JESUS CALMS THE STORM

PROCLAMATION

“And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him.  And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves;  But He was asleep.  And His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us; We perish.  And He saith unto them, ‘Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?’  Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.  But the men marvelled, saying,  ‘What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!’ ”  Matthew 8:23-27 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God according to the Apostle Matthew.  After Jesus had completed His Sermon on The Mount, He came down from the mountainside and large crowds followed Him. (Matthew 8:1)  He healed a man with leprosy (Matthew 8:2-4), healed the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13), healed Peter’s mother-in-law who was in bed with a fever (Matthew 8:14-15), and He healed all the sick and demon-possessed people that were brought to Him. (Matthew 8:16-17)  Because of the great multitude which had gathered around Him, Jesus gave orders to His disciples to cross to the other side of the lake. (Matthew 8:18)  As He and His disciples were crossing the lake in a boat, a furious storm rose up on the lake.  The storm was severe enough to make large waves and to cause His disciples to panic. (Matthew 8:23-25)  They woke Jesus, and He arose and said, “Peace, be still.”  Then the winds died down and the sea was completely calm. (Matthew 8:26 and Mark 4:37-39)  They were amazed and asked themselves, “What manner of man is this?  Even the winds and the waves obey Him!” (Matthew 8:27)

 

APPLICATION

The Lord God made the weather, the winds, the water, and the waves, and He controls them.  He controls the storms as He did on the Sea of Tiberias. (Matthew 8:23-27 and Mark 4:37-39)  He also controls the storms which occur in our lives.  He can calm the storms, or He can give us the strength to go through the storms and accompany us along the journey.  He can walk on water and He can give us the ability to walk on the water in the midst of a storm. (Matthew 14:26-31)  However He chooses to handle the situation; He is still in control.  We need to acknowledge that He is all powerful.  To God be all the praise, honor, and glory!

ASK AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU

PROCLAMATION

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”  Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV)

EXPLANATION
These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to the Apostle Matthew.  As Jesus continued to preach His Sermon on The Mount, He told them if you ask you will receive, if you seek you will find, and if you knock the door will be opened for you.  He went on to say that an earthly father would do this much for his child, think of how much more your heavenly Father would do. (Matthew 7:7-12)  He said wide and well-travelled is the road which leads to destruction, but narrow is the road which leads to life and only a few go that way. (Matthew 7:13-14)  Then Jesus went on to compare and contrast the true and false prophets and disciples. (Matthew 7:15-23)  He ended His Sermon on the Mount with a discussion on the wise versus foolish builders.  When He finished speaking, the people were amazed at the things He said and the authority with which He spoke. (Matthew 7:28-29)

APPLICATION

The only way that we can ask our heavenly Father for anything is through prayer.  Believers will receive that which they pray and ask our heavenly Father for, as long as they ask for it in the name of Jesus, and as long as it is according to the will of God. (John 15:16)  We know that all things that we ask for in prayer, believing, we will receive. (Matthew 21:22)  If we keep His commandments and do those things which are pleasing in His sight, then whatever we ask of Him we will receive. (1 John 3:22)  In order to be granted whatever we ask for, in the name of Jesus, it must glorify God, The Father. (John 14:13)  The Lord God wants us to seek after Him, He wants us to seek His face. (1 Chronicles 16:11)  He knows us, and He has great things in store for us which we cannot imagine. (1 Corinthians 2:9)  There are some doors which only The Lord God can open, and doors which no man can shut. (Revelation 3:8)

 

FIRST SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

PROCLAMATION

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew.  As Jesus continued to preach His Sermon on The Mount, He told them not to give to be seen (Matthew 6:1-4), not to use vain repetition in their prayers (Matthew 6:5-8), and He taught them the model prayer, which has been frequently referred to erroneously as “The Lord’s Prayer.” (Matthew 6:9-15)  He also taught them how to fast (Matthew 6:16-18) and He told them not to store up treasures on earth but to store up for heaven. (Matthew 6:19-24)  Then He told them not to worry about earthly concerns, but to focus on seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else that they need would be taken care of. (Matthew 6:25-33)

 

APPLICATION

All too often we concern ourselves with trivial things like what we will wear, eat, or drink.  We seem to care too much about what other people think about us rather than being concerned about how we appear to The Lord God.  We should not be worried about the things of this world.  Our goal should not be the amassing of money and material things, we should be focused on living a life and doing things that would bring glory to God.  Remember, believers are the only “Bible” that some people will ever read.

