How God Works In Our Lives

HOW GOD WORKS IN OUR LIVES

March 10, 2005 Jay Robison 1 SAMUEL 16:13-23

David is one of the heroes of the OT, wrote many Psalms

A great King, one who dropped Goliath in his tracks

Great military man, wise leader, won many battles

Before all of that though David was the youngest of 8 sons A scrawny kid who knew nothing about being a King

Not from royalty probably never been in a palace

Bible tells us that God worked in David’s life

To make him that great leader, & ways God worked in his life Same ways God works in our lives to make us great for God

David comes on the scene in I Samuel 16

Saul the king has turned away from God

So God sent Samuel to find a new king for Israel

Sent to house of Jesse where he saw fine looking strong boys Said to self over and over again, this must be the one But God never said go ahead anoint him as king

Jesse did not even have small David meet Samuel

Even the dad was so sure Samuel could not choose David

But God did and worked in David’s life to make him great

3 ways God worked in David’s life how God works in ours

1. God Imparts SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Look at 16:13 NRSV Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him. . And, the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward

Something special about David from that day forward

He was divinely equipped to do what God wanted

Spirit gift upon him People knew this guy special

Don’t you want that? For people to say WOW

something about them I feel closer to God

They live their life at a different plane

Some people say I don’t have any spiritual gifts, flunked God May think they are not spiritual enough for them Some people are just plain lazy and don’t want to find out Ignorance is bliss, I can say didn’t know then no responsible

Listen to what I Cor 12:4-7 tells us about these gifts God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit,and to all kinds of people! The Message

Underline various gifts handed out everywhere

Originate in God’s Spirit and Each person given them

Then reason we have them show who God is

Some people love to pray for others Gift of prayer

Some love giving $$ to help others Gift of giving.

Gift of service people always busy helping others

“Family gifts” benefit church, exhortation, missionary, music Evangelism God-given ability to share faith so people want it Teaching when study understand and help others understand

Warren book Purpose Driven Life 2 problems w\spiritual gifts

GIFT ENVY compare our abilities and gifts to others. Then we might feel tempted to feel jealous of others or feel dissatisfied with what God has given us.

GIFT PROJECTION when you expect other people to have your gift, do things as you do them & to feel same way you do about subject w\same passion. Just isn’t going to happen.

Purpose of the gifts is to build up church & equip it to become mature & complete, then each of us have a responsibility to find out in what ways we have been gifted so that we will become a productive part of the body of Christ.

We help build up others & they help to build us up too.

We grow and depend on one another

As I share my gifts you yours build together

Also as I serve in my giftedness no frustrated

2. We Have TALENTS AND ABILITIES

Problem in the passage, Saul has an evil spirit from God In O.T. everything was attributed to God, or was under god’s providence so it was not uncommon to write something was “from” God when really they were saying, “God allowed or permitted an evil or troubling spirit to torment him

When King Saul was troubled in his mind he sought relief Asks all his advisors who for help, finally one says in Vs 18 “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem play the harp. He is brave and courageous. He is a good speaker and handsome, and the LORD is with him.” Vs 18

David had God given talent play harp; spiritual gift and ability David known as a mighty, courageous & brave, man shown through experiences in life, David was patriotic and loyal. David had an ability to speak in public talent & spiritual gift, to be used for God; motivated people around him a leader If you are a leader, use that talent for God, lead for God