Introduction 

Why Missing Church Habitually Is Dangerous 

One: The more isolated you are, the more vulnerable you are to Satan’s attack. 

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV): 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 

Two: “Good” reasons for missing church gatherings are seductive, deceptive and lead to harm. 

• James 1:5–6 (ESV):5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  
• Matthew 13:22 (ESV):22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 
• “Cares of the world”:
• “Deceitfulness of Riches”
• “Choke the Word” 

• John 6:63 (ESV):63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 
• Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV):24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 
• “Proves Unfruitful”

Three: Making a practice of missing church gatherings is disobedience to God. 

Four: Making a practice of missing church gatherings is an act of insubordination. 

• Hebrews 13:17 (ESV):17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. 
• 1 Peter 5:2–5 (ESV):2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 
• 2 Timothy 2:2–4 (ESV):2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 

Five: Making a practice of missing church gatherings is a bad example to young people 

• Titus 2:1–8 (ESV):1But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 

Six: Making a practice of missing church gatherings is a bad example to your own children 

• Genesis 18:17–19 (ESV):17 The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” 

Seven: Making a practice of missing church gatherings is a bad example to new believers 

• Psalm 51:12–13 (ESV): 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,  

and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,  

and sinners will return to you. 

• Psalm 122:1 (ESV):1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 

 

 

 

 

Introduction 

Ecclesia means something close to what we call Congress. 

• We are a Congress of legislators. 
• We are a Congress of ambassadors. 
• We are a Congress of judges. 

The writer or Hebrews tells us explicitly, gathering is a remedy for Christian stagnation and hypocrisy:  

• Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV):24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 

3 Keys to a More Meaningful Gathering 

• Gathering must be a matter of devotion, not culture.
• Acts 2:42 (ESV):42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 
• We must gather bearing gifts.

• Psalm 100:4 (ESV):4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
• Esther 4:11 (ESV): 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepterso that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”
• Nehemiah 2:2 (ESV):2 And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 
• Psalm 122:1 (ESV):1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 

Praise is our sacrifice: Hebrews 13:15 (ESV):15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 

Gift bearing requires that we maintain loving relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  

Matthew 5:23–24 (ESV):23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

.

Heart Preparation When We’re Not Gathering 

Church gatherings are to address God’s priorities, but we won’t do that if we are preoccupied with our priorities.  

• Matthew 13:18–23 (ESV):18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” 
• Matthew 6:33 (ESV):33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

Three Types of Hustles 

The three categories are as follows: 

• Stability, Stuff, and Status 

We’ll address them one by one: 

• The hustle for stability is about survival 
• The hustle for “stuff” is about securing the good life.
• The hustle for status is about achievement.
• Things are lower-order concerns.
• God wants to address higher-order concerns.  

Higher Order Concerns 

What are higher-order concerns? 

What Do We Do About Our Spheres of Influence?  

Four things: 

• Seek God 
• Serve people  
• Solve problems 
• Share the gospel 

I’ll go over them one by one: 

• Seek God
• Acts 26:15–18 (ESV): 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 

• Ephesians 1:15–20 (ESV):15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 
• Colossians 1:9–11 (ESV):9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 
• Ephesians 3:14–19 (ESV):14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

• Serve People
• Matthew 5:16 (ESV):16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 
• Colossians 3:22–24 (ESV):22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 

• High-quality work and a high-quality witness
• Solve Problems 
• Examples of Kingdom problem-solvers 
• Joseph 
• Esther 
• Daniel 
• Daniel’s reputation for solving problems: 

• Daniel 5:10–12 (ESV):10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting hall, and the queen declared, “O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, 12 because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.” 
• Share the Gospel

• Mark 16:15 (ESV):15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 
• Ephesians 6:18–20 (ESV):18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. 

 

Introduction and Review

Church is not something you attend. It’s something you are.

Matthew 16:18-19 (ESV): 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The church has been given keys, so we’ve been charged with responsibility.

