by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: FEAR OF THE FUTURE INTENSIFIES WHEN ONE LOSES ALL CONNECTION WITH THE LORD AND TURNS INSTEAD TO PHYSICS(:1-2) INTRODUCTION: PERILOUS PROMOTION = BIG TIME CONFLICT OF INTEREST(More of an Aside in preparation for future dilemma than an Introduction to Saul’s...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: DESPAIR FUELS DESPERATION RESULTING IN A LIFE OF DECEPTION(:1) INTRODUCTION: DESERATE MEASURESA. David Driven by Despair –1. Defeatist Thinking “Now I will perish one day by the hand of Saul” Saul has been the one frustrated thus far; why should David give...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: THE UNJUSTLY ACCUSED FUGITIVE REFUSES TO TAKE MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS WHILE EXPOSING THOSE WHO ARE TRULY GUILTY(:1-5) INTRODUCTION: HIDE AND GO SEEK – THE ONE HIDING TURNS OUT TO BE THE ONE SEEKINGA. (:1) Reconnaissance Report from the Ziphites “Is not...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: SPIRITUAL LEADERS MUST RESTRAIN THEIR EXERCISE OF POWER TO FOLLOW THE PATH OF DISCERNMENT RATHER THAN IMPULSIVELY RESPONDING TO PROVOCATION(:1) BACKGROUND Death of Samuel – note how he was respected by all of Israel David goes to the wilderness of ParanI....
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: HONORING UNJUST AUTHORITY POSITIONS THE RIGHTEOUS FOR ULTIMATE VINDICATION(:1-3) INTRODUCTION: OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS … OR IS IT TEMPTATION? Setting the SceneA. (:1) Opportunity Knocks Once Again for Saul – His Intelligence Network at Work “He was told, saying...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: GOD SPECIALIZES IN ENGINEERING NARROW ESCAPESINTRODUCTION: Dangerous form of Hide and Seek; David hiding with his loyal band of followers (now about 600 men); Saul seeking to destroy him with all the power and resources of the military at his command as well...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: GOD’S APPOINTED LEADER MAKES ALL NECESSARY PREPARATIONS TO MOBILIZE AND FULFILL HIS CALLING IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S LEADING (AND TIMING)TRANSITION: David once again inquiring of the Lord (20:10; 23:2)What should I do to fulfill my calling – given my high level...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: WHEN WE LOSE FOCUS ON GOD’S POWER TO PROTECT US WE RESORT TO DESPERATE MEASURES TO SAVE OUR OWN SKIN WITHOUT REGARD TO: – THE IMAPCT ON THE WELL BEING OF OTHERS – THE IMPACT ON OUR TESTIMONY FOR THE LORDINTRODUCTION: Sad chapter in the history of...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: DAVID AND JONATHAN — A MODEL OF TRUE FRIENDSHIPINTRODUCTION: Prov. 18:24 “a friend who sticks closer than a brother”I. True Friendship Involves a Mutual Commitment Often Inspired by Affinities A. In the natural realm — both young, strong, brave...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: GOD CAN USE OUR NETWORK OF CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS TO HELP PROTECT US IN TIMES OF DANGER AND PERSECUTION(:1A) INTRODUCTION: BIG-TIME, SURPRISING DANGERA. Unexpected/Unjustified Danger “Now Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants to put David to death.”...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: PROSPERITY FLOWS OUT OF THE PRESENCE AND FAVOR OF GODINTRODUCTION:In studying and applying any OT passage on prosperity, it is helpful to learn from the material blessings how to seek God for spiritual blessings (not that God does not provide us with...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: DAVID’S VICTORY OVER GOLIATH PROVIDES A MODEL FOR SUCCESSFUL SPIRITUAL WARFAREINTRODUCTION: In what ways are our spiritual problems and adversaries like Goliath? 1) Our problems loom large ( Goliath about 9’6″) — seem impossible to us...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: LEADERSHIP TRANSITION REQUIRES CAREFUL PREPARATIONI. (:1-5) SELECTION PROCESS INITIATED PER THE LORD’S INSTRUCTIONS TO SAMUEL –WHEN IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON . . . IT’S TIME TO MOVE ONA. (:1) When the Lord is Ready for New Leadership, We Should be Ready as...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: INCOMPLETE OBEDIENCE = COMPLETE REBELLIONPARTIAL OBEDIENCE = TOTAL REBELLIONTHE COST OF FAILING TO OBEY GOD FULLY IS SUPRISINGLY HIGH(:1-3) INTRODUCTION: THE PRIVILEGE OF LEADERSHIP CARRIES WITH IT ACCOUNTABILITY TO EXECUTE SEVERE JUDGMENTS AS COMMANDED BY...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: RASH DECISIONS ON THE PART OF LEADERSHIP CAN PLACE THEIR TROOPS AT RISKINTRODUCTION: God had given Saul a taste of victory – not because of his own bravery and effective leadership but rather because of the bold faith of his son Jonathan. Still Saul was...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: LEADERSHIP OPERATING ON THE BASIS OF EXPEDIENCY RATHER THAN OBEDIENCE CAN WIN SOME IMPRESSIVE BATTLES BUT STILL FORFEIT THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE(:1-2) INRODUCTION: BEGINNING OF THE REIGN OF SAULAttempts to unify the nation and defeat the PhilistinesObjective:...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: FORMER TRANSGRESSIONS DO NOT DOOM YOU TO PRESENT FAILURE AS LONG AS YOU CHOOSE TO FEAR THE LORD AND SERVE HIM RIGHT NOWINTRODUCTION: How does my past affect my potential for God’s blessing in the present? That is a common question. People feel that they have...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: KING SAUL WINS OVER HIS CRITICS BY PROVING HIS MILITARY LEADERSHIP WITH A SPIRIT-INSPIRED RESCUE OPERATIONINTRODUCTION: How does a leader gain the respect of his people and prove his mettle? It has to be by performance under pressure – not by appointment or...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: THE ANOINTING OF GOD’S CHOSEN LEADER WAS A MIXED BLESSING IN MANY RESPECTS – YET CLEARLY A DIVINE APPOINTMENT(:1) INTRODUCTION: PRIVATE ANOINTINGA. Significance of the Anointing 1. Significance of use of oilRoper: “Prior to this there were only two occasions...
by Paul Apple | Mar 25, 2020 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: GOD SOVEREIGNLY GUIDES IN THE SELECTION OF SAUL TO BE KING – GIVING THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY HAD DEMANDED(:1-2) INTRODUCTION: THE IMPRESSIVE NATURE OF THE PEOPLE’S CHOICEA. (:1-2a) Saul’s Impressive Pedigree Son of Kish – “a mighty man of valor” But the house of...
