Opening Video Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6DtRmyx1bA
David Platt on the importance of the Holy Spirit
Series: Soul Care and the Holy Spirit
Thesis: The Holy Spirit is active in the care of our souls if we let Him. He wants to comfort us, lead us, guide us, direct us, teach us and empower us. He wants us to be ìChrist likeî and ìdo the work of the Kingdomî in the here and now.
Tag line: A Spiritless Christian will produce a Spiritless Church! A Spirit less Christian is powerless and will produce a powerless Spiritless Church. A Spiritless Christian has a Spiritless soul which craves a connection to the Holy Spirit.
Key Verses:
John 14:15-18:
15 ìIf you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you foreveró17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Jesus promised not to abandon us so He sent us the Holy Spirit ñ who cares for our soul and spirits.
Hebrews 4:12-13:
ì12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from Godís sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.î
This work here described in Hebrews is done by and through the Holy Spirit. It is describing the soul care process done by the Holy Spirit in conjunction with Godís Word.
Introduction to series:
The Holy Spirit played an active role in the Old Testament in the care and empowering of peoples souls. We need to look at these peopleís lives to see what the Holy Spirit did for them. What His role was in their lives. How He impacted them and even corrected them. How he empowered them for certain tasks. How He directed and guided. We need to learn from how they managed or yielded to the Holy Spirit so we do it right. We need to learn what to do and what not to do as the Holy Spirit empowers us.
Summary Sermon 1: Moses and the Holy Spirit
Last week we looked at Moses and the elders and saw how God helped them deal with the crisis of complaining and grumbling crowds of people (About 2 million people). We saw how the Holy Spirit cared for the soul of Moses when He was overwhelmed by the complaining and hostile crowds toward God. God empowered others to carry Moses load so that the people could be directed and corrected properly. We see how the Holy Spirit empowered these elders for their leadership task and we see how they were given the Holy Spirit ñ the same spirit on Moses to be able to lead. The sign of their spirit empowerment was that they prophesied ñ and declared the wonders of God, the majesty of God to a bunch of people who were complaining about God. From our Old Testament story God intervened to help Mosesí overwhelmed soul by spreading the influence and power of the Holy Spirit onto others. We also learned of Moses great prayer to Joshuaî ìAre you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORDís people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!î
That prayer came to pass in Acts 2 and we benefit from this generous act of Jesus ñ he sent us the Holy Spirit so we would not feel orphaned and he not just comes on us like He did in the Old Testament time but He will live inside of us and fill us with His presence and goodness ñ and with that comes power to change the world.
Sermon 2: Saul and the Holy Spirit
Thesis: Saul life is a tragic illustration of someone who grieved the Holy Spirit repeatedly and eventually God totally withdrew His precious Holy Spirit. After the loss of the Holy Spirit Saul becomes a depressed, jealous, fearful individual who loses it all.
Lesson from Saul: He had it all and then lost it all because of His disobedience to the word of the Lord. We learn what not to do from Saulís tragic life and death and see how serious it is to grieve the Holy Spirit through acts of sin and rebellion to God.
Sermon3: David and the Holy Spirit
Thesis: The Holy Spirit takes nobodies and makes them into somebodies and He did this with David. Itís easy to see from Davidís early life that he was a man after Godís own heart, he loved the Lord. He was also very diligent in seeking the Lordís direction in everything he did except one night! This sin with Bathsheba set David on a skid into adultery and murder. But in the end he repented of His sin from within his heart and was forgiven. Thus he earned the tile ìA Man after Godís Own Heart!î
Highlighted Scripture Texts:
Davidís is empowered with the Holy Spirit to be King:
1 Samuel 16:13 "Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah."
1 Samuel 16
1The LORD said to Samuel, ìHow 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.î
7But the LORD said to Samuel, ìDo 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.î
11So he asked Jesse, ìAre these all the sons you have?î ìThere is still the youngest,î Jesse answered, ìbut he is tending the sheep.î Samuel said, ìSend for him; we will not sit down£ until he arrives.î
12So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, ìRise and anoint him; he is the one.î
13So 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. Samuel then went to Ramah.
14Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
21David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers.
22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, ìAllow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.î
23Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel betterÖ
Introduction:
As I read about David again I am reminded that God does not look at the outward appearance of a person but at their heart ñ which could also be called you soul. God looks at our souls and sees what drives us, what we love, and sees where he rates in our souls.
Illustration: A group of High School students were asked recently ìIf you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?î Do you know what they said?
Was it I wish ìI had better grades?î
Was it I wish ìI was healthier?î
Was it I wish ìI had more money?î
Was it I wish ìI had more athletic ability?î
Was it I wish ìI was more popular?î
Was it I wish ìI was holier?î
Was it I wish ìI was more patient?î
No it was none of the above ñ 90% responded in this survey with this answer ìI would change my physical appearance.î This was the overwhelming response of some of todayís High School students. Pastor Erickson states this about our study, ìThe girls wanted to be thinner, the boys wanted to be taller, and both wanted to be free of acneî (2).
This obsession with appearance though is not just a teen fad. The Pioneer Press a few years ago noted how diet fads are causing major health problems in the U.S.. People are actually 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.
Pastor Erickson reiterates the problem, ìIt 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 countsî (2).
Recall what I Samuel 16:7b states, ìÖThe Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.î You can substitute heart here for soul. God looks at your soul ñ your inner being!
There are 66 chapters that speak about David in the Old Testament. As a matter of fact, there are more references to David in the Bible than any other person. Davidís name means, ìbelovedî and God calls this man in Acts 13:22-23:
After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him; ëI have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to doí ìFrom this manís descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.
Yes, David was noted as a man after Godís own heart. David fit the description in I Samuel 13:14 ìÖ the Lord has sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him leader of his peopleÖî
In the Old Testament the term heart, implied emotions, the reason, and the will (Vine, 547). So when God raised up David, He raised up an individual whose heart was directed by Godís emotions or we could say Godís desires and dislikes, Godís reason of right and wrong, Godís will to be done and not Davidís will.
The term heart in the New Testament and Old Testament comes to mean a manís entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional elements. Vine notes, ìthe heart is used figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life.î (547). Ephesians 6:6 refers to those who ìdo the will of God from the heart.î
David sought God with his whole heart and his life reflected it. Remember, Davidís epitaph as given to him by God is, ìI have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.î
Illustration: His heart in it!
Video Illustration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a7yn1kTy4E
The story of James Robinson who walks to and from work 5 days a week in Detroit. He covers about 21 miles a day. Between bus and walking.
This individualís heart was and is in his work and he was proud of it. Davidís heart was wrapped up with God. Note what Apperly says, ìThe heart of a man is like a creeping plant, which withers unless it has something around which it can entwine.î
Jesus warned us in Luke 12:34, ìFor where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.î Davidís heart was engulfed in God!
T.S.-David teaches us how the Holy Spirit takes a nobody and enables them to become a somebody - He had three essential character traits we must have to go from a nobody to a somebody with the help of the Holy Spirit:
I. David first of all had a fully devoted heart to God (I Samuel 16).
a. To be somebody you need to have a fully devoted heart to God ñ itís not an option but an essential quality God is looking for.
i. Davidís heart was wrapped up in God!
1. This is why God choose him after Saulís crashing and burning as king of Israel to be the new king. The key was God saw his heart ñ his soul its dedication and commitment to Him.
2. So God says I reject Saul whose heart is for himself and I will pull my Holy Spirit off him and place on David ñ he has the right kind of soul!
a. Important point: God cares about whatís on the inside of you not the outside appearance!
i. He is more concerned about your soul than your looks!
ii. God wants to place His Holy Spirit in you ñ fill you and empower your soul to be all you can be for him.
iii. He wants to take you from a nobody to a somebody with his Holy Spirit.
