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The Gates

Who Left The Gate Open?

Pastor Kenneth Crews

49 mins
0:00

Scripture References

Main

1 Samuel 30:1-9

1

And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

2

And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.

3

So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.

4

Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

5

And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

6

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

7

And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

8

And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

9

So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.

1 Samuel 30:18

18

And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.

Overview

This sermon uses the story of David and his men returning to a plundered Ziklag to illustrate the dangers of letting down one's guard, particularly when our spiritual "gates" are left open. The message emphasizes that the enemy seeks to exploit these weaknesses, causing damage, but ultimately, through faith in God and pursuing His promises, recovery is possible.

Key Points

  • When we leave our spiritual gates open, we become exposed to the enemy, who actively seeks opportunities to attack and cause damage.

  • The damage caused by spiritual neglect can be devastating, affecting not only individuals but also families and communities.

  • Blaming others or even ourselves does not undo the damage; instead, we must focus on recovery and pursuit of God's promises.

  • David's example shows that even in despair, encouraging oneself in the Lord and seeking His guidance are crucial steps toward restoration.

  • God's promises are faithful, and by pursuing them with faith and action, we can recover what has been lost.

Scripture References

  • 1 Samuel 30:1-9, 18

  • 1 Samuel 27

  • Book of Joel

Takeaways

  • Actively maintain your spiritual disciplines (prayer, scripture, guarding your mind) to keep your "gates" closed to the enemy.

  • Do not dwell on blame (of self or others) when damage occurs; instead, turn to God for strength and guidance to pursue recovery.

  • Remember God's faithfulness in your past and encourage yourself in the Lord, knowing He has promised restoration.

  • Take action based on God's promises; David "went," and we too must pursue recovery through faith and obedience.

This summary is AI-generated and may not be fully accurate. Always review the original transcription for complete details.

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