Sermon Notes 8.13.17

Back to Old School:  Abigail  "Truthsayer"

Truthsayer:  A person who speaks the truth, especially when the truth is contrary to conventional wisdom and goes against the norm. In the 14th century, a "soothsayer" was a person who spoke truth.
Today our central “Old School” character is Abigail.  Her story is found in I Samuel 25.  It is a story of three main characters, each with very distinct characteristics.  Nabal, a materialistic, self-absorbed, egotistical, insolent business owner.  David a champion warrior – Godly most of the time, but also a tendency to be vengeful.  And Abigail, a beautiful and sensible woman – full of wisdom and discretion, and most definitely an aggressive “truthsayer.”

Read I Samuel 25

Abigail is a true representation of Christ – beautiful and full of grace and truth couple with the wisdom of knowing what to say and when.
David & Nabal are representative of two responses we can have to Christ:
Nabal is arrogant and self-centered to the point he doesn’t recognize or acknowledge his sin, nor does he even thank his wife for saving his life.
Inversely, David’s reaction to Abigail shows a tender and repentant heart coupled with gratefulness toward Abigail for her concern for his reputation and future.
The result?  Nabal bears the consequences of his sin and unrepentant heart and loses not only his wife, but his life – dying in his sin.  David is spared the consequences of his initial vengeful spirit and the sin he had planned – saves his reputation, preserves his leadership position and enjoys a life together with the Abigail who became Nabal’s widow to become David’s wife.
In the case of this story, the main theme of both men’s sins is pride and selfishness.  Nabal  showed his character by spitting in the face of David and rejecting his request for return favor.  David’s character began with a murderous vengeful heart toward Nabal’s response.  Nabal didn’t change his mind to make much-needed adjustments – David did.
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• What do you do when you are confronted with the truth?  
• Are you open to receive the truth from whatever source God chooses to use?
• Once you’ve heard the truth, will you be a Nabal and refuse to accept it and make necessary adjustments to align your life with God’s plan?
• Or will you be a David and accept it, repent and allow the truth to set you free?
• Jesus the ultimate truthsayer calls you to listen to Him and His Word, repent and make the necessary adjustments to your life.

John 8:31-32:  Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 14:6:  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

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