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2 Samuel 1 (Part 2) Bible Study | Pastor Daniel Batarseh · Bible Study with Pr. Daniel Batarseh | Verse by Verse Series | Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago

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Second Samuel, please meet me in your Bibles in that precious
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book that we began last week. Second Samuel.
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Chapter 1. And beginning, here in verse 17.
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Pray with me. Lord, we thank you again for
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this time and we thank you for your word.
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We know that this word is your voice.
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It is god-breathed and we pray that you would breed this word
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into our hearts, it would bring life to us.
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It would blow away all the things that should not remain in
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the heart of your temple. We ask Lord that you would
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sanctify us edify us build our faith.
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Lord in this, in this time, where things are so unknown,
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Lord, we We stand on the Promises of God.
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We come to your word for wisdom for Christ to be seen and for us
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to be conformed Into His Image. In Jesus name, we pray, amen.
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Last week we learned about the astounding response.
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Of David and his men when they received the news of Saul's
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death and to our surprise, what we saw was a man and his his
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fellow Warriors Express, genuine sorrow, genuine grief when that
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amalekite came and announced the death of Israel's King.
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And what we saw with David was morning, we saw that there was
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even fasting until the evening. We saw that there is this
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Contrition the sense of Brokenness over the humiliation,
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even if they're sworn enemy, And if you and I were perplexed by
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the honour that David showed in that moment with his men
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prepared to be challenged further as we discover what he
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will do in the rest of this chapter.
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David's honor of Saul will exceed that of emotional
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distress as heartfelt as that is.
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He will, he will come to a point now where he will make his, his
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pain and his love for saw and for Jonathan, and for Israel
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public. He's going to make it known.
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He's actually going to etch it in a way that it would.
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It would remain as a memorial for generations and that is
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significant concerning the history that Saul and David had.
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So, as you come to this portion of the book, you will see that
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David writes, a, an elegy, a type of poem that is a
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reflection of deep deep meditation concerning, someone's
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death, and it's a lament. It's a formal way of expressing
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a genuine thing going on in the heart, concerning someone, or
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some people. And that's what the rest of this
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chapter is really dedicated to this song.
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And it's a unique one in the Old Testament.
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So unique that it is it is it is written in a book.
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As you see here in verse 18 called The Book of Jewish are
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That's a book that's not found in our Bibles but it's reference
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more than once in our Bibles. And it's really this this type
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of book that holds accounts of significant moments in Israel's
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history and one of those moments of Israel's history that is to
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be remembered and to be meditated upon is Saul's death.
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Saul and his son Jonathan's downfall.
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So this is important. It's so important to God that he
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didn't just leave it in the Book of Joshua, that's not in the
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Canon of scripture. He takes that out of all the
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things that are written that book and he includes it in holy
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writ. There's something that the Lord
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wants us to learn from this personal lament by David for the
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people of Israel for you. And I today and this time of
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History, That's what God wants us to know.
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And so we look at this and we think to ourselves before we
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even enter into the text, That there is something about David's
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character here already. I mean, let's just read the
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first two verses verse 17 and David lamented with this
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limitation over Saul and Jonathan his son and he said it
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should be taught to the people of Judah.
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Behold it is written in the book of just char.
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Why did they do this? Any idea?
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Why David is doing this? and he Clues any Potential
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motives to why David would actually take the time to write
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not about not. Okay?
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If it was just Jonathan, I would understand.
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But what's all really you actually going to write a
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tribute to Saul? Yes.
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There's something to learn about Saul and his downfall that would
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be beneficial to the people of God.
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I agree with that. Yes.
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Okay, very good. So there's something to learn
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from David's interaction, which saw throughout his time with
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Saul, that he thinks the people of God can actually learn and
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grow from, I think there's something there.
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Anything else any reasons? There's a genuine love that he
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has for Saul. I think that's a legitimate
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motive. It might be a surprise, anyone,
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but it is a legitimate one and the other reason and the other
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ideas. Yes.
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Yes. The position.
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Yes, so there's there's a prophetic element to this very
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likely, very good answers. Any other one before we move on
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into this taxed, Anything else? Yeah, yes.
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Very good point. I mean, David was an interesting
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figure. You'll notice David, whenever it
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came to to death people's death. He really, he was really broken
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over those deaths and you're going to see in second Samuel,
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one portion. I believe the reason why David
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was so sensitive to the death of others is because he had an
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understanding of Eternity. I believe that we see it in the
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Psalms he was a prophet, he had he had a I believe he was a New
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Covenant type of believer, living in the old Covenant, he
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had a revelation of that and so there is something there that we
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should be broken over the death of the wicked.
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We should be broken over that. Yes, very good, very great
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perspective action. Anything else?
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Well, look. Some might say that this is a
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strategic thing that this is David trying to make his heart
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known to his own people. So that there would be no
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confusion about the fact that he has anything against all on a
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personal level saw might have had personal things against
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David, but David wants to make sure that there is no harbored
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bitterness. There's no anger.
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There's no malice toward Saul, he actually he actually wants to
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show. This is a man that I truly loved
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and cared for But I believe it's not merely that I don't even
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think. That's the main reason though.
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That could be one reason I believe.
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The simple fact is that he is sincerely broken.
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He's sincerely remorseful about what happened to the king and
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what happened to his friend and what happened to the glory of
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Israel. And so he is about to express
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that in a very beautiful way, but think about it in this way,
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as well, what did Saul's death mean for David's future?
