Acts 8

3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Baddies can become goodies.
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1 Kings 4-6

"Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest and the king's friend;"

Kings need friends.
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Acts 7

35 "This Moses whom they rejected, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?' is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush.

Obedience to God will always entail obedience to man at some level. God never works without leadership.
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1 Kings 1-3

29 And the king took an oath and said, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress,

Promises based on confidence in God will stand.
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Judges 1-4

We can be shocked sometimes when we read in the Old Testament about how the Israelites were commanded by God to wipe out heathen peoples. Here, we are shown what happens when they disobey God, and allow pagans to remain in the promised land: (2v3) '...their gods shall be a snare to you...'

Joshua 7-24

Hendriksen's summary of the book is interesting:
(1v2) 'Arise, go over this jordan' - This takes place over chapters 1-4
(1v5) 'No man shall be able to stand before you...' - Israel conquers the land in chapters 5-12
(1v6) '...you shall cause this people to inherit the land...' - the land is divided between the twelve tribes in chapters 13-22
(1v7) '...do according to all the law...' - In chapters 23 and 24, Joshua emphasizes Israel's obligation to worship and love Jehovah

(23v10) 'One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord you God who fights for you, just as He promised you.' - a good verse to remember when you're just about to preach.

Acts 6

Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit...8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people....15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

Do I look like an angel?

2 Samuel 21-24

1 Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.” 2 So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; the children of Israel had sworn protection to them, but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah.

Zeal not borne of relationship with the Father, will take us further, quicker from His presence.

22 These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

Serve a giant killer and become a giant killer.

Acts 5

19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."

I could do with some angelic assistance!
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2 Samuel 14-20

19 The king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland.

It strikes me that David comes across as so flexible in the Lord's hands. He calls the usurper "King", and allows Shimei to curse him in case it is God's will. His primary concern is to discover the will of God.

Acts 4

14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Experience trumps argument. If it happened its possible, because it happened.
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2 Samuel 10-13

3 And the princes of the people of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you think that David really honors your father because he has sent comforters to you? Has David not rather sent his servants to you to search the city, to spy it out, and to overthrow it?"

Do we receive the comforter, or reject His ministers because we misunderstand their intentions.


11 And Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are encamped in the open fields. Shall I then go to my house to eat and drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing."


Are we with His presence in the battle, or relaxing at home in bed. Wake up church!
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Acts 3

Peter said, "Look at us." 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

Peter's command produced expectation to receive. His subsequent actions in making the man stand up, further demonstrated and imparted confidence that God would heal there and then.
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2 Samuel 7-9

16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you.[e] Your throne shall be established forever.

David decides to build a house for God and God says 'No, I'm gonna build a house for you.' Its impossible to outgive God! David's response is also interesting: he wholeheartedly receives the blessing, and even asks God to fulfil His promise.
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Acts 2

38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I've been baptised and repented: I must enjoy my free gift to the full!
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2 Samuel 4-6

5 Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals

Quietly?

15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.

Decently and in order?

16 Now as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD;
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Joshua 1-6

'Be strong and courageous'
Even with the Lord leading us into the promised land, we will still need courage and strength of character - he won't do everything for us - we are responsible too! Christ has done the hardest part of the work in dying for us, but we must now do some of the work in living for him.

Acts 1

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

The primary function of the power of the Spirit is to witness.

22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."

The primary function of Apostleship is to witness.
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2 Samuel 1-3

16 So David said to him, "Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the LORD's anointed.

It is a terrible thing to die for a lie. Worse still to die knowing it is for a lie.
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John 21

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"

Do I love Jesus more than my other friends?
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1 Samuel 29-31

26 Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, "Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD"

Send a gift to your friends. They'll appreciate it and it will strengthen the bond between you.
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John 20

22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

They'd received the Spirit, and yet we know they were still subsequently instructed to wait for the Spirit. Even after pentecost, they took time out to wait for the Spirit again and the place was shaken again.
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1 Samuel 26-28

15 Now Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?"

We never die.
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Deuteronomy 17-34

(17v14-20) The laws concerning a king. Although the king would rule over the people, 'his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers'. God would still be the ruler of the people, the king communicating God's will through his governing. A human king would have to 'write...a copy of this law...': Christ would be the 'Word become flesh', a revelation of God's law in human form.

Moses goes on to instruct the people regarding the laws of God, and how their covenant relationship works - if you obey, blessings; if you disobey, curses. Christ was blessed for his obedience, but cursed for our disobedience.

(29v29) 'The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us...'

In chapter 30, there is the message of repentance and forgiveness. Joshua is commissioned to lead Israel, and we then have the song of Moses, and finally his death - 'the people of Israel wept for Moses'.

(32v4) 'A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.'

John 19

36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled,

The lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world.
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1 Samuel 23-25

David is dishonoured, but God overules and repeatedly favours David. He honours those that honour Him.
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John 17

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Believing the Bible is the path to Holiness.

22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:

God will not give His glory to another; but He'll give His glory to us.
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1 Samuel 20-22

17 Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Love asks for commitment.