 

 

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

PROCLAMATION

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew.  After Jesus began to preach (Matthew 4:17), and after He had called His disciples (Matthew 4:18-22), He began to heal the sick and cast out demons, and large crowds began to follow Him. (Matthew 4:23-25)  And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountainside, sat down and began to teach them.  This was His famous Sermon on the Mount which began with what we call The Beatitudes. (Matthew 5:1-12)   Jesus told them that they were the salt of the earth and that they were the light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-16) He told them that they were to let the light which was within them shine so that men may see it in their good works and glorify God in heaven.  Then He made it clear that He came to fulfill the law and not to destroy it. (Matthew 5:17-20)  Jesus taught them on a number of topics, this was His longest sermon. (Matthew 5:1 to 7:28)

 

APPLICATION

As we live our lives and do our daily deeds, we are to live in such a way as to let the light of Christ that is within us shine so that men may see The Christ in us and glorify God, our Father in heaven.  Men should see our zeal and our fervency for things which honor God.  Our actions should display the fruit of The Holy Spirit of God, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. (Galatians 5:22-23)  The very purpose of our lives should be to glorify God.  To God be the glory!!!

 

 

EVEN JESUS THE CHRIST WAS TEMPTED

PROCLAMATION

“Then was Jesus led up of The Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.  And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred.  And when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If Thou be The Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.'  But He answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.’ ”  Matthew 4:1-4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew.  After He was baptized by John the baptizer, Jesus was led into the wilderness by The Spirit of God.  There He fasted for forty days and nights.  Then the devil came and tempted Him, not just once but three times. (Matthew 4:3, 4:6, and 4:8-9)  Jesus did not yield or give in to the temptations.  He refused the devil each of the three times. (Matthew 4:4, 4:7, and 4:10)  Afterwards the devil left Him and angels from heaven came and ministered to Him supplying all of His needs. (Matthew 4:11)  Then He left the wilderness and went into Galilee.  He left Nazareth and then dwelt in Capernaum which borders Zabulon and Nephthalim so that prophesy might be fulfilled. (Matthew 4:12-15)  From that time on Jesus, The Christ, began to preach saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)  Then Jesus started calling His disciples as He went about Galilee teaching, preaching, and healing. (Matthew 4:12-25)

 

APPLICATION

Since the devil tempted Jesus, The Christ, we should not be surprised that he tempts us.  The devil knows each of our weaknesses, and he knows exactly what to tempt us with.  It is not a temptation if it is something that we can easily refuse.  The test comes when it is something that we like or want but should not have.  Temptation is not a sin, yielding to temptation is a sin.  If we are not strong enough to resist the temptation, then we should avoid the situations where the temptations occur.  The Bible says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)  But the first part of that Bible verse says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God.”  Only with God’s help can we resist the temptation to sin.

 

 

JESUS THE CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw The Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him; And lo a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ ”  Matthew 3:16-17 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew.  In the days after King Herod died, there came a man, John the baptizer, preaching in the wilderness preparing the way for Jesus, The Christ. (Matthew 3:1-3)  People from all over Judea came to him, confessing their sins, and he baptized them in the Joran River. (Matthew 3:4-6)  John made it clear to them that he was only baptizing them with water, but there would come another who was mightier than he, who would baptize them with The Holy Spirit and with fire. (Matthew 3:11)  Jesus, The Christ, came from Galilee to be baptized by John. (Matthew 3:13)  After He was baptized, as He was coming up out of the water, He saw The Spirit of God descending from heaven like a dove and lighting upon Him.  Then a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)

 

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, was sinless. (2 Corinthians 5:21 and Hebrews 1:15)  He was not baptized for the repentance of sin; He was baptized because it was appropriate and proper in order to fulfill all righteousness. (Matthew 3:15)  Jesus, The Christ, was identified as God, The Son, by God The Father, when He spoke from heaven and sent God, The Holy Spirit, from heaven to Him as a visible sign in the form of a dove.  Baptism by water cannot save us.  The ordinance of baptism is an outward sign of an inner transformation.  When we believe, we die to the control of sin and change into a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:17)  When we accept Christ as our personal Savior, The Holy Spirit of God immediately indwells us. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)  All we have to do is believe, confess, and invite Him into our heart, and He will come into us. (John 3:16, Romans 10: 9-10, and Revelation 3:20)

 

 

PROTECTED BY AN ANGEL OF THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of The Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him."  Matthew 2:13 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew.  After the birth of Christ, there came wise men, the Magi, from the east to worship Him. (Matthew 2:1-2)  When King Herod was disturbed when he heard that The King of the Jews had been born.  He gathered together all the chief priests and the scribes and sought information from them regarding the place of the birth of Christ.  They told Herod that the prophets said that Christ would be born in Bethlehem.  Then Herod secretly called the Magi and inquired of them the exact time of His birth based upon the time when the star appeared.  Herod told the Magi to go and find the child, and then return to him and let him know the child’s location so that he could go and worship Him, but he really wanted to kill Him not worship Him. (Matthew 2:3-8)  Then the Magi left Herod and followed the star and went to the place where the Christ-child lay.  There they worshiped Him and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Afterwards they left and returned to their country by a different route, having been warned in a dream not to go back to King Herod. (Matthew 2:9-12)  When the wise men left, Joseph was also warned in a dream by the angel of The Lord that Herod wanted to kill the child.  Joseph did as he was directed and took Mary and The Christ-child to Egypt to escape King Herod. (Matthew 2:13-15)  The Christ-child was protected from an unseen danger by an angel of The Lord.

