Tag Archive - Mighty Men

Obstacles to God’s Plan

November 10, 2011 in Weekly Email with 0 Comments

God has an amazing plan for your life.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Yet, there are times when we fail to see that amazing plan become a reality. The reason this happens is because we get in the way of God. We get in the way by:

1) Procrastination. You are waiting for a better day when you have more money, more time, more knowledge, more convenience. If you wait for the perfect day or the perfect situation, you will find yourself waiting for a long time.

James 1:22 (NLT) 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

2) We allow the past to define us. You need to learn from your past, but not live in your past. Jesus died upon the cross to take away your sin. You are a new person today.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

3) You care more for what other people think about you than what God thinks about you. If you are doing what God has called you to do, you will have critics. If you don’t have critics there might be a problem that you are not doing anything worthwhile.

Galatians 1:10 (NLT) Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

4) You forget that the Holy Spirit lives in you and that God is able.

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

5) You are afraid. You don’t want to take that step of faith. It is too big of a risk. You prefer to stay in your comfort zone.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) And it is impossible to please God without faith.

6) You believe the lie that you are an accident. You are not special. You don’t have any special gift. You think you are just taking up space.

Psalm 139:13–16 (NLT) You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

7) You are obsessed and passionate about things that have zero eternal significance. What gets you fired up? Sports, entertainment, shiny gadgets, etc? What will you gain from those passions?

Matthew 6:21 (NLT) Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

There is so much need and hurt in the world. If we open our eyes to the things around us we will see the need. It can be overwhelming and we don’t know where to begin. We are stricken with the paralysis of analysis. There is so much to do and so we don’t do anything, but I want to encourage you today to just start. Pick just one thing that you can do today to serve the Lord. It doesn’t need to be anything greatly significant. In fact, some of the most significant work we do for the Lord is the most insignificant things according to the world’s standards. Pray for open eyes to see the neighbor who needs you to pray with them. Pray for open eyes for the frustrated volunteer who news someone to help them. Pray for open eyes to see the family that would be encouraged by a meal you might provide. Pray for open eyes to see all you have been given that you might make a difference for the kingdom of God in someone else’s life.

Mighty Men

November 7, 2011 in Sermons with 0 Comments

Download Audio

This weekend we observed all saints day. We remember the heroes of faith who have gone before us. It is appropriate we look at David’s Mighty Men. The reading for the weeded was 2 Samuel 23:8-17.

We look at what made these Mighty Men to be mighty men. It was not because of anything special about them. They are ordinary men, but they served an extraordinary God.

Daily David, Week 10, Day 5

November 4, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

Happy Friday. Today, I want to look at a key ingredient to becoming a Mighty Man or Woman of God. Without it, we will never be all that God has made us to be. It is what allows us to take steps of courage and accomplish feats that only God can accomplish. We have two readings that are John 14:5-14 and Mark 16:9-20.

What does it mean that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (14:5)?

This is a bold claim of Jesus. It is a claim that many people cannot get past. They are unable to accept it. This is where you either embrace Jesus or you leave him. It is where Jesus draws the line in the sand.

When Jesus says he is the way, he means that he is the way to the Father. He is the way we come to know God. You cannot know God apart from knowing Jesus.

To say that he is the truth means that what he says is true. He does not lie. But even more so, when we look at the truths told in the Bible, all those truths are fulfilled in him. When every other supposed “truth” fails, Jesus will still be standing. Throughout history there are many things that have been thought to be true, but were later found out to not be true. But Jesus has been true since the beginning and will be true forever.

Last, Jesus says he is the life. What this means is that through Jesus we experience the best life now. There is not greater way to die, than to die in Jesus’ arms. But there is no greater way to live that to live in Jesus’ presence. The greatest life is a life lived in Jesus.

Where does Jesus get his power to perform miracles (14:10-11)?

He gets his power to perform miracles with God, the Heavenly Father. He performs these miracles because he walks so closely in step with his Father. The closer we walk in step with the Him, the more amazing things we will be witness to.

What does Jesus say his followers will do (14:12)? What do they need to posses to do these things (14:12)?

Jesus’ says his followers will do even greater things than he did. How amazing is that. If you follow Jesus you will do greater things! Think about the ramifications of that for a second.

The thing they need to possess is the faith which is given by the Holy Spirit.

What will Jesus do for us (14:13-14)?

Jesus says ask anything and he will do it for us. All this is presupposed that we first believe he will do it and that we are following him and walking in step with him. Jesus is not going t help us sin to a greater degree. But he will help us to live the life he intends for us in all its fullness.

