Great Expectations

Sermon Series: Great Expectations

A. ETS – The enthronement of God’s King is worth risking one’s life for.

B. ESS – The Mighty Men were unified in their willingness to lay their life down for God’s promised King.

We must risk our lives for God.

C. DDS – What will keep you from risking your life for Jesus?

D. Title of the sermon: What your Church Needs!

I need to give background and history of the book.

Basketball story-Time our team was talking about going somewhere for spring break. Problem if we were somewhere for Spring break that means we were expecting to lose.

We did not expect to go to the tournament.

How my team felt is many times how we feel about God and church. We do not expect much from it.

We don’t expect much from God-

We come to Church, we look at the clock hoping Church will not go past 12. Not only do we not expect much from the church, we don’t expect much from God. We don’t expect for him to show up in our time with him, we don’t expect for him to do something great through us.

Article by rainer on different expectations with Church verses football game.

However believers who went onto change the world had the expectation that God would do not okay things but Great things.

There were times in the history of Israel where they had low expectations but today we are going to see a time in their history where they had really high expectations.

GO through a brief survey of Isreael king. God was there king and then Saul was their first man king. Talk about David.

In today’s text the people of God wanted to be like the other nations they wanted a king. So God gave them a King. However the first king, even though he started strong, he let them down and now their was a new king.

Unity of Israel and the greatness of David’s military force at his crowning as King

b.

1

2

(1-9) Promise of Kingship realized

a. b.

(1-3) God Confirms David through his word (4-9)-God Secures Jerusalem For David

Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.

“In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be prince over My people Israel.’ ”

Ultimately the reason David had victory is because God said he would in his word, it was not because he was such a great guy but because God promised it.

3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord through Samuel.

4 Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there.

5 The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not enter here.” Nevertheless David captured the stronghold of Zion (that is, the city of David).

6 Now David had said, “Whoever strikes down a Jebusite first shall be chief and commander.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief.

This is the leader of the mighty men, Joab. He is an interesting case study he is actually David’s Nephew.

7 Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David.

8 He built the city all around, from the Millo even to the surrounding area; and Joab

repaired the rest of the city.

9 David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him.

Is that said about you, the Lord is with him. Is that true about you. If someone were to write a book about your life would they the Lord is with him.

Today we are going to see

Key Themes in this section

The enthronement of David

Israel at the enthronement of David

c. God’s Elite Military For David (Mighty Men) (10-47)

a. Deeds of the mighty men (11-26)

b. Listing of the Mighty Men(27-42)

The Mighty Men were unified in their willingness to lay their life down for God’s promised King.

As believers in Christ we have the real king, King Jesus and if they were willing to lay their life down from David how much more should we be willing to lay our life down to Jesus.

David knew that his leaders had to set the bar high and these mighty men did just did that, we are going to see some traits that they possessed.

Traits these men possessed

20 As for Abshai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the thirty, and he swung his spear against three hundred and killed them; and he had a name as well as the thirty.

This message today comes from a series I gave to the youth and it was titled great expectations, because my firm belief that I wrestle with even in my own life is that our problem as believers is that we don’t want to much from God but we settle for too little. We come to church and we are thinking about our favorite restaurant rather than about meeting with God. In our devotions we really are not thinking about God showing up and changing our lives from the inside out, but rather I have to read the Bible. When we see people in the community we don’t expect God to intervene in their lives, that is one of the reasons we don’t share the gospel is we don’t expect God to come through and do something great.

Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.

The reality is that we expect more at a football game than we do when it come to our relationship with God.

Today we are going to see the kind of men and woman the Church needs. God does not need us but he desires to use us. We are going to see that the kind of men and women that God desires are the one’s who are willing to lay their life down for King Jesus.

Today we are going to see a group of men who were willing to lay their life down for King David. They changed their world and the Kingdom they were a part of still goes on today.

17 David had a craving and said, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”

Are you willing to do whatever Jesus Asks you to do?

Do you even spend time enough to know what Jesus is asking you to do?

18 So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David; nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord;

These mighty men could have been mad at David, what are you doing-But they were not because they were willing to do whatever God asked them at any time.