 

APPLICATION

It is clear that in these verses of this chapter that the angel of The Lord protected Jesus, The Christ, while He was a child.  Not only was Jesus protected then but, as believers we also have angels watching over us now. (Matthew 18:10)  When we are under attack, there are a host of angels surrounding us and ready to come to our defense. (2 Kings 6:16-17)   We have guardian angels who protect us from dangers seen and unseen.  As believers we have God’s protection.

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN

PROCLAMATION

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ The Lord.”  Luke 2:11 (KJV)

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise … Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of The Holy Ghost … the angel of The Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph … fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of The Holy Ghost … for He shall save His people from their sins’ … call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us … And he knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son and he called His name Jesus.”  Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words in the first verse were recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Luke, the physician and frequent traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.  Luke’s account of the birth of Christ had been passed down to him by those who were the eyewitnesses to the events, and by ministers of The Word. (Luke 1:1-2)  The words of the second group of verses were recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew and written to the nation of Israel.  These verses clearly state that they are about the birth of Jesus, The Christ, our Savior. 

 

APPLICATION

We celebrate Christmas to commemorate a day that The Son of God was born of a virgin, after being conceived by an act of The Holy Spirit.  We celebrate the day that Jesus, The Christ, left the splendor of heaven, and clothed Himself in human flesh and lived among mankind. "And The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." (John 1:14)  The heavenly plan was for Him to be born, to live without sin, to teach, to die for our sins, and to be raised up from the dead in order to provide us with a chance for our salvation.  If we confess our sins and believe in Him, we will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)  Thank God for the birth of Christ and for making all of this possible.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!  May The Good Lord bless you and your family with His joy and His peace on this “holy day.”  May He put it in your heart to be a blessing with those who are less fortunate than we are.  Remember, caring involves sharing.  Let us share the love of God with all of the people that we meet and greet.  Let us keep Christ in “Christmas” this year, and in all of the future years.  Merry CHRISTmas to you.

COMMEMORATE AND CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house of David; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  Luke 2:4-8 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Luke, the physician and frequent traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.  Luke’s account of the birth of Christ had been passed down to him by those who were the eyewitnesses to the events, and by ministers of The Word. (Luke 1:1-2)  Jesus, The Christ, was born in Bethlehem, where his earthly father Joseph had gone with Mary, his espoused wife who was pregnant, to be taxed. (Luke 2:1-5)  The child that the virgin Mary was carrying was conceived by The Holy Spirit of God. (Luke 1:28-38)  While they were in Bethlehem Mary gave birth to a Son.  She placed Him in a manger upon His birth because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

 

APPLICATION

For a more complete account of the events surrounding the birth of Christ, one must read The Bible Books of Matthew 1:18 to 2:21 and Luke 1:26 to 2:40.  AWAY IN A MANGER, The Christ Child was placed there after His birth on that SILENT NIGHT.  However, it was not a silent night for long for HARK, THE HERALD ANGELS SING songs of praise to The Lord.  Their message was JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD IS COME.  They probably praised The Lord by singing HALLELUJAH, and if they didn't, we still should.  O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL, let us give thanks for THE FIRST NOEL, and let us all sing and shout HALLELUJAH as we celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, The Christ.  A joyous and very MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you.  May The Good Lord bless each of you with good health and much happiness for the remainder of this year, and throughout all of next year, and for all of the future years to come.

