What drives you to serve? Recognition? Appreciation? A title on the door? Most of us crave acknowledgement for our efforts.
We want our names known, our contributions celebrated, our dedication noticed. But what if there's something far better than applause? Today on Insight for Living. Chuck Swindahl invites us into an ancient story that exposes our hunger for recognition and offers a revolutionary alternative. It's part of the teaching series called Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives.
In today's study, we'll discover that the most fulfilled people aren't those chasing the limelight. It flows from something deep. Everybody knows David. Around the world his name is known. He slew the giant.
He began to serve Saul, who was king for a long time. Like 12 or 13 years after David slew the giant, and Saul hated David, and as a result, He tried to kill him, and David escaped for his life and for 12, 13 years lived like a fugitive. He lived in the wilderness. He lived in caves. He lived in forests.
He ate on the ground. He slept on rocks. He had nothing of creature comforts, and that's where he learned to king it. That's where David learned to recognize the unknowns. It happens to you.
when you're not a blue blood. When you come up from a background like that. These are people who are With David in the stronghold. Matter of fact, the Verse 13. Three of the 30 chief men went down and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam.
Ooh, that sounds spooky. I mean, there's an adventure in the cave of Adullum.
Okay, look back at 1 Samuel 22. You look at me like you don't believe that.
So let's go back to 1 Samuel 22. Let's see, there's not one Bible page being turned right now, so get with it out there. Turn to 1 Samuel 22. I want you to see this. This is an interesting section.
Scripture. Yeah, David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adolabes, running from Saul. And when his brothers and all his father's household heard of it, they went down there to him. Everyone, look at this group. You might think these guys came really great guys, tucks, suits, and ties.
Nope. Look at these guys. They were in distress. Everyone who was in debt. Everyone who was discontented Sounds like school board.
Sounds like people who work where you work. It sounds like us. His whole group, and he became captain over them.
Now there were about 400 men with him. Can you imagine? 400 discontented, depressed. In debt souls, saying, lead us. And he did.
In fact, he later hides his family out over in Moab, and then the prophet Gad, verse 5, says to David, Don't stay in the stronghold, don't hang around the cave of Adullam, go into the land of Judah.
So David departed and went into the forest of Chereth. You never heard of the forest of Chereth. Chances are you've never been there. Hey, let me tell you something.
Next time you go to Israel, Ask your guide to take you to the Caves of Engedi. Ask him to take you to the wilderness of Judea. It is rugged. And if there is a forest of Hereth today, ask him to take you there and just stand quietly. Look at the caves.
There's a little goat trail that's about this wide. And you always wish you'd lost weight when you get on the goat trail because it's a drop off. And you go along kind of sideways and you finally get up to the end of this area and there's a waterfall that comes down here in the wilderness in Getty. and it is refreshing fresh water. When we got there, I was dripping wet with sweat, so I just stepped into it.
Full dress, water just poured down. All the other people in our group is staring at me and then. A couple of brave men stepped in with me. Before you know it, we did everything with shower. We're under this waterfall that's pouring out.
And I thought, David might have done this. Why not? Maybe that's the cave of Adalum. But there's a David because there was that cave. And because he was able to lead these men, and as their ranks grew, they became the mighty men.
of David's camp. They became the significant people. of David's life. Interestingly, as is often true. Nobody knows their names today.
1 Chronicles 11 sort of picks up where that leaves off. Wouldn't you know it, verse 9? 1 Chronicles 11. Verse 9, here we go again. David became greater and greater.
For the LORD of hosts was with him. There's nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with God singling out a few and making them. The leaders, if God's in it, and it's not the result of some selfish ambition. God has a way of putting his hand on certain individuals, and David was one of them, became greater and greater, and the Lord of hosts was with him.
And then immediately, verse 10 starts to mention the reason he became great. He's got these Mighty men around him. I want you to notice something. Let's move quickly through the chapter. Verse 10.
The heads of the mighty men. Verse 11. These constitute the list of the mighty men. End of verse 19. These things the three mighty men.
Did you? Verse 22, a valiant man. Mighty in deeds. Oh, by the way, while I'm here with Benea. He's worth mentioning.
He struck down two sons of Ariel of Moab. He went down and killed a lion inside a pit on a snowy day. That's what guys do, like, you know, kind of past the time of day. He killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day. That wasn't enough.
