E-pistle for November 13, 2015
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation November 13, 2015
blacksmiths wanted!
(I Samuel 13:1-23)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Saul selected 3,000 elite troops to serve with him and his
son, Jonathan; Jonathan's 1,000 men won a battle over the
Philistines, who then gathered a vast army which frightened
the men of Israel, some of whom gathered at Gilgal while
others fled across the Jordan, vv. 1-7.
2. When Samuel did not come in seven days as planned, Saul
offered burnt offerings; when Samuel did arrive, he rebuked
the king for rebellious disobedience and prophesied that his
dynasty would not continue; Saul's troops by now had dwindled
from 2,000 to 600 men, vv. 8-15.
3. The Philistines divided their troops into three companies moving
in different directions, attempting to lure Saul and Jonathan out of
their secure positions into a battle, vv. 16-18.
4. The Philistines had prohibited Israelites from having blacksmiths,
so only Saul and Jonathan had swords and spears, vv. 19-23.
II. Meditation: on Israel's helpless and hopeless situation (vv. 19-22)
1. God's people were unarmed and unprepared for battle.
2. Their main concern was making a meager living . . . not fighting to
win freedom from bondage and oppression.
3. Most of God's people had become totally dependent upon the
Philistines for their supplies and tools.
4. Only the two leaders of the nation were armed for battle.
III. Revelation: on the similarities between those Israelites and churches today
1. Most Christians today are virtually unarmed and untrained for spiritual
warfare against Satanic forces.
2. Christians today generally live in spiritual bondage and oppression,
concerned only for their physical survival . . . content with a mere
hand-to-mouth, day-by-day existence.
3. In fact, many Christians are totally dependent upon the world's
system (ungodly business practices which lack moral and ethical
values) just to "make a living" and maintain their materialistic lifestyle.
4. In most churches, only the paid ministers are equipped for spiritual
battle, and many of them are ill-trained.
IV. Applications: on God's personal call for me to be a "blacksmith"
On New Year's Eve, 1993, the Lord spoke to my heart, saying, in part:
"Son . . . I need trained and experienced blacksmiths in every church
to forge and sharpen spiritual weapons. Your task is to enlist these
apprentice blacksmiths and turn them into journeymen. They, in
turn, will be able to equip their people, teaching them the skills of
sharpening their own spiritual weapons and engaging the enemy in
hand-to-hand combat . . . "
(The Devotional Studies degree program of the Pillsbury College &
Seminary is my obedient response to the Lord's call for me to equip
pastors and other ministers.)
having the mind of Christ
(Philippians 2:1-17)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the grounds for Paul's pastoral advice (v. 1)
1. The consolation available in Christ.
2. The comfort of mutual love between God and man.
3. The fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
4. The supporting mutual affection and mercy among believers.
II. Meditation: on Paul's plea for unity, which would fulfill his joy (v. 2)
1. Unity of spirit . . . "like-minded."
2. Unity of love . . . "same love."
3. Unity of purpose . . . "of one accord."
4. Unity of thought . . . "of one mind."
III. Revelation: on things Paul encouraged believers to do . . .
1. Exhibit true humility, v 3.
2. Express concern and compassion for the interests of
others, v. 4.
3. Have the mind of Christ, v. 5; What He experienced, we must
experience.
(1) Humility, vv. 6-8
(2) Obedience, v. 8.
(3) Death, v. 8.
(4) Resurrection and exaltation. vv. 9-11.
4. "Work out our own salvation" (v. 12) . . . that is, allow God
to work in us "both TO WILL and TO DO His good pleasure,"
v. 13.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Be blameless, harmless, and faultless, v. 15.
2. Shine as a light in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
v. 15.
3. Hold fast (study, proclaim, obey) the word of life . . . the Scriptures,
v. 16.
4. Joyfully be poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service
of my faith, v. 17.
Mark Twain: "There are those who scoff at the schoolboy, calling him frivolous and shallow.
Yet it was the schoolboy who said, 'Faith is believing what you know ain't so!'"
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