3. Davidís heart was blazing ñ burning for God!
a. It burned Hot. It burned intensely. It sizzled for the Lord.
b. Leviticus 6:12-13: 12The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. 13The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.
i. This is the theme of our National Convention April 21-24.
ii. Invite the church ñ convention.fcaministers.com
c. Davidís heart was burning passionately for God! Our hearts need to be just like Davidís if we want to empowered with the Holy Spirit!
i. Passion- is defined as an intense emotional drive or excitement for something.
d. Swindoll notes, ìThe first quality God saw in David was spirituality. ëThe Lord has sought out Öa man after His own heart? Seems to me, it means that you are a person whose life is in harmony with the Lord. What is important to Him is important to you. What burdens Him burdens you. When he says, ëGo to the right,í you go to the right. When He says, ëStop that in your life,í you stop it. When He says, this is wrong and I want you to change,í you come to terms with it because you have a heart for God. Thatís bottom line Biblical Christianityî (6).
i. Do you want to be somebody? Then let your heart burn passionately ñcompletely for Him. He is looking for individuals who are completely sold out to Him.
b. David was so engulfed in God that his life in public and in private reflected his love for the Lord!
i. When you study Davidís life you discover that he came from an isolated place where no one knew his name. But it was back on the fields where he developed a fully devoted heart to God (I Samuel 16:11-13, and 19 ñafter his anointing).
1. His one on one encounters with the Lord in the fields with the sheep developed his mature heart/soul.
2. It was in solitude where he grew spiritually. His early life encompassed private time with the Lord.
ii. To become fully devoted to God happens first in your private time with the Lord.
1. Itís amazing how the Lord trains a lot of leaders in solitude ñ out of the limelight.
a. Just research this out for yourself ñ Just a few ñ Moses, David, John the Baptist, and even Paul.
iii. David worked out in the fields mostly in isolation from others but this time God place his Holy Spirit on him so he would become somebody for the Kingdom of Heaven.
1. In reality this was Davidís training ground to help him to handle the future public life that was coming.
a. His soul had to be in the right place ñ seeking ñ longing for the Lord all the time!
2. Jesus himself reflects the importance of solitude with God and how important it is to sustain you in public life.
3. Swindoll states, ìSolitude has nurturing qualities all its own. Anyone who must have superficial sounds to survive lacks depth. If you canít stand to be alone with yourself, you have deep, unresolved conflicts in your inner life. Solitude has a way of helping us address those issuesî (David, page 9).
4. Swindoll adds, ìMen and women of God, servant-leaders in the making, are first unknown, unseen, unappreciated, and unapplauded. In the relentless demands of obscurity, character is built. Strange as it may seem, those who first accept the silence of obscurity are best qualified to handle the applause of popularityî (10).
5. In the daily grind of life ñ God was at the center of Davidís life!
a. Question: Can you say this about your soul today? Is God at the center of your life daily?
b. Share the story of Tim this weekend in Lockport.
iv. In the lowly tasks of shepherding he still served God ñ he shepherded for God, protected the sheep for God, played praise worship to God while working.
1. Itís important to realize that to be fully devoted to God in your heart means he is a part of your life in private ñ this is what thrusts nobodies into some-bodies.
2. David saw God in his mundane day to day tasks and he used those opportunities to become more saturated in God.
3. He did not serve God to be seen of men ñhe just loved God- No show! No way! No how! God was Davidís central focus in his teen years.
a. Seems impossible ñ a teenager! But it was true!
b. Davidís heart was exactly what the Lord was looking for and desiring in His people.
c. God looks for individuals who are fully devoted to Him and then he turns them into somebody.
c. Itís important to remember- David was chosen for the character of his heart ñ his soul not his outward appearance- not his credentials- but his faithful heart and soul.
i. Davidís desires aligned with Godís desires
ii. David did not live for David ñno- He lived for God!
iii. His heart was aligned to beat with the Fathers beat!
iv. Davidís heart beat was in rhythm with Godís heart beat!
