1 Samuel 29; Helpless Against Grace

Introduction

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I heard a story about an elderly widow. This dear saint in the Lord little resources or money. She would regularly pray on her porch or with her windows open. One day she prayed to the Lord and asked him to provide her with the groceries should could not afford. Her atheist neighbor overheard her cry to the Lord. In order to show his elderly neighbor how ridiculous it is to pray to some made up God, he created a plan. He went to the grocery story and dropped off the groceries right to her front door. When the elderly saint went outside and saw the groceries, she began to praise the Lord for providing her daily bread.As she was breaking out in thanksgiving, her neighbor berated her. She was so gullible that she actually thought God provided her with groceries. God had no hand in this. There is no God to help you. This dear saint replied, “The Lord answered my prayer and he even used the devil to do it.’

Need

We need to recognize that in this life, God often puts us in hopeless situations so that we cannot mistake where our help comes from. God loves to make his people in situations where they are helpless against the grace of God. I want us to see that the Christian life is a life that is marked by helplessness in the face of God’s great grace.

Referent

1 Samuel 29:1-11.

Organization

David’s Rejection (vs. 1-7) ds

David’s Response (vs. 8-11)

Sermon in a sentence

I am helpless to God’s grace.

David’s Rejection (vs. 1-5)

vs. 1

This is such a sad little moment when the author tells us that the Philistines are encamped at Aphek.

1 Samuel 4 - The Philistines take the ark of the covenant at Aphek.

The Philistines were harassing Israel in this location before Saul became king and they are still causing problems in the same place for Israel. It just shows how ineffective the monarchy was.

vs. 2-5 the Philistines and Achish disagree

The Philistines reject David but Ashish’s words are so obvious to the read.

David was supposed to be the servant of Saul, the king of Israel. Why in the world would you want that go going into battle with you against Saul?

Acish is so gullible. Divinely gullible or blind.

The Philistines use a song as part of their thinking.

1. The words we sing shape us and mold us.

Bethel, Hillsong, Elevation —> Cityalight, Matt Poppa, Matt Boswell, Andrew Peterson, Sovereign Grace, The Psalms

2. The ungodly should not have to tell God’s people how to behave. The ungodly will judge God’s people over anything and everything if God’s people are living holy lives. However, it should never be the case that the unbeliever better at recognizing God’s hand than the church.

David’s Response (vs. 6-11)

vs. 6—9 Acish’s Words

Acish’s Words should have cut David like a knife. As readers we should be able to hear the irony in this statement.

Spurgeon said, “Brother, if any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him; for you are worse than he thinks you to be. If he charges you falsely on some point, yet be satisfied, for if he knew you better he might change the accusation, and you would be no gainer by the correction. If you have your moral portrait painted, and it is ugly, be satisfied; for it only needs a few blacker touches, and it would be still nearer the truth.”

Saints, do not allow our ear and hearts to become dull to those around us. Even the praise of those around us should cause us to evaluate ourselves.

Holly tells me all the time that I can’t take a compliment. I think she is correct. I do find it difficult to take a compliment. However, I want to present a defense for my difficulty. I do tend to down play compliments because I know my own heart and my own limitations.

vs. 8 - David’s Plea

David is a cunning man. 1 Sam 23:22. He is so cunning that interpreters are still not sure to think about why David replied like he did.

The author of 1 Samuel has been freely giving us the inner thoughts of David when he lied to Ahimelech, David used Michal, David fakes being crazy

Here, the author gives us no help at all; which, I think is point out something. David may not have wanted to leave but get more fame and glry.

vs. 10-11

David leaves in peace. God delivered David from the king that has become a wicked serpent.

God used the enemies of God to deliver his people from slavery and bondage to wicked, tyrant, serpent.

Conclusion

God’s providence in providing the funds for me to go to Belize.

Application

Repent and put your faith in Jesus.

Stop fighting God’s grace

Repent of a particular sin

Apathy towards your sin

A call to ministry