Rev. D. Johns In The Zone
Eager to start the New Year on a ‘quest for the best’ in life?
Intro: God desires us to be in His zone of blessing and righteousness. The teaching in this series will help us to live in vitality and obedience, the ‘sweet spot of God’s success’. A ‘zoned out’ life is settling for less than the best! Using the famous and exciting Bible story of David & Goliath (1 Samuel 17), we will see multiple examples of ‘zone living’. These life-changing principles can take us to a new level in our quest to live meaningful lives. Our church will continue to prosper and move ahead as we ‘zero in on the zone’.
#1. Jan. 06 ON A MISSSION (1-26,32) … in the zone of purpose
#2. Jan. 13 NO DISTRACTIONS (28,33,41-44) … in the zone of focus
#3. Jan. 20 RECOGNIZE RESOURCES (38-40) … in the zone of right tools
#4. Jan. 27 GAME DAY (45-50) … in the zone of adventure
#5. Feb. 03 VICTORIES VALUED (34-37,54) … in the zone of memory
#6. Feb. 10 CONTAGIOUS COMMODITY (51-53) … in the zone of momentum
Jesus said:
“I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full. “ - (John 10:10)
The Apostle Paul said:
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” - (Romans 8:31)
Psalm 1
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor the sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
PART #1 “ON A MISSION”….. in the Zone of Purpose 1 Samuel 17:1-26, 32
Context: Philistines vs. Israelites
‘Boasting Bully’ vs. ‘Daring David’
sword & spear vs. sling & stones
fright vs. faith
might vs. right
Lessons:
1. faithfulness in the purpose zone can lead to God cranking the mission up a notch
Vs. 15 = David was “tending his father’s sheep”
…. Crank up = vs. 17-19 = on assignment – an ‘out of town’ adventure errand
vs. 20 = “as Jesse had directed”
…. Crank up = vs. 23 = “and David heard it note : obedience + observation = opportunity
Vs. 32 = “I will fight him!”
2. GOD IS BIG ON PURPOSE - WE SHOULD BE TOO
3. GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR ALL! Some are quick with excuses & quiet without confidence
(no matter what you have been told in the past, you are not useless nor a mistake!... no loser sign on your forehead…not on God’s discard shelf)
4. GOD HAS FILLED OUR CHURCH WITH PEOPLE OF PURPOSE eg: Search and Rescue teams = motto = “this we do so others live” note: the importance of FPC’s DYD (Discover Your Design seminar)
5. 80 – 20 PRINCIPLE 20% do 80% of the work and give 80% of the $ (sometimes this is the fault of the 20% who clutch control and refuse to foster a culture of calling & initiative)
Moving into the Zone of Purpose
START TO PRACTICE SELECTIVE HEARING ie: listen to God’s call through the multitude of voices screaming at you every day
START TO REALIZE GOD HAS A GAMEPLAN ie: the Bible speaks of the Church as a Body (1 Corinthians 12) … note the big mistake when Christians buy into the lie that only the Minister can minister!
START TO STOP MAKING EXCUSES and say yes
Conclusion: aim at the skip’s broom! When your life comes to rest in the ‘rings of God’s design’, then you know you are living in the ‘zone of purpose’!
Calling by Frank Tillapaugh & Richard Hurst, Dreamtime Publishing, 1997
Pg. 60 = “Every time we refer to vocational clergy as the minister, we drive nails into the coffin of the priesthood of all believers” Pg. 62 = “For God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven, we need an army of moms, backpackers and artists serving with the same sense of calling possessed by the clergy.”
First Presbyterian Brockville – Rev. Doug Johns
IN THE ZONE part #2 “NO DISTRACTIONS” … in the Zone of Focus
1 Samuel 17:28, 33, 41-44
If the train is POWERED by PURPOSE, it is FOCUS that keeps it on track to its intended destination.
