You may never hear this reference for a long time, but
meet me in first Samuel chapter 30 because we are almost there.
I thought that we were going to complete this studying this book
today but when I realized what was left in Chapter 30 I thought
no, there's still, there's still too much to be said before we
conclude this study, so definitely next week, will be
their last study. It may be a shorter one but we
have a tradition with Our Bible studies.
There's anybody know what that is when we complete a book.
Yes. And this may be a longer one and
I think it excites people to study a little bit more and I
like that I like that it excites people to study more so keep
that in mind next week it may happen.
Next week, it may happen the week after, I don't know, just
come prepared anyway. First Samuel, 30.
Minion verse 16, please. And our brother just prayed, but
it doesn't hurts to pray again. As long as we are sincere in our
hearts, Lord, we thank you for your word.
And we open it now. Hello, I thank you for this
family. Thank you for Gathering Us in
this place or despite our week. Despite even the challenges of
today, we've come to the sanctuary of your presence and
we come to receive from you. Lord, you are our life, you are
our strength, you are Our Hope, Lord, you are a delight.
And Lord, we realize that there is a miracle that has taken
place in our hearts for us to come here on a Friday night.
And to enjoy this, that is your work in our lives and may you
manifest the person of Jesus Christ, through the revelation
of the word into our hearts, so that we would love him the
resurrected. Lord, the returning Lord.
Oh, Lord, just win our affections of fresh.
When them a fresh for you are, worthy of all of our devotion in
Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
Amen.
There it is. I hope you remember from two
weeks ago where we are at in this study.
Don't mind what's happening back there.
Just focus on me. They'll figure it out.
And first Samuel 30, we know that there is a rescue mission
that is taking place and the rescue mission that is taking
place has to do with David and his men who have lost their
wives and their children to the amalekites while they were on a
three-day Journey away from this place called ziklag, the
amalekites have come and ransacked their home base.
They have destroyed the city. They have taken captives David
and his men come back. Back to this horrible sight.
And that was the turning point in David's, life to come back to
the Lord. After a year and four months of
being away from the Lord, and God immediately responded with
Divine Direction, and guidance and leading.
And now he knows where to go. Because in God's Providence,
here is a slave out in the wilderness who is left behind by
the amalekites David comes and rescues him and then he receives
a reward. Bored Beyond his imagination and
it was the exact steps needed to go and find his family and bring
them back by God's power and promise.
That's where we're at. And as we consider that we read
in verse 16, what transpires? And when he had taken him down,
behold they being the amalekites were spread abroad over all the
land eating and drinking and dancing.
Because of all the great spoiled that they had taken, from the
land of the Philistines. And from the land of Judah, And
David struck them down from Twilight until the evening of
the next day. And not a man of them escaped,
except, for hundred young men, who mounted camels, and fled,
David recovered all that the amalekites had taken and David
rescued, his two wives. Nothing was missing whether
small or Great sons or daughters spoil or anything that had been
taken, David brought back all all David also captured all the
flocks and herds and the people drove the livestock before him
and said this is David's spoil. Consider verse 16 quickly
consider the site. They are there they are in the
Blackness of that Midnight Hour, and as they approach with the
amalekites were, they can hear in the distance, The Sound of
Music and the voices of men, Perhaps singing shouting, and
there was dancing. There is music, perhaps, and as
David and his men, the 400 with him approach to this site.
They realized something quite amazing.
They are. They are celebrating what they
had just done. They are enjoying themselves.
They are indulging in the flesh. After committing such evil after
such mischief. David finds his men in a place
where they are clearly showing little to no concern about their
safety. There seems to be no thought
about the possibility of a counter-attack from the very
people that they had just harmed the very people that they just
assaulted there. Is this relaxed careless even
Reckless kind of behavior from the amalekites and my question
is, why do you think that is? Why do you think The amalekites
seem to be so safe and are not on guard.
What was happening in the background?
There was another war that was taking place against who between
who The Philistines, I heard it whispered, and who the Irizarry
lights, right? Where the Philistines in their
land, or where they three days away from their land, three days
away from their land. Yes.
And so you see that there is, this miscalculation, there is
this false belief that there was a delay.
And so they could be relaxed and they could be laid back.
And when you look at something like this, it's a clear picture
is a not of the spiritual negligence of Sinners today.
And even if some saints, who have unfortunately, been
influenced by the flesh who get caught up in the frenzy of the
flesh, because they think that there is a delay.
And they fail to prepare for that Divine judgment.
Just like these men are failing to realize that they are dancing
and shouting and singing and parting in the shadow of
vengeance. It's incredible.
Why weren't the amalekites sober-minded?
Why weren't they Vigilant? Why weren't they on guard?
What? We just heard it.
Perhaps, they didn't believe that an attack would come.
Well at least not now perhaps, they thought that they were so
Victorious that they so conquered.
That did not even think that it would ever happen.
Whatever the case may be. You see here, unfortunately, a
picture of how the world interprets God's judgment.
They don't even believe it exists, and so they eat, they
drink and tomorrow, they die. And they can live in their flesh
and they can destroy the cells. Destroy others, destroy any
conviction left in their conscience and just live it up.
Not knowing that the eyes of God's Wrath are upon them.
