HEROES #4: DAVID’S UNDIGNIFIED DANCE
INTRO TO TOPIC: Review series on heroes.
Although Jesus is the world’s greatest superhero, God is calling every one of us to be heroes as well. Over the last two weeks we have taken a look at the life of David. His victory over the giant Goliath is an example for us as to how we can overcome the giant troubles in our lives. His friendship with Jonathan is an example for us for the kind of friendships that God wants us to have. This week, we’re going to take a look at the life of David one more time…
KEY TEXT: Daniel 11:32b.
“But the people who know their God will be strong and carry out great exploits.”
“’I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.” (Acts 13:22).
THE BIG IDEA: David was a man after God’s own heart. Therefore, his life is an example for us of someone who not only knew God personally, but was also a passionate worshipper of God. Like David, we need to learn to put God first in our lives – to live lives of absolute surrender.
BACKGROUND TO THE BIBLE STORY:
“1 Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. 3 So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark. 5 Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals. 6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. 8 And David became angry because of the Lord’s outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day. 9 David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, "How can the ark of the Lord come to me?" 10 So David would not move the ark of the Lord with him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 11 The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months. And the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his household.” (2 Samuel 6:1-11).
• One of the good things that came out of this experience was that David developed a healthy fear of the Lord – a respect for a holy God.
BIBLE STORY – DAVID’S UNDIGNIFIED DANCE: ILLUSTRATE
• CAST: King David, those carrying the ark, two trumpeters, Michal
“12 Now it was told King David, saying, "The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness. 13 And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. 14 Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. 16 Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.” (2 Samuel 6:12-16).
• Remember the Bible says that David was a man after God’s own heart:
• David danced before the Lord with all of his might – leaping and whirling around.
• What kind of a worshipper are we? Are we like David, or are we more like Michal?
“20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, "How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!" 21 So David said to Michal, "It was before the Lord, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the Lord. 22 And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor." 23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.” (2 Samuel 6:20-23).
• Michal criticized David for his undignified dance. What was his response?
• “It was before the Lord.” In other words, he was doing it for an audience of one.
• Sometimes we care more about what other people around us think than what God thinks.
HOW CAN WE BECOME MEN AND WOMEN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART?
“A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.
STORY: A drunk stumbles into a baptismal service on Sunday afternoon down by the river. He proceeds to walk into the water and stand next to the preacher. The minister notices the old drunk and says, "Mister, are you ready to find Jesus?" The drunk looks back and says, "Yes, preacher, I sure am." The minister dunks the fellow under the water and pulls him right back up. "Have you found Jesus?" the preacher asks. "Nooo, I have not reverend.”
The preacher, in disgust, holds the man under for at least 30 seconds this time, brings him out of the water, and says in a harsh tone, "My man, have you found Jesus yet?" The old drunk wipes his eyes and says to the preacher, "Are you sure this is where he fell in?”
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.” (Psalm 63:1-6).
1. We need to put God first and seek Him all day long (v.1). Prayer & Bible reading
2. We need to thirst after God – to surrender wholly to Him alone (v.1).
3. When we do this, we will be satisfied, joyful, passionate praisers (v.5).
CLOSING STORY: “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42).
What was Jesus saying? ONE THING: Put God first!
CLOSING PRAYER: ABSOLUTE SURRENDER
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
