1 Samuel Chapter 20:1-30

What you see in Jonathan and David is is you see the sacrificial friendship. You don't see David going with Jonathan what have you done for me or Jonathan go worry.

I can't believe you were there you let me know your friend anymore. There's a sacrificial friendship and it comes at a high price, and if you want that kind of friendship. You got to give that confrontation. If you are friendless, love you through thick and thin, you got a lot of money through thick and thin.

If you want to be loved when you mess up you love somebody else when the rest that's what Jesus said were solicited welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee Senior Pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina.

As Pastor David continues teaching through first Samuel chapter 20 today we have is assisting pastors in the studio with us, you, Bob.

It's great to be joining with you today.

As we continue listening, studying and growing in God's word.

First 20 talk about relationships today about honesty about being able to be open with each other in your communication and Pastor Dave is sharing about great ways to be a blessing in your relationship… Ms. David McGee is posed by first Samuel chapter 20 verse one then David fled from. They often remark when said to Jonathan, what about Don what is my iniquity. What is my sin before your father. 36. My life, so Jonathan said to him by no means you shall not indeed my father will do nothing either great or small, without first telling me and watching my father how this thing from me. It is not so well. Jonathan has appointed his father's not going end up doing anything to David but it's kind of sad to see that Jonathan has this trust in his father of it before the chapters over can be shattered. Then David took a nose again and said your father certainly know that I've found favor in your and he has said do not let Jonathan know this list to be grieved, but truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives. There is but a step between me and death for so Jonathan said to David, whatever you yourself desire. I will do it for you and David Johnson. Indeed, tomorrow is the new moon and I shall not fail to sit with the king. The let me go that I may hide in the field until the third day, and even if your father misses me at all and say David earnestly asked permission of me that he might run over the Bethlehem city for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family if he says it is well your server will be safe. But if he is very angry.

Be sure that evil is determined by him therefore you shall deal kindly with your servant for you brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you.

Nevertheless, if there is iniquity in me, kill me yourself. For why should you bring me to your father verse not Jonathan said, far be it from you provide is certainly that evil was determined by my father to come upon you then would I not tell you. Then David said to Jonathan, who will tell me what is your father answers you roughly Jonathan said the David, let us go out to the field so both of them went out to the field.

Jonathan said the David, the Lord God of Israel is witness when I have sounded out my father sometime tomorrow or the third day in indeed there is good towards David, and I do not send to you and tell you. May the Lord do so, and much more to Jonathan, but if it pleases my father to do evil, then I will report it to you and send you a way that you may go in safety and the Lord be with you as he is been with my father, saddle statement there in the Lord be with you as you has been with my father see over and over how when you look at the book of Samuel how Saul had so many opportunities so many opportunities.

It wasn't just one or two or three Scripture records a lot of time Saul had the opportunity to do what was right.

He decided to do what was wrong and he started paying the price for. He got in the habit of not following God and not listen to the Lord and not listen to Samuel, who was his spiritual leader and also his friend Sandy was probably the best friendless author had Saul chose not to listen. Samuel over and over again and Sammy would say these things. That's all that I'm sure Saul did want to hear, but because he refused to hear Saul ended up in a really bad place in an geyser.

He refused to listen to spiritual leaders in your life and you refuse to listen to those friends are gathered around you that offer verses in and are praying for you, you wind up in a place you don't be.

I promise you that's you gonna wind up in a place you don't want to be just as God puts people in our lives to speak these things to us and we disregard him thereat our own peril. And you know here's an interesting thing to hear.

We have Saul king Saul king of Israel live so my property.

If you will. A lot of you probably had a nice home and whatnot this all strike you as a happy person. Not at all, but is keen is keen is a happy see there's something the American dream kind of thing. If you will. There something in us that thinks it we could be king that everything would be okay but I think a lot of times we can maybe soon ago. I never want to be king never want to be present. Well, I mean what is your blood and I'll be happy if what you're going why people run around Bobby. Happy year of it. I get that new house, I'll be happy if I get that new job. Bobby happy with the service finally noted Bobby happy is and you fill in the butt when he met you really think that if you believe that your we are walking right past the fact that God has given you every thing you need to know the joy of the Lord right here tonight in your walking past your walking right past came across an interesting quote David Geffen don't like his political views or anything like that but he made interesting quote he said people that think money will make you happy, don't have money this man has millions and millions of dollars where's your what your blank.

