Cause and Effect

Whatever Your Cause, Let the Effect Be Your Service to the Lord.

6,000 Plus Illustrations for Communicating Biblical Truths Some One Else Is Responsible

Recently, I saw a cartoon that demonstrated how people don’t like to take responsibility. It was a Peanuts cartoon, and it showed Peppermint Patty talking to Charlie Brown. She said, “Guess what, Chuck. The first day of school, and I got sent to the principal’s office. It was your fault, Chuck.”

He said, “My fault? How could it be my fault? Why do you say everything is my fault?”

She said, “You’re my friend, aren’t you, Chuck? Your should have been a better influence on me.”

Somehow, we think that someone else is responsible.

Cause and Effects are what we are considering today...

1 Samuel 22:20–23 KJV 1900

And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the Lord’s priests. And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house. Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

Abiathar escapes the sword of Doeg. Abiathar is the son of Ahimelech who was the lead priest in Nob.

Abiathar’s name means “The Great One is my Father.”

Abiathar becomes the spiritual advisor to the outlaw, David.

We do not have priests today. Jesus is the Great high Priest, and we go directly to God through Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV 1900

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

David Says, “It is My Fault, I will not take care of you.”

Abiathar does not blame David. He says, “Here is what happened, I am here to help.”

Abiathar does not get Bitter with David or cast the blame at him for the actions of King Saul and Doeg.

1 Samuel 23:6 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.

1 Samuel 23:9 KJV 1900

And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

For nearly the rest of his life, Abiathar is helping David...

Whatever Your Cause, Let the Effect Be Your Service to the Lord.

Sometimes We Need To Step Up Sooner Than Expected.

On sports teams, they call up players from jr high sometimes to pitch or play. They may or may not feel ready for the next level.

I remember being in 9th grade pitching in some varsity games. They called me up.

Sometimes, God calls us up to the next level and it could be a back situation that forces us to grow up, to take a role or to do a job.

Abiathar’s father was dead. “God is His Father.”

His Service is Needed.

God is Our Father Too! He is the = “Great One”

Our Service is Needed too!

Sometimes we protest serving God:

I’m not ready.

I think someone else can do it.

I am not a good talker (Like Moses).

I am too young (Jeremiah)

The project is too big, 10/12 Spies.

We don’t have any money or food (Disciples at feeding of 5000).

With God’s grace, we can step up, even when we do not feel like we are ready.

Sometimes we need to step up sooner than expected.

Spiritual Battles Continue Today.

This was a physical and spiritual battle that David found himself in. We are in similar battles!

1 Timothy 6:12 KJV 1900

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 KJV 1900

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

We need some David’s to Be Responsible Leaders.

We need some Abiathar’s to Be Reliable Helpers.

Are you a reliable helper?

Many times I will directly ask people for help with church ministry. Sometimes they come through and other times they do not. Are you reliable to help?

Could someone talk to you about Spiritual Things, asking you a Bible question?

Do you arrange your schedule to do Christian things?

Can people count on you to be a good teammate?

Matthew 5:37 KJV 1900

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Sometimes we need to step up sooner than expected.

Spiritual Battles Continue Today.

Safety Comes From the Lord.

Proverbs 21:31 KJV 1900

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: But safety is of the Lord.

“Stay with Me, Abiathar, I will keep you safe.

“Saul wants to kill you - & me, let’s stick together.”

With swords, spears, battle plans, and soldiers, David engages in survival and eventually becomes the King.

The Will of God is the safest place to be!

Doing what is right.

Following God’s designs.

Conclusion:

With Inflation, shrinkflation, and recession growing, people are very concerned about money, income, savings, etc. GOD CAN PROVIDE, but make sure He is still #1 in your life - not the money.

6,000 Plus Illustrations for Communicating Biblical Truths Formula for Spiritual Success

If you want to be distressed—look within.

If you want to be defeated—look back.

If you want to be distracted—look around.

If you want to be dismayed—look ahead.

If you want to be delivered—look up!

Whatever Your Cause, Let the Effect Be Your Service to the Lord.

Sometimes we need to step up sooner than expected.

Spiritual Battles Continue Today.

Safety Comes From the Lord.

D and A

Share some ways in which Christians may serve God today.

Discuss serving God through church ministries.

Asses the spiritual battles of today. What are they like?

Why is being responsible a healthy characteristic?

Identify how not being bitter at David helped Abiathar serve the Lord.