I'm eager to get into the ward with you.
And so, would you meet me in second Samuel chapter 5?
It's been two weeks since we've come to this book.
And so, I'm especially excited to return to this text with you.
Meet me in second Samuel chapter 5 and when I hear the rustling
of the leaves, cease will pray. Lord.
We thank you for another Friday night for you have in your
sovereignty allowed us to be in this place.
Lord, it was our desire but more importantly it is your will for
us to be in your house at this time.
And will we recognize that? And we are overwhelmed by the
privilege of being able to receive spiritual food for our
souls. And Lord, we ask that there
would be life in the delivery of this study.
And they're also being openness in the reception of every word
that you have prepared for us, Lord, cancel every distraction
externally internally and Lord, would you subdue anything that
would try to exalt itself above or against the knowledge of God?
We want to be molded and shaped into the very image that you
that you have predestined for us that is our longing and our
yearning. Thank you.
That that desire? Loan is a miracle, granted by
the Holy Spirit we are fully aware that.
We are a product of your grace and power.
Now Lord made that Grace and power continued as you sanctify
us more and more in Jesus name. Amen.
For quite some time. You and I have been studying the
life of David carefully throughout the scriptures as we
have taken the time to pause at almost every episode, that would
try to record this man's dramatic Journey to the throne
of Israel. And so much has been learned
already from the days of David as a humble Shepherd boy, in his
father's field. It was no small Expedition from
his days of his first encounter with the prophet Samuel to the
establishment of his government in the city of Hebron.
But what felt so far? And what seems so long is now
here? Meaning as we open to this
chapter you and I are really standing at the threshold of the
Fulfillment. Of the prophetic call over
David's life. You have to remember that David
was called to be the king of all of Israel.
And at this moment, he's about to be recognized and he's about
to be crowned as such. And this is really a David's
third and final anointing David's life is made up really
at their Monumental things throughout his life, but there
are three anointings that David experience throughout his life.
The first one was a private anointing.
It was performed by Samuel at the house of Jesse.
David's, father. The second anointing was a
public anointing. It was the anointing that took
place with the tribe of Judah, his Kinsman, where he became the
ruler at Hebron. And now we come to the third and
final anointing which I would refer to as the Pinnacle
anointing. So you have the private, you
have the public and now you have the Pinnacle, you have the
climax so to speak of Is call where he is now going to be
designated the ruler over every tribe of Israel.
Which was in fact, God's Will from the beginning.
And so as we arrived here to this chapter, we are really
coming to a new chapter in David's life, and it is no small
chapter up to this point. You and I got a glimpse of the
humble Shepherd, boy, the son of Jesse, unknown unnamed unsung
hero. And then we saw David Elevate as
the servant of Saul A particular honor was given to him a
particular promotion was given to David.
And he went from the servant of Saul to the hero of Israel.
Celebrity praise adored love cherished and he went from being
the hero to The Fugitive of Israel unjustly.
He was exiled, he was driven out of his home out of his, his work
out of his familiarity Into the Wilderness.
And from there, we know that through series of events, he
Came the king of Judah and now we will see him as the king of
Israel from this moment on for the rest of our study, in this
book you and I will be whole just that we will examine the
life of David in the position that God had ordained for him,
the ruler and the leader of this chosen people.
And it is in the first five verses of chapter 5 where we're
going to spend our study. There's a lot of verses here.
I thought we were going to go longer but as I study, I thought
you can't pass these five verses at least in my eye.
Estimation and what these five verses really served is as a
really a summary of David's inauguration into this new role.
But this summary, listen should not be skimmed over.
Because if you and I have the discipline and the desire to
know what God will say, he has much to say in these verses that
we would think are just transitional and so let's read
these verses. First one, then all the tribes
of Israel came to David. I'd had Braun and said, behold
we are your bone and flesh in times past when Saul was King
over us, it was you who let out and brought in Israel.
And the Lord said to you, you shall be Shepherd Of My People,
Israel, and you shall be Prince over Israel.
So all the Elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron and King.
David made a covenant with them at have brown before the Lord
and they anointed David King over Israel.
David was 30 years old when he began to Reign and he reigned 40
years at Hebron. He reigned over Judah, seven
years in six months and had Jerusalem, he reigned over all
Israel and Judah, 33 years You have your Bibles.
Look at the first verse, and in the first verse, I argue that
there are at least two things that we can learn One deals with
a commendation of David. The other deals with a
condemnation of the general population.
One is a scornful thing concerning the Israelites and
one is a praiseworthy thing concerning The Man David, let's
deal with the condemnation of Israel.
Notice here that some time has passed between David.
Being remember, the king of Judah and David becoming the
King of Israel. How much how much time has
passed? Does anybody remember the exact
number of years? We just read it but Seven years,
seven years for seven years, David occupied just one faction.
One part of this nation. And what's interesting is at the
same time, we learn here by confession of the Israelites
that during those seven years, they were fully aware that David
ought to be the king over all of Israel.
Then they say that and the Lord said in the second part of verse
to, you shall be Shepherd Of My People Israel.
So for seven years, at least seven years, the people believed
and understood that David was the true king, Natasa the son of
Saul, but David, but throughout those seven years, they were
unwilling and held back from uniting and acting upon that
truth. And so this is an indictment.
In fact let me be more specific. What we have before us is yet
another example of the distress of even the devastation that
comes from you You want to catch this delayed?
Obedience delayed obedience. I mean, they knew very well that
David ought to be the king and they did not did not work
towards that goal. They didn't make it happen, they
trusted in something else, they believe the Ally.
And what we see here is that they had the full Revelation,
they had the light, they had what God wanted, they had to
decree. And on top of all, they had
David himself, proving his calling because of his
leadership abilities being confirmed, Throughout his life
before them. And what we, what we behold now
is this, that this is a commentary, the unfortunate
reality of so many, who knows? So much about God, who hurts so
much gospel. And yet, at the same time,
refused to submit to the truth. That, that a demands.