Look at 23. He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. Do the math. little over seven and a half feet tall. Tall is that guy that's a center for the Houston Rockets.
Great big guy. Can you stand there and drop that ball in? This guy kills this man. Look how he does it. In the Egyptian's hand, that's the giant, was a spear like a weaver's beam.
But Menea went down to him with a club, and And he snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. Is that amazing? I'm about to sneeze here, it's so exciting. Which reminds me, he cut his throat so quick, he didn't know it till he sneezed. I mean, Beniah is one kind of warrior.
And there are other mighty men. Look at 26. The mighty men of the armies were Asahel, the brother of Joab, and on and on and on. It lists them. I like that group in verse 1 and 2 of chapter 12.
These are the ones who came to David at Ziklag. That's another spot where David was hidden out from Saul. While he was still restricted because of Saul, these were among the mighty men who helped him in war. Verse 2: They were equipped with bows. Using both the right hand And the left hand.
to sling stones. They were the first switch hitters. They were the switch slingers, I guess you'd say, switch shooters, and to shoot arrows from the bow. They were Saul's kinsmen. From Benjamin.
Look at verse four. These men were mighty men. Verse eight. From the Gedites, there came over to David in the stronghold of the wilderness mighty men of valor trained for war. Handled shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions.
And they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains. Won't you want to be around guys like that? Let me tell you: when war happens, you want people that are fast. And strong and courageous. And David had him.
In fact, Steve Farrar writes of the Gedites. These guys were not only tough, they were fast. Speed has always been important in warfare, and the men of Gad had it. These guys could handle themselves. They were sort of David's Navy seals.
Verse 15 records they were the ones who get this: crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing its banks, and they put to flight everyone living in the valleys to the east and to the west. First month was flood season. And the Jordan flooded. It was serious stuff. You're talking about getting across a raging, fast-moving torrent.
Of water a mile wide, 150 feet deep. That's no exaggeration. In other words, these guys weren't swimming laps at the Y. These Gadites were the original iron men. A triathlon would have been a piece of cake to the boys.
from Gad. They were the top riders, the special forces, the green berets of the nations. Experienced soldiers prepared. For battle. You know what I love about them?
I love it that they're all volunteers. There wasn't any draft. In fact, they left Saul defected from Saul's leadership, and they came to David because high taxes were running them economically. That's why they were so in debt. Life was coming apart, and they realized in David, even though he was a fledgling leader, He had what it took.
to lead them.
So they gather together around him and And they became his mighty men of valor. They're all volunteers. I like it also, they didn't seek the limelight. There's not one glory hog among them. You know what's great?
When he finally becomes king, A couple of them don't come up to David and say, Hey man, remember. I took out 800 for you. When you start putting a thrown together and choose your cabinet. I'm your guy. You know how that politics works.
I did this for you. You better do this for me. That's not the way the godly talk. That's not the way the humble of heart talk. You do your work behind the scenes and you forget about it.
Okay. It isn't about you anyway. It isn't about any of us. It isn't about making a name. That's why their names are forgotten.
You say, well, maybe they weren't really that committed. Maybe you're exaggerating, Chuck. Look at verse 18 of chapter 12. Spirit came on Amasai, who was the chief of the 30. This is the chief guy.
And his words. We're yours, O David. We're with you, O son of Jesse. Peace. Peace to you.
Peace to him who helps you, indeed. Your God helps you. They recognized God's hand on David's life and they said, shalom. Shalom, David. We're with you.
We believe in what you're about. The story goes on and on until you finally come to the end. of the account When he's won the victory when Saul is off the scene. These qualified, obscure, Rarely mentioned individuals devoted to David come together. Verse 38, they're called all these.
Look at 1 Chronicles 12, 38. All these men of war... Who could draw up in battle formation came to Hebron? with a perfect Heart. Why?
To make a name for himself. No. Their goal was clear. It was to make David the king over all Israel. And all the rest of the people of Israel were of one mind to make David king.
Now What do you do when you've reached the battle end and victory is won and your goal is accomplished?
Well, they usually have a feast. the time of celebration. And that's what they do. The earliest record of dinner on the grounds. Look at verse 39.
They were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their kinsmen had prepared. for them. Look at that. Kinsmen aren't even named. The guys that cook their food.
