Living a Life of Significance in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Tonight, we explored the theme of living a life of significance in the eyes of God, even when the world may deem us insignificant. If you are in Christ Jesus, your life holds immense value in heaven. We delved into the lives of three of David's mighty men from 2 Samuel 23 to illustrate what it means to live a life of faithfulness and significance. These men—Joseph Bashebeth, Eliezer, and Shammah—demonstrated extraordinary courage and faith in the face of overwhelming odds.
Joseph Bashebeth stood up against 800 enemy soldiers, embodying the courage it takes to follow Jesus and stand firm in faith, even when it seems impossible. Eliezer, fighting a familiar enemy on familiar ground, showed us the importance of sticking to our faith and the Word of God, even when we are weary and the battle seems never-ending. Lastly, Shammah defended a seemingly insignificant lentil field, teaching us that what may appear trivial to the world can be sacred and worth fighting for if God has stationed us there.
These stories remind us that God records our acts of faithfulness, no matter how small they may seem. We are called to stand up, stick to our faith, and settle in for the long haul, trusting that God will bring about great victories through our perseverance and faithfulness.
### Key Takeaways
1. Stand Up for Your Faith: Joseph Bashebeth's story teaches us the importance of standing up for our faith, even when the odds are against us. It takes courage to follow Jesus and make a stand, especially when the convenient thing to do is to stay seated. Our faith is the most precious gift we've been given, and it's worth fighting for. [12:47]
2. Stick to the Word of God: Eliezer's battle against the Philistines on familiar ground shows the importance of sticking to the Word of God, even when we are weary. We often face the same battles repeatedly, but holding on to the Word of God gives us the strength to continue fighting. We need each other to stand and fight together, as Eliezer did with David and the other mighty men. [22:24]
3. Settle In for the Long Haul: Shammah's defense of the lentil field teaches us that we must settle in and be prepared for a long-term commitment to what God has called us to defend. Sometimes the battles we face are not won overnight but require perseverance and faith over weeks, months, or even years. [30:33]
4. God Sees Your Significance: The lives of these three men remind us that God sees our significance, even when we or others do not. God records our acts of faithfulness, no matter how small they may seem. Our names and deeds are significant in heaven's eyes, just as the names and deeds of David's mighty men were recorded in Scripture. [08:13]
5. Empowered by the Holy Spirit: To stand up, stick to, and settle in, we need the power of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we are powerless to resist and fight. The disciples were transformed from fearful men to bold witnesses after being filled with the Holy Spirit. We too need this supernatural boldness to stand firm in our faith. [16:58]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:45] - Introduction: Feeling Insignificant
[06:16] - David's Mighty Men
[08:13] - God Records Our Faithfulness
[10:16] - Joseph Bashebeth: Standing Up
[12:47] - The Importance of Faith
[15:07] - Contending for the Faith
[16:58] - Empowered by the Holy Spirit
[18:45] - Eliezer: Sticking to the Fight
[20:30] - Fighting Familiar Battles
[22:24] - The Power of Community
[24:23] - Holding on to the Word of God
[26:19] - Shammah: Defending the Lentil Field
[28:20] - The Role of Men in the Family
[30:33] - Settling In for the Long Haul
[32:22] - Conclusion: What Has God Called You to Defend?
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Samuel 23:8-12
2. Jude 1:3
3. Acts 1:8
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the three key actions demonstrated by David's mighty men in 2 Samuel 23:8-12? ([06:16])
2. How did Joseph Bashebeth show courage in his battle against 800 enemy soldiers? ([10:16])
3. What was the significance of Eliezer's hand clinging to the sword during his battle? ([24:23])
4. Why did Shammah defend a seemingly insignificant lentil field, and what does this teach us about faithfulness? ([26:19])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "stand up" for your faith, and why is it important even when the odds are against you? ([12:47])
2. How can holding on to the Word of God, as Eliezer did, help us in our spiritual battles? ([24:23])
3. Why might God consider our seemingly small acts of faithfulness significant, as seen in the lives of David's mighty men? ([08:13])
4. How does the empowerment of the Holy Spirit enable believers to stand firm in their faith according to Acts 1:8? ([16:58])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to stand up for your faith. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them? ([12:47])
2. Are there any familiar battles or recurring struggles in your life where you need to hold on to the Word of God more firmly? How can you practically do this? ([24:23])
3. Think about an area in your life that seems insignificant but where you feel God has stationed you. How can you defend and be faithful in that area? ([26:19])
4. How can you seek the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in your daily life to help you stand firm in your faith? ([16:58])
5. Identify a specific situation where you need to "settle in for the long haul" and show perseverance. What steps can you take to remain faithful in this situation? ([30:33])
6. How can you support and stand with others in your community who are fighting their own spiritual battles? ([22:24])
7. What practical steps can you take this week to remind yourself of your significance in God's eyes, even when you feel insignificant? ([08:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Courage to Stand Up for Your Faith
Standing up for your faith requires immense courage, especially when the odds are against you. Joseph Bashebeth's story from 2 Samuel 23 exemplifies this courage. He stood alone against 800 enemy soldiers, embodying the bravery it takes to follow Jesus and remain steadfast in faith, even when it seems impossible. In our lives, we may face situations where standing up for our beliefs feels daunting or even dangerous. However, our faith is the most precious gift we've been given, and it's worth fighting for. Remember, God sees and values our acts of faithfulness, no matter how small they may seem. [12:47]
2 Samuel 23:8 (ESV): "These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt pressured to compromise your faith. How can you stand firm in your beliefs the next time you face a similar challenge?
