The David Spoon Experience

The David Spoon Experience 6-1-23 Part 2

1) As we bring Chapter 15 in the Book of Acts to a close, we read that the chosen representatives of the Jerusalem church delivered the message. Then there was great joy throughout the Antioch church that day. It’s important to understand that the message was one of encouragement from one church to another. When the body of Christ understands this principle, we will be more like the early church. One church blesses another. Think about it. 2) And along with our spiritual gifts study on prophecy, look how Silas and Judas (not Iscariot) are seen: They are prophets. BUT look how their actions are described: speaking encouraging and strengthening truths to the church. They were seen as prophets because of their extensive encouragement. 3) But there is “what appears to be” a tragic moment in the early church. Best buddies, co-workers, and fellow laborers Paul and Barnabas have a falling out. Wow…which one failed? Well, on the surface, we would evaluate that Barnabas failed, but in time, we may switch that opinion that it was Paul that failed. The truth is that neither of them failed. But the Lord had a plan. He always does…

The David Spoon Experience 6-1-23 Part 1

A) Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ. Allow me a moment to give you the dictionary definition of an ambassador. A diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment. An authorized representative or messenger.B) Endure with me a little more folly. Allow me to share with you the various words that are synonyms for the word, ambassador. Envoy, representative, delegate, minister, diplomat, agent, emissary, spokesperson, missionary, apostle, messenger, and evangelist.C) As though God was making His appeal through us. This is exactly Paul’s argument that God makes His appeal through us to other people. The most important element is that we need to be reconciled to God, and that reconciliation comes through Jesus Christ.D) Paul even demonstrates the way to approach it. He tells us to be reconciled to God. It’s because of Jesus, who knew no sin, and Who became sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God. That’s its own Romans Road or Jack Chick Track.

The David Spoon Experience 5-31-23 Part 2

1) And here we go with some more Spoon-Fed teaching on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. From prophecy, the gift that the Lord makes clear is the best because it blesses the most, to the discernment of spirits, to the gifts of healing we venture. We review the definition of these giftings and examine the distinctions between the role of healing among believers and leaders and the Gift of Healing.2) It is important to understand that God, ACCORDING TO HIS WORD, does not want us to be ignorant regarding spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1). But too many people think that they are unworthy to operate in any sort of power encounter because they are not an apostle, or they are not holy enough. Let’s drop this down the garbage chute right away. Peter says, in Acts 3:12, When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness?”3) As we dive into the gifts of healing, we find out that there are specific giftings with, along with general commands. We also come to an amazing knowledge that the gifts of healing are plural, not singular. That means that there are various aspects to healing. Some are physical. And some are not. We also tackle the reality that healing has a great deal to do with spiritual warfare, just like every spiritual gift that helps advance the Kingdom of God. Buckle up, little campers.

The David Spoon Experience 05-31-23 Part 1

A) As we wind down in Psalm 35, David makes reference to the enemy’s winking with their eye. Many of you will find this hard to believe, but from this text came a teaching in the church that winking was a sin. This happens when a verse is taken out of context, and someone tries to make a law from it.B) David makes this very important plea. Oh, Lord, do not be far from me. As we go through the tougher times, this has to be the prayer of every one of us. As you notice, everything we do points back to getting closer to the Lord.C) This wind-down portion is exceedingly important. That people who rejoice at other people’s hurt bring shame. While this is directed primarily at those who are godless, this certainly applies to the godly. And the context is that what we SHOULD want is for people to repent, not for people to get hurt. D) David closes this song psalm, affirming that we should continually confess that God should be magnified. And that God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servants. The whole reason is the very last line in the psalm: that his tongue would speak praises all day long.

The David Spoon Experience 5-30-23 Part 2

1) Most of us on this Christian journey have experienced an abandonment of some form. It may have been spousal. It may have been family. It may have been spiritual relationships. It is not uncommon to feel like people have deserted us. Perhaps this is most true (or evident) when things get really tough. And in our hearts and minds, we feel like we need these people to stand with us more than ever. Ironically, this might be the opportunity the Lord uses to demonstrate that only One can stand by us forever and will never fail or abandon us. It is Him alone.2) We’re going to examine a passage in Isaiah, which is so powerful that I encourage each person to either take notes on it, highlight it, or reference it, even if you make a plaque out of it. The scripture makes it clear that those of us pursuing the Lord and His righteousness need to have a particular look. Not how we look but where we look. And to whom we look.

