Abigail Series

Theme: Unsung Heroes

Video: What is courage from bluefishtv.com.

Quote on courage: Courage looks different than many people think today. The

most courageous people in the world are ones who never pick up a weapon or

those who choose to lay their weapons down. The kingdom of God is looking for

courageous people -- Are you one of them? - Our main character or unsung hero today is a

woman named Abigail who reveals to us what real courage looks like.

Quote: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is important” Ambrose Redmoon

Thesis: As I read about our heroine today and listened to the messages on the other unsung heroes of the faith, I see that that they had courage right in the face of fear. They did not let fear stop them from doing what is right or from intervening in the lives of others. They faced their fears with courage and the strength of the Lord and in turn were rewarded for their step of faith.

Thought - Courage Conquers Fear:

Relative to the whole scheme of things, your life span could be compared to lighting a candle and immediately blowing it out. In other words, life is short - very short. Missing out on any of the joys life offers is a tragedy. If your life is being controlled by your fears, you are most certainly cheating yourself. Courage is the mental muscle (I think spiritual muscle) that conquers fear. Like all muscles, the more you use them the stronger they become. Courage is not something you are born with, it must be developed. Individuals who fail to develop courage, remain confined in mental prisons and face each day as mental lightweights. It has been said if you face the thing you fear, fear leaves you. For years I believed that courageous individuals had no fear. I was wrong. Eddie Richenbacher put it very well when he said, "There is no courage without fear." We all have fear, however, not everyone becomes subservient to their fears. There is, very likely, something you have wanted to do for years - move to another city, start your own business, apply for that better position, go after the big account (or do a mission’s trip for the Lord.) Whatever it is you should do it. Remember, life is not a practice run. This is it. A little courage leads to more. Observe those poor souls who are without courage. They merely tiptoe through life hoping they make it safely to death. You and I were never meant to live that way. Learn to live the way you like by no longer living as you dislike. Forge into the remainder of your day with an abundance of courage. That's living! From http://www.famous-motivational-quotes.com/Motivational-Story-1.html

Today we will explore the life of a courageous unsung hero of the faith!

Sermon: Abigail

Thesis: We have a story of the beauty and the beast and how the heroine saves her family from destruction because of the beast’s rude and foolish ways. Our heroine is a courageous woman of faith who steps in to prevent a massacre at the risk of her own life. Her faith and courage in the end save the day and lead her to a blessed life.

Scripture: I Samuel 25

1Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David moved down into the Desert of Maon.

2A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel.

3His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was surly and mean in his dealings.

4While David was in the desert, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep.

5So he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name.

6Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!

7“‘Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing.

8Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my young men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.’”

9When David’s men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David’s name. Then they waited.

10Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days.