T.S. - Davidís thrust into the forefront came from a heart that was saturated in God. David went from a nobody to a somebody because his heart was fully devoted to God. Because of this deep intimate relationship with the Lord it set up his other character trait of being in tune with God.
II. David became a somebody because his heart/soul was tuned into God ñ when the Holy Spirit came on David he sought his counsel in all things (I Samuel 16:14-23/2 Samuel 2:1).
a. His heart was so in tune with God that when he ministered in music the demons ran for the cover of darkness.
i. David was not an observer in worship standing by and watching it happen ñ no he entered into it wholeheartedly and engulfed himself in God.
1. He knew what pure worship was all about.
2. He worshipped the Lord in spirit and in truth led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
a. It was genuine
b. It was from the heart!
i. Jesus emphasized how important this was in the Gospels.
3. Psalm 24:3,4 reflects how David approached worship to the Lord: ìWho may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?î Then he sheds light on his question. ìHe who has clean hands and a pure heart.î
ii. David learned from an early age that to approach God in true authentic passionate worship came from one with a pure heart dedicated to Him.
1. He knew that the power to overcome the enemy came from a pure heart dedicated to worshipping the Father.
a. Pure is defined as free from defects.
b. You may ask what made Davidís worship so powerful that demons ran for the cover of darkness yelling, ìIn Coming Praise!î?
i. If you take the time to read through the Psalms you discover that worship was one of Davidís priorities in life.
ii. Psalms reveals Davidís heart of worship to God: Davidís kind of worship was his life- He lived to worship God and he enjoyed it. Listen to what he says in Psalms 27:4, ìOne thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.î
iii. This verse shows his total commitment to God and his uncompromising love for the Lord.
1. David loved to worship ñDo you?
2. Davidís kind of worship was an in your face no compromising attitude ñ Itís for God ñ itís wholehearted itís focused on Him and Him only.
a. His worship was wholehearted ñ not 80/20 it was 100% sold out to God.
i. Itís like a football fan type of worship for their team.
ii. He did not care how others thought ñ He worshipped with intensity.
iii. This is why demon ran for darkness when he worshipped.
iv. How about your worshipful attitude is it a ìSold out attitude ì?
v. Or is like Steffaniak describes it ìDrive thru Worship?î You enter into the drive thru and you order from God ì3 hymns and two chorusesî and you say,î Please make that a rush order Iím very busy and in a hurry!î
vi. She challenges us to evaluate where our heart is in worship. ìWhat exactly am I giving to God as I worship? When I rush through worship, I do so for one of the same reasons I visit a drive-thru at a fast-food restaurant: because it is cheap. I may believe Iím willing to focus on the Lord; but if I speed through worship, Iím probably looking for an experience that really wonít cost me muchî(92).
vii. This is not the type of worship that will make you somebody- this type will keep you a nobody!
1. Itís connected to your soul ñ to your spirit and His spirit.
c. David learned to give his heart completely to God in worship and that act thrust him into becoming somebody.
i. He loved God so much he wanted to build Him a palace!
1. This pleased the Lord ñ it revealed his soul ñ his love for the Lord ñ his respect and honor for the Lord.
2. See 2 Samuel 7: 8ìNow then, tell my servant David, ëThis is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. 9I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. 10And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders£ over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. ìëThe LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: 12When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. 15But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me£; your throne will be established forever.íî 17Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.
ii. Davidís heart and love for God grew in his role as king and it is shown by his words to the Lord from what the Lord said he would do for David and his family.
1. 2 Samuel 7:18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: ìWho am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD? 20ìWhat more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD.
