Another great time in church this morning. Paul Benger spoke an excellent message, the fourth in our series on the life of David.
David and Mephibosheth, ‘Pay it Forward’ - 2 Samuel 9:1-11
David chose to bless the household of Saul
Even though Saul had once tried to kill David he didn’t seek to get vengeance, to get payback for Saul’s wrongdoing. Jesus said ‘love your enemies’. His message is not easy but it is possible through the Holy Spirit.
In your heart be a person who seeks to bless and not to look for retribution, paying back evil for evil.
Mephibosheth...
1) Had to get over his poverty mentality
He had settled on mediocrity, a poor area. 2 Samuel 9:8 – Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"
We don’t have to exclude ourselves from the grace and love of God. Don’t take on the poverty mentality – ‘We don’t deserve it’. God loves us, he has made a table for us in the presence of our enemies and our cup is running over! There is a seat at God’s table all the days of your life.
Romans 4:17 - The God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. God blesses us before the event! He wants the best for you and he wants the best for this church.
2) He had to learn to be happy with who he was
We can live in the world of the ‘If Only’. Root cause of many of the social, emotional problems that individual’s face is that people don’t like themselves.
Mephibosheth should have known that God still loved him. So often we can compare ourselves with others and yet God made us as ‘an original’.
When we choose to bless people...
1) We change the world of those around us
We bring God into their world. Luke 6:27-28 – But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill-treat you. Mephibosheth’s world was completely transformed because David chose to bless him.
2) God sees it – and he blesses us
When we bless others, when we give, God gives to us. Isaiah 58:6-8.
Malachi 3:10 - Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
3) We are planting a seed for our future
Galatians 6:7 - Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Proverbs 11:24-25 - One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Your attitude attracts a response. When we are generous people respond generously to us. It’s not just about money but about our attitudes.
Three ways to bless others...
Our words
Our words can encourage or tear down. Proverbs 12:25 - An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up
Our gifts
Use your gifts to bless others. Proverbs 18:16 - A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great
By sharing mercy
Giving people what they don’t deserve. Galatians 2:10 - All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do
We can bless others and change their world. 2 Samuel 9:1 - David asked, Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Virtuous Reality III
Great time in church this morning. Full of people and full of life! As well as continuing our series on the life of David, we also had our ‘new peoples lunch’ afterwards where around 24 new people came who had joined us in the last 6 months. Paul shared the vision and values of our church. We’re hoping to be doing one every 6 months or so.
David and Bathsheba “Windows XP” - 2 Samuel 11
The fall and rise of King David
The Fall...
1) He became careless – (vs1) He was King he should have been going to war. He took his eyes off the ball. He sent Joab to lead the troops when it should have been him.
God has saved us...He has a purpose for us. We become careless if we take our eyes of that purpose.
Matthew 28:19 – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Our purpose...the great ‘co-mission’...OUR mission. “To know Jesus and to make Him know” – the mission statement of our church.
We need to remain sharp in our lives...to keep our eyes on God and on our mission.
Deuteronomy 8:10-11, 17-18
2) He tried to cover his mistakes – David tried cover things up, to try and sort things out in his own strength (Abraham example). He even tried to justify his position. We need to be open...to repent...to not try and cover things up and make excuses. Submit to God.
But David was restored. The Rise...
God is a Redeemer. We can think that failure is the end of it, that God could never love us again. But we can begin again...
1) Repent – David could have carried on with the cover-up, but he changed is mind, to turn around (repent). Psalm 51 – David’s Psalm of repentance.
2) Don’t let your mistakes define you – David was a man after God’s own heart. Let what God thinks about you define you. When God looks at you he doesn’t see what you do (Gideon example). He loves us and wants to restore us, to mould us and shape our lives.
3) Know God’s total forgiveness – When we try to forgive we struggle, we can still harbour things. With God forgiveness is total and complete. Psalm 130:3-4 - If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. Know God’s forgiveness today...TOTAL and not partial.
4) Press on and fulfil God’s purpose for your life – God has a plan for your life. He will use us in all areas of life. Set your will to fulfil God’s will and purpose for you life. Line up your will to His.
David and Bathsheba “Windows XP” - 2 Samuel 11
The fall and rise of King David
The Fall...
1) He became careless – (vs1) He was King he should have been going to war. He took his eyes off the ball. He sent Joab to lead the troops when it should have been him.
God has saved us...He has a purpose for us. We become careless if we take our eyes of that purpose.
Matthew 28:19 – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Our purpose...the great ‘co-mission’...OUR mission. “To know Jesus and to make Him know” – the mission statement of our church.
