E-pistle for December 11, 2015
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation December 11, 2015
"Is there not a cause?"
(I Samuel 17:1-58)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. The Philistine army encamped against the Israelite army; the giant, Goliath,
challenged Saul's troops to send out a champion to fight him one-on-one,
vv. 1-10.
2. Saul and his men were frozen by fear into inactivity; meanwhile, Jesse sent
his youngest son, David, to check on three of his older brothers who were
part of Saul's army, vv. 11-25.
3. David observed the situation and heard about Saul's promise to give his
daughter in marriage to whomever could defeat Goliath; David volunteered,
but politely refused Saul's offer to use his over-sized royal armor and sword,
vv. 26-39.
4. David killed Goliath with a rock from his sling and beheaded him with his
own sword; Israel attacked a defeated the Philistines, vv. 40-58.
II. Meditation: on David's confessions of faith
1. "Is there not a cause?" v. 29.
2. "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw
of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine," v. 37.
3. "I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies
of Israel, whom you have defied," v. 45.
4. "The Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's,"
v. 47.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications of these confessions of faith
1. Although David's words (v. 29) are in the context of his defense to his brother
Eliab's accusation of pride and insolence, David here was expressing his
conviction that there are certain spiritual principles for which God's people
should take a stand, in spite of the dangers involved, Acts 4:19-20; 5:29.
2. David's faith in the future was based upon God's miraculous deliverance in
the past; our hope for tomorrow also is based upon God's unfailing
faithfulness and His sure promises, Lamentations 3:22-26.
3. David attacked Goliath in the name of the Lord; we are to pray and engage
in spiritual warfare in Jesus' name, John 14:13.
4. "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of Hosts,"
Zechariah 4:6.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Courageously stand for righteousness and justice, Joshua 1:6-9.
2. Trust completely in the Lord's providential care, Proverbs 3:5-6.
3. Make sure that whatever I do in word or deed is done in the name of the
Lord Jesus, Colossians 3:17.
4. "Resist the devil and he will flee from (me)," James 4:7 . . . "because He
who is in (me) is greater than he who is in the world," I John 4:4.
faith and/or works
(James 2:14-26)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on faith without works
1. Mere profession of faith (saying you have it) is not profitable, vv. 14, 16.
2. Mere confession that one has faith cannot save that person, vv. 14, 24.
3. Mere mouthing of pious platitudes and good wishes does not benefit
either the speaker or the one in need, vv. 15-16.
4. Mere profession (or confession) of faith, by itself (without an inward change
which produces an outward expression of good works) is dead, just as the
body without the spirit is dead, vv. 17, 20, 26.
II. Meditation: on identifying "true" faith
1. True faith results in good works, v. 18.
2. True faith is proven by good works, v. 18.
3. True faith involves more than mere intellectual assent . . . the demons believe
in God, and tremble, v. 19.
4. True faith always operates in conjunction with good works, and good works
reveal that the faith is perfect . . . spiritually alive and growing.
Note James' illustration of true faith: Abraham and Rahab, vv. 21-25.
III. Revelation: on the principles of faith and works
1. It is impossible to show (verify; prove) one's faith without some sort of visible
activity (works), v. 18.
2. Good works done to honor and glorify the Lord, therefore, are visible evidence
of one's inner genuine faith, v. 18.
3. Abraham's faith was proven when he obeyed God and started to sacrifice Isaac;
Abraham believed God could resurrect Isaac (Hebrews 11:17-19); this faith was
accounted to Abraham for righteousness.
True saving faith believes in God's resurrection power, His ability to bring
dead persons, dreams, hopes, and aspirations back to life," Romans 10:9.
4. Persons who have true faith, resulting in obedient good works, are called "friends
of God," v. 23. See John 5:14.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Make sure that my confession of faith is more than mere lip-service . . . that is
produces God-honoring good works.
2. Grow daily in faith . . . which itself is one of God's gifts, Ephesians 2:8.
3. Serve God faithfully by obeying His word . . . thereby demonstrating the sincerity
and genuineness of my faith.
4. Rejoice in my special relationship as a "friend of God."
FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS HYPOCRISY; WORKS WITHOUT FAITH ALSO IS HYPOCRISY!
"A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances,
but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes."
-Anonymous
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