Loyalty

Loyalty is rare digital art by Joe Chiappetta, available on Ethereum Network.

Our church has been going through inspiring lessons on loyalty in the Bible and I have been one of the teachers who has preached an installment of this eye-opening series. To compliment such things, I thought it would be fitting to draw a visual representation of loyalty. Two friends, fighting side by side, where each one has the other's back, seemed to be a most lively way to portray the excitement and commitment wrapped up in the godly trait of loyalty.

You can also watch the lesson I preached called Loyalty + Self Denial = Disciple. It is at https://youtu.be/J9QLegIFjR4 and below are the notes from my sermon.

Loyalty + Self Denial = Disciple

See the connection between Loyalty and Self Denial. In Christ, you can't have one without the other. Both are requirements of Christianity.

Luke 9:20-24

[20] “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 

Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

[21] Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. [22] And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

[23] Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. [24] For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 

• Denying self is a must-have behavior of disciples.

• Denying self is a salvation issue.

• "Deny" self here could also be translated as "disown" self, "refuse" self, "reject" self.

• One of the main requirements of following Jesus is not being selfish. Disown what you want; replace it with what Jesus wants.

• Can't be loyal to self and Jesus at the same time.

• If you are truly following Jesus then, like Jesus did, you are building a team of loyal disciples.

• If you deny self for Jesus, then you are loyal to Jesus, then you are loyal to his church.

• If you are selfish, then you are not loyal.

• If not loyal, then not a disciple of Jesus. 

1 Samuel 22:1-23 

• Intense period in the life of David.

• Use as framework to test godly loyalty in our own lives.

• In my easily deceived mind I can believe that many people are loyal to me and imagine me doing great things to lead them. Yet I’ve thought this during periods when I wasn’t really leading anyone; in fact when I examined things closely no one was loyal to me. I wasn’t loyal to anyone.

1 Samuel 22:1-23

[1] David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. [2] All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

[3] From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, “Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?” [4] So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold.

[5] But the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

[6] Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul, spear in hand, was seated under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing around him. [7] Saul said to them, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? [8] Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.”

[9] But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul's officials, said, “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. [10] Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him; he also gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

[11] Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub and his father's whole family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king. [12] Saul said, “Listen now, son of Ahitub.” 

“Yes, my lord,” he answered.

[13] Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?”

[14] Ahimelech answered the king, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king's son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household? [15] Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father's family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.”

[16] But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and your father's whole family.”

[17] Then the king ordered the guards at his side: “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me.” 

But the king's officials were not willing to raise a hand to strike the priests of the LORD.

[18] The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. [19] He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.

[20] But Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub, escaped and fled to join David. [21] He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD. [22] Then David said to Abiathar: “That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your father's whole family. [23] Stay with me; don't be afraid; the man who is seeking your life is seeking mine also. You will be safe with me.”

• Verse 1-2: When David was heavily persecuted by Saul, why did hundreds of people still follow David?

• David became a leader of hundreds of troubled people.

• Person loyal to God will not abandon others because of their own hardship. 

• Reflect on the loyalty that David inspired.

• Think about loyalty in your own life.

• Who have you shown loyalty to in the past month?

• Is God pleased with your level of loyalty?

1 Samuel 22:3

“...Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?”

• David shows his loyalty to God by waiting for God to make things clear.

• David was God's learner.

• David learned loyalty by waiting for God and following God's way.

• David did this even if that meant being separated from family.

1 Samuel 22:8

"Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today."

• Saul's attitude is only loyal to self.

• How many times does he mention "me" or "my"? Eight times!

• If you are selfish, it is impossible to be loyal.

• Contrast with loyalty between David and Saul’s son Jonathan.

• Godly people make a solemn agreement (covenant)  of righteousness regardless of physical family influence or persecution.

Reread 1 Samuel 22:14

"Ahimelech answered the king, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king's son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household?"

• The Hebrew word in verse 14 translated as "loyal" can also be translated as "to sustain, to support with the arm, to carry a child, to nourish, to be faithful." As we examine loyalty in ourselves, ask "who am I supporting; who am I nourishing?"

• David was known and praised for his loyalty to God, God's kingdom, and God's people--even in times of deadly hardship and injustice.

• Can you see how David was respected because of his loyalty?

• People respect loyalty.

1Samuel 22:18

[18] The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.

• Doeg picked the wrong person and the wrong orders to be loyal to.

• Perhaps you’re loyal, but you’re loyal to the wrong doctor and the wrong.

• Misplaced loyalty damages God’s kingdom.

Ask yourself these questions and answer objectively:

• Are you known for your loyalty to God? Who knows this?
• Are you known for your loyalty to God's kingdom?
• Are you known for your loyalty to God's people?
• Are you known for loyalty to the team of people you are working with closely throughout the week to advance God's mission? We call this group a "Bible Talk."

1 Samuel 22:20-23

[20] But Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub, escaped and fled to join David. [21] He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD. [22] Then David said to Abiathar: “That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your father's whole family. [23] Stay with me; don't be afraid; the man who is seeking your life is seeking mine also. You will be safe with me.”

• Why does David take responsibility for Abiathar's safety?

• Loyalty breeds loyalty.

• Loyalty goes both ways.

• When people truly have a shared mission, they will get united, take risks, deny self, and be loyal to God and his people.

Challenge:

1. Make a list of what and who you are taking responsibility for in the church.

2. Ask one of Jesus’ disciples today if loyalty to God and his kingdom are one of your strengths.

3. Pray to have a heart of godly loyalty and godly responsibility--just like David, a person "after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14).

