The Threshing floor

2 Samuel   •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Intro: So here we come to the final chapter of the book of 2 Samuel, and it’s been perhaps my favorite book to teach through…now our next book will be the sweet letter of Philippians, and we will ether begin that next week or the week after...
Godl
(Prop) What we’re gonna see is the great failure of David, and the same time, a moment of great leadership...
(Prop) what we’re gonna see is the great failure of David, and the same time, a moment of great leadership...
“One of the greatest measurements of a person’s faith is not the perfection of their walk, but the willingness to walk after a great fall.”
2 Samuel 24:1 ESV
1 Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”
2 sam 24:1
Ou5
And this is what we’re gonna see with David today...
David’s fall
David’s recovery
David’s recovery

David’s Fall

2 Samuel 24:1–2 ESV
1 Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” 2 So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army, who was with him, “Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.”
2 Samuel 24:1 ESV
1 Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”
2 sam 24:
2
Notice that word “Again
Some say that this passage, is chronologically connected to chapter 21, because in that it spoke about the Lord bringing a famine on the Land for the sins of the people, and now, he we see the Lord is angry again with Gods’ people
And notice a few things...
and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”
So at first glance we get the sense that God was angry with his people so he caused, David to do something that were gonna see was very sinful which number the people.
Well it seems like 1 chronicles 21:1 which speaks of this same account gives some clarity on what was actually happening...
1 Chronicles 21:1 ESV
1 Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.
So this seems like a situation similar to Job, where Satan was the tempter…but the Lord allowed David to be tested…only difference is Job endured…David gave in to it
Now lets talk about what David is doing
2 Samuel 24:1–2 ESV
1 Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” 2 So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army, who was with him, “Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.”
So David
Now, some of you probably ask the question, whats so bad about David numbering the people?
This was dangerous because of a principle stated in :
This was dangerous because of a principle stated in : When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them.
Exodus 30:12 ESV
12 “When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the Lord when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them.
Here’s what God is saying here....Israel belongs to me. It was up to the LORD to command a counting, and if David counted he should only do it at God’s command and giving an offering to the Lord
“Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.”
“Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.”
i. The principle of speaks to God’s ownership of His people. In the thinking of these ancient cultures, a man only had the right to count or number what belonged to him. Israel didn’t belong to David; Israel belonged to God. It was up to the LORD to command a counting, and if David counted he should only do it at God’s command and receiving ransom money to “atone” for the counting.
So David is wanting Joab to go from north to south and number the “solders” thats what this word “people” actually means in the original language…it’s the same word as in v.9 but their it’s translated “valiant men”
Here’s the picture:
David motivated by pride he wants to say “Look what I’ve done”
Has forgotten who’s army this is, and he wants bask in what he thinks he created...
look what happens next...
2 Samuel 24:3 ESV
3 But Joab said to the king, “May the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times as many as they are, while the eyes of my lord the king still see it, but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?”
2 sam 24:3
So here’s Joab, and we get the sense that he saw David drifting....thats what the text is hinting at when he says “why are you delighting in this thing” v.3
He saw David’s wanting to flex his pride and and starting to be ruled by ungodly passions…and I think he was able to identify that because he struggled with that.
App: Side note, if you have someone who’s notorious for pride come to you and tell you you’re being proud…listen
But here’s Joab saying “David I hope you are alive to see God increase the army a hundred times, but please, don’t count them
2 Samuel 24:4 ESV
4 But the king’s word prevailed against Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the presence of the king to number the people of Israel.
Now I want you to notice that this issue with David is not just something that Joab saw, but it was something that all of his leaders saw…but David wouldn’t listen, and they submitting to his leadership went out and did what he said to do even though it was the wrong thing…and essentally their were accomplices in the king’s sin
This tells us 2 things
This scene shows us that it’s not enough to know the right thing, you have to do the right thing
These men knew that David was wrong, but out of fear, love, respect for position, they went were accomplices…
Think contrast that with Saul’s guard in when he wanted them to kill the priests of Nob, though it was their job, though he was their king, what he asked them to do was wrong…and they refused
App: biblical knowledge is not enough, we need biblical courage and conviction and devotion…even to the point it costing us...
