my rock and my fortress “life & ministry of the messiah, part 2” from “that the world may...

My Rock and My Fortress

“Life & Ministry of the Messiah, Part 2”from

“That the World May Know” series

Finding Safety in the Wilderness

• David had skills, but he thanked and praised God for those skills

• Psalm 144 “1 Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. 2 He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.”


• David had skills, but he thanked and praised God for those skills

• Psalm 18 “28 Indeed, you are my lamp, Lord. My God

illuminates the darkness around me. 29 Indeed, with your help I can charge against an army; by my God’s power I can jump over a wall.”


• Think of Judah wilderness, picture it in your minds– David was fleeing from and hiding from Saul– What might happen if David were to sprain an

ankle or break a leg running, climbing, etc as he fled?

– Would it be a good thing to be able to quickly scale hills and mountains with sure feet and hands, like a goat?


• Psalm 18 “32 The one true God gives me strength; he removes the obstacles in my way. 33 He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain. 34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend even the strongest bow. 35 You give me your protective shield; your right hand supports me; your willingness to help enables me to prevail. 36 You widen my path; my feet do not slip.”


• Psalm 62 “3 How long will you threaten a man? All of you are murderers, as dangerous as a leaning wall or an unstable fence. 4 They spend all their time planning how to bring him

down. They love to use deceit; they pronounce blessings with their mouths, but inwardly they utter curses. 5 Patiently wait for God alone, my soul! For he is the one who gives me confidence. 6 He alone is my protector and deliverer. He is my refuge; I will not be upended. 7 God delivers me and exalts me; God is my strong protector and my shelter. 8 Trust in him at all times, you people! Pour out your hearts before him!

God is our shelter!”


• David was unjustly chased by Saul• He had to hide in the harsh, dry, hot, empty

wilderness• It wasn’t fair!• But David did not whine like 2 year old


• David’s relationship with God• Psalm 18 “1 He said: “I love you, Lord, my source of strength! 2

The Lord is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer. My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter, my shield, the horn that saves me, and my refuge. 3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was delivered from my enemies.”


• Faith did not mean no action required• Psalm 18 “20 The Lord repaid me for my godly deeds; he

rewarded my blameless behavior. 21 For I have obeyed the Lord’s commands; I have not rebelled against my God. 22 For I am aware of all his regulations, and I do not reject his rules. 23

I was innocent before him, and kept myself from sinning. 24

The Lord rewarded me for my godly deeds; he took notice of my blameless behavior. 25 You prove to be loyal to one who is faithful; you prove to be trustworthy to one who is innocent.

26 You prove to be reliable to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse.”


• God showed up when necessary• Psalm 18 “16 He reached down from above and took hold of

me; he pulled me from the surging water. 17 He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hate me, for they were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the Lord helped me. 19 He brought me out into a wide open place; he delivered me because he was pleased with me.”

The Lord Is Our Rock & Fortress

• I Samuel 2:2 “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”

• The concept of God as a Rock, probably began during the 40 years in the wilderness


• During David’s wilderness time he attributes his safety to ______________?

• II Samuel 22 “1 David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord rescued him from the power

of all his enemies, including Saul. 2 He said: “The Lord is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer. 3 My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter, my shield, the horn that saves me, my stronghold, my refuge, my savior. You save me from violence!


• How do the verses below show God as a Rock?– Gen 49:22-24– Deut 32:4– Deut 32:18– Deut 32:30-31– I Sam 2:2– Isa 44:6-8– I Cor 10:1-4


• How do the verses below show God as a Rock?– Gen 49:22-24 (Jacob’s blessing of his sons)– Specifically the blessing to Joseph• Will be fruitful• Even under attack he will be cool and calm• His skill will not desert him• Why? Because of “the Mighty One of Jacob, because of

the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel”


• How do the verses below show God as a Rock?– Deut 32:4 (part of a song by Moses after

presenting the law to the people again)• God is a Rock • His work is perfect• His ways are just• He is reliable• Never unjust• Fair and upright


• How do the verses below show God as a Rock?– Deut 32:18 (part of a song by Moses after

presenting the law to the people again)• There will come a time when Israel forgets• Forgets the Rock who fathered them• Puts out of their minds the God who gave them birth


