2 Samuel 12:13

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 1st & 2nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The giant facing David nearly killed him, but the fierce power of God’s covenantal love was mightier than the arc of David’s sling or the cunning of his shepherd’s skill.

2 Samuel 12:9

Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 1st & 2nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

As long as David’s sins remained secret, they were the seeds of a giant threatening to slay him.

Hebrews 6:11

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 1st & 2nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

From our planning graphs comes the big idea for this week’s discussion:

“Strength, wisdom, God’s anointing are not guarantees of victory. It takes diligence...

Isaiah 54:17

No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, says the LORD

From Background Notes [BN] for July 25th & 26th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

In truth, David the giant killer was no underdog, victimized by a bully, and lucky in firing his slingshot at Goliath. On the contrary...

1 Samuel 17:8

Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 25th & 26th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

What makes the story so interesting is that David refuses to accept the terms of the combat.

1 Samuel 17:2

Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 25th & 26th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Battle epics bring audiences to the brink of death and always require reflection about the worthwhile nature of dying in war when certain ultimate concerns are in the balance, such as a nation’s survival or the safety of one’s family.

2 Corinthians 2:14

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 18th & 19th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

So it comes to be a very solemn question for us. What part are we playing in that great triumphal procession?

 

Acts 1:7

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 18th & 19th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Why was Jesus so adamant here? It was because he knew the impact their perspective on the future would have on their mission.

Matthew 4:19

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

From Background Notes [BN] for July 18th & 19th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

This text offers opportunity to comment on the cost of mission, as we witness a fisherman’s family abruptly broken up by the call to mission. There’s nothing comfortable about taking up the mission and answering the call.

Zechariah 8:1-2

The Lord Promises to Bless Jerusalem

The word of the Lord Almighty came to me. This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.”

From Background Notes [BN] for July 11th & 12th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Promise keepers are not just a movement: they are a moral habit. God sets the gold standard for covenant fidelity across the generations.

Zechariah 8:3

This is what the Lord says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”

From Background Notes [BN] for July 11th & 12th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

God announces that He is present in the city of Jerusalem, after having been absent during the disorientation of the exile.

Zechariah 8:4-5

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

From Background Notes [BN] for July 11th & 12th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Since this series considers the mission of the church in Chicago and its environs, these words from the prophet resonate especially well.

Romans 1:17

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

From Background Notes [BN] for July 4th & 5th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

On the one hand, faith is a reliable foundation and a faithful relationship that brings together the God who loves the world with those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:20

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 4th & 5th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Faith gains courage from the example of Jesus, and that is why reading the Gospels is such an important part of Christian growth and discipleship.