We need to remain sharp in our lives...to keep our eyes on God and on our mission.
Deuteronomy 8:10-11, 17-18
2) He tried to cover his mistakes – David tried cover things up, to try and sort things out in his own strength (Abraham example). He even tried to justify his position. We need to be open...to repent...to not try and cover things up and make excuses. Submit to God.
But David was restored. The Rise...
God is a Redeemer. We can think that failure is the end of it, that God could never love us again. But we can begin again...
1) Repent – David could have carried on with the cover-up, but he changed is mind, to turn around (repent). Psalm 51 – David’s Psalm of repentance.
2) Don’t let your mistakes define you – David was a man after God’s own heart. Let what God thinks about you define you. When God looks at you he doesn’t see what you do (Gideon example). He loves us and wants to restore us, to mould us and shape our lives.
3) Know God’s total forgiveness – When we try to forgive we struggle, we can still harbour things. With God forgiveness is total and complete. Psalm 130:3-4 - If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. Know God’s forgiveness today...TOTAL and not partial.
4) Press on and fulfil God’s purpose for your life – God has a plan for your life. He will use us in all areas of life. Set your will to fulfil God’s will and purpose for you life. Line up your will to His.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Virtuous Reality II
Paul Benger continued our series on the life of David, ‘Virtuous Reality’ this morning. He spoke on “David and Jonathan, Friends Forever”.
1 Samuel 18:1-5; 1 Samuel 19:1-7; 1 Samuel 20:1-4
David and Jonathan had a great friendship. Friends are so important. We were created for community, to be together as God intended.
God put David and Jonathan together. 1 Samuel 18:1 - Jonathan became one in spirit with David. God still does that today. He puts people together - those who are one in heart and mind. God knits hearts together.
Saul became jealous of David and tried to have him killed. But Jonathan fought for David. We also need to defend one another. “A friend is one who comes in when the whole world has gone out”.
Friends...those who have your best interests at heart. Those who want you to do well. Let’s look out for each other.
Important things about Jonathan’s character:
His lack of jealousy. So often we fight the demons our parents failed to conquer. Somehow Jonathan had overcome this (Saul’s jealousy). Jonathan could have been the next king and yet he submitted to David.
He learned from his father’s mistake. We can learn from our mistakes. We are not destined to repeat the mistakes of our parents, or of our past. Be humble enough to say sorry, to move on from our mistakes.
He honoured his father. Even though he did not always agree with him. Ephesians 6:2 – Honour your father and mother - you will live a long life of blessing. Jonathan stayed loyal to his father.
4 lessons in ultimate friendships
Love People
We’re here to love people. Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. In our world we can become cynical about people. Let God knit you together. Our job is to love people...to be a Church that loves people.
Be Faithful
God loves faithfulness. 2 Timothy 2:13 – if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. This is the message of grace, that God remains faithful even we are not. He wants us to be like him too. Don’t disappear when people face tough times – remain faithful.
Encourage People
Our job is to put faith into people’s hearts. Encourage and lift people when they are feeling discouraged. 1 Samuel 23:16 - Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.
Pursue Unity
To be one in heart and mind. The enemy’s objective is to see disharmony and disunity. Fight for unity...where we know God’s blessing. Psalm 133:1,3 – How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life for evermore.
1 Samuel 18:1-5; 1 Samuel 19:1-7; 1 Samuel 20:1-4
David and Jonathan had a great friendship. Friends are so important. We were created for community, to be together as God intended.
God put David and Jonathan together. 1 Samuel 18:1 - Jonathan became one in spirit with David. God still does that today. He puts people together - those who are one in heart and mind. God knits hearts together.
Saul became jealous of David and tried to have him killed. But Jonathan fought for David. We also need to defend one another. “A friend is one who comes in when the whole world has gone out”.
Friends...those who have your best interests at heart. Those who want you to do well. Let’s look out for each other.
Important things about Jonathan’s character:
His lack of jealousy. So often we fight the demons our parents failed to conquer. Somehow Jonathan had overcome this (Saul’s jealousy). Jonathan could have been the next king and yet he submitted to David.
He learned from his father’s mistake. We can learn from our mistakes. We are not destined to repeat the mistakes of our parents, or of our past. Be humble enough to say sorry, to move on from our mistakes.
He honoured his father. Even though he did not always agree with him. Ephesians 6:2 – Honour your father and mother - you will live a long life of blessing. Jonathan stayed loyal to his father.
