June 9, 2024

Clearwater Community Church - FL

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June 9, 2024

Rise & Fall Title: “Delivered from Foolishness”

June 9, 2024 • Pastor Josh Kee • 1 Samuel 25

1 Samuel 25 Sermon Notes

Series: Rise & Fall

Title: “Delivered from Foolishness”

Contextual/ Interpretive Notes:

Chapter 25 must be read in light of chapter 24, as it reveals yet unseen aspects of David’s character that foreshadow future characteristics of his rule.

Note the parallels between [Nabal and Saul] and between [Abigail and Jonathan]

Compare David’s attitude and actions in relationship to Saul (“Yahweh’s anointed”) in chapter 24 and Nabal (the businessman in Carmel) in chapter 25

Note Yahweh’s providential provision through minor characters

1. The death of Samuel, the “man of God” (25:1a)

- Samuel has been a prominent fixture as: God’s response to Hannah’s lament (ch. 1), God’s chosen servant (ch. 3), Israel’s judge (ch. 7), the anointer of Saul (chs. 9-10), the rebuker of Saul (ch. 15), the anointer of David (ch. 16), and David’s refuge while fleeing Saul (ch. 19).

- The “mouthpiece of God” is removed from the story following Saul’s confession of David as Yahweh’s anointed king (24:20) and all Israel mourned (25:1a)

- Those who possess and live by God’s Word are a blessing to many, though despised by some.

2. David and Nabal (25:1b-13)

- David’s (presumptive?) request (1b-8)

Wisdom & Folly: Abigail (“discerning and beautiful”) is contrasted with Nabal (“harsh and badly behaved”) (2-3)

David sends a delegation of peace and goodwill requesting provisions from Nabal’s abundance in return for David’s (uncontracted) protection in the wilderness (4-8)

David’s motive is unclear, as is his actual need (he will leave 200 men to protect his own provisions in verse 13), but he presumes that Nabal ought to repay him for his goodness (contrast with Luke 6:27-36)

- Nabal’s reply (9-11)

Scoffs at David’s request and equates him to a rogue servant (as opposed to recognizing him as Yahweh’s anointed)

Treats God’s anointed with contempt

- David’s response (12-13) – in contrast to his refusal to take matters in his own hands against Saul (“the LORD’s anointed”), David takes matters (“the sword”) into his own hands to exact vengeance against Nabal

3. Yahweh’s intervention (25:14-31)

- An unnamed servant tells Abigail of Nabal’s action and David’s intentions (14-17)

- Abigail acts with wisdom and haste (18-20) (compare with God’s intervention in 23:26-28)

- David’s rash vow (21-22)

- Abigail mediates in wisdom (23-31)

embraces David as God’s anointed and detaches herself from her “evil” and “worthless” husband, (note Jonathan)

posture of submission and honor - “your servant” (6x); “my lord” (10x)

reaffirms God’s promise to David (28)

4. David’s repentance (25:32-35) – contrasted with Saul’s refusal to repent (22:18-19)

- Blesses Yahweh (32)

- Blesses Abigail and promises peace (33-35)

5. Abigail’s report to Nabal (25:36-38)

- Nabal is drunk in his contemptuous wealth - fool (36)

- God exacts vengeance (37-38)

6. David takes Abigail as his wife (25:39-44)

- Blesses Yahweh for his justice and protection (39)

- Literarily, likely represents David’s embrace of God’s wisdom and provision (40)

- Culturally and politically, represents a strategic “maneuvering” toward the throne (43) (perhaps foreshadowing David’s failure in 2 Samuel 11)

- Note: The biblical and historical account of God’s chosen one taking multiple wives in no way condones or endorses such an action as wise or acceptable before God

Main Points: Even the Lord’s chosen ones, save Jesus Christ, possess duplicity of heart and require God’s gracious intervention, often through the provision of others, to protect them from their own foolishness. The humble will accept God’s merciful intervention, embrace his wisdom, and rejoice over his protection. The foolish will double down on their folly, reject wisdom, and become embittered over God’s hindrance of their desires.

