter 4:12-19)
  • John 16:33 tribulation is not pleasant (Hebrews 12:11), but trials yield the fruit of testimony, strengthened faith, and reward
    • Righteous suffering is for the sake of Christ
    • Persecution is not to be enjoyed, but embraced as the necessary call of and identity with Christ
    • We are Christ’s soldiers and will be shot at
  • Along with their concern the Philippians must observe the lesson
    • The same conflict they see in Paul is theirs also
    • Paul showed the Philippians how to suffer for Christ
    • What they saw in Paul’s life was their destiny
  • They were responsible to stand firm in faith and teach it
    • As Paul was their example, they were to do same
    • Each generation must show the next how to stand

Key Verse: I Peter 4:12-19

¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. ¹⁷ For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” ¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

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TRIUMPH FROM TRAGEDY. I Samuel 30:16-31. 10/11/20. #82.

1 Samuel 30:16-31 []New King James Version

¹⁶ And when he had brought him down, there they were, spread out over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil which they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. ¹⁷ Then David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled. ¹⁸ So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. ¹⁹ And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all. ²⁰ Then David took all the flocks and herds they had driven before those other livestock, and said, “This is David’s spoil.” ²¹ Now David came to the two hundred men who had been so weary that they could not follow David, whom they also had made to stay at the Brook Besor. So they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near the people, he greeted them. ²² Then all the wicked and worthless men of those who went with David answered and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man’s wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart.” ²³ But David said, “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. ²⁴ For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.” ²⁵ So it was, from that day forward; he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day. ²⁶ Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord”— ²⁷ to those who were in Bethel, those who were in Ramoth of the South, those who were in Jattir, ²⁸ those who were in Aroer, those who were in Siphmoth, those who were in Eshtemoa, ²⁹ those who were in Rachal, those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, those who were in the cities of the Kenites, 30 those who were in Hormah, those who were in Chorashan, those who were in Athach, ³¹ those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to rove.

• A goodly return
  • When David and his men arrived at Ziklag, they found their village burned, their family taken, livestock and possessions
    • Cause for uncontrollable grief
    • The men wanted to stone David
    • David focused on a solution, so he inquired of God
    • God confirmed that David would find the raiders and recover everything
  • David crossed the Brook Besor and found an Egyptian who knew where the raiders were
  • The raiders were Amalekites
    • Amalek had taken much spoil from a dozen regions in the Negev (South) and southern Judah areas
    • David arrived at their encampment near evening as they were celebrating their great haul of wealth
  • David attacked immediately at twilight
    • David pressed the battle all night and all the next day until evening (a complete surprise victory)
    • Only 400 young men escaped on camels
  • David not only recovered his people and property, but all else
• Everyone shares in the blessing
  • Since all the other villages were burned by the raiders, David claims all the spoil for himself and his men
    • Nothing is stated about people from the other villages rescued (they would gladly trade their goods for being rescued alive)
    • The Egyptian informant was free to go home
  • When the men come to the Brook Besor, they refused to share the booty with the weary men left behind
    • Many of David’s followers were outcasts and criminals
    • Had the greedy men had their way, a schism would have developed among David’s troops
  • David declared that the men who guarded the supplies would share equally with those who fought the battle
    • Those who are less able to engage in the work are to be treated with equal respect (I Corinthians 12:23)
    • Support staff, helpers, ministry workers, and those too weak to work except praying, are all worthy of sharing in the blessings of God
    • David makes sharing spoil with support staff a law
• Investing in the future
  • David makes a shrewd move, by sending a portion of the spoils to leaders in southern Judah
    • David’s action reminds the elders that he is one of them—a Judean
    • David returns the spoil taken from Judah
    • As the Philistines fight Israel in the north, David seeks to fortify his position in the south
  • David was both a capable general and shrewd politician
    • King Saul had proved to be unstable and arbitrary
    • David made sure that he was the choice to turn to
    • David had roved throughout the South and was known
  • Luke 16:9 making friends with others provide for future help
    • Friends should not be business contacts, but friends should be also for mutual aid
    • Only by developing friendships, do we have support

To view today’s bulletin, please click here. Jerry and Sue Pfaff, missionaries to Papua New Guinea, were our special guests and presenters at today’s Missions Emphasis Sunday. Please click here to view the video of today’s service on YouTube.