19 and he said, “Be it far from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

2 Samuel 23:16-17-He poured it out to the Lord. this may at first seem wasteful of David, and ungrateful, but it is gesture showing great value. He likens the water to the blood of his men, and for David to drink the water obtained at the risk of their lives would have been to take their blood lightly. But to put it out before the Lord was a way of saying that he was not worthy of it, and he was offering it to the Lord instead. Such “drink offerings” were often poured out before the Lord; see Gen 35:14; Num. 15:7-10; 28:7-15; etc.1

What are you risking your life for? Not what do you want to risk your life for. Some of us are risking it for the American dream. We want to be successful and live as comfortable life as possible. Others are risking it for the approval of people. Some are risking it for a career or family. Some do not even know what they are risking it for.

What are you risking your life for?

These mighty were unified around one key thing. It was King David. And because he was what they were willing to risk their life for they gave them everything they had. They were not perfect, but they were all in.

1 ESV Study Bible page 582

As a result they were willing to lay their life on the line and they got to see God move in some major ways.

Church what are we risking are life for?

Today we need men and woman who are willing to lay their life down for King Jesus.

Here is what is amazing, Jesus has already laid his life down for you. And now he wants us to respond by laying our life down for him. 


Church if we get this right I am confident that God is going to do some great things through your life and others.

1. We will gladly risk our lives for Jesus when God’s word is our fuel (1-10).

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Is it the American dream is it your kids?

Do you remember a time in your life when being with Jesus was your greatest passion.

If you remember that time I know one ingredient that would have been true. You were in love with the word of God.

You can’t love what you do not know.

Do you know God’s word.

Exposition:

How do we know that God’s word fueled them?

a. They believed the word of God.

Why is there such long genealogy in the Bible, because they were expecting a messiah to come and rescue them and the messiah could not be just some random person it had to be the messiah that was spoken about in the Bible.

History of Saul and David

Saul was the first king of Israel. Saul liked David at first but then David killed Goliath and was jealous of him and wanted to kill him. While Saul was chasing after David God promised him that he would be the next king.

1 Chronicles 11:1-2 “Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. “In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be prince over My people Israel.’ ””

1 Chronicles 11:3 (ESV)

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.

David was not king because he was a man after God’s own heart, or because he had slain Goliath he was King because God said he was going to be King.

These mighty men said we are making him king because we believe the promises of God.

It is amazing that all of Israel said you are king. that happened very few times in the history of Israel.

These mighty men made him because they believe and they believed the promises.

Application:

Do you believe the promises the God?

You won’t know the promises of God if you don’t read the promises of God.

The word of God inspires faith.

1 Chronicles 11:4-5 “Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not enter here.” Nevertheless David captured the stronghold of Zion (that is, the city of David).”

1 Chronicles 11:6 (NASB95)

Now David had said, “Whoever strikes down a Jebusite first shall be chief and commander.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief.

Remember David was willing to risk his life for his country when he fought Goliath.

David wanted men who were willing to be engaged in the battle. One of our issues is we don’t really think we are in a spiritual battle. David wanted his men what he already possessed. He possessed the ability kill a giant. Joash acted in faith in the promises of God and as a result he got to lead GOd’s army.

Notice the sequence they acted and after they won victory it said the Lord gave them victory.

1 Chronicles 11:7–10 ESV

And David lived in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. And he built the city all around from the Millo in complete circuit, and Joab repaired the rest of the city. And David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him. Now these are the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel.

Illustration:

Jim Elliott-Get a quote or two from him

Application:

Maybe you are here and you are willing to do things for God as long as it is your plan and not his. But you are not trusting him for things that he has to come through in. But your not willing to put yourself out their and take a risk. I feel like their is someone at my work who needs you and I am going to start praying for them. ROMANS ROAD FROM CAMP. Maybe even he will use me. Instead we would rather settling for bing a GOOD CHRISTIAN. Maybe your family is struggling and you need to trust God for him to intervene, and it is going to be tough but you would rather be a status quo family instead of letting God intervene.

Do you know the word of God?

It is going to be hard to believe he word of God if you don’t know the word of God.

These men were willing to put their faith in a earthly king, are you willing to give your life to the one and only king Eternal?

GOSPEL-Maybe actually put the gospel where David men sacrificed and contrast to David sacrificed.

2. We will gladly risk our lives for Jesus when we are sharpened by others.

Proverbs 27:17 NASB95

Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

We know something about a man or woman by the company he or she keeps.

Fellowship is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are a lot of things you can fellowship on:

Sports, Movies, profession, kids, the list could go on and on.

But ours is the only true Fellowship.

The Church is the only fellowship in the world where the one requirement for membership is the unworthiness of the candidate. -Robert B. Munger

We must choose friends who are courageous for God.

