1 Chronicles Overview Part 2 - Stubbornly Safe Keep The Covenant According To The Spiritual Law

 

Fix Our Present Living Schedule

1) 36 Lessons - next 4 months

2) Bible Overview

3) To see that we already Have Victory Now

1. Eternal Promise: Bloodline

1) God chose (blessed)

2) Make covenant with God

3) Bear out Remnants (Stump)

 

2. David -> King

1) Assurance

2) Problems -> Testimonies/Answer

3) Warriors gathered

 

3. Ark of Covenant = Tabernacle

Keep/teach/live by the tabernacle in the centre

 

*Why is David so blessed?

Knows God the most (Understanding Character)

Relies on God the most (Spiritual Character)

Loves God the most (Emotional Character)

 

- Few have the only concern for Kingdom

- Why not just live for the Lord?

- Stubbornness of "Never A Waste" For The Church

- Normal Heart (Make the most of every opportunity to be in peace, to learn, to say)

 

1) Failure (Do not accord to the law) - do not be casual (repent)

2) Method of success: according to the Law of Moses

(1) Jesus Christ

(2) Emmanuel

(3) Indwelling of the HS (Born Again)

(4) Perfect Will

(5) Submission

3) Content of the Hearts and Minds (Eternal Covenant) - Put it into our minds morning and evening

 

4. No more enemies

 

5. Build the temple: inner life, outer life

 

 

This week, as we know, the church had a break-in. Our neighboring church had a break-in but they lost only $60 to $70 of coins. We lost more than $2000 in cash. I am more heart-pained than all of you because I am the full-time worker here. However, I tell you all - do not feel a pity that the money offered by our brothers and sisters were gone in a flash. That Monday evening, I saw that there was no peace for both our churches; therefore, I told them that the Lord's purpose was for both our churches to have revival. Immediately, the pastor and his wife praised the Lord, and the dark situation was turned around. I told the pastor that though this place had been broken into, the premise is really good. He replied that everything is good, but only that the walkway in here is sleazy. I began to dwell on such worries for a moment, too. Yet, immediately, I saw God's guidance of how the Lord found the place for us, and how much revival that happened through the use of this premise. Instead, I prayed to the Lord that the place will be used to the fullest, and when we move, it will be when our church has grown. I came before the Lord and asked the inheritance that belonged to me.

 

There is only one thing that I see. Our neighboring church is so tidy, but our church is so messy, things are not repaired, etc. In the future, when our numbers reached 500, we can invite CISCO to accompany the treasurers to bring the offerings to the bank after worship. However, for now, we must be our own CISCO and do all the little things ourselves.

 

Fix Our Present Living Schedule

 

For a person to come before the Lord and live uprightly, the lifetime purpose must be known. For us, we must have known as we have attended the 4 meetings in a week. However, I find that we workers are often not clear about our schedule. Do we have a schedule so that we can see the advancement of the Lord and the ministries we lead? Last week, I touched on the three periods in the 25 years of our life. The first period is when we learn. The second period is when we come into contact with the society, and will meet with a lot of problems, conflicts, uprising and disheartenment. The third period is when we have conquered already. This is not absolute, as some may already have the life of David in the second period, for example. But we have to have a schedule. For example, we say that our lifetime purpose is for glorifying God, benefiting men and building the kingdom. However, what do we say about the rest of the 4 months till the end of December to accomplish this? What about the next year? What is your goal and what will you accomplish? What shall our 4 months from September till December be equipped about?

 

1) 36 lessons

 

I tell you all to be equipped with 36 lessons. Memorize the 36 lessons. If you have not memorized the main titles, you must at least know the abstract of each lesson. We must be equipped so that we can give an answer to every person we meet, and the answer is an answer of hope. Have a foundation that is rooted first, then build on it all the experiences you will have in life that God leads you.

 

2) Bible Overview

 

And if you continue to equip yourself with Bible Overview, I can call you pastor already. There is no need to be exaggerated, but when you have matched your life with the Bible Overview messages and you just mention it to other pastors, they will be overwhelmed.