Maybe you're that person in here.
This is what like your seventh hundred sermon and yet nothing
has changed. Your heart is not fully given
over to Christ. I look at this and I think to
myself what loss consider and count the loss of this nation
because of this prolonged, pause of making David King.
Remember the casualties between the civil war with each
bichette? And David remember that realize
that at the same time, the Things are still a pressing, the
nation of Israel, you still have that going on as well.
They were so busy with their internal strife.
They can't even deal with the Real Enemy.
Welcome to most of the problems in local churches.
On top of that, you you see that there is the sluggish Rise Of
The Nation on the global scale which will, which will
accelerate once David becomes king.
And so, they're robbing themselves are those Abundant
Blessings in various ways as well.
Here's what I want to tell you. Our loss is always outweigh.
Whatever gain we think we attained when we pacify our
conscience and think we could pave Our Own Way in life.
You will always lose. Always, again, whatever.
When you think you're getting, it will always always, always be
outweighed by the lawsuit every time.
People tend to comfort that kind of compromise by rehearsing
Christian lingo. Well, God will restore the years
that the locusts have eaten, God will redeem the years that I've
burned up for myself and and God will miraculously just make it
all. Okay, again, can I give you the
biblical answer? Yes, and no.
I know I might have shattered
your coffee mug but it's, yes or no.
If you mean that God will redeem the years though?
You knowingly? Understood what it meant to
follow? Jesus Christ, and still went the
other way that he will forgive you restore you and use you
again then yes, he will redeem. But if in that same argument you
believe that God was somehow miraculously. restore those
years and that time, The know there is a cost to Disobedience,
I know people won't tell you that, but this preacher will
tell you that there is a heavy cost of Disobedience.
But I will also say this because I've counseled many people who
grieve over their loss, who rehearse the fact that they knew
very well what they were doing when they were out in the world
and they can't seem to get over it.
And so, let me say this, if this is you, if even tonight is
Edition decision for you to say enough is enough, I'm not going
to Favor between what is true. And what is false.
I will not serve bail and the Lord.
I will serve the Lord. Only do not overthink, do not
prolong your meditation. Pondering too much about the
years or the months or the weeks that you've wasted living for
yourself. If you're going to put your
energy into anything, put it into this that with whatever
time you have left. That God would use it maximally
for his glory just do that. Lord, I walked away.
I failed to understand the significance of your will for my
life of obedience to your word, but I can't do anything.
These scars will remain, but I want to make the rest of my life
count, and that's a prayer God will answer.
That is something he will redeem because he is that good.
That gracious. Do you realize that, there's a
contrast between Saul and David? And these first two verses
especially in verse 2, in the people's mind you have Saul and
David and these Do men, really symbolizes spiritual truth.
They saw that King saw was a disappointment.
And they realize that David was the truth, and he was the one
that would bring true fruit. So, here's how you have to
understand, Saul symbolizes your choice and mine in the flesh.
David symbolizes, God's purpose. And what we see here is that
every time we Elevate our desires, our wisdom, our
purposes, it will never fail to fall short, and to lie to you
about its promises. All the time.
But when you see David, when you see God's choice, you will never
go wrong. You will never go wrong and an
honest evaluation of any life that is lived in a season of
sin. Will confess that my personal
ambition did not live up to the expectations that persuaded me
to begin with. It will never be able to satisfy
you in the way that Christ Jesus can satisfy because your soul
was designed to be intermingled with him.
And so, listen, you don't have to waste several years to do
that. I remember preaching on a youth
conference and right after I preached on a very similar
subject, a young man, 18 years old, sat in the front row and he
seemed like he was disappointed with my message and so I saw
with and I say why Why the grief?
I didn't say like that was much kinder.
And he said, I hear what you're saying.
But I'm not convinced. I'm going to college and I will
do what I think I want to do. And when I'm ready, I'll come
back. Said it doesn't work like that.
And I looked at him, I said, you're not, you're not curious,
you're hungry. You're not curious.
You're hungry. I tell you the buffet that
you're headed, towards is going to make you very sick.
So why don't you settle it now and save your years and save
psychological and spiritual damage.
And just give your heart to the Lord.
Now, He's warning you now. He's in love, calling your
attention. Now he knew exactly what you
were thinking. He knew your premeditated sin,
he knows what you signed up for and he wants to rescue from
that. And guess what?
Never gave me an answer. I don't know where he is to this
day. Why don't you spare yourself in
the mistake of believing that you can govern your own life and
give it to the one who made it? And no joy that no other Joy can
give. This is the condemnation of the
nation of Israel. It took him so long to finally
act upon the truth that they knew the bottom of their hearts.
But look at the Commendation of David verse, to entice past when
Saul was King over us. It was you who let out and
brought in Israel. So here's what's amazing,
they're acknowledging. The throat Saul's years as King
David was really the blessing. David was the one who really
served them and saw who was supposed to guide and lead the
nation failed to do. So as we just heard now, many
things can be said about saw, many things can be said about
Israel and this tax. But I want to just focus on
David on in a very personal way, what they're not saying is
David, you try to usurp the authority of sawing, you try to
push you away to the throne. We know we've studied enough of
David to see that he had the Opposite attitude in humility
waiting upon God to be promoted to that place.
All they're saying is, you've proven your gifting, you've
proven your leadership abilities to be the king over our people,
but look at it in a relevant way.
Look at it. On a personal note, this verse
helps us to see saying something about David and something about
ourselves that you do not need any seat of Honor, any place of
authority to be able to bless people.
This is David prior to him, being King.
He's becoming King. Now, leading up to this point.
