PROTECTING THE CHURCH

1 Samuel 18:1-9
Jonathan and David's friendship is an excellent example of what it means to protect the church. The key, verse 1, is that they were one in spirit. In the church we have one Lord, one faith, one mission, one hope. This should cause us to be one in spirit and thus love each other and seek to protect each other.

Looking at Jonathan and David, let us examine several ways in which we can and must protect the church. Remember that the church is the people, i.e. the brothers and sisters around you.

1. EXPRESSIONS OF APPRECIATION

Verse 3: Jonathan verbalized to David his loyalty to him.

Proverbs 12:25
We need to be in the habit of expressing encouragement and inspiration. Learn to say things like, "Thank you," "I appreciate you," "I love you." Tell people in detail what it is that you appreciate about them and admire in them.

Q. Has this been your habit?
Q. Do you express gratitude to as many disciples as possible or only to a select few?

2. GIVING GIFTS

Verse 4: Jonathan gave David precious, valuable gifts.

John 3:16 The Father gave.
John 5:21 Jesus gives.
John 6:63 The Spirit gives.
Point: It is God's heart and character o give.

There are many ways in which we can give in order to protect and strengthen the church, e.g.
- Give cards and notes of appreciation to other disciples.
- Give of your time and energy to be with other disciples.
- Give to the church - regular, special and benevolent contribution.
- Give financially or materially for funerals, baby showers, weddings, assistance with medical bills, rent, and any other situation where disciples are in grave need.
- Offer food to disciples having a problem in that area.

Give out of compassion, not compulsion.

3. RELATING AND RESPECTING

1 Samuel 14:12-14
Jonathan was himself an accomplished fighter and a man of faith, so it is likely that this helped him to relate to David as a great warrior and respect him.

1 Samuel 14:43-45
Jonathan, like David, had experienced Saul's harsh heavy-handedness. This may have helped him relate to David when Saul was jealous of David (1 Samuel 18:9, that we read earlier) and was trying to kill him.

For us as disciples, we are all engaged in the same spiritual battle against sin. We are in the same struggle to win the souls of men. So we should relate to each other, sympathize and empathize, and respect one another, not pull each other down through envy, gossip, slander, disrespect or bad attitudes.

Q. Which disciples have you slandered of late? Who do you feel badly towards? Get urgent help to resolve it.

1 Corinthians 12:26
Let us rejoice with each other (e.g. baby showers, witnessing baptisms, attending sports events of your ministry, celebrating birthdays, etc.), and suffer or mourn with each other (be there for the grieving, bereaved and those experiencing other pain and challenges).

4. A WORD OF WARNING

1 Samuel 19:1,2
Jonathan warned David in order to save him.

Hebrews 3:12,13
Help your brothers and sisters with their spirituality so that no one is won over by sin.

Q. Do you back away from talking to people about their sin, or do you get involved and help them change? Are you warning people or just watching them?
Q. Do you appreciate it when people warn you about your life, or do you resist warnings, correction and advice?

5. A PLAN FOR PROTECTION

1 Samuel 19:1-3
Jonathan came up with a protection plan. We will not protect each other by chance but by choice.

Hebrews 10:24
As you pray and think about your bible talk/sector/region and the rest of the church, consider specifically who you will encourage and how. Have a plan, then seek out the people whom you will specifically help.

6. SELFLESS SERVICE

1 Samuel 20:4
Jonathan served David.

Matthew 20:28
Jesus not only served, but saw that as his responsibility and identity.

Look for opportunities to serve and help, e.g. ushering at church, volunteering for kids kingdom, helping parents shepherd their children at church, baby-sitting, etc. Respond to prayer requests by not only praying but by helping those who have the prayer need.

By protecting the church, you will protect yourself because as you imitate and live out God's heart, you will become more like Christ and will thus make your calling and election sure.

Each of us is still a disciple because people have protected us. The church continues to grow because people have protected it. So let us continue to protect each other, but let us do so with ever-increasing love, sacrifice and godly appreciation for the great family of saints.

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