• How do the verses below show God as a Rock?– Deut 32:30-31 (part of a song by Moses after

presenting the law to the people again)• God is the source of Israel’s power/success• 1 will chase a 1,000• 2 will chase 10,000• BUT only because their Rock was with them to deliver

them


• How do the verses below show God as a Rock?– I Sam 2:2 (Hannah’s prayer to God after turning

Samuel over to Eli)• God is uniquely holy• There is none like God• There is no Rock like our God


• How do the verses below show God as a Rock?– Isaiah 44:6-8 (part of a denunciation of idols)• God is the first and the last, there is none like Him• Challenges any idol to stand up to Him, the one who

established an ancient people, the one who can forecast future events• God is the only sheltering rock, there is no other


• How do the verses below show God as a Rock?– I Cor 10:1-4 (Christians should learn from Israel’s

experience in the wilderness)• All drank the same spiritual drink• That drink was from the spiritual rock that followed

them• That rock was Christ


• Is there some modern day image you might use to substitute for the word “rock” to describe God?

Longing For the Messiah

• John 6 “14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.”


• The Jews were so hungry for independence/freedom from Rome that they longed for the promised king with all their hearts

• They were ready to grasp anyone, any straw– Even tho they had seen others profess to be the

Messiah and die– Their hope was still very much alive


• The Jews were so hungry for independence/freedom from Rome that they longed for the promised king with all their hearts

• The Zealots– Were more and more active– Were ready to die ….– For independence– To get rid of Roman oppression and idolatry


• Prophecies– Isaiah 9 “1 The gloom will be dispelled for those

who were anxious. In earlier times he humiliated the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali; but now he brings honor to the way of the sea, the region beyond the Jordan, and Galilee of the nations. 2 The people walking in darkness see a bright light; light shines on those who live in a land of deep darkness.”


• Prophecies– Isaiah 9 “6 For a child has been born to us, a son has been

given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called:

Extraordinary Strategist, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace. 7 His dominion will be vast and he will bring immeasurable prosperity. He will rule on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom, establishing it and strengthening it by promoting justice and fairness, from this time forward and forevermore. The Lord’s intense devotion to his people will accomplish this.”


• Prophecies– Isaiah 62 “11 Look, the Lord announces to the

entire earth: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘Look, your deliverer comes! Look, his reward is with him and his reward goes before him!”


• Prophecies– Jeremiah 23 “5 I, the Lord, promise that a new time

will certainly come when I will raise up for them a righteous branch, a descendant of David. He will rule over them with wisdom and understanding

and will do what is just and right in the land. 6 Under his rule Judah will enjoy safety and Israel will live in security. This is the name he will go by: ‘The Lord has provided us with justice.”


• Prophecies– Micah 5 “2 As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah – from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past. ”


• Prophecies– Zechariah 9 “9 Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout,

daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: he is legitimate and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey – on a young donkey, the foal of a female donkey. 10 I will remove the chariot from Ephraim and the warhorse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be removed. Then he will announce peace to the nations. His dominion will be from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.”


• So when the Jewish people saw another probable candidate for Messiah, king, etc– They were more than eager to move things along– They WANTED freedom from Rome– They WANTED freedom to worship God, without

Roman oversight

• Even the disciples were caught up in Messiah fever


• In the 40 days after his resurrection Jesus taught his disciples. Did they get it?– Acts 1 “1 I wrote …, about all that Jesus began to do

and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God.


• In the 40 days after his resurrection Jesus taught his disciples. Did they get it?– Acts 1 “…4 While he was with them, he declared,

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised, which you heard about from me. 5 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. 6 So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him, “Lord, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

The King of the Jews Comes to His People

• Isaiah 9 “6 For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called: Extraordinary Strategist, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His dominion will be vast and he will bring immeasurable prosperity. He will rule on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom, establishing it and strengthening it by promoting justice and fairness, from this time forward and forevermore. The Lord’s intense devotion to his people will accomplish this.”