And just like David here is looming with his men to execute
Vengeance. Here are people today on a
Friday night? I can tell you very much that
are living just like these amalekites for themselves
without any concern about the safety of their own Souls.
Without any sense that things can change swiftly and this life
that they thought was the climax of their Bliss will turn into
just a transition into the real world and that is eternity.
And so, I look here at a sad picture.
And is even a picture of many professing believers who delayed
their surrender, the total surrender to the Lord.
They just want to nitpick here of the world and it doesn't
work. We must be ready at all times
day by day, hour by hour. Now, we come to verse 17, and I
says here in David, struck them down from Twilight until the
evening of the next day. That's a, that's a pretty
incredible accomplishment. Because think about it, when
they were with the Philistines David and his men, they have to
go back to ziklag. How many days did that?
Take three on foot, they get to ziklag, they realize that
there's smoke coming from their homes, there's rubble, and they
are exhausted physically. Now, add on top of that physical
exhaustion, emotional exhaustion, why?
Because they left until there was no strength left in them,
David seeks. God, this is emergency protocol.
God gives answers right away and now he travels through the
Wilderness to try to find. His family.
You can imagine how bone-tired these men were.
So tired that one-third of David's men, 200 out of the 600
stay back. It says they were too exhausted
to pursue even though their wives and their children were
taken, that says something for warriors, who fight for a
living? And yet at the same time, we
read that on this night from Twilight, they fought throughout
the night, throughout the next day until the evening of the
next day and they won. And I look at that and I have
one thing that comes to mind, that is determination.
That is grit, that is commitment, that is sacrificed
even at the expense of your comfort and your even Health,
which sometimes, oftentimes can be dangerous with be wise.
But when I read this, I see something very, very important
number one, they were outnumbered.
Because what do we read here? 400 young men.
And the last verse, the last part of verse 17, who mounted
camels and fled. So we know that there were at
least four hundred men because 400 of the amalekites left
meaning there is many more amalekites and yet David only
had 400 in his rank. That's impressive.
Second David and his men though, exhausted.
Saw something they interpreted this in a very wise way,
because, hey, look, if I'm David after three day journey, and who
knows how long to come to this point.
I see these men clearly do not a threatening position, they're
just living it up, they're distracted.
Boys. Let's let's call this an item
will go to war tomorrow. Let's just rest for maybe a day
or two recuperate spee strengthen and then we can come
back and deal with these guys. But that's not how they did
this. They saw this scene, they saw
the posture of the amalekites and they realize, in this
moment, this is to our advantage.
This is a unique opportunity. This is a window of time that we
cannot afford to lose. So we must act now with
everything that is left within us.
Whatever it demands of us, let us give it all now because we
may not have this opportunity again because these men are
intoxicated. These men are not Vigilant.
They are defenseless, it's a perfect chance for an invasion
even though they are outnumbered I look at this, and I realized
that, even though these amalekites were in a drunken
stupor, David and his men knew that it's time to act now.
There's a spiritual lesson here from this, this King in training
and his discipline and it is this.
You and I have to seize the opportunities at hand.
And our service to God. for whatever reason, it is many
Believers are tempted to lose dedication when they realize
that they are at an advantage. When a Believer is an
environment or in a state where they they have great privilege
oftentimes that is damaging to their devotion at least the
quality of it. You want an example, look at the
majority of Christians and America Look at the, the overall
attitude of many people in Christendom in the West.
You and I live in a country of great opportunity, even
spiritually as wicked as our country is, do you realize that
as a church as a ministry as Christians, we still have rights
that protect us. We still have laws that we can
utilize to our advantage. We still have certain Privileges
and benefits that can actually help us move forward for the
kingdom of God, with Greater Grace and ease and peace. and
yet, at the same time, there seems to be a sense of ease in
Zion. There seems to be little concern
and a general sense for effort greater effort to be given into
this awesome opportunity that we have in this land.
Why pray so much, why praise so intensely?
At least when there's no persecution when there's little
problems. Why plan and invest in
outreaches? When there's so many things
happening through, so many Ministries already, like just
have to be so concerned. Why meet together regularly we
got something called livestream. I can access my favorite.
Bible teachers Dead or Alive on one, click of the button.
I don't have to get out of my pajamas.
And so there's this strange Temptation, there's a strange
thing that happens when we realize that there is there's
much Advantage much much ease. But if we learn anything in the
past 2 years, do you know what it is?
That? Whatever Advantage you and I
enjoy can be taken from us in a moment, right?
Whatever opportunity lies before us.
Can be swept away. Over a weekend.
And Jesus gave very, very wise words.
In John chapter 9 to his disciples, we must work the work
of him. While it is day for night is
coming. When no man can work.
I believe with all of my heart that if we learn, if we should
have learned anything in the past two years, as Believers is
don't take what you have in this nation in this generation.
So lightly. It can all flip in a moment.
And what we thought was something so casual and just
part of our weekly schedule something that we can say yes or
no to can offer sudden be gone. And Ministry looks much much
much different. I never thought I would see the
day where Canadian pastors and 2020 2021 would be meeting with
their congregations Underground. Anybody see that coming not me.
And so you and I have to realize that while it is day, while
there is the light of favor upon us, all the more should we give
ourselves all the more we should utilize our technology.
