Sermon Title: 5 Jewels of Spiritual Transformation
Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 22:1-2; Isaiah 45:3;
Ps. 34:1-7
Speaker: Ps. Monte Lee Rice
Introduction:
1 Samuel 22:1-2 1So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father's household 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. Now there were about four hundred men with him.
Picture source: http://christianity.about.com/od/symbolspictures/ig/Israel-Tour-Pictures/19IsraelCaveAddullam800x600.htm
Cave of Adullam: This is the cave where David hid from King Saul when Saul sought to kill him. It is a large & deep dark cave.
Isaiah 45:3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
- We can find treasures in the darkness.
1 Chronicles 12:8 From the Gadites there came over to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains.
Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord GOD is my strength, And
He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places.
- It is during the ‘dark period’ we are being changed and transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
- Don’t get too quick to get out of the darkness. But learn to seek out the treasures.
5 Jewels of transformation
Ps. 34:1-7
(The LORD, a Provider and Deliverer.
A Psalm of David when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away and he departed).
1I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2My soul will make its boast in the LORD;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.
3O magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
4I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
What is Church all about?
It is about becoming more like Jesus and Christ is being formed in us.
The 1st jewel: The Altar of Sacrifice (Worship)
Ps. 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
What is worship?
It is about sacrifice.
Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
- Offer your dreams & aspirations to Jesus Christ.
2nd Jewel: Humility
Ps. 34:2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.
How do i live my life in this world?
- By being humble, just like David who was willing to share his cave with others.
- God gives grace to the humble.
3rd Jewel: Seeking the Lord
Ps. 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
- SEEK and you shall find; ASK and it shall be given to you; KNOCK and the door will be opened for you.
4th Jewel: Discipleship (following Jesus)
Ps. 34:5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
- When comes to discipleship we tend to look for so and so to be our mentor, but is Jesus your teacher or coach?
- Jesus wants to disciple us and teach us to be like Him.
1 Peter 2: 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps
- Read, observe and meditate on Jesus Christ in the Gospel.
- To become like Jesus Christ, we must be willing to pay the cost of discipleship.
5th Jewel: Fear the Lord (Reverence)
Ps. 34: 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
What it means to fear the Lord?
By giving God the space to be God.
Ps. 46: 10a "Cease striving and know that I am God…”
- It means that we take our hands off in our situation and let God do the necessary.
- God is the God of surprises.
Really thank God for this message that HE reminded me on how to apply Ps. 34 in my life. I remembered this Psalm was given to me by my friend on my 22nd Birthday and i asked God what it means. At first, He did not say anything, so i told God that i will read until i get the ‘answer’.
God is gracious. HE knows when to ‘appear’ in action. I flipped my study bible and in front of me is Ps. 34 and the explanation for this Psalm. It says “What ultimately matters in life is not one’s power and position, but one’s attitude and response to God.” When i get to know of this, i became angry at God because during that age, i want to be famous, status and position are very important to me. But after about two minutes, i calm down and began to told God that HE is right and ask Him to help me to apply Ps. 34 in my life.
Thank you Father God for your grace and mercies upon my life. You not only reminded me and help me on how to grow in Christ and also help me to realise that i can find treasures in deep darkness and hidden wealth of secret places.
Father God, help me to grow stronger in You. Transform me to be like Your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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