E-Pistle for August 29, 2016
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation August 29, 2016, 2016
Standing Together on the High Ground
(II Samuel 2:1-32)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. David inquired of the Lord and was instructed to settle in Hebron;
he and his two wives, along with all his troops and their families,
moved to Hebron; the men of the Tribe of Judah anointed David
as their king; David invited the men of Jabesh Gilead (who had
buried King Saul's body) to join him, but they refused, vv. 1-7.
2. Abner, Saul's army general, anointed Saul's surviving son,
Isbosheth, to be the king of Israel; he reigned over the eleven
tribes for two years, while David reigned over Judah for more
than seven years before finally assuming the throne over the
entire nation, vv. 8-11.
3. A civil war was fought between Ishbosheth's troops commanded
by Abner and David's men commanded by Joab; during the
initial battle, Abner was forced to kill Joab's brother, Asahel,
vv. 12-24.
4. Abner called for a truce, and Joab agreed; in the battle, Abner
had lost 360 men, but Joab had lost only 20, including his
brother, vv. 25-32.
II. Meditation: on II Samuel 2:25
"Now the children of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner
and became a unit (one band), and took their stand on top of
a hill."
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications of this verse
Abner's troops are to be commended because:
1. They rallied behind their leader.
2. They were together . . . a unified team, with one mind and one
heart.
3. They took their stand with courage and conviction.
4. They occupied the "high ground."
IV. Applications: as a Christian leader, I appreciate such soldiers because . . .
1. A person cannot be an effective leader unless he has loyal, reliable
troops who will back him and follow him, Hebrews 13:17.
2. Our only chance of victory in spiritual warfare is through unity and
teamwork empowered by the Holy Spirit; we much be together . . .
"on the same page," Acts 2:1, 46; Philippians 2:2.
3. The true measure of quality troops is how they behave "under fire";
a leader values followers who will stand with him even though they
are outnumbered and out-manned . . . because they have faith in
God, confidence in the leader, and commitment to the cause.
4. The strategic place for waging any battle is the high ground; in
spiritual ministry, maintaining a position of Biblical morality, godly
ethics, pure motives, and true integrity is an absolute "must" . . .
compare II Corinthians 10:3-5 and James 1:19-20.
Perilous times
(II Timothy 3:1-17)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the signs of "perilous times"
1. Men will be involved in continuing, expanding gross sins, vv. 2-4:
(1) Lovers of self (7) Unthankful (13) Brutal
(2) Lovers of money (8) Unholy (14) Despisers of good
(3) Boasters (9) Unloving (15) Traitors
(4) Proud (10) Unforgiving (16) Headstrong
(5) Blasphemers (11) Slanderers (17) Haughty
(6) Disobedient (12) Without (18) Lovers of
to parents self-control pleasure
2. Men will have a form of godliness, but deny God's power today, v. 5.
3. Men continually will be studying but never able to come to the knowledge
of the truth, v. 7.
4. Evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving others and
even being deceived themselves, v. 13.
II. Meditation: on following Paul's example
1. Teach clear doctrine, based on the Scripture, v. 10.
2. Copy lifestyle of faithfulness and integrity, v. 10.
3. Perceive God's specific purpose (destiny), v. 10.
4. Endure persecution (which all Christians will encounter), vv. 11-12.
III. Revelation: on Paul's challenge to Timothy
1. Continue with assurance in the things which you have learned. v. 14.
2. Have confidence in the Holy Scriptures and in those believers who
taught them to you, vv. 14-15.
3. Use the divinely inspired Scriptures to teach salvation, doctrine, reproof,
correction, and instruction in righteousness, vv. 15-16.
4. Grow into spiritual maturity, fully equipped to perform every good work
assigned to you by God, v. 17.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Avoid, through the power and grace of God, the gross sins listed above.
2. Experience the power of God in my life . . . not having merely "the form
of godliness."
3. Study (meditate on; listen to) God's word, and allow Him to bring me to
"the knowledge of the truth."
4. Have spiritual perception to enable me to reject false teachers and
teachings, and to embrace true teachers and teachings of God's word.
"You can be greater than anything that can happen to you."
--Norman Vincent Peale
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