 

3) Already Have Victory

 

We already have victory. Do not first analyze problems, and then see if there will be victory. The word of the Lord says that we have already won. First, see that you are already the child of God and the most successful person in the world, and then see your problems. Finally, you will then be able to gather all the problems and you will not be affected.

 

Pray

 

We must learn prayer. We must not go back and forth, and gain nothing at the end.

 

When do we have victory? The time is now. God is with us now. Now is the time to have joy. The people around us are already the highest blessings to us. Now is the time to love God and love people around.

 

10 of such people who know the above will be able to change the world. David only had 30 over warriors and it was enough.

 

 

1 Chronicles Overview

 

1 Chronicles is the content that God is with us in our relative conditions. Even if you are weak or lukewarm, if God is with you, it is enough. "My people are messed up, and they are in guilt." God said. "But if you see Me, that is over!" Ezra wrote this in his very heart. In the span of 70 years, one to two generations had passed. They had all seen how their parents died. They were sons of exiles. Therefore Judah asked, "Will the Lord love us? Are we still the people of God? Will God still use us?" Therefore the Chronicles were written to answer such questions. God loves us! In fact, before the creation of the world, God loved us already, and Ezra wrote the genealogy starting from Adam. "Look, God had listened to all our prayers, so that we could return with all the treasuries returned!" Ezra wrote. "My body is weak. My work is tiring. My spousal relationship is messed up. Does the Lord still love me? Yes, He loves!" When I read Chronicles, I am filled with so much conviction. I have no glib of tongue, and I have no talent. However, I have You, Lord. Ezra wrote to give assurance to Israelites. Therefore 1 Chronicles talks about:

 

 

1. Eternal Promise: Bloodline

 

With this, we have everything. Through this, Jesus Christ built the temple in 3 days. This perspective cannot be bought with even 1 million dollars. How blessed are the people who inherited this promise!

 

Adam - Noah - Shem - Abraham - David

 

Noah prophesied Shem in thousands of years, and it was fulfilled. Have we seen this eternal and absolute promise?

 

1) God chose (Blessed)

 

From Adam till David, blessed are the ones who received this assurance. 1 Chronicles was written for me, therefore I can receive the fruits in 1 Chronicles.

 

2) Make covenant with God

 

Because He gave me everything, therefore I make covenant with God. Without this, I do not know how to marry and live my life.

 

3) Bear out Remnants (Stump)

 

Like the life of David, bear these fruits out.

 

 

2. David (Judah): King <10-12>

 

Look at the promise that was given to David. It was fulfilled. What must we do then to enjoy the promise of David? We must just be like David! The bible talks about life, not about knowledge. The one who read the bible without the Spirit read it dry.

 

What do we learn about David?

 

1) Assurance of David

 

No matter what, even when David sinned, he came before the Lord and was cleansed. He sinned and God let him choose 3 things of punishment. He chose the third, the discipline of God, for the Lord is love, and will not kill off His loved ones.'

 

2) Problems -> Testimonies/Answer

 

Through all the problems, testimonies and answers were received.

 

3) Warriors

 

Therefore, warriors gathered around him. Once, when David was so tired and thirsty in a war, he exclaimed, "Who can give me such water? I am so thirsty!" He was shocked when 3 men went and took the water for him immediately before he finished his sentence. To what I read, David seemed to be joking and was saying half-heartedly, and was most probably saying in his exclamation of thirst, "When will I be able to conquer that city for the Lord and drink the water in that land?". Therefore, he took the water and poured in front of the Lord, and made a covenant with God. We will surely receive such people in future, but the things we must do now is how we solve problems now, and how we centre on people and on life rather than the problems that come against us.

 

 

3. Ark of the Covenant <13-17>: Tabernacle

 

David wanted to put the Ark of the Covenant at Jerusalem, the centre of Israel. Therefore, David put the promise into the very centre of his heart. Actually the Ark of the Covenant is the Tabernacle. It was the tabernacle when Israel was in the wilderness. Keep the tabernacle in the centre of the heart. Teach your children using the tabernacle. If the child goes astray but does not listen, your prayers by this will turn him into Saint Augustine. Whether working or leaving the office, keep this tabernacle in the centre.

