Heroes for Today
2003028
TOPIC # 1117 - commitment
Introduction:
A.
OT Text today: 1Chr.
11:10-14
1.
Want to take a
look at David’s mighty men.
2.
These men played
key roles in helping David succeed in becoming King.
B.
1Chr. 10:4-6
– Saul fell on sword. This
part of a judgment from God – 10:13-14
1.
11:1-3 –
David made king over Israel.
C.
Beginning in
11:10 – through rest of the chapter – mighty men are listed.
1.
These were
heroes. Their service to David is
well noted.
2.
Read something
interesting this week.
D.
Hero: A person of distinguished valor or
performance admired for his noble qualities.
1.
Idol: any person or thing blindly adored or
revered.
2.
Note: one is uplifting & encouraging
while the other is deceitful & destructive.
3.
It is good for us
to know the difference.
E.
There are many
kinds of heroes.
1.
Imaginary –
Ask Zack – Spiderman; Buzz Lightyear; Woody; Superman.
2.
Read: Dwight Eisenhower; Winston Churchill;
FDR; GW Bush
3.
Spiritual: Heb. 11
a)
These combined
all the traits of a hero w/eternal goals.
F.
There are some
lessons we can learn from the biblical heroes in this acct in 1 Chr. 11.
1.
They may not be
spiritual heroes in the sense of fighting spiritual battles – but heroes
none the less.
2.
11:10 –
gave David strong support in His kingdom – w/all of Israel to make him
king.
I. 1 Chr. 11:10-11 – Jashobeam or Josheb-bassebeth.
A. 11:11 – says he killed 300 men at one time
w/his spear.
1.
2 Sam. 23:8
– also called Adino – killed 800 at one time.
2.
1 Chr. 11:14
– stood w/Eleazar & Shammah & David & defended the nation of
Israel.
3.
People fled
– they would not. Courage.
4.
Told they struck
down the Philistines. By whose
power? God’s! God gave the victory!
B.
Is there a lesson
here? These men were willing to take a risk! Stood alone against a great army of Philistines to defend
what was theirs.
1.
Note: Lord saved them.
2.
Victory is
assured when God is on our side.
3.
No battle we
cannot overcome! Js. 4:7-8; 1 Pet.
5:7
C.
Lesson? These men had to take a risk in order
to overcome!
1.
Christianity is a
risk it all task! Many want
benefits w/o risk!
2.
For my salvation – what am I willing to risk?
a)
Job; friends;
social life; recreation; family; life?
b)
Lk. 14:25-26;
9:57-62
c)
Is there anything I am not willing to give up for the
sake of Jesus?
3.
Spiritual potential is unknown until the risk is taken.
II. 1 Chr. 11:12-14 – Eleazar # 2
of 3. See also 2 Sam. 23:9-10.
A.
2 Sam. 23:9-10
– defied the enemy. Fought
until his hand was weary.
1.
1 Chr. 11 –
tells us this was in a barley field.
B.
Each of us needs
to take a stand in our own barley field.
1.
Are we willing to
stand up against enemies on the outside?
a)
Mt. 7:15-20
– False doctrine. There is
FD! People ARE teaching things
contrary to doctrine of Christ! Are we willing to defend truth?
b)
Eph. 1:22-23
– denominationalism/ecumenicalism? Agree to disagree?
2.
Are we willing to
stand against enemies from within?
a)
MDR; Lord’s
Supper; Factious spirits?
3.
Are we willing to
stand up for our King?
a)
Get involved in
work of church? Teachers/programs/preaching/etc?
b)
Deeper maturity
– some just want to coast & concerned only about minimums.
c)
More outreach
– getting gospel to lost – this what it’s all about.
C.
We – like Eleazar
– need faith that grips the sword – and won’t stop until
victory! Eph. 6:10-17
III. Benaiah – son of Jehoiada.
A, Note his mighty deeds – 11:22-24. Killed 2 well known men from Moab;
lion; 7 ½ ft man from Egypt..
1.
2 Sam. 23:23
– headed up David’s body guard.
2.
1 Kings 2:28-35
– executed Joab (David’s enemy) for Solomon.
B.
When we look at
Benaiah – we don’t see a great theologian. But we do see someone faithful to His king. Many years of faithfulness to
David/Solomon.
1.
Possessed a
spirit of fearlessness.
2.
Imagine going
against a 71/2 ft tall Egyptian fighting man.
C.
1 Cor. 12:9 - Early
Christians given the gift of faith – fearlessness in service.
1.
Think of many
great & wonderful things the early Christians did.
2.
Don’t we need it
today? 2 Tim. 1:7
3.
Need Christians
who are willing to use His word with power.
4.
Need brethren who
are not willing to compromise on matters of truth.
5.
Need brethren who
are willing to risk a little rejection in order to spread the word to the lost.
D.
Honor comes
w/exploits for the king.
IV. 1 Chr. 11:39, 46 – Zelek & Ithmah.
A.
Note where these
guys were from. Enemies of Israel.
1.
Ammon & Moab
2.
Went from
harassing enemies to trusted & honored men of valor!
B.
Think of Peter
& John – the changes they went through.
1.
uneducated/untrained
in Jewish religious schools.
2.
But yet it
obvious the progress these men made – Acts 4:13
C.
Think of people
today who once mired in sin. Seeming to have no potential – heading nowhere fast!
1.
Changed – through
power of God! Through power of
gospel!
2.
1 Cor. 6:9-11
3.
Because of former
life – we may feel unworthy. Untrained; unschooled.
4.
Remember who you
King is – and how He has changed your life.
V. 1 Chr. 11:4-9 – Joab took Jerusalem from Jebusites…for good.
A.
Josh. 12 – Joshua
took Jerusalem; but Israel lost it. Retaken in Jud. 1:8.
B.
Jebusites took it
again. 2 Sam. 5:6 – pretty
confident – but lost.
C.
Parallel account
– 1 Chr. 11:6. Leadership
was based on boldness & bravery.
1.
It was based upon
ones deeds.
D.
God calls upon
His people today to be bold & brave.
1.
He’s calling on
us to get out of the mundane; ordinary ways of the world & serve Him!
2.
Are we willing to
fight for the king? Do His
bidding?
3.
2 Cor. 5:10
Conclusion:
A.
Can you be a hero
for your king?
1.
Not by sitting
& saying “God promised – I’m sure He’ll fulfill.”
2.
Heroes are heroes
because they do exploits.
B.
Your king is
asking – not drafting – He has a mission for you.
C.
Are you on board
w/His mission?
D.
I N V I T A T I O
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