Grace Church
FRIENDS for the Journey #3 - Jonathan: 1 Samuel 13-14, 18-20, 23
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Our Spring series is dealing with the theme of friendship.
We are looking at the lives of Bible characters who teach and model for us some great qualities that we should possess and seek in those who would be friends on our life journey.
We are looking at the lives of Bible characters who teach and model for us some great qualities that we should possess and seek in those who would be friends on our life journey.
So far, we've learned the importance of choosing wisely those who would be closest to us.
From the Bible character, Rhoda, we learned that servanthood is one of the best qualities that a true friend should possess.
Mark 10:43-45 [NLT]
The word "bond servant" implies that a person was under the authority of someone because a price had been paid for them. Jesus has paid our sin debt and we are now under His authority. Servanthood is a mark of a true follower.
From the Bible character, Rhoda, we learned that servanthood is one of the best qualities that a true friend should possess.
Mark 10:43-45 [NLT]
The word "bond servant" implies that a person was under the authority of someone because a price had been paid for them. Jesus has paid our sin debt and we are now under His authority. Servanthood is a mark of a true follower.
This morning we are looking at a character from the Old Testament and his name is Jonathan which means "God has given."
There are several Jonathan's in the Bible but this one is the most famous of them all. He is the eldest son of King Saul and also the best friend of a man named David.
Their friendship is one of the most amazing ever recorded and is found primarily in the book of 1 Samuel.
There are several Jonathan's in the Bible but this one is the most famous of them all. He is the eldest son of King Saul and also the best friend of a man named David.
Their friendship is one of the most amazing ever recorded and is found primarily in the book of 1 Samuel.
Background:
The book of Joshua records how the Hebrew people came & settled in the Promised Land. For the next 400 years or so, the people went through some really rough times. This began a cycle where God removed His blessing upon the people and would allow various nations to carry out His discipline upon the Israelites.
The Jewish people would cry out, God would raise up a deliverer or judge to rescue them, and peace and prosperity would be restored. But this was an ugly cycle of disobedience that repeated itself many times.
The last of these judges was a prophet named Samuel. In 1 Samuel 8:19-20 we see that the people didn't want him to be God's representative, they were tired of being under God's authority. They wanted to be like everyone else and worship their own gods and make their own decisions.
So they got Saul. Tall, good looking, popular...and worldly. Be careful what you ask for!
The book of Joshua records how the Hebrew people came & settled in the Promised Land. For the next 400 years or so, the people went through some really rough times. This began a cycle where God removed His blessing upon the people and would allow various nations to carry out His discipline upon the Israelites.
The Jewish people would cry out, God would raise up a deliverer or judge to rescue them, and peace and prosperity would be restored. But this was an ugly cycle of disobedience that repeated itself many times.
The last of these judges was a prophet named Samuel. In 1 Samuel 8:19-20 we see that the people didn't want him to be God's representative, they were tired of being under God's authority. They wanted to be like everyone else and worship their own gods and make their own decisions.
So they got Saul. Tall, good looking, popular...and worldly. Be careful what you ask for!
The Bible tells us that a young man named David appears on the scene, stands up to Israel's enemies (the Philistines), and kills their champion, Goliath.
David earns the repect of the nation, joins the royal court, marries one of the king's daughters, but then becomes a victim of Saul's deteriorating mental health.
In the midst of this is where Jonathan came in. Jonathan is the eldest son of Saul.
Much of his story is found in 1 Samuel 13-14, 18-20, 23.
Through these chapters we see that Jonathan's life and royal position are very entwined with David's.
They say an apple doesn't fall far from the tree but not in this situation. In spite of Saul's wicked wackiness, we see Jonathan as the direct opposite, a worshipful warrior.
In the New Testament we read of John the Baptist paving the way for the coming of Jesus.
In John 3:30, John the Baptist says of their relationship, "He must become greater; I must become less."
Those words capture the essence of Jonathan's relationship with David.
David earns the repect of the nation, joins the royal court, marries one of the king's daughters, but then becomes a victim of Saul's deteriorating mental health.
In the midst of this is where Jonathan came in. Jonathan is the eldest son of Saul.
Much of his story is found in 1 Samuel 13-14, 18-20, 23.
Through these chapters we see that Jonathan's life and royal position are very entwined with David's.
They say an apple doesn't fall far from the tree but not in this situation. In spite of Saul's wicked wackiness, we see Jonathan as the direct opposite, a worshipful warrior.
In the New Testament we read of John the Baptist paving the way for the coming of Jesus.
In John 3:30, John the Baptist says of their relationship, "He must become greater; I must become less."
Those words capture the essence of Jonathan's relationship with David.
As we look at key chapters of Jonathan's life, we see a number of great friendship qualities. Today we'll highlight a few...
1. Jonathan MODELED maturity.
1 Samuel 13:1-4, 16, 22-23
1. Jonathan MODELED maturity.
1 Samuel 13:1-4, 16, 22-23
2. Jonathan TRUSTED God.
1 Samuel 14:1, 3-4, 6-10
1 Samuel 14:1, 3-4, 6-10
3. Jonathan DEMONSTRATED bravery.
1 Samuel 14:11-14
1 Samuel 14:11-14
4. Jonathan SHOWED discernment and wisdom.
1 Samuel 14:24-46
1 Samuel 14:24-46
5. Jonathan COMMITTED himself to David.
1 Samuel 18:1-4
1 Samuel 18:1-4
6. Jonathan DEFENDED David.
1 Samuel 19:1-7
1 Samuel 19:1-7
7. Jonathan ENCOURAGED David.
1 Samuel 23:14-18
1 Samuel 23:14-18
True friends are few and far between. We need to develop these qualities ourself and as we do the Lord will connect these kind of people with us. True friends are drawn to true friends!