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You become king. I mean the red carpet is laid
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out. The one obstacle in your way is
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now removed. You are right there at the
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threshold of God's promise and your destiny.
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The very thing that has been prolonged for so many years is
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now. Here Saul is gone.
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Your throne is now vacant. It's available.
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You can have it now, when you think about it, that way, we see
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the character of this, man, because instead of rejoicing in
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that fact, he is, he is weeping. He's crushed, he smashed.
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And the reason why is because this man instead of celebrating
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at the opportunity that this tragedy created for him.
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He steps back and laments, the loss of a man who was created in
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the image of God. He steps back and he realizes
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the contempt that will come to God's people because of the
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failure of the leader over God's people.
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See what you see here about. David is a man who has his
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priorities right more than his ambition more than his comfort
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more than his position. He had the good of man and the
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glory of God before him. That is the mark of the greatest
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men and women of God in this book and throughout church
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history, whether they are known or unknown, you see it with
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Moses when they break that law, that wasn't even delivered.
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On those tablets yet, they were dancing around a golden calf.
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God, expresses his anger to Moses and he tests Moses, at the
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same time he goes, hey, I'm paraphrasing.
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Why don't we just get rid of these guys once and for all and
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I'll make it people out of you. That's, that's a pretty
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remarkable offer. In essence, what God is saying
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is I'm willing to remove Abraham as the father of this people and
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make you the father of a new people.
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How does that sound Moses? You know what?
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Moses says, no way. Because the Nations will say you
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only brought these people out to destroy them, the Nations will
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think that you weren't able to bring them through that, you are
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able to preserve them. I will not accept because I have
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your glory in mind more than my own.
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And here, you see, David showing at least by this moment of
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reflecting upon Saul reflecting upon his friend and the glory of
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Israel, the glory of God, that Thrones and palaces there in the
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backseat, there are not priority in my life.
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They don't mean to me as much as God's reputation means to me.
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And so I'm going to be broken. And this is something that you
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and I should reflect on our own lives and our own Outlook in
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life. Where is man's salvation?
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And my priority list, where is God's glory and my priority
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list. Does it affect me?
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If something offends me, or is removed from me?
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More than what would offend God? And remove him from being
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glorified and exalted? You'd be amazed to know, be
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amazed to know, what would offend people.
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And how it relates to their lack of concern for what offends God?
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So we come into this text and what do we read in verse 17
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David lamented with this limitation over Saul and
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Jonathan his son and he said that it should be taught to the
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people of Judah. I love that.
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It should be taught. He wants the men of Judah.
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Those are men from whose tribe. His tribe.
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He's teaching the closest ones to him.
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I'm going to show you what it looks like to honor even your
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enemies. I'm going to show you what it's
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like to respect. I'm going to show you what it's
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like to be a true lover of people.
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And so he's going to teach them and though this man was deeply
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broken over the death of this, man.
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Of this royal family, really it's so obvious that there was
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some soul reflection during this morning.
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It's so obvious that he was contemplating and he was putting
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things together and he arrived at certain conclusions.
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He arrived at certain conclusions with this tragic
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event and he desired for his people to learn from his Lament.
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And I think that's an incredible point when you really meditate
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on it. Because if you are a child of
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God then this is your assurance. That pain that sorrow that grief
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that Affliction has something to teach you as well.
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If you're willing to believe it, if you're willing to believe it,
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then the loss great loss no matter what kind of loss it is,
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can actually be great gain when you're walking hand-in-hand with
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the Lord Jesus Christ. David learned some things during
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this time as our brother said and he wants to teach it.
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And I want to tell you today, that one of the great privileges
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of walking with the Lord is that even in the most miserable
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moments, there is something to be gained, there is something to
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be received. There's something to learn and
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it is incredible. What kind of Revelation that you
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and I can arrive at when we endure tragedy?
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You know, in my own life, I can tell you that certain truths in
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the word of God, that may have been kind of irrelevant.
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That the didn't seem to kind of speak to me suddenly became very
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loud and applicable Because now my heart has been opened.
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My ears are now our signal to certain promises and principles
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that seem to have no significance when things were
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going very well. A lot of us want to know.
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Jesus personally be careful. Be careful of that request
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because when we say we want to know Jesus we want to know him
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in the way. Paul said he was wanting to know
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him and the power of his resurrection.
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But remember there was a second part, The Fellowship of what his
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sufferings we want the good stuff, we want the testimonies,
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we want the glory, And there's another dimension, which Jesus
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will pull you into suffering so that you can do a fellowship
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with him. You want to know what?
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It's like to be like me. You want to know what?
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It's like to know me. Then here's some suffering.
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Here's some betrayal. Here's some accusation.
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Here's some, here's some loss. And in those moments things in
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the scriptures promises principles become very real.
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You think about it to the sincerity of our trust in God,
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is often tested is a not. When we try to withstand certain
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things that try to overwhelm us and sweep us off our feet in
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those moments. There's that question.
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Become more real than any other time do.
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I really believe God. Do I really believe God you'd be
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amazed to know how kind of what kind of Revelation comes with
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idolatry and suffering that when things are removed from us or
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things are taken or whatever the case may be, oftentimes what is
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revealed is an is an over-dependence or attachment to
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that thing. And then we realized this wasn't
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just something, I love this was something I worshiped.
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This is something that I adored more than God.
