2 Samuel Chapter 1:1-21

Matthew chapter 5 verse 43 Jesus tells us this is you have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spiritually use you and persecute you, that you may be the sons of your father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For any of you love those who love you, what reward have you do not even the tax collectors do the same. And if you greet your brethren only what he do more than dollars. Do not even the tax collectors.

This welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee Senior Pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina. He is teaching through second Samuel today and in the studio.

Pastor Neal here to help us understand some of the teaching were going concerning our enemies and how were supposed to love you, Bob. You know, as we see the life of David Pastor David can be teaching about this today. How easy it is to sometimes call someone our enemy and not wish them well, but we know that Jesus told us what love our enemies and David was a great example and see that the Scripture let's get right to it. Sharing verse by verse, continuing second Samuel turn with me to second Samuel chapter 1 verse one that came to pass after the death of Saul and David had returned from the slaughter of the analog kites and David stayed two days and sick like on the third day of all what happens. A man came from Saul's camp with his close torn and dust on his head so it was when he came to David that he fell to the ground, prostrated himself. David said to him where you come from. So I said to him. I've escaped from the camp of Israel. Then David said to him, how did the matter go please tell me an answer. The people have fled from the battle. Many of the people are falling and dad and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead. Also, so David said to the young man who told him how do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead to good question. Verse six. Then the young man. He told him said as I happened by chance to be on Mount Gilboa. There was Saul leaning on his spear, and indeed the chariots and horsemen followed hard after now when he looked behind him. He saw me and called me and I answer here I am, and he said to me, who are you so I answered him, I am malachite and he said to me again please stand over me and kill me for anguish is come upon me, but my life still remains in me. So I stood over him and killed him because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen and I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm and have brought them here to my Lord. Well see what happens. Verse 11.

Therefore, David took hold of his own close and tore them and so did all the men who were with him and they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son for the people of the Lord for the house of Israel is a fallen by the sword. It's interesting. David's response because even though Saul had long ago decided that David was his enemy. We can see from this verse and other verses that David never ever decided Saul was his and as is important because the AC as you see the lives of Saul and David and Saul became toxic and and better and declared David his enemy and David never took a drink of that poison if you will. He never drank from that company. Kudos, but he chose not to such a great lesson for us and their friend Jesus and David love their enemies and wish them well. We should do the same Jesus and David love their enemies and wish them well.

We should do the same. That's a difficult thing. And Jesus challenged us not just to love our friends, not just the lovers. We we got along with those people that we enjoy their company are those people that we liked. But in Matthew chapter 5 Jesus tells us this chapter 5, verse 43 says you've heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spiritually use you and persecute you, that you may be the sons of your father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For any of you love those who love you, what reward have you did not even the tax collectors do the same. And if you greet your brethren only what he do more than dollars, not even the tax collectors do's. So in that passage, Jesus is challenging us to not only just to love our enemies, but to pray for them and to bless them. In other words, friend to wish them well to wish them well and when you can come to the place where you wish your enemies well the power of God is at work in your life because humanly speaking that just usually doesn't happen so when you do that is the power of God at work in your life now, as we see David doing this was Saul we see that that is the power of God at work in the life of David.

Verse 13 then David said to the young men who told him where you from and answered. I am the son of an alien now Molokai. So David said to him, how was that you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed and David called one of the young men and said go near an executed and he struck him so that he died this man thought he was bringing David good news and it seems he thought David would be happy with the news and it's interesting as we see this played out because there something that we see with our human eyes. I think there's something much deeper going on. Matthew question who the crown from Saul and gave it to David was that this man, no, not really. It was God. God was in the process of removing the crown from Saul and this man intervened or gotten away or got in the middle. It was but it was God who was removing the crown from Saul who placed the crown upon David was at this man, absolutely not. It was God it was God but this man intervened who had anointed David long ago to be the leader, the people God had but this guy intervened and tried to make things happen in and get it done in his own way and what we we have to be careful that we have to be careful that because obviously this man was agreed he was in grave error taken Saul's life and take the crown and given the David is playing a partition of plate you know there's a lesson because we are tempted sometimes to make a judgment call on what God has done with authority and passing of authority were told in Psalm 75, seven, says it is God who alone who judges he decides who will rise and who will fall there is such freedom.