At your tables or people around you in the chairs, discuss the following:
1. Which of these qualities do you most appreciate in your current relationships?
2. What one quality do you wish to improve in your own life and what will you do?
3. Who is one person on your list of close friends that you can express your appreciation to, pray for, and deepen your relationship?
1. Which of these qualities do you most appreciate in your current relationships?
2. What one quality do you wish to improve in your own life and what will you do?
3. Who is one person on your list of close friends that you can express your appreciation to, pray for, and deepen your relationship?
YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/GraceChurchMIGiving Link
https://gc3.org/giving/Grace Church Website
https://gc3.org/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://cjs-gracegc3.square.site/H.O.M.E. Groups
Do you have a Home Group? Visit the website to learn about which groups are meeting; you can sign-up for a group there as well. You can also contact the church office; we'd love to help you with this (grace@gc3.org).
https://gc3.org/home-groups/Mentoring at Grace
There are several men and women at Grace Church who have completed the mentoring program here at Grace and are looking to invest in and share what they've learned with someone else. Have you thought about growing in your faith through the Grace Church mentoring program?
Contact the church office with any questions or to get the process started (grace@gc3.org) or you can talk with any of the staff and elders.
Contact the church office with any questions or to get the process started (grace@gc3.org) or you can talk with any of the staff and elders.
Bible Reading Plan
We hope you are taking part in the 2023 Bible Reading Plan. This also includes devotionals from Pastor Josh each week. Visit the website at the link below or find paper copies in CJ's. Let us know if you have any questions!
https://gc3.org/bible/Gracewear Shopping Link
Grace Church has a shopping link for Gracewear through Courtside Screen Printing & Embroidery. Use the link below to take a look. All questions and orders go directly through Courtside. Their contact information can be found at the bottom of the page.
https://grace2022.itemorder.com/shop/sale/Lisa's Blog - Worship Moments
https://gc3.org/worship-moments/The Greenhouse Project
Visit The Greenhouse Project at our church website to find out what classes are being offered. Contact Lisa Sterkenburg if you have questions (lisa@gc3.org).
https://gc3.org/tgp/#togethergc3
#togethergc3
Here's the deal, we want to encourage you to spend time with your Grace family over the next few months as we talk about having FRIENDS FOR THE JOURNEY.
How to participate:
Get together with people from Grace (outside of church on Sunday morning)
Take a picture of yourselves
Post the picture on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. (whatever social media platform you use)
Use the hashtag #togethergc3 in the post
It will be fun to see the church in action and building relationships with one another outside of the church building! Note: if you type the hashtag into the search bar, all the posts that have been done so far using that hashtag will come up.
Need help? Just ask Lisa or Leslie.
Here's the deal, we want to encourage you to spend time with your Grace family over the next few months as we talk about having FRIENDS FOR THE JOURNEY.
How to participate:
Get together with people from Grace (outside of church on Sunday morning)
Take a picture of yourselves
Post the picture on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. (whatever social media platform you use)
Use the hashtag #togethergc3 in the post
It will be fun to see the church in action and building relationships with one another outside of the church building! Note: if you type the hashtag into the search bar, all the posts that have been done so far using that hashtag will come up.
Need help? Just ask Lisa or Leslie.
May/June Grace U Classes
Resolving Conflict - gaining a Biblical perspective on the principles, practices, and problems associated with making peace Youth Ministry - making an eternal difference in the lives of teens Love Works - great for those working in the secular world who want to live life, impact people, and influence those around them the way that Jesus did Foundations 2 - going deeper into the basic doctrines of the Bible (having taken Foundations 1 is helpful but not required) Coming in June: Here's Grace - the basics of what Grace Church is all about. This is a great class for anyone who is newer to the church. Completion of Here's Grace is a requirement for membership at Grace.
https://gc3.org/grace-university/Man Camp - May 12th
Find out all the details and sign-up for Man Camp at this link.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/mancampChurch Work Days in May
Each Saturday during the month of May you have the opportunity to help out at the church. God has blessed us with 78 acres of property and so each Spring and Fall we spend some time sprucing up and doing maintenance on what He has given us!
Every Saturday in May from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm or whatever time you can give. Contact Ryan Hickey (ryan@gc3.org) if you plan to come so he can know to plan for you.
Every Saturday in May from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm or whatever time you can give. Contact Ryan Hickey (ryan@gc3.org) if you plan to come so he can know to plan for you.
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Saturday, April 29th - Dan Childs
Monday, May 1st - Samantha Myers, Gary & Tracy Nelson
Wednesday, May 3rd - Claude Snider, Zachary Sears
Friday, May 5th - Mike Webb, Pastor Don & Evie Roscoe
Saturday, April 29th - Dan Childs
Monday, May 1st - Samantha Myers, Gary & Tracy Nelson
Wednesday, May 3rd - Claude Snider, Zachary Sears
Friday, May 5th - Mike Webb, Pastor Don & Evie Roscoe