Number 2 And Satisfied
7/4/99 1 Samuel 14:1-14 Philippians 2:1-11
Demetrius had been the star of the track team for the last two years running the 100 and 200 meters. Was he ever fast. He could explode out of the starting blocks the instant the gun went off. He looked lightening coming down the track. It was now his senior year and his goal of shattering the ten year old school record and even winning the state championship was going to be within his reach. Articles were already appearing in the local sports page about the future state track champion two months before track season began. Demetrius enjoyed the publicity and he should have, for he had worked hard and was a great athlete.
Jack was a sophomore and his family moved from Florida to Demetrius’ neighborhood a month before track season was to begin. He recently enrolled in Demetrius’ school. Demetrius finds out that in Florida, even as a freshman, Jack had ran the 100 and 200 meters faster than he had. Jack’s best time was already better than school’s ten year old record. If you were Demetrius, how would you feel about this 10th grader who may take the place everyone was sure you’d have your senior year.
Are you shouting, “Yes, we’re going to be a much stronger track team this year.” Are you thinking, “It’s not fair. I’ve worked so hard to be the state champion and now it looks like I won’t even be the fastest one on my team.” Are you saying, “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep Jack from getting my position. Jack I may not know you, but I hate you already.”
How many of us have been in a place in life in which everything was going well for you and it looked like you were on track to get a position, or a title, or win a contest and something came along over which you had no control. You knew inside somebody else was going to get what everybody was sure was coming to you. This is when we truly have to guard against envy.
Envy comes into our lives when we see something else somebody has or is about to receive, and we get so angry we become jealous and will do just about anything to take it from them or to keep them from getting it. The Scriptures provide us with the following warning concerning envy. Prov 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
We are a society that loves to chant. We’re number 1 hey. Very few teams boast of being number 2. We have a win it take all mentality or somehow you’re just not good enough if you don’t make it to number one. How many of us realize, we cannot all be in the number one slot? How many of us realize, being number one is not all its cracked up to be? All human glory is fading. How many of us realize sometimes being number one can destroy you?
We say things like, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and we immediately assume that means we are going to come out number one. But that’s the worlds’s way of thinking. The meaning of being able to do all things through Christ, means the ability to function efficiently and joyously in whatever situation God may call you to be in for His service. Sometimes God calls you to be in the number two slot and that’s as high as you will go if you stay faithful to Him. But can you handle that place in life without becoming bitter, or jealous, or envious?
Let’s meet a young man in Scripture who had everything going for him and he seemed destined to reach the top. First of all he was the king’s oldest son. Now everybody knows that when the king dies, the oldest son comes to the throne. Second he was a young man serving the Lord. He had a relationship with God that was very personal, so personal that he would lay his life on the line when he believed he had heard from God.
Third he was a man of bravery and courage. With faith in God, he and his servant went and attacked an armed enemy army post to capture their weapons. He led a two man commando raid against twenty enemy soldiers and won. His actions led to one of the greatest military victories to date for his father. He was about as popular and well liked by the people as a prince of a nation could get. Everybody knew that he was going to make a great king.
His name was Jonathan. No doubt Jonathan was being fully groomed to one day become the King of Israel. He was trained as a warrior, a spokesperson, and as a leader. There was only one little problem. God had decided that He had a different person in mind to be king. And while King Saul was grooming his son in the palace to become king, God was grooming a shepherd boy out in the fields to become king. One day these two different set of plans would collide with each other because you can only have one king. Somebody would have to be number two and satisfied.
Then came that day when Goliath , the huge giant , hero of the Philistine army, appeared on the battlefield with no one willing to take him on. God sent forward His choice to battle the giant, Goliath from Gath. With a sling stone and five rocks, David attacked and defeated the awesome warrior Goliath. Once Goliath was out of the way, David’s action led to another great victory over the Philistine. In the same way, Jonathan’s bravery had inspired the troops to victory a few years earlier, David’s bravery inspired the troops to even a greater victory.
Here it is, this unknown shepherd boy, comes onto the scene and through one victory, wins the heart of the people. After the first battle the troops had shouted Jonathan, Jonathan, Jonathan. But this time, all you can hear from the troops is David, David, David. Now the people had set up a rivalry between Jonathan and David. The people took this thing a little too far, when the women a little later were singing, “Saul has killed his thousands, but David his ten’s of thousands.”
Saul got down right bent of shape and upset over this. Envy set in real quick. He said, they only give me credit for thousands, but they give David credit for 10,000. Next thing you know, they’ll be wanting to make him the king. Saul became jealous and bitter toward David from that day on. The more David did for Saul, the more Saul hated him. His envy led him to want to murder David.
But what about Jonathan. It did not take a rocket scientist to figure out, that David was moving up the scale in the eyes of the people. Jonathan and David are probably about the same age. Remember Demetrius and Jack and Demetrius had to decided what he would do about Jack. Well Jonathan has to decide what he’s going to do about David.