Know God’s word…Be emboldened by God’s spirit
So look what happens...
2 Samuel 24:5–8 ESV
5 They crossed the Jordan and began from Aroer, and from the city that is in the middle of the valley, toward Gad and on to Jazer. 6 Then they came to Gilead, and to Kadesh in the land of the Hittites; and they came to Dan, and from Dan they went around to Sidon, 7 and came to the fortress of Tyre and to all the cities of the Hivites and Canaanites; and they went out to the Negeb of Judah at Beersheba. 8 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
So all in all this errand of David’s ended up taking close to 10 months…what we’re seeing here is the exhausted servants of a prideful king...
v.8 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
App: Remember that time doesn’t on it’s own doesn’t make you better...
App: Remember that time doesn’t on it’s own doesn’t make you better...
Think about this…it took almost a year
Almost a year to repent
Almost before God’s judgement
2 things
God’s judgement for sin is often to simply let you have your own way
God’s judgment is often like a bow and arrow…it takes a while to be pulled back…and when God releases his judgement it’s so swift and damaging
2 Samuel 24:9 ESV
9 And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: in Israel there were 800,000 valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were 500,000.
So Joab numbers the people, and arounds it up to 1,300,000…but if you read 1 chronicles 21’s account of the same event you get a much different number…a few hundred thousand more
1 Chronicles 21:5 ESV
5 And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to David. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, and in Judah 470,000 who drew the sword.
1 chro 21:
So how do we explain this…well we get a possible explanation when 1 Chronicles 27 talks about Joab...
1 Chronicles 27:24 ESV
24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count, but did not finish. Yet wrath came upon Israel for this, and the number was not entered in the chronicles of King David.
1 chro 21:
So it’s possible that Joab didn’t get done with the count because God’s judgment had began and they had to stop...
App: So that might satisfy you…but what if it doesn’t?
Remember though their are things that are mysterious in the bible…there are many more things that have been clearly proven
There are literally hundreds of very specific prophecies in the Bible that were fulfilled hundreds of years after they were spoken...No other religious book can verify itself in this way.
The Bible has also been proven to be historically reliable by numerous archaeological discoveries. To date, more than 25,000 archaeological discoveries have verified the names of persons, places, events, and customs mentioned in the Bible.
The Bible has also been proven to be historically reliable by numerous archaeological discoveries. To date, more than 25,000 archaeological discoveries have verified the names of persons, places, events, and customs mentioned in the Bible.
but maybe that mystery is on purpose because God
Finally, the Bible’s unity is amazing. Here is a book that is actually a collection of 66 different books written down by more than 40 different authors over a period of more than 1500 years on three different continents and in three different languages. It addresses life’s most controversial topics from beginning to end. You might expect to find chaos, confusion, and contradictions, yet the Bible miraculously remains absolutely consistent and internally harmonious from beginning to end.
Finally, the Bible’s unity is amazing. Here is a book that is actually a collection of 66 different books written down by more than 40 different authors over a period of more than 1500 years on three different continents and in three different languages. It addresses life’s most controversial topics from beginning to end. You might expect to find chaos, confusion, and contradictions, yet ”
“the Bible miraculously remains absolutely consistent and internally harmonious from beginning to end.4”
Could it be possible that if the God of the bibile is true, and he’s sovereign, and he made us and knows us....could it be possible that he left some mysteries in the bible to test us…I think so...
So here we have it, Prideful king, an exhausted leadership, and a great mistake…this would be the end of most stories…but thank God that this isn't’ the end of the chapter

David repents

2 Samuel 24:10 ESV
10 But David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”
Thank God for people who when there wrong their willing to admit it...
Notice the progression...
10 But David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people
It’s better late then never…but here he begins to feel the conviction of God…David was struck by what’s happened
And David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.
David understood that his sin was first against God
He didn’t try and down play his sin as a minor thing…but it was great
Question was his sin so great? it was just pride?
I believe it wasn’t just his sin..but it was about his position…He was the king…and one of the things that we see in scripture is that as the king goes the nation goes...