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST JESUS WAS FORETOLD

PROCLAMATION

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David;  and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And the angel came in  unto her, and said, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favored, The Lord is with thee … Fear not …  thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus.  He shall be great, and shall be called The Son of The Highest.’ ...  Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’  And the angel answered, ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of The Highest shall overshadow thee.  Therefore also That Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called The Son of God.’ … And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of The Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ ”  Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Luke, the physician and frequent traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.  Luke’s account of the birth of Christ had been passed down to him by those who were the eyewitnesses to the events, and by ministers of The Word of God. (Luke 1:1-4)  The angel Gabriel appeared to the virgin Mary and told her that The Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would conceive a child who would be The Son of God. (Luke 1:26-38)  While he was still in Elizabeth’s womb, John the baptizer recognized Jesus The Christ while He was still in Mary’s womb. (Luke 1:39-45)  Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where his earthly father Joseph had gone to be taxed.  He was placed in a manger upon His birth because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

 

APPLICATION

This is what came to pass, before and, with the birth of Christ. (Luke 2:11)  This is what we are commemorating as we celebrate Christmas.  For a more complete account of the events surrounding the birth of Christ, one must read Matthew 1:18 to 2:21, and Luke 1:26 to 2:40.  The holiday which we call Christmas is a holy day and it means so much more to us than what most of the world celebrates.  Let us, as believers, celebrate the real reason for Christmas and let's share the real story behind the celebration.  For God was, and is, and will always be with us.  All hail Immanuel!!!

 

THE COMING OF JESUS THE CHRIST WAS PREDICTED

PROCLAMATION

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots; And The Spirit of The Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of Counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of The Lord; ... With righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth ..."  Isaiah 11:1-4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the prophet Isaiah under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Isaiah predicted the coming of Jesus, The Christ, more than 600 years before the birth of Christ.  Isaiah said that Jesus was to be born in the line of Jesse, King David's father.  He would possess The Spirit of The LORD and that He would be a righteous judge.  Isaiah had said earlier that Christ would be born (Isaiah 9:6-7) and that He would be the rightful heir to the throne of David.  He would rule and His rule would have no end.  He would be called by many names including “Mighty God” and the “Prince of Peace.”

APPLICATION

The Bible contains numerous predictions of the coming of Christ.  This particular Old Testament prediction reveals the blood-line of Jesus, The Christ, and describes some of the attributes of God that He would possess.  He would have The Spirit of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel and might.  He would be all knowing and all powerful.  This coming holiday which we celebrate, is actually a “Holy Day” commemorating the birth of Christ, and it has much more significance than we give it today.  His conception by The Holy Spirit and His birth through a virgin were ordained by God so that He could save us from our sins. (Matthew 1:18-23)  Jesus was born to be the sacrificial Lamb who would pay the price for our sins and the sins of the world. (John 1:29)  However, only those of us who believe that He is The Son of God will be saved. (John 3:16)

 

SING A SONG OF PRAISE UNTO THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“And he said, ‘The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; In Him will I trust; He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; Thou savest me from violence.  I will call on The Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from mine enemies.”  2 Samuel 22:2-4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  This entire chapter is the song of praise which David spoke or sang unto The Lord after He delivered him from the hand of his enemies, out of the hand of Saul.  The words are almost identical to the words of Psalm 18, and most of the Bible scholars believe that these words were written in his old age.  This was David’s public expression before the congregation of Israel of his gratitude for his deliverance from his enemies.  It was written and sung, to give praise, honor and glory to The Lord God.

 

APPLICATION

We have all been in at least one bad situation which The Lord God delivered us out of, or through.  We may not be able to compose a song of praise to The Lord, and we may not be able to sing the words of a song of praise in the proper key.  However, the Bible teaches us that we should “make a joyful noise” unto The Lord. (Psalm 66:1, Psalm 81:1, Psalm 95:1-2, Psalm 98:4, and Psalm 100:1)  We can read out loud the words of this psalm of praise, or some other psalm of praise, to give God glory.  As believers we should not have to be told to praise The Lord, we should do that spontaneously and frequently every day.

 

BATTLE WEARY AND RESCUED

PROCLAMATION

“Moreover the Philistines had yet war with Israel; And David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines; And David waxed faint.  And Ishbi-Benob, which was of the sons of the giant … thought to have slain David.  But Abishai the son of Zeruiah … smote the Philistine, and killed him.  Then the men of David swore unto him, saying, ‘Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle ...’ ”  2 Samuel 21:15-17 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  This was near the end of King David’s reign.  He was old and weak, but he did not flee from battle.  His spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak.  David needed help and The Lord God sent someone to help him in his time of need.  David had killed Goliath, (1 Samuel 17:45-51) but he had four sons and one of them, Ishbi-Benob, was about to kill David.  The Lord God sent Abishai to deliver David from his enemy and rescued him from Goliath’s son. (2 Samuel 21:15-17)  From that point on David’s men would not let him go with them into battle.  There were a series of battles to follow, each led be a giant, each of whom was killed by a different on of David’s men. (2 Samuel 21:17-22)

 

APPLICATION

We all have our enemies, some of whom are bigger, stronger, and more powerful than we are.  However, The Lord God is bigger, stronger, and more powerful than all of our enemies, and He will protect us from them and fight our battles. (2 Chronicles 32:8 and Psalm 59:9)  He is our help when we are in need, (Psalm 121:2) and He is our strength when we are weary and weak. (2 Corinthians 12:9)  Thanks be to The Lord God who has given us the victory over all of our enemies in this world through Jesus, The Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