 

Let us read the bible now.

 

Passage Reading: 1Ch 16

 

David wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the centre of his heart, but at the first time, he failed. This was because he did not accord to the precepts of the Lord to bring them. At first, the Ark of the Covenant was brought on a cart that was meant for a cow. How can we be wishy-washy in doing the things of the Lord? Therefore, they lost a life. That actually angered the Lord. The second time, David understood. David was sad, as he brought so many people and leaders with him to bring it the first time, and was not able to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.

 

1Ch. 15:25 So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing.

1Ch. 15:26 Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, seven bulls and seven rams were sacrificed.

 

We must know that the ministers who carry the Ark of the Covenant, having the opportunity and the responsibility to speak the word of the Lord are so important and are so very blessed.

 

1Ch. 15:27 Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the singers, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod.

 

Our worship service must be done this way, in brightness and glory.

 

1Ch. 15:28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouts, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.

1Ch. 15:29 As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.

 

Michal was a daughter of Saul. But she despised the things of life, of God. Therefore David never bore child with her in her life.

 

1Ch. 16:1 They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings [Traditionally peace offerings; also in verse 2] before God.

1Ch. 16:2 After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

 

Have we seen? Such will bless all the people of the Lord. Therefore, we must really look at worship service with importance.

 

1Ch. 16:3 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each Israelite man and woman.

1Ch. 16:4 He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel:

1Ch. 16:5 Asaph was the chief, Zechariah second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals,

 

How blessed was Asaph!

1Ch. 16:6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

 

Have we seen how the country was led? It was a nation of God's people!

 

1Ch. 16:7 That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD:

1Ch. 16:8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

1Ch. 16:9 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

1Ch. 16:10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

1Ch. 16:11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

1Ch. 16:12 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

1Ch. 16:13 descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.

1Ch. 16:14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

1Ch. 16:15 He remembers his covenant for ever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,

 

Do not ever forget! Remember this every morning!

 

1Ch. 16:16 the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.

1Ch. 16:17 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:

1Ch. 16:18 “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.”

1Ch. 16:19 When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it,

 

Thank the Lord! We are also few in numbers. But the Lord will increase. We live our lives like this.

1Ch. 16:20 they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.

1Ch. 16:21 He allowed no man to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings:

 

The Lord changed kings, politics agenda and ideology. He changed our bosses because of the gospel.

 

1Ch. 16:22 “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.”

1Ch. 16:23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.

1Ch. 16:24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.

1Ch. 16:25 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

1Ch. 16:26 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

1Ch. 16:27 Splendour and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling-place.

1Ch. 16:28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength,

1Ch. 16:29 ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendour of his [Or LORD with the splendour of] holiness.

1Ch. 16:30 Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

1Ch. 16:31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”

1Ch. 16:32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!

1Ch. 16:33 Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.

 

David was a king, but he could see even the very details of God's works!

 

1Ch. 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures for ever.

1Ch. 16:35 Cry out, “Save us, O God our Saviour; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise.”

1Ch. 16:36 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”

1Ch. 16:37 David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements.

 

Our church must also have this, full-time, working to pray for the church.

 

1Ch. 16:38 He also left Obed-Edom and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were gatekeepers.

1Ch. 16:39 David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon

1Ch. 16:40 to present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the LORD, which he had given Israel.

 

This is our morning and evening prayers, as instructed by the Lord. And the prayers have content, not just abstract ones.

1Ch. 16:41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, “for his love endures for ever.”

1Ch. 16:42 Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

1Ch. 16:43 Then all the people left, each for his own home, and David returned home to bless his family.

 

I discover that individual, family, regional and world gospelizations are all written here.

 

Chapter 16 is about David praising God by the content of how they failed and had victory. This is the content in the tabernacle that is the victory over all the wars.

