I Pledge Allegiance
2 Samuel 1
What’s happening- an Amalekite comes to David and gives him a story about Saul’s death and how he witnessed it and was actually the one to kill him. David mourns for Saul and his best friend Jonathan in a lament
We know the true witness of Saul’s death from 1 Sam 31 so we know this guy is lying, for what reason- maybe to gain favor from David, a place in his kingdom as Israel’s next king; nevertheless David is intent on the man’s story, his tone changes in v.13 “who are you?” in more of a judicial line of questioning. The young man continues to tell David that he killed Saul.
So that’s your story?
David has staked his whole life on “touch not God’s anointed”, and because of his allegiance to the Lord and His king, David had been through many years of affliction and peril. And this Amalekite thinks he’s going to win favor with David by killing Saul? The one whom David protected even to the point of his own detriment?
That would be like trying to speak bad about my husband to pastor Jay, trying to win his approval. Ain’t gonna happen.
What kind of delusion is this guy living under? David swore his allegiance to God and God’s anointed
It begs the question: to whom are you pledging allegiance?
Allegiance defined as- loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause
David was loyal to God and to God’s man for the job. A very rare thing these days.
It is important to declare one’s allegiance-
“I pledge allegiance to the flag”...the US is not needy in making its citizens say the pledge. We have nuclear bombs. It reminds us of our loyalty to defend America and her way of life.
The ancient understanding of faith includes an issue of a response.
“pistis” the Greek word for “believe” as in John 3:36, has to do with loyalty or allegiance. To keep faith, you must be loyal.
John 3:36 English Standard Version (ESV)
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
ESV has a more correct translation
Our marriage vows are linked with allegiance- do not flippantly enter into marriage vows, otherwise to get a divorce you should have to call everyone back that was at your wedding to tell them that you lied
Christianity in America has become a flippant declaration at the altar, forgetting that you actually made a vow to God. You cannot say “I am loyal to America and collude with other nations”
We have been given such a great gift in the atoning blood of Jesus, He was a better sacrifice and gave us a greater covenant with greater promises.
Hebrews 8:6 New King James Version (NKJV)
6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
A gift given requires a response. My response demonstrates the magnitude of my allegiance.
Four elements of allegiance:
1. Faithful- allegiance is faithful until the end. David was faithful to Saul as long as Saul lived.
Even though David had been anointed king, he would let God sort out the details.
He would not usurp authority.
God has been faithful to us and He demands the same from His children
Faithful- loyal, constant and steadfast
Show me your calendar and your bank statement and I’ll show you who and what you have allegiance
to.
People say they are committed to the Lord, but their actions prove they are committed to their job, or having fun, a football team, kids’ sports or living a nice life…..
Paul was faithful to Jesus
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
The indictment to the CHURCH in Laodicea was that they were lukewarm, but that was just a symptom of a deeper issue- their allegiance was to themselves. Rev 3:17 “You say,” They were self-centered and self focused. They judged what was good, right and true.
Faithfulness requires humility- In humiliation I find my worth. To gain life, I must die to self- an abdication of Crystal’s kingdom and my selfish interests.
“What can be more depressing than to find a professed Christian defending his supposed rights and bitterly resisting any attempt to violate them? Such a Christian has never accepted the way of the cross. The sweet graces of meekness and humility are unknown to that person. Everyday he grows harder and more acrimonious trying to defend reputation, right and ministry against imagined foes.”--Tozer
Faithfulness is pure- “Jesus’ primary consideration is my absolute annihilation of my right to myself and my identification with Him, which means having a relationship with Him in which there are no other relationships” OC
Does your life display words and actions that are faithful to Jesus? Or a life that is mixed with the world? This is spiritual adultery.
James 4:4 New King James Version (NKJV)
4 [a]Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
2. Obedience- God commands certain practices, therefore He determines allegiance
2 Samuel 2:1 David’s heart was to go up to the people, Hebron- a priestly city
the corporate gathering of worship.
The average American christian attends church 1.6 times a month.