If you can get this in your heart.

The such liberation brings us to the life lesson. Pray interest in knowing God decides who is in authority, pray and rest in knowing God decides who is in authority. Now I've heard the discussions.

What about this person. What about that leader and understand a lot of times were dealing with our perception of events, our perception usually what we've read what we've heard what we've seen on television or news broadcast. Here is what the Bible that I know to be true says, Romans chapter 13 verse one says this let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

That's an absolute statement. There's not room in there for error for what about this or happenstance, where that leaves us with a little bit about.

I guess at the whim in this. Does that mean every world leader that's ever been in power was placed in power by God. Well according to this verse. The answer is yes.

Now I can be a little bit disturbing when you stop and consider some of the world leaders. We've had Mussolini, Khomeini, Hitler. Some of these people doesn't mean they were blessed by God.

That doesn't mean that you know that that was the best case scenario, but let's remember some those guys are bad leaders but also you know Jesus put Judas in the back of the 12 no one he was going to betray certainly been one of 12 was a position of authority. Jesus chosen, but understand there's coming a day when the absolute worst political leader in the history of humanity will come to power and that will be bother well and by the hand of God, that leader will we know them in the Bible as the antichrist, the man of perdition, and we have to see that and say okay that's according to the plan of God. That's a little bit easier because we can read the book of Revelation.

No what the plan is.

Some of these other guys are historically weird have known that's a little more difficult because we we don't see the whole plan A-to-Z, but remember that and if you can rest in this. If you can rest in the fact that some of the former presidents that we've had God placed there in office.

What that brings a piece knowing that God is in control but if you think that you are personally the the power and the authority that places people and office removes him from office and friend you you're gonna get all of life of struggle and frustration and trust God. Another issue here, I believe firmly that this man again, thought he was bringing David good news. I think he was utterly shocked.

What was a shock that he was shocked at David's loyalty not only to to Saul, but the God's decision about Saul because again, this man stepped outside and tried to force the hand of what God was already doing and whenever we do that, you will lose. You try force God's hand a situation, you will be the loser but I think it was shocked at David's loyalty for Saul as I thought about that. I thought men want to be awesome in this world was shocked at our loyalty and our love for one another's Christians instead of being shocked and perplexed by our division and our lack of loyalty. Jesus told us to love one another. John 1517. He said these things I command you, that you love one another. Jesus commanded us to love one another.

Jesus didn't give a lot of commandments, but that's one of them that you love one another that with this kind of love is it like a love you bro, you know, just don't call me to get in trouble and anything is it that, you know I love you right now because you love me in your being my friend. But you know I'm I not love you.

Tamara's a guy cannot know that's not that, was my fact in that same chapter John 15 Jesus defines us. Love John 15 verse 12 says this is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you with this challenge. Jesus love the people are speaking to.

He died for as a lamb before the slaughter, meaning he didn't run his mouth or brag about the factor. Oh I'm being hurt for you or anything. He did it that the pain on our behalf as we love one another. This is something that were supposed to be doing is bearing one another's burdens, praying for one another loving one another. This is what we see in the life of David, even though you can you can look at this and say what Saul really wasn't worse. David's life and I think you can reasonably in rationally make that argument. That discussion friend. Are we worthy of the love of God are we worthy of the love that Jesus has bestowed upon us what what manner of love is this, that God would give his life for us that we could be forgiven and live in a right relationship with, and yet he still loves us. He still loves us and he tells the love one another in the same you're listening to Pastor David McGee on cross the bridge will be back with more than just a moment but first, if you haven't been to our website@crossthebridge.com yet what are you waiting for go to cross the bridge.com to learn more about how listeners like you are helping get the life-changing truth of God's word to more people to the radio, Internet and mobile technologies across the bridge.com you can also check out our broadcast schedule.