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And it's in Lost. Sometimes it's it's in tragedy
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where those things are revealed. What about the comfort of God?
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The comfort of God, a special touch from the Lord that only
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deep pain can make you available to where he finds very
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incredible. Ways of embracing you mysterious
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means by which he makes his his attention towards you known.
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And you know that God is holding you.
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There is indeed much gain to have in pain.
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This man learned some things and he wants to teach some things
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based off his pain and for a wise, then we also will learn
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The laments of others. We will learn from the tragedies
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that others have experienced so that we too would be better
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prepared when it comes our way or we too will learn how to
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avoid when people experience self inflicting pain because of
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sin or other things in life that is wisdom.
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And because we want to be a wise people, we will look at a text
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like this and position ourselves to learn what God has taught
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David to teach us. So that we can, we can be better
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prepared. And so let's learn and verse 19.
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What are we read? Your glory, Your Glory, our
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Israel is slain on your high places.
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How the mighty have fallen. That is the chorus of the song.
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That is the refrain. How the mighty have fallen.
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Look at verse 25, how the mighty have fallen?
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Look at verse 27, how the mighty have fallen?
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That's the theme. That's what that's what the holy
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spirit is trying to hammer in the hearts of God's people.
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Now, what's incredible about this song is that David does not
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go. The route of disclosing Saul's
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sins. You will not find one place in
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this text where he tries to expose any faults.
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That came from Saul quite the opposite, he's covering it.
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He is he is he is putting it behind a veil of Of commendation
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and praise and honor. So when we read, how the mighty
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have fallen David doesn't tell us necessarily how because
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that's not his intent but you and I know how you and I know
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how and this is extremely beneficial for us.
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Because what we learn from this song immediately, is that it is
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possible. Listen, that the mighty of the
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mightiest can fall Can fall. They have fallen, they can fall,
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and it is possible to avoid a fall.
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Saw was mighty for different reasons.
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Look at verse 23. It says here in the second part
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they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than than
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than Lyons speaking about a military prowess.
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This is speaking about an agility in a strategy that is
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that is unmatched. And he is trying to trying to
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show that they were successful and what they were called to do
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to a certain extent. But here's the point, no ability
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or agility of body and mind can overcome The destructive
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consequences that's in Longs to bring upon the children of God.
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Sin does not respect your position.
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I could care less sin does not care about your achievements.
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Sin does not hesitate to do what it wants to do.
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When it realizes your, your wonderful family life.
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What kind of ministry you have? or even how theologically sound
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you may be sin has one desire and that is to destroy and to
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destroy to the uttermost and the mighty of the mightiest have
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been victims to sin, though. It could have been avoided.
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It could care less again of anything else.
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Other than a heart that knows God and fears.
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God, it is Relentless. It is Relentless to destroy your
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reputation. It is Relentless to destroy your
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relationships. It is Relentless to destroy even
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your resources. It wants to burn it all down.
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And the mighty have fallen. And if we are aware of the goal
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of sin, we won't be so comfortable with it.
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If we see that it is this deceiving and has destructive
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force, then we will not be so comfortable with it.
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And the Bible gives us so many clear examples of how the mighty
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over the years have indeed fallen and solves case it was
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Pride. Can I give you another one that
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has littered history? Of Mighty Men, Mighty woman to
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be slain. Here's one example, it's in the
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Book of Proverbs. It's in Chapter 7 It's in verse
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25. The Bible says in Proverbs 7:25
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let not your heart. Turn aside to her ways, do not
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stray into her paths. For many of victim, she has laid
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low and all her. Slain are a mighty throng.
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Understand what that means, right?
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A throng simply means a multitude of assembled peoples.
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And here's what the holy spirit is saying.
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The context is adultery, the context is lust being satisfied.
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And the scripture is clear, mistresses.
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Have brought down geniuses. Have brought down record
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Breakers. Have brought down strongman
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Heroes and even theologians there.
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Have been a wreckage over time both for men and women.
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My teeth wrong, not even just Unknown People, But Mighty
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people. Famous people, loved people have
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been slain by this, and this is just one example.
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And, you know where it all began.
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Look at the verse. Clearly in verse 25, let not
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your heart, turn aside to her, that's where it all starts.
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That's where it all starts. No matter how a mighty a man is
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externally, no matter what kind of Feats he has done, no matter
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what kind of accolades he has no matter what he has done with
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these hands, with this mind with, with his feet with his
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strength, if he doesn't know how to conquer the Heart, by the
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power of the Holy Spirit. He will be a victim soon enough.
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Let not your heart those who are giving to the sin of lust.
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Those are given to the sin of adultery those who are given to
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the sin of pornography. They don't have a hormone issue,
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they have a heart issue. One hundred percent of the time.
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And if if a man doesn't have the Revelation that I must inwardly
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subdue Myself by God's power, then there is no telling where I
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will go outwardly. If a man does not realize that
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Great Falls begin within before they happen outside.
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Then they will indeed fall. And the mightier, they are the
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greater the fall. It happened, the song, it all
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started with a jealous thought and I went downhill from there.
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Happened to David, it started with one glance, and he didn't
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kill that thing. When it was a suggestion, it
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became illicit sex. And it led to his fall as well.
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How the mighty have fallen how sad it is to think about that.
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There would be those whether we don't see it necessarily but How
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we would say the same of him years later.
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After this point, And so the mighty can fall, that's the
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first lesson but we move on to verse 20.