What would you have done. You know you’re to be the next king, but for the first time in your life, you realize you’ve got some real outside competition. For you it might starting on the team, or becoming captain of the team, or supervisor on the job, or homecoming queen, or president of the company. It’s really all the same thing with the same decision involved.
We don’t truly know how much we love Jesus, until we are forced to have to make choices about our own future. Sometimes we come up with our own plans and we realize, if we ignore the word of God in this area, we can reach our goal a little bit faster, or at least we think we can.. God always has the last word on the consequences of our actions when we decide to get somebody.
Now Saul thought he could be jealous of David, and it not bother him. But the day after his jealousy set in, the Lord sent an evil spirit upon Sual. Had there been no jealousy, there would not have been a place for the evil spirit to take root in Saul’s life. Nor would there have been a reason for the Lord to send it. Have we left open a door for Satan to creep into our lives because of our dissatisfaction with being number two.
Jonathan saw this young man David with all the praises of the people that use to go to him, and something unique happened. It says in 1 Samuel 18:1, that Jonathan became one in spirit with David and he loved him as himself. Not only that in verse 3 it says he made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. But then in verse four it says, Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing, and gave it to David, along with his tunic, even his sword, his bow and his belt.
Jonathan is saying through his actions, I recognize that you should be the next king of Israel, and let me be the first to help you look the part. Jonathan is voluntarily surrendering his future position and saying, “Look, I can be number two and be satisfied with it.” God gave Jonathan a peace about God’s choice of David being the next king. What others saw as a potential rival enemy, Jonathan saw as a potential friend. As a matter fact, Jonathan is the best and most loyal friend that David will have in his entire life. What a difference it makes when we make conscious decision to love rather than to hate. Didn’t Jesus say something about loving enemies.
The bible tells us to not do anything out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Are you able to recognize the difference between when God is calling you to lead, and when God is calling you to be number two or to follow? If we are not able to discern God’s will in this area, we will bring turmoil and confusion to the situation.
Sometimes God may raise up or brother or sister in our family to a place of prominence in the church or in the society at large. Can they depend on our loyalty and undying support or do we carry around the seeds of “who do they think they are. They ain’t all that.”
Mr. Brown was a member of our church for a long time until he went home to be with the Lord. He was a gentle, loving man with the most humble of spirits. He had a smile that could put any child at ease. His wife was much more outspoken, and received all kinds of numerous awards for her community work and activities. Today the Helen S Brown senior citizen is named after her. But her testimony of her life is that she never could have done all the great things she did without her husband’s support. You see Mr. Brown didn’t mind being number two in the eyes of others because he knew he was number one in the eyes of Mrs. Brown and in the eyes of His God. He lived to make her a success, because when she succeeded, they succeeded.
Jonathan was able to see beyond his personal gain, to what was best for the kingdom at large. His father Saul wanted to protect the kingdom from David ever becoming its leader. He ordered the murder of David and sent men after him to kill him. Now Jonathan could have set back and did nothing. He would have then received the kingdom. He did not give the order to have David killed so he would be innocent.
But because of his love for his friend, he sent messengers to warn David to escape before the men arrived. Jonathan then went and pointed out to his father King Saul, all the ways in which David had brought benefits to the king. He pointed out that David was innocent of any wrong doing. He reminded him of how Goliath had humiliated them all before David came. King Saul changed his mind and said, “Surely David will not be put to death.”
But once again, David went our and had a great victory for King Saul over the enemy. The king’s jealousy arose again, and this time he was definitely determined to kill David. Jonathan tried talking to his father again, but this time the King would not listen. The king thought Jonathan should have been more appreciative of what he was trying to do to kill David.
He said “listen, boy. Don’t you know that I know you have sided with David against me. I could have already killed him if it had not been for you. What kind of a son turns against his own father and brings disgrace to his parents. Don’t you know I’m doing this for you. You will never become king as long as David is alive. Now you go get him, and bring him here now so that he can die.”
Saul was insisting his son was going to become number 1 after he was gone. He could not understand how his son could settle for anything less. You know when we serve God faithfully, the world is not going to understand how we can put the well fare of somebody else ahead of our own. The world will not understand when we can step back and say, I don’t have to be the star, I just want the best that we can be in this situation.
There’s no need to compete in the body of Christ for anything. Our goal is to reach as many people for Jesus Christ as possible. All of us have been given a talent and a gift for the kingdom. But sometimes, we need to be able to take the support position and be satisfied. Jonathan was more interested in the welfare of kingdom and of his friend than he was in getting a certain position with all of its benefits.
Jonathan secretly met David one last time in a field. He said “now David, I know the Lord is going to give your victory over all your enemies, now when God does you remember the promises we made to each other. I’m letting you go in peace to find God’s will for you. But you remember me and my descendants when God raises you up.” The two men hugged each other, prayed together, kissed each other and wept. The Scriptures state, that David wept the most. Never had he met a person or a friend like Jonathan. A person who was paying a great price to be his friend. A person who believed in him and the call of God on his life. Jonathan was an extraordinary person simply because he was willing to be number 2 and satisfied.