All the more we should utilize our strength, all the more we
should you utilize our resources because night is coming when no
man can work. These men saw the opportunity.
It was an advantage. They went for it because they
knew that they could have lost that opportunity if they waited
too long. Verse 18, David recovered all
that the amalekites had taken and David rescued, his two
wives. Nothing was missing whether
small or Great sons or daughters spoiler.
Anything that had been taken only one explainable possibility
for why, this happened for David?
And it is this, the sheer mercy of God, the sheer grace of God,
the fact that he came to this place and there was not one Hair
missing from his children's heads or one wife missing the
fact that none of them were destroyed.
None of them were hurt. None of them were sold off into
slavery. The fact that they were all
intact every single one that one socks on.
Not one daughter was gone is just a magnificent display of
God's compassion. over a man who didn't deserve it, who didn't
deserve it and you and I should consider This Truth for our own
lives and just take a moment to reflect on our own history with
God and the things that he is allowed to remain and the things
that remain intact and the blessings that even continue to
flow, especially in moments of sin, even seasons of sin.
And yet, and yet still God's grace is there.
And it's provision, is there, and his love, is there, his
promises are still there. And as much as that is true, we
can also make the case that there is an element of human
responsibility here on David's part that perhaps made this
result a greater possibility. Otherwise Meaning David did
something on his part. I know this makes people
nervous, right? Especially especially because we
love Grace and I love Grace of Grace and anybody else I guess
At the same time, there is an element, I believe of human
responsibility. That is worth noting.
Think about it. What if David when he came to
ziklag and he saw the city destroyed.
What if he had not immediately broken?
And come contract before God and sought him.
What if in his frustration he complained what if he had run
back to the Philistines to ask for help?
What if David had delayed his repentance upon the shocking
revelation? Of the ziklag situation.
Just imagine that for a second if he had stubbornly just paced
back and forth and persisted In the Flesh.
If he had just said to himself, what kind of God is this?
Remember it was him coming before God praying and receiving
direction from Heaven, that brought him to this point.
But what if he didn't, at least in the moment?
There, I believe there is a case that perhaps there have been a
greater risk for harm to be implemented upon the very people
he loved that there have been a greater Advantage for the
amalekites to have their way because God brought David to
ziklag in his Providence. Remember David try to go with
the Philistines and God shut that door.
So clearly it's almost forced David to go back and there was a
timing issue in that God needed him to get back there.
It was God's love redirecting. Although a I hurt in the moment
that rejection could have been painful. and so, this is what
I'm trying to say here, is that when you look at this, We also
run the same risk in our lives. If we continually resist, God's
conviction about a certain wrong that we are persisting in if we
continue to ignore God, if we continued delay, the commands
that he calls us to walk in knowingly stubbornly as much as
we know that God restores and as much as he replenishes and he
renews and he recovers that is all true.
There is also the risk that our sin can take much more from us
if we're not careful to be prompt and Urgent in our
repentance Can you think of commands in the New Testament
that tell us to act quickly in certain situations?
Think about it. Some Whispers here and there.
Think about it. Think about The Sermon on the
Mount. Think about the the teaching on
forgiveness, teaching on. If you know that you have
something that's something has happened between you and her
brother, somebody has something against you and you have a gift
and you go to the altar. What are you supposed to do
worship? And then go Yeah, leave it
there. Leave it there and then go.
And then Jesus says something quite amazing come to terms
quickly with your Accuser. I quickly.
Don't wait. Don't delay quickly.
This is emergency protocol, because again, we run the risk
with specific things, especially that if we delay, there's more
damage. There's more damage
relationally, there's more damage on ourselves.
There's more damage to many things.
And so even, even Paul says, in like manner, don't go to bed,
don't go to bed. If there's if there's that anger
in your heart, that's keeping you up.
And you haven't communicated, don't even go to sleep.
And so there is a call for each of us as Believers to be prompt
with conviction and to not delay, because the delay may be
too to cause more unnecessary damage.
And that happens so much I'm telling you.
There are people who have anger bitterness unforgiveness and
because they do not deal with it.
It deals with them, and here's what I would like to say.
How would you act if you knew your family was kidnapped?
Would you wait till tomorrow to make a phone call?
Would you say to yourself? You know, it's not that big of a
deal. I gotta think about it.
Would be ridiculous. But if we saw our sin even in
seed form as dangerous to our souls as the amalekites were to
David's family when they kidnapped him, I'm sure that we
would, we would not be slow to pursue God's Conformity and is
standard for us as his Representatives.
We would be quick, we would be quick and when you and I are
quick, what we do is whatever foothold that we have given
Satan, it's slams, the door on that foot.
But the longer you do that the longer, you keep that door open
and that foot there, then a shoulder gets in, then a leg
gets in and then you sit with couples who have been married
for decades. And there is a long, huge thick
cement wall of bitterness, and unforgiveness.
Because instead of dealing it with it, when it was a brick,
they built upon it more and more and more.
And and now you talk and you hear about the silliest of
things. Things that seem to be
mountainous in their minds because they didn't deal with it
when it was a molehill. David.
Although he is being showered by God's grace, God's grace was
triggered by the appropriate response to his conviction.
I hope that makes sense and I hope that stirs you and I Do you
see Jesus in the verses that we just read?
