E-pistle for January 18, 2016
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation January 18, 2016
Building a winning team
(I Samuel 22:1-23)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. David escaped, and his brothers and other family members joined
him; the king of Moab gave David's kinfolk refuge, but David and
his 400 men, at the word of the prophet, God, continued to roam
about the countryside of Judah, vv. 1-5.
2. Saul rebuked his own tribe of Benjamin for assisting David; Doeg
the Edomite told him of seeing David with the high priest, Ahimelech,
in the city of Nob, vv. 6-10.
3. Saul summoned Ahimelech and the other priests and accused them
of treason; Saul ordered their execution, but his servants were afraid
to harm God's priests; Doeg killed Ahimelech and 85 priests, and
also slaughtered all the inhabitants of Nob, vv. 11-19.
4. Abiathar, one of Ahimelech's sons, escaped the massacre and joined
David's band of outlaws, vv. 2-23.
II. Meditation on the contrast between Saul's troops and David's men
1. "When Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, he took him
for himself." I Samuel 14:52.
2. "Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and
everyone who was discontented (bitter of soul) gathered to him
(David)," I Samuel 22:2.
III. Revelation: on the different recruitment methods of Saul and David
1. Saul's men were conscripted; David's men were volunteers . . .
rapidly growing from a handful to 400 men (22:2) to 600 men (23:13).
2. Saul chose men who could help him and make him look good; David
gathered men who needed help.
3. Saul choose only strong, valiant, famous heroes; David welcomed
everyone, in spite of their poverty and/or personal problems.
4. Saul's men served him out of fear; David's men served him out of
love.
IV. Applications: as a Christian team-builder, I need to . . .
1. Look for persons who are interested in fulfilling God's mission, not
those who are pursuing their own private hidden agendas.
2. Prioritize people: the important factor to consider in enlisting personnel
is not how I can exploit them (although, obviously, I must consider how
they can help the ministry); rather, the main consideration should be my
opportunity to help them to grow spiritually and accomplish their divine
potential . . . I am to serve them, not be served, Matthew 20:28.
3. Avoid selecting staff members with great reputations and swollen egos;
dedicated, common people with potential (and problems) make more
faithful and productive employees in the long run.
4. Understand that fellow laborers who are chosen and treated with respect
and dignity are most likely to respond with love and loyalty.
magnify the lord of glory!
(Colossians 1:15-19)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on who Jesus is . . .
1. He is the image of the invisible God, v. 15.
2. He is the first born over all creation, v. 15.
3. He is the Creator, v. 16.
4. He is before all things (in time; in importance), v. 17.
5. He is the force holding creation together, v. 17.
6. He is the head of the church, v. 18.
7. He is the beginning/firstborn of the resurrected one, v. 18.
8. He is supreme in everything, v. 18.
9. He is the dwelling place of all the fullness of God, v. 19 (2:9).
10. He is the reconciler between God and man. v. 20.
11. He is the indweller within the believer, v. 27.
12. He is the hope of glory, v. 27.
II. Meditation: on Paul's continual prayer for the Colossians (vv. 8-14)
1. "Be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and
spiritual understanding," vv. 9-10.
2. "Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him," v. 10.
3. "Bear fruit in every good work," v. 10.
4. "Be strengthened with all might, according to His glorious
power, for all patience, long-suffering, and joy . . .with
thanksgiving," vv. 10-13.
III. Revelation: Paul prays that these Christians may have . . .
1. An understanding MIND.
2. Guided FEET along life's pathway.
3. Serving and ministering HANDS.
4. A patient, long-suffering, joyful, thankful HEART.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Be open to God's revelation knowledge for me.
2. Walk worthy of my name . . . "CHRISTIAN."
2. Bear much fruit through faithful service and unselfish ministry.
4. Be filled with the Holy Spirit so that I may exhibit patience,
long-suffering, joy, and thanksgiving . . . to magnify the Lord
of glory!
"I am only one; but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.
I will not refuse to do something I can do."
Helen Keller
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