May 5, 2024

Clearwater Community Church - FL

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May 5, 2024

Devotion to the God’s Anointed One

May 5, 2024 • Pastor Josh Kee • 1 Samuel 20

1 Samuel 20 Sermon Information

Series: Rise & Fall

Title: “Devotion to the God’s Anointed One”

I. David confides in Jonathan (1-11)

a. Innocence & Ignorance (1-3)

b. Jonathan’s loyalty (4)

i. Jonathan’s deference to David reveals his love for David

ii. Jonathan’s deference to David reveals that he has embraced God’s chosen one

c. The Plan (5-7)

d. The Covenant (8-9; cf. 18:3-4)

i. “deal kindly”; “show kindness” – hesed = loyal love, faithfulness, steadfast love

ii. Exodus 34:6 > John 1:14

e. To the field (10-11)

II. Jonathan and David Affirm their Covenant (12-23)

a. Jonathan affirms his loyalty to David (12-13)

i. God’s name is invoked, indicating the seriousness of Jonathan’s devotion to David as God’s chosen king (12)

ii. Breaking covenant results in severe judgment (13)

b. Jonathan appeals to the covenant (14-17)

i. Jonathan’s loyalty to David sets him against his father and puts him in danger (14)

ii. Jonathan’s (and his family’s) security depends on David’s faithfulness to the covenant (14-15)

iii. Jonathan opposes all that opposes God’s purposes (16)

iv. Covenantal love is expressed through extreme loyalty (17)

c. Jonathan’s promise is expressed through specific action (18-22)

d. Jonathan and David’s covenant is affirmed (again) (23)

e. Jonathan and David’s friendship is ultimately about loyalty to God’s purposes through his chosen means

III. Saul’s heart is revealed (24-34)

a. The table scene foreshadows future allegiances (24-25)

b. Saul’s suspicion and Jonathan’s defense (26-29)

c. Saul’s response reveals his heart (30-31)

i. Selfish ambition and opposition to God have consumed Saul and driven him mad

ii. Unrestrained self-orientation results in a murderous heart and opposes God

d. Jonathan separates from his father (32-34)

IV. Jonathan warns David (35-42)

a. Jonathan fulfills his covenant promise (35-40)

b. Jonathan and David meet, then depart in peace (41-42)

“True strength lies in submission, which permits one to dedicate his life, through devotion, to something beyond himself.” (Henry Miller, American Novelist)

Main Point: Pride and selfish ambition ultimately bring ruin because they set the self-obsessed against Almighty God. Faith embraces God’s revealed purposes, through his chosen means, within the security of his holy covenant, and devotes all of life to him.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does Jonathan’s loyalty to David teach us about the Christian life?

a. Who was he ultimately devoted to?

b. What did that produce in his life?

c. Who/ what are you most devoted to?

2. What does Saul’s preoccupation with the throne (power) result in? What does this teach us about the dangers of a self-oriented life? Are there areas where you are more devoted to your ambition than God’s purposes? Are you more devoted to your personal goals than to God’s purposes?

3. Why do you think self-obsession results in unrestrained anger?

a. Is there anger in your life? Trace it to its roots. What does that reveal about our hearts?

b. Does anything need evaluated, acknowledged, confessed, and repented of?

4. What does this chapter teach us about covenant?

a. What does it mean for you to be in covenant with God (1 Corinthians 11:25)? How has Christ covenanted (irrevocably promised) to relate with those who trust him? How can this encourage you and lead to praise?

b. How are you living? Are you loyally devoted to Christ, or is your heart divided? How does resolving your devotion lead to security and stability in a chaotic world?

5. Consider the many promises of God for those who are in covenant relationship with him. Rejoice at what you have been gifted. Ask him for grace to live devoted to him in all things. Confess where you are not devoted, but trust his faithful, loyal, steadfast love to you in Christ.

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?