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
"You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command."
WHAT KIND OF HEART?
Purity
Gentleness
Courage
Mostly he saw a heart open to him and His will.
Yes there was imperfection
There would be a scandal that would rock the kingdom
There would be choices, which would bring difficult circumstances but mostly THERE WAS A DESIRE THAT LONGED FOR GOD!
Proverbs 23:19, Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.
David’s heart was on the right path
How does one keep their heart on the right path?
C. Swindoll suggest the following ABC’s
Attitude – mind, Phil 4:8 Whatever is true, pure… Dwell on these things
Beware – be one your watch
Communicate with God – Be Still and know
3. The choice of David demanded a change (READ 13-23)
What was the first thing David did after he was anointed king?
Go order a crown?
Get new business cards that said King Elect?
Ride through Bethlehem stating he was God’s new man?
He prepared himself through service – Josephus says that when he was anointed Samuel whispered in his ear you are the next king – can you imagine hearing those words – again his heart is revealed.
There was a contrast in the old and new
Saul was a man’s man – (head and shoulders) yet David was God’s man
Israel had demanded a King and God consented – Saul, Now God was placing his man on the throne
The example of God placing his man on the throne demonstrates how his will works – The will of God is scene in 3 dimensions – A) The person B) The Time C) THE Place. WHEN ALL THREE ARE BROUGHT IN LINE WITH THE WILL OF GOD FINDS SUCCESS AND COMPLETION
Israel was changed as well – soon the people would give their allegiance to David
Saul himself was changed one of the saddest passages in the Bible is found in verse 14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him
The lesson for God is that when his choice is made – his will demands changes
You cannot remain the same – C Colson – Prison Fellowship
Jeremiah said there is a fire in my bones
Maybe you become like David’s family – you see people in a different light
Chosen by God we are going to change – it is the nature
From lost to found
From sinner in rebellion
To servant in a relationship
Corruptible To incorruptible
Notice something about the change in David
1 Sam 16:21-23
21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers.
22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him."
23 Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
He did not become great overnight – no God still had to work through him, While he was anointed instantly he did not receive his crown until God was ready.
Interesting – we enter the watery grave and are forgiven instantly and yet we have not received our crown until God is ready.
PRAYER