Nothing was missing whether small or Great sons or daughters
spoiler. Anything that had been taken,
David brought back all Nothing was missing.
All of David's, possessions came back to David all that was in
his name, came back into his arms and when I see David, I see
the son of David, don't you? Because Jesus assures us that he
will never ever lose his most prized possession.
Would you like to know what that is?
It's in John 6 39. Look what Jesus says in John
6:39. I love this verse.
And this is the will of him who sent me that I should lose.
Nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last
day. That I should lose nothing.
Now, what do you mean lose nothing?
Well, he tells us in the next year's for this is the will of
my father that everyone who looks on the son and believes in
Him should have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last
day. I will raise him up or he's just
a prophet. I is just a teacher.
Tell me one Prophet that can raise up the Dead.
All simultaneously by one command.
I will raise him up on the last day but here's the promise.
That those who look on him and Believe on him Christ will never
let you be lost. He won't lose you.
And so here's how powerful that
is, no matter what you go through in life, no matter what
threats. Even something as powerful and
as final as death itself, when Christ comes to claim you death
has to let go of that body so that it can be glorified in his
presence forever and ever. He won't lose you.
There's not one part of you that will be lost.
There's not one part of you that will be missing.
Just like David claimed and reclaimed all.
So Christ, when Adam and his race forfeited, so much she in
his Redemption will redeem us completely.
That's a glorious thought. So I'm going to trust the one
who actually conquered the grave so that when I entered into
grave, guess what if I'm able to if I'm able to I'll memorize a
him and I'll be able to sing it and my dying breath, knowing
that he's going to claim me one day.
And you can do the same if you're in Christ.
There's Christ, and crisis and done crisis, are done.
Being shown here in David's life.
Look what we look what we see next and first, Samuel.
In verse 19. This is so exciting.
We see here David also in verse 20 captured all the flocks and
herds and the people drove the livestock before him and said,
this is David spoil. So there's an additional thing
that happens. Not only does David reclaim
restore. He also adds he wins a spoil on
top of what was his. There is greater reward, and
here's the beauty about this reward, this reward on top of
what belongs. Long to him was shared with his
men. These men were sharing in that
spoil and we're also experiencing the great Treasures
that was claimed and Juan by David himself.
And that's exactly what Christ has done with you.
And I that when Jesus conquered death, when he went on that
cross, he did not just purchase us, he purchased things for us.
He purchased things for us. All you have to do is go to
Ephesians 1 and see the list of the spiritual blessings that
belong to us. All you have to do is realize
what the inheritance of the Holy Spirit does for us.
And that's what the blood did. Jesus goes into the enemy's
Camp. Yes to save us but then as we
walk out with them like these men, there are Treasures that he
begins to share with the redeemed.
And I find that so true in the New Testament.
But you know what I find. So amazing here is that these
men who had this this flock, and the herds, this great, great
parade of possessions. Guess what they were saying?
Well, what was it? Other saying?
This is who spoil David spoil? I love that.
This is David spoil. I don't know if they chanted it.
I don't know if they said it once.
I don't know if they said it throughout the Journey Back.
But they were affirming that even though this was purchased
for them, even though they get to enjoy this, even though they
got to enjoy with their families, that it all came back
to David, it all belonged to David.
And you, and I have to understand that.
We're not just forgiving. We're not just headed to an
eternal Garden of Eden. We have received rewards, we've
been given gifts, even giving gifts in Christ.
And I know some people that receive gifts not when they were
just born, I believe God gives people when they were born, and
they could choose what to do with that gift, either.
Use it for the world, and their own profit of, for God's glory,
but I believe also that God gives gifts upon conversion.
God gives gifts God gives callings, God gives a promise
that we will rule and reign with him forever and ever.
God ensures us. Also that there are specific
reward, just read Revelation to see the specific prizes that are
weight that away, those who overcome, and we will be with
him, granted by Christ, forever and ever.
And what's our response to that? What they say here?
This is David spoil. so anything that you enjoy anything that you
have experience because of Christ, whatever, Deliverance,
whatever, piece, whatever Joy, whatever blessings that your
family is knowing what you invited Christ into that home,
no matter what kind of success you have known in Ministry, No
matter what it is that you have known because of Jesus Christ in
the end, you and I have to say the same thing as these men.
This is because of Christ and this all belongs to Christ.
It's his he gave it, he purchased it and we just enjoy
it. And that's what's so incredible.
A David, David didn't hoard all of this to himself you're going
to read. He's gonna give it all out and
that is the generosity of Jesus Christ.
Look, I'm good with just getting into Gates, I don't know about
you. I'm good with just slipping in
and finding some Corridor in heaven and staying there.
I don't even need a house. Just let me sleep on the golden
street. I'll be good.
But he doesn't, he doesn't just do that Isaiah 53 tells us that
he divides the spoil with the strong.
Meaning he goes beyond that his grace says, I'm going to redeem
you. I'm going to bring you into my
presence but I want to Crown you and I want you to sit on my
throne and my father's Throne. I'm okay.
Lord with the gold Street, I don't need to sit up there with
you but he wants to he bids us. I mean his grace is so
overflowing. That although this is sufficient
that the tokens of his love, his wounds should suffice and it
will be the theme of our song he says.