2. 2 Samuel 8: 15 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.
d. David always sought the counsel of the Holy Spirit ñ it started from the first day he stepped into his kingship role.
i. 2 Samuel 2:1 In the course of time, David inquired of the LORD. ìShall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?î he asked.
ii. 2 Samuel 3: 1The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
1. David made sure he did not force his way into his divine position ñ he waited and listened to the directions and wisdom of the Lord through the Holy Spirit.
iii. 2 Samuel 5: 1All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, ìWe are your own flesh and blood. 2In 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, ëYou will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.íî 3When 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. 4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
1. David anointed ñ empowered by the Holy Spirit knew to be somebody within the Kingdom of God requires you to do the right thing at the right time in the right frame of your soul.
a. He waited another 7 years for the promise by God to be fulfilled.
iv. After becoming King of all Israel David continued to be led and directed by the Holy Spirit.
1. 2 Samuel 5:19 so David inquired of the LORD, ìShall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?î The LORD answered him, ìGo, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you.î
2. 2 Samuel 5: 22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David inquired of the LORD, and he answered, ìDo not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.î 25 So David did as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
T.S. Davidís second character trait that made him somebody was his heart of uncompromising worship to God. This attitude of worship was so powerful it drove demons into the darkness. This also leads us to a third character trait of David and that was fearlessness in the face of giant enemies.
III. Davidís heart was fearless for God-no giant scared him off (I Samuel 17)!
a. His heart was so in tune to God that he feared nothing because he knew where his strength came from to slay any giant foe (I Samuel 17:32-37).
i. You may be thinking, ìHow did he do it?î
1. You know kill bears?
2. You know kill lions?
3. You know kill giants?
4. You know evade a King and his army without having a nervous breakdown?
a. Have you ever heard the phrase ìPerfect love casts out fear!î
b. 1 John 4:15-18 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
b. His fearlessness really goes back to his relationship with God ñ his soul connection with God and the Holy Spirit.
i. He knew God-He experienced God in an intimate way-he did not doubt Godís strength or ability. He was absolutely convinced that Goliath was toast! Why because God ñNOT -David was going to deal with this giant.
1. David knew and realized that Goliath was not challenging him or even Israelís army but he was literally challenging the Living God- The Champion.
a. He knew where his strength came from ñ He had a reality check as to who God is and who Goliath was (I Samuel 17:40-50)!
b. Swindoll states, ìîSo often, when facing our own giants, we forget what we ought to remember and we remember what we ought to forgetÖNot so with David! He says, ëYou know why I can fight Goliath, Saul? Because the same God who gave me power over a lion and a bear will give me power over Goliath. It is God who will empower meÖso just let me at himî (44).
ii. David said on one side of the ring is Goliath-big, tall and ugly. On the other side of the ring was God ñ The Great I Am! The Beginning and the End, The creator of the universe, the all powerful one, the one who was everywhere, Jehovah, Yahweh, the one who holds the world in His hand. Not a spear but the whole world!
1. This is going to be a slaughter ñ Goliath You going down with a big thud!
2. This is why a nobody became a somebody-He knew who he was with God as his protector and provider ñ the Holy Spirit led him into seeing who he was with God as his love and savior!
Conclusion:
Do you want to be somebody? Then learn Davidís secrets to success. Do you want to make you mark in history? Live like David did. Act like David did. Be filled empowered with the Holy Spirit!
Have the three character traits that David hadñthese will be the traits that will thrust you from a nobody to a somebody with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Letís recap them:
1. Have a heart/soul that is fully devoted to God!
2. Have a heart/soul tuned into Godís station through the frequency of the Holy Spirit!
3. Have a heart that is fearless for God and bold for the Kingdom!
Pastor Erickson gives us a reality check today:
Ömaybe you looked into the mirror today and thought, ìWow! Iím a 10! People are going to be impressed.î If that, or anything like that, happened, remember it is not important. Now, if you are one of those folks blessed with great natural physical beauty, you can certainly praise God for that. But if our outward beauty is a product of hours and hours of work, maybe we need to check our priorities. If we have been working more on the outward appearance then on our inner character, we have forgotten and important truth. Whatís on the inside is what really matters (5).
I Samuel 16:7b ìÖThe Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart/soul.î