The Church as A Branch of Government

We have legislative responsibilities

• Matthew 6:9–10 (ESV): 9  . . . .“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

• Matthew 6:33 (ESV): 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

• 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV): 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

• Philippians 4:6 (ESV): 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God

We have ambassadorial responsibilities

• 2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

• Ephesians 6:18–20 (ESV): 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

• More ambassadorial-related language:

• Philippians 3:20 (ESV): 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

• What does Kingdom ambassadorial work look like in practice?

• Kingdom ambassadors proclaim the good news of their government’s repatriation program.

• Kingdom ambassadors represent and promote the kingdom’s culture and values in their daily lives.

• Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV): 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

• Kingdom ambassadors spend quality time in their embassies with other ambassadors.

• John 13:35 (ESV): 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

• Galatians 6:10 (ESV): 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

• The love walk we develop in the church is training for the love walk we practice outside the church.

• Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV): 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We have judicial responsibilities

• 1 Corinthians 6:1 (ESV): 1When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?
• 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (ESV): 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

And Who Are We, Really?

Ephesians 2:1–6 (ESV): 1And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

• Colossians 3:1–2 (ESV): 1 Set If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
• Ephesians 3:8–10 (ESV): 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Like a Joint Session of Congress

• Acts 13:2–3 (NKJV):

2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

 

Imagine Campaign Reminders and Instructions

• Your giving toward the building campaign should be over and above your normal tithes and offerings.
• You should not transfer your money from your tithes and offerings to the building fund.
• While this may seem obvious to some of you, let me explain why:
  • • • Number 1: It’s not giving.
      • Number 2: It does not help the church.
      • Number 3: The consequences are multiplied by the other people who think like you.
      • Number 4: Giving for the purpose of being seen as a generous or loyal person is an ungodly motivation for giving.
• Acts 5:1–11 (ESV): ¹But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ² and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴ While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” ⁵ When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. ⁶ The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. ⁷ After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” ⁹ But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” ¹⁰ Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹ And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Sermon Introduction

Your Presence is Expected

Abandoning the Compulsory Attendance Mindset

Defining Church

• Church is not something you attend. It’s something you are.

Jesus First Use of the Word “Church”

• The church is an institution that was founded by the Lord.
• Matthew 16:13–20 (ESV): ¹³ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
  • • Jesus founded the church
    • And then He gave the church keys

The “Churching” of the Early Church

• How would the culture have responded to the word “church” in the time of Jesus?

The Historical Origins of the Word “Church”

         The word church is a Greek word.

• In the Greek, you would say ecclesia (which is also spelled ekklesia)
• Let’s get some help from Thomas Sullivan, an instructor with the online Study.com, an online education service.
  • “The term ecclesia. . .derives from a Greek word meaning assembly or gathering. It often refers to a formal assembly of people, especially in a political or religious context. In ancient Greek cities, an ecclesia was assembly of citizens who gathered to make decisions about the affairs of the city.”
  • “In the Athenian government, the Ecclesia was a crucial institution that played a central role in the political life of the city. The ecclesia had the power to nominate and elect magistrates, who are responsible for administering the city’s affairs and carrying out the decisions of the assembly. The Ecclesia also had the authority to pass laws, and to decide on issues related to foreign policy, defense, and the administration of justice. The Ecclesia was responsible for establishing the agenda for meetings, and any citizen could propose a matter of discussion. The Athenian assembly would then vote on the proposal, and if it passed, it would be become a law or Policy.”
  • “In addition to its legislative powers, the Ecclesia also participated in the judicial process in Athens. The Ecclesia members would try cases involving serious crimes, such as murder, and they could impose punishments. This made it an important institution for ensuring justice and upholding the rule of law in the city.”
• The origins of the word church are political, not religious.

How the Disciples Understood the Word “Church”

• • Rome conquered Greece, the nation that originated the term ecclesia, which is translated in English as “church.”
  • When Rome conquered Greece, Rome incorporated the Greek language into Roman culture.

Because of the prominence of the Greek language in the Roman world, Jesus’ disciples would have been familiar with the term ecclesia.

The Church a a Branch of Heaven’s Government

When members of the church miss gatherings, it is comparable to members of congress missing congressional meetings.

