Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Table of Contents Retreat Overview.................. p. 3 Schedule..................... p. 4 Four Pillars of a Man s Heart............... p. 5 King.................... p. 7 Warrior................... p. 9 Shepherd.................. p. 11 Friend................... p. 13 2
Retreat Overview A large focus in the Word of God this weekend at our retreat will be on the life of David, the greatest King of Israel who reigned forty years, uniting the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. David s life unfolds in the pages of 1 & 2 Samuel. We meet him as a young shepherd who defeats the Philistine champion Goliath, anointed to become King, raised up by the Lord as Israel s greatest warrior only to live on the lam, hunted without cause by King Saul and his army for years. Our four main speakers will explore the life of David with manhood lessons from his life. David was a godly King, a worshipful psalmist, a fierce warrior, and a great covenant friend. He is also the King who commits adultery then commands the murder of his loyal commander to hide his sin. We read about David s son Amnon who rapes his sister Tamar yet goes unpunished by his father. His son Absalom attempts a military coup to overthrow his father and gets killed by Joab, David s General. It s all here in David s life story: great war heroes, murder, betrayal, rape, rebellious children, and honor. One big difference from reality TV however; God s faithfulness to his covenant people and to David is a constant through all the great triumphs and the shameful disobedience. Out of the brokenness of sin the Lord forgives, restores, and molds the hearts of godly men like David. Men just like us. Four Pillars of a Man s Heart-Shepherd, Warrior, King & Friend, is our retreat theme. It conveys four important dimensions to David s life and his legacy to Christians through all ages, especially to men. These four pillars were formed by the Lord in the heart of David yet his deep thirst for the Lord were critical to how they grew strong in his life. The Lord s word to Samuel in choosing David from among his brothers as King to succeed Saul are fitting in this regard; But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. 1 Sam. 16:7 All scripture is in the ESV, unless otherwise noted. 3
Friday SCHEDULE: 5-7pm-Registration at the Program Shelter (Move In-Hickory Cabin & Maple Cabin) 6-7pm-Dinner with the Food Dude at the Program Shelter 7:15-8:30pm- Session 1-Program Shelter Welcome, Worship, &1st Pillar of Manhood 1st Pillar: Warrior (Jon Kolb-4X Steelers SB Champ) 8:30-9:30pm-Discussion Groups 9:30-11:30pm- Euchre Tourney & Free Time Saturday 7:30am- Wake Up & Quiet Time (*Coffee at the program Shelter available at 6am) 8:30am-Breakfast (Asbury Dining Hall) 9:30-10:45am-Session #2 Worship (Bob Gilbert) 2nd Pillar: Friendship (Carl Huhn-Bible Chapel Team Leader) 10:45-11:00am-Break 11:00-12:00pm-Session #3 Worship & 3rd Pillar: King (Bill Krahe-White Fields Team Leader) 12:00-12:30pm-Discussion groups 12:30pm-Lunch with discussion groups (Asbury Dining Hall) 1:00-5:00pm-Free Time (Afternoon at nearby Ohiopyle- biking, hiking) 5:30pm-Dinner (Asbury Dining Hall) 6:30-8:00pm-Session #4 (Wyhel Chapel-across the road from Asbury Dining Hall) Worship-Pillar #4: Shepherd (Leo & Brennan-White Fields Men) & Communion 8:30pm- Walk to the Cross & Prayer 9:00-11:30pm-Free Time (Euchre Tourney, Cigars) Sunday 7:30am- Wake Up & Quiet Time (*Coffee at the program Shelter available at 6am) 8:30am-Breakfast (Asbury Dining Hall) 9:30-10:30am-Worship Open mic Prayer 10:30-11:00am-Return linens/towels & cabin clean up 11:00am-Depart (Men are welcome to stay on premises to enjoy the afternoon) 4
DEFINING THE FOUR PILLARS OF A MAN S HEART KING A man of vision and character WARRIOR A man of strength and power SHEPHERD A man of spiritual leadership over his flock FRIEND A man of loyalty, heart and love This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. ~ Jeremiah 6:16 What are some of the crossroads you have faced in your life? 5
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13 What thoughts go through your mind when you hear act like men? What is your Kingdom? What are you fighting for? Who are you shepherding? Who are your friends? 6
