Sermon Central
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Cultivating A Heart For God
Contributed by David Owens on Jan 5, 2009 (message contributor)
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1. God Knows What He Is Looking For
Contributed on Jan 5, 2009
This is the first in a series on the life of David. After giving some background, this lesson focuses on how God chooses and prepares His servants.
Introduction A. Happy New Year church family! Welcome to 2009 – the last year of the first decade of the 21st century! Hard to believe. B. Have you chosen any resolutions for the new year? 1. I heard about a man who announced that he was starting a diet as the new year began. 2. His ...read more
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2. David The Music Minister
Contributed on Jan 13, 2009
The way that David’s music ministered to Saul’s heart, music in worship can minister to ours. I include some suggestions for getting the most out of our music in worship.
Introduction: A. Music is a powerful force – It gets our attention; it grabs our hearts; it transforms our souls. 1. This is the case because God has made it so. 2. God is the one who has created music and created us in a way that music ministers to us. 3. Not only that, God has also given ...read more
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3. David The Giant Slayer
Contributed on Jan 19, 2009
We can learn to much from David about how to fight our own giants. Perhaps the most important lesson is for us to remember is that the battle is the Lord’s.
Introduction: A. An archaeologist was digging in the Negev Desert in Israel and came upon a casket containing a mummy. 1. After examining it, he called the curator of a prestigious natural-history museum and said, “I’ve just discovered a 3,000 year-old mummy of a man who died of heart ...read more
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4. Back To Life, Back To Reality
Contributed on Jan 26, 2009
In the aftermath of defeating Goliath, David experienced a number of significant relationships. I this lesson we try to apply a number of things that David learned from these relationships.
Introduction: A. The story is told of three men who began talking one day about their wives. 1. The first man said, “When we got married, I told my wife in no uncertain terms that from now on she would have to do all the cooking. Well, the first day after I told her, I saw nothing. The second ...read more
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5. Every Crutch Removed
Contributed on Feb 3, 2009
We learn in this lesson that even when all our crutches are removed and all the we have is God - that God is more than enough.
Introduction: A. I like the story told of the jet that was making a transatlantic flight, when suddenly the pilot’s voice came on the intercom: “Those of you on the left side of the plane have probably noticed that one of our engines has failed. Please do not be alarmed. We can still fly on ...read more
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6. David The Caveman
Contributed on Feb 9, 2009
There is much that we can learn from the way David reacts to his circumstances in the cave of Adullam.
Introduction: A. I thought we would start with a little humor from some cartoons I came across this week. 1. “Peter finds his faith much stronger in the winter.” Walking on the water is nothing if the water is frozen! 2. “Another Eskimo baptism gone bad.” The preacher should have kept his ...read more
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7. Better Than Revenge
Contributed on Feb 16, 2009
In this lesson we see David put in two situations where he could enact revenge on Saul. In both cases he does not take matters into his own hands, but trusts in the Lord. We learn the lesson that we can experience something better than revenge.
Introduction: A. One day an elderly lady was getting ready to pull her Cadillac into a parking space when a young man whipped into her spot in his red sports car. 1. He got out and she put her window down and said, “Who do you think you are, Sonny?” 2. The young man replied, “I’m young and I’m ...read more
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8. Abigail Saves The Day
Contributed on Feb 23, 2009
David, our hero, is about to make the biggest mistake of his life, but Abigail saves the day.
Introduction: A. One day a minister noticed that he was putting his congregation to sleep with a rather dry sermon. 1. To wake folks up he declared, “I lived with a woman for over 17 years who was not my wife!” 2. As you can imagine the sleepy heads in the pew quickly woke up and paid ...read more
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9. Saul's Final Act Of Disobedience
Contributed on Mar 3, 2009
In today’s lesson we see spiritual low point of Saul’s life when he reaches out to the occult for spiritual direction, and we learn from the lesson that God’s faithful people never turn in that direction.
