Abigail (Mothers Day)

Abigail (Mothers Day) I Samuel 25

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Today being mothers day, it seems appropriate to take a pause from Colossians and look at one of the amazing women in the Old Testament. Here to read our long scripture passage today are our scripture readers ... I Sam 25:1-42

Have a mom read I Sam 25:1-42

Hook - Today’s culture celebrates a woman who is loud and who is proud.

When we look at Abigail we see just the opposite. We see someone who is strong and humble. In fact her husband Nabal is the proud one.

Big Idea - God has a powerful plan to use women in His Kingdom for His glory.

Today we will look at 5 observation on Abigail’s life.

Big Idea - The

Observations on Abigail -

God will spiritually use me to bring Him glory despite the obstacles in my life.

Some women today have obstacles in their life. Something they have to fight through to keep from being held back.

although wealthy, Abigail was no stranger to obstacles.

Abigail effected serious change even though she lived in a culture that had a very low view of women and female influence.

-Woman in Bible times had very view rights: could not inherit property, could not choose who they married (arranged marriages), rarely every had a job outside the home, would in many cases live with her husband and her in laws, were very dependent on men for their protection, were restricted in worship at the Temple due to monthly cleanliness laws. A bad husband could get away with treating his wife like property. Certainly could not vote and rarely had money of their own to spend.

Being a woman in Bible times was very tough. Some would say it was oppressive.

This was not just in the Hebrew culture, but look at the history of women over the centuries and you will see this situation throughout most cultures.

-Ladies, you may think that you could never be used deeply by God to effect others lives because of your gender or race, or something that has been difficult in your past, but God is able to overcome.

Illustration my mom - My mom grew up as the youngest girl in a very poor family. There was a season in her life that she suffered abuse (not verbal and not violent). Despite being very poor, despite living with the wounds of abuse - she embraced God’s grace in the Gospel. To this day, she is my greatest cheerleader when it comes to depending on God’s grace....

-If you are a Christ follower we will know that God does have a plan for your to be used in His kingdom.

Benediction and Final Greetings

20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen

God will spiritually use me to bring Him glory despite the obstacles in my life.

God equips us with what we need to do His will.

God will spiritually use me to bring Him glory despite the obstacles in my life.

Transition - the 2nd thing that we see in this passage is this (more specific of the 1st point).

2. I can be used by God in a powerful way despite having a difficult home life.

vs. 3, “…Nabal was harsh and badly behaved”

vs. 25, Abigail calls him foolish, His name Nabal means “fool’.

Nabal was a Calabite - a people known for their doglike and shameless character.

Not only could Nabal’s male servants get through to him, Abigail didn’t even try to warn him of pending death. She knew he was a hard foolish man.

Do not make the mistake to mix up foolish and smart.

Nabal was very smart in his business dealings, but due to his arrogance, selfishness, and lack of understanding of relationships he was a fool.

I don’t think it is stretch to make the case that Nabal was a difficult man to live with at home.

You may have a difficult home situation.

Every married woman in this room has an imperfect home situation. Every husband in this room is imperfect in some way.

Truism - My present repressive condition and my past situation does not define my ability to follow God’s leading.

-Even though things at home are difficult, God can still use you to impact the spiritual lives of others. He will if you let him.

I can be used by God in a powerful way despite having a difficult home life.

Transition - We see that Abigail was not only a person that was not held back, but a person of action.

3. I must choose wise action over the distraction of wealth and beauty.

Abigail did not allow wealth or her beauty blind her from from wisdom or the situation surrounding her.

14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, “Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he railed at them.

Verse?

The servant continues in verse 17.

14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, “Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he railed at them.

17 Now therefore know this and consider what you should do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his house, and he is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him.”

I’m not wealthy! Yes you are. At least 80% of the people in this room are currently in the 10% of the wealthiest people in the world.

18 Then Abigail made haste...

Jonathan, What does Abigail making haste to save someone’s life have to do with wealth and beauty?

Answer - Many times (not always), but many times. The wealthy and beautiful think, “That’s not my problem. Let someone else deal with it. I have too much to risk.”

David was after Nabal’s men. Abigail was safe - but Abigail still took action.

In Bible times the men were called to protect the women from harm and fight to the death to protect their family.

Abigail risked her life for the life of the men associated with her shrewd husband.

Abigail was a woman of wise action. She chose to not let her beauty or wealth keep her for risking her life for others.

I’m not wealthy! Yes you are. At least 80% of the people in this room are currently in the 10% of the wealthiest people in the world.

The rest of us are in the top 20% of wealthiest people in the world.

David had taken sinfully vengeance in his own hand and had committed to killing every man who worked for or was enslaved to Nabal.

Truism - Comfort and or beauty can make us very self centered and self oriented.