A personal attack by a family member! (brother Eliab vs. 28) = disrespect
………. Vs. 29 = David “turned away” (refusing to be deterred)
A put-down by authority (King Saul vs. 33) = disapproval
………. Vs. 34-37 = “but David said” (refusing to be disappointed – “a God answer”)
A public attack by an enemy (Goliath vs. 41 – 44) = disparagement
………. Vs. 45-47 = “David answered” (refusing to be discouraged – another ‘God answer’)
Observations on the distractions of negativity
1. Negative people (NP) are responsible for so many Christian leaders ‘bailing’ early
2. NP are quick to take ‘pot-shots’ at PROGRAM & PRINCIPLES & slow to catch VISION.
3. NP display their true colours early: gossip, slander, secrets = snake hissing sounds
4. NP soon become the ‘jerks’ in the church’ – like poodles barking at freight trains
5. NP rarely reform unless healed
6. NP rise in reaction to a growing positive & progressive church climate, often chasing the train down the tracks, fist angrily in the air … the most noise coming just before a significant SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH
7. Vision generates momentum; unfortunately so does negativity (Israelites in the wilderness in the OT; Barabbas freedom – Jesus crucifixion mob justice scene in the NT)
8. Hurting people HURT PEOPLE
Lessons on negotiating around the distractions of negativity so as not to lose focus
1. Try not to be lured into chasing and catering to snakes (snake handlers usually get bitten at some point)
2. Don’t get sidetracked into a PEN PAL relationship (especially when emails & letters are unsigned)
3. Evaluate by asking: is there any truth here? Is their purpose a loving concern or argumentative and controlling? Will time & energy spent here distract me from, or enable my God given vision/purpose?
4. Take comfort that NP plague all organizations doing the work of God.
5. Stay VERTICAL …. PRAY & STAY above the fray
Concluding Thought:
This could be a ‘sneak preview’ of Jesus “staying the course” during His ministry, and in particular, His Passion. Take another look at Hebrews 12:1-3 = inspiration for us.
SLINGSHOT & SACRIFICE = SURPRISING GIANT KILLERS … PARTLY DUE TO LIVING IN THE ZONE OF FOCUS!
IN THE ZONE PART # 3 “RECOGNIZE RESOURCES” – 1 Samuel 17:38-40
IN THE ZONE OF RIGHT TOOLS
Rev. Doug Johns
…. David was in the zone of utilizing God’s best; Goliath was in the zone of something much less
Goliath’s zone David’s zone
* force * faith
* ego strength * experience strength
* self confidence * God confidence
*defeat * victory
According to King Saul, this Hebrew hick needs a makeover!
(ancient culture = 5 possible explanations, but the bottom line is that David needed to take 2 steps)
#1. Let Go … Saul’s army attire is the suggested suit for David, but ….
Saying NO is as important as saying YES !
Saying NO requires just as much courage as saying yes
Saying NO makes the yes work at its best !
David shows us how & what to disregard, ditch, drop
Notes: for personal and church application
living up to other’s expectations can be so restricting! + it’s a matter of “suitability for mobility” + it’s a matter of “subtracting in order to add”
#2. Pick Up
Don’t undervalue what God has already given you!
Be yourself!
All we need to win is right here beside us!
Conclusion: simple seems foolish, weak and wrong; but in God’s economy, it is wise and strong
Ie; sling & smooth stones – shepherd & musician – stable, not a palace – fishermen, not scholarly pious leaders – donkey, not a white war horse – crucifixion instead of victory party
1 Corinthians 1:25 = for the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength
Zechariah 4:6 = not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord
IN THE ZONE Part #4 “Game Day” IN THE ZONE OF ADVENTURE
1 Samuel 17:45-50 …..Rev. Doug Johns
Intro: “let’s get ready to rumblllllle!”… a new champion – a courageous kid from Canaan: David
Weapons belonging to two totally different realms…. Irony that a sling, stone and Goliath’s own sword become the Giant’s doom
Lesson #1: WEAR THE TEAM COLOURS PROUDLY
Vs. 45=David comes in the name of the Lord of Hosts/Armies (vs. 43=Goliath curses David by his gods) ie: ancient world-view that human battles parallel the deities at war (like Elijah on Mt. Carmel)… David’s logic = if gods are at war, is it not more about their strength than how the human warrior is dressed! – therefore, David is confident! He boasts in Yaweh’s abilities. – so, “the Battle belongs to the Lord!” *** see Joshua 1:6-9; 1 Samuel 17:37, 47: 2 Chronicles 32:7,8
Lesson #2: APPROACH THE COMPETITION CONFIDENTLY
Vs. 46, 47 = David’s character strength of interrelated traits: FAITH + COURAGE + VISION
· David was able to see what Saul & the Israelites couldn’t (blasphemy not intimidation)
· David moves from “pasture to palace” (Psalm 78:70,71) one obedient step at a time!