Can you imagine how much these guys eat? These hundreds of men who are surrounding David. I got a grandson who's six feet three and he almost gets frostbite standing in front of the refrigerator looking for something to eat. You can bring home a full meal from Maggianos. You know, you eat all that stuff.
You, I'm not allowed to eat some of it. You come home with a big.
Some yeah. Stack of something, you put in the refrigerator, it's his. He eats it. He's that. Four chickens and two ducks and Gallon of ice cream.
I mean, that's just one kid and he's just young. These guys are hungry.
So all these people have prepared all this food. Look at verse 40. Those who were near them, even as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Napdali, brought food. on donkeys, camels, mules, oxen, great quantities of flour cakes. Fig cakes, bunches of raisins, wine, oil, oxen, sheep.
What is this? A. This is the best meal they've had since they started the fight. years ago. Look at the last line.
There was joy indeed. in Israel. Mm-hmm. Wouldn't you have loved it? Wouldn't you have loved to have been a bird in a tree looking down on that bunch?
as they're eating all that good food. Talking about what God had done. telling David how proud they are to follow him. Nobody. looking for their name and lights.
Magnificent. moment. Enjoy. There's joy, the laughter. They must have told war stories till it blew in the face, some of them funny.
They're the original band of brothers. And they fought to the end, they've gained the victory, and now God's. brought them joy. I got some unwritten rules that go with. The unknowns, can I give them to you?
Four of 'em. These are all original, haven't found them anywhere. Just came up with them when I put all of this together in my mind. Here are the rules. that we need to follow day after day.
as we grow our church. Number one. When you don't care about who gets the credit, You never complain about the role you fill. I'll say that again. When you don't care about who gets the credit, You never complain about the rule.
You fill. All the risk and all the effort of David's men, there's not a single complaint, there's not a glory hog in the group. I mean, those guys that saved David's bacon. Wait, he's Jewish. Corned beef.
They had saved David's corned beef and. Pastrami. He was alive because of those guys. There wasn't a prima donna among them. We're honored to be a part of this team.
Second rule. When you focus on the right objectives, You don't waste your time in wrong pursuits. Mm-hmm. When you focus on the right objectives, You don't waste your time in wrong pursuits. Many a church has gone wrong.
by losing sight of the objective. The objective men and women. is always to exalt. the name of Jesus. Christ.
Always, whether you're 200,000, 2,000, or 20,000. It stays the same. One of our great concerns as we think of our church growing, building larger buildings, having larger congregations. is that we might in somehow, some way, lose The spirit of what has made us what we are. Not as long as we keep the objective clear.
It's to exalt the person of Christ. We won't waste our time in wrong pursuits if we keep that objective focused. Number three, when you're surrounded by great people. Who give and serve. A spirit of unity naturally emerges.
Listen to this. When you're surrounded by great people, who are givers. And servers. a spirit of unity naturally emerges. There is no end fighting here.
And there is none in this church. Nor should there be. That kind of thing comes from the flesh. These people had a perfect heart and one mind, and that led them to a unified goal. And when they reached it, they said as they sat for the feast, David, this is one of the greatest moments.
of our lives. And David rejoices with him. Rule number four. When you blend unity with humility. Contagious joy is the result.
When you blend unity with humility. There's a contagious joy. that comes. You know, love may be the most significant thing in the family of God as we live with one another. Let me tell you what's the most attractive thing to those without Christ: joy.
People in this community, people outside these walls. People who don't know Christ are drawn to a place where there's great joy. That's why I love it. That our goal is to encourage all people to pursue a lifelong. Joyous.
Relationship with Christ. Unless you're under deep conviction, you should leave every church service with a broad smile. Your heart should be leaping within you with joy. Ought to be among the most exciting things of life. Remember so much of your life you went to church and hated it?
Didn't something seem wrong? Wasn't there something wrong with that?
Well, we got to go back to that church. You're at the wrong church. If that's true. Ought to draw us like a magnet. I began with seven questions that you couldn't answer, now I have four questions only you can answer.
Number one. You worry over who gets the credit. If so, it'll keep you from accepting the role that God wants you to play in the body. You worry over who gets the credit. I hope God will deal with you if that's your battle.