Now, let me pick you up with these same hands and let me
Elevate you, it's absolutely mind-blowing.
It really is when you see it when you get deep and study and
you see what awaits us even Beyond Redemption.
I don't know how you can have a bad day coming to church.
I just don't know how you can't sing its glorious.
And what we do saying is, is this is David spoil.
This is Christ spoiled this belongs to him?
This is because of him. And what happens in verse 21.
Then David came to the 200 men who had been too exhausted to
follow David. And who had been left at the
brook before and they went out to meet David and to meet the
people who were with him and when David came near to the
people, he greeted them, I just try to imagine it, you have
David 400 men with all their wives and their children walking
back. You can imagine the hugs and the
kisses you can imagine the kids jumping in their dad's arms,
these fathers putting their arms around their wives.
And then these two hundred men who haven't seen their family,
who didn't know It happened, we're staying back with the
luggage, see them in the Horizon, and they approached
them, and they Embrace and they there's a joyful celebration,
our righteous celebration, unlike the amalekites, and all
for a sudden, this glorious moment is interrupted
momentarily, it's interrupted by something that's so
disappointing. It's should be disappointing to
be found amongst those who claim to be among the righteous.
Look at verse 22. Then all the wicked and
worthless fellows. Among The Men Who had gone with
David said, because they did not go with us.
We will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered,
except that each man may lead away.
His wife and children and depart So as these four hundred come
they recognize that David is about to give some of the spoil
to these men and their minds ago.
That is not, that's not fair, that's not fair.
And so, they voiced their frustration and they say, they
should just get the bare minimum, they let them take
their wives, and their kids, and let them go that they should
have no part. They didn't come out with us,
they didn't fight with us. And you know what's incredible?
I hope you saw it because when I saw, I was shocked me almost how
the Holy Spirit. Describes these men.
What is he called them? Wicked.
Worthless. Huh.
Wait. Okay, call call Salzman Wicked
and worthless. I get it.
You're telling me the men Who followed David?
Who trusted God's command with David and under David's lead
though? Some of those men were Wicked
and worthless. What is that say?
I'm actually asking you, how is it that these men or what does
it reveal at least that these men because the Bible is not
lying about them? It's not an exaggeration.
This is a true commentary on their character.
They are wicked and they are worthless.
How can that be any idea? Okay, so they're not really
didn't have their own personal faith.
That is trusting a David's leadership.
Okay, it's possibility. Their intentions may be sure.
They wanted to withhold something that didn't belong to
them. We're onto something there.
Yes. Anything else.
Pride is definite part of it. There's a judgmental attitude.
Towards who? Yeah, that's another thing too.
I mean, it makes you wonder if the worthless wicked men were
the same men that suggested to the others.
That's why don't we Stone David possibility.
Worthless and wicked men. Here's, here's at least.
Three thoughts coming from that truth?
The first one, is the fact that these men, these men here, Were
among a righteous group. There are among a good and
faithful group, who recognize the anointing on David's life,
who recognize Saul's corruption, who recognize that there is a
high price to be associated with Dave, but we're willing to pay
that price. And yet all at the same time,
there were corrupt. They were corrupt.
Now, pay attention here, this will do some good.
All right, this is really important.
This is the first time that we have any indication of wicked
and worthless men being among David's faithful group.
What was the last solid description of this man that we
receive go just back a few chapters just to see it and
there was no hint of It. Go the first same of 22 verse 2
and remember how we were introduced to these men when
they join David in the first place.
And first Samuel, 22 verse 2. We are told about the same group
at least the core group, the first 400. and everyone who is
in this dress and everyone who was in debt and everyone who is
bitter and sold gathered to him, I read that I don't see that
there are wicked people who joined them.
I don't see Rebels. I see people who are sick and
tired of being on their Saul's Reign who recognize what God had
placed on David's life. What God had in mind for Israel,
through David and they went out knowing that they could have
been killed for doing so risking their lives.
Their families lives to pledge themselves to the truth.
To pledge themselves to that, which was right.
And yet near the end of the book.
Among those. Were some Wicked.
And worthless men. Here's what I want to tell you.
This teaches us that oftentimes it takes time.
It takes time for the nature of some to be revealed.
It will not be manifested immediately, but eventually will
be exposed even those who are joined to an assembly or group,
who is for the truth, who loves the truth or willing to pay a
price for the truth. That's huge.
It wasn't there immediately.
They just showed up at the right time.
That might happen in your life. Is this true?
That might happen? It might not happen immediately
just give it a few years. Give it a little bit of time,
given the right circumstances. And and those suit you suppose
were for the truth, Who Loved Bible, who love prayer, who love
worship. The real thing comes out.
And it can be shocking to discover.
As I'm sure it was shocking to you.
When you realize that among the 400 there are wicked and
worthless fellows. So, if it does happen, don't be
too shocked. Even 1 out of the 12 and Jesus
group was filled with the Devil. It's just another another
reality of our relationships and Christian Living, but there's
another thing to learn from this wicked and worthless fellows.
And it is this It's not that they were Wicked just because
they thought David was unfair. It's because they wanted the 200
who stayed behind to be removed altogether.
Look back at verse 22. Notice what they say in the end,
except that each man may lead away.
His wife and children and depart get out of here, go away.
