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THE KING’S BUSINESS
2. He made a covenant with David. Jonathan made a promise to David. He vowed something and kept it. So should the Christian commit himself defi nitely to God on the ground of his friendship with Christ. Are there any broken vows in our lives ? 3. He acknowledged the permanent supremacy of David’s kingship. As the thief on the cross recog nized the kingship of Christ even in humiliation, so does Jonathan in the case of David. We see not yet our Lord as King, but we should act in the faith that He is. 4. He made a pledge of fidelity and surrender to his will—Obedience. Such obedience to David’s will involved peril and sacrifice. So should the Christian pledge simi lar obedience.
T h em e: D avid a n d Jo n a th a n— F rie n d ship. T e x t : I Samuel 20:11-23. I ntroduction . View this narrative not merely in its historical, but also in its typical and spirit ual relationship. We ate justified in so treating this lesson (cf. Romans 15:4; 4:23-25). I. Jonathan Himself—A Type of the Believer Who Is a Friend of Christ. 1. He was a man of faith in God. There is no true friendship with out God. If a man is' not true to God, he will not be true to man. We love because God first loved us. 2. He took his stand by the side of righteousness, and identified him self with the promise of the kingdom of David. He rejoiced not in inquity, but . rejoiced with the truth. He took the side of David rather than that of his father, because David was right and his father was wrong. This is the mark of the Christian who loves righteous ness, and hates iniquity, and who does not condone sin even in those dearest to him. 3. He went with David “without the camp.” He went, as it were, into exile with David. Up to what point do we follow Christ? Do we “go without the camp bearing His reproach?” “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.” II. Jonathan in Relation to David. 1. He had a private meeting with him.
T hem e: T h e G ood S h epherd. T e x t : John 10:1-18. I ntroduction .
There are two parts to the story: First, the parable (vers. 1-6) ; second, the explan ation (vers. 7-18), which explains what is the door and the Good Shepherd. I. The Fold. 1. What is meant by the fold? Shall we say the Christian life, or the communion of saints? 2. How to get into the fold.
Christ alone is the Door. Beware of false prophets, who present other ways of entrance. Jesus Christ is the only Way. Christ is not a method, but the only means of salvation. “Shall go in and out and find pasture,” which means salvation, security, freedom, satisfaction.
As friends together they met in the, field alone. Do we Chris tians likewise meet with God? Jacob, Paul, Peter did; do we? Do we know the secret of His Presence? Do we know what it is to be alone with Him?
3. What it offers.
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