What is the first response of the woman and disciples to the power of God shown through the resurrection (16:11-13)?

Disbelief

Why does Jesus rebuke his followers (16:14)? What is our first and foremost calling before everything else (16:16; see John 3:16, Acts 2:38)?

He rebukes them for their lack of faith. Our first and foremost calling is the calling to believe. If we don’t first believe, then we cannot do anything else. The reason we fail to grasp all that God has for us is because we lack faith to take the steps of courage he has called us to. We fail to step out of our comfort zones because we are afraid. Fear hold us back. The only way to overcome our fear is to have our level of faith raised.

What Will God Do For You?

November 3, 2011 in Weekly Email with 0 Comments

David accomplished much in his life. Almost everything he set his heart to, he was able to get done. Towards the end of his life he desired to build a temple for the Lord. But God comes back and tells David, that he would not be the one to build this temple. I imagine this was a great disappointment to David. David was not accustomed to be told “no.”

However, God makes a promise to David. It was not about what David would build for God, but what God would build for David. God had a greater plan in mind than David’s plan. God reminds David about all he had done for David. Everything David had accomplished up to this point was because of what God had done. Without God, David would have never succeeded in the way he had.

Just read this paragraph from 2 Samuel 7:8-11 (NLT). Take special note of what God accomplished versus what David accomplished.

“I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. “ ‘Furthermore, the LORD declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings!”

How much of that was David? How much of that was God? It was all God! God did it! It was not about what David did for the Lord, but what God did for David.

Too often we got it all backwards. We make it about what we do for God. But it is really about what God does for us and through us. Everything we have accomplished and everything we possess is because of God. God is not looking for more accomplished people. He is looking for more surrendered people.

Maybe you are dissatisfied right now. You are disappointed that God has said no to what you wanted to do. If so, maybe it is time to look at see what God is doing. What does God want to build in your life? If what we are working on is not from God then we are just wasting our time. It will fail. As it says in Psalm 127:1 (NLT), “Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.”

God loves you and wants to do a great thing in your life. An incredible thought is that God wants more for you than you even want for yourself. That is hard to imagine, because I know I want a lot for me. But God wants even more!

That is why he sent us Jesus. Jesus is God’s answer. “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!”” 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT) Jesus has come that we might have life and have it to the full (John 10:10). It is in Jesus we discover everything God has done for us and wants for us.

This next weekend we will be talking about David’s Mighty Men. These were men who accomplished great feats of valor through the power of God. The reason they were able to do what they did was not because of their confidence in themselves. It was because of their confidence in God. We will take a look at what that confidence enabled then to do and how a lack of confidence will paralyze us from doing the amazing things God has called us to.

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday at 8:30am or 10am for worship at Lord of Life. And don’t forget we fall back this weekend as Daylight Savings ends. Set your clocks back on an hour on Saturday night before you go to bed and then give thanks to the Lord for an extra hour of sleep.

Daily David, Week 10, Day 4

November 3, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

This week as we look at David’s Mighty Men, we cannot forget another Mighty Man in the New Testament. That Mighty Man was the Apostle Paul. Paul was a missionary to the Gentiles. He served God in an amazing way and much of his ministry is recorded in the Book of Acts. Today’s reading is from one of his many letters. It is from the letter to the Ephesian Church. Ephesus is in what is modern day Turkey. We pick up the letter at Ephesians 3

How does Paul describe himself in relation to Jesus (3:1)? What do you think he means by that? How is this similar to the Mighty Mens’ relationship to David?

Paul describes himself as a prisoner of Jesus. He was bound to Jesus. Jesus was the all that mattered to him. He could not do anything apart from that which Jesus commanded him to do.

David’s Mighty Men would have done anything David would have asked. They were bound to David and wholly committed to him.

What assignment was given to Paul (3:2-3)?

His assignment was to extend God’s grace to the Gentiles. The Gentiles were anyone who was not Jewish. He was to tell and to show the goodness and kindness of God to these new people, to whom Jesus had not yet been revealed.

What type of people does God give the most important assignments (3:8)? Why do you think that is?

It is the least deserving. It is the least qualified who get these important assignments. This is the way God has operated since the beginning. He uses the weakest, those with the least skill, those who are most humble so that he might be more greatly exalted through what he accomplishes in them. He uses these people so that there is no mistake that it is God, and not the person.

As a Mighty Man of God, what two things does Paul posses in verses 3:12?

He posses the salvation of Jesus, faith in that salvation, and the boldness to come before God and ask for his help.

How much can God do (3:20)?

