DUTY
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Duty: The Leaders Sublime Characteristic
Duty: The Leaders Sublime Characteristic
Duty: The obligation to fulfill a responsibility or task.
David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him.
And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.
God’s front-liners are a strange breed!
A motley crew, a diverse crew.
These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time.
And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated.
He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.
And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines.
But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.
Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”
So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord.
Dug from the world’s slime pits, they are fashioned into a unique, diverse, and special lot.
Although different from each other, several common traits flow in their veins.
Tonight I want to emphasize one of them.
ALL ARE DISCIPLINED TO DUTY!
Duty is not exactly a glamour word!
People rarely enthusiastically discuss their duties.
Instead they talk about their privileges and freedoms.
General Robert E. Lee: “Duty is the most sublime word in the English language.”
sub·lime
/səˈblīm/
adjective
of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.
LEE’S CHARACTERISTICS:
High morals
empeccable reputation
A gentleman
Never used a profane word
Never drank or smoked
Was respected and admired by the Union Army which he fought against
Actually President Lincoln offered him the command of the North’s army.
Although Mr. Lee did not beleive in slavery he struggled mightily with his answer to President Lincoln.
Major Question:
Where does my duty lay?
With my native Virginia or the Union?
This decision about where his duty lay, cost him his citizenship and the right to vote in the United States of America.
DAVID’S MIGHTY MEN:
If the walls of Adullam could talk - what a story would be told.
Adino the Eznite, who lifted his spear against 800 whom he slew.
Eleazar the son of Dodo, … who smote the Philistines until his hand was weary and clave to his sword.
Shammah the son of Agee, … defender of the ground full of lentils.
There were more - 33 in all - Mighty leaders
What’s that I hear? “…three mighty men brake through...”
Duty and beyond took over!
Anybody who has negative characteristics has hope.
1. Duty at times takes risks
1. Duty at times takes risks
2 Samuel 23:16 (NKJV)
So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water ...
Greece said - Be wise, know yourself
Rome said - Be strong, discipline yourself
Judaism said - Be holy, conform yourself
Epicureanism said - Be sensuous, enjoy yourself
Education says - Be resourceful, expand yourself
Psychology says - Be confident, fulfill yourself
Materialism says - Be acquisitive, please yourself
Pride says - Be superior, secure yourself
Asceticism says - Be inferior, suppress yourself
Diplomacy says - Be reasonable, control yourself
Humanism says - Be capable, trust yourself
Philanthropy says - Be unselfish, give yourself
Charles Swindoll
I would like to add one more!
Duty says - Forget yourself!
There is a scourge of “Me first” mentality in this generation!
DUTY CULTIVATES SACRIFICE
Submerge ourselves unto the greater cause.
2. Duty does not always seek wages.
2. Duty does not always seek wages.
Money cannot buy everything!
In fact the real expensive things in life are free:
God, family, sleep, health, love, nature.... and tons more!
POINT: Some things are bigger than money and ONE OF THEM IS DUTY!
The committee of “Mighty Men” in the “Cave of Adullam” never gave money or wages a second thought!
It’s man’s first duty to seek the spiritual ahead of the natural.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
“FOOL” was the word Jesus used in reference to the farmer of Luke 12:16-21.
This rancher traded the material for the Spiritual and lost.
HE FORGOT HIS DUTY!
HE FORGOT HIS DUTY BIG TIME!
Every leader should evaluate the areas of his life - not up for sale!
Character
Word
Family
PUT DUTY ON THE LIST
3. Duty always wants to please the Boss
3. Duty always wants to please the Boss
And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”
So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord.
David: “…longed…and said…give me water...”
The Mighty Men: “drew water…and brought it to David...”
DUTY SEEKS TO PLEASE THE BOSS
Adino pleased
Eleazer pleased
Shammah pleased
They were men of DUTY!
4. Duty is driven by a cause
4. Duty is driven by a cause
Life should at all times be lived for something bigger than self.
Let me give you the first three principles my father taught me regarding the Kingdom of God.
The cause is greater than the cause bearer
The cause is greater than the cause bearer
The cause is greater than the cause bearer
NOT BAD THEOLOGY!
5. Duty is fostered by a disciplined life.
5. Duty is fostered by a disciplined life.
Nothing deterred these mighty men of valour.
Not the weariness of the journey;
not the facing of enemy troops -
NOTHING! They were steeled and disciplined.
In a general sense, self-discipline is the ability to regulate conduct by principle.
Disciplined people are not ruled by impulse, desire, high pressure or social customs.
It is the art of SUBORDINATING SELF.
Appetites
Emotions
Moods
Speech
Priorities
Work habits
Adjustment to authority
PEOPLE OF DISCIPLINE USUALLY ARE PEOPLE OF DUTY!
IN CONCLUSION: BUCKLE UP FOR A QUIZ
List four people whose company you enjoy:
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List six people who have helped you get where you are:
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Think of three people who have helped you get where you are:
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Think of three people who have helped you through stormy waters:
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Name a couple of people who have inspired your life:
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Total them up! Are not most of them responsible characters of DUTY?