NOT EVERYONE IS WILLING TO FORGIVE

PROCLAMATION

“And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew a trumpet, and said, ‘We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, O Israel.’ ”  2 Samuel 20:1 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  As David was trying to convince the people to accept him again as king, not everyone who came to meet him was supportive of him.  There was a troublemaker in the crowd named Sheba who would lead a second rebellion against King David.  When Sheba openly opposed David, the men of Israel followed him and deserted David, but this time the men of Judah stayed loyal to him. (2 Samuel 20:2)  It is not stated whether or not Sheba was a part of the first rebellion against David led by Absalom.  It is also not stated why David felt that Sheba was more of a problem than Absalom or why Sheba was so influential. (2 Samuel 20:6)  However, after he left, David sent his men to pursue after Sheba and they returned with his head. (2 Samuel 20:22)  It is not stated whether of not David forgave the ten concubines he left to care for the palace who slept with Absalom, but he put them under house arrest and never again slept with any of them. (2 Samuel 20:3) 

 

APPLICATION

In every crowd there is always a troublemaker present.  Someone who undermines our position, opposes our plan, and wants to lead our followers in a different direction.  It is not always clear exactly why our haters hate us so.  Some people feel that we have done them wrong and they will not forgive or forget it.  Some people don’t like what we have said, or what we have done, or what we stand for, or for being who we are.  There is nothing that we can do to make some people like us, and we really should not try to.  We just need to be ourselves and to follow The Word of God and accept the fact that we will have some haters.  Jesus, The Christ, said that we would be hated (Matthew 10:22) but that we should remember that the world hated Him before hating us. (John 15:18)  So, we should rejoice and be glad because we will be blessed when people insult us, persecute us, or lie on us because of our beliefs, and we should know that we will receive a heavenly reward because of it. (Matthew 5:11-12) 

COMING BACK HOME IS NOT ALWAYS EASY

PROCLAMATION

“And King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, ‘Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, “Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house?” seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.’ ”  2 Samuel 19:11 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  David had defeated all of the neighboring enemies of Israel under King Saul, and he defeated them again as the King of Israel after the death of Saul, but he fled the country to escape from his son Absalom.  Now that Absalom had died while leading Israel’s army against him, David was ready to return to Israel and to his throne.  First, he had to get over the death of his son and had to be reminded of who he was. (2 Samuel 18:33-19:8)  Then, he had to win over the hearts of the people.  The people of Israel had anointed Absalom as their king, and they had rebelled against David.  He had defeated the Israelite army, but now he had to deal with the people who had turned on him.  He had to remind some of them that they were his blood relatives (2 Samuel 19:11-14) and he had to forgive some of them for how they had treated him. (2 Samuel 19:19-23)  David honored those who had helped him (2 Samuel 19:31-39) and he had to settle the differences between the men who went with him and those who were against him. (2 Samuel 19:40-43)

 

APPLICATION

Many years ago, I was taught that the way we leave home determines whether or not we can ever come back home.  I also learned that it is possible to be accepted back into the house but that does not mean that we are accepted back into their heart.  Sometimes we can return home only to find out that things are not the same as they were before we left.  People can forgive, but they do not forget.  However, thanks be to God that our Heavenly Father is not like that.  Once we are saved and accepted into the body of Christ as a child of God, we are always accepted. (John 10:28-29)  We may backslide and turn our back on Him and break our fellowship with Him, but we never break our familial relationship.  Once we confess and believe, we are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)  Once saved, always saved.  When we mess up, we can pray and ask to be forgiven for our sins, and The Lord God forgives us, (Acts 8:22) and we are fully restored into the family and the fellowship. (1 John 1:6-7)

GET ALL THE INFO BEFORE DELIVERING A MESSAGE

PROCLAMATION

“And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, ‘All is well.’  And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, ‘Bless be The Lord thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.  And the king said, ‘Is the young man Absalom safe?’  And Ahimaaz answered, ‘… I know not …’  And the king said unto him, ‘Turn aside, and stand here.  And he turned aside, and stood still.”  2 Samuel 18:28-30 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  In the battle with his son Absalom and the army of Israel, King David instructed each of his three commanders to be gentle with his son.  David’s men routed the Israelite army.  They were not prepared to fight in the forest.  As he fled, Absalom’s long hair got caught in the branches of a large oak tree and his mule kept going leaving him hanging in the tree.  Absalom was proud of his very long hair (2 Samuel 14:25-26) and that vanity played a part in his demise.  Joab’s soldiers found him there and, remembering King David’s words, they would not harm him.  When Joab arrived, after confronting the first soldier to find him, Joab thrusted three spears into his body and then ten of his armor-bearers attacked Absalom and killed him.  Ahimaaz the son of Zadok asked to carry the news of the victory to the king but Joab initially told him no and sent the Cushite runner instead. (2 Samuel 18:19-21)  A little while later Ahimaaz asked again if he could run to the king with the news even though there was no need for him to do so. (2 Samuel 18:22-23)  This time he was allowed to go, and he outran the Cushite and got to the king first, but he could not give a full report.  It was the Cushite who arrived later that told the king his son was dead.