Still, the people had a lasting impression made upon them based
on David's presence in their lives and that is something
extremely encouraging for the person who yearns to be used for
the glory of God. Why do you have to believe that
in order to be effective? There needs to be some elevation
of status or some popular vote or some credential.
It's a simple as honoring, what God has brought to you, and what
has he's given through you and then just walking in that.
It's a simple as that. There's no need to complicate
it. So put your soul at rest, settle
it in your heart that you rather remain in obscurity.
If that means that you will be fruitful A true success in the
economy of God is not measured by your exalted status and
Christian them. I know for some people it is.
You heard it at the conference simple service.
Simple service to the ones that got in his Providence has
brought before you and just enjoying the knowledge that you
are, simply pleasing your master and whatever he demands of you.
In fact, if Saul teaches anything is that you can have
the position, you can't have the degrees, you can't have the
credentials, you can have the position and be totally bankrupt
of true substance. Saul did nothing for his people
at least in the latter years. David wasn't king.
And they said you let us out you blessed us.
You served us. Well, praise God.
So you'll never have a YouTube account who cares serve God
you'll never be invited to a conference who cares serve God
it doesn't matter nobody will write about you who cares?
Serve God. That we come to verse three.
We cease all the Elders of Israel.
Came to the king at Hebron and King David made a covenant with
them and have brought before the Lord and they anointed David
King over Israel. So here's what happens.
You have the Elders of Representatives of the tribes
who approached David and it is at this point that they want to
acknowledge Him and say you are the king.
Here's what's amazing, here's why we need to know the totality
of the scriptures. The complimentary book found in
first Chronicles gives us even deeper details of what's
Happening. Now this event is huge.
And so huge is this event that in first Chronicles chapter 12
you can turn there now and tuck your hand in that place.
And First Chronicles chapter 12, you have a list of the military
Of David and the tribes who chose to send certain amount of
men to join the military. And what's amazing is when you
look at the inventory, there is insightful and instructive in
sight. About these men and the quality
of men they were and how they contributed to the kingdom of
David and that can be translated in certain truths about the
kingship of Jesus Christ, things that will stir our hearts.
As we have declared him to be Lord over our lives.
And so if you're there first Chronicles chapter 12, look here
with me and verse 23. So this is the same event.
But Chronicles gives us a different vantage point of the
same occurrence. These are the numbers of the
divisions of the Armed troops who came to David and Hebron to
turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, according to the word of
the Lord. So now you have two divisions of
the army coming, we're not going to go over each tribe, only
highlighting a few. And so you have all 12 tribes
the number of men and most of them and certain qualities
attached to these tribes that I hope will get you to realize the
No significance in light of Jesus Kingdom.
And those those who join his kingdom and were part of his
kingdom. Look at verse 26.
Let's go to the tribe of Levi. First, Chronicles, 12:26 of the
Levites 4,600. The prince, your whole idea of
the House of Aaron and with him, 3,700 tzaddik a young man,
Mighty and Valor and 22 commanders from his own father's
house. What's interesting at the fact
that the Levi's are participating in this any idea?
Not that they don't have men who land.
Okay, that's one thing but in relation to the military
operations, the priest, Their designated as worshippers.
They are what their mediators between God and people namely
the nation of Israel and so they're set apart for a
different purpose. What are they doing?
Taking up arms and joining the ranks now they're different
arguments. I argue that if you look at
different scriptures you'll see that one of the roles of the
priest is that they were to actually physically guard and
protect the house of worship. And so I think that this is the
intention behind their participation that they're not
necessarily going out to fight like the different tribes were,
but they would be designated for a certain operation that is
connected to the house of God. But besides the point notice
that when the Levites are brought up, there is a
particular man. That is highlighted and this man
here is found in verse 28 zadok. And all were told about tzadik
is that he was a young man Mighty and Valor Here's what I
take out of this in light of our relationship.
With the Lord Jesus. This should excite the young
believer and seeing that God has a particular honor and takes
note of what you. And I do with our youthful
years, This is a young man and that is important to God.
The spirit highlights that and connection to David.
And we see that the spirit also highlights that in different
portions of scripture and this dispensation in God's Redemptive
history. But I also see something here
that those who might be skeptical of the young in our
generation, the Youth of Our Generation take note, and
understand that we should never lower expectation of who God,
can recruit into his army. It looks bleak out there, it
looks very, very scary. But know this that God can in
fact, move Hearts to the degree that even the young can be
intentionally devoted to the cause of Jesus Christ.
If we're not careful, not only will our efforts.
Diminish and reaching and preaching to gen Z and the
future Generations. Or if we do see somebody who
comes into our church and they have this Zeal and this passion
and excitement, even though their theological vocabulary
might not be so developed we would Overlook them or even
dismissed the idea of investing in them because we think what?
Well, this is this is emotional. And I remember that day when I
was like that too and and and they're just going to become
normal. Normal and things will get busy.
And so, just, okay. This is very cute, and it's
very, it's very exciting to see. It's going to wear off.
I remember hearing somebody recently asked actually saying
in light of all the things that we're seeing in our Evangelical
circles, all these popular pastors who are falling left,
right and center and everybody's trying to understand how this is
happening. And I heard somebody say this
comment that I've never heard before up to this point.
That one of the common denominators of all these
pastors who are falling, who have great platforms, is that
they all started very young in Ministry.
Meaning they all started in their 20s or 30s in their
leadership positions and that young in faith young and years,
young, and number, and I think, to be honest, the Apostle Paul
will have some trouble with that interpretation of the scandals
in our day. And I can show you many biblical
examples of how that is not the case.
And here's an example before us did that happen to tzadik He was
a young man Mighty and Valor meaning he was courageous.