Because the credit is not what ministry is about. Here's a second. Can you truthfully say your main objective is exalting Christ? Can you truthfully say my main objective is to exalt? Christ.
Here's a third. Are you a generous giver? and a gracious server. Are you a generous giver and a gracious? Server.
If that's true, then you're helping with the unity of the Spirit. in this wonderful place of ministry. Fourth and finally, Have you embraced unity and humility? As your personal Priorities? Have you embraced unity and humility as your personal priorities?
Let me tell you: the first of the consequences that come in the wake of a church. where its members lack unity and humility. is an absence. of joy. Absence of joy.
You've been to churches, haven't you, that could be called the The frozen? The frozen people of God. Instead of the chosen? What's missing? Joy.
It's not fun anymore. Take away the fun I want out. Take away the joy, you don't want me. I found over the years of ministry that Snothing lights my fire Like the joy of God's people. when they're living in harmony and unity.
Humility together. I want us to bow together for just a very few moments. Our time is up. It's a great moment to do a little soul searching. Remember I said only you could answer those questions.
Maybe you've gotten a little crossways with somebody else. Maybe you've. Uh sort of lick your wounds over some little pick in a fence. that has somehow become Your whole focus. I invite you to come back to the cross.
The one who died for those who spit on him. The one who prayed for those who crushed a crown of thorns into his forehead. I urge you to pray that God will get you beyond yourself. prompt you to Dig deeply. as you participate in the future of this ministry.
Volunteer quickly. enthusiastically. With no plan for being acknowledged or credited or rewarded. Because most of what you do will be behind the scenes. If you've never met Christ, it's no wonder to me that these thoughts would seem very alien.
Strange. You begin at the cross where all the ground is level, you'll see that it makes good sense. I invite you to come there. By faith. By faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will.
Discover that your life is transformed. Before you know it, you'll be thinking more of others than yourself. Giving and serving will become your joy of living. How grateful we are, our Father, for the way you speak to us. even in sections that some would call obscure and remote and dull.
Thank you for putting lives before us. That We've never met before. Who were such significant role players in the life of a man everybody knows? Thank you that that still goes on. For the dozens of people we all could name, Who helped us become the men and women we are today.
Thank you for each one.
Now help us to be that for others. as the church. Rolls on. as the work of ministry presses on. Thank you for what you're doing right here.
May we all hold it loosely. and yet be firmly devoted to your work. Improve it. by our actions. Far.
It's in the name of Jesus Christ we've met. and we've worshipped and we pray. And all his people said, Amen. This is Insight for Living. And with his closing prayer, Chuck Swindahl concludes his first message in a teaching series called Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives.
The principles we're learning in this study will expose our culture's obsession with celebrity. And it does it by celebrating Scripture's significant characters, ordinary people whose stories of both triumph and failure accomplished God's purposes. Proving that true significance comes from serving Christ, not building personal platforms. This series of biographical sketches speaks to every believer, whether you've walked with Christ for decades or have just begun your journey. At its heart is a life-changing message.
God sees you, loves you, and knows what you're contributing to His kingdom. To explore these biblical characters more fully, visit insight.org, where you'll discover a range of study resources designed to help you dig deeper. The title of Chuck's 14-part series is Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives. While you're on our website, you'll also see the Bible study workbook from our Searching the Scriptures Bible Studies. It's interactive and spiral bound, and you can take notes and record your personal observations.
There's a lot to discover. In fact, one of our listeners explained how his pastor mentioned Chuck in a sermon and cited him as a strong influence on his life. As a result, he searched for our resources. He said, I've been glued to the Insight app and website ever since.
So many great resources.
Well, we are so glad that you found us. It's possible you've been following Chuck's teaching for years, and if you haven't already, let me encourage you to become one of our monthly companions. January is the perfect time to start a new discipline of generosity. By giving a monthly donation in the amount of your choice, you can do for someone else what others did for you. Here's our phone number, 800-772-8888.
Or you can become a monthly companion online at insight.org slash monthly companion. I'm Bill Meyer, inviting you to listen when Chuck Swindahl tells the riveting story about the farmer who murdered his brother. Tomorrow on Insight for Living. The preceding message, often overlooked lives of significance, was copyrighted in 2005, 2006, 2012, and 2024, and the sound recording was copyrighted in 2024 by Charles R. Swindahl, Inc.
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