 

Chapter 17 is saying that David wanted to build the temple. Nathan told him to do so as he wanted, but Nathan had not prayed well. He went back and the Lord instructed him. The Lord told David that this house of the Lord is needed for Israel, but you cannot build the temple. "You will bless your son, Solomon, and he will build the house of the Lord." When David heard these words, he went back into the temple and prayed to the Lord, "Lord, I was not even a king, but a shepherd, but You made me a king. Who am I that You so blessed me, yet it was a small thing." Do you admire David? David symbolizes Jesus Christ. When I was young, I read the bible and found that the most likeable person to me was David. There is no one like David. There is no one who knows the Lord in such an extent. There is no one like David who relied so much on God. There is no one who loved the Lord as much as David.

 

* Why is David so blessed?

 

David was so blessed because he had the 3 characteristics of Christian living in so much content.

 

Know God (Understanding characteristic)

 

Rely on God (Spiritual characteristic)

 

Love God (Emotional characteristic)

 

Some people come to the church with so much emotion, but do not know the will of the Lord. Some people can believe in God, but cannot believe in money. David was really someone who was interested in God. In the bible, there were some people like this. Jacob was very greedy. He cheated his brother and his father. He must be disciplined for cheating, but it was for the birthright. In the bible, there were people like Mary Magdalene who must be spread throughout the whole world. She broke perfume for the Lord's burial. The disciples never even did such a thing. In their days, they only thought who was to be a great pastor among them one day.

 

Those who must move the Lord in prayers must do this. Some people like Priscilla and Aquilla were tentmakers, but did everything for Paul. If people have inner motives, how can they ever protect the worker of the Lord with their life?

 

Few Have The Only Concern For Kingdom

 

I live in the church circle and I find that there are very few of such circumstances. However, there are. For example, all the interests in the school are about how to get good grades and study. But there are few who have concerns only on the kingdom, and have morning prayers, and ask the Lord to equip themselves well in studies because of the kingdom. And how many are there who work in the office for the Lord? People do not look up to them, and they do not feel like working already. Who works for the Lord like Joseph and Daniel? Among the pastors, they all thought about how to revive the church for being a great pastor in their lifetime. But who works for the Lord? I pray and God searched around for people who have such a heart. I know that your life is messy, and you do not know how to handle things in the world. You must change, but I know your life.

 

Why not just live for the Lord?

 

When I become more and more blessed, I become wiser. Our life comes from the Lord, works for the Lord, and will return to the Lord. Even if we do not want, our life will be used for the gospel. Since this is so, why do we not just acquire what David acquired? Why do we divide our heart's attention? When our hearts are divided, we cannot get the total focus and the pleasure of the Lord. People, aim to get the heart of David! Then you will get the pleasure of the Lord.

 

Stubbornness of "Never A Waste" For The Church

 

Last week, my wife and I shared our views of offering and tithes in church. I boasted a little jokingly in front of her, "You know, I was very stingy from young. I will not want to spend things easily on expensive things. But from young, I will not be stingy on offerings. When my mother gave me $30, I gave $3 as tithes. Here and there, I gave as much as $4 to $5 for other meetings. I will not feel that the money has gone to waste. I did not know how I survived, but I dare not count the money before the Lord.” My wife replied, "In the past, I was also the same. When I met with more problems, I gave even more." I told her, "Therefore, you were married to me." My wife met the Lord when she was young; therefore we never worry when we lacked money during our wedding. She said there was harm, as she easily accuses people in her heart. Therefore, we must have the shepherding heart. How can we save a few minutes in feeling that it is a waste to come early to church? How can we count a few dollars for tithes and offerings? Back home, I think that we must have stubbornness in our hearts. I come from traditional church, but now, the people of traditional churches experience the society and are stingy against the Lord. This era, though the charismatic churches go to many areas wrongly, they have such a good stubbornness in their heart.

 

Normal heart

 

If David sees the messiness of our church, what will he do? If God gives us 10 minutes with my family, what will I do if I were David? There were some things in which I had so much disbelief. My wife phoned me one day, and my heart was not in peace. At the back, I was about to explode because I was so busy. It should be that God fills us so much that we be at peace no matter when. This is the right time for the break-in, as I know the Lord wants to tell us something. But I do not mean to tell you to give as much as possible to the Lord. But I tell you to really not hide things before the Lord. When one really meets the Lord, what will he do?