Ask yourself what your statement, I'll be happy is what and let me assure you that probably has nothing to do with your happiness and you reach whatever blank is, you're going to be really disillusioned, but you can have true peace true happiness in the Lord tonight nine years from now when you win the lottery, not when you get this new house new car etc. etc. you have a tonight. So the only blank that's acceptable is I will be happy when give my life totally to the Lord and in the good news.

The great news. Each and every one of us can do that tonight you can do that tonight you can know the joy of the Lord or you can sit there and go when not buying into that in a few days or few weeks or few years or maybe a couple decades from now you realize that I was right. I know a lot of people that a lot of things men that had millions and millions of dollars more than they whatever outspent some of his men were the most miserable people I've ever known in my life. We look at Saul and saw just seems like a miserable person right here.

Why because he keeps disregarding his spiritual nature came through, disregarding his spirit man if you will. He's not walking with the Lord is disregarding good godly counsel still looked look at the nobility of Jonathan again understand David is Jonathan's competition.

If you will for the crown. Jonathan is doing nothing but loving this man is loving this man. There is a conductor that said, the greatest violinist is the one that has the ability to be the first violin which is you know the one that plays the Lord copycatted parts that are upfront so that the lead violinist if you violinist has the ability to be the first violin, but the willingness to be the second verse 14 and you shall not only show me the kindness of the Lord. While I still live that I may not die but you shall not cut off your kindness for my house forever know not when the Lord is cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.

Now let me explain. Usually in the Middle East at this time in even later, after this when somebody came into the throne. The first thing they did was white.

The old family completely out all the family sons, daughters so that there would be no threat to their throne and certainly in the life of Herod. He took that to even worse level as he begin the wipeout members of his own family, his own children his own wives because he thought they posed a threat to his kingship and said Jonathan is saying hey remember and be kind, and in the Hebrew word here is has said and it's not.

It's not just kindness. It mercy.

It's it's a lot it's loyalty. What you see is a beautiful picture.

What happens later in offspring of Jonathan ship with the who sits at David's table is an interesting study of grace and that will get into that a little bit later but the only reason he's allowed a place of that table as he knows David when you go back to remember that Jesus is the son of David is referred to in Scripture, guess what were allowed to sit his table because we know no other reason, not because were good enough, not because we've earned it.

Not because we deserve a place that is stable, but because we know when those people come to Jesus and I had to do this.

We did this we did that just because they know I never knew you didn't do enough is I never knew you know Jesus you have that relationship were you asking to forgive you ever sent the commitment in this relationship it is is worth noting minutes. It's worth drawing attention to because they really just had a disagreement. David is saying your dad's trying to kill me. Jonathan's gaunt life and I don't think he is now as disagreements go that that's a pretty strong disagreement. Your dad's a murder you, thing in yet they're still walking to. That's a beautiful thing to understand. That's the way our friendships are supposed to be if you're going through life and you think you're looking for a friend that you're going to agree on everything. You're never going to find that friend if you think you find a friend what you really found is a liar because they don't agree with you on everything. There is agree with you on everything.

Neither are you going agree on everything in a church understand that it amazes me when people say don't agree with everything that goes on around here. You know my comment usually is will I don't agree with everything around here either.

I mean it's not like I can control everything that goes on around here are some things I don't agree with. But if you're waiting to figure out where we are going to disagree.

You can bail as a copout seen often times we get this consumer mentality of a church shop until I find somewhere we disagree. It's only a matter time till they find out that this agreement is and they bail out here don't have relationships like that don't have a relationship with the church like that don't have a relationship with a pastor based on that because you just never know.

Agree hundred percent with another human being is just reality. It's a sad reality, but others disagreements will help you grow and again is just worth noting.