We want nothing to do with you anymore.
I believe that is the essence at least a part of the reason why
they're called worthless and wicked.
Essentially what this group of men wanted to do was divided the
group They wanted to sow Discord, they wanted to to
remove people for no righteous purpose for no significant
reason. All they wanted to do was
satisfy their frustration, all they wanted to do was was deal
with their greed. And these people stood in the
way of their greed, You want us to spread it with and there's no
way we want them to go and the scriptures are abundantly.
Clear? Like, so scary clear about the
great crime. It is when someone intentionally
seeks to bring Division if it's just between 2 or 200, To
achieve a selfish end. Whether that end is to deal with
some anger or to acquire something that you think someone
departing will give to you. In God's eyes.
When there is a plan and an execution to bring about a
ripping of relationships, among the Brethren God has a very
strong word for it, and it is this abomination.
That's, that's kind of crazy because I read the Old
Testament. I see that bestiality is known
as an Abomination and I can see how but in God's eyes, when
there is an intention to bring division among people, it's
equal in his eyes as an abomination.
That's significant. Actually the scripture tells us
that there are six things that the Lord hates seven.
That are an Abomination to him. Bible study.
Yes, let's name a few lying lips.
Yes. Shedding of innocent blood.
Absolutely Haughty eyes, very good.
False witness. Absolutely.
Sowing Discord among Brethren. Yes, already have five down, I
believe if I counted right there, a couple more.
Seven things that the Lord considers an abomination.
The two last ones are a little harder.
So I I'll be very impressive, somebody can get the last two.
Say that again. Yes.
Feet that are quick to do evil. One more.
Somebody said something, I think they got it.
Yes Bravo yes. A Heart That devises Wicked
plans. So if you want to know where
this list is because look, I don't want to know just what God
loves. I want to know what he hates.
And the list is found in Proverbs 6, 16 to 17.
I want you to look there quickly.
And Proverbs 6 16 to 17, there are six things that the Lord
hates seven that are an Abomination to him.
Abomination is like abhorrent listen.
That word means disgusting. now, if I were to ask you to give me
your top 10 7 list of the most heinous and ugly and vile
things, you can think of Obviously, this is not limited,
this is not an exclusive list but it's amazing what God
highlights. Verse 17, haughty eyes, a lying
tongue hands, that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises
Wicked plans feet, that make haste to run to evil.
A false witness who breathes out lies that somebody who like,
like they lie and they don't even know they're lying.
Like, it just, it's as easy as breathing and one.
Who sews Discord among Brothers. Here's my question.
What do all these sins have in common?
Since we're here. What all these things have in
common? You got it?
It's something that one commits, another against another, it's
relational. Every single one of these sins
has to deal with how someone treats another person.
Even down to haughty eyes. Now he could have said a proud
heart, but this is showing that it's a pride that has seen a
pride that looks down on someone else.
So even the sight of The Proud is a statement to others.
And this is what God is saying that, what he considers, an
Abomination is how we would treat someone and the following
ways. You know, what's another thing
that's significant about this list of abominable practices,
they all happen to the Lord Jesus.
Each of these things happened to him throughout his ministry.
Each of them, if you really think about it haughty eyes, a
lying tongue hands. That shed innocent blood.
Think about it, a heart that devises, Wicked plans feet, that
make haste to run to evil a false witness who breathes out
lies and one who sows Discord among Brothers.
How was that have when the Pharisees were in the crowd
before Pilate? And they were convincing the
crowd to have Jesus crucified? All of these things.
Jesus Christ himself experience and this is what so profound
about this. If these things are so
abominable to God when when it is done from one party against
another, how much more was it? For him to be the recipient of
all of these things. If he absolutely hates it.
When one does it to another? What was going through God's
mind? When all of it was poured out on
him? How did he tolerate it?
And the answer is very simple, as much as she hates these
things, as much as they are. Absolutely vile.
He did it because of love. That's How Strong his love is
that he was willing to endure it and, and I'll allow it.
Without retaliation without judgment immediately because he
wanted to accomplish a greater, and he wanted to redeem the very
same ones who are doing these things to him.
That's the strength of God's love.
It's incredible. and when you see here that the seventh one is
one who sows Discord among Brothers, some would believe
that this is actually being the seventh, the climactic The
climactic expression. Of his hatred.
And this collection of Evil's, it's as though, to say, ulis one
after the next. And then he's like and the top
of the tier, the one that really gets my Fury moving is when
somebody shows Discord among Brothers, Says, something about
our God. And these men were doing that.
They were trying to cause Discord the vision.
And we come to David's response and closing and verse 23.
But David said, You shall not do so my brother's how he calls on
my brothers. Still, it's incredible.
With what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given
into our hand, the band that came against us, who would
listen to you in this matter. I love that because he can call
him my brothers but he can also rebuked them.
Like your what you're saying is ridiculous.
My brothers. Who would listen to in this
matter for as his share is who goes down into battle.
So shall they share be who stays by the baggage?
They shall share alike. I wish we had the time we're
already getting to the clothes. I wish we had the time to just
really dissect there's so much in David's response.
Here's a here's a brief comparison.
Notice verse 23 and compared to verse 22 notice how David
interprets the victory compared to the men.
What did the men say? The middle of verse 22.
