Popularity Contest Series

Sunday Morning August 16, 2009

Bel Aire Baptist Church

Series: Pot Holes [#7]

POPULARITY CONTEST

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Introduction:

Have you ever been driving down the road and watched a car load of boys or girls showing off? It seems like often times they are in a convertible sports car or a jeep and they are all over the place. Why would they do that? Simple- Because it makes them look cool to everyone else. Being popular and caring what other people think about you is a huge thing.

Often times, we are so worried about what other people think; that we don’t do what the Lord wants us to do. God has not called us to a popularity contest. We need to not be so worried about what others think and be focused on what God says.

1 Samuel 16:1-13

To avoid the pothole of popular opinion…

1. Quit worrying.

We see the pattern of worry in these verses.

> Worry begins when we become inactive. Samuel was moping around and crying about what Saul had done. Was that going to change what happened? Was that going to choose a new king? Was that going to move God’s people forward?

> Worry turns into fear. Samuel didn’t want to do anything because he was convinced that Saul would kill him.

> Worry is contagious. Samuel was worried about Saul and the elders were worried about Samuel.

How to kill worry...

> Get up and be active.

> Do what the Lord says to do.

> Encourage others to worship and serve the Lord.

To avoid the pothole of popular opinion…

2. Quit assuming.

Don’t assume that…

> God is going to follow our traditions. The tradition at that time was that the 1st born would be king.

> God sees as we see. We look at the outside, but God looks at the heart.

How to kill assuming…

> Seek God before you do anything else.

> Continue on until God gives you an answer. Samuel went son by son until he ran out of sons. Then he asked Jesse if there were any other sons and he told him about David. At that point, Samuel said he would not sit down until David got there.

Conclusion:

As soon as God told Samuel that David was the one, then Samuel was told to anoint him as king.

We need to wait for God to direct us and not make decisions based upon popular opinion; but when He does answer, we need to obey.

There are times that we know what God wants us to do, but we won’t do it because it is not popular. So what? Who are we going to follow- Man or God?