The David Spoon Experience 5-30-23 Part 1

A) Into the wonderful world of Matthew, Chapter 11, we go. We first notice that after Jesus gives the disciples instructions, the scripture teaches us that He went off teaching and preaching throughout the country. Jesus didn’t just send the disciples. He also participated by doing it at the same time.B) We come to a significantly important element between John the Baptist and Jesus. The loyal servant John has done an excellent job and fulfilled his ministry. He’s in prison, waiting to die. But he wants to know, are you the Messiah? Are you the one we’ve been looking for? Even John was waiting for Roman deliverance. C) Jesus replies by demonstrating that the Kingdom of God has come unto the common people. The fulfillment of the Isaiah passage in 61 has been manifested in His ministry, and He is indeed the Messiah who was to come. Just not the Messiah that everybody was looking for or wanted. Not a military Messiah… in the flesh.D) Here is one line that cannot be escaped. For people that are woke, pc, me too, reparations, mother earth folks, cradle-to-grave people, and secularists. And ALSO Christians who don’t want to take their eternity very seriously. Jesus said, blessed are those who are not offended by Me. Did Jesus offend people continually? YES! Jesus gives the clue to those who are His. It’s people who are not offended by Jesus or by the people of Jesus.

The David Spoon Experience 5-25-23 Part 2

1) As we are at the midpoint of the big meeting of the Church of Jerusalem, regarding how things go in the church at large. We come to an interesting statement in verse 19. James says. We should stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God. I wish the denominations would emblazon this on the front of all their material. What this means is to stop adding to different believers, the things that believers themselves are personalizing in their walk unless it’s a non-negotiable. James states, “We don’t need to drop anything more on their heads.” Yes, that’s my paraphrase.2) In order to verify everything is as they say it is, they’re going to send a letter. The letter is coming from the apostles, the elders, and the whole church in Jerusalem. I think that’s important to note that everybody was involved. It wasn’t just the apostles. It wasn’t just the elders. It was everybody in the church. Everybody together looked at this and recognized, Wow, God has granted salvation to the Gentiles. Let’s not try and make this any harder than it already is.3) The letter concludes with two very significant points. This decision has been unanimous. Unanimously agreed upon. If anybody has been in church for more than two weeks, you know that any unanimously agreed upon decision is semi-miraculous. The other element he points out is that the official representatives carry this letter. In the negative sense, that shows that people who are not official representatives often come. That’s what scripture warns against. So we need to all be aware.

The David Spoon Experience 5-25-23 Part 1

A) The Apostle Paul now makes a point that we need to be aware of. It’s about how we engage with one another. From now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. What that means in its most practical application is that you don’t think of people the way that you used to think of people. You think of people with the nature of Jesus.B) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The oldest past, the new has come. That is Super Duper Fantastic. And I love it, and I live by it. But there’s a substantial difference for those people who are in Christ. In other words, when you walk in Christ, then you’re a new creature. When we don’t walk in Jesus or if we are not in Jesus, our old man, our old creature, is where we exist. We’re either in the Lord or not in the Lord. This isn’t eternity. This is practicality every day.C) There are many great theological definitions for reconciliation. But one of my favorites is to make it right between the two. We have been given a ministry of reconciliation through Christ. With that gift, we are encouraged to communicate that truth to others. Every person who is a believer in Jesus Christ has the Ministry of Reconciliation as part of their lives.

The David Spoon Experience 5-24-23 Part 2

1) And here we go with some more Spoon-Fed teaching on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. From prophecy, the gift that the Lord makes clear is the best because it blesses the most, to the discernment of spirits, the gift that is least used and the most needed in the collective and local church. We review the definition of this gift and examine the difference between the role of discernment and the Gift of Discerning Spirits. 2) It is important to understand that God, ACCORDING TO HIS WORD, does not want us to be ignorant regarding spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1). But too many people think that they are unworthy to operate in any sort of power encounter because they are not an apostle, or they are not holy enough. Let’s drop this down the garbage chute right away. Peter says, in Acts 3:12, When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness?”3) As we dig into the core of discerning, we are going to discover that there are various levels of things to be discerned, good and bad. That’s why discernment is needed. And there are some dangers that need to be addressed.