There was another person in the bible who came in this world and voluntarily became number 2. We are under the mistaken notion that we start out in life on our way to heaven and somehow if we manage to do enough good things as opposed to bad ones, somehow we will earn the right to go to heaven. But that’s not the case. From the time human beings were created and chose to sin, a death sentence was on all human beings. The price for rebellion against God was that all human beings were destined to go to hell. God had told Adam and Eve, if you choose to disobey this command, you will surely die. Death is not only physical but it is spiritual as well. Although most of us fear the physical death, its the spiritual death we need to be the most concerned with.
God so loved us all, that he wanted to keep as many of us from continuing on in spiritual death as possible. That’s when Jesus Christ was sent into the world to become number 2. He left the splendor and glory of heaven to become a human being. He did not come into the world asking what is best for me, but rather to do God’s will in order for us to be saved.
Jesus made it clear, he did not have to die and nobody was taking his life from him. Jesus said, “I voluntarily lay down my life on your behalf. “As Jonathan laid down his kingdom for David’s to be established, Jesus laid down his life, so that we could receive spiritual life. But for it to do us any good , we must believe in Christ by putting our faith and trust in Him. The bible teaches us, that everyone who believes and receives Christ, He gives the power to become the sons and daughters of God. It was through Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself, that we can enjoy the benefits and privileges that only Jesus was entitled to receive.
Thanks to Jesus, God looks upon us as though we have never sinned. He freely forgives us for the wrong we have done when we confess it and forsake it because He has likewise made a covenant or agreement with us of peace. He has promised to never leave nor forsake us as long as we are willing to remain in Him. We need not die, wondering if we will spend eternity in Heaven with God or in the lake of fire with Satan. Because Jesus humbled himself even to the point of dying on a cross, we know that when we believe in Him, just as God raised him from the dead, we too shall be raised too eternal life.
is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’" Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.
XVII. Jesus Number 2 & Satisfied
A. False Notion Of Earning Heaven
B. Price For Disobedience Was Death
C. Physical Death & Spiritual Death
D. God’s Love Keeps us From Death
E. Jesus Left It All
F. Jesus Voluntarily Laid It Down
G. Power To Become Sons & Daughters
H. Confess It, Forsake It
I. We Can Know Our Future
John 3:17-20 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
John 3:21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
Number 2 And Satisfied—Pastor Rick
7/4/99 1 Sam 14:1-14 Philippians 2:1-11
I. Meet Demetrius
A. Star Of 100 & 200
B. State Championship On Horizon
C. The Arrival Of Jack From Florida
D. When Another Comes On The Scene
E. What Do You Shout
II. Missing Out On What Should Be Ours
A. Beyond Our Control
B. Envy Comes Into The Picture
C. Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
D. We’re Number 1 Hey
E. Problems With Number 1
III. But I Can Do All Things Through Christ
A. I Will Become Numero Uno
B. All Things Means All Things
C. What About Number 2
D. How Do You Handle It
IV. He Had It All Going For Him
A. King’s Oldest Son
B. Young Man Serving The Lord
C. Brave, Courageous, Risk Taking
D. Great Military Victory
VI. Two Kings In The Making
A. Jonathan Groomed In The Palace
B. David Groomed In The Pasteur
C. A Coming Collision
VII. Two Plans Coming Together
A. Goliath The Giant
B. David The Fighter
C. Victory Over The Enemy
D. Jonathan David Rivalry
VIII A King Gets Upset
A. 1,000 vs 10,000
B. Hate—Envy—Murder
C. David Climbing Up
IX. What Steps Will You Take
A. When You Know You Love Jesus
B. What If I Ignore This Area
C. God Has The Last Word
D. You Won’t Escape
E. Don’t Leave Satan A Door To Enter
XII. Jonathan Makes A Decision
A. When Praises Go Another Way
B. One In Spirit And Love
C. Take My Things & Use Them
D. Let Me Be The First To Help
E. Potential Enemy Or Great Friend
XIII. What About Selfish Ambition
A. Phil 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Phil 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
B. Knowing The Will Of God
C. Loyalty Or Jealousy
D. Mr. Brown—Saint Of God
E. Being Number 2 Way Okay
XIV. Saving The Life Of A Friend
A. Jonathan Could See Further
B. King Saul Wants Him Dead
C. Jonathan Saves David
D. Putting In A Good Word
XV. Son Don’t You Understand
A. I’m Doing It For Your Kingdom
B. Death Sentence Issued
C. He Does Not Understand N0. 2
D. I Don’t Have To Be The Star
XVI. Saying Good-bye For The Last Time
A. No Need To Compete
B. Remember Me When You Get There
C. Hugs, Prayers, Kisses After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together--but David wept the most. Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, ’The LORD