Introduction: A. The story is told of two brothers, from a small town, who, over the course of many years, cheated, swindled, robbed and generally stole from everyone that they ever did business with. 1. The entire town and surrounding community reviled and despised these two brothers as ...read more
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10. Poor Choices And Difficult Days
Contributed on Mar 9, 2009
For 16 long months David lives distant from the Lord, but finally our hero turned to the Lord, and God was ready to help him.
Introduction: A. The story is told of a woman who went to the police station with her friend to report that her husband was missing. 1. The police officer asked for a description of her husband. 2. The wife said, “He’s 45 years old, six foot three, has blue eyes, blond hair, an athletic ...read more
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11. A Sad, Sad Ending
Contributed on Mar 16, 2009
As we look at the death of King Saul we are confronted with the reality of our own death and the need to be ready. We also are reminded of the grieving that results from all losses.
Introduction: A. If you bring up the subject of death and you will get many different reactions from people. 1. Some can easily and readily talk about it, and others cannot. B. When you ask children about death, they say some interesting things. 1. A 7 year-old boy named Alan said this, “God ...read more
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12. New King, Same Lord
Contributed on Mar 23, 2009
This sermon marks the middle point of our series on the life of David. So in this lesson we look backward and forward and we anticipate the lessons we will be learning in the rest of the series.
Introduction: A. The story is told of a time when the Pope had just finished a tour of the Napa Valley and was taking a limousine to San Francisco. 1. As the Pope talked with the chauffeur, he admitted that he had always wanted to drive a limo, but had never had the chance. 2. The chauffeur ...read more
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13. A Lesson Learned The Hard Way
Contributed on Mar 30, 2009
In this lesson King David learns that we must learn and obey the commands of God. Unfortunately, he learns that lesson the hard way.
Introduction: A. I love the old story of the man who bought a horse from the preacher. 1. The preacher told the man that it was a great old horse, but it had a few quirks. 2. The most important thing to remember is that the horse won’t go unless you say, “Praise the Lord,” and the horse won’t ...read more
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14. When God Says No
Contributed on Apr 13, 2009
David is a man after God’s own heart for sure. Just look at how he responds after hearing God say "no" to his plan to build the temple.
Introduction: A. I spent some time looking for a good joke to begin today’s sermon, but I came up empty. 1. When I got to thinking about it, I realized that today’s subject is not very funny. 2. None of us like to hear the answer “NO.” That’s true of children, teenagers and adults. B. I ...read more
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15. Keeping Promises And Extending Grace
Contributed on Apr 28, 2009
King David show wonderful grace toward Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth and we learn of our need to receive God’s grace and dispense grace to others.
Introduction: A. What do you think of when I say the word “GRACE”? 1. Many of us probably think of the prayer we offer at mealtimes. 2. The story is told of a family who was inspired to do something after hearing a great sermon on evangelism. a. So they invited their neighbors to dinner the ...read more
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16. Temptation, Sin, And Consequences (Part 1)
Contributed on May 19, 2009
David, the man after God’s own heart fell into sin. Looking at his life we can see how he allowed himself to end up in a weakened state, and we can learn from his mistakes how to avoid the same.
Introduction: A. Perhaps there have been times when you have felt like praying this prayer: “Dear Heavenly Father, I think you’d be proud of me! So far today I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, lusted, lost my temper, haven’t been greedy, grumpy, or selfish. Praise Your Name! I’m ...read more
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17. Temptation, Sin, And Consequences (Pt. 2)
Contributed on May 26, 2009
Nathan confronts David. David repents, is forgiven, but must still face the earthly consequences of his sin.
Introduction: A. The story is told of a young child at a Catholic school who went to confession. 1. Because the younger children at the parochial school often forgot their sins when they entered the confessional, the teachers would have the students write down a list of their sins. 2. As the ...read more
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18. Riding Out The Storm
Contributed on Jun 1, 2009
What should a person do you do when the consequences for their sin begins to catch up with them. Let’s learn from the example of David how to ride out the storm of heartache and trouble in the wake of his sin.
