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 N