App: Leadership is a blessing, but it comes with a great responsibility…and we should see it as a call to greater holiness
But here’s the thing…a repentant heart is great but just because someone has a change of heart doesn’t mean the consequences go away…look
2 sam 24:11
2 Samuel 24:11 ESV
11 And when David arose in the morning, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying,
2 Samuel 24:11–12 ESV
11 And when David arose in the morning, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, 12 “Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the Lord, Three things I offer you. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’ ”
Though David was himself a prophet, the Lord chose not to reveal his word directly to David. Instead, “the word of the Lord” came “to Gad the prophet, David’s seer.”
We don’t know a lot about Gad other then the that he was a trusted friend of David’s who had been around even when David wasn’t king (1 sam 22)…he was a friend in the low times…and he’s about to give David a hard word...
Though David was himself a prophet (cf. ; ; ; ; ; ), the Lord chose not to reveal his word directly to David. Instead, “the word of the Lord” came “to Gad the prophet, David’s seer.”
So he heard from the Lord...
Was faithful in the low times...
And told David when he was wrong
App: May we be this kind of friend
Proverbs 17:17 ESV
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
We can be all of those things...
Look at what he says…it’s a hard message…this is what God told Gad to say to David
2 SAM 24:
2 Samuel 24:12–14 ESV
12 “Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the Lord, Three things I offer you. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’ ” 13 So Gad came to David and told him, and said to him, “Shall three years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ pestilence in your land? Now consider, and decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me.” 14 Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”
2 Samuel 24:12–13 ESV
12 “Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the Lord, Three things I offer you. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’ ” 13 So Gad came to David and told him, and said to him, “Shall three years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ pestilence in your land? Now consider, and decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me.”
So these are the punishment God offers to David and to Israel, and it’s important that we look at them because we’ll begin to see why David chose what he chose...
So these are the punishment God offers to David and to Israel, and it’s important that we look at them because we’ll begin to see why David chose what he chose...
There’s 3 of them
3 years of famine…3 months of losing wars…3 days of plague in the land
3 years of famine would kill the poor
3 months of defeat would kill off his army and leave them open to be invaded and captured by enemies
3 days of plague…would leave them at the hand of God…
2 sam
David’s choice shows his wisdom...
2 Samuel 24:14 ESV
14 Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”
This meant that David chose the three days of plague. In the other two options the king and his family could be insulated against the danger, but David knew that he had to expose himself to the chastisement of God.
and David preferred God to be his judge over his neighbors or his enemies...
i. “Had he chosen war, his own personal safety was in no danger, because there was already an ordinance preventing him from going to battle. Had he chosen famine, his own wealth would have secured his and his own family’s support. But he showed the greatness of his mind in choosing the pestilence, to the ravages of which himself and his household were exposed equally with the meanest of his subjects.” (Clarke)
“Had he chosen war, his own personal safety was in no danger, because there was already an ordinance preventing him from going to battle. Had he chosen famine, his own wealth would have secured his and his own family’s support. But he showed the greatness of his mind in choosing the pestilence, to the ravages of which himself and his household were exposed equally with the meanest of his subjects.” (Clarke)
David preferred God to be his judge over his neighbors or his enemies…but he knew one thing about God…that he was mericful
David preferred God to be his judge over his neighbors or his enemies…but he knew one thing about God…that he was mercy was great
App: When it’s important to always remember that the mercy of God is great...
2 Samuel 24:15–19 ESV
15 So the Lord sent a pestilence on Israel from the morning until the appointed time. And there died of the people from Dan to Beersheba 70,000 men. 16 And when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was working destruction among the people, “It is enough; now stay your hand.” And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 17 Then David spoke to the Lord when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father’s house.” 18 And Gad came that day to David and said to him, “Go up, raise an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” 19 So David went up at Gad’s word, as the Lord commanded.
2 Samuel 24:15–17 ESV
15 So the Lord sent a pestilence on Israel from the morning until the appointed time. And there died of the people from Dan to Beersheba 70,000 men. 16 And when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was working destruction among the people, “It is enough; now stay your hand.” And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 17 Then David spoke to the Lord when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father’s house.”
Notice a few things...
2 sam 24:15-
Notice a few things...