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Tell her not in gath publish it, not in the streets of Ashkelon
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less, the daughters of the Philistines Rejoice less the
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daughters of the uncircumcised exalt.
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He goes on to say, Do not publicize.
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What just took place? We have to censor this.
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We can't let it be known in the cities.
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The main cities of the Philistines Ashkelon in gath.
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We cannot let it come to the streets so that they would
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parade and they would celebrate what just happened to our
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leadership, and, to our people. And this is David giving a wise
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charge to the people of God. Not to give the news of the
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mighty who have fallen to the enemies of our God.
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For what reason. So that.
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So that the daughters of the Philistines which is a
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synonymous way of understanding the world would be able to
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Rejoice over And have greater reason to.
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Be strengthened in their unbelief and in the might of
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their idols and their gods. We want to avoid that David
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saying there's no reason to fuel it.
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There's no reason to give him more ammunition to work with and
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this is for our instructions, some Christians foolishly, bring
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the issues and the Affairs within the church to the
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unbelieving. Before dealing it with the
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people of God before, dealing it among the saints.
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And in 1st Corinthians 6, Paul gives clear instructions about
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that and he actually calls such Behavior shameful shameful.
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It's shameful for the people of God, to bring the problems
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within the household of God to those who do not belong to God.
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And he's very clear Whenever there are difficulties among
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members and then lawyers are contacted, and then court dates
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are set, no matter what a brother may have one over
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another brother. No matter what kind of Victory,
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he may claim to have in the natural know this.
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It is always a win for Satan. Every time I mean, Paul is so
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concerned about the testimony of the church that he says might as
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well, even if you are in the right 100%, even though you can
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counter-attack, even though you can gain something lose it, just
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give it up. Just just let them have it for
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the sake of Christ, name for the sake of his glory.
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Because what we do when we when we actually make what has
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happening in here, public and I'm not saying on the news, I'm
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saying, even just in our own worlds, we testify to the world
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that we are unable to resolve and reconcile.
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According to the principles of God's word, it doesn't work.
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God's word doesn't work to bring situations to rest.
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We need the world's wisdom and the world's courts to deal with
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ours issues. What kind of testimony puzzle?
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What kind of testimony is that might, as well give it all Go
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away for the sake of Christ name, unfortunately, many, many
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Believers. Don't even think about it like
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that. It's about me.
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It's about me being, right? It's about me being satisfied,
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but me, having gained, but so many things are solved.
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Listen, so many things in life can be solved.
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So many issues can be avoided when God's glory is our most
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desire. So many fights can be avoided.
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So much money can be saved. So many phone calls can be
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avoided if we just give it to God's glory.
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But I don't think that's the main point of what he's saying
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here, when he says tell it not in gath because do we really
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believe that David didn't know that the Philistines knew about
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Saul's death? Is it really think that they're
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not going to know about it and not just know about it but
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celebrate him and make a whole hoopla about it?
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No, he is fully aware of it. So then why is instructing his
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Brethren not to say anything about it.
28:59
And I believe it's this, that the Israelites though this would
29:03
become public knowledge. Must be aware of how of how they
29:08
speak. About the fall of their leaders,
29:12
more than not mentioning it at all.
29:13
Yes, primarily we want to be very careful, not to share the
29:17
sins of the church when it doesn't warrant it.
29:20
But that is that is that is not always the case.
29:23
There are some sins that are so serious and they become so known
29:26
and so public that they cannot be ignored.
29:28
And when it comes to that from within and from outside,
29:33
Believers must know how to communicate and express such
29:36
issues and Redemptive ways. And Redemptive ways.
29:40
What do I mean by that? Unfortunately, there are some
29:43
professing Christians that are just as exhilarated by the news
29:47
of a recent Scandal than the unbelieving world.
29:52
They're just as quick to share that.
29:54
Then the gospel maybe even more than the gospel.
29:58
And for some, they find personal benefit in that, there's some
30:01
kind of Glee to know that somebody has fallen and pointing
30:05
people to the failures of others because there's something to, to
30:09
be known in that. And our day, I think it's
30:10
YouTube views. I look at some YouTube stuff and
30:14
I said if these channels were just as eager to share the
30:18
glories of Jesus Christ, instead of just updating the world about
30:21
how, the how the church is inconsistent and failing.
30:24
We probably see much more fruit but oh, we want the, we want the
30:30
fame and we want, we know what what brings people in and I
30:34
won't even get into that. There are others who are
30:36
envious. There are others who are jealous
30:38
of other ministers Ministries. People.
30:41
And so whenever there is a sin issue, they take advantage of it
30:44
to smear those names further and to destroy their credibility.
30:46
So that they would be the sought-after ones and they would
30:49
be the ones. I would be seen as holy and they
30:51
would be the scene, the ones as the ones that are to be
30:54
reliable. It's a scary world.
30:55
We live in. It's a scary world.
30:57
We live in. And the reason why I bring these
30:59
as outlandish as that might sound, then explain to me the
31:03
scriptures that call the believer to cover sin.
31:07
And to forgive, and Jesus instruction to go one by one.
31:11
Then two to that same person or three and, and make it as
31:14
private as possible before the sin becomes more known.
31:20
It's incredible how God's mind is and we have to align
31:23
ourselves by the, by the grace of God, tell it not in gath,
31:26
don't publish this to the world, but let us be wise.
