The Book of Jonah

Rejoicing in the Gospel

In this message, former GBC intern Dave Quintinar explains that in our service to the Lord our joy ought to be grounded in the Gospel and not how fruitful (or unfruitful) we are.

David Again Spares Saul

This Sunday we resume our series in I Samuel. When you read the text (I Samuel 26), you may have a sense that you have read something like this before – and you have.

I Samuel 26 is very similar to I Samuel 24. Both chapters describe Saul chasing David, David having a golden opportunity to kill Saul, David refusing to kill Saul because he is the LORD’s anointed, David proclaiming his trust in the LORD to vindicate him, and Saul admitting David’s righteousness. The events are not, however, identical. For example, while in I Samuel 24, Saul falls into David’s hands when David is hiding in a cave; in I Samuel 26, David aggressively pursues his advantageous position over Saul.

There are other places in Scripture in which similar events occur in close proximity to one another. For example, in Mark 6 Jesus feeds 5000, and then in Mark 8 He feeds 4000. Such events recur for the sake of emphasis, or to drive home a lesson to the participants in the events or to the readers. David’s words in 26:10 seem to reflect what he has learned from Abigail and his experience in I Samuel 25. Sometimes we may go through similar experiences or trials so that we can learn a needed spiritual lesson. We, like David, need to learn to trust God in all circumstances.

Santa Christ?

As I was seeking inspiration for a Christmas message I came across a short article by Sinclair Ferguson entitled, “Santa Christ”. The point of the article was not to bash those who incorporate Santa into their Christmas celebration, but rather to show how many professing Christians have views of Jesus which resemble how people think about Santa.

Some detach Jesus from history and make of him what they want him to be. Many professing Christians deny the factuality and the importance of Jesus virgin conception and birth, His miracles, and His resurrection. Many also look upon Jesus as a mere example for us to follow so that we can as a result of our good works be rewarded by God. Some look upon Jesus as the source of the material prosperity the world craves. Finally, some see Jesus as one of many religious options, none of which is necessarily better than the other.

David and Abigail - What a Woman!

I Samuel 25 is the second of three episodes in which David is tempted to take revenge upon his enemies. In chapter 24 he had a golden opportunity to kill Saul, but refused because Saul was the LORD’s anointed.

David, after passing the first test, doesn’t do as well on the second (in chapter 25). When Nabal, a foolish Saul-like man, insults him, David vows to wipe out every male in Nabal’s household. It is only through the quick thinking intervention of Nabal’s wise and beautiful wife Abigail that her family is delivered from death and David is rescued from bloodguilt.

There are some tremendous applications which come from this passage including:

1. How we should correct others (including those in authority).
2. How we should be open to receiving correction.
3. How God rescues us from the sins we would have otherwise committed.
4. How God uses strong and wise women.

We also see a situation in which a wife takes appropriate action behind her husband’s back and against his wishes. What are we to make of this?

Finally, as in every passage, we see Christ - both in the life of David, and through the mediation (and propitiation) of Abigail.

David Refuses to Take Revenge on Saul

After a long time running away from Saul, David finally has his opportunity (under somewhat embarrassing circumstances) to strike Saul dead. David, in spite of the pleadings of his men, refuses. He will not lift up his hand against the LORD’s anointed. Rather than snatching the kingdom for himself, he chooses to wait until the LORD enthrones him.

David prefigures Jesus who also refused to take vengeance on his enemies. Jesus also was tempted to grasp His kingdom prematurely (see Matthew 4). Like David, Jesus was encouraged by his closest friends to take a crown without a cross (see Mark 8). Jesus, like David followed the Father’s will and gained His glorious kingdom (and our redemption) as a result.

We, like David and Jesus, will be tempted to take revenge on those who have hurt us. This text teaches us how we can resist the temptation to return evil for evil. We also will be tempted to take shortcuts in life. Instead of following feelings, listening to worldly counsel, or seeking our own ease; we are called to be faithful to God’s revealed word even if it means we must follow in Jesus steps of suffering.

Satisfaction for the Thirsty

Spurgeon called Isaiah 55 a chapter of gospel invitation. He preached from this passage at least eighteen times.

Isaiah 55 pleads with the lost to abandon their worthless idols. The Lord offers abundant pardon and rich kingdom blessings to those who turn to Him.

Isaiah 55 also speaks to believers who sometimes waste their time and money seeking to find joy and satisfaction in worldly things instead of finding their fulfillment in Christ.

Isaiah 55 also points to Christ who offers Himself as our spiritual food and drink.

Liberty and Love

Are you strong?

Last week Paul began his discussion of the issues over which Christians differ by encouraging all of us to accept one another without judging in these difficult matters.

In this week’s text Paul focuses upon those who consider themselves strong - because they believe they have liberty to do things in which the weak cannot participate without violating his conscience.
Rather than looking down on the weak, the strong should forego the use of his freedom for the sake of those who don’t enjoy the same sense of freedom.
In so doing he is living out the gospel by imitating Christ who gave up His rights for us.