Seek And Ye Shall Find Purity

"Rarity of Purity" is an animation I created, and my wife Denise colored, as a way to visualize the concept of purity. It is artwork that is available as a limited edition of only one on the SuperRare market for rare digital art. As a needed attribute for humankind, purity has become more and more scarce these days. Therefore it seemed only fitting to issue this rare artwork about purity on an art platform called SuperRare. Yet regardless of how scarce purity is thought of by the rest of the world, still we would all greatly benefit from seeking purity, finding purity, and maintaining a pure life.

Most people want or even expect purity from other people as well as other sources outside of themselves. For instance, we expect our water to be pure. We seek the cleanest beaches. We desire that the air we breathe be pure. When we buy a brand new phone, we expect it to be clean (pure)... without any viruses. Yet what about our own selves? Do we behave toward others in a way that is pure, clean, without blemish? Do we regard people with purity?

If you are like most people, you have had periods in your life where you did not lead a pure life. Many people have periods of gross impurity that is even shameful to mention in public--self included. Moreover, many are still stuck in such behavior, with no clue how to love a life of purity.

This is where a relationship with God comes in. Following the example of purity that Jesus lays out is the definitive way to be pure in this dark world. I started on this path 20 years ago this very month, and it is the best and most purifying decision I have ever made.

Sadly though, telling people this truth, that they must follow Jesus to be pure, is not the end of the matter. People still need to put what the Bible says about purity into practice. A select and gifted few can do this without further urging. But most will need a guide, and a lot of accountability.

This is where Dr. Raul Moreno's remarkable book comes in. It is called "A Battle That Even Kings Lost: Winning Your Own Battle For Sexual Purity." Specifically written as a Bible study guide that details major insights from the scriptures, it effectively teaches on purity. It is a book that every teenager and adult should take to heart. In fact, I am convinced that if everyone put this book into practice, there would be no divorce, no promiscuity, and no sexual abuse. It's written in very practical terms and full of practical lessons that compel each reader to increase their focus on living a pure life that honors God. Examples from the life of Israel's King David, as well as Solomon, Joseph, Samson, and many others (including the author's own life) are presented to help us relate and overcome our own personal struggle for consistent and godly purity.

Reading its 242 down-to-earth pages, I have come to have even more conviction about living a life of absolute purity. That means many things that incorporate constant self discipline. This includes treating people as dear souls rather than pieces of meat to lust over. While this concept, in and of itself is a deep practice to be applied, the book goes much deeper, and attentive readers benefit from being led in this way.

At the core of purity, Dr. Moreno does a fantastic job of directly linking our relationship with God back to how much we value living a life free from immoral and impure behaviors. And at the core of this, is our fear of God. In fact, chapter 7 is aptly entitled, "Delight in the Fear of the Lord." Raul make the solid case that our love for God is inseparable from our fear of God. Yes, on the surface this sounds a little contradictory. Yet the book puts forward Deuteronomy 10:12-13 as fitting evidence to support this truth.

"And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?"

As Dr. Moreno wisely elaborates, a person can't truly love God unless they also fear him. And a person cannot fear God unless they also love him. For many, I realize that further explanation might be needed. Good. That is precisely what the book does so well. It grabs one point and just keeps hammering away at it. So get this book at https://amzn.to/2DEq14o, read it, apply it, and you will be forged into a new person, equipped to effectively win the battle that even kings lost!

Joe Chiappetta

Creative and Self-Censored Mind

When I draw myself these days, there has to be a good reason for it. I need to communicate something useful--even something that will help me personally--regardless of what anyone else thinks of the drawing. Such is the case with this recent digital drawing I created.

Growing up, I thought that I could just think about whatever I wanted and do whatever I wanted. We certainly have the freedom to think about whatever we want. Many people also try to do whatever they want. Been there; done that. Most folks, though, are not successful at this. What I have learned over time, is that thinking and doing whatever we want is not a good plan. In fact, most of the time, it can be pretty foolish, to say the least.

Through my parents, teachers, and especially the Bible, by the grace of God, I eventually discovered that I need to carefully regulate what I think about as well as regulate what I do. It is about being self-disciplined. If I think about something hateful, selfish, or deceptive, I must self-correct. In other words, I need to say to myself, "Stop what you are doing, Joe; this is wrong!"

What am I getting at here? It is about the need for all of us to self-censor ourselves at the thought-level. Sometimes we forget to do this and get into trouble quite quickly. That's why we need each other as well as clear moral standards (AKA the Bible) for what is right and what is wrong.

Here is where we can get a bit tripped up though. We are all given a certain level of creativity. This is only natural since our creator, God is the most creative being imaginable. Our own creativity can be used to build good things and generate good, positive thoughts. But this same creativity also can be used to concoct all sorts of depressing and even destructive avenues. So even our creativity must be self-regulated. Can we run wild? Probably. Should we run wild? Most of the time, that answer would be a resounding "No."

This is why am so grateful for all the clear direction that I have received over the years about being "transformed by the renewing of" my mind. That is a principle found in Romans 12:2 and it is quite potent when put into practice. It means that I don’t have to be stuck in the dumb, foolish, depressing and dead-end thoughts which can creep into my mind and try to take over from time to time. I can think about what is pure, noble, and the many other faithful concepts and constructs that are accessible to everyone.

Such practical applications have forged me into a better man in so many areas. Indeed we can all live life to the full in this way. It is the way of constant self-discipline and focusing on the growth and lessons that God has in store for us.

Joe Chiappetta
http://sillydaddy.net