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A WIN-WIN FOR BELIEVERS. Philippians 1:19-26. 09/27/20. #04.

Philippians 1:19-26 [New King James Version]

¹⁹ For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. ²³ For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. ²⁴ Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. ²⁵ And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, ²⁶ that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

• Confidence of release
  • Paul is in prison awaiting a hearing before Caesar
    • Paul had been kept in jail at Caesarea under Felix and then Festus after the disturbance in Jerusalem
    • Agrippa had heard Paul’s case
  • When it was obvious that he was not going to be released by Festus, he appealed to Caesar to hear his case
  • As Paul awaited his hearing he witnessed to the prison  guards, some of whom became believers
    • Paul was grateful for this unique opportunity
    • Several weeks passed before Paul’s case was heard
  • The Philippians and other believers were concerned about him
    • Paul stated that he was confident by their prayers that he would be released and returned to them
    • Paul = not state if Lord said he would be freed
• From victory to victory
  • Principle of providential protection (MT. 10:24-39)
    • Paul states that it doesn’t matter if he lives of dies
      • Paul isn’t stating that he doesn’t care
      • God has total control over Paul’s life
    • Paul will live until his God-given task is finished
    • No force could stop Paul from finishing course
  • Paul did not fear death, for being with Lord is best
  • For a believer, life consists of serving the Lord and death is the doorway to reward for faithful service
    • The initial pain of losing a believer is quickly swallowed up by joy when we meet in heaven
    • I Corinthians 15:51-58 Christ removes the sting of death
  • Paul states that his life centers on serving the Lord
    • His hope is eternal reward for that service
    • To Paul, death is a graduation and not a sorrow
  • When Paul passed he left behind ridicule, pain, prison, persecution, strenuous labor, beatings, scourging, false accusations, the burden of the churches, battling false teachers and believers, grief, hardships, hunger, fatigue, tense debates, and a weak body
  • James 1 only double-minded, false, or faithless believers need to fear the coming of death
  • The faithful believer has great assurance in Christ:
    • He is totally protected until he finishes his task
    • He will be rewarded for his service (II Timothy 4)
    • Romans 10:17 faithful believers study and obey the Word and this casts out their fears (I John 4:18)
• To complete the task
  • Paul is conflicted: he is needed by the Php. and other churches, but he would rather go home to be with the Lord
    • Paul is beaten and weary, but knows that he is needed
    • Paul had prepared others to serve after him
  • Paul knew that he must stay a while longer
    • The churches still need for him to teach them
    • The more he ministered the more fruit for the Lord he gained and the greater his reward
    • The Lord still had more work for him to do

Key Verse: Matthew 10:24-39 [New International Version]

²⁴ “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! ²⁶ “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. ³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. ³² “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. ³⁴ “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— ³⁶  a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

³⁷ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

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DISASTER AT ZIKLAG. I Samuel 30:1-15. 9/27/20. #81.

1 Samuel 30:1-15 [New King James Version]

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, ² and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. ³ So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. ⁴ Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. ⁵ And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. ⁶ Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was [a]grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. ⁷ Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 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.” ⁹ So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind. ¹⁰ But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor. ¹¹ 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. ¹² And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. So when he had eaten, his strength came back to him; for he had eaten no bread nor drunk water for three days and three nights. ¹³ Then David said to him, “To whom do you belong, and where are you from?” And he said, “I am a young man from Egypt, servant of an Amalekite; and my master left me behind, because three days ago I fell sick. ¹⁴ We made an invasion of the southern area of the Cherethites, in the territory which belongs to Judah, and of the southern area of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.” ¹⁵ And David said to him, “Can you take me down to this troop?” So he said, “Swear to me by God that you will neither kill me nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this troop.”