Listen to more teaching from Pastor David and sign up for Pastor David's free daily devotional and there's more thereto, so visit cross the bridge.com today. Now here's Pastor David as he continues showing verse by verse, verse 16. So David said to him, your blood is on your own head for your own mouth is testified against Toussaint. I have killed the Lord's anointed. Verse 17 then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul over Jonathan his son and he told them to teach the children of Judah. The song of the bow. Indeed, it is written in the book of Joshua. Now… Let's talk about the book of Joshua real quick and see if you have a actually here in the King James the verse 18 is not real clear in the new King James it's it's a clear teach the children of Judah, the Saul of the book and it is written in the book of Joshua. What is the book of Joshua resist one of those missing books that you can hear about on the Discovery Channel and was in a book of the Bible was never book of the Bible. It was a book of military history and some of the battles that happened and how they happen. Now understand there is a book of Joshua that's out there now that is been written by the Mormon. It was written about 1887 they said it was written from original Hebrew manuscripts which they have been unable to produce like so many other historical documentations that they been unable to produce you. You may be aware, Joseph Smith said that you know this angel Moroni. He gave him these golden tablets and that's that was the book of Mormon to court got small problem Joseph Smith. He was illiterate but he came up with another piece of the story and said well the angel gave him the spectacles that now he could read magically, so he was able to read these magical tablets which he never showed any body else because the way fix that part of the story that they counted the proof and when you begin to look at the church of the Latter Day Saints of Jesus Christ. A lot of problems a lot of crimes you need understand the Mormons are not another denomination there and aberrant faith. They are not true Christians. So the book of Jack sure is not you know this is talking about a historical military document and not the modern-day Mormon book of Joshua verse 19. The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places.

How the mighty have fallen till and not in Gasper claimant, not in the streets of Ashkelon, less the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, less the daughters of the uncircumcised tramp Davidson. You know I don't tell people outside of his religious let's not talk about these things. Let's not talk about how Saul ended his life and dishonor gas was the capital of the Philistines and Ashkelon was a city of the Philistines and in the Gaza Strip. This is interesting because you know a lot of times and and Paul talks about this New Testament.

He talks about the fact that if two believers have a disagreement I should go to another believer and talk to that believer about helping them sort through that disagreement, rather than automatically just run into a court of law. Nothing that's great advice. AL times it's it's interesting how the church wants the Aaron's dirty laundry to the world and what happens is we we stain her testimony.

Those who don't understand that were sinner saved by grace, so be careful and again there's a there's a time to bring in accountability and expose stuff openly, publicly, but I think we probably herald that way too much, way too much. Verse 21 says old mountains of Gilboa B. No due nor rain upon you, nor fields of offering for the shield of the mind is cast there. The shield of Saul not anointed with oil mountains of Gilboa talks about do rain and into this day.

It's a very Rocky Mount on the midst of other mountains are green on top of it it it remains bearing a part of that is with the reforestation of Israel plant a lot of trees over there because of this verse. They did not plant any trees upon Gilboa so was already barren but now it stands even starkly more barren because of the mountains around now the shield of Saul not anointed with oil again.

Let's understand God anointed Saul. Saul didn't always act like a godly king. But again in Scripture were referred to as kings. Do we always act like godly kings know we don't know we know have said that were referred to as kings and we give you a couple versus just so you know, Revelation chapter 5 verse nine and 10 says, and they sang a new song, saying you are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain in the redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and it made us kings and priests to our God and we shall reign on the earth. So God has made us kings and priests.

That's interesting. Sure this for just a second. It's interesting because there's three offices mainly in the Hebrew Scriptures. Profit priest and king profit priest and king. And as you look to the Hebrew Scriptures you have some that were prophets. You had some that were priest you had some that were kings. It was a very rare thing for anybody to be to those but for somebody to be three of those was even more incredible matter fact in all of Scripture. You only Street see three people who hold all three offices.