 

APPLICATION

Sometimes in our haste, we go off “half-cocked” without all of the information that we need in order to present the whole story.  The first report of “breaking news” is not always the most accurate and it is usually lacking in specific details.  All too often we give out misinformation because we do not have, or intentionally do not present, all of the facts.  Sometimes we accept what we have heard as the truth and share that with others without bothering to verify the information for ourselves.   We are to also read and study The Bible and verify that which heard is in fact the truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)  Without personally reading and studying The Bible we are relying on the words of others whose message may be missing significant information. 

WHEN WE RECEIVE CONFLICTING ADVICE PRAY

PROCLAMATION

“And Hushai said unto Absalom, ‘The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.  For,’ said Hushai, ‘thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men … and thy father is a man of war …’ ”  2 Samuel 17:7-8 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  After King David fled from Jerusalem and Absalom had occupied the city, Absalom first sought the advice of Ahithophel, who had been David’s advisor.  He advised Absalom to take two thousand men and attack David now while he is weary. (2 Samuel 17:1-3) Then he sought the advice of Hushai, who had been David’s friend.  He advised Absalom to gather all the men of Israel and then lead the attack on David from a position of superior numbers because David and his men were mighty men of war. (2 Samuel 17:4-13)  Absalom liked the plan proposed by Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:4) until he heard the plan offered by Hushai. (2 Samuel 17:14)  From a military perspective, the advice of Hushai was better than the advice from Ahithophel, but it was also better for David because it gave him more time to prepare for the battle.  David was warned of Absalom’s plan and he left the field and crossed over the Jordan river. (2 Samuel 17:15-22) 

 

APPLICATION

We should be very careful regarding who we listen to or seek advice from.  Almost everyone has an opinion, and advice is readily available everywhere from multiple sources.  However, when the well-respected experts disagree on a matter and offer us different advice, we need to give the matter prayerful consideration.  The “good advice” which we receive may very well benefit someone else.  More importantly, good advice is only “good” if we ask the right question.  That is why we need to take everything to The Lord in prayer. (Ephesians 6:18)

CURSED FOR HIS PRIOR SINS

PROCLAMATION

“And when King David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came forth, and cursed still as he came.  And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.  And thus said Shimei when he cursed, ‘Come out, come out, thou blood man, and thou man of Belial;  The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and The Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son; and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a blood man.’ ”  2 Samuel 16:5-8 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  Because his son Absalom had become popular with the people, and had amassed himself a large army, and had declared himself to be king, David and his loyal followers and his family fled Jerusalem.  He went up to the top of the Mount of Olives. (2 Samuel 15:30)  On the other side of the summit he approached the town of Bahurim.  It was here that the man from Saul’s clan came out, cursed him, and threw rocks at him. (2 Samuel 16:5-8)  One of Davis’s men wanted to kill him for cursing the king, but David stopped him.  Even though he had not killed Saul, or his sons, or any members of his household as Shimei accused him of doing, he was a murderer.  David considered Shimei’s cursing to be part of God’s punishment for his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah and he humbly accepted it. (2 Samuel 16:9-13)  Meanwhile Absalom and his men came into Jerusalem and those who had remained there became loyal to him. (2 Samuel 16:15-19)  Then on the advice of Ahithophel, David’s former council, Absalom slept with David’s concubines. (2 Samuel 16:20-23)

 

APPLICATION

As believers in Jesus, The Christ, we do not lose our salvation because we sinned after being saved.  We may lose the joy of our salvation and The Lord God may permit us to suffer as part of our punishment for our sins.  Some of the troubles that we endure and the storms of life that we go through may be things that we brought upon ourselves.  “For whom The Lord loveth He chastened …” (Hebrews 12:6)  The Lord God forgives us of our sin once we confess and repent.  However, the devil continues to bring our past sins to our remembrance in order to make us feel unworthy and to doubt with our relationship with The Lord.