The David Spoon Experience 5-24-23 Part 1

A) Enter the true character that comes from Jesus. Even after David wants God to destroy his enemies by using Godzilla and Rodan, he comes to a momentary better reality. When his enemies were in a struggle, he took their grief upon himself. He stretched out his heart for their goodness. And they reciprocated by ridiculing and despising him. B) A great Bible Study comment on verse 13: “When David’s prayers seemed unanswered, he continued to carry the burden.” Paul says the same thing in Romans 9:3 when he states, For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race. It wasn’t going to happen, but Paul expressed the burden. C) But David has a heart for God. And his deeper character manifests at various moments. “Rescue me” is part one. And each one of us can identify with this. BUT before the rescue, David makes the commitment to share the praises of his deliverance with the family of God. Testify. And commit to testifying when the hand of God enters.

The David Spoon Experience 5-22-23 Part 2

DAVID HAS A FROGGY VOICE:
Plus, the first-time interview with Vilhelm Schpun, also known as Billy Spoon!
1) Job 25:2. He enforces peace in the heavens. We can all stand firm in understanding this; Earth is NOT the actual hotbed of activity in the universe. That is just the arrogance of humanity. We already know we’re not the only beings. We already know there are angels of different forms. We know there are good Angels, and we know there are bad angels, Seraphim and Cherubim. And we know there’s a dude named Satan. There are at least five other types of beings named right there. And we know there’s a whole universe beyond our understanding, but it doesn’t matter. The same God that’s in charge of the universe is the one that demonstrates His love for us. 2) How can a mere mortal stand before God and claim to be righteous? Let us keep this one easy; He can’t. She can’t. They can’t. It cannot be done. 1 Corinthians 1:29: No flesh shall ever glory before his presence. Nobody stands righteous before God. Nobody. Except for Jesus. And through His righteousness, we are able to stand. But only under His Advocacy.3) And occasionally, I just have to pull out these verses because they make me so happy. What are those verses that make me happy? Job 26:1-3? We cannot find too many better examples of scriptural references to sarcasm than we do right here. The word sarcasm means to cut the flesh. The ultimate reference point is that somebody should snip it when there’s too much flesh. That’s what sarcasm can do. So cut it out. Get it.

The David Spoon Experience 5-22-23 Part 1

DAVID HAS A FROGGY VOICE: 
A) The husband of one wife: Literally, the bishop must be a “one-woman man.” Although the phrase obviously prohibits polygamy, that is not the sole point. The dominant thought is monogamous fidelity; the bishop must be a faithful husband. For some, the phrase may refer to prohibiting remarriage after divorce, but Paul’s chief concern is the potential bishop’s conduct as a husband at the time of his candidacy for office.
B) Covering a few more of the qualifications, we continue to review what a person in church leadership needs to be like. HE…which is the designation for each of these. It is a male. You know, not to be confused with a female. And if someone has a problem because of how they FEEL about it, rewatch the movie Kindergarten Cop. Must be temperate, which means self-controlled. Sober-minded, which means safe thinking. The one about the booze is coming In a few. This leader must also be of good behavior and hospitable. I can’t think of any clear way to say that a leader cannot be a jerk. He can’t be self-centered and selfish.
C) Able to teach means being able to teach. That doesn’t mean they have to be professional. In fact, none of these qualifications require professionalism. That’s part of the problem that the church has, is that they think that everybody should be a pro who’s in leadership. Sometimes the best teachers are the quietest, most simplistic teachers who just help people draw closer to the Lord.
D) You can’t escape this one. It has to do with not being given to wine. It literally means that life is not taken over by wine or, of course, any other alcoholic drink or drug. A leader cannot be controlled by them.  These people cannot function in society. This does not mean that they cannot have a beer. This does not mean that they cannot have a glass of wine. Jesus had wine. They would not have charged him with being a drunkard if he didn't.