I cannot accomplish anything on my own. But God can do anything through me. There is no mountain too high.

What is your assignment from God? How are you rooted and established in his love?

Our assignment is to serve him. We each have unique things given to us by God, to serve him in unique ways. My specific assignment may be different from yours, but we serve a common mission of bringing the kingdom of God to earth. We are rooted and established in love because we have been set apart by him who is the very definition of love.

Daily David, Week 10, Day 3

November 2, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

We look at the New Testament today and the parallels between Jesus’ disciples and David’s Mighty Men. Our reading is from Matthew 10 when Jesus sends his disciples out.

How are the exploits of Jesus’ disciples similar to those of David’s Mighty Men? How are they different?

They both do impossible things that can only be done by God. The difference was that the Mighty men were victorious in battle. They killed other men. The disciples brought life and hope. They brought the opposite of death.

When we experience failure, how do we respond (10:14)?

The disciples are told to wipe the dust off their feet and move on. When we experience failure we learn from it and move on. Those who have the greatest success in life often have the greatest failures to go along. The road to success is a bumpy one. It is easy to get discouraged along the way, but hold your head up high. God is with you, and he wants you to succeed in his mission even more than you want to succeed.

Is it easy to be a Mighty Man or Woman of God (10:17-18)? But what is Jesus’ promise (10:19-20)?

No it is not easy. If you are a Mighty Man or Woman of God you will have those who oppose you. But Jesus promises that you will have everything you need to stand for him. Don’t fear because you have the God of the universe on your side.

Why are we able to have courage and not be afraid even when the odds are stacked against us (10:26-31)?

Our life on this earth is nothing. This is not our home. We are only passing through. The life that God intends for us is waiting for us. So while we are here, we can go all out and serve him with everything we got, even if it costs us our life, we have lost nothing, only gained.

What does it mean to acknowledge Jesus before men (10:32)?

It means to live for him. It means not to be ashamed of him. It means that everything we do and say should reflect how he is our God and our Lord.

What does verses 10:37-39 say about being a Mighty Man or Woman for Jesus?

Being a Mighty Man or Woman of God is a selfless thing. The most important thing in our life is Jesus. We will sacrifice and give up everything out of our commitment to him. In the same way the Mighty Men of David would have given everything for the sake of their king. How much more should we who serve the King of Kings.

Daily David, Week 10, Day 1

October 31, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

Happy Reformation Day. Today is the day Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the Wittenburg Church door to spark the Reformation. October 31 is also known as All Hallows Eve. It is the eve of All Saints Day. Since we celebrate All Saints Day this week we are going to look at David’s Mighty Men recorded in 2 Samuel 23:8-39. These Mighty Men are heroes of old who distinguished themselves through accomplishments of faith. As we think about the saints who have gone before we think of them as mighty men and women.

Why do you think that is is significant David had three Mighty Men set apart from the others (23:8)? How do you think this might be related to Jesus having 3 disciples as part of his inner circle (see Mark 5:37, 9:2, 14:33)?

These men were part of David’s inner circle. They separated themselves from the rest. They showed their commitment to the king that went above and beyond others. We all need mighty men in our lives. These are people who will go out of their way for us. They are the people we can call in difficult times and we know they will be there.

It is interesting how Jesus had three disciples who were part of his inner circle. These were the men who were closest to him. The difference between David’s mighty men and Jesus three disciples was that the disciples relationship with Jesus served his disciples. In David’s relationship with his mighty men, it was his mighty men who served him.

Who are the Mighty Men or Women in your life?

These may be people in your family, friends, or brothers and sisters in Christ. These are people who we can count on. They are the ones who we know will be there for us in the difficult times. At the same time we know we will be there for them when they go through difficult times.

How did “The Three” distinguish themselves (23:8-17)?

They distinguished themselves in battle. They overcame great odds in battle to stand victorious. They were able to stand in desperate situations when many others ran because they knew God was one their side. They had faith and courage in extra measure.

They were also separated by their commitment to their leader. There was a story told of how they snuck behind enemy lines to get a glass of water for David. They would do anything David asked. This was their commitment to him.

Where did the Mighty Men originally come from (see 1 Samuel 22:1-2)?

They were men who were in debt, in trouble, or discontented who had come to David at the Cave of Addulam when David was on the run from Saul. These were the nobodies who God had made into somebodies.

What do you believe gave the Mighty Men courage to stand against incredible odds?

They knew that if God is for us, then nothing could stand against us. It doesn’t matter how big the challenge is before you, there is no challenge that God cannot overcome.