31:30
And if it does come to that point, let us let us be broken
31:33
over it. And let us let us declare the
31:36
gospel through it and let us point to the Perfection of Jesus
31:40
if it does happen. Look at verse 21 you mountains
31:46
of gilboa. Let there be no do nor rain upon
31:49
you nor fields of offerings for their The Shield of Mighty of
31:53
the mighty was defiled. The Shield of Saul not Anointed
31:56
with oil. So David.
31:59
This something interesting. Now, he turns his attention to
32:01
the mountains of gilboa. Why?
32:02
Mountains of gilboa That's where Saul died.
32:07
That's where his men died. That's where his sons died.
32:10
And he looks to the mountains and it's almost as though he's
32:14
pronouncing a curse. And it's not really a literal
32:18
curse. Some say it is, but I think it's
32:20
a poetic way of calling the mountains of gilboa to mourn.
32:23
The tragedy of what took place on their Hills. see, David is
32:28
even Desiring creation to reflect to physically reflect
32:33
the baroness and the loss that Israel has experienced by the
32:37
death of Saul and his sons and so there's an appeal even to
32:43
Creation to join in the Brokenness that Israel is
32:47
experiencing and it's bigger than just a picture of the
32:51
magnitude of this event. Listen, what he's asking for on
32:56
the mountains of gilboa is a reflection of the consequences
32:59
of what took place in Saul's life with his sin.
33:04
Think about it. You mountains of gilboa, let
33:07
there be no Dew or rain upon you nor fields of offerings first.
33:12
Here's what we understand that. If you and I or anybody
33:16
persistence in persists in are wrong and we're stubborn and we
33:19
ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit, Saul did we to
33:23
become Barren and desolate we close ourselves off to the
33:28
blessings of Heaven that make us fruitful and and make us give
33:35
something to those around us. Just like the vegetation, the
33:39
life of these Hills would offer to the people of Israel.
33:42
And so we see here that early on in Saul's life, we enjoy the
33:47
fragrance of his humility. We saw something of his
33:50
peacemaking ability and we were blessed by that but over time
33:53
since eroded his soul and those things, shriveled up, dried
33:58
died. And in all for a sudden, there
34:00
is a void of the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the presence of
34:03
desolation dust. Death.
34:10
And so, even the mountains of gilboa being Barren and being
34:13
empty, of fruit, is a reflection of what happened to Saul and his
34:16
life. And that's because sin enters
34:19
in, and it does that too not just saw, but all of us but,
34:23
secondly, look at this. We learned something else here
34:25
when he says the fields of offerings, Are those for men or
34:30
for God? Gilboa was obviously a location
34:35
that offered crops corn and wheat and then and then those
34:39
things would play a part in funding, the sacrificial system
34:44
in the Tabernacle because there were grain offerings that were
34:47
given and look what David is saying.
34:50
Let there be such a curse upon the mountains of gilboa.
34:54
That there would be nothing to even offer to the Lord.
34:57
That there would be nothing to offer in the Tabernacle that God
35:00
would not receive anything from it.
35:01
Now, why would that be? Why would that even be a
35:04
request? And it's because there's a
35:05
connection. There's a connection between the
35:08
mountains of gilboa, not being able to bear fruit.
35:14
And Saul's life being a failure to walk with the Lord uprightly
35:20
and not being able to give him. What is his due?
35:22
And that is true worship. You see what David is trying to
35:26
communicate. Is this the gravest consequence
35:28
that comes from our sin? Is that it robs god of the
35:33
worship and honor that he deserves.
35:35
That's the primary thing. And in the same way that this
35:39
mountain has nothing to offer God because it's Barren sin
35:43
dampens, our ability to offer the Lord true worship from our
35:47
lives. That was true saw.
35:51
That is true of us. She got what he wants to do is
35:54
what he what he intended for the mountains of gilboa.
35:56
That rain would come from heaven.
35:59
And what would come from Heaven, would then produce something in
36:01
those mountains, and those mountains would bless men and
36:03
bless God and return. That is a picture of our
36:06
relationship with the Lord. That is a picture of what true
36:08
Holiness is. It's not trying to muster up
36:11
strength to produce something. It's God pouring out his Spirit
36:13
on us as we open our hearts to him, as we become God's Abode
36:18
and the Holy Spirit is not grieved.
36:19
But richly, dwells in us and then fruit is produced and man
36:25
and God are blessed. Unfortunately, the ugly picture
36:28
here is the sad fate of song. Barren, empty void, nothing to
36:36
offer. Then we read on, do we not?
36:42
Next to versus look at this. From the blood of the slain,
36:46
from the fat of the Mighty, the bow of Jonathan turn, not back
36:50
and the sort of Saw return not empty Saul and Jonathan beloved
36:55
and lovely in life. And in death, they were not
36:59
divided, they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than
37:03
Lions you Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you
37:07
luxuriously in Scarlet? Who put ornaments of gold on
37:10
your repairable apparel? Listen up to this point.
37:14
There have been many That are important to very many things
37:16
that are even touching but there is nothing to me that is more
37:19
startling than the words that we just read.
37:24
And only those who have studied over the week's maybe in your
37:27
personal life or with us who have studied the relationship
37:31
between Saul and David can understand why.
37:36
Because David now turns to Saul and he Praises him.
37:42
He Praises him in a way that almost doesn't make sense.
37:46
You almost get the immediate impression that maybe David is
37:50
exaggerating a little bit. If he said those things about
37:53
Jonathan amen that's a touching tribute but he's including
37:58
sullenness. Think about it.