• David goes home
  • David had gone to war with Achish against Israel
    • The other Philistine kings rejected David as an ally
    • David objected to being rejected
  • Achish sent David and his 600 men were sent home
    • We don’t know what David would’ve done in battle
    • It takes 3 days for the men to arrive from northern Israel to Ziklag in the south
  • There are several answers we do not have:  (1) did David ask God if he should go with Achish?  (2) Did his men agree with David’s decision to go with Achish?
• Smoldering Ziklag
  • As David and his men neared Ziklag, they saw the smoldering ashes of their village
  • All the family members had been captured, along with the livestock and possessions
    • Ironically, the Amalekites were the raiders (Saul was supposed to completely wipe out Amalek)
    • God forces David to destroy the Amalekites
  • David is not sure who had done this
  • Several immediate results came about from this disaster:
    • Tremendous anguish and pain of the men
    • The men blamed David for the loss of their home and family
      • May indicate that the men disagreed with David’s decision to go to war with Achish
      • None of the troops were left behind to guard Ziklag and the families
      • Leaders tend to get blamed for disasters
    • David has Abiathar bring the ephod to inquire of the Lord as to what he should do
      • David seeks direction, which, if he constantly did, would have stopped him from sin (we need to constantly seek the Lord – 1 Th. 5)
      • God tells David 3 things: (1) David is to pursue the raiders  (2) David will overtake the attackers  (3) David will recover everything
    • Every tragedy is also an opportunity
• From disaster to action
  • David is able to assuage his men with this revelation
  • David and the 600 men moved south across the Brook Besor
    • The trek was immediately after a 3 day journey
    • 200 of the men were exhausted, so they stayed behind to watch over the possessions
  • David found an Egyptian man near death
    • He had been left behind to die due to an illness
    • David suspects that the Egyptian knew where attackers were (Amalek had been raiding south)
    • The Eg. would take David to the raiders if he promised not to turn him over to his former master or kill him
  • Grief over loss is a call for faith and action
    • Seeking and trusting God
    • Refusing to wallow in our pain and quitting
    • Seeking what good wants to bring out of our pain
  • Tragedy tests faith and gives an opportunity for growth

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THE MESSAGE AND THE MESSENGER. Philippians 1:15-18. 9/20/20. #03.

Philippians 1:15-18 []New King James Version]

¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: ¹⁶ The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; ¹⁷ but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

• Wolves that bleat
  • Paul praised God for allowing him to preach to his guards
    • Some guards became believers and then took the Gospel into Caesar’s palace to share with others
    • Paul was able to expand his ministry to the best placed people in society
  • Paul’s enemies thought they would increase Paul’s punishment if they preached the Gospel as well
    • If it seemed like Paul’s influence was spreading then gov. officials would be more determined to eradicate Paul and his movement
    • Paul’s enemies could have been Jews or pagans
  • Three basic ways to taint the Gospel message:
    • Identify the message with a perverted religion
      • The cults identify Christ with their corrupt doctrine (Jeh. Wit., Mormons, Rom. Cath. …)
      • Via adding to the Gospel, subtracting from the Gospel, changing who Jesus is, or polluting the message, a false Gospel emerges
    • Message preached by fleshly and worldly false believers (lustful, lying, thieving, coveting…) = no life change
    • Connecting Gospel to Spiritism, paganism, or occult (woman with divination = Acts 16)
  • Whenever the Gospel is tied to corrupt people, there is a tainting of the testimony
    • II Samuel 12 by sin David caused unsaved to curse God
    • The behavior of Samson, Jacob, Balaam, Demus, Ananias/Sapphira and others reflect poorly on Gospel)
  • However, good was glad that the Gospel was preached from whatever corner it came from
    • A poor messenger doesn’t alter the validity of the message (though it might tie it to a poor testimony)
    • No one can judge whether a message is being preached by a true believer with a poor testimony (1 Corinthians 3) or a false believer (Jude 1)
    • There are those saved by the Gospel even when it is spoken by unsaved (Hb. 4:12 = power of Word)
  • Paul was glad that the message was going forth
• The divine sorter
  • Even though Paul warned against false teachers, he did not seek to track down and stop them
    • Romans 12 it was not Paul’s job to judge others
    • Paul chose to focus on message and not messenger
  • Good spiritual songs are still good, even if the song writers drift away from the faith
  • There are many different denominations, belief systems, and claims that God will sort out, but we need to be on guard
  • Paul’s main concern was that Christ was being preached
  • Paul’s ministry was before many of the heresies developed (veneration of Mary, Arianism, modalism, Pelagianism,…)
    • Paul dealt with Judaizers, early Gnostics, syncretism, scammers, and false doctrine
    • This passage only deals with the Gospel and not doctrine
  • 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Paul was not concerned who gave the Gospel, just as long as the Gospel was dispensed
    • Galatians 1 Paul wanted the correct Gospel to go forth
    • II Timothy 2:15 Paul was concerned about false doctrine
• Fellowship of the faithful
  • Not every doctrinal belief must align to fellowship with a believer of a different denominational bent
  • The essentials of the Gospel, the Word, and Christ are central
    • Any belief that causes error or taints testimony = nil
    • Learn to rejoice when true Gospel is shared

