Sermon Follow-up for Sunday, June 14th

Dear Saints,

Here is a summary of the application from yesterday’s sermon for your consideration. Please note something new at the end.

Pastor Bordwine

* Abiathar’s downfall reminds us that faithfulness in the past does not guarantee faithfulness in the future. A long record of service can be marred by a single act of disobedience if we do not remain diligent in guarding our hearts. The Christian life requires continual vigilance and perseverance. We should regularly examine ourselves to ensure that we have not become careless or allowed influences into our lives that we once recognized as harmful.

* Joab’s life illustrates the danger of ambition unrestrained by righteousness. God gives talents, opportunities, and positions of influence to be used for His glory and the good of others. Ambition itself is not sinful, but when it leads us outside the boundaries established by God, it becomes destructive. Joab’s abilities could have brought him honor, but his pursuit of power through sinful means ultimately brought him to ruin.

* Shimei’s failure teaches us that obedience to God must never be sacrificed for the sake of convenience or personal gain. Faced with a difficult situation, he chose a path that required him to break his vow. Believers should remember that when a course of action seems to require disobedience, the proper response is to seek another way or patiently trust God’s providence. God never requires His people to sin in order to accomplish what is right.

* Joab’s flight to the altar provides a warning against trusting in religious things rather than demonstrating true repentance. He sought safety by clinging to a holy object, yet he remained guilty before God. Many people make the same mistake by trusting in church attendance, religious activity, or a respectable reputation rather than seeking forgiveness through Christ. No religious practice can remove the guilt of sin or satisfy divine justice.

* The gospel reminds us that sin cannot simply be hidden, ignored, or counteracted by good works. God’s justice must be satisfied. The altar could not save Joab, but God has provided a true refuge in Jesus Christ. Those who cast themselves upon Christ in faith find the forgiveness, cleansing, and reconciliation that no amount of religious effort can ever secure.

This week I am trying something new. Let me know what you think. I have included a summary thought for each of the paragraphs above. After you consider that material, each day this week you can come back for a summary statement of the application, one for Monday, one for Tuesday, etc. You could enter these statements on your calendar or have them pop up on your phone as a reminder each day. My purpose is to provide a connection to the sermon each day of the week so that we continue to benefit from the ministry of the Word.

Daily Devotional Thoughts

Monday: Faithfulness yesterday is no substitute for vigilance today; never relax your guard in the pursuit of godliness.

Tuesday: Use every talent, opportunity, and position God has given you for His glory and the good of others, never for selfish ambition.

Wednesday: When faced with a difficult choice, remember that God never requires obedience to be achieved through disobedience.

Thursday: Religious activity cannot hide sin from God; true refuge is found not in outward objects or practices but in genuine repentance.

Friday: Christ alone is the refuge for guilty sinners. Only He has satisfied the justice of God and secured forgiveness for His people.