Heroes #3: The Fugitive And The Prince Series

HEROES #3: THE FUGITIVE AND THE PRINCE

INTRO TO TOPIC: Review series on heroes.

Although Jesus is the world’s greatest superhero, God is calling every one of us to be heroes as well. Last week we took a look at the life of David. His victory over the giant Goliath is an example for us as to how we can overcome the giant troubles and problems in our lives.

KEY TEXT: Daniel 11:32b.

“But the people who know their God will be strong and carry out great exploits.”

THE BIG IDEA: The friendship of David and Jonathan is an example for us for the kind of friendships that God wants us to have with other Christians. To be a hero means to be a good friend.

ILLUSTRATION:

Even heroes need friends. Batman had Robin. Huck Finn had Tom Sawyer. Frodo had Sam. The ‘Lone Ranger’ had Tonto! Even Jesus sent His disciples out two by two.

TEXT:

“Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

ILLUSTRATE: Have two people come up and stand back to back and have someone else be the enemy. And show the third person as JESUS!

BIBLE STORY:

“Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.” (1 Samuel 18:1-4).

• David and Jonathan’s was an unlikely friendship – Jonathan a prince, David a fugitive

• Jonathan had nothing to gain from this friendship. In fact, by helping David, he was ensuring that he would never be the next king. He preferred David before himself.

• David and Jonathan loved each other with God’s love. They loved God & each other.

• They made a covenant – there was a commitment and faithfulness to their friendship.

“1 Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David; but Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted greatly in David. 2 So Jonathan told David, saying, "My father Saul seeks to kill you. Therefore please be on your guard until morning, and stay in a secret place and hide. 3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you. Then what I observe, I will tell you." 4 Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, "Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you. 5 For he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?" 6 So Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, "As the Lord lives, he shall not be killed.” (1 Samuel 19:1-6).

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THEIR FRIENDSHIP?

• David was in danger from Jon’s dad Saul, but Jon stood up for him.

• When our friends are in trouble, we need to step in and help them out. (For example, if you have a friend who engages in a self-destructive habit or addiction, say something!)

• The Bible says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Eph. 4:29).

• The Bible also says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Prov. 18:21).

• Jonathan was a hero because he was a good friend to David.

• Remember from our first week: “Heroes are made when you make a choice.”

“As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so.” (1 Samuel 20:41).