PLANNED EVIL REBELLION

PROCLAMATION

“And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.  And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”  2 Samuel 15:5-6 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  After King David told Joab to bring Absalom from Geshur back to Jerusalem, Absalom stayed in his own house and did not come face to face with the king. (2 Samuel 14:23-24)  Absalom was in Jerusalem for two years before King David sent for him. (2 Samuel 14:28-33)  Then Absalom began to plot to take over the throne beginning by standing outside of the gates to the city and greeting all who came to see the king. (2 Samuel 15:1-4)  He greeted them, kissed them, told them what he would do if he were the judge, and he won the hearts of the people. (2 Samuel 15:4-6)  Later he went to Hebron after sending his men ahead of him to proclaim him king of Hebron. (2 Samuel 15:7-10)  Absalom offered religious sacrifices with invited guests to help his conspiracy gain strength.  He even sent for King David’s adviser, Ahithophel, to be with him to give his position more credibility. (2 Samuel 15:12)  He gained so much popularity with the people that King David and his followers had to flee from Jerusalem for their safety. (2 Samuel 15:13-14)

 

APPLICATION

Not all sins are impulsive acts or random acts of bad judgement.  Some sins are carefully planned and well thought out in advance.  People will often engage others to help the pull off their evil schemes.  Some of the people who are with us one day, can be persuaded to help work against or undermine us.  There is at least one Judas in every crowd, and often there are several of them.  As the song says, “Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend; Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within …” (The Undisputed Truth)  Sometimes, unbeknownst to us, people will use us in their evil schemes to help them deceive others.  Not all business propositions, money making plans, or religious organizations are actually what they are presented to be.  We need to pray for God’s help before we decide who to let into our homes or into our inner circle of friends. (2 John 1:10)  People don’t take advantage of us by accident, it is done intentionally.  We need to pray for God’s protection.

SOMETIMES WE CAN SEE THROUGH PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“Then the king answered and said unto the woman, ‘Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask of thee.’ … And the king said, ‘Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this?’  And the woman answered and said, ‘… thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid …’ ”  2 Samuel 14:18-19 (KJV) 

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  After he had his brother Amnon killed for raping his sister, Absalom fled and went to Geshur, because his mother was the daughter of the king of Geshur, and he stayed there for three years. (2 Samuel 13:37-38)  Then Joab, who was the captain of the army under King David, perceived that David’s heart was soft for Absalom (2 Samuel 14:1) and sent for a wise woman from Tekoah.  Joab told her to pretend that she was in mourning and told her what to say to King David. (2 Samuel 14:2-3)  The woman did as Joab had told her to do.  She faked the whole story in order to make a point to the king.  Near the end of her discourse she told David that she was referring to him and that he had judged and convicted himself by not bringing back his banished son. (2 Samuel 14:13-17)  It was then that David saw through her and knew that Joab was involved in this with her, and he confronted her about his involvement. (2 Samuel 14:18-19)  Then David sent Joab to get Absalom and bring him to Jerusalem, but he was to go and stay in his own house which he did for two years before coming face to face with David. (2 Samuel 14:21-33) 

 

APPLICATION

Some people are very good at lying, and are such good actors, that they can put on an academy award winning performance and really deceive people.  However, if we listen to and observe most people, their spoken words and their behavior will allow themselves to be read like an open book.  The ability to discern the motives of people is a gift from God which all of us have not been blessed to receive. (1 Corinthians 12:10)  There is an old saying, “If you give a person enough rope, they will hang themselves.” (Author Unknown)  We need to learn to listen to people but not necessarily believe everything that they say.  We also need to pray to God for discernment so that we can distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve The Lord God and those who do not, so that we do not fall victim to those who seek to deceive us.

DAVID'S SON AMNON IS KILLED FOR RAPING HIS SISTER

PROCLAMATION

“Now Absalom had commended his servants, saying, ‘Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, ‘Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not; have not I commanded you?  Be courageous, and be valiant.’  And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded …”  2 Samuel 13:28-29 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  David’s son Amnon became obsessed with his beautiful half-sister, Tamar. (2 Samuel 13:1-2)  With the help of his advisor, Amnon developed a plan, pretending to be sick, to have King David send Tamar to care for him and feed him. (2 Samuel 13:3-7)  Tamar went to his house and prepared a meal for him.  When she took the food to his bedroom, he grabbed her, and he raped her, and then he sent her away from him. (2 Samuel 13:8-14)  When Absalom found out what had happened to his sister, he hated Amnon, but he kept quiet about it. (2 Samuel 13:20-22)  Two years later he devised a plan to kill Amnon for disgracing his sister.  Absalom held a feast at sheep-shearing time and invited the king and all of his sons to the feast.  Absalom commanded his servants to wait until Amnon was “merry with wine” and then kill him. (2 Samuel 13:23-29)  David was told that Amnon was dead and that Absalom had killed him because he had raped his sister Tamar. (2 Samuel 13:32) After this Absalom fled to Geshur and stayed there for three years. (2 Samuel 13:37-39)