38:00
You've heard about saw week after week for months.
38:04
I don't know about you but the two first words that come to
38:06
mind about salt are not What, beloved, lovely.
38:17
Are you sure? Is this, like some facade?
38:21
Something that you do at a funeral where you just say nice
38:24
things because you got it, the guys in the casket.
38:27
And there are morning people and so you want to make them feel
38:29
good. Can you say that?
38:34
Not only that in life and in death, they were not divided.
38:39
I can point you to a scripture where they were, David.
38:46
I don't think David is exaggerating here.
38:47
I don't think he's telling a lie.
38:49
I don't think he's trying to put some makeup on this.
38:53
I believe what David is doing is he is choosing to focus on the
38:57
earlier part of Saul's life where he was effective as a king
39:04
and where his character did shine brighter than it did in
39:07
his latter years. And he wants to turn people's
39:10
attention to what he has done instead of what he's failed to
39:13
do. There was a point where he was
39:17
lovely. There was a point where he was
39:18
beloved. And yeah, David and Jonathan
39:21
although they were there were hiccups in their relationships
39:24
significant ones, I mean they died on the battlefield
39:27
together. And they were connected in their
39:31
lives to certain extent. And even calls A Daughters of
39:36
Israel, verse 24 to weep over Saul because there was a time
39:40
where his success is a leader, personally affected them.
39:42
He even had a he had an effect on the economy of Israel where
39:45
they were able to live luxuriously.
39:47
And so he's calling everybody, turn your attention on the good
39:50
that this man has done. Focus on what he was able to do
39:55
not what he failed to do. But I think the lesson is deeper
39:58
than that. What I learned from this.
40:02
Especially with the backdrop of Solomon David's relationship
40:04
with one. Another is that in, David's
40:07
mind, respect was not only measured by his unwillingness to
40:13
murder saw when he had the chance.
40:17
But it was also manifested in his refusal.
40:21
To slaughter his reputation with his words.
40:28
Being a righteous man. You know how David thinks how
40:31
true righteous person thinks? He knew that his speech was just
40:35
as sharp as an actual sword. He knew that he was equally
40:43
responsible. To manage the tongue.
40:49
Then to not wield the sword at the wrong time.
40:54
And you see, just because something is true about a person
40:57
doesn't mean that it's always beneficial or necessary.
41:02
To speak those truths out or to rehearse them in our own lives.
41:08
David here understands the situation and in great wisdom,
41:12
he knows how to reserve certain things and that is what it means
41:17
to be a person of Honor. That is what it means to be
41:20
christ-like with this muscle and between our two sets of teeth.
41:28
What a Mighty example to the men of Judah.
41:32
And what a revelation that David presents to us.
41:35
You don't have to kill a man with a gun.
41:39
You can do it over Twitter. You don't have to destroy a
41:43
person with a sword. You can just do it with a few
41:46
sentences. And maybe this is a time to be
41:51
very practical to some people in here who can't stop rehearsing
41:55
the pain caused by other people. Who can't stop talking about it
42:00
with others. In fact, there are some people
42:04
today, even in the church, that once that person who has
42:08
offended them early on in life, pass on, they still talk about
42:11
them. The guy is dead.
42:15
They've moved on. Why don't you why don't you?
42:20
Why don't why don't, you know, the freedom of being able to
42:25
even honor somebody when they are not necessarily worthy of
42:28
it? To respect as our sister said
42:31
Somebody's position. Especially that's what David is
42:34
really doing. He's honoring the position, how
42:36
God anointed this man. And he sees it through that
42:40
lens. You know, the Bible is deep.
42:44
Do you agree with that? I believe it's so deep.
42:48
I've been swimming in it for 10 years and I haven't reached the
42:51
shore. And you will to every person
42:54
will if they really did legitly study.
42:55
But there are some times where the Bible is so straightforward
42:57
and I thank God for that. So practical, so in your face,
43:02
that you just look at it and you're not saying, wow, because
43:04
there's something deeply like, wow, that was pretty
43:06
straightforward. Can I show you one scripture
43:09
that that attest to that reality?
43:11
It's a simple verse. I read it the other week
43:13
actually and I looked and I said, oh wow, that's that's
43:16
pretty interesting. Lord, you are wise.
43:20
You are so insightful and it deals with just details of life
43:24
that you. And I wouldn't think there's a
43:25
verse about. Let me show it to you.
43:27
It's in Ecclesiastes 7. And verse 21.
43:33
Look how this verse even relates to what we're speaking about.
43:40
Ecclesiastes, 7 verse 21. I'll give you a few seconds to
43:44
turn there. Maybe you'll have the same
43:47
reaction I did. Do not take to heart.
44:00
All the things that people say we can have Revival right now.
44:07
Do not take to heart. I'm going to counseling
44:11
sessions. You have based on this failing
44:14
to be observed. Do not take the heart.
44:16
All the things that people say, why lest you hear your servant
44:20
cursing? You well that's what we want to
44:22
know. I want to know who curses me.
44:27
I want to know who says one thing to me in my face and
44:29
another thing behind my back, Why not Lord Lee tells us your
44:35
heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed, others?
44:41
Isn't that humbling? Do you know why?
44:47
Because you've done it in your own heart.
44:52
You might have not done with your lips, you might have not
44:54
posted about you. Not might not written a nasty
44:56
email, but your own heart. You've expressed frustration.