Day 2: Holding Fast to the Word of God
Eliezer's battle against the Philistines on familiar ground teaches us the importance of holding fast to the Word of God, even when we are weary. We often face the same battles repeatedly, but the Word of God provides the strength to continue fighting. Eliezer fought alongside David and the other mighty men, showing us the power of community in standing firm in our faith. We need each other to stand and fight together, drawing strength from the Word and from one another. [22:24]
2 Samuel 23:9-10 (ESV): "And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew. He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the Lord brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to strip the slain."
Reflection: Identify a recurring challenge in your life. How can you use specific Bible verses to strengthen your resolve and continue fighting this battle?
Day 3: Commitment to God's Calling
Shammah's defense of the lentil field teaches us the value of long-term commitment to what God has called us to defend. Sometimes, the battles we face are not won overnight but require perseverance and faith over weeks, months, or even years. What may seem trivial to the world can be sacred and worth fighting for if God has stationed us there. Our commitment to God's calling, no matter how insignificant it may seem, holds immense value in His eyes. [30:33]
2 Samuel 23:11-12 (ESV): "And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God has called you to stand firm? How can you commit to defending this area with perseverance and faith?
Day 4: Recognizing Your Significance in God's Eyes
The lives of David's mighty men remind us that God sees our significance, even when we or others do not. God records our acts of faithfulness, no matter how small they may seem. Our names and deeds are significant in heaven's eyes, just as the names and deeds of David's mighty men were recorded in Scripture. This should encourage us to continue living faithfully, knowing that our efforts are not in vain and are valued by God. [08:13]
Hebrews 6:10 (ESV): "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent act of faithfulness that you felt went unnoticed. How does knowing that God sees and values your efforts change your perspective?
Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
To stand up, stick to, and settle in, we need the power of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we are powerless to resist and fight. The disciples were transformed from fearful men to bold witnesses after being filled with the Holy Spirit. We too need this supernatural boldness to stand firm in our faith. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live a life of significance and faithfulness, enabling us to face challenges with courage and perseverance. [16:58]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's empowerment to stand firm in your faith? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with boldness and strength today?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "If you are in Christ Jesus tonight, your life is significant as far as heaven is concerned. Man may not see you as significant, you may not see yourself as significant, but I believe with all my heart tonight the Lord wants to say, I see you, I see your life. To me, you are significant." [01:00] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It takes courage to follow Jesus. Did you hear that? It takes courage to follow Jesus. It's not an easy road. It takes courage to make a stand. It takes courage to stand up, especially when the convenient thing to do is to stay seated." [11:30] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The faith, the gospel is the most precious gift we've ever been given. And if the enemy can steal our faith, we have nothing. Without faith, it is very difficult to please God. That's what the Bible says. Without faith, it's impossible to please God. The faith, the truth of the gospel, it's worth standing up for. It's worth fighting for." [14:30] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "No Holy Spirit, no power. You're not filled with the Holy Spirit, you are powerless to resist. Powerless to fight. Dan said it this morning. The disciples were fearful men until they got filled with the Holy Spirit. And this boldness came upon them, a supernatural boldness outside of anything that they possessed." [17:00] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "What has God told you to defend? What has God told you to fight for? What has God told you to stand up for? It might seem like it's only lentils. Let me say to the men, the number one area that God has called us to and stationed us is our family." [27:00] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "If God can record the faithful service of the soldiers of King David, how much more will he record the exploits of the faithful acts of the servants of King Jesus. Bearing that in mind, I want to look at those three men briefly about what it is to be faithful to live a significant life." [08:13] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It takes courage to stand and fight when everyone else runs for cover. And the Bible says that the hand becomes weary. Well, you think about it. If you're fighting for that length of time and you're holding a sword in your hand, it's going to get heavy after a period of a time." [20:30] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you want to stay in the midst of feeling weary, you've got to learn to stick to stick to stick to what? Stick to accountability, stick to the word of God. Verse 9 tells us it says they plural defied the Philistines. All of Israel retreated, but Eliezer, David, and the other mighty men are standing there fighting together." [22:24] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The number one place God has stationed us men is as the head of our households. Let me say to men, you are not the assistant manager of your household. You are not the assistant manager to your wife. That does not mean you do not work with your wife. You don't listen to your wife. That does not mean that. It means we are called to take the headship, to take the lead and to fight for our families." [30:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If we stand up, if we stick to and if we settle in, we can successfully fight for what the Lord has called us to fight for. So I'll finish with a question. What has the Lord told you to stand up for? What is he telling you to stick to? And where has he told you to settle in? Not to quit, not to retreat, but to have the power, the endurance and the faith to." [32:22] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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