He was Fearless what happened to tzadik any idea that he fall off
into the Wayside that he'd disappear in the background that
he just become a normal servant and the kingdom of David Who is
addict? when we get to First Kings
chapter 2, many believe that the same tzadik is the tzadik who
Solomon ordained to be the highest priest in his kingdom.
And so tzadik who started out as is this young man?
This Warrior ended up becoming a leader of worship.
So, do not despise those who are young.
Do not despise what God can do in you young, man.
Young woman, believe that he has much to invest in you.
In the more time you give him the more he can do in you.
And so now we come down to verse 29, we're still in first
Chronicles 12, when we come to another tribe, The Tribe of
Benjamin. and what's interesting here is as we come to this
tribe, it is a very unlikely people group to have any kind of
involvement with David's ordination for the simple reason
of what Saul is from The Tribe of Benjamin.
Is he not? And here we read of The Tribe of
Benjamin. And what do we told about this
tribe? Verse 29 of the Benjamin i'ts
The Kingsmen of saw three thousand of whom the majority
had to that point kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.
And so it seems strange and it seems unlikely, but it happened
the Bible highlights, the fierce loyalty of this tribe to their
brothers saw they share the same blood and so strong, where their
ties to this man that even up to this point.
When David became the nationally recognized King, a majority of
them said now we're not going to admit it.
The jealousy was too intense. 2nd was so tense.
They would not even dare to give him the attention.
And that the other tribes were giving him.
And yet at the same time in this tribe, we were told that 3,000
did they did say, yes, they did wholeheartedly and humbly
acknowledge it, and they were willing to separate themselves
from their brethren in blood to come to pledge.
Allegiance is something that is deeper than blood, and that is
the things of the spirit. And so they approached David,
they acknowledged, David, and great humility.
And that's exactly what the Bible highlights with this
tribe. They're great willingness Enos
to Humble themselves to God's will, over any emotional or any
logical, understanding of what should take place in their
lives. And it's amazing to think how
these men were willing to hold on to Saul's Dynasty.
Even when it was looking terribly wrong.
Remember, before this for seven years, the kingdom of Saul and
his son is beset was getting weaker, and weaker, and weaker.
And yet up to this point, almost, you can say to the last
second The Tribe of Benjamin would not dare say, David is the
true king. But then 3000 said, yes.
How does that resonate with you? And I and light of Jesus Christ.
Here's how it should resonate. Do you know anybody who is
extremely stubborn and their sin?
Do you know anybody who can almost never be persuaded to
consider the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Is there any hot head hard-headed people that you love
dearly? It seems like they were never
even. Think about the condition of
their soul, their Eternal destination.
Well, be inspired by these men because what we see here is
possible for them, there is hope in this.
Even the most unlikely candidates can actually bend the
knee at the cross of Jesus Christ.
So, don't give up, and don't lose hope.
Even though people like this tribe could not be easily
shaken, though. Their worlds were being shaken.
It's possible that at the right time, they can say yes to the
Lord. And what I mean, when I, what I
think is so amazing here is that this is not just a reflection of
the hearts of this. This people group at a heart of
David, the grace of God willing to accept these men without any
hesitation without any rebuke, without any program, they need
to enroll in in order to prove their loyalty to himself.
He receive them immediately. And you can say, as I said at
the last second, I mean really, when they lost all hope it was
like, we have, we have nothing now.
Like David is our only option so to speak.
Now they didn't come with that attitude.
I don't think they came because they know they lost, but they
did come when they lost all hope because we re later on that.
Every tribe came with wholehearted Devotion to David.
And so, this this group of 3,000 genuinely came to David, but
they came at an interesting time when life failed them.
When plans failed them. And I've talked to people who
have even expressed honestly, but I kind of feel guilty that I
came to the Lord at a low point in my life.
Like, what does that say about my love for Christ?
I only came to him when everything was broken, when I
hit rock bottom, I mean, is that really a way to give myself to
somebody and to their cause and to their message and and I just
don't feel like it's right and I always respond the same way.
You are the perfect candidate for Jesus Christ.
Because he said, come to me all who are heavy laden?
All who are weary all, who are sick and tired of life if I can
paraphrase. Who are overwhelmed who are
burdened, who are carrying something that is overwhelming.
Them come to me. And so he beckons you to come at
that time. He doesn't look at you and say,
oh, now you come. So those years when I was
telling you to believe on me and everything was going well, you
said no, but now that you need help you want some.
That's not our Lord. That's us, that's not the Lord
Jesus. And so, even though this tried
came at the last second, it's a reflection of how God is willing
to swing open the gates of Heaven.
Even in your dying breath though, with every other breath,
throughout your life, you lived it for the devil and your flesh.
No, I don't propose that. You wait for your dying breath,
you might not get one. In other words, you might not
have that bed where you can lay and contemplate Your Existence
without pain intruding with your thought process.
Wait, no. Now But for that rare case,
realize that Christ arms are still open like the thief on the
cross. These men came to David when
when they lost all hope is Christ any less gracious.
I know, you know, the answer to that.
Now, we move on to the next track.
Look at verse 30. Therefore mites 20,800 Mighty
Men of Valor famous men and their fathers houses.
So here's a spotlight now coming to this tribe and what is
brought forth is the fact that among these men, they were
famous men from their tribe, even famous Across the Nation.
And I think that's quite interesting because The spirit
of God saw it necessary to highlight their prominence,
their exalted status their success, and how they were
eagerly willing to Humble themselves to God's program and
presided over them. They said, yes, we are
significant individuals, but we see something greater than us.
And so famous men, came and surrender to the call of God.
Here's what's amazing. When you and I know of somebody
who becomes famous or successful, whether in in the
Darrell more secular realm. If I can use that word.
We often think they're a lost, cause it's done.
