In this engaging episode of the International Gospel Hour, our host Jeff Archie delves into the story of David and Goliath, presenting a powerful illustration of faith and courage. Explore the question ‘Whose son are you?’ as we reflect on identity and influence in the spiritual journey of today’s youth. Throughout, Jeff emphasizes the importance of role models and how the behaviors and values of adults can profoundly impact the younger generation. Dive in with us as we contemplate the significance of leading by example, grounded in faith and righteousness.
Can you think of better words to our youth today than to be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity? And you know I can’t think of a better time to talk about this than right now, coming up from the International Gospel Hour. I’ll be right back.
SPEAKER 03 :
It’s time for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jay Webb, and welcome to our study today as we embrace God’s Word to help us meet the challenges of today. Let’s open our Bibles and open our heart for this time of Bible study with our speaker Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. Here’s Jeff.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, greetings everyone. Great having you with us today, and we thank you for joining us. And we appreciate the good words from our J-Web, who you will hear from throughout our broadcast, with some free things that can be of help to you in your study of the Word of God. You know, I recall words from a beloved preacher who has passed on, and to a room full of preachers, it was the late Wendell Winkler who said… Love the older folks and take time for the children and you will have a long profitable work. And that is so true. I love little children. They are special. And for our broadcast today, I want you to consider a couple of things concerning our youth. And we’re going to begin with an account about David. and was after that he slew Goliath. And oh, what an account from 1 Samuel 17. We pick up at verses 55 through 58. When Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As your soul lives, O king, I do not know. O the king said, Inquire who son this young man is. Then as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. And Saul said to him, Whose son are you, young man? So David answered, I am the son of your servant Jesse, the Bethlehemite. Now, you know, it does seem a bit strange to ask the question to David, Whose son are you? I mean, after all, David had just defeated the giant Goliath. not only defeated him, but took his life. And earlier, Saul had attempted to arm David for battle in verses 38 and 39, and David was introduced to him as his harp player in 1 Samuel 16, verses 14 and following. So the Bible student in us would ask at this point, how did Saul not know David? Well, just some thoughts, and they’re nothing major, but let’s just let our Bible student mind go to work. One thought is that as young people mature quickly, David could have changed physically and Saul just didn’t put it together under the circumstances. And another thought is with the responsibility of Saul as the king, it just did not click with him who David was. I mean, you and I have met individuals before and we see them again and they do not recall the earlier meeting. And also, sometimes we may not recall an earlier meeting with them. We’ve all been on that side. And I even find myself asking folks, I’m sorry, please refresh my mind where we met. I’d rather just be honest and let them know than me trying to stand there and bluff my way through it, shall I say? Also, Saul could have been just pleasantly surprised that such was done. I mean, this is the big giant Goliath taken down immediately. And also Saul, as the king, may inquire to make certain he understands to whom he is speaking. Because this individual very well needs to be on his side. Now, kind friends, our thoughts on this and the speculation and all really doesn’t matter. I just want to bring out some things worthy of thought. So let’s shift back to our study from a spiritual perspective. The question that he asked David, whose son are you? You know, a true joy that I experience is watching boys and girls grow up learning of the Lord, obeying the Lord, serving the Lord, and then growing and becoming leaders in their homes and congregations. It is most refreshing watching them being children of God, following their Father and Savior. Let’s think about this a little further. Whose son are you? And we’re going to do that after a few words from our J-Web.
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Our free publication today is Valor and Virtue, a Christian apologetics magazine for teens. It is a great resource, especially for the challenging teen years. Get your free copy today by calling toll free at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say Valor. And you can also request it through our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the contacts tab and leave us your name and address and put Valor in the message box. Our friends at ApologeticsPress.org have made this possible for you, our listeners. Get your copy of Valor and Virtue today.
SPEAKER 01 :
And friends, with this broadcast primarily aimed toward our youth and to help with our youth, we hope that the publication Valor and Virtue will be of great help to you. And we will be glad to send that to you as soon as possible. Now let’s ask the question, whose son are you? Well, let’s think about the adults in one’s life. I mean, Saul immediately inquired who David belonged. And such is a common request upon a young person. When people ask me or I hear people say, oh, are you Ray and Martha Sue’s boy? That’s a beautiful question. And especially with me in my 60s, to be asked, am I Ray and Martha Sue’s boy? I love that. And, you know, children take the traits of their parents in their actions, their walk, their talk. And, you know, as you get older, you remind me of your father, your mother. You know, you think about Ephesians chapter 5, and time will not permit us to look at verses 22 and in through chapter 6 and verse 4. But the beauty of Christ in the church and how Paul is using the marriage vows of the husband and wife and the marriage of husband and wife to parallel Christ in the church. And then to enter into chapter 6, children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. And we see the influence of parents upon their children. Well, we understand that, but also there’s a reminder to those of us who are older of the example that we should have before the youth. Listen to what Titus said in Titus 2, 2-8. But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine, that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith and love and patience. Okay, older men live according to God like you should. Verse 3. The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things. Okay, older women live faithful for God. that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Now we’re influencing the young women. Verse 6, Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded in all things, showing yourself to be a pattern of good works, in doctrine, showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent, or he of the contrary part, the old King James Version. may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. So we see older men and their influence, older women, their influence, how younger women are to live, how younger men are to live, because one day they will become the older women and the older men, respectively. You know, 1 Corinthians 3 and verse 23 simply says, And you are Christ, and Christ is God’s. And so allow us to take the characteristics of the Father, Matthew 5 and verse 16, that people may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. Whose son are you? Let’s move from the adults in your life to the ability with your life. You know, it took some great ability for David to do what he did, to throw a stone with such might that it sunk in the forehead of Goliath. Well, friends, that’s pretty impressive. You know, it stands to reason to his ability as a shepherd and the rod that he used to strike accurately to kill anything that would danger the sheep. After all, he did take out a lion and a bear as well. And a little side note, if you look at the helmet of the possible helmet of Goliath at that time, there is a little bit of an opening in the forehead and to place that in such accuracy is amazing. Truly, God was with David and used David’s ability. These scriptures stand out. What about Luke 2, verse 52? Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. That’s a great pattern to follow, young people. What we mentioned as we began our broadcast, 1 Timothy 4, verse 12, Let no one despise your youth, but be an example of the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. And I think of 2 Timothy 2 and verse 22. Plea also youthful lust, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Quick summary. Luke 2, 52. Allow Jesus to be your example and increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men. As you have favor with God and men, allow yourself to be an example of the believers in word, in conduct, love, spirit, faith, and in purity. 1 Timothy 4, 12. And then find those who share that same characteristic, pursuing righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Whose son are you? May the adults in your life have great influence and the ability with your life make a great difference. Now, friends, earlier we shared with you our free publication, Valor and Virtue. Let’s add one more to that. Let’s add a great study booklet that our J-Web will tell you all about. Here is our J-Web.
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An additional Bible study by mail is now available from International Gospel Hour. It’s titled, God and Man, How to Be Saved from Sin. This study booklet addresses a number of questions about the salvation from God to man. And friends, like all materials, it’s free. Call us toll free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address and just say God and man. Or you can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type God and man in the message box. Another Bible study that is free from IGH and our friends at godandman.com. That’s god-and-man.com. And, you know, since you can’t see it, let me just spell that out for you. god-and-man.com We’d love to hear from you.
SPEAKER 01 :
Whose son are you? Let us be children of God and follow His will and His way. We hope this study has helped you today and thank you for joining me here on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 03 :
Thank you for listening today. To God be the glory. And we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. Feel free to listen to our other programs at our website at internationalgospelhour.com. And join us next time.