Seventy thousand men of the people died v.15
This was a great calamity upon Israel – a devastating plague striking so many in such a short period of time.
b. The LORD relented from the destruction: This justified David’s wisdom in leaving himself in God’s hands. He could not trust man to relent from destruction.
App: Never underestimate the consequences your sin can have
You will pay more in the long run
The LORD relented from the destruction v.16
This is why David’s wisdom in left himself in God’s hands.
c. Let Your hand, I pray, be against me and against my father’s house: Like a true shepherd, David asked that the punishment be upon him and his own household. Having another purpose to accomplish, God did not accept David’s offer.
He could not trust man to relent from destruction…But God though his judgment is thorough, his mercy is great
App: Thats always important to remember when your dealing with someone where your not sure where they are with the Lord…He will always Judge in accordance with his nature…He is just and merciful,
Let Your hand, I pray, be against me and against my father’s house v.17
Like a true shepherd, David asked that the punishment be upon him and his own household…
And Gad came that day to David and said to him, “Go up, raise an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite v.18
2 sam 24:
This location is incredibly important....this is also known in other accounts as “Ornan’s threshing floor”
A few questions
Whats a threshing floor?
On the threshing floor v. 16
Whats a threshing floor?
Whats a threshing floor?
Threshing is the process by which the grain husks, or chaff, are loosened. It is done after the fields have been harvested and usually involves crushing the grain stalks on a flat surface, or threshing floor. Threshing is necessary before the final process of winnowing, which separates the husks from the edible grain before the grain is ground and stored.
It’s a large flat surface…usually highly elevated where there is wind...It’s the place where a farmer would take the grain stalks that He’s collected…and loosen the grain from it’s husk…by crushing it and then throw it up in the air with a winnowing fork to separate the grain from the chaff…or in other words whats valuable from whats invaluable
Why is it so important to know it’s Ornan’s threshing floor?
It’s important because scripture tells us that this spot was located on a place that was incredibly significant to God’s people…Mount Moriah
This was where Abraham would offer Isaac -
Genesis 22:1–2 ESV
1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
This is where David would tell Solomon to build God’s house - 2 Chron
2 Chronicles 3:1 ESV
1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to David his father, at the place that David had appointed, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
This is where God would put his name
After the temple was built…God showed up and said this...
2 Chronicles 7:16 ESV
16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.
So this place has significance to God…and there is 2 things we should see when we think about this...
In a physical sense - God has a place for his people God gave them the promise land…and God gave them mount Moriah
Thats why we support Israel’s right to the Land…God gave it to them and he’s not done with it...
This is why bible christians must be supportive of Israel and their rights to the holy Land…But ultimately belongs to God…and his people
But in a spiritual sense - God has a place for his people
But in a spiritual sense - God has a place for his people
It’s not always a fun place, but it’s one that you will frequent throughout life…it might be a physical but it’s a place that seems too familer
It’s the threshing floor
There will be seasons, wether it be for testing, or discipline…that you will experience the crushing of God…but please endure because that place of crushing…will eventually turn into a place of meeting…
Abraham was crushed by God
David was crushed by God
The Sacrifice of Abraham
Or the Discipl
You will be crushed
But think about this, on these same hills…Jesus was crushed on a cross for us...
Whats our part in this then?
v.18…”Go up”
2 sam 24:
It’s the place where a farmer would take the grain that He’s collected…and loosen the grain from it’s husk of chaff…by crushing it
And this would be a picture of whats to come...

What We Can Learn

Is powerful. Just as threshing involves a strong physical act (crushing), the Lord sends forth His humble servants to “thresh the nations by the power of [His] Spirit” (D&C 35:13). Of course, the Spirit’s power isn’t violent in the same way threshing is, but its effects can be similarly impressive. Although it is still, small, and peaceful, the Spirit can penetrate to people’s hearts and help bring about great things, such as the conversion of souls and the breaking down of barriers to the Lord’s work.
Precedes the final separation. Threshing is a necessary step before the final winnowing. Throughout history, the Lord has at times sent His judgments against wicked people. At His Second Coming, He will separate the wicked from the righteous in preparation for His millennial reign. Before this separation, His servants and His people help prepare the world for the judgment to come by bearing witness through the power of the Spirit.
