WHAT A FRIEND

JONATHAN


Mt 25:34-40 says “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” The judgement of the nations will be a dreadful day for those who mistreat the Jew in the tribulation. But for those that take care of the Jew, they will enter into the Kingdom. Jonathan is a picture of one of the individuals that help the Jew in the tribulation. Lets take a look at who Jonathon was and what he did.
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I. PERSEVERED (1 Sam 13:3; 14:1-23)

A. Jonathan’s record in battle was almost perfect. Let us examine how he
did things, and maybe we can figure out why he was so successful.

1. Jonathan was diligent.(13:3)
a. Pr 12:24 says “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but
the slothful shall be under tribute.”

2. Jonathan acknowledged the Lord. (14:6).
a. Pr 3:6 says “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths.”

3. Jonathan trusted in the Lord to deliver the enemy into his
hand. (14:12)
a. Ro 1:17 says “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed
from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by
faith.”

4. Jonathan led from the front. (14:13)
a. Jas 1:22 says “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers
only, deceiving your own selves.”

II. PROTECTED ( 1 Sam 19:1-7;20:24-35)

A. What a friend in Jonathan! We can all learn from his example.
Everyone needs a friend like Jonathan. Notice the lengths at which
he was willing to go to protect David.

1. Jonathan disobeyed his father to protect David. (19:1-2)
a. Acts 5:29 says “…, we ought to obey God rather than men.”


2. Jonathan testified on David’s behalf (19:4-5)
a. Pr 31:8-9 says “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of
all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth,
judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and
needy.”


3. Jonathan put his own life in jeopardy to protect David. (20:33)
a. John 15:13 says “Greater love hath no man than this, that a
man lay down his life for his friends.”


III. PROVIDED (1 Sam 20:11-17,42)

A. The saying is “a man’s word is his bond” and Jonathan meant it. He
did not hesitate to include God in their oath. This is the sign of
someone who loves the Lord. Let's look at a couple other things that
“set him apart from the rest”.

1. Jonathan made a covenant with David for he loved him as
himself. (20:17)

a. Ga 5:14 says “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in
this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

2. Jonathan not only secured his own life but also all his
descendants. (20:15,42)

a. 2Sa 9:1 says “And David said, Is there yet any that is left of
the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for
Jonathan's sake?”

b. 2Sa 21:7 says “But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of
Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that
was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of
Saul.”




Jonathan persevered, protected and provided. Jonathan did this for one man. Do you realize the Lord Jesus Christ did this for the whole world? (John 3:16) He persevered at the cross (salvation). He protects the ones he loves (eternal security). And He provided for his children (our inheritance). What a friend we have in Jesus! Don’t be like most and reject what Jesus Christ has done for you. Believe what he did at calvary . Rom 10:9 says “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Receive Him today.

SAUL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Introduction
William Penn said "....Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." Such is the case with the Nation of Israel recorded in 1 Samuel 8:7. Israel is referred to as a “peculiar people” in the Bible, and they would have to be, in order to give up a commonwealth system in which God is the ruler for a Monarchy in which a man is the ruler. A wise Preacher once said “God gives a nation the rulers it deserves”. If you read on in 1 Samuel you will see that Saul is the ruler that Israel deserves. I spent the first eight years of my adult life in the military. Every six months or so you had to be evaluated by your section leader. This evaluation was based on your performance on the job. There were many factors involved. Now, a perfect evaluation was a 4.0. The saying was “4-0 good to go!” Well, lets take a look at Saul as if we were evaluating him according to the military’s standard. The evaluation will be divided into three categories.

I. The ability to be at the appointed place of duty on time.
A. King Saul demonstrated a lack of initiative, discipline, and

responsibility in that he failed to appear at his first appointed place of

duty. 1 Sam 10:21-22
1. First impressions are lasting impressions. If your going to mess up

don’t mess up on your first day. In the military first impressions

are everything. My entire tour of duty at a specific post could be

ruined on the first day that I reported for duty. I made sure that I

was squared away that day. Remember as Christians we are a

testimony for Jesus.

a. Tit 2:7-8 “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good

works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness,ravity, sincerity,

Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of

the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to

say of you.”
2. Set a good example. Remember, if people know you are a Christian

then they will be watching you closely, looking for any mistake.

Set the standard wherever you are in life.
a. Mt 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see

your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
II. The ability to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
A. King Saul demonstrates the inability to follow orders. 1 Sam 13:9-14
1. Saul takes it upon himself to have burnt offerings. God made him

King not priest. At this point God rejects Saul. What he should

have done was inquire of the Lord as to what to do when Samuel

didn’t show.
a. Pr 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not

unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge

him, and he shall direct thy paths.
B. King Saul demonstrates a lack of attention to detail. 1 Sam 15:1-9
1. Notice how Saul spared Agag and some animals after being told

not. The common phrase in the army was “by the numbers”. When

the Lord wants something done, it must be done His way.
a. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and

the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
b. Col 3:22 “Servants, obey in all things your masters according

to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in

singleness of heart, fearing God:”

III. Leadership ability.
A. King Saul demonstrates an inability lead from the front. 1 Sam 17:41-49
1. Saul is such a poor leader that he sent a boy to do a man’s job.