And that's not a wrong assessment because we know the
grip that power and fame and accomplishments, we know that
what that grip can do, and it can Cloud someone's judgment
very quickly to see their own need to be saved or to
prioritize God's purposes in their lives. but what's amazing
here is that these men this man proved otherwise, Listen success
is no rival to the satisfaction that God can bring.
It's amazing. I've talked to so many
Christians throughout my time in Ministry, who are more
passionate about personal success than a month, the cause
of Christ. It's disappointing, it's
heartbreaking. But what we see with these men
as that, no matter how successful you become, it will
never fill that void. It will never feel that what as
anybody, who had a amount of money in mind to make and they
get there, and what happens? They want more and when they get
there they want more when they get there.
That's what Ecclesiastes says as anybody who has a number of
followers on their social media, they get that what happens?
It's just these digits on the screen.
It does not fill the soul and these men here prove that no
matter what, Heights you reach in this life, there is no
greater satisfaction and being in the will of God and they do
that here. And they surrender.
And here's another thought to consider, you have those like
the Pharisees who have prominence, who have Prestige,
and they discourage the possibility, or the mock, the
concept of anybody of importance following Jesus Christ, right?
The remember what they said when they send the soldiers out to
arrest Jesus in John chapter 7, I love that verse.
They come back and they're empty hand and the fears that were.
Where is he? Like no one has spoken like this
man. I just can't imagine what it
was, like, they were Spellbound. When they heard Jesus speak,
they came. I can just imagine with
aggressive faces. They came with intimidation, and
as they stood there in the presence of the word, made
flesh, and the Lord was just speaking.
These glorious truths, they melted and they were mesmerized
only to return like little puppies.
No one's ever spoken like this man.
And I want to read to you, I have it here before me, so you
don't have to turn there unless you want to.
I want to reach you how the Pharisees responded and John
747, the Pharisees answered them.
Have you also been deceived have any of the authorities or the
Pharisees believed in him? Like what arrogance had have you
been deceived? And here's what they say.
Do you know any authorities or do you know any Pharisees that
believe in it? You know, here's the
translation. Anybody who is intelligent,
anybody who seems to be educated anybody who seems to be
insightful or innovative. Such people don't follow Jesus
Christ. Only only simple tends to do.
Only people who need a crutch in life.
Do only people who can't rely on their own strength or can't
strategize and how to get themselves out of a rut.
Those are the people, the authorities in the Pharisees do
you and do you know any of them who have claimed that Jesus was
the Messiah. So why would you consider it?
And that's what we have in our Educational Systems to Do you
believe that God created the world in seven days?
Are you you believe and they mock the idea that if you
believe these things that you have a low IQ or that you're not
educated or that you were just isolated from truth, their idea
of Truth. But we see that these men show,
otherwise that it's possible. It's possible to be men of
importance, men of success, men of his steam, High Steam, and
still surrender to the will of God, joyfully And in the New
Testament, you have many examples.
If you didn't know it, you have many examples of famous people.
Upstanding people in society who have chosen to follow Jesus, any
ideas who think about it? Think of famous people who given
their lives to Christ in the New Testament.
I'm asking if you have an idea, lift your hand.
The EF yo Pian eunuch. He was a high official in the
courts of the queen. Yes Yeah, exactly.
The man who decided to open up his tomb, untouched for Jesus
burial. He was a secret disciple, but he
was praised for his devotion. Any other famous people?
Nicodemus. Yes, it is debated.
Whether he truly follow Jesus, but it's kind of hard to see how
he didn't love the Lord when he came to the burial site with 70
pounds of ointment. That's what John says that's the
last thing you see of Nicodemus. So Jesus confronts him.
In John 3 and we see him speaking up in John 7 and when
you come to John the end of John.
Jesus is about to be buried and Nicodemus comes with Joseph and
we were told with 70 pounds of ointment like he had to have
brought a cart or something that's not very being very
discreet. Sure.
But there's like little people like not little people but names
and little references that we don't even consider their,
their, the end of Romans. Erastus, erastus, right.
And he was the treasurer, he was a Treasurer in Rome, there's
another one in Acts 13 one when those men were together
worshiping and fasting and seeking the Lord and then Paul
and Barnabas are set apart as a missionary team.
There's a men in their men naive in the lifelong friend, Who.
Who is he lifelong friend, to Herod the tetrarch, you go to
Luke 8 and one of herod's household Herod, had a lot of
people Herod, household manager was a follower of Jesus Christ.
And so even had a man, man, I ain't, who was a lifelong friend
to Herod, who obviously, including hated Jesus.
And Mark, Jesus become a follower of Jesus, and he played
a huge role in the early church action.
So it's not impossible. It is possible.
Christ. Can save to the uttermost the
most unlikely, believe it. Now, let's move forward.
Verse 31, do I still have you tonight?
Verse 31 of the half tribe of Manasseh, 18,000 who were
expressly name to come to make David King.
This one, personally touches my heart who were expressly name to
come and make David King. So, what's happening here?
Is that the half tribe of Manasseh?
They realized the Monumental shift that is taking place in
Israel's history like this is huge, this is a huge turning
point and instead of just sending anybody to the Shouldn't
they hand-picked, they select certain emissaries write.
These diplomatic ambassadors to represent their tribe so that
they can go with great honor and that's because they saw how
great of an honor, it was to be able to come and make David King
to be able to acknowledge Him. And so, this was a, this was a
marvelous thing in the eyes of this people, this is knows
insignificant thing. This is not a small thing, this
is a great thing. NG and so great, it was that
they wanted to send their best. They want to send their best for
this event to represent their Clan.
How much more? How much more you?
And I is ambassadors of Jesus Christ.
Think about it. There is no greater identity.