The Job of Heaven’s Congress

The Judicial Responsibilities of the Church

• Matthew 18:15-16 (ESV): ¹⁵ “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
• Deuteronomy 19:15 (ESV): ¹⁵ “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.
• Matthew 18:17 (ESV): ¹⁷ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

The Congressional Powers of the Church

• Matthew 18:18 (ESV): ¹⁸ Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
• Matthew 18:19 (ESV): ¹⁹ Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
• Matthew 6:9–10 (ESV): ⁹ . . . .“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
• Matthew 18:19 (ESV): ¹⁹ Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
• Matthew 18:20 (ESV): ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
  • • Quorum = “the minimum number of members of an assembly or society that must be present at any of its meetings to make the proceedings of that meeting valid.” (Oxford Languages Dictionary Power by Google)

An Examples of the Church “In Session”

• Acts 4:23–24 (ESV): ²³ When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,
• Acts 4:29–31 (ESV): ²⁹ And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, ³⁰ while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

 

Acts 2:42–47 (ESV): 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 

Learning to Enjoy What God Has Provided 

• Numbers 11:1 (ESV): 1 And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes.
• Numbers 11:4–6 (ESV): 4 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. 6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” 

Draw Near to God and He Will Draw Near to You 

• James 4:8 (ESV): 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

The Purpose and Definition of Gathering 

• The Gathering is what happens when we assemble to seek God together.  
• We assemble to have an encounter with God. 
• We assemble to see God. 
• Matthew 5:8 (ESV): 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 

We Gathered from The Beginning 

• Genesis 3:8 (ESV): 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. . . . 
• Genesis 3:8 (ESV): 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.  
• 1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 
• Matthew 18:20 (ESV): 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
• Genesis 2:10–14 (ESV): 10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. 14 And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
• Genesis 3:11 (ESV): 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? . . .
• Genesis 2:25 (ESV): 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. 

How Do We Glorify God? 

Introduction 

David’s Building Campaign (Background) 

• Acts 13:36 (ESV): 36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption.

 David’s Building Campaign (the Ceremony) 

1 Chronicles 29:1 (ESV): 1 And David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced, and the work is great, for the palace will not be for man but for the Lord God.  

• How do you do something for God?

1 Chronicles 29:2 (ESV): 2 So I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able, the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, besides great quantities of onyx and stones for setting, antimony, colored stones, all sorts of precious stones and marble.  

• Do what you are able.

1 Chronicles 29:3-4 (ESV): 3 Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God: 4 3,000 talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and 7,000 talents of refined silver, for overlaying the walls of the house,  

• Give what is personal.

1 Chronicles 29:5 (ESV): 5 and for all the work to be done by craftsmen, gold for the things of gold and silver for the things of silver. Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the Lord?”  

• Give willingly.

• 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 
• Make your vow to the Lord, not the church.

1 Chronicles 29:6-8 (ESV): 6 Then the leaders of fathers’ houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officers over the king’s work. 7 They gave for the service of the house of God 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze and 100,000 talents of iron. 8 And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the Lord, in the care of Jehiel the Gershonite.  

• Be a leader.

1 Chronicles 29:9 (ESV): 9 Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.  

• Joy follows sacrifice if it’s given willingly, wholeheartedly and freely.
• Willingly
• Wholeheartedly
• Freely

1 Chronicles 29:10-14 (ESV): 14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.  

1 Chronicles 29:10 (ESV): 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. 19 Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.” 

The Purpose of the Building is to Gather 

Beyond Financial Sacrifice 

Spiritual Commitment: Devotional or Cultural? 

Happened to the Things We Used to Do? 

The Trade-Offs of the Culture of Convenience 

We Win Together, We Lose Together 

Keep That Same Energy 

The Jewish Building Campaign as a Catalyst for Revival 

2 Chronicles 5:1-6 (ESV): 1Thus all the work that Solomon did for the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, and stored the silver, the gold, and all the vessels in the treasuries of the house of God. 2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion. 3 And all the men of Israel assembled before the king at the feast that is in the seventh month. 4 And all the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark. 5 And they brought up the ark, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the Levitical priests brought them up. 6 And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. 

2 Chronicles 5:12-14 (ESV): 12 and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters; 13 and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God. 