Example - Next week we are going to have a missionary named Andy speak to us. This main focus of his ministry is to a group of Christian orphan boys in India that live in an area where there .16% Christians. His hands are full with running his orphanage. He finds out about another Christian ministry not in his area that minister to Christian women who have had acid thrown in their face by their husbands to intentionally disfigure them. This ministry to Christian woman is raising money for plastic surgery. These woman think they are worthless. They are full of shame because of what has happened to them. Andy is partnering with this ministry to help the ladies.

Andy the missionary has his hands full with his Christian orphanage. He doesn’t need more to do.

He didn’t say, That’s not my problem. It’s too much to risk. Someone else will handle it.

Abigail made a decision to not let her beauty and wealth blind her to life.

She didn’t sit back and let other people take care of her.

She didn’t allow comfort and ease blind her to the lie of, “This is someone else’s problem.”

Abigail chose wise action. She risked her wealth and her life.

Her bold life risking action, saved her husbands life and every man associated with Nabal. Probably hundreds of lives.

4. She is a person of reputation. She has been developing her character and she is known to be someone who is wise and can be trusted. vs. 14 & 17

5. She is a woman of wise action. She responds to protect her husband would was a difficult man.

??? 6. She understanding the importance of returning good with good, not returning good with evil.

Transition - Where is Christ, Where is the Gospel in Abigail’s story?

There are several ways that Abigail’s actions remind us of the what Jesus did on the Cross.

Abigails action point us to Chr

4. The innocent is willing to take on the wrathful justice of the sinner.

24 She [Abigail] fell at his [David’s] feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant.

24 She [Abigail] fell at his [David’s] feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant.

Her righteous actions preserve her husbands life, but also keep the King from sinning.

Abigail is willing to take on the sin guilt and offense of her sinful husband.

She is willing to take the wrath and punishment of the king on behalf of the her guilty husband.

This is exactly what Christ did on the Cross. He took on the wrath and guilt of sinners.

, He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

Abigail’s righteous actions preserve her husbands life,

Her righteous actions preserve her husbands life, but also keep the King from sinning.

Christ’s righteous action on the cross, by taking on our sin guilt, made a way to preserve your life.

If you have not trusted Christ to preserve your sin guilt, you are carrying that guilt.

Christ invites you today to trust in Him.

When you have faith. Your sin is forgiven. You no longer carry sin guilt.

5. Faith in the King [Christ] brings new life.

Abigails faith/trust in the King brings her a new life.

Abigail has faith in the King and throws herself at His mercy.

She finds mercy and grace from the king.

Abigails husband (that represents sin/satan) dies.

Abigail is joined in a lifelong relationship with the King.

Isn’t this how salvation works?:

-God calls you to thrown yourself at His feet in need of mercy because of sin.

-When you trust the King, you find mercy, sins are forgiven.

-The power of sin over you dies.

-You are then joined with Christ in an eternal relationship with Him forever.

-There are some in this room right now who Christ is calling you to trust what He has done on the cross. To allow Him to take care of your sin problem.

-To give you new life in Him. A life of trust, forgiveness and love.

-Like Abigail was joined to the King in marriage so you are joined with Christ the King in a perfect relationship for eternity.

So we see this Mothers day a wise woman who gives us a picture of Christ and the Gospel.

I close with these questions:

Will you allow the obstacles in your life or tough circumstances at home to keep you back from ministering to others for God’s glory?

but also keep the King from sinning.

When someone in your life who is less deserving is in a mess in need of help - will you huddle up and wait for someone else to take action and do the heavy lifting or will you in bold wisdom take action to help preserve that person. Even if it means risking something great in your life.

Will you trust fully in Christ and allow Him to be your guilt bearer? Will you right now give all of your life to Him? And be joined to Him?

Pray

__________________________________________

but also keep the King from sinning.???

Her righteous actions preserve her husbands life, but also keep the King from sinning.

Truism - Our obedience can cover a multitude of sin (Love covers a multitude of sins.???

Transition - We also see in Abigail’s story another piece of the Gospel.

Abigail chooses truth. Abigail places her faith in the King. As a result the evil one (Nabal) dies. However, Abigail is taken from the Evil one and she is joined to the King.

8. She is redeemed by the King (like the bride of Christ) and is joined with the King in marriage to the King.

When you say, “No” to your evil ways, and throw yourself at the mercy of Christ as the King, He not only forgives your sins, but you now have a place with Him. He joins you to Himself.

I close with these questions:

I close with these

Will you allow the obstacles in your life or tough circumstances at home keep you back from ministering to others for God’s glory?

When someone in your life who is less deserving is in a mess - will you huddle up and wait for someone else to take action and do the heavy lifting or will you in wisdom take action to help preserve that person. Even if it means risking...

Will you trust fully in Christ and allow Him to be your guilt bearer? Will you right now give all of your life to Him?

???8. She is redeemed by the King (like the bride of Christ) and is joined with the King in marriage to the King.

Jesus not only saves from sin, but Jesus joins us to Him, as His own, in purity.

9. ???

Truism - Our obedience can cover a multitude of sin (Love covers a multitude of sins.