February 7, 2016
Scripture:
Scripture:
I was think of Psalm 69 where it says, “they hated me without a cause.” The words that David said to his brothers when they were struggling to fight against Goliath were, “Is there not a cause?” Man hated the Lord without a cause, but God had a cause to go to the cross. Read vv. 21 & 22. We hated Him without a cause, but He loved us with a cause: to bring us into a position in Christ. So precious are we in His sight!
Lord’s Day February 7, 2016
Children’s Meeting: Philip Burgess
Hymn 332 - Christ the Saviour of sinners came.
Prayer
Today, we are going to take a quick look at the story of David and Goliath. It’s nice to be reminded of these stories and the lessons they teach us.
1.Samuel 17:2-8, 17, 32, 40. 48-51, 18:1. 1.John 4:14
There were two hills that led into a valley, and the camps of the armies were on either side: the armies of the Israelites and the Philistines. They had come to fight and set the battle in array, so there were probably a lot of soldiers.
Goliath was on the Philistines side. This man was nine feet tall. He was totally covered with heavy armour, weighing 100 pounds. He also had a huge spear, and another man in front holding his shield.
So, this giant man came out and challenged the Israelites. He wanted someone from their camp to come out and fight him. He was big, tall, covered in armour, and he was the enemy; they were probably terrified.
The Philistines were the Israelites’ enemy. Satan is our enemy. He was in the garden of Eden and caused sin to come into the world. Now everyone is born with sin. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Saul was also a tall man. In Israel, everyone else’s head only came up to his shoulders. But even Saul was afraid to go to fight Goliath.
Goliath offered his challenge for forty days. It received no response. They thought he was too strong to fight against.
Well, David’s brothers were in Saul’s army. David was a shepherd; he watched his father’s sheep. Jesse, David’s father, sent him to the army’s camp to see how his brothers were and to bring them some food.
The Father sent the Son (1 John 4:14). “Jesus alone can save.” This is what David is a picture of.
So, David arrived at camp. He happened to hear Goliath’s challenge. His brothers were not pleased about this. David was an outcast among them.
David listened as the giant defied the army of Israel. All of Israel trembled when they heard him. But David was determined that this was not the way it was going be. He was going to fight against the giant, Goliath.
David had only a sling to shoot stones with. A sling is like a leather strap that is folded. David was going in God’s strength. Israel was God’s chosen nation, and God would not allow them to be defeated. Just a weak sling, but powerful through God’s strength.
When David slung the rock from his sling, it hit Goliath in the forehead, and he fell to the ground. Goliath was probably going to be the Philistines great warrior, but he was completely defeated by David’s sling. David went and stood on the giant’s back and used his own sword to cut off his head. The Philistine’s own weapon killed him.
And Jesus, through death, defeated death. When He rose again, He made it possible for us to have the gift of everlasting life. Jonathan, the son of Saul, saw what David had done. He loved David as much as he loved his own soul. David is a picture of Jesus, and Jonathan’s love is like the love of one who had been saved. Just as Jonathan showed such affection to David, we should love the Lord like that for what He has done for us. We need to respond to what He has done for us.
Philippians 1:22-30
Last week we got a glimpse at what things will be like once we die; what Paul called the unclothed state. We will get our glorified bodies when the Lord comes, but even if we die and have to wait for them, it will be better than this life.
Paul found himself in a dilemma. If given the choice, what would he choose? To live was Christ and to die was gain. Both were attractive for different reasons. To be with Christ was “very much better” (Darby); but he judged that abiding in the flesh was more needful for the saints. He could still be a help in their progress and joy in faith. It wasn’t about what was better for him, but what was better for the Lord’s people. He was thinking of their spiritual welfare; he wanted them to progress. We need to progress in the faith. Our physical growth may stop, but our growth in the Lord never should. And in joy, too! The Christian life shouldn’t be a sad thing.
Many people, especially the young, think that the Christian life is gloomy, and that joy is found elsewhere. The Apostle saw this, and said he wanted to help them in their joy of faith. The Lord’s path was a path of joy; may we not lose our faith and belief in him! Joy is reciprocal, though. Paul wanted to help their joy, but in chapter 2 verse 2 he asks that they fulfill his joy, too. Our lot is a joyful lot! A sad Christian should be an oxymoron.
Darby uses the word “boast” instead of rejoicing in verse 26. It’s okay to boast, as long as it’s in the right thing. Paul wanted to assist them, but it would be even better if he could do it in their presence. That would cause rejoicing, or boasting, in the Lord!
Verse 27 is a reality check. Does our manner of life suit the gospel? We can live in a way that dishonours the Lord, but that ruins our witness. Normal Christian experience—which is what Philippians shows us—is to honour the Lord.
Paul had a reason for wanting all this. He wanted these believers to stand fast; to be anchored in the truth. Then we can strive together and help others. We need to have unity of spirit with each other; to be on the same page. That reminds us of what we had in Ephesians: keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. That’s not keeping the Body’s unity, but the Spirit’s. It’s keeping what the Spirit of God stands for. If we aren’t in unity over that, we won’t have unity between our own spirits, and we’ll disagree on why we are gathered together.
Besides being of one spirit, we are to be of one mind, or—as Darby says—of one soul. The soul includes the emotions and will; along with the mind. We can have a relationship with God because our spirits connect with His. Animals can’t have a spiritual relationship, because they don’t have a spirit.
So our spirits should be united, we strive with our souls, and we use our bodies to do it. All three!
Hymn 208 – We’ll sing of the Shepherd that died
Prayer