• The Jews found it almost impossible to accept Jesus on his terms

• They had a mental image of a conquering warrior king– That was not Jesus– They ignored the parts that didn’t fit their dream


• John the Baptist– John 1 “29 On the next day John saw Jesus coming

toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! … 36 Gazing at Jesus as he walked by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”


• The Disciple Simon…– Matthew 10 “2 Now these are the names of the

twelve apostles: first … 4 Simon the Zealot …”– Acts 1 “13 When they had entered Jerusalem, 33

they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James were there. “

https://net.bible.org/%23


• The Disciple Simon…– Simon would be like what kind of person today?– Does he seem to be the right choice as one of the

12?– How do you think Simon was reacting to some of

Jesus’ teaching? • Matt 5:38-44• John 18:36


• How do you think Simon was reacting to some of Jesus’ teaching? – Matt 5:38-44 (turn the other cheek, give ‘em your

cloak also, go 2 miles)– John 18:36 (my kingdom is not of this world;

otherwise my servants would fight)


• Jesus often told people he had healed to not talk about it

• This seems to most often have been when in Jewish territory

• Jesus was possibly trying to minimize the Messianic fever that was being attached to his coming


• Palm Sunday (Luke 19:35-44)– A prime example of Messianic fever– Palm branches were a patriotic symbol used by

Zealots– Hosanna means “God save us” and in 1st century

context – save us from Rome– If the Romans had seen the celebration they

would have reacted as if a rebellion was underway


• Did we misunderstand Jesus today?– A prophet (Islam’s belief)– A good man – Or is he the Son of God

Committed to God in All Circumstances

• Psalm 9 “10 Your loyal followers trust in you,

for you, Lord, do not abandon those who seek your help.”

• No matter what happened, David remained trusting and faithful– Even when he was fleeing for his life, he did not

blame God


• What is your first response when things go wrong?– Blame God– Why me– Not now– Trust God


• When things did not go the way Saul wanted, he took matters into his own hands– I Sam 13:9-14• Samuel was late, so Saul offered his own sacrifice• That act cost him his kingdom and dynasty

– I Sam 15:10-23 • Saul did not destroy the Amalekites• He thought his idea was better than God’s• He blamed others for his failure


• When things did not go the way Saul wanted, he took matters into his own hands– I Sam 16:1, 6-12• Samuel is sent to anoint a new king• None of Jesse’s fine looking sons were acceptable to

God – Saul had also been a fine looking example of manhood• The insignificant youngest son was the one God wanted


• David and Goliath – shows David’s heart– I Samuel 17 “45 But David replied to the Philistine,

“You are coming against me with sword and spear and javelin. But I am coming against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel’s armies, whom you have defied! 46 This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand! I will strike you down and cut off your head. This day I will give the corpses of the Philistine army to the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land. …


• David and Goliath – shows David’s heart– I Samuel 17 “…Then all the land will realize that

Israel has a God 47 and all this assembly will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves! For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will deliver you into our hand.


• Hardships that David faced– I Samuel 17:28-30 – I Samuel 18:8-11– I Samuel 21:10-15– I Samuel 22:18-23– I Samuel 20:17; 31:81-10; II Samuel 1:17-27– II Samuel 6:16, 20-23


• Hardships that David faced– I Samuel 17:28-30 • David’s oldest brother finds fault with him

– I Samuel 18:8-11• Saul tries to kill David in his palace

– I Samuel 21:10-15• David hides among the Philistines, who don’t trust him


• Hardships that David faced– I Samuel 22:18-23• The priests are killed by Saul for helping David

– I Samuel 20:17; 31:81-10; II Samuel 1:17-27• David’s best friend, Jonathan, is killed

– II Samuel 6:16, 20-23• His relationship with his first wife, Michal, is forever

ruined


• After all of those and more, David remained faithful to and trusting of God

• All of us have had or will have trying times that will test our relationship with God

• Jesus did not promise his disciples (including us) a bed of roses– John 15:18-21


• John 15 “18 If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. 20

Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed my word, they will obey

yours too. 21 But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”


• Consider Job– Job 1 “21 He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

and naked I will return there. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be blessed!

– Job 2 “9 Then his wife said to him, “Are you still holding firmly to your integrity? Curse God, and die!” 10 But he replied, “You’re talking like one of the godless women would do! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?”

my rock and my fortress “life & ministry of the messiah, part 2” from “that the world may...

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