1 Chronicles 11:11 NASB95

These constitute the list of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred whom he killed at one time.

Are your closes friends passionate about Jesus. We are called to love everyone, but the closest of the close friends are the ones who have the biggest sway in our lives.

Show me your friends and I will show you where you are 10 years from now.

1 Chronicles 11:11 NASB95

These constitute the list of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred whom he killed at one time.

This was the chief. This man was literally a giant killer.

1 Chronicles 11:12–14 NASB95

After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. He was with David at Pasdammim when the Philistines were gathered together there to battle, and there was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people fled before the Philistines. They took their stand in the midst of the plot and defended it, and struck down the Philistines; and the Lord saved them by a great victory.

Notice we see that phrase that we are locking in on: Attempt great things from God. These men were attempting something great from God.

They did everything they could do. But notice who wins the battle. THE LORD.

They did not just attempt great things, they expected God to come through.

The Lord saved them by a great victory. They did not defeat the philistines because they were bigger or stronger but rather because God came through.

This is what is so amazing about salvation!

Illustration: Maxwell Law of attraction. Cyclers. The one’s who win this race are the ones who have the best teams.

We must have friends who we would want to be in our foxhole.

Recently I told my kids if we are in the Ukraine and we had to build a foxhole in front of our house to defend it are you the kind of guys I would want in my foxhole with me.

Two pictures of fellowship

Church Picnic versus Gladiator

1 Chronicles 11:22 NASB95

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, mighty in deeds, struck down the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion inside a pit on a snowy day.

1 Chronicles 11:23 NASB95

He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature five cubits tall. Now in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.

We are in a spiritual battle for the very souls of men and women.

I love winning, but most wins are so temporary. No one could care less how many games you or I won in sports, but we need to fight battles that eternal significance.

Last week I ran into a guy off the streets, I wanted to get home but God was tugging on my heart to buy him a meal. I got to share the good news with him. He prayed to receive Jesus. I don’t share this to boast but rather say: why am I not doing this more often. I pray regularly that I would have gospel opportunities.

We are in a spiritual battle.

We shall have all eternity to celebrate our victories, but we have only one swift hour before the sunset in which to win them.—Robert Moffatt

We should want our closest to push us towards Jesus, who have a desire for the eternal, who want us to be better husbands and wives, who want us to dream God Dreams.

Are these your closest friends.

Application:

Are you in authentic relationships?

How do you need to be sharpened this week?

Michael-Coming to study

How can you sharpen someone else this week?

Paul-Timothy and Barnabas Model!

Because these men were fueled by God’s word and in authentic relationships they did incredible things for God. They literally were willing to lay their lives down for King David.

1 Chronicles 11:15–18 NASB95

Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam, while the army of the Philistines was camping in the valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, while the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. David had a craving and said, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David; nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord;

But I want to point out to differences about David.

God made the Davidic Covenant to David-

But David was a sinner.

1 Chronicles 11:41 NASB95

Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,

Jesus offered a sacrifice that only God could accept by offering himself on the cross.

Receive Jesus!

But also live for Jesus.

If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a heavenly king be considered a sacrifice? David Livingston

Conclusion:

We need to stop settling. God wants to raise this church up so that we expect great things from God and attempt them for him. The only way that this is going to happen if men and woman are willing to lay their lives down for the King. Never forget that the only reason we can lay our life down for him because what he has done for us.

It doesn't matter what your occupation God is calling you to be willing your life down for King Jesus. He is worthy of it. It doesn’t matter if you are a full time pastor, teacher, business person, stay at home are you willing to risk your life for Jesus.

When the mighty men risked their life for Jesus David said I can’t drink, they were willing to risk their lives and as a result I am going to worship.

In the same way if you are willing to risk your life for King Jesus I can’t help but say this is the kind of offering God wants.

What’s keeping you from being a mighty man or woman of God.

Where do you need to grow

As a

Paul

Timothy

Barnabas

God has designed us to have three different relationships (Paul, Barnabas and Timothy) Here are some tough questions we need to answer

Is there someone investing in your life-(discipling you)-He is your Paul. teaching you how to growing (Wheel).

Is there someone who you are walking next to step by step, encouraging and challenging your (Barnabas)?

Is there someone you are discipling (investing your life in) with the hopes that they will go on and invest their life in someone else because of what Jesus did?

Who is your-

Paul, Timothy and Barbas.