2 Chronicles 7:1-3 (ESV): 1 And As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house. 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”  

New Testament Example of God Receiving the Sacrifice of Praise 

• Acts 4:24 (ESV): 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 
• Acts 4:31 (ESV): 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. 

The Early Church was Devoted to the Gathering 

• Acts 2:42–47 (ESV): 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 

We are the Building 

1 Peter 2:4–5 (ESV): 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

Introduction 

• PULL OUT THE COMMITMENT CARD
• PEOPLE WHO ALREADY GAVE
• OUTLINE OF NEXT WEEK

Review 

• Jeremiah 17:5 (ESV): 5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.  
• Jeremiah 17:6 (ESV): 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.  
• Jeremiah 17:7 (ESV): 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 
• Jeremiah 17:8 (ESV): 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” 
• Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV): 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?  
• Jeremiah 17:10 (ESV):10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”  
• Genesis 4:25–26 (ESV): 25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time, people began to call upon the name of the Lord. 

Abraham 

• Hebrews 11:17–19 (ESV): 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 
• Romans 4:19–21 (ESV): 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 

• Genesis 18:14 (ESV): 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time, I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” 
• Matthew 19:26 (ESV): 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 
• Genesis 12:1–3 (ESV): 1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 
• Genesis 15:5 (ESV): 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 

Nimrod 

Genesis 10:8–12 (ESV): 8 Cush fathered Nimrod; he was the first on earth to be a mighty man. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord. Therefore, it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land he went into Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and 12 Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city. 

• Genesis 11:4 (ESV): 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 
• Genesis 11:5–6 (KJV 1900): 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. 

Knowing Who We’re Called to Serve 

• 1 Corinthians 9:20–22 (ESV): 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law, I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

The Disney Example 

• “I felt that there should be something built where the parents and the children could have fun together. So that’s how Disneyland started. . . .from a daddy with two daughters, wondering where he could take them where he could have a little fun with them, too.”–The Quotable Disney (51)
• “I don’t want the public to see the world they live in while they’re in [Disneyland]. I want them to feel they’re in another world.”–The Quotable Disney (59)

Zoe’s Target Audience  

• 1 Corinthians 1:19–21 (ESV): 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. . . . .29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. . . .31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Imagine 

• Imagine that we are back gathering in our main sanctuary for worship.
• Imagine that the rest of our campus is renovated, upgraded, and expanded with the same spirit of innovation that is in the sanctuary. 

Imagine: You’re Part of Something Bigger.

Introduction 

• Loan
• Infrastructure
• Lighting
• Projection
• Stage
• Communication
• Seating

Easy Way to Remember What to Do 

• Prayer
• Devotion
• Commitment

Review 

To offer some perspective on our fundraising campaign this month we are looking closely at Old Testament figures who were faced with similar circumstances as we are. 

• As with us, they were challenged to give sacrificially, and God used their sacrifices to test their hearts and help them grow spiritually. 

Last week we looked at Cain and Able and examined them by examining their offerings. 

• They each presented an offering to the Lord.  
• Able’s offering was received. Cain’s offering was rejected. 

The differences in the reception were 

• Thier attitudes. 
• Thier motivations. 
• The kind of thought they invested in the gift. 
• The degree of sacrifice that was involved.

When you’re invited to give a sacrificial offering to the Lord, there can be a ripple effect on your life–and the lives of others. 

Another Look at Cain 

What Cain’s Rejected Offering Reveals About Him 

Genesis 4:5 (ESV): 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.  

• Genesis 4:1 (ESV): 1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 
• Genesis 4:11–12 (ESV): 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” 
• Deuteronomy 8:18 (ESV): 18 You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 
• Judges 16:6 (ESV): 6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you.” 
• Genesis 4:12 (ESV): 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. [Power] 

What Was Cain Keeping from God? 

• God wants to bless us materially, but when we hold possessions, there’s always the temptation to become attached to them 
• We get seduced by the power that those possessions offer us. 
• Possessions offer us godlike powers (money, power, fame, status symbols) 
• So, then we substitute God with the possessions.  
• Deuteronomy 8:11–18 (ESV): 11 “Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, 12 lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, 13 and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, 15 who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, 16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. 17 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18 You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 

Sacrifices Save Us 

God uses the sacrificial gift as a means by which to cultivate a dependence on Him. 

