TITLE: From Nobody to Nobility
TEXT: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
INTRO: The leader of a nation has an awesome responsibility. He can unite or divide the people. He can build up or tear down the nation. He can be cruel or compassionate. In other nations the people have no choice who their leader will be, but we have the privilege and responsibility to choose our leader. Whatever choice we make, both the people and the leader will someday answer to God. Today, we look at two leaders: One turned his back on God, the other wanted nothing more than to please God.
I. SAUL A REBELLIOUS KING (v.1)
A. Began With Great Promise
1. He was handsome, athletic, tall, appeared to be humble
2. Outwardly had everything the people were looking for
# How many times have you read in the paper about
someone in a place of responsibility who seemed to
have all the right qualities... but then you see that
reason their name is in the paper is because they
betrayed the trust that was placed in them?
3. Power corrupts & Absolute power corrupts absolutely!
B. His Life Ended in Disaster
1. His heart was not right with God
2. God forgive those who confess their sin
(1Jn. 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
3. When Saul was confronted with his sin, he did not
repent & God removed him from his place
II. SAMUEL, AN AWESOME MAN
A Faithful Servant of God
1. Samuel was a miracle child
2. Last of the Judges, a Prophet & a Priest
3. He was held in awe by the people (v.4)
B. He Anointed Kings the First Kings of Israel
1. He had anointed Saul
2. After rejecting Saul, God sent Samuel to anoint
someone after His own heart
3. He told Samuel where to look but not who He had
chosen
4. Jesse brought out his sons but forgot David
5. David was just a Nobody tending the sheep (v.11)
(1Co 1:27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty
C. The Anointing (vs.12-13)
1. In the OT, the practice of anointing by pouring oil on the head was used for Prophets, Priests, and Kings.
2. In the NT, Anointing expresses the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit upon Christians who are priests and kings unto God.
III. DAVID, A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART
A More Written about David than any other character in OT
1. God said about him, (Act 13:22b) "...I have found
David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart,
which shall fulfil all my will."
2. God took a Nobody & made him Nobility
3. David went from the Pasture to the Palace.
B. Why He Was He Called After God's Own Heart?
1. He prayed,
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and
know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked
way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
(Psa 139:23-24)
2. He was not perfect & committed some grievous sins
3. But when confronted with his sins, he repented &
wrote Psalm 51, one of the most beautiful of all.
(v.4) Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
(v.7) Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
CONCL: All Christians are anointed, according to the NT and thus are authorized and empowered agents of God. No Christian needs a mediator between him or her and God. We all have direct