Introduction: A. The story is told of a man who lay sprawled across three entire seats in this posh theater. 1. When the usher came by and noticed this, he whispered to the man, “Sorry, sir, but you’re only allowed one seat.” 2. The man groaned but didn’t budge. The usher became ...read more
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19. You've Got A Friend
Contributed on Jun 8, 2009
As David’s world begins to crumble around him, his friends begin to show up and lend their support. A true friend is someone who comes in when the whole world has gone out.
Introduction: A. Let me begin with a couple of stories that illustrate a contrast in friendship. B. The story is told of a man who came home to find two little girls on the steps of his appartment building. Both were crying uncontrollably; shedding big tears. 1. Thinking they might be hurt, ...read more
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20. The Necessity And Beauty Of Forgiveness
Contributed on Jun 15, 2009
As David comes back into power, and returns to Jerusalem, Shimei seeks David’s forgiveness for the way he had offended David earlier. David graciously forgave him.
Introduction: A. In his book Lee: The Last Years, Charles Flood reports that after the Civil War, Robert E. Lee visited a Kentucky lady who took him to the remains of a grand old tree in front of her house. 1. There she cried bitterly that is limbs and trunk had been destroyed by Union ...read more
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21. Preparing To Build
Contributed on Jul 20, 2009
Even though David was not allowed to build the temple he threw his effort behind making preparations and inspiring Solomon for the work. David provides a good example for us as we seek to inspire our children to serve the Lord.
Introduction: A. Let’s begin with some statements from some great visionaries. 1. In 1859, Edwin L. Drake tried to enlist some drillers to help with his proposal to drill for oil. They said to him, “Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You’re crazy.” 2. In 1899, ...read more
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22. When The Godly Are Foolish
Contributed on Jul 20, 2009
David makes a disastrous mistake toward the end of his life that has grave consequences. A number of lessons can be learned from this about accountability and humility in the face of temptation.
Introduction: A. Let’s start with a knock knock joke. 1. “Knock Knock” “Who’s there?” 2. “Census!” “Census who?” 3. “Census summer time kids don’t have to go to school!” Good news for kids, bad news for parents. B. Maybe you have heard the old adage – we count people because people ...read more
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23. A Song Of Praise
Contributed on Jul 20, 2009
In spite of all that David has been through in his life, a song of praise has always been on his lips. In 2 Samuel 22, David sings a song of praise that teaches us about how we can always depend on God.
Introduction: A. How many of you like to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles? 1. One day a man went to the DMV and stood in line for what seemed like eons. 2. When it was finally his turn, the clerk typed his name into the computer and said, “That’s odd.” 3. “What’s wrong?” the man ...read more
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24. The Joyful Givers
Contributed on Jul 27, 2009
David inspires the nation to joyfully give toward the temple. We learn some important lessons about giving from David’s example and words.
Introduction: A. One day a father decided to take his son to McDonalds for some French fries, because he knew how much his young son loved French fries. 1. The boy was elated at his father’s offer, and so they drove to McDonalds. 2. As they placed their order, the young son was surprised when ...read more
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25. David Makes Solomon King
Contributed on Sep 8, 2009
Lessons from the end of David’s life.
Introduction: A. A precocious 10 year-old asked her grandmother, “Grandma, how old are you?” 1. Well, honey, when you’re my age, you don’t share your age with just anybody.” 2. “Please, I won’t tell,” said the granddaughter. 3. “No, it’s my secret,” said her grandmother. 4. About 20 minutes ...read more
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26. Famous Last Words
Contributed on Sep 8, 2009
Final words and lessons from David’s life.
Introduction: A. The story is told of an old man named Fred who had been a faithful Christian and was in the hospital, near death. 1. The family called their preacher to come stand with them. 2. As the preacher stood next to the bed, Ol’ Fred’s condition appeared to deteriorate and he motioned ...read more