God is rejecting Cain’s offering, but He’s not rejecting Cain. 

God Uses Sacrifices to Disciple Us 

• Genesis 4:6 (ESV): 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?  
• Genesis 4:7 (ESV): 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted?. . .   
• Genesis 4:7 (ESV): 7. . . .And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. 
• 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV): 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 
• 1 John 2:15 (ESV): 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 
• Genesis 4:7 (ESV): 7. . . .Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” 

The Consequences of Cain’s Decision 

Introduction

• Loan
• Infrastructure
• Lighting
• Projection
• Stage
• Communication
• Seating

The Best Is Yet to Come

Handing Out and Explaining the Booklets

The Booklet Explanation

Commitment Card Explanation

Easy Way to Remember What to Do

• Prayer
• Devotion
• Commitment

Review

• Matthew 6:21 (ESV): ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Introducing the Stewardship Theme

Cain and Able’s Offering

• Genesis 4:1–2 (ESV): ¹ Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” ² And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.
• Genesis 4:3 (ESV): ³ In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground,
• Genesis 4:4 (ESV): ⁴ and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,
• Genesis 4:5 (ESV): ⁵ but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

Cain & Able Anticipate What Moses Writes

• Genesis 4:4 (ESV): ⁴ and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,
• Deuteronomy 15:19 (ESV): ¹⁹ “All the firstborn males that are born of your herd and flock you shall dedicate to the Lord your God. You shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
• Leviticus 3:16 (ESV): ¹⁶ And the priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering with a pleasing aroma. All fat is the Lord’s.
  • “The fat attached to the vital organs is the best part of the animal. . .[and is considered to be a] fine delicacy” [Jewish Boston.com] (https://www.jewishboston.com/read/sacred-fat-vulnerability-and-gods-choice/)
  • “The fat was the tastiest, most fragrant, most calorie-dense portion of food available in an often desolate and calorie-poor land. In other words, in those days, it was the BEST.” [Pastor Maggie Erikson] (https://www.quora.com/What-does-fat-mean-in-Leviticus-3-17)
• Genesis 4:3 (ESV): ³ In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground,
• Leviticus 2:1 (ESV): ¹“When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it
  • “Grain offering,” consisted of. . .“fine flour” or the “finest wheat.” The offerer covered the grain with oil and frankincense (“incense”). The oil served the purpose of aiding the combustion process, while “frankincense,” was the main ingredient in incense. [Mark F. Rooker, Leviticus, vol. 3A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 94–95.]

Deep Down Inside, We Know

Cain, Able and the Spirit of the Tithe

How You Give Matters

Do You Think You’re a Steward or an Owner?

• Matthew 21:33–46 (ESV): ³³ “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. ³⁴ When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. ³⁵ And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. ³⁶ Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. ³⁷ Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ ³⁸ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ ³⁹ And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. ⁴⁰ When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” ⁴¹ They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” ⁴² Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? ⁴³ Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. ⁴⁴ And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” ⁴⁵ When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. ⁴⁶ And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

Vows

• Deuteronomy 23:21–23 (ESV): ²¹ “If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. ²² But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. ²³ You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.
• Leviticus 27:1–2 (ESV): ¹The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ² “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, If anyone makes a special vow to the Lord involving the valuation of persons,
• Leviticus 27:9 (ESV): ⁹ “If the vow is an animal that may be offered as an offering to the Lord, all of it that he gives to the Lord is holy.
• Leviticus 27:14 (ESV): ¹⁴ “When a man dedicates his house as a holy gift to the Lord, the priest shall value it as either good or bad; as the priest values it, so it shall stand.
• Leviticus 27:16 (ESV): ¹⁶ “If a man dedicates to the Lord part of the land that is his possession, then the valuation shall be in proportion to its seed. A homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver.
• Leviticus 27:26 (ESV): ²⁶ “But a firstborn of animals, which as a firstborn belongs to the Lord, no man may dedicate; whether ox or sheep, it is the Lord’s.