Discussion Questions:

1. Consider the gift Samuel was to Israel because he was a “mouthpiece for God.” Imagine your own funeral. Who is present? Why are they there? Will they mourn because a mouthpiece of God is no longer with them? How might you bless others with God’s Word (starting in your own home)?

2. Read Luke 6:27-36 and consider Jesus’ fulfillment of righteousness. Are you devoted to good works to bless others and adorn the gospel (see Eph. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Titus 3:1, 8). Do you do so expecting repayment? How do you respond when your good works go unrecognized or unrepaid? Consider how Jesus fulfilled these verses and rejoice at his selfless generosity to you, knowing you could never repay him for his kindness.

3. Where are you prone to justify taking matters into your own hands? Are there any areas you need to repent of currently? Are there any people who have offended, wounded, or wronged you that you need to commit to the Lord’s justice and timing?

4. How has God intervened to keep you from your own foolishness? How have you responded? Is he acting currently to keep you from sin? Will you receive his merciful hindrance and rejoice over his protection, or begrudge his refusal to accommodate sinful desires?

5. Do you love wisdom? If you struggle, consider reading through the book of Proverbs, taking a chapter a day for a month. Ask the Lord to teach you and to help you love (and embrace) his wisdom.

July 21, 2024

July 21, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 31

Theme: The Fall of a King Passage: 1 Samuel 31 A life lived exclusively following one’s own way: 1. Discovers life working against them 2. Reaps destruction and ruin 3. Results in a great fall no matter strength and stature 4. Ends losing what was hoped to gain Biblical Truth: The prophetic word inevitably finds fulfillment. Solution: There is only one perfect king who continues to work through a faithful remnant who honor Him. · Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand. · Honor Him. Application Questions 1. Why does Saul seem such a tragic figure as we read of his death? What can we, who have been given so much, take from this tragedy? 2. From what is seen in this text, how is God’s glory diminished when we forge our own path rather than submit our lives to God? 3. In what ways have you tragically seen or experienced the effects of forging your own way only to find God’s Word never fails (see Gal. 6:7)? 4. How is this text calling you to humble yourself under God this week? What needs to be addressed in your life to return glory to God? 5. How is this passage calling you to honor Him with your life this week?

July 14, 2024

July 14, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 30

Theme: Finding Strength in the Lord Passage: 1 Samuel 30 Main Idea: Amid life’s crises, believers find their strength in the Lord. Means of finding strength in the Lord -Prayer: Turning to God -Word: Living according to His revealed will -Evidence of finding strength in the Lord -Sharing in God’s grace equally -Sharing God’s grace generously Application Questions: 1. Why can believers find it difficult to turn to the Lord for their strength amid crisis or difficulty? How have you struggled with this in the past? 2. What obstacles do you find that hinder your turning to God in prayer? Is prayer a regular habit in your life? What difficulties do you experience with prayer? 3. What is it about the Word of God that produces strength and direction for our lives? How are you strengthened when you are in God’s Word? 4. In what ways have you found it difficult to share in God’s grace equally with others? What might this reveal about your own hang-ups or prejudices concerning God’s grace? 5. How has this passage challenged you to share God’s grace toward you generously with others?

July 7, 2024

July 7, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 29

Theme: God amidst Wavering Faith Passage: 1 Samuel 29 Main Idea: God works to renew the faith of His chosen ones even when their faith wavers. Characterization of God’s Work in 1 Samuel 29: - Providential - Protective - Patient Application Questions: 1. Exposing the deep recesses of your heart, what has caused or is causing your faith in God to waver? 2. Looking back over times of seeming distance from God, how have you seen his providential work in your life? 3. How has God protected you from your own sinful and foolish choices? How did you respond? 4. What has this message taught you about God’s patience towards you? Why do we seemingly continue to doubt his goodness and love toward us? 5. What actions has this passage challenged you to take?