4 lessons in ultimate friendships
Love People
We’re here to love people. Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. In our world we can become cynical about people. Let God knit you together. Our job is to love people...to be a Church that loves people.
Be Faithful
God loves faithfulness. 2 Timothy 2:13 – if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. This is the message of grace, that God remains faithful even we are not. He wants us to be like him too. Don’t disappear when people face tough times – remain faithful.
Encourage People
Our job is to put faith into people’s hearts. Encourage and lift people when they are feeling discouraged. 1 Samuel 23:16 - Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.
Pursue Unity
To be one in heart and mind. The enemy’s objective is to see disharmony and disunity. Fight for unity...where we know God’s blessing. Psalm 133:1,3 – How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life for evermore.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Virtuous Reality I
In church this morning Jeannie Benger gave us a great opening message to our new series for 2007 “Virtuous Reality” which is based upon the life of David. The title of part one of the series was “A Giant Undertaking – David and Goliath”
1 Samuel 17
To live a life of purity and integrity in today’s world is a giant undertaking!
Obstacles David faced that we face today...
David Faced a Giant – He was over 9 feet tall. His armour weighed more than 8 stone! We face situations that seem like giants. Sometimes we feel we will never win them over. God has given us the ability to fight theses giants. His Holy Spirit within us helps us to overcome.
David Faced a Bad Example – Even as King, Saul was a bad example to David. As David become more popular than Saul later on jealousy would consume him and cause him to try and kill David. We need to guard our hearts against jealousy. God has created each one us unique. We all have something to bring; we don’t all have the same gifts and abilities.
David Faced a Poor Reputation – His brothers did not believe in him. They thought he was not good enough. Sometimes we have felt belittled in the past, which may have caused us to stop believing in ourselves. God believes in you! We [the church] believe in you!
David’s keys for defeating the obstacles faced in his life and that helps us overcome ours...
A Repaired Past – we need a positive view of the past even when things did not turn out as we had hoped. David was not chosen and yet he became a champion. He became a champion not when he had defeated Goliath but when he overcame the negatives in his life, when he took on the right attitudes.
A Good Set of Relationships – David had a good relationship with his father. We should also with our Father, God. David got his values from his father. We should get our DNA from our God. Also have the right people in our lives.
A Strong Conviction – David was not trusting in history but in God. He knew God, he knew he could trust him.
A Strong Commitment – (Verses 17-20) David did things with a passion. He set out early in the morning. He was committed to his responsibilities as a shepherd. He was submitted to authority (Jesse). Be passionate about what you do. Live a full and whole life serving God. Submit to authority and honour them.
A Strong Confession – (Verse 46) Make sure we have positive confession over our lives. Have a positive outlook as opposed to a negative outlook. Live a life full of faith. God has made you a giant slayer. You are a champion!
1 Samuel 17
To live a life of purity and integrity in today’s world is a giant undertaking!
Obstacles David faced that we face today...
David Faced a Giant – He was over 9 feet tall. His armour weighed more than 8 stone! We face situations that seem like giants. Sometimes we feel we will never win them over. God has given us the ability to fight theses giants. His Holy Spirit within us helps us to overcome.
David Faced a Bad Example – Even as King, Saul was a bad example to David. As David become more popular than Saul later on jealousy would consume him and cause him to try and kill David. We need to guard our hearts against jealousy. God has created each one us unique. We all have something to bring; we don’t all have the same gifts and abilities.
David Faced a Poor Reputation – His brothers did not believe in him. They thought he was not good enough. Sometimes we have felt belittled in the past, which may have caused us to stop believing in ourselves. God believes in you! We [the church] believe in you!
David’s keys for defeating the obstacles faced in his life and that helps us overcome ours...
A Repaired Past – we need a positive view of the past even when things did not turn out as we had hoped. David was not chosen and yet he became a champion. He became a champion not when he had defeated Goliath but when he overcame the negatives in his life, when he took on the right attitudes.
A Good Set of Relationships – David had a good relationship with his father. We should also with our Father, God. David got his values from his father. We should get our DNA from our God. Also have the right people in our lives.
A Strong Conviction – David was not trusting in history but in God. He knew God, he knew he could trust him.
A Strong Commitment – (Verses 17-20) David did things with a passion. He set out early in the morning. He was committed to his responsibilities as a shepherd. He was submitted to authority (Jesse). Be passionate about what you do. Live a full and whole life serving God. Submit to authority and honour them.
A Strong Confession – (Verse 46) Make sure we have positive confession over our lives. Have a positive outlook as opposed to a negative outlook. Live a life full of faith. God has made you a giant slayer. You are a champion!
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