There is no finer purpose. There is no Superior rank in
this world that can come close to being a servant of the most
high. God Understand that and believe
that because when somebody comes to Christ, we as a church we
celebrate it. We celebrate it like Like, it's
a birthday. Make a whole day out of it and
rightfully so but it is also equally, no small thing not just
to be born again, but to live for him in the day-to-day and
you and I must be conscious of that at all times.
These people realize that they realize it and they prepared
themselves from head to toe. They calculated and they
designated. So that through through this
deployment of these ambassadors, people would realize these
people are serious. I wonder if you and I feel the
weight of that. When we go to social events, do
you feel the uniform that you're wearing?
I represent him or maybe in the simple way of dressing
ourselves. I know that's controversial
these days but the way we communicate our, how we are.
I mean, does it ever occur to us?
I have been commissioned. Like I represent a different
Embassy Embassy not in Nations here but of a permanent one of
one that is to come and take over all others.
It's an honorable identity, but with that, great identity comes
awesome responsibility, which means that you and I, wherever
we go, must be aware that I am one of Heavens delegates.
I'm a deputy. I'm sent by him.
He is my king and I want to represent him.
Well, More can be said about that but we go to verse 32 of
issachar. So now this tribe men who had
understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do,
200 Chiefs and all their Kinsmen under their command.
We're not told about the number of people they had but we are
told of the quality of the people of this tribe and the
thing that is brought forth, the comment that sticks out is that
the men of issachar were Discerning men.
They were able to interpret the times and then from that know
what they should do at this time.
So there is much debate about what it means, when they says
they had understanding of the times.
But based on the context and their participation, in all of
this, it's pretty simple. These men were able to read the
circumstances around them and then take the proper course of
action that would benefit them and bring about the best
results. Here's the thing.
What we see with the men of issachar is something, every
believer should be operating in And I've alluded, I'm not going
to do it this time because I've done it in so many.
So many segments, I've alluded to First Corinthians 7 about how
Paul interprets the present conflict and distress of his
day. And then based on what was
happening in this day. By the spirit, brings about
particular instruction of how Christians should live in light
of the Civil distress, in light, of the cultural things that were
happening. He said, okay, do you see what's
happening here? This is how we ought to respond.
And so you and I with with spiritual eyes and with wisdom,
we must be at all times be able to look at Global events.
What's happening in our nation and not try to find the
particular date in which Jesus coming back.
But allow these things to motivate us to straighten up for
our Redemption is nigh. He tells that to the Romans,
he's like I'm paraphrasing. But look at the our, our
Salvation is nearer than ever. Before wake up from sleep.
I said this a few weeks ago, I'll say it again.
Christians have been asleep for the past two years.
I mean, I'll hammer this truth and D me repetitive if you may
But listen, you still have Christians who are more
concerned that they can't go to their favorite spots or go to
Vacations, or they're worried about their future than about
how this relates to the prophetic timetable of the
return of Christ. I heard more Christians complain
how they couldn't go to this and couldn't go to that when
everything broke out initially with the pandemic or whatever
you want to call it. More concern about all of that.
Now I can do this and I can do that in the fact that you
realize that nothing like this has ever happened in our
history. Like if this is that forget your
little vacation spot, forget that you can't sit in your
favorite restaurant. We're closer to the return of
Christ more than ever. and so, to be honest, In the in the past
two years, there was a lot of lack of discernment of anything
else, so much lack of discernment to be honest.
The secular people had more discernment, the most of people
who are Christians They were able to see the severity.
They were able to see how all of this will affect our future in a
no-return policy way. And most Believers are just
dragging their feet and Just wake up.
Be alert. This is what we hear with this.
What, we see here, these people who came to the ranks of David
were an alert, people weren't aware, people were sensitive.
People were calculated. People were serious, people, and
Believers should be the same. Let's end with zebulun, shall
we? Verse 33 of zebulun 50,000
seasoned troops equipped for battle with all the weapons of
war to help David. Now, here's the point with
Singleness of purpose with singleness of purpose.
This is what's brought forth to the surface.
Okay? These men had undivided
commitment to David and his kingdom, they were sold out.
There is no other desire that they had.
There is nothing to had preeminence more than the fact
that David is our King, and we will do what he wishes and what
you see here. It's pretty straightforward as
a, not, if David had this, how much more the King of Kings, the
true anointed, one capital, a capital O singleness of purpose.
My affections are Divided here. I don't have like the pie.
I don't have 75% for Jesus, five percent for my job. 10% for this
and 2.5% for that. It's Jesus.
All of it. And everything orbits around it.
Jesus is not something orbiting around something else,
everything revolves around that and that's exactly what these
men are reflecting. And so you and I have to
understand that if this is what David demanded, how much more
our Lord David say these men politically economically.
Christ saved us eternally. You know, it's one thing to
volunteer for the kingdom of God when you feel extra motivated,
or when you are not so worldly for a stretch of a few weeks,
but that is not what Jesus asks of us.
Unwavering commitment and conviction and faithfulness to
the Cross of Christ. And here's what's amazing, it
wasn't just zebulun, scroll down to verse 38 and what do we read?
All these Men of War rate in battle order came to Hebron with
a whole heart to make David King over all Israel.
Likewise all the rest of Israel have single mind to make David
King. That's the overarching
commentary over every tribe, a whole heart.
Like this is why we live. This is, this is what we exist
for. This is why we're here.
And notice the fruit of that, I want you to see the sequence of
events and this is how it concludes in verse 40, be
patient, as I read this and pay attention to the last few verse
versus the last few words of the last first, and also their
relatives from as far as it's a car and zebulun and naphtali
came, bringing food on donkeys, and on camels, and on mules, and
on auction, abundant provisions of flour.
Cakes of figs, clusters of raisins and wine and oil, oxen,
and sheep for there was Hawaii and Israel.