Hannah and Eli

Hannah

• 1 Samuel 1:11 (ESV): ¹¹ And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
• 1 Samuel 1:21–22 (ESV): ²¹ The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. ²² But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.”
• 1 Samuel 1:24 (ESV): ²⁴ And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young.

Eli

• 1 Samuel 2:27–29 (ESV): ²⁷ And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh? ²⁸ Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. ²⁹ Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’

 

Introduction

Thank Past Contributors

Prepping the Video

Rationale of Earlier Campaigns

Counting the Costs

Borrowing As Leverage

Emphasizing and Expounding on Key Points from Video

• • 1. We’re paying back the loan
  • 2. We’re installing infrastructure.
  • 3. We’re enhancing the stage and backstage experience for our communicators, artists, and engineers.
  • 4. We’re enhancing the lighting and visual experience
  • 5. We’re enhancing the visual projection experience
  • 6. We’re enhancing the physical experience of the audience

The Best Is Yet to Come

Handing Out and Explaining the Booklets

• • Psalm 50:7–15 (ESV): ⁷ “Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. ⁸ Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. ⁹ I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. ¹⁰ For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. ¹¹ I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. ¹² “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. ¹³ Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? ¹⁴ Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, ¹⁵ and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

The Booklet Explanation

Commitment Card Explanation

Easy Way to Remember What to Do

• Prayer
• Devotion
• Commitment

The Heart of David

• • 1 Samuel 16:6–7 (ESV) ⁶ When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” ⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
  • Acts 13: 22 (ESV): ²² . . . he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
  • 1 Chronicles 21:18–27 (ESV): ¹⁸ Now the angel of the Lord had commanded Gad to say to David that David should go up and raise an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. ¹⁹ So David went up at Gad’s word, which he had spoken in the name of the Lord. ²⁰ Now Ornan was threshing wheat. He turned and saw the angel, and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. ²¹ As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David and went out from the threshing floor and paid homage to David with his face to the ground. ²² And David said to Ornan, “Give me the site of the threshing floor that I may build on it an altar to the Lord—give it to me at its full price—that the plague may be averted from the people.” ²³ Then Ornan said to David, “Take it, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. See, I give the oxen for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for the wood and the wheat for a grain offering; I give it all.” ²⁴ But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” ²⁵ So David paid Ornan 600 shekels of gold by weight for the site. ²⁶ And David built there an altar to the Lord and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. ²⁷ Then the Lord commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.
  • Matthew 6:21 (ESV): ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
  • Luke 21:1–4 (ESV): ¹Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, ² and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. ³ And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. ⁴ For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
  • Luke 18:9–14 (ESV): ⁹ He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: ¹⁰ “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ ¹³ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Heart of Saul

• • 1 Samuel 13:8–14 (ESV): ⁸ He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. ⁹ So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. ¹⁰ As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. ¹¹ Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, ¹² I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” ¹³ And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. ¹⁴ But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
  • 1 Samuel 15:1–23 (ESV): ¹ Thus And Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the Lord. ² Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt. ³ Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ” ⁴ So Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand men on foot, and ten thousand men of Judah. ⁵ And Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley. ⁶ Then Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, depart; go down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. ⁷ And Saul defeated the Amalekites from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt. ⁸ And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword. ⁹ But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction. ¹⁰ The word of the Lord came to Samuel: ¹¹ “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night. ¹² And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.” ¹³ And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed be you to the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” ¹⁴ And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?” ¹⁵ Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction.” ¹⁶ Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me this night.” And he said to him, “Speak.” ¹⁷ And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. ¹⁸ And the Lord sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ ¹⁹ Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?” ²⁰ And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. ²¹ But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” ²² And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. ²³ For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”

The Importance of Seeking the Lord

• • 1 Chronicles 14:8–17 (ESV): ⁸ When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went out against them. ⁹ Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. ¹⁰ And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” ¹¹ And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. ¹² And they left their gods there, and David gave command, and they were burned. ¹³ And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. ¹⁴ And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. ¹⁵ And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” ¹⁶ And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. ¹⁷ And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.