King David - A Nobody Becomes A Somebody! Series

Series: Never Seen Before in 2024

Thesis: We are asking God to help us see things in His Word that we have never seen before in 2024! We will be exploring the life of King David, and I pray your eyes are open to what to do and what not to do! David’s life is an example for us to learn and grow by!

Sermon - King David - A Nobody Becomes a Somebody!

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16, 17

Thesis: God takes nobodies with a right heart on the inside and makes them some-bodies. It all starts in the heart! - a heart that seeks to do the will of God no matter what!

Illustration: A group of High School students were asked recently “If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?” Do you know what they said?

Was it I wish “I had better grades?”

Was it I wish “I was healthier?”

Was it I wish “I had more money?”

Was it I wish “I had more athletic ability?”

Was it I wish “I was more popular?”

Was it I wish “I was holier?”

Was it I wish “I was more patient?”

No, it was none of the above – 90% responded in this survey with this answer “I would change my physical appearance.” This was the overwhelming response of some of today’s High School students. Pastor Erickson states this about our study, “The girls wanted to be thinner, the boys wanted to be taller, and both wanted to be free of acne” (2).

I add today we deal with an identity crisis among our young people – I blame social media, our school systems, our government and most of The devil’s scheme of deception.

This obsession with appearance though is not just a teen fad. The Pioneer Press this week noted how diet fads are causing major health problems in the U.S. People are damaging their bodies internally even to the point of death to look better on the exterior surface.

Other reports have observed that today people are spending millions on face lifts, tummy tucks, lipo suction, plastic surgery and other cosmetic surgeries so they appear better looking. You could realistically say that America is obsessed with their exterior appearance at the risk of damaging their internal organs and putting their lives at risk.

Pastor Erickson reiterates the problem, “It is not that people are merely dissatisfied with how they look, many are depressed by their appearance and obsessed with finding a way to change it. Many of us have totally forgotten that it is not the outside, but the inside, the inner character, that really counts” (2).

Recall what I Samuel 16:7b states, “…The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

As we explore the life of King David remember this Bible verse: Acts 13:22 “22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”

David's whole life was about listening to God and then obeying. That's why he was a man after God's own heart, someone who would do all of God's will. In contrast, Saul did his own thing and did not take time to listen to the Lord's instructions. Even when he did receive them, he did not carry them out fully.

Saul did not fully listen to God like David did!

Texts: I Samuel 16,17:

Chapter 16

1The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me.”

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

10 “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 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.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power.