 

What I mean is not that we give to the Lord and we anyhow live other parts of our life from now. Our life must be united. Our life should be normal, and should live by how we can get the pleasure of the Lord. I mean to challenge you, your gifts and talents. If you are blessed, four meetings are not enough. We will even go to church for a morning prayer before we go to work to conquer our workplace. God is the one who looks through our very hearts. The Lord does not look at the appearance, but at the heart. "Such a person, I will surely make him a king." Do not let the smoldering wick be snuffed out.” This is because the Lord will not put out the light. If the church has break-in a few more times, I will continue to say about this again. The thief who took away the money must challenge us.

 

 

1) Failure (Do not accord to the law) <13-15>

 

David consulted prophets and asked when he could bring the Ark of the Covenant.

 

<2Ti 2:5>

 

We must compete by the rules. We must fight the spiritual battle by the rules. When the Philistines took away the ark of covenant, the head of the god of Philistines fell. Whatever Philistine city the ark of covenant was sent, it inflicted cancer and diseases on the Philistines.

 

When David failed, the Ark of the Covenant was left in Obed-Edom's place. He was actually a Levite.

 

Repent

 

David repented, "We are too casual!" If we asked the Lord to bless our work, God will kill us if we do not know how to ask.

 

*2) Method of Success: According to the Law of Moses

 

I always return to the Law of Moses. You know God, but who is God? Everyone goes to church because they think God will bless. But who is God?

 

(1) Jesus Christ <1:15> <Jn 1:18> <Jn 1:14> = <Gen 1:27>

 

Through the Law of Moses, Jesus Christ is revealed. There are two peaks in history. Actually, it should be Jesus Christ first, then we come to the understanding that we are made in the image of God. However, the Name of Jesus Christ was so corrupted by religions and cults now that the bible must introduce Jesus Christ as:

 

(2) Emmanuel <Is 7:14>

 

Through Him, in all things good and bad, He absolutely loves you. Immediately, you can see that He is with you. The entire world does not know Jesus Christ like this. Even the saints in the church must complain. That day when my wife came back from work and told me about some bad luck that befall at work. It was as if both of us were cursing that superior. However, she replied at the end that God definitely would bless. It gave me strength straightaway out of the blindness. I told my small group that we would definitely do things by faith in the church, things such as changing the diapers. However, when we are alone, we will complain. For me, my battle is when I am alone, to fight such a complaint.

 

(3) Indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Born Again) <Eph 1:13-14>

 

The Lord tells me to hear His voice. The Lord blessedly saves me. From then on -

 

(4) <Php 3:1-8> Perfect Will

 

I learn Jesus Christ as if He is my Treasure. I acquire Christ's historical, world, values and life philosophy. This is the view of promise. With the promise, I will know the perfect will.

 

(5) Submission

 

After acquiring the perfect will, we submit. Do we submit because God says so? This is putting the ark of covenant on the oxen's cart. There is no foundation. This is the meaning of putting the ark of covenant in the centre of your heart.

 

3) Content of the Hearts and Minds (Eternal Covenant)

 

David wrote 80% of the Psalms. <16:7-36>

 

Put it into our minds morning and evening. We must acquire the blessed hearts and minds every day.

 

This was the psalm in chapter 16. David acquired this every time. If we are not that happy, we must quickly go into the Most Holy Place. I tell you, if you are not successful in your morning prayers, your discipleship training will not be blessed. I do it in the mornings and evenings. If I receive bad news that affect my heart, I will do morning, noon and evening prayers.

 

 

4. No more enemies <18-20>

 

The most blessed people are those who have no more enemies. Jesus Christ loved even his enemies and his enemies repented and asked for forgiveness at the end.

 

 

5. Build the temple <21-29>

 

The inner life

 

The outer life - how do I expand my life till the ends of the world

 

 

Conclusion

 

As a conclusion, for these 4 months, we must be equipped with the 36 lessons. At the prayer meeting of New Year's Eve, I will test you. Will that be all right? Amen.

 

 

Taken from Discipleship Training, 31st August 2007, 1 Chronicles Overview Part 2.