Remember, Saul was head and shoulders above all the people. To

send David in his stead shows just what a coward he was. Thank

God in the new testament that our weapons are not carnal, and

Jesus Christ fights our Battles for us!
a. 2Co 10:4-6 “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,

but mighty through God to the pulling down of

strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high

thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and

bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of

Christ;"
b. Php 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which

strengtheneth me.”
B. King Saul demonstrates an inability to maintain a professional

attitude towards subordinates.(specifically David)
1. Just imagine sitting in your boss’s office trying to help and all of

the sudden here come a spear flying at your head! Notice how

Saul acts just like Cain when he realizes that David has been

accepted by God. Instead of getting right with God, what does he

do? He tries to kill David. (1 Sam 18-11; 19:10) That is just how we

act sometimes when we realize we are wrong. The best thing to do

is humble yourself and confess that sin.
a. Mt 7:3 “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy

brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in
thine own eye?”
b. Ro 2:1 “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man,

whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest
another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest

doest the same things.”

Conclusion
Well, not a very good eval if you are looking to get promoted. We must remember that God chose Saul to be King. And that God doesn’t make mistakes. I truly believe that Israel got the leadership that it deserved. If you look deeper into 1 Samuel you will see another picture. One of a future evil ruler called the “man of sin” the “son of perdition” (Saul) that is persecuting a Jew (David) during “Jacob’s Trouble”. The antichrist will make Saul look like Mr. Rogers. Thank God the Holy Spirit cant be taken away from us like it was from Saul. (Eph 4:30) We can rest assured that our next King will be perfect and his Kingdom will be forever. .

The Second Coming.

THE SECOND COMING

Rev 19:11-16 says “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and true, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
You cannot make the Lord’s return anymore glorious than the scripture. It will be the “greatest show on earth”. It is the most discussed event in the Bible. It is also one of the most misunderstood events in the Bible. Today I am going to talk about three areas of the second coming.
I. The second coming is definite.
A. There is nothing more definite in the Bible than the doctrine of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The old
and New Testament are packed full of references for the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ. With the Prophets
and the Apostles it was never a matter of “if”, but “when”.
1. John was given the revelation of Jesus Christ. There was no doubt in his mind of the second coming. “Behold, he
cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth
shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Rev 1:7.
2. Look how James is sure of the second coming: “Be ye also patient; stablish your
hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” Jas 5:8.
3. Notice how Paul comforts the Thessalonians about the second coming: “And to you who are troubled rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on
them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be
glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in
that day. 2 thess 1:7-10.

II. The second coming is literal.
A. The Bible teaches a physical, literal return of Jesus Christ.
1. The Lord will physically touch down on the mount of Olives. Zech 14:4.
2. The nations will literally come to the Lord to learn His ways. Isa 2:3, Micah 4:1-7.
3. The lord will physically, literally take the thrown in Jerusalem. Jer 23:5-6.
a. “…and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there
shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment
and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isa 9:6-7
4. Even the environment will be effected by the return of the Lord: “ Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and
not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?” Amos 5:20
III. The second coming is preceded.
A. Matt 24:36 tells us that the day and the hour of the Lord’s return are not known, but we are given some clues. The Bible lists some events that absolutely must take place prior to the second coming.
1. Before the Sun of righteousness is revealed the son of perdition must be revealed. Notice in 2 thess 2 that the “day of Christ” (return of the Lord to establish his kingdom) shall not come until the man of sin is revealed: Vs 3 says: “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;…”
2. Prior to the second coming there will be Great tribulation. This is known as “Jacob’s trouble” Jer 30:7
a. The Lord Jesus spoke of it in Matthew: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Matt 24:21.
b. The tribulation is called a “time of trouble” in Dan 12:1.
3. Not only does this next event take place prior to the second coming, but it also takes place prior to Jacob’s Trouble.
a. 1Co 15:51 says “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall
be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this
mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal
shall put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up
in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
b. This the “blessed hope” talked about by Paul in Titus 2:13.
c. 1Th 4:13 ¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye
sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so
them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the
Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are
asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and
with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with
the Lord.
d. There are many references that support a pre-tribulation rapture.
1) Notice in Rev 4:1 that John sees the door in heaven open prior to the 6 seal judgments: “After this I
looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a
trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be
hereafter.
2) 1 Thess 5:1 “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” The reasons Paul skips the “times and seasons” is because the Thessalonians are Christians and will be raptured prior to the “times ands seasons”, therefore there is no need of Paul to write about them. (that’s good man!)


Listen, If you don’t know the Lord, then you are going to be left behind to go through the Great tribulation. If you make it out alive you will be face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ representing yourself, no one to testify on your behalf. You don’t want to be in this position. God has given us a way to get out of this terrible time. And that is to get into Christ. If you get into Christ today you rest assured you will be returning with the Lord. Jude 1:14 “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” This is the position you want to be in. Be part of the second coming the way God intended. Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God. And that God raised him from the dead on the 3rd day. Admit you’re a sinner, and trust that Jesus Christ will save your soul from the wrath to come. Eph 2:8, 9 says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.