We will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered.
And look at David, says, in verse 23, you shall not do.
So, my brother's with what the Lord has given us Isn't that
awesome? We're not going to give them
what we have recovered and in David comes and goes this is
God's. This is a Lords And David here
in this simple. Revelation of his thought
process shows us the great cure, the great cure against
covetousness jealousy Envy a lack of generosity or
Hospitality an unwillingness to extend a hand that might cost
you something. There's a great cure and it is
this very simple. You have to really believe that
everything you have is God's. That's it.
So many things fall off with that belief.
So many things are solved with that belief and you see it when
we get to 2nd Samuel, when we get 2 Chronicles, who knows when
especially Chronicles that mindset live with David until
his dying breath? He really believed it.
He believed that now when he was a fugitive and he believed it
when he had access to resources, that you could not even imagine
the whole time, you believe this is God's, this is God's.
I remember somebody long time ago, told me to take something
and give it to somebody else. and they just said, just give it
to them and just, you know, Just don't even say who it came from.
I said, okay? And when I went to the person, I
gave them that gift that person looked at me and thanked me and
I said, look, it didn't come from me and there was nothing in
my heart that was hesitant to extend it because it didn't even
belong to me. Anyway, I was just extending it.
I was just passing it along. It came from someone else.
And there's such a liberty and there was a joy, seeing the
person's Joy, but I knew who was the source of that.
Joy who was the person that contributed to this person's?
Ting and I was just there to experience.
I was just there to give it and to just see the see the person
feel and know that they have been blessed.
Okay. That's how you.
And I have to live with everything with absolutely
everything. Not only do you, do you feel a
liberty there? But you also know a humility
there. If I bought a cake for our
fellowship, this Sunday, I came down, open it up cut into pieces
and gave it to everybody and people start saying you're a
wonderful Chef. I'm not going to be able to take
that to my heart. I didn't.
Good thing I didn't bake at her maybe using the right
terminology. I bought it and I brought it to
you. This isn't mine.
I didn't purchase it. I just delivered it.
And so, if you have to do whatever you need to do to
instill this and embed this, in your mind.
Nothing belongs to me like tell yourself as much as you can.
Not Lord help me believe that. Nothing nothing really belongs
to me, and when you get there and you see slow victories,
small leaps of great. Great Conquest there.
And that belief system, you will know greater Liberty.
In generosity, Hospitality freedom from any type of
jealousy or lust for things. It's an incredible truth and
David is showing that here, but listen and closing David is
telling us a third possibility of why these men were Wicked and
worthless. You know why?
Perhaps you would debate me on this, but I believe one reason
is because these four hundred or at least some among them, not
all of them. Did not see the value or the
worth, from those 200. They did not calculate what they
brought to the table. They despise them, they want
nothing to do with them. And they fail to see how
dependent upon them. They actually were And perhaps
that. That in God's mind.
Cause them to be labeled as such You Don't See.
What they have to offer, you don't see that apart from them,
you could not be where you are now.
And David says, they they deserve just as much as you too.
You went to war. That's great.
But they stayed back and they watched over our stuff and they
risk their lives in a different way.
Their service is not less significant than yours.
Each of us deserve to be rewarded and that is an awesome
picture of how Jesus. Our captain views all of his
servants in whatever Ministry that God has called them to do.
And we often can fall into this same trap by by praising that
which is obvious. And under appreciating that
which we don't think plays a significant role in the
advancement of God's kingdom or blessings in our own lives
happens, a lot happens, directly happens indirectly, And I want
to just show you one example of how God thinks from the New
Testament and this is, this is the last verse reference for the
Bible study. This is going to, this is going
to encourage you. I hope and First Chronicles
rather Corinthians chapter 12 28, God list some gifts.
And perhaps you'd be amazed to see how he lists these gifts at
least in this passage of scripture.
And First Corinthians 1228. And God has appointed in the
church first apostles, second prophets third teachers, then
Miracles, then Gifts of healing. Helping administrating, and
various kinds of tongues. And most people come to this
verse and say, what are the various kinds of tongues?
I get the Curiosity. But maybe you're missing
something that's very, very significant.
Anything stand out to you year. Here's what stands out to me
that when Paul lists the gifts of healing.
Right away, he lists the gifts of helping. and so who do you
think would get more attention and appreciation in the church,
the one that has a gift that whoever you bring to and he
prays for God has some favor, that works through him that
people get healed or the one that helps in the background to
make the service a little bit, less distracting and more
graceful I think we know the answer to that.
God's mind. They're all important.
They're equally needed. They are just as much as gifts.
No matter what kind of power or what kind of miraculous
abilities behind? One God sees no greater one next
to the other. They're connecting forces that
are necessary for the overall health and the overall happiness
of the church. Gifts of helping gives of
helping, I find that amazing gifts of healing.
And then in the next breath, the gift of helping.
And whoever has the gift of helping.
Will be rewarded just as much as the one who is faithful as a
gift of a teacher. We have to believe that not just
for ourselves, but that when we come together and we see
somebody operating the gift of administration or the gift of
helping who who have an eye to see a need and move upon that
need, who are willing to be the first one to volunteer their
time or energy to contribute to a gap in the church.
When we see that we should, we should praise God.
