Removing the Limits in Life
2 Samuel 5:1-5
May 9, 2010
Evening Service
During his first year of graduate study at the University of California at Berkeley, George B. Dantzig (later known as the father of linear programming) arrived late for a statistics class. He saw two problems on the blackboard. Assuming they were homework, he copied them and a few days later turned in his solutions. One Sunday morning six weeks afterward, the professor appeared at Dantzig's door, waving a manuscript. It turned out that the professor had merely written two examples of unsolvable problems on the blackboard. The manuscript was Dantzig's work readied for publication.
Reader's Digest, September 1990.
Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them, but do not let them master you." Helen Keller
The difference between what we can do and what others believe we can do is vast. Most people either sell themselves short or sell the lives of others short. Many times we will never know what we are capable of until we make an attempt.
What are some of the greatest limitations that people deal with? How many of these limitations are self imposed and how many are imposed by others?
1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, `You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.' " 3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
One of the greatest stories of people overcoming limitations and challenges is King David.
Think about some of the challenges he needed to overcome
* Youngest of Jesse’s sons and considered the least
* Shepherd by trade - one of the lowest occupations
* Comes from a family of little reputation and even less political power
* King Saul sought to kill him
* David is anointed king but has to fight to get the throne
* David flees from the presence of Saul
* David must seize the right to his first wife after he re-takes Jerusalem
Comparison between David and Saul
Saul had a lack of faith that placed a great limit on his ability to follow God and to obey the direction of God.
History – Good kings versus bad kings (Maxwell Leadership Bible)
Good kings Bad Kings
Loyalty from people Rebellion from people
Victory over sin Bondage to sin
Enjoyed peace suffered turmoil
Affirmed as prophets rebuked by prophets
Prosperous endured hardships
Opposed evil kings opposed good kings
Ways people limit themselves
1. Fear
2. Fatigue
3. Failure
4. Frustration
5. Forgetfulness – missed blessings
6. Focus on past
Ways to rise above limitations
1. Faith
2. Passion
3. Persistence
4. Patience
5. Discipline
Ways to make a difference
How can we become make a difference people?
1. Put others first
2. Positive attitude
3. Take Initiative
4. Add value to others
5. Give without strings