2 Samuel 24:18–21 ESV
18 And Gad came that day to David and said to him, “Go up, raise an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” 19 So David went up at Gad’s word, as the Lord commanded. 20 And when Araunah looked down, he saw the king and his servants coming on toward him. And Araunah went out and paid homage to the king with his face to the ground. 21 And Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David said, “To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the Lord, that the plague may be averted from the people.”
2 Samuel 24:20 ESV
20 And when Araunah looked down, he saw the king and his servants coming on toward him. And Araunah went out and paid homage to the king with his face to the ground.
2 Samuel 24:20–25 ESV
20 And when Araunah looked down, he saw the king and his servants coming on toward him. And Araunah went out and paid homage to the king with his face to the ground. 21 And Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David said, “To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the Lord, that the plague may be averted from the people.” 22 Then Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering and the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood. 23 All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king.” And Araunah said to the king, “May the Lord your God accept you.” 24 But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 25 And David built there an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord responded to the plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.
Think about this, in Chapter 21, God was angry with Israel, brought about a famine, which was stopped by the executing the 7 of Saul’s relatives…Now a plague has broken people know it’s God…and then this man Ornan (who was a Jebusite) sees david and his men coming to towards him…he’s thinking “I’m gonna die”
“Go up, raise an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite v.18:
First notice in the midst of God’s chastisement…there’s a gracious and loving invitation…to “Go up”
This provides us with a picture of who God is…He’s a holy and righteous Judge…who has invited us to know him...
This is where David met the Angel of the LORD, and where God relented from the plague before it came upon Jerusalem. Now God wanted David to meet Him there in worship.
ii. threshing floor of Araunah - He’s also called Ornan in the parallel account had both a rich history and a rich future. tells us that the threshing floor of Araunah was on Mount Moriah; the same hill where Abraham offered Isaac (), and the same set of hills where Jesus died on the cross ().
2 Samuel 24:21–22 ESV
21 And Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David said, “To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the Lord, that the plague may be averted from the people.” 22 Then Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering and the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood.
2 Samuel 24:21–23 ESV
21 And Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David said, “To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the Lord, that the plague may be averted from the people.” 22 Then Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering and the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood. 23 All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king.” And Araunah said to the king, “May the Lord your God accept you.”
It’s fitting that we are told who this threshing floor belonged too...Arunah v. 16 & 18
ii. The threshing floor of Araunah had both a rich history and a rich future. tells us that the threshing floor of Araunah was on Mount Moriah; the same hill where Abraham offered Isaac (), and the same set of hills where Jesus died on the cross ().
Translation…thank you for not killing me...
Translation…thank you for not killing me...
He’s also called Ornan in the parallel account had both a rich history and a rich future.
tells us that the threshing floor was special hill...Mount Moriah...
The same hill where Abraham offered Isaac (), and the same set of hills where Jesus died on the cross ().
b. To buy the threshing floor from you, to build an altar to the LORD: David wanted to transform this place where chaff was separated from wheat into a place of sacrifice and worship. It would remain a place of sacrifice and worship because this land purchased by David became the site of Solomon’s temple ().
but look at David’s response…bug verse
2 Samuel 24:24–25 ESV
24 But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 25 And David built there an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord responded to the plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.
David knew that it would not be a gift nor a sacrifice unto the LORD if it didn't cost him something....He didn’t look for the cheapest way possible to please God.
“He who has a religion that costs him nothing, has a religion that is worth nothing: nor will any man esteem the ordinances of God, if those ordinances cost him nothing.” (Clarke)
“He who has a religion that costs him nothing, has a religion that is worth nothing: nor will any man esteem the ordinances of God, if those ordinances cost him nothing.” (Clarke)
Love costs but it’s worth it
But to be lo
Jesus said this…about following him
Matthew 10:39 NLT
39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.
Matthew 10:39
Matthew 10:38 ESV
38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
John 10:39 ESV
39 Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.
Conclusion
So here’s the question: Where do you find yourself in this passage?
Are you prideful and unwilling to listen to the counsel of others? - Pride comes before a fall
Have you failed and looking for the road back? - Start giving to good the things that cost
Are you being crushed? - See that as the meeting place for you and God
Sin costs...
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