· Eg: driving at night with headlights: keep driving to keep seeing
· These traits begin on the inside, in the heart
Lesson #3: ACTIVATE THE GAME PLAN TO COMPLETION
Vs. 48-50 = David moves from hype to making history Eg: Ron Ellis “Over the Boards”
· time to play the game and live a life in the adventure zone and take courage from your back pocket and into your real life battles - eg; story of Martin Luther’s depression: Has God died?... Of course not! .... Then act like it!
· Theodore Roosevelt = “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory or defeat.”
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN BROCKVILLE – Rev. Doug Johns
IN THE ZONE PART #5…VICTORIES VALUED … IN THE ZONE OF MEMORY
1 Samuel 17:34 – 37, 54
· David the shepherd has had success with lions and bears (vs. 34-37)
· Because this memory motivates and because this memory instills confidence, David can take on the giant! In slaying goliath, it is the same Lord doing the same kind of deliverance work.
· Similarly, this victory must also be valued. (vs. 54) by moving “a-head” to Jerusalem and saving the souvenir enemy weapons.
· Whenever you have a great spiritual victory it is important to keep a memento, a trophy – a reminder of God’s grace & power – memories will prompt and promote faith and strength and courage!
· Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is also “living in the zone of memory” (Hymn: “Lead me to Calvary” = lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine agony, lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary”) … 1 Corinthians 11:24,25 = “This do in remembrance of me”
· At its very least, Communion is recalling and giving value to Christ’s victory over sin, Satan and death itself! – see Romans chapters 5 & 6 – but it is more than ‘nice nostalgia’!
IN THE ZONE Part #6 “Contagious “Commodity
… In the Zone of momentum Rev. D. Johns
Think about it:
Q#1 A Church/Christian in motion: what forces are at work?
Q#2 Every Church/ Christian can be in motion: the big question is in what direction?
Q#4 What about measuring spiritual momentum?
Q#7 from sleep to motion – the dynamics of elephant/church momentum
David’s victory results in contagious confidence and enthusiasm:
Note 1 Samuel 17: 51 – 53 = the Philistines are on the run & the Israelites surge forward
A little obedience + some “big-boy faith”, when it “goes public”, has a huge effect!
God multiplies vision and courage.
The importance of this passage must not be missed because of our 21st century discomfort with the brutal rout of the enemy: the transition from shepherd to King (a new kind of shepherding) is taking place; validation of anointing and building of trust/loyalty moves ahead! This may also be a ”preview” of complete victory like Jesus will accomplish over evil & death. Is it too much of a leap to connect Colossians 2:15 (public spectacle, disarming, triumph – all by a cross!!) & Romans 8:37 (more than conquerors) with this story of David?
Do you think God is concerned about spiritual momentum?
I guess so! Take a look at
Ezekiel 37:1 – 14 = dry bones come to life
Ezekiel 47:1 – 12 = water from the Temple brings life
Acts = charting contagious church growth
Ephesians 1:16, 17 = a prayer to know Christ better
Colossians 1:3-6 = gospel, faith and love are growing around the world
Colossians 1:10 = grow in the knowledge of God
2 Thessalonians 1:3 = grow, increasing in faith and love
2 Thessalonians 3:1 = the message of the Lord spreads rapidly to others