 

APPLICATION

The Bible teaches us to flee fornication (1 Corinthians 6:18) and that no one is to have sexual relations with any close relative. (Leviticus 18:6-18)  Forced sexual relations with an unmarried relative just make a bad situation worse, and the passage of time does not erase the sin.  While we are taught not to hold a grudge against one another, (James 5:9) however, some people can hold a grudge for a long time.  Just because time passes by and no rage is shown towards us does not mean that we got away with a sin without getting caught.  Man may not catch us, but we will have to pay for our sin.  Those who live after the flesh will die because of the flesh. (Romans 8:5 and 8:13)  The Lord God sees all (Psalm 33:13) and one day we will have to give an account for our actions. (Luke 16:2 and Revelation 20:12-13)

THE SIN AND THE PUNISHMENT

PROCLAMATION

“Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of The Lord, to do evil in His sight?  Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.  Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house …”  2 Samuel 12:9-10 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  After King David had slept with Bath-Sheba and after he had her husband Uriah killed, The Lord God sent Nathan to David with a message. (2 Samuel 12:1-4)  Nathan told David a parable.  After he heard the parable, David was angry with the man in the parable.  He said that man must pay four times over for doing such a thing and he must die.  Nathan told David that he was that man. (2 Samuel 12:5-7)  By his actions David had shown no regard for the law of God, the Ten Commandments.  The sixth commandment is: “Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13)  The seventh commandment is: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14)  Nathan told David that someone from his own household would openly sleep with his wives, and that the child of David’s union with Bath-Sheba would die. (2 Samuel 12:7-14)  After Nathan left, the child born to David and Bath-Sheba became ill and died. (2 Samuel 12:15-19)  While the child was ill, David fasted and wept, but when he died David resumed normal activities. (2 Samuel 12:21-23)  Bath-Sheba would later bear David a second son, Solomon whom God loved. (2 Samuel 12:24)  David would soon have to flee his palace for fear of his son Absalom. (2 Samuel 15:13-14)  Afterwards, Absalom would sleep with David’s concubines during the day in the sight of all Israel. (2 Samuel 16:22)

 

APPLICATION

There will be a price to pay for willful disregard and disobedience of God’s Word.  It does not matter who we do wrong to or with, all sin is a sin against The Lord God. (Psalm 51:4)  As a believer we will not lose our salvation because of a sin, but we interrupt the fellowship and lose our joy. (Psalm 51:12)  We need to acknowledge our sins (Psalm 51:3) and ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness. (Psalm 51:1-2)  Only The Lord God can clean us up after we sin, (Psalm 51:7) and only He can create within us a clean heart and a righteous spirit. (Psalm 51:10)

OUR LUSTFUL SINFUL HUMAN NATURE

PROCLAMATION

“And it came to pass … that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house; and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.  And David sent and enquired after the woman.  And one said, ‘Is not this Bath-Sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’  And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness; and she returned unto her house.”  2 Samuel 11:2-4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

It was springtime and time to go to war, but this time King David did not go with the Israelite army, he chose to remain in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 11:1)  While walking around on the rooftop patio of his palace, David saw a beautiful woman bathing, probably on the roof of her home.  After he found out who she was, David sent for her, and she came to him, and he slept with her.  David let his lustful human nature take control and he sinned.  Actually, David had compounded the first sin, lust, with a second sin, adultery, and then later with another sin, murder.  David had her husband killed so that the sin which he had committed with Uriah’s wife, and her subsequent pregnancy, would not be discovered. (2 Samuel 11:14-17)  After a period of mourning for Uriah, Bath-Sheba became David’s wife and she bore him a son.  His actions displeased The Lord God and David would have to pay for his sins. (2 Samuel 11:27)

 

APPLICATION

David was a man after God’s own heart, (1 Samuel 13:14) but he was human, he was a man, and like all men he was a sinner. (Romans 3:23)  Here he let his lust for Bathsheba get the best of him.  David was not where he was supposed to be, he was idle, he had a wandering eye, he did not suppress his sinful thoughts, he acted on them.  We all have weakness for one sin or another, and a sin is a sin.  We are more likely to fall into temptation when we are not where we are supposed to be.  There is an old saying, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”  We all occasionally have sinful thoughts (Proverbs 23:7 and Matthew 5:28) and at times we act on those thoughts and thereby committing another sin.  That is why we need to pray and ask to be forgiven for our sinful thoughts, words, and actions.  We also need to ask The Lord God to create within us a clean heart and mind, (Psalm 51:10) and for Him to guide and direct us. (Proverbs 3:6)