Message for Northern New England Presbytery

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem

(1 Chronicles 11:4-9, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, February 3, 2017)

[4] And (1)David and (2)all Israel went to (3)Jerusalem, that is, (4)Jebus, where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. [5] The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, (5)“You will not come in here.” Nevertheless, (6)David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. [6] David said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and commander.” And (7)Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. [7] And (8)David lived in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. [8] And he built the city all around from the Millo in complete circuit, and Joab repaired the rest of the city. [9] And (9)David became greater and greater, for (10)the LORD of hosts was with him.

Exposition

1. Under God, David was the covenant leader over God's people in the mission described in these few verses.
2. All those in Israel were represented by David and his fighting men.
3. The city that they took, Jerusalem, was to be the city of God.
4. The Jebusites could no longer rule over that city.
5. The Jebusites were not willing to leave peacefully, but issued a challenge designed to discourage David and his mighty men.
6. David took the high ground of the city and thus won the decisive victory for the entire campaign that would follow.
7. Though David was the leader of God's people under Jehovah, provision was made for Joab to fight the good fight and win. Joab and other courageous men would be used to bring God's and David's victory all over the entire city.
8. Jerusalem, the city of God, became the city of David, and David would be present there.
9. Jerusalem would be the place where David became greater and greater.
10. In Jerusalem, and from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, David's God would be glorified.

Application

Jerusalem Number One: Psalm 137:5 and “the Chronicler” of 1-2 Chronicles

Jerusalem Number Two: Matthew 16:18, 24:1-2, 28:16-20, Ephesians 2:11-22, Jesus is our David, yet we are warriors of love and exiles here in Babylon, but we take heaven by storm.

Jerusalem Number Three: Revelation 21:1-4

All three are important, but which Jerusalem owns our heart as a Presbytery? Northern New England is where we serve, but our Resurrection King and His New Jerusalem must be our highest desire. (See Colossians 3:1-4.) Our David has taken the high ground of heaven and earth through His death, resurrection, and ascension. How will we follow Him as a regional church?

Perhaps it would help us to take our passage and apply it plainly to the Presbytery. Jesus is our David. We are His mighty men, serving at His pleasure, teaching His church through instruction and example what it means to live by faith. We are the city of God. We live now in this mortal world, but our worldview is different than that of the world. Some might seek to discourage us, even those who feel like they own our cities and towns who might say to us, “You will not come in here.” They are wrong about that. The key facts that they miss are: (1) that Jesus has taken the high ground through sacrificial love, and (2) that He calls us to faith, prayer, and action, finishing His task in us and through us. He will not be satisfied with anything less than the full coming of the kingdom for His own sake and for the glory of God.

Final thought: Presbytery is important in this mission, especially for Presbyterians. BCO 13-9(g): “(Presbytery has power) to devise measures for the enlargement of the Church within its bounds; (and) in general, to order whatever pertains to the spiritual welfare of the churches under its care.” You all have lots of good ideas worthy of encouragement, so keep this in mind:

Our most dangerous deficit would be a deficit of faith-The Lord of Hosts is with us.