Learning to Lament
Psalm 56:1-13
I. INTENTIONALLY TURN YOUR HEART TO GOD
II. HONESTLY BRING YOUR COMPLAINT AND SORROW
III. ASK FOR GOD TO RESPOND IN LIGHT OF HIS PROMISES
IV. FACE YOUR FEAR AND SORROW IN FAITH
V. CHOOSE TO WORSHIP EVEN IN YOUR PAIN
Compelled by Christ
2 Corinthians 5:11-15
I. THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST PROVES THE REALITY OF GOD’S JUDGMENT
A. The reality God’s judgment produces a rightful fear for those outside of Christ.
B. The reality of God’s judgment calls for an urgent and compassionate offer of the gospel.
C. The reality of God’s judgment frees believers from the fear of others.
II. THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST COMPELS NORMAL CHRISTIAN LIVING
A. Jesus is the only Savior of the spiritually dead.
B. Jesus is the only Lord of the spiritually alive.
Desperation
1 Samuel 21:1-22:5
I. GOD’S PROVISION IN DESPERATION
II. GOD’S PRAISE IN DESPERATION
III. GOD’S PROVIDENCE IN DESPERATION
A. Providence & Preparation
B. Providence & Preservation
IV. GOD’S PROTECTION IN DESPERATION
Covenant Security
1 Samuel 20:1-42
I. THE COVENANT PROVIDES SECURITY IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY
II. THE COVENANT PRODUCES UNBELIEVABLE FAITHFULNESS
A. Jonathan will faithfully share the truth with David.
B. Jonathan will faithfully send David away in safety.
C. Jonathan will faithfully side with David over his own family’s dynasty.
III. THE COVENANT PRICE IS UNCONDITIONAL COMMITMENT
IV. THE COVENANT PROMISES UNLIMITED PEACE IN THE MIDST OF CONFLICT
God’s Word, God’s Spirit, & God’s Deliverance
1 Samuel 19:1-23
I. JONATHAN DEFENDS DAVID PERSONALLY AND PURPOSEFULLY
II. DAVID DODGES ANOTHER SPEAR
III. MICHAL DELAYS FOR DAVID
IV. SAMUEL DEPENDS ON GOD’S SPIRIT TO DELIVER DAVID
God’s deliverance is instructive
God’s deliverance is inspiring
God’s deliverance is ironic
Adapted from Lord, Change My Attitude by James MacDonald & Barb Peil; Lifeway Press
The Worshipful Home
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
The Bible commands us to worship God every day.
The Bible commands us to worship God in our homes.
In order to train up our children.
In Every home.
God is worthy.
God’s Presence, Protection, & Blessing
1 Samuel 18:1-30
I. DAVID’S ELEVATION AT THE ROYAL COURT
II. SAUL’S GROWING JEALOUSY AND HOSTILITY TOWARD DAVID
III. GOD’S CONTINUAL PRESENCE AND PROTECTION OF DAVID
IV. GOD’S CONTINUAL BLESSING OF DAVID
The Savior Who Prays for His People
Luke 22:31-34
One Truth - Jesus prays for his people.
Five Implications:
Your salvation is secure.
Satan will not defeat you.
Your emotions for Jesus should grow.
Strengthen your brothers and sisters.
Look to Christ.
Seeing God’s Spirit at Work
1 Samuel 16:13-23
I. GOD’S SPIRIT IS ESSENTIAL TO LEADING GOD’S PEOPLE
II. GOD’S SPIRIT WILL PLACE US IN UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS TO PREPARE US FOR SERVICE
III. GOD’S SPIRIT DESIRES TO USE US WHEREVER WE ARE FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS
When God Chooses a Leader
1 Samuel 16:1-13
I. GOD CARES MORE ABOUT PROPER LEADERSHIP THAN ANYONE
II. GOD DOES NOT CHOOSE LEADERS THE WAY WE WOULD CHOOSE
A. The dangers of our own impressions
B. The necessity of allowing God to direct us
C. God is more interested in our hearts than anything external
D. External appearances neither qualify or disqualify us for God’s service
III. GOD CHOOSES BASED ON HIS WISDOM, NOT OURS
A. God’s wisdom sometimes defies parental wisdom
B. God wisdom tramples on human understanding and logic
C. God wisdom chooses unlikely people to accomplish his purposes
D. God wisdom upends our well-planned conventions
IV. GOD PREPARES AND EQUIPS HIS LEADERS FOR ADVERSITY
The Fall of a King - Part 2
1 Samuel 15:12-35
I. Saul is a man who wants to make his name great
II. Samuel is a man who wants to make God’s name great
III. Saul is a man who will use religion to excuse disobedience and please himself
IV. Samuel is a man who will obey without excuse to please God
V. Saul is man who fears and blames others for his failures
VI. Samuel is man who fears God and therefore does not fear any man
VII. Saul is a man who only understands external, formal worship
VIII. Samuel is man who understands that formal worship cannot be substituted for obedience
IX. Saul is a man who doesn’t understand who God is
X. Samuel is man who does
The Fall of a King Part 1
1 Samuel 15:1-11
I. GOD GIVES CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS TO SAUL
II. SAUL GIVES GOD PARTIAL OBEDIENCE
III. GOD REGRETS MAKING SAUL KING
Make Disciples
Matthew 28:16-20
I. THE POWER & AUTHORITY OF JESUS - I AM LORD OF ALL
II. THE PURPOSE & AIM OF ALL CHRISTIANS - MAKE DISCIPLES
A. What is a disciple?
A disciple believes that Jesus is the Christ
A disciple follows Christ as Lord.
A disciple learns from Christ
A disciple loves and obeys Christ
A disciple serves Christ by serving others
A disciple is sent like Christ to make disciples
B. How do we make disciples?
We make disciples by prayerfully sharing the gospel with people over time.
C. Where do we make disciples?
III. THE PROMISE & ASSURANCE OF JESUS - I AM WITH YOU