Key verse:  I Corinthians 15:1-11 [New King James Version]

¹ Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. ³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve^{. 6} After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷ After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. ⁸ Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. ¹¹ Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

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WHERE LOYALTIES LIE. I Samuel 29. 9/20/20. #80.

1 Samuel 29 [New King James Version]

¹ Then the Philistines gathered together all their armies at Aphek, and the Israelites encamped by a fountain which is in Jezreel. ² And the lords of the Philistines passed in review by hundreds and by thousands, but David and his men passed in review at the rear with Achish. ³ Then the princes of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or these years? And to this day I have found no fault in him since he defected to me.” ⁴ But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; so the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make this fellow return, that he may go back to the place which you have appointed for him, and do not let him go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become our adversary. For with what could he reconcile himself to his master, if not with the heads of these men? ⁵ Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?” ⁶ Then Achish called David and said to him, “Surely, as the Lord lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight. For to this day I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me. Nevertheless the lords do not favor you. ⁷ Therefore return now, and go in peace, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.” ⁸ So David said to Achish, “But what have I done? And to this day what have you found in your servant as long as I have been with you, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” ⁹ Then Achish answered and said to David, “I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the princes of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ ¹⁰ Now therefore, rise early in the morning with your master’s servants who have come with you. And as soon as you are up early in the morning and have light, depart.” ¹¹ So David and his men rose early to depart in the morning, to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

• Mixed allegiances
  • David has been put in a delicate position
    • In order to escape Saul’s pursuit, David defected to the Philistines at Gath under King Achish
    • Previously, David had killed 1000’s of Philistines
    • David is accepted by Achish because each had a common enemy in Saul
  • Achish does 3 questionable things in regard to David:
    • He receives him as a loyal subject and ally
    • He gives David and men Ziklag in southern Philistia
    • He gives David free reign in the south of his land
  • David deceives Achish
    • David had been plundering non-Philistine villages in the southern part of land, leaving no one alive
    • He lies to King Achish, stating that he raided Judah
• Abhorrence at Aphek
  • The 5 lords of the Philistines gather at Aphek to fight Israel
    • Aphek was north of Mt. Carmel near Phoenicia at the west end of the Plain of Jezreel
    • Achish brings David and his men to fight with him
  • The other lords of the Philistines are appalled that David is there
    • They seemed to be surprised that Achish trusted him
    • They ask, “Why have you brought this Hebrew here?”
  • Achish states that David had been completely loyal to him
  • The Philistines lords reject David as an ally
    • David is an Israelite
    • David may turn in battle and attack the Philistines to win favor with Saul to affect a reconciliation with him
  • Achish is forced to send David home (David protests)
  • Unanswered questions:
    • Would David have attacked his own people?
    • Did God prevent David from committing treason?
    • Would David had turned against the Philistines?
    • Did David have some scheme in mind?
    • Had David inquired of Lord before joining Achish?
• Hard choices
  • David was placed in a hard position
    • He could have betrayed his people to fight Saul
    • Hadn’t God stopped David, history would be different
  • David had played Achish for a fool
    • The king never found out that David was raiding him
    • Achish viewed David as a prize captive
    • The other four lords correctly saw David as a threat
  • Many have had to make hard loyalty choices:
    • Rahab chose to identify with Israel instead of Jericho
    • Esther opposed her husband’s orders
    • Peter and John chose to continue preaching
  • David had to try to stay alive by aiding Achish, while also staying loyal to Israel (God prevented this test to occur)
  • It is important to decide loyalties in advance
    • God vs. country: Neb. and 3 Heb., John the Baptist, Stephen
    • Judges and guards in Nazis Germany
    • Oscar Schindler = making faulty weapons
  • No one knows what David would have done, but he would have defied God to fight against God’s people

