Difference between revisions of "Sermon for June 28th, 2015"

Revision as of 11:33, 27 June 2015

1 Samuel 22:1-2

1David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; when his brothers and all his father’s house heard of it, they went down there to him. 2Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Those who were with him numbered about four hundred.

Give Us A King: Adullam's Cave

Last week's scripture passage was a really long one--almost an entire chapter of the Bible--and yet it covered only one brief episode in the life of young David. Today's scripture passage, by contrast, is short. Just two verses, and yet it summarizes a long period of time--several years in the rise of King David.

I say "King" David, but David is nowhere near being king yet. In fact, at this point in his life, he's an outlaw, a bandit. The stories from this time in his life, both before and after today's scripture reading, describe a man who is more like Robin Hood than King Arthur.

David is on the run from King Saul, who is paranoid and jealous

• No country
• No Army
• No resources

And who does he get? The dregs of society.

• Wilderness times in our lives, times of retreat and growth, expanding our vision and forming our values
• Who comes to David? The same people who come to Jesus. Outcasts. David's family would be outcasts now, too.
• Adullam's Cave as the church

• Three Categories
  • Distressed - Immigrants as "distressed" (refugees)
  • In Debt - (Acts 2:44-45)
  • Discontent

Leadership principles:

• When God calls you, usually the cave comes before the palace.
• When God calls you, he doesn't send you the professionals. He sends the broken rejects.

• Transformation: You can't become David's mighty men without the
• Talk about Supreme Court ruling? Gay Marriage?
• Talk about AME Church shooting?
• Talk about Confederate Flag?