This statement was in my notes today but did not make it in the sermon. Still, I think it is important to consider:
If there is never a time when a conviction conflicts with someone you like, then you probably are not living as the Lord’s servant.
“For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10
We learned on Sunday from Hebrews 12 that the Kingdom of God is no longer in the realm of fear, intimidation, and separation. The symbol of the Kingdom of God is not the first mountain, where even Moses was afraid.
“Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect (Hebrews 12:22-23).”
A festive gathering!
The Kingdom of God is enjoyable!
It is for everyone.
It is not too hard.
This joyful realm happens when we die to ourselves and let Christ resurrect within us.
I look forward to preaching at CIL on Sunday because I will be speaking to the people God has called me to do life with.
Pastoral messages are important because they reflect what God is saying to a particular people in the here and now. No copy and paste from the internet. He is speaking to us as a people, in the place we gather.
This Sunday (December 16) we will focus on the Advent theme of Joy as we prepare for Christmas!
Here are some thoughts about joy that may not make Sunday’s message:
– When one is suffering from depression, messages on joy often feel very painful. For those under this cloud, we acknowledge your pain and remind you that there is a company of past and present saints who understand the paradox of living the Christian life while suffering from this condition.
– Even in the most dire of circumstances, there can be odd moments of joy. The fall of 2003 was one of the darkest periods of my life after losing both my dad and grandmother and having a very unexpectedly sick newborn. Yet during that season I still enjoyed good meals, meaningful conversations, and touches of friendship.
– As much as we are able, we should choose joy. Life is harsh and pain is unavoidable. So, laughter and enjoyment under the Lordship of Christ reflects His glory to our world.
I had a lot of points on Sunday’s message, and did not provide the “fill-in-the-blank” option on the Review. So here is my outline for all you note takers.
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The Anointing is a Process
“David’s First Anointing”
Pastor Aaron Allison
The Church at Indian Lake
Sunday, July 8, 2018
SCRIPTURE READING
1 Samuel 16:12-13
David’s 3 Anointings
His first anointing was in anticipation of his rule.
His second was acknowledgment of his rule over Judah.
His third was acknowledgment of his rule over the entire nation.
In the Old Testament the anointing was used in these ways:
What is the anointing?
Anointing is the power of the Holy Spirit.
“The person who is filled with the Holy Spirit is able to do extraordinary things, but to him it seems quite natural . . . The anointing leads to what is good; it blesses and encourages others. And it’s function is carried out with ease and without strain or fatigue. It is also self-edifying.” – RT KENDALL
12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. – I Samuel 16:12-13
“Having the anointing but not the platform can be a very painful thing.” – RT Kendall
Many people interested in being used by God, give up too soon.
Stages of the “First Anointing”
17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” 18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.” – I Samuel 16:17-18
(David defeats Goliath – I Samuel 17)
6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. 7 As they danced, they sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.” – I Samuel 18:6-7
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” – I Samuel 18:6-8
10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. – I Samuel 18:10-11
The test is often with spiritual authority
You must preserve your distinct anointing without disrespecting leadership
1 After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. 3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said [a] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’ ” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.” 7 With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way. – I Samuel 24:1-7
Gospel application:
– Jesus was anointed the Messiah
– Jesus came in unexpected times and places
– When Jesus’ gifts were discovered, He became a target
– Jesus passed every test of power
Temptation during 40 days of fasting
The mountain of transfiguration
The garden of Gethsemane
After Sunday’s sermon, I was sent this digital picture of a painting I had never seen. From the best I can tell from internet searches, the work is entitled “What Jesus Did for Me” by Yongkim Kim. The work certainly gives us a beautiful visual to help understand Matthew 14:22-33 better.
Take a listen to my sermon on from August 13, 2017, called Jesus in the Storm.