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UNRELENTING WITNESS. Philippians 1:12-14. 09/13/20. #02.

Philippians 1:12-14 [New King James Version]

¹² But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, ¹³ so that it has become evident to the whole [a]palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; ¹⁴ and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

• The Good, the Bad, and the Better
  • No one thought that Paul’s imprisonment was good
    • Paul was awaiting trial to possible be killed
    • Paul was out of circulation as a preacher
    • Paul was not a state criminal
  • Even though, like Joseph (Genesis 50:20), his enemies meant his jailing for evil, God meant it for good
    • Instead of axing the Gospel, it advanced it
    • God used the situation to spread the Word
  • Three benefits came from Paul’s imprisonment:
    • Paul gained a powerful new audience: the prison guards, who had influence in palace
    • Instead of gaining a reputation as a criminal Paul was known to be persecuted for preaching Christ (exposing more to message)
    • Paul’s chains and his boldness while jailed, emboldened new believers
• Prison Pulpit
  • Paul was in prison and guards rotated watch over him
    • Being a captive, Paul witnessed to a captive audience (guards had to hear the Gospel)
    • As guards considered Paul’s words, many came to faith
  • As the guards came to faith, they took Gospel to others in the palace (stewards, chefs, maids,…)
    • The move to stop the Gospel, actually brought the Gospel into Caesar’s house
    • Paul was not deterred by jail or threats
    • Paul was able to speak to an audience unreachable by any other means
  • Paul saw his persecution as an opportunity
    • Romans 8:18-30 God uses the suffering of the believer as a testimony and the faithful sufferer bears fruit
    • We do not always know what the Lord is doing through our trials, but we must trust his leading
  • Persecution has 3 main purposes:
    • Proving the saint to show genuineness of faith
    • Working in others in new ways
    • Growth of faith and expansion of testimony
  • Both the guards and those who met Paul understood plight:
    • Paul was not a criminal (thief, murderer, rebel…)
    • Paul was in prison for his beliefs
    • Paul’s demeanor and deportment testified that he was an honorable man suffering for a genuine faith
• Chain reaction
  • Before Paul’s imprisonment, many believers were fearful to witness, not wanting to suffer the wrath of the government
  • After Paul demonstrated courage and even joy of suffering for Christ, fearful believers were emboldened to witness
    • When believers bravely suffer with joy, other saints are greatly encouraged in their walk of faith
    • Once the fear of suffering and death are removed, a believer can reach his full influence (Matthew 11:28-30)
  • Three great enemies of faith: (1) laziness  (2) fear  (3) pleasure
    • Paul showed how to be confident in sharing faith
    • There is an eternal purpose in trials (beyond sight)
  • Instead of seeking why my suffering, a believer needs to seek what the Lord wants to do through the suffering
  • Faithfulness through trials will bear fruit in due season

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MEDIUM MADNESS. I Samuel 28. 9/13/20. #79.