Who is the last Mighty Man listed (23:39)? How do we honor the Mighty Men and Women in our lives?

Uriah the Hittite is the last mighty man listed. Unfortunately, David did not honor this mighty man by stealing his wife and then having him murdered. The best way we can honor the mighty men and women in our lives is through our commitment to them. We pray for them and their families. We go out of our way, to help them and show kindness and generosity.

An interesting note at the end here. Notice in 23:34 that Ahithophel the Gilonite was the father of Eliam. We read about Ahithophel two weeks back as he helped Absalom in Absalom’s attempt to take his father’s throne. Do you know who Eliam’s daughter was? In 2 Samuel 11:3 Bathsheba is introduced as the wife of Uriah and the daughter of Eliam. This would mean that Ahithophel, who was a leader in the revolt against King David, was the grandfather of Bathsheba. Perhaps he was seeking revenge against David.

David, Week 10 Study Guide

October 27, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

October 31 – November 6

The Mighty Men

Memory Verse:

Proverbs 18:24 (NLT) There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Day 1

2 Samuel 23:8-39

Why do you think that is is significant David had three Mighty Men set apart from the others (23:8)? How do you think this might be related to Jesus having 3 disciples as part of his inner circle (see Mark 5:37, 9:2, 14:33)?

Who are the Mighty Men or Women in your life?

How did “The Three” distinguish themselves (23:8-17)?

Where did the Mighty Men originally come from (see 1 Samuel 22:1-2)?

What do you believe gave the Mighty Men courage to stand against incredible odds?

Who is the last Mighty Man listed (23:39)? How do we honor the Mighty Men and Women in our lives?

An interesting note at the end here. Notice in 23:34 that Ahithophel the Gilonite was the father of Eliam. We read about Ahithophel two weeks back as he helped Absalom in Absalom’s attempt to take his father’s throne. Do you know who Eliam’s daughter was? In 2 Samuel 11:3 Bathsheba is introduced as the wife of Uriah and the daughter of Eliam. This would mean that Ahithophel, who was a leader in the revolt against King David, was the grandfather of Bathsheba. Perhaps he was seeking revenge against David.

Day 2

2 Samuel 24

Why does David want to take a census of the fighting men (24:1-2)? Why is Joab against it (24:3)?

Why is David conscience stricken after taking the census (24:10)? How is it that we can sin even when we have good intentions?

Why did David insist on paying for the threshing floor (24:24)?

What was the main purpose of making sacrifices in the Old Testament (see Leviticus 1:4)? Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said “grace is free, but it is not cheap.” What do you think this means(Romans 3:25)?

What would eventually be built upon the threshing floor of Araunah (see 2 Chronicles 3:1)?

Day 3

Matthew 10

How are the exploits of Jesus’ disciples similar to those of David’s Mighty Men? How are they different?

When we experience failure, how do we respond (10:14)?

Is it easy to be a Mighty Man or Woman of God (10:17-18)? But what is Jesus’ promise (10:19-20)?

Why are we able to have courage and not be afraid even when the odds are stacked against us (10:26-31)?

What does it mean to acknowledge Jesus before men (10:32)?

What does verses 10:37-39 say about being a Mighty Man or Woman for Jesus?

Day 4

Ephesians 3

How does Paul describe himself in relation to Jesus (3:1)? What do you think he means by that? How is this similar to the Mighty Mens’ relationship to David?

What assignment was given to Paul (3:2-3)?

What type of people does God give the most important assignments (3:8)? Why do you think that is?

As a Mighty Man of God, what two things does Paul posses in verses 3:12?

How much can God do (3:20)?

What is your assignment from God? How are you rooted and established in his love?

Day 5

John 14:5-14, Mark 16:9-20

What does it mean that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (14:5)?

Where does Jesus get his power to perform miracles (14:10-11)?

What does Jesus say his followers will do (14:12)? What do they need to posses to do these things (14:12)?

What will Jesus do for us (14:13-14)?

What is the first response of the woman and disciples to the power of God shown through the resurrection (16:11-13)?

Why does Jesus rebuke his followers (16:14)? What is our first and foremost calling before everything else (16:16; see John 3:16, Acts 2:38)?

Day of War

August 20, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

I picked up Day of War off of Amazon for free a few weeks ago to read on my kindle. I notice the Kindle version is now $1.99. It is still a great bargain. I have not finished this book yet, but am about half way through. It is a historical fiction novel that chronicles the exploits of David’s mighty men.

We will be studying the life of David at Lord of Life this coming fall. If you want to do a little more reading on the subject this would be great book to check out. Not a hard read since it is a fictional work.