One of them was Melchizedek we see talk about in the book of Genesis and also the book of Hebrews Jesus Christ himself was referred to as a private priest in the King and the other one. Love your believer, the other one is sitting in your chair because we are referred to in the Bible's profits increase kings when amazing thing when incredible statement to the grace of our God that not only are we not referred to and seen as sinners by God.

I understand we still mess up, but in a spiritual sense were no longer sinners were now saints in the way that God views us and not only saints according to the Bible prophets priest and king. Now it says his shield was not anointed with oil. What what does that mean one understanding and when you first read this, you probably think will make that make the metal shiny lever on your couple things. Number one, they didn't really have metalworkers in Israel at this time is matter fact, the Philistines were metalworkers and would not allow the Israelites to work with metal that they exercise their dominance over them with that. Interesting enough, again archaeologically. This is been proven and going back. You have 1100 BC 1150 BC. We found metal workings and metals in the Philistines can and some of them quite advanced, but you don't see it in the camps of the Israelites until about 950 BC.

This can interesting and once again archaeological finds have borne this out that the teachings of the Bob so they became very good archers and their shields were made of leather. Now if you have leather products at home, leather shoes, leather jackets, leather boots, that sort of think what you've discovered is that you have to periodically. You have to what will those are. They become cracked and and and bearing and ultimately they become useless. What possible personal present-day application could that limit money some from oil in the Bible is always a picture of the Holy Spirit. Always a picture of the Holy Spirit. And as he points back to our need of the Holy Spirit. Since interesting talking about the Trinity, God the father, God the son God the Holy Spirit. We recognize and we talk about our need for God the father talk about our need for God the son, Jesus, but he understand we need the Holy Spirit were desperate for the Holy Spirit acts chapter 1 verse eight says that power will come upon us so that we can do what run around the room screaming no so that we can be witnesses. Ask your question friend you need more power to live out your life for the Lord.

I know I do absolutely.

I need the Holy Spirit not only to dwell in me, but to overflow in me so that I can minister to other people so that I can live out this witness to world that doesn't know you know, I know people who are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit wire walking in the anointing of the Holy Spirit and they get almost like a shield of leather that hasn't been a little cracked and dry and barren but friend if you want a vibrant, fruitful, active life with the Lord you have to ask him Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can be a witness to you again we have that passage where Jesus says how much we love the Lord give you the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. See you can ask them. You can ask them tonight I want God's power.

I want I want to be filled with the spirit so that you're not cracked and barren.

The shield wasn't oiled for long enough. Not only was it cracked and barren, but it became really useless. So obviously you know the Bible also talked about her she'll be in the shield of faith is your easier faith, dried barren will name you need to ask the Lord to fill you with his Holy Spirit.

The Bible says that we are continually to be asking to be filled with the spirit as well. Says in English is not to be drunk with wine, but to be filled with the spirit that's a continuous command be filled with the spirit that shield of faith has a shield doing friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now own Legion. A short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. God want you to pray this prayer so much that he died to give you the opportunity and the ability to ask him to forgive you. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen it friend if you prayed that prayer according to the Bible.

You've been forgiven you've been born again, so congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you prayed that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit crossed the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. You can also write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life.

Now before we go in the world it seems chaotic at every turn. Jesus wants you to experience peace this year want you to experience his shalom, which is wholeness, joy and hope. No matter what the circumstances are that you face every day meal. Do we have a resource that can help our listings with this yet about Pastor David wrote a simple book that can show you how to experience this shalom that you were just talking about it's easy to read and full of great analogies to share powerful biblical truths across the bridge to life. Discover your venture will be a blessing to any of our listeners, Bob, and that's a great gift to think any of our listeners that financially support us to help more people cross the bridge from death to life. Go to cross the bridge.com to request your copy today also. Each day you can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David through the word of God with his email devotional life lessons that consider daily reading plan and even biblical thoughts to meditate on throughout your day.

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