45:02
You've said some things. How about this one?
45:07
Something happened and then like two weeks later, you think about
45:10
something like I wish I said that I wish I said it that way.
45:14
What it got him. Don't don't take to heart all
45:18
the things that people say let it go.
45:21
Don't be so offended. Don't Harbor it don't meditate
45:25
and rehearse it remember, what was, what was Saul's issue with
45:28
David? Not just him trying to kill him.
45:30
There was slander about David, that fueled Saul's hatred, this
45:34
man was so set free from it. I'm not saying it's because of
45:38
what's Happening Here in Ecclesiastes.
45:40
I believe this matter genuine love for Saul but but even for
45:43
those That we may find very difficult to love and get along
45:47
with this still applies. Just let it go.
45:51
It's possible for the Holy Spirit to do such a work in you
45:55
where you can bury the offenses of man.
45:59
Forever. Like, in a real way, and I
46:05
believe David is arrive there. It's so obvious in this song and
46:09
at the same time, David does not speak about Saul in a way where
46:12
he exaggerated his goodness, either yet, he overlooks his
46:16
faults, but there is not one place in the song where he
46:18
speaks about Saul spirituality, He doesn't want to say, what a
46:23
man of God saw was and all the Psalms that he wrote, none of
46:26
those things existed. Very realistic, very honest yet.
46:31
At the same time, he was still able, he was still able to
46:34
overlook the offense in this man.
46:38
I think that's so powerful because you you can't even
46:42
imagine the bondage that people are in. the bondage that people
46:47
are in in their walk with the Lord because they can't just be
46:50
free from that and they can't really forgive David forgave.
46:57
David was free out of the abundance of the heart, the
46:59
mouth speaks. And he still honest.
47:05
So honest that he's he ends by giving a special tribute to
47:09
Jonathan, not this all anybody who read this in Israel's
47:12
timelines. You and I would read an hour
47:14
with see that there is obviously a connection that David Howard,
47:18
Jonathan that he did not have with Saul, and that's just the
47:21
reality of it. And so, it look how he ends in
47:23
verse 25 down. How the mighty have fallen in
47:26
the midst of the battle. Jonathan lies.
47:28
Slain, on your high places. I am distressed for you.
47:31
My brother Jonathan very pleasant.
47:34
You have been to me. Your love to me was
47:36
extraordinary surpassing the love of women, how the mighty
47:41
have fallen and the weapons of war perished.
47:46
Let me end by asking you a question.
47:48
What do you get out of that verse?
47:50
What do you get out of Jonathan lies?
47:52
Slain on your high places and the rest of it?
47:54
What speaks to you? What Revelation comes to you
47:57
with these truths? Here's what comes to my mind.
48:05
At least three things 1. That we can know meaningful.
48:13
And satisfying relationships with other people.
48:19
David really meant it when he says that very pleasant you have
48:22
been to me this man. After God's heart was still able
48:27
to enjoy and know a delight in others whose Hearts were also
48:32
connected to God. That's why he writes in psalm 16
48:35
3 asks for the Saints of the land who are the excellent ones
48:40
in whom is all my delight. All my delight are in the Saints
48:44
of the land. Not to say that they exceed that
48:48
of my delight in God, but that I recognize God in the Saints.
48:54
And I am able to Relish in them and enjoy them and praise God
48:58
for them and Jonathan was one of those Saints.
49:01
You should not feel guilty of knowing deep pleasure from
49:05
horizontal relationships with others.
49:08
It's a gift. Jonathan the name was what does
49:11
anybody remember? That should have been a quiz
49:14
question. Who remembers what Jonathan
49:17
means. Pastor.
49:24
Given by God. Given by God. and David felt the
49:30
loss of this gift when that gift was taken from him, And you and
49:34
I have the permission. To praise God for people and I
49:40
hope you have people in your lives that bring much delight to
49:44
you. Secondly, not just that we can
49:49
do meaningful. And gratification and horizontal
49:54
relationships, but we can Know Rich relationships outside of
49:57
marriage. Wow.
50:00
Who would have thought life? Doesn't begin.
50:04
When you get married? It's Jonathan espouse the David
50:12
know Jonathan is a friend. And his own words.
50:17
He confesses that the love. He knew from Jonathan surpassed
50:19
that of woman. Now, there is unfortunately.
50:24
A warped mind and many. As you've heard me say before
50:29
that come to this text to say that, for David to say these
50:32
things about, Jonathan must mean that they had a romantic
50:35
relationship. And this is where the homosexual
50:38
Community often go to as a proof text.
50:43
Many obvious reasons why that is wrong.
50:48
But for them to give that commentary for this text is
50:52
actually commentary on our culture that our culture is so
50:57
overly sexualized, that it cannot comprehend the
51:01
possibility of knowing meaningful relationships, unless
51:04
it is sexual. It has to be sexual for it to be
51:10
impactful. It has to be sexual if it's
51:12
going to be meaningful. And so for the eyes of the
51:16
flesh, to read that into this text is a testimony of the fact
51:21
that man apart from God does not know true love.
51:28
And I think this is an encouraging point for those who
51:31
desire, the gift of marriage but are not realizing the other
51:34
gifts outside of marriage. You can know.
51:40
Binding, wonderful blessings from those who are not wearing
51:46
the wedding ring that you gave him.