There should be like a sigh for the reader because up to this
point for years, for decades, there was enjoying Israel.
And if there was any Joy, it was just bursts of superficial Joy.
When they made Saul King that wasn't God's will, but it was a
temporary relief but the pain that they knew the loss, the
disappointment and then Abner came in.
He made it even worse for another seven years.
But everything was made, right and true Joy erupted in the
hearts of the people, once David became king.
What this is all about if you want to, if you want to just
simplify the quest of every single person in life, is that
every person is searching for joy.
And they are experimenting to know what it is.
That brings the most lasting and pain-free happiness in life if
that's you in this place. Or if you're a person, Who can
honestly examine your heart and say, I don't know if I have
lasting joy. That doesn't mean if you have
lasting joy that you won't shed tears and you won't be
conflicted and you won't be tested and you won't endure
trials. But with that it does mean is
that down deep inside? There's this deep-seated
contentment listen if you're a person in this place who can say
look that's not really real here.
I mean most my Christian experience is being stimulated
emotionally because of Sure, had a good day and he preached a
pretty well thought-out sermon. I want to just give you a
question based on this, that will help.
You know why it is, you're in that place because the sequence
of events is clear, right? After certain things were done,
then the joy was made known. So all you have to do is go back
to verse 38 and ask yourself. Does Jesus Christ have my whole
heart and a my of single mind to make him my king.
If you can't answer that, that is the answer to the lack of joy
in your life. Pretty, pretty simple, right?
No program. You have to join no pyramid
scheme. I don't have to yell at you and
try to get you motivated. It's very simple with my whole
heart and with singleness of purpose is Jesus.
My king do. I want to make him my Lord?
Do I really want to know him? If not, you will be insecure.
Unfulfilled disappointed, hitting your head against the
wall. Trying one thing after the next
and you will be no different than the nation of Israel before
this. Where they try different Kings
before they came to the right one.
And so answer that settle that, and I assure you that a joy that
you've never known will be unlocked.
But remember this, Joyce was preceded by a willful decision
to say, Jesus Christ, take this stubborn brain of mine and
rewire it so that it has single purpose for you.
Take this heart that loves to flirt with myself and with
everything else rewire it so that it is devoted to you and
watch how the joy will flush out.
Thing else in your life and keep you sustained in that Joy.
It's as simple as that. Let's go back and with the two
verses 2nd, Samuel 5, 4 and 5. And then we're done.
But you don't have anywhere to go anyway, right?
David was 30 years old when he began to Reign and he reigned 40
years at Hebron. He reigned over Judah, seven
years in six months and a Jerusalem he reigned over all
Israel and Judah, 33 years The Bible has a tendency.
To give a summary about something or someone and then to
flesh it out in detail. So seems strange to read about
David's full years in rain, and then describe the beginnings of
his His government. but you can't skip over this because
there's so much to learn just from that verse first verse in
verse 4, David was 30 years old when he began to reign Just
meditate on that. So, if he was 30 when he began
to reign as the king of Israel, how long was he King overhead
Braun? Seven years.
So how old was he when he became king of Hebron 23 safely.
So if he was 20 and whose years 23 years old, 23.
Imagine becoming a king over a tribe at 23 years old now, that
means he was 23 when he became king of Hebron.
Then how old must have been when he was first anointed by Samuel.
For sure he was under 20 years old.
Most people believe you want to know what age 15.
So who here is 15 years old. Evan, you lifted your hand.
Some people even believe he was as young as 12 13.
That's kind of hard to imagine, but here's the point, I want to
make, he was anointed. Definitely under 20.
Let's say, 15. he wasn't walking in the call of God for his life
until 15 years went by And the point is very simple, God takes
his time when he makes his men. God takes his time when he makes
his men. I hope this point encourages the
point. Before, this point, was to wake
up, the person who's still at the ABCs of Christianity, like,
you're still wondering if the Lord is really worth, giving
everything to in your practical day-to-day.
You love him. You know, he died for you, but
you're just like, you have other things in life that are rivaling
against that. I'm not we talk to you, okay?
You can still pay attention, but who I'm talking to Is the person
who really really wants to be used by God.
You pray about it all the time. You have dreams about it.
You long for it, you yearn for you have no you have no other
desire in this life. I want to encourage you with
this point, God takes his time when he makes his men / woman.
I'm still in the process of breaking this out on my own
mind, but it was just an observation I made today.
When I realized that, the scripture says that he rained
for 40 years, Because the first three kings of Israel each
rained for 40 years, saw according to acts rained for 40
years. David who followed?
We were just told 40 years. You go at the end of Solomon's
life First, Kings 11. He reigned for forty years So
they share the same term of office, but how different that
they all look. If you were to put Saul David
and Solomon here and compare compare not just their Journeys
but how they ended? How would you categorize it?
Here's how it categorize. It David had a much different
journey through that. Then the other to the other to
ended in Devastation. The other two you can argue
ended in apostasy the last that we see of solids, that he
consults a witch, Which was punishable by death.
And the last that you see of Solomon is what he's worshiping
Idols because he thought it'd be a good idea to marry a thousand
people. 700 wives and 300 concubines and they led him into
apostasy that's how they ended David.
You can't say that about David, he had hiccups, he sinned
greatly during his Reign but he was a man after God's heart, 40
years for Saul 40 years for Solomon, 40 years for David, and
yet David stands out from all of them.
What was the the factor? What was the Difference Maker?
I think it's many things and it's worthy of an in-depth
study, especially for leaders. How is it that David and
comparison to the other two had an equal chance with the equal
task do something. So, different and up with
different results and a different Commendation from God,
and based on this, I argue and I'm still processing perhaps.
Part of the success was God's patient preparation with David
You don't get anything close to David's, Journey to the throne.
With Solomon and wood saw, do you?