Jonathan is willing not to be king is willing not to be king. That's an awesome thing because God puts us in positions often times it or not leadership positions to see where our is a hardship weather will be content you know washing toilets forgot again been faithful in small things, giving more things to do the best you can watch got open doors. Thank you for listening to David McGee with cross the bridge ministries. David's heart is to help you beyond our radio program will continue teaching the word of God in bringing hope to the power of the Scriptures we know that these are unusual times so we want to share with you many of our online tools.

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You are loved.org you can find full-length teachings from Pastor David and his assistant pastor's baby, you're not able to attend services at your local church right now and visit you are loved.org so you can join us live on Sunday mornings at 10 AM Eastern and Thursday evenings at 7 PM Eastern time. Now back to David McGee for 60 so Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David saying let the Lord require it at the hand of David and David's enemies Jonathan again calls David the Val because he loved for a London as he loved his own soul. This is an incredible friendship. It's one that even people who secular writers recognizes incredible friendship.

The friendship of Jonathan and David didn't happen overnight. This happened over a long. A long time because that's the way in-depth friendships happen they happen over time and sometimes I think we can barge into which had oppressive friendship or maybe a nice sum for you know someone for couple days and you think want to do that thing.

Pastor David talked about my symptoms and long jump in there and tell him everything they're doing wrong when you don't have the foundation of the friendship or the relationship to be speaking the truth in love yet to speak the truth, but it's got to be in love to develop that relationship and then you can begin to do these things and this is what you see in in Jonathan and David is is you see the sacrificial friendship is sacrificial. You don't see David going with Jonathan what have you done for me lately are Jonathan go worry. I can't believe you were there you let me know your number friend anymore.

There's a sacrificial friendship and it comes at a high price, and if you want that kind of friendship. You got to give that counter friendship if you want a friend is going to love you through thick and thin. You gotta love somebody through thick and thin. If you want to be loved when you mess up. You gotta love somebody else when the rest that's what Jesus said resources do you Peter. Peter goes to Jesus and he gives eight.

How many times a response to forgive somebody like seven times. Peter was really try to be very spiritual. Jesus.because what that the teaching of the day she forgiven three times after that you do not forget that the Peter thought to be really spiritual. Jesus will forgive him seven times. These linkages go all Peter Mercer spiritual forgiven seven when Jesus said, not 7×70×7. So what Jesus was saying is that you need to make a list when somebody messes up you write it down and you number and when they get the 490s that you're not relieved of all duty notes to what he met a single keep a list seven the number of eternity. The number of eternity. Keep those friendships with people because of you're looking for that you gotta be willing to give verse 18 Jonathan said to David, tomorrow's new Moon and you will be missed because your seat will be empty. So in this gathering. David had a reserve see when you stayed three days go down quickly come to the place where you hid on the day of the deed and remain the stone as then I will shoot three arrows to the side as though I shot at a target and there I will send Ladson go find the arrows if I expressly say to the lab look the arrows on this side of you get them and come then as the Lord lives there safety for you and no harm but I say this to the young man looked arrows are beyond you go your way for the Lord has set you away and as for the matter what you and I spoke and indeed the Lord be between you and me forever. So they come up with this plan and this was it was it was necessary because Jonathan and David knew that they really couldn't trust anybody else, and saw service. The risk and that's reality in life. There's people that you can trust and are simply people that you should not trust the Bible says we should be wise as serpents and harmless as of the so they come up with this plan and and basically the same David listen to what I say about say this thing you're fine everything school if I say this one thing, then you know what you need to leave. You need to leave because your life is in danger and there is certain wisdom and then Matthew 1016 is where that verses is, behold, I send you out a sheet in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as the new living translation says almost think this is what I'm sending you out a sheet among wills be as wary as snakes and harmless as doves never really thought about that verse that first part. I'm sending you out as sheep among wolves. Maybe we are seeing Bugs Bunny cartoons. I have a habit of spiritualism the rudest things understand the member. The one you know were the wolf is trying to eat the sheep and he dresses up as she got a clip and watch it no she against the wolf. I just hardly makes sense doesn't mean and let less you get this not only maybe got a big box sheep Lambeau, you know that's going to go take the wolf out, but it's a little scary when you stop and consider were being sent out and she among wolves. We know what we can trust their shepherd. We can trust their shepherd and it says be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. It doesn't say be as wise as doves and harmless as serpents there's wisdom in this and here's the thing, and certainly if you've been being understand you tend towards fear and relationship. If you've been lied to. Enough times you are afraid of developing French and God can heal you and you can find your security in the Lord. But here's a life lesson here. You must use caution and wisdom in dealing with people you must use caution and wisdom in dealing with people. Jesus talks about this is what is referred to in this verse use is no and and and let me add especially with people who are not following the Lord, you gotta be careful and you gotta be careful with people who say they're following the Lord, we have to use wisdom.