23 Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe."

The words of the King to His priests. David to Abiathar. Jesus to us.
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Deuteronomy 5-16

(6v4) 'The Lord is one...': Whatever He requires of us, it must be undivided. We cannot be double-minded or half-hearted.
(6v5) 'You shall love the Lord...with all your heart...': The greatest commandment reveals the core of Christian living
(6v6) '...these words which I command you today shall be on your heart...': A heart that loves the Lord will be a heart burdened for holiness
(6v7) 'And you shall teach them diligently to your children...': A personal challenge to me

(6v20-25)The people are not to forget, in the comfort of the promised land, that it all came about through the mighty work of the Lord. As we find rest in Christ, we must not take His work for granted.

(7v1-5)They are to make no room for the pagan peoples in the promised land. Worship of the Lord is not to be contaminated by idolatry.

The people are saved and brought into the land of promise, not because they are righteous, but because the Lord is righteous(9v5). We are not saved because of our own works, but because of the perfect life of Christ, who, by his blood, overturned sin's mastery of our hearts.

John 16

8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Believing in Christ deals with sin. His righteousness is manifest in us by His Spirit. He applies through us the judgement that has been passed on the enemy...Acts 10.38
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1 Samuel 17-19

28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was aroused against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.

Those who won't sometimes deride those that will to cover their own shame.
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John 15

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Word AND relationship!! This may be where some evangelicals have fallen short, be they cessationists, pentecostals or word of faith. The word brings a confidence to our relationship with Jesus as surely as wedding vows do for a marriage. But the vows ain't the marriage!

1 Samuel 14-16

21 Moreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden in the mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle.

Two men's ridiculous risk of faith caused all the backsliders and lost ones to fight boldly for the Lord.

24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.”

Another's religious zeal brought weakness and a curse on the camp.

Are we acting in faith or religion? Relationship-based risks or religious effort?

John 14

20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

That is the gospel.
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1 Samuel 11-13

23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.

A leader's responsibilty is not to pray or teach, but to pray and teach.
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John 13

37 Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake."



We cannot lay our lives down for Him until we've received His life laid down for us.

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1 Samuel 7-10

3 But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

Did the great man of God walk with His sons?
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John 12

43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Let me hear your praise O God.

1 Samuel 4-6

The ark of God comes into the camp and the Philistines are afraid, because this is the "god" that did the mighty works in Egypt. The ark is captured, but God demonstrates He is with the ark of the testimony, by moving against Philistia as He moved against Egypt. Its interesting that the Philistine thought to make gold images of the rats and tumors they were afflicted with: had they heard the story of the bronze snake, just as they'd heard the story of the ten plagues?

The conclusion I draw is that God is still found inside the testimonies, the stories of previous things He has done, because God is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Deuteronomy 1-4

(1v5) 'Moses undertook to explain this law...'
Moses has communicated God's words to the people, having received direct revelation from the Lord. Having proclaimed God's words, he now seeks to explain them.

(4v25) 'When you...have grown old...if you act corruptly...'
Sometimes, the word of God is a light that draws people away from the world's dangers. Sometimes, though, the word of God will be part of people's judgment, as they shy away from its light so their deeds can remain in darkness.

John 11

51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

It amazes me that we can hear from God accurately, and yet act upon it wrongly. Its partly that character and gifting need to work together. Its also true that it is the quality of intimacy with God that will keep us, and not our gifts. Todd Bentley recently confessed that most of his devotional life during Lakeland consisted of asking for words of knowledge, rather than just enjoying fellowship with God.

John 8 (missed out earlier!)

31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

A reeducated mind is the pathway to freedom. One hour on a Sunday is not sufficient for this task. Freedom is progressively attained acording to the renewing of our minds.

1 Samuel 1-3

"It is not by strength that one prevails;



10 those who oppose the LORD will be shattered.

He will thunder against them from heaven;

the LORD will judge the ends of the earth.

"He will give strength to his king

and exalt the horn of his anointed."



The anointing of God matters more than any earthly powers. Physical strength, wisdom, management ability can all be provided, as Samson and Solomon could attest. But without the anointing, the abiding intimacy with the Lord, the strength and wisdom will be lost...as Samson and Solomon could again both attest.

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John 10

38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe[d] that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."



Works are to aid faith that God dwells in us.

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Judges 19-21

Civil war between the people of God, commanded by God, to root out those who defend and approve gross sin.
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John 9

27 He answered them, "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?



The tangible demonstrable goodness of God brings boldness. It also polarises opinion.

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Judges 16-18

20 Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!"

He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him.



May we never be complacent about the source of our strength. The apostles were not: they devoted themselves continually to prayer and the word.



28 There was no one to rescue them because they lived a long way from Sidon and had no relationship with anyone else.



Relationship with other churches and other believers is crucial.

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John 7

39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

The Spirit was not given until Pentecost; the miracles the apostles did prior to that were not inwardly inspired.

Judges 13-15

8 Then Manoah prayed to the LORD : "O LORD, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."



The man who begs for wisdom will not lack the same.

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