We have an allegiance problem
Hebrews 10:24-25 New King James Version (NKJV)
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
The greatest lies in the church are: “It’s all about me!”, “What’s in it for me?” and
“I can do it alone” false. Either all went into the promised land or none went in.
My destiny is hinged on the one sitting next to me. God has a purpose in our assembly.
Psalm 22:25 New King James Version (NKJV)
25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.
Why do they gather in China, and people risk their life to go to church; if we can worship at home?
Faith without works (A CORRESPONDING ACTION) is dead. Faith requires a response.
James 2:17-18 “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without [f]your works, and I will show you my faith by [g]my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is [h]dead?”
The greatest thing to come out of the reformation was an allegiance to the authority of Scripture!
the tithe- Matthew 6:21 New King James Version (NKJV) 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
1 Chronicles 29:16 New King James Version (NKJV)
16 “O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own.
Tithing has to do with allegiance! Where does your loyalty lie?
baptism and communion- these are sacred to the Lord! It’s not snack time
Obedience to your leaders
David would not touch Saul. Why? Because God had raised up Saul and HE believed and trusted God.
God is a God of order and authority
Hebrews 13:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 Obey those who [a]rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
If you do not believe that God raised up Pastor Matt, and that he is not a self-appointed pastor (there are a few of those out there) but anointed of God to feed the sheep; then why are you even here?
Ps Matt is the most grace-filled person I have ever met. I have seen him come under attack again and again and again and He pours out grace. Do not think that he doesn’t know what’s going on either. He knows when people are rebellious and cantankerous, the HS ALWAYS reveals rebellion in the camp; he just lets Absolam do what Absolam is going to do.
YOU will never flourish if you are NOT planted!!
Psalm 92:13 “Those that are PLANTED in the House of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God”
3. Honor- respect and reverence punctuates my allegiance
v.11-12 David showed honor to Saul
There is a culture of sloppiness in America- casual Christianity and an atmosphere of tardiness
Why? We have lost that “awe” of God. v. 14
We have become to familiar with God.
There are two parts to familiarity:
1. relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people, close acquaintance or association; 2. inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language
God is great, powerful, almighty, holy and at the same time friend and close confidant
Familiarity breeds contempt-extensive knowledge of or close association with someone or something leads to loss of respect for them
We must understand the fear of the Lord- the casualness of His closeness, but the only reason I am alive is because of His grace.
Leviticus 10:1-10 taught of “profane (unauthorized fire) NO SCRIPTURE PLEASE
Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron were killed because they defiantly rebelled against God by offering “strange fire” (fire from an unauthorized source) before the Lord. By their act those who were supposed to teach God’s law refused to take His commandments seriously. While professing to be ministers of God, they were really serving their own selfish desires, there was no fear of God in their lives.
Some things have changed, but some have not. What the cross was meant to change, changed. What the cross was not meant to change, did not change.
We did not change God at the cross.
Jesus is not a PR person trying to give the OT God a good name.
Important OT principles still apply- look at Ananias and Saphira, they had no fear of God
There’s a lot of familiarity in the church and familiarity closes the gate to God’s power.
1 Corinthians 10:12 New King James Version (NKJV)
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
Psalm 96:9 New King James Version (NKJV)
9 Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.
Are you flippant with your worship? Amanda takes great pains to make sure we are singing vertical, edifying worship to God- not to ourselves
Do you constantly walk into church late? Where is your respect for God? How do you treat God’s holy people?
People too familiar with the HS grow into disrespect for the HS and the awesome things of God
The HS is sacred, the blood of Jesus is sacred
Preaching, prophesying, healing- these are all sacred things! Stop being flippant with how you handle the Word of God- “God told me”
4. Integrity- allegiance is firm, a walking it out 24/7
This is then the manner in which you walk out allegiance, being honorable in the way and manner in which you do things. Allegiance is at the heart of what I do and who I am
Integrity: keep your word, keep your commitments, take responsibility- stop blaming others
Consider others better than yourself, walk in humility
1 Peter 2:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Our allegiance to God are being challenged here in America! Will you renew your vow to Him today and pledge your allegiance?