No. And it makes you wonder does it
not during those years those 15 years.
Did God do such a work in David that it was able to sustain him
to the end. And that is not my subjective.
Hermeneutic my interpretation of this to try to come up with
something clever. That's a Biblical truth.
What do I mean? Because when you take into
account, David's preparation, it was riddled with suffering.
So much suffering. And there is so much
faithfulness that was demanded of him while he was hidden.
But don't forget the pain, don't forget the Betrayal, don't
forget the doubts. Don't forget the moments that
were crushing to his soul. We explored so many Psalms that
were birth in those years. And here's why I bring this up
because the Bible tells us how character is develop and
character is the necessary ingredient for longevity and
Ministry. Romans 5, 3 and 5.
Not only you don't have to turn there, just listen, just pause
and just hear these words, not only that, but we rejoice in our
sufferings Christian didn't say we endure in our sufferings that
would make sense. We can endure.
We have a good God, he gives us power.
No no more than that, we rejoice.
That's the infusion of the holy spirit in us.
That's the work we Rejoice. Have you met a rejoicing
suffering Christian lately rejoicing?
I've met many suffering Christians, very few and I know
the temptation to not very few rejoicing suffering Christians.
And yet that's the standard Paul says we rejoice in our
sufferings. Well why Paul tell us why
knowing should Joyce connected to knowledge?
Not something miraculous to come before you.
That you can have a monopoly on and say, look what God did for
me. And no no knowing something that
suffering. Produces endurance and endurance
verse for produces character. Suffering, produces character.
With David and during those 15 years was powerful pruning that
can only be known. Through sovereignly ordained
trials and tribulations. He was developed in those years,
there was something that was chiseled in the man and it hurt
in the moment. But not as much as it would hurt
to fall on your face and idolatry.
Because of the lack of conviction because the lack of
the fear of God, because of a lack of an experience of the
goodness of God, through your suffering.
So don't despise it, don't shrink from it.
Don't don't don't shriek when you suffer.
I'm speaking to the person who really wants to be used by God.
Christian character is often matured in the school of
suffering. So embrace it embrace it with a
tight grip and rejoice as you embrace it, because Christ is
producing something in you, producing something in you that
Seminary, cannot give you producing something in you that
a load of money. From your denomination.
Can I give you? Christ takes his time to make
his men and oftentimes the tools on his belt.
That he will use our painful in the moment but glorious in the
results. I'm wondering if I should finish
on a different note. David was thirty years old, when
he began to Reign and he reigned 40 years, 30 plus 40.
When did David die? At the end of his Reign.
So what age? Is that mess with anybody's
sunday-school imagination? It's even more strange.
When you go to First Kings chapter 1, and you see his
physical condition, he could not even warm himself, no matter.
How many blankets they put on him.
I mean, when you read about the man and his dying days, you
think he was in his late 90s or early 100s, the man died at 70.
And here's what I find fascinating and I will end on
this now. If your hand is still tucked in
first Chronicles, go to the last chapter.
And if it's not turn there, And notice how the Bible parallels,
the description of David's Reign and concluding fashion.
Verse 26 of chapter 29. Thus David, the son of Jesse
reigned over all Israel. We've been reading that the time
that he reigned over Israel was 40 years.
We just read that he reigns seven years in Hebron and 33
years in Jerusalem. We just read that but notice the
added, notice the complement of this portion of scripture.
Verse 28, then he died at a good age.
Now, notice this full of days. Full of days.
Riches and honor and Solomon. His son reigned in his place. 70
years old, and he died at a good old age, right?
Full of days. now, even in our standard and Society to hear of
somebody dying at 70, you don't get the sense.
Yeah, that person was ready to go.
We know people who are in their late 60s, approaching 70s, like
my father is in his late. 60s is approaching 70 soon to me 70,
there's still life there. They're still there still
memories to be made there still fruit to be produced and so when
we think 70, we can still equate that with a tragedy as a loss,
but in our human reasoning. Because here the holy spirit
says David died, full of days. Because the Bible does not
equate fullness of life with the length but with the substance,
huh? The Bible equates, the fullness
of life, not in length, but in substance her go.
Jesus died. At 30.
Did he die? Prematurely no.
Did he die full? Yes.
Did he die satisfying? The will of God.
Absolutely. So we have to change our
thinking here. You can live 70 years and Die,
full full of days with richness. And you can live up to 300 years
and be a waste. Think about that, God forbid,
you can die like your lord at 33 years of age.
And still die with glorious purpose.
In comparison to somebody who lived three times as long as
you. So as Christians we don't we
don't again we don't equate success or blessing with
numbers. But that's not how we think.
Success is Not based on the number of people here, but on
the substance of each person that represents this ministry.
Success is Not equated to the number of dollars you have in
your bank account, but where your treasure is there, your
heart will be. Also Success is Not acquainted
to how long you live but what you do with your years and David
was a man who died at 70? No wonder I mean the guy went
through so many battles the brutality.
He put his body through Through it makes sense.
And yet God and his perfect with his, a time to go home, may we
live a full life. Full of days for the glory of
God though, we thank you for this Bible study.
Louis, thank you that even Through sickness, you're able to
be gracious to us. We just pray that the truths
that we heard would with minister to our hearts.
And that Lord, we would be able to leave here with instruction
from the holy spirit for our lives, but we worship you now.
We adore you and we remind ourselves that we are.
Subjects to your kingdom. You are a king and gladly
gladly, do we declare that you are King.
You are the greater David, the son of David, the ruling
raining, Lord, who will come back again.
And we will be hold you on a throne with a scepter in your
hands and the Nations will come to bow at your feet.
Thank you for calling us to be a part of that.
We are overwhelmed by your grace in our lives, in Jesus name, we
pray. Amen.
Let's stand worship together.