No Man Left Behind

Psalm 133

The Excellency of Brotherly Unity.

1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
for brothers to dwell together in unity!

unity
1. The state of being one; oneness.
2. The state or fact of being united or combined into one, as of the parts of a whole; unification.
synonym: alliance, harmony, interconnection, rapport , peace
antonym: partiality

David and Jonathan had a unity and a brotherhood

let’s read a little about them
1 Samuel 18

Jonathan and David

1 Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that (a)the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and (b)Jonathan loved him as himself.
2Saul took him that day and (c)did not let him return to his father's house.
3Then (d)Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
4(e)Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt.


Jonathan is the King’s (Saul’s) son, yet he takes off his own robe and gave it to David who was but young teenager.

Jonathan was a warrior like David, 1 Samuel 14, speaks off him going out to fight against the Philistines

Jonathan was supposed to die because he violated the rules of his father the King
Yet, the people called for amnesty, and he escaped death (1 Samuel 14)


Jonathan could have easily become prideful and arrogant as the King’s son
so what would cause Jonathan to become united to David? The answer is that their relationship was centered in divine grace ordained by God.


Jonathan recognized David as a warrior, favored by God. He could see the relationship David had with God because he to had a relationship with God.



Unity and brotherhood is vital to men regardless of their relationship with God. I believe that all men have a need for fellowship and unity, and desire to be part of something regardless of actions( men look at the outward appearance, but God sees the heart). Don't be fool by men that pretend to be strong and independent, or those that struggle to fit in with the group and seemingly prefer to be alone. Men like this most likely are hurting, or bound by sin, and cannot enter in.


When we speak about men in the Kingdom, men in Christ, it is even more crucial that their be unity. We all need relationships like David and Jonathan. These relationships save us from things that desire to destroy us. Jonathan warned David of Saul’s plans to kill him, not because he was to be the next King, but because of a covenant relationship they shared.


A covenant is more than just words.

A covenant is formed in the sight of God, it is the union of souls, with the spirit of God in the midst. For Christians, this should produce one heart, one soul, and manifest love. This kind of relationship is not easily broken down by carnality.

Romans 15

1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."[a] 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I would like us to focus on something this week and in the months ahead. I am done preaching this for a while, but today we need to think about this statement, No man left behind. We all need to find a brother, or two and have our hearts knit together. Where would we all be if the men that reached us, had kept Jesus all to themselves, had not encouraged us to endure, to persevere in our walk. No man left behind means we need to be like Jesus and humble ourselves, lay aside our rights, our needs, and focus on the needs of those around us. Even the tough one's, or the one's that insult or offend. This takes time, patience, endurance, and heart.

Look at Ephesians 4
2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.

Let us forget about what we know about people, and gently love them!


Ephesians 4
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

You are not an infant anymore( if you are, why are you?)
You are not easily swayed by the next thing.
You need to speak the Truth to others in love that they not be left behind, or left out.

Loving is work! Each of us has a part to perform if we are to strengthen and sharpen the body, and ourselves!

Ephesians 4
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

We need to watch our mouth.
We need to speak life to the men around us (words have power).
Otherwise there will be no benefit.
We need to watch that we are right in the spirit!

I believe that the spirit is saying to us on the eve of this retreat

Leave no one out.
Leave no one behind.
No man left alone on the battlefield.

Where are you today?

Remember that everyday you can make a difference and help strengthen what remains.
The Kingdom of God needs men like Jonathan, today more than ever.