KING A MAN OF VISION AND CHARACTER Kingly Attributes 1. Higher Authority - comparing Jesus reliance on the Father and David's similar reliance John 7:16-18, 28-29 John 8:16, 26-29 John 12:49-50 John 14:2, 7, 10-11, 16, 20, 23-24, 26, 30-31 1 Sam 16:18, 17:37, 45-47, 18:12, 15-16, 23:4, 10-12, 26:10, 32 Traits: Obedience Highest form of worship (Proverbs 21:1) Subject to being ruled 2. Kingly Heart - David s heart after God 1 Sam 24:3-10 1 Sam 26:8-12 2 Sam 23:1-5 2 Sam 22 2 Sam 7:18-20 Jesus is given the name that is exalted above all other names (coronation) because of his supreme humility in the Cross. He shows himself, in the Cross, as the great warrior. Philippians 2:3-11 Jesus name is King of Kings and Lord of lords. 1 Timothy 16:15-16, Revelation 17:14, 19:16 Traits: Meekness/Lamb of God Humility Compassion capacity to mourn Sacrifice for others 3. Servant Heart-Jesus was the ultimate servant leader. Jesus demonstrated his servant heart throughout the gospels healing the sick, giving sight to the blind and raising the dead. He was a servant to the twelve disciples and used his foot-washing to teach them this was to be there way of life also (John 13). Perhaps the most pointed quote from the gospel writers in this regard is found in Mark 10:44-45. 7
Whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Traits: Giving your life away The Cross Jesus got what I deserved Predisposed to obedience 8
WARRIOR A MAN OF STRENGTH AND POWER Warrior Personality: John 19: 1-5 Phil 2: 5-8 Matt 5: 10-12 I Sam 17: 26 Warrior Identity: I Sam 13: 1-7 & 19-23 I Sam 14: 1-15 II Sam 23: 8-21 (18&22) Psalm 18: 1-3 & 32-36 Warrior Commitment: I Sam 13: 13 II Sam 23 Benaiah I Sam 17 David & Goliath Warrior Training: I Cor. 9: 24-27 Jeremiah 12: 5 II Sam 11: 1-3. Roof I Kings 19: 9-10 Cave Warrior Action: I Sam 13: 13-14 I Sam 17: 48 David ran to the Philistines I Sam 18: 1-4 Jonathan gave robe, armor & weapons I Kings 18: 21 2 opinions 27-40 Warrior Reload: Heb 12: 4-7 & 26-29 Yet once more our God is a consuming fire 9
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SHEPHERD A MAN OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP OVER HIS FLOCK David is the shepherd boy from the tribe of Jesse who becomes Israel s greatest King, sought out by God, a man after his own heart (1 Sam.13:14). He united the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel in his forty year reign which foreshadowed the coming Kingdom of Christ. We must look to David s actions and his heart expressed in the Psalms to see this shepherd pillar of manhood. David reflects the worshipful and tender heart of God over his flock. His lament over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan as well as his son Absalom reflects it. It is also a warrior heart that protects the flock (1 Sam. 17:31-36). The Lord Jesus reflects this shepherd s heart over his flock (John 10:7-11, 14-18). More than any other contribution of David s writing reflecting the heart of our Lord as the great Shepherd King of Israel the 23 rd Psalm shines like a beacon. The Lord was a shepherd to David so that he might be a shepherd. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:1-3 Psalm 91 and Psalm 133 demonstrate the assurance of God s protection for David and all the shepherd-warriors of the Cross of Christ. Their bond of unity is a source of the Lord s anointing by the Spirit and the place where he commands his blessing of eternal life. A Shepherd is defined by how he: 1. Protects the lambs of God- 1 Samuel 17:31-36 2. Feeds the flock-john 21:15-17 3. Hears & Obeys the voice of the Good Shepherd-Psalm 23, John 10 4. Risks all to go after the lost sheep-luke 15:1-7 5. Leads his wife, family, church Psalm 23:1-3 6. Unites Psalm 133 A Shepherd must overcome: 1. The temptation to fatten himself from the sheep- Ezekiel 34:1-10 2. The praise of men to live for the glory of God-John 5:44 NOTES: 11
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FRIEND A MAN OF LOYALTY, HEART AND LOVE And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul. ~ 1 Samuel 20:17 (ESV) And Elijah said to Elisha, Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel. But Elisha said, As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you. So they went down to Bethel. ~ 2 Kings 2:2 (ESV) Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV) But Ruth said, Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. ~ Ruth 1:16 (ESV) Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another ~ Proverbs 27:17 (ESV) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. ~ Proverbs 17:17 (ESV) A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. ~ Proverbs 18:24 (ESV) This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ~ John 15:12-13 (ESV) I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ~ John 15:15 (NIV) 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. ~ Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. ~ James 5:16 (ESV) 13
3 PRINCIPLES OF FRIENDSHIP 1. The Principle of Necessity ~ A good friend is present when needed 2. The Principle of Selection ~ A good friend is carefully chosen 3. The Principle of Legacy ~ A good friend has lasting impact A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities. ~ William Arthur Ward 14