51:51
And if you are married, that person should be the most
51:54
significant person in your life. The friendship that you enjoy
51:56
the most, but for those who are outside of that Covenant, can
51:59
you see here that it is possible to know someone else?
52:04
To know someone else and to be so blessed by them.
52:08
That you can sing about it. David proves that.
52:15
And I think there's another thing to say to is that I must
52:17
say, doesn't help that David wasn't walking in God's will in
52:20
the context of marriage, right? How many wives did he have up to
52:24
this point? To, he's going to add more later
52:27
on. And so, I wonder if David didn't
52:31
know the true fulfillment of marriage because he didn't honor
52:33
God's blueprint for marriage. I think there's something to say
52:38
about that. Whenever you and I do anything
52:42
that God has a blueprint for. And we dishonor that blueprint,
52:46
we know, Less of what God intends for us to know we enjoy
52:51
less of what God wants us to enjoy.
52:54
And perhaps David could not see the true satisfaction in
52:57
marriage because he did not honor God's principles for
52:59
marriage and that is true for every facet of Life.
53:02
Lastly, if David could describe such pure and holy genuine Joy,
53:09
With a person that was in his spouse with a person that wasn't
53:15
in any way. Sexual with then, what makes us
53:20
fail to believe that we can know Supreme satisfaction in our
53:25
relationship with our creator. What makes you and I so hesitant
53:32
to trust that I can know Christ in such a way that it can super
53:38
extend any relationship in this life.
53:44
For some people, it's a Jesus Is My Savior but I really enjoy my
53:50
wife. More than Jesus.
53:53
I love my kids and their presence and what they offer to
53:56
me and my life more than Jesus. If such a man, can say this
54:02
about another man then what is possible with my relationship
54:07
with the one who made my heart? I want to know it.
54:16
I want to know it and I hope you would want to know it as well
54:19
because as good as the gifts of friendships are marriage.
54:22
Are even the gift of physical intimacy within the context of
54:26
Covenant, The Giver is so much better than the gifts.
54:31
That's coffee cup stuff to a lot of people.
54:36
That's Hobby Lobby, portrait frame stuff for a lot of people.
54:41
I'm saying it can be real. A word that scary among
54:47
Christians. It can be experiential.
54:51
If it's not experiential, then we're just wasting our time and
54:54
talking about Theory. Like a real satisfaction in
54:59
Christ. I hope you want to know God and
55:02
that way. It's amazing.
55:04
Listen, I don't mean to offend anybody, but it's true.
55:06
It's amazing. How many people who know a lot
55:09
of Bible. Don't know what I just said.
55:13
Like they memorize plenty of scripture.
55:16
They can argue pre-trib mid-trib post-trib Calvinism arminianism
55:23
and yet, they don't know how to drink deeply in the fellowship
55:26
that Christ wants to have in a personal way.
55:30
They don't know what true worship looks like, they don't
55:33
know what enjoying prayer is like.
55:40
That's not God's will for us. I understand note.
55:45
Notice house. All sins are not mentioned in
55:47
this eulogy. Even if you would like You know
55:52
what? Thought came to mind even as we
55:53
were worshiping now. That in Saul's death.
55:59
David refused to bring up his sins.
56:02
And in Christ, though we have a great resume of sin Christ.
56:06
Will not bring up our own faults.
56:11
He will Overlook all of it and he will not speak about our
56:14
goodness. He will speak about Christ,
56:16
goodness. Christ goodness that we have
56:20
covered ourselves. With there is a commendation for
56:25
the people of God who have put their faith in the person and
56:28
work of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have no reason to fear what
56:32
the son of David will save me, because the son of David died
56:36
for me and he took my place. And so, when I stand before the
56:40
father, he will look at me and he will not see what I've done
56:44
with my mouth, with my eyes, with my mind, with my hands, or
56:47
my feet. He will see the pierced hands,
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and the Pierce feet and the pier side and the broken forehead,
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and the width back of the Savior perfection.
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Perfection. And I will be rewarded, though.
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I cannot fathom it. I will be rewarded based on
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that. You will be rewarded based on
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the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
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Only if you have put your faith in him, listen to what I'm about
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to say outside of Christ, there is not, there is not one sin
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that he will not bring before your attention and before the
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presence of his angels and his elders.
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Is not one sin that he has failed to record, and to indict
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you for at the end of the road. but in Christ, By faith in him,
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applying the blood. There is not one sin that he
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will bring up. There's not one fault that he
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will. Even communicate.
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On that day. He will see nothing but
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faultless, blemishless perfection.
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Put your faith in Christ. Let's pray.
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Louis, thank you for the word. Thank you that through this
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lament. We have been taught things about
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life. Things about you Lord.
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We pray that our hearts would be elated and edified we would see
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the goodness of God. We would see the preciousness of
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Christ. We will see the gifts in Jesus
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Christ. Lord, we ask that in this time,
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you would renew a love for you. Take us to new heights, to be
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able to sing of a fellowship with you, that cannot be
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compared to any other relationship in this world.
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And yet at the same time, Lord, let us know.
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The maximum joys of relationship with one.
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Another relationship, with our spouses relationship, with our
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Lord, please, we want to be in
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your perfect will in all things, in all.
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Things will God. Bring us into your perfect will
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Because we only have so much time to enjoy it in this world.
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Lord, we worship you and light of the wisdom of this text.
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You were the author of it and we give you your glory in Jesus
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name. Amen.
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Let's stand and worship him and closing.