The same way he Praises them in a verse just like this, for
example, And I wonder if these men back in David's story.
I wonder if they're, they're ugly Behavior. is because they
don't know the worth that each person offers in their own
group. And could it be that there are
people who cause trouble? Who caused issues within the
church family because they can't look and see that every person
in this place is needed and valuable.
When you have somebody who believes that, it's all about
them, and without them, nothing that person's going to cause
trouble that person's going to start saying stuff that person
is going to start bulldozing. And even causing some to depart.
And I know one thing about those who refuse to be part of a local
church, by the way, at least one thing.
Those who are quick to vocalize their disgust with the bride of
Christ, those who are quick to criticize and despise what she
has to offer. They don't understand that they
need that group of people to be more successful, in whatever God
has called them to do their our spiritual selves.
And David institutes a law from this.
I close here. It says, you're back in the
verses that we were covering and he and verse 25 made a statute
and a rule for Israel from that day.
For to this day, he made that a law.
He made that a law to solidify the unity of the people of
Israel. And I look what he does when
David came to ziklag, he sent part of the spoiled his friends.
The Elders of Judah saying here is a present for you from the
spoil, the enemies of the Lord and then he lists the different
towns and cities. So he goes, even Beyond his
immediate group, there were such a great spoil that he goes out
and he sends different packages to these different towns.
And he's exemplifying, what he's preaching.
What he is saying is law, what is so important to hold on to
his living it out. And the question is, why look at
verse 34, all the places where David and his men had roamed.
So, he is rewarding and blessing, those that throughout
his Wilderness, Trek, escaping and hiding from Saul, there are
certain people in the land of Judah who are hiding him and
taking care of him and providing for him and some time had
passed. But David had not forgotten, I'm
going to bless you for that. And so it wasn't just those who
had swords who fought that were rewarded.
It was those who even played a role to say we're going to just
take care of you for a night to we're going to we're going to
provide for you and your men here and David bless them
equally as he did to those who went out into battle and that's
the same picture that's the same.
God, God is going to reward things that are going to shock
us. Some telling you he's going to
reward people, they're going to shock us.
But he's especially going to reward a certain group of
people. And who's that group of people?
for all the places where David and his men had roamed, David
had reward his men. Yes, because of their great love
and care and concern when he was in his lowest point.
But David is going to reward these men because these men,
these groups of people, these families, these Elders did
something. They did something for David,
that very few people did when he was at this point in his
ministry and that was showing him loyalty.
Loyalty. They stuck by David when it was
unpopular. They stood by David when it
would cost them much, they stood by David.
When the arrest when the majority under Saul's Reign were
causing trouble for David. And reading this be encouraged.
That the Lord. We'll take into consideration
your loyalty and mind especially when it is a costly thing to be
associated with Jesus. What are you going to do?
What are you gonna do? What am I going to do?
When people that we love turned their backs on Christ?
What are we going to do when people forsake the ministry?
Will you be loyal? Help sell.
I want to tell you something, the longer become a Christian,
the sweeter it gets its true but also at the same time, it's
hard. It's hard.
And you will know it sooner, if you haven't realized that yet.
I was speaking to a group of people, most of them were young,
and I was preaching on a certain subject, and I had the, I had
the inclination that most of these people probably are not
going to get what I'm saying. And I had to say it out loud.
I said, some of you, I just have to stop and say, there's some of
you haven't lived long enough. You haven't been smashed by life
yet to understand what I'm saying.
So, remember what I'm saying? When it does happen though, just
continued on from there. And I'll say that to some here.
Not because your rebellious or Disobedience because you haven't
walked long enough. Yet, Paul said that through many
tribulations. We must enter the kingdom of
God. I was meditating on that verse
all afternoon today. Through many tribulations, we
must enter. That's Christians, many
tribulations. Do you know what that tells me?
And it dawned on me, it tells me this that the description of the
experience of the average Christian who has made Jesus
Christ Lord and Your is this many tribulations through life?
Not few not sporadic men. Many.
So all of us we have different giftings, different callings,
different backgrounds, different cultures.
Sure. One thing a common among many in
Christ. And this is this, many
tribulations, are you? And I going to walk through, you
know, what Christ is calling for, because he deserves it
loyalty. Loyalty.
Why? Because he's worthy as simple as
that, he is worthy. Would you tell him that he is
worthy today as we close? This Bible study Lord, we thank
you for this study. And these final verses of this
chapter, thank you for giving us the grace to receive these words
with attentive Minds though. We know that it is a difficult
time of the week for many who work all week.
But Lord, we pray that what we've heard, would have an
impact on our souls and we ask Lord Jesus.
Oh, help us in these times to know that you will look upon us
with great favor. When you see that we are
Overcomers in Jesus, help us be faithful.
Help us know that though, at this time there may not be great
reward, a reward is coming and Lord from the depths of our
heart. We admit that the greatest
reward is the smile on your face.
Nothing else means anything. We just ask Lord, that you would
prepare us for the tribulations that we have now and that will
come, we ask Lord that you would help us not be B.
Worthless. Or Wicked to wear one another.
But that old God, we would see the value that each of us have.
The role that we each play in each other's lives, open our
eyes to see it. We worship you tonight in this
place. We give you.
Glory and praise. Amen.