Chosen For Greatness Series

INTRODUCTION, We are a country of superlatives – have you ever noticed how many things we think are great?

We talk of the greatest sporting event or the greatest team

We speak of great actors or great performances

Muhammad Ali once pronounced he was the greatest!

To be honest like beauty – greatness is in the eye of the beholder. In our culture greatness is simply too subjective. It seems it is always changing – next week we will find the next great thing.

Over the next few weeks I want us to look at a king in the Bible whom many consider the greatest king of Israel – David.

David’s great ness is not found in his role as a…

Father – Family rebelled

Moral leader – Sin with Bath Sheba, the cover up and murder

Builder – Could not build the temple because he was a man of war/blood

What makes him so unique is not that he was born to greatness – heir of the king, but that he was chosen for greatness. Chosen by God

In Eph 1:4-5 Paul writes about the choices God makes note – For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.

Now just as David was chosen for greatness – so we can be chosen as well to do great things for God.

IN 1 SAMUEL 16 I WANT US TO NOT THREE QUALITIES OF David’s LIFE WHICH MADE HIM THE CHOICE FOR GREATNESS

READ TEXT 1 Samuel 16:1-5

1. The Choice of David was different from that of men

We love to compare – I believe it is the favorite indoor sport of America

Have you been to a H.S. or College Reunion? Job, Prestige, Accomplishment

(JOKE) 3 boys were talking about their dads – and the subject came up about how much each father made – The first boy said my dad is a cooperate attorney he makes $700 dollars an hour, The second boy was unfazed - he said my dad is a brain surgeon he makes $1,000 an hour. The third boy looked at the other 2 and said my dad is a minister – I don’t know how much he makes, but every week he prays for 2 minutes and 8 men are needed to carry money to him.

When it comes to comparing we need to see with our heart and not our eyes (Read 6-10)

Impressive line up

Eliab – surely the Lords anointed – NO – Why not Eliab – In Chapter 17 we get a view of his character – he was negative and condescending toward his brother David - 1 Sam 17:28, When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle."

Character is not revealed by how you treat those who above you your character is revealed by how you treat people below you.

Abinadb - NO

Shammah – NO

7 sons passed by and none of them made the cut

F. Then came the question – Is there anyone else?

1 Sam 16:11-12, So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but (His own father did not recognize his son’s potential) he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."

G. How do you make choices?

Are they in God’s will or your desire

Are they in the frame work of his word or in your preference

Consider how Jesus made choices

Chose his 12 disciples

Went to the cross

PRAYER WAS AN UNDERLYING SOURCE OF HIS CHOICE _ IF YOU’RE YOUR NOT PRAYING YOUR NOT MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES

2. The Choice of David was determined by the state of David’s heart

David was nurtured by God

The role of the shepherd required solitude

Psalms could only come from someone who knew God intimately

David learned to use his waiting time well – how do you use your waiting time? NOTES, READ, MEMORIZE – David was ready for the big moment because he was preparing in the small moments.

When God saw David he saw his heart

Saul and Samuel’s conversation 1 Sam 13:13-14