Two Brothers Building up the Body

  The Heart of the Offering What does it mean to truly offer something to God? In 2 Samuel 24, we find a moment of national crisis—and a surprising exchange between a king and a commoner. Araunah and David each respond to a divine call with radically different yet equally important perspectives. To fully appreciate their actions, it helps to read the whole chapter and see how their decisions echo into our own lives. Costly Worship 2 Samuel 24:21-23 Araunah was ready to give all that he had to the king. He offered not only his oxen, but the threshing implements and the yokes as well. Giving the animals alone would have been generous, but giving up the tools too meant he could no longer work the land. It would be like a dairy farmer giving up both the cows and the milking machines, or an egg producer surrendering all the hens and their henhouses. Imagine a wheat farmer giving up not just the grain, but also the tractor and silos! Why so much? and Why so willingly? Arauna does ...

Philippians 1:21-30 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions , having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too , from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not...

  Responding to Antagonists: Lessons from David and Shimei The narrative of David’s exile and return offers many valuable lessons. Today, we will focus on one thread: how David responds to his vocal antagonist, Shimei. This account challenges us to examine our own reactions to criticism, false accusations, and the choice between justice and mercy. Antagonism Often Contains a Twisted Truth 2 Samuel 16:5-8 Absolom has taken control of the city and David has decided to flee instead of fighting his son. He has many loyal followers…but there are still many who are glad to see him leave. One, in particular, Shimei, is “of the house of the family of Saul.” (It is not clear exactly how he is aligned with Saul’s family, but he is not of the lineage of any of Saul’s sons.) Shimei sees David and his followers leaving the city and he rejoices by lashing out against them. He taunts. He curses. He even throws stones. Though David and his followers are in no condition to confront Absolom’s ...

I'm going to be covering the next nine verses of Philippians 1 so we’ll be picking up in verse 12 and reading through verse 20. Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this wil...