I Samuel 28 [New King James Version]

¹ Now it happened in those days that the Philistines gathered their armies together for war, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, “You assuredly know that you will go out with me to battle, you and your men.” ² So David said to Achish, “Surely you know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Therefore I will make you one of my chief guardians forever.” ³ Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land. ⁴ Then the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa. ⁵ When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. ⁶ And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. ⁷ Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor.” ⁸ So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Please conduct a séance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you.” ⁹ Then the woman said to him, “Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?” ¹⁰ And Saul swore to her by the Lord, saying, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” ¹¹ Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” ¹² When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!” ¹³ And the king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What did you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth.” ¹⁴ So he said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a mantle.” And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down. ¹⁵ Now Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” And Saul answered, “I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do.” ¹⁶ Then Samuel said: “So why do you ask me, seeing the Lord has departed from you and has become your enemy? ¹⁷ And the Lord has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. ¹⁸ Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. ¹⁹ Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.” ²⁰ Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, and was dreadfully afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night. ²¹ And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was severely troubled, and said to him, “Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice, and I have put my life in my hands and heeded the words which you spoke to me. ²² Now therefore, please, heed also the voice of your maidservant, and let me set a piece of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.” ²³ But he refused and said, “I will not eat.” So his servants, together with the woman, urged him; and he heeded their voice. Then he arose from the ground and sat on the bed. ²⁴ Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house, and she hastened to kill it. And she took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it. ²⁵ So she brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.

• Unrepentant to the end
  • God had given Saul many warnings:
    • After sacrificing in the place of Samuel
    • Specific instructions to Saul about Amalekites
    • Saving David from multiple attacks by Saul
  • Saul’s list of crimes were many:
    • Illicit sacrifice
    • Saving King Agag and taking the Amalekite livestock
    • His foolish vow
    • Killing the priests and their families (+ Gibeonites)
    • Seeking David’s life on multiple occasions
  • In all his sins and God’s judgment, Saul refused to repent
    • Samuel warned him twice
    • God sent a troubling spirit to torment Saul
    • David could have killed Saul twice
• Saul served medium rare
  • Saul had made sacrifices and killed witches and sorcerers, but he kept some alive just in case (like Jacob burying idols)
  • God turned his back on Saul, refusing to answer him
    • God no long answered using Umim and Thummim
    • Saul should not have been surprised by this
  • Saul shows his hypocrisy and disdain for God again
    • Since God will not answer him, he turns to the devil for answers by consulting a medium
    • He is told that a witch at En Dor still existed
      • They knew where she was, but spared her
      • The Law prescribed death for those who consulted spiritists (Leviticus 19:31; 20:27)
    • Saul disguises himself and seeks answers from med.
  • The medium is fearful, but Saul assures her, that she is safe
• Cave talk
  • Saul is facing a new battle against the Philistines
    • He needs to know what to do and the outcome
    • He asks the witch to bring up Paul from the dead
  • Normally, a deceiving spirit would take the form of the deceased person in order to give a false answer
  • The medium is shocked to see Samuel actually appear
    • She quickly recognizes that Saul has deceived her
    • God allowed Sam. to appear to deliver the message
  • Saul guarantees the medium that she will not be harmed
  • Samuel asks two questions: (1) “Why have you disturbed me? (2) “If God will not answer you, why do you come to me?”
    • God allows Samuel to speak his last prophecy
    • Saul should not have been surprised to be judged
  • Saul provides five nuggets of information:
    • Saul will be killed the next day (a debate as to the meaning of “be with me”—dead or in Paradise)
    • Since Saul didn’t destroy Amalek = God his enemy
    • Saul’s three sons would die with him
    • All of Israel will be given over to the Philistines
    • Saul’s kingdom would be given to another (David)
  • Saul ends up like all of God’s enemies
  • Saul is weak from fasting so the medium and servant feed him
  • Saul is distraught = shouldn’t have expected anything else