We have to use wisdom with people that say the believers we have to use wisdom with people that are not believe just because somebody says her believer. There's not free in your life. Be careful from the scaredy-cat's Jonathan David are just speaks of carefully contamination holy kiss only makes us afraid. Jonathan went right up to the Philistines and took him on one by one. David went out on the field with the Glock with glass and took him down. These are strong men and yet they come up with plan that doesn't necessarily take so long, but they come up with a plan that I believe has wisdom and discretion. Verse 24 then David had in the field and when the new moon and come the king said now need to face the king sat on a seat and as at other times on a seat by the wall. Jonathan arose Nadler set by Saul Saba, David place was empty. Nevertheless, Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought something has happened to him. He is unclean surely is unclean and it was supposed to be a really good time of fellowship, eating and sharing a meal. Now he says he is unclean surely is unclean. Let me remind you the new moon started a month was a feast and if you'd done something you were unclean and you can take part of that feast and so in a David man killed the Philistine and had to take a day watch close ceremonial cleanse himself before he could attend the feast so you know that first day softball. Maybe he's he's cleansing himself. He ceremonially unfit for this verse 27 and happened next day the second day of the month to Dave's place was empty. Saul said to Jonathan his son.

Why has the son of Jesse not come to either yesterday or today.

So Jonathan answered Saul. David earnestly asked permission of me to go to Bethlehem and he said please let me go for family has a sacrifice in the city and my brothers commanded me to be there and now I found favor in your eyes. Please let me get away and see my brothers therefore is not come to the king's table Jonathan's line to his father again let me remind you that Saul is desiring to kill David so before you know any youth in here go will you. I can see a letter back that God led me to lie to you and that not acceptable unless you that's try to get an event so call the church will help.

Jonathan is looking out for Sprint and is in a very very tough place here, God has placed him in a tough place. So what happens verse 30 than Saul's anger was aroused against Johnson. He said to them, you son of a perverse rebellious woman do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame into the shame of your mother's neck. In this no the Jewish phrase really doesn't translate well here. The connotation here is that your your mother is a shame that you were ever born and there's also kind of a question whether you're really her sign in and maybe she was a loose woman or prostitute. I mean it's it's it's very strong. He slammed them hard. This is a son, father to be very careful what you say to your get God has given you a shower with your words over your children. You be careful what you say. If you've ever said that your child was worthless or you regret that they were born, or that they were an accident or anything like that need to go back and repent need to tell them that you're sorry needed to apologize to God as well because God is the one placed you in the role as a father.

Your words have special, and power of those words is to encourage your children in the Lord. Use it for the appropriate reason. Obviously, Saul's money is for the appropriate reason for and you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Legion a short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. God wants 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 friend of 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 pray that prayer was 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 before we go.

Have you been listening to the teachings to the book of first Samuel we can pick some of these teachings, it will encourage your prayer life. Pastor Neal can you tell us more about we all hunger for a deeper connection with the Lord and pastor David shares through past living examples how to have that deeper connection. So when you give a gift today we are going to send you for your generosity praying through first Samuel. It's a four CD series that will encourage you in a deeper relationship with the Lord as you step out on faith and give a gift to cross the bridge today.

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As David McKee continues teaching verse by verse through first Samuel