The Key of David
SERMON STARTER
When I discovered my laptop was gone at 7 am Saturday, Lois and I prayed and literally turned it over to the Lord. Then, I contacted my daughter, Lisa, who is part of an on line prayer support group and asked for prayer. I also contacted pastor Ron and asked for more online prayers.
God’s answers come in mysterious ways. Something incredible has happened. One of the two boys I suspected of stealing my computer knocked on my door at 6 pm Saturday evening and asked for water and pop. I began to dialogue with the young man, Scott. I told him of my frustration in losing the computer and how important it was that I get it back. It also occurred to me that he could get up to $100 on the street for the laptop. The math whirled through my mind. I figured that I would have to spend at least $1,000 to replace it and still would lose my data and my email addresses, I told Scott I was offering a $250 reward to the person(s) who could return the computer to me, no questions asked.
The kid returned in twenty minutes with his brother, Justin, and the computer. Scott said he had to fight with the older person who took the computer to get it.
IT WAS THE MISSING COMPUTER!
I could have contacted the police, but decided that would only empower the kids to come back and do more damage. Besides, I had to demonstrate I would keep my word. I prayed for them and told them they are "angels" and an answer to prayer as I counted out the cash.
They took the money and were gone. Perhaps now I will be able to remember better to double and triple check the locking of my side door at night. :>)
The lesson in the school of the Holy Spirit was emphasized clearly: forgiveness, gentleness and kindness are demonstrable characteristics of those who walk with Jesus and are moving in His Kingdom of love.
7/29/07
Conclusion:
I spoke with the Sharon Police this pm. Patrolman
Scott A. Widmyer has been a help. He is educating
me about the street-level stuff in our fair city. Officer
Scott has suggested:
1) More inside access locks, chains, etc.
2) Motion lights under the carport.
(Actually, I don't have an electrician in my network presently.)
I also have the Mercury lite pastor Ron gave me to be installed.
3) Security camera to be installed. It is more of a threat than
a deterrent. (My friend, Jim O'Malley actually is donating one.)
4) Turn off inside nite lights at night.
5) Unplug laptop and place in a secure, out-of-sight place at nite
6) Secure an external drive to back up files and unplug at nite.
7) Lock all cars nightly
July 29, 2007
Sheepfold Ministries / Pastor Phil Roland
The Key of David
1 Samuel 24:1-16 – Isaiah 22:22
Romans 12:17-21
“David’s Key lies in knowing that God will do everything He promises to do. Forgiveness is our response to injustice and looses God’s power in and through you to others. I urge you to follow David’s example to both Hear God’s word and obey it.”” Pastor Phil
I. DAVID’S KEY IS LOVING GOD
A. His name in Hebrew means, “Beloved”
B. He is the “Apple of God’s Eye” – Psalm 17:6-9
“I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who
take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me
in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal
enemies who surround me.”
C. David was a man after God’s own heart – 1 Samuel 13:14
“But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after
his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not
kept the Lord's command."
II. DAVID’S KEY IS HEARING AND OBEYING GOD
A. David heard and obeyed – Hebrews 4:7
“Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later
He spoke through David, as was said before: "Today, if you hear his voice, do
Not harden your hearts."
B. He reverenced the Word of God – Proverbs 7:1-3
“My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my
commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Prov. 7:1-3
I. DAVID’S KEY IS THE POWER OF NON-RETALIATION
A. David CHOSE not to protect himself
B. David CHOSE not to revenge himself
a. Saw himself by faith ALREADY the King – 1 Sam. 16:1-13
“Now the LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul,
seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with
oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have
provided Myself a king among his sons."
b. David’s Faith shamed Saul – 1 Samuel 24:6
“So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that
Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice
and wept.”
c. David knew God was in control
d. David was a man after God’s own heart – Acts 13:22
"And when He had removed him,(Saul) He raised up for them David as
king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the
son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'”
II. JESUS’ BIRTHRIGHT IS THE KEY OF DAVID
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6,7
A. Jesus was Born Heir to David’s Throne – Luke 2:4,5
“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and
lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with
child.”
B. People Addressed Him as, “Son of David” - Various Texts
Matt: 1:1; 1:20; 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:20
III. WE ARE TO WALK WITH DAVID’S KEY – Romans 12:17-21
“The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open.” Isaiah 22:22
A. Do not revenge anyone – v. 17
“Repay no one evil for evil.”
B. Walk in Peace – v. 18
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
C. Give up Fear and Wrath, God’s in control – v. 19
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is
written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.”
D. Do good to your enemy – v. 20a
“Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
E. Your enemy will be shamed by your righteous conduct – v. 20b
F. Overcome evil by doing good – v. 29
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
The Key of David, Texts:
1 SAMUEL 24:1-16
24:1 Now it happened, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, "Take note! David is in the Wilderness of En Gedi."
2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
3 So he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. (David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.)
4 Then the men of David said to him, "This is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.' " And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
5 Now it happened afterward that David's heart troubled him because he had cut Saul's robe.
6 And he said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD."
7 So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.
8 David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, "My lord the king!" And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down.
9 And David said to Saul: "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Indeed David seeks your harm'?
10 "Look, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, 'I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.'
11 "Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it.
12 "Let the LORD judge between you and me, and let the LORD avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.
13 "As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.' But my hand shall not be against you.
14 "After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
15 "Therefore let the LORD be judge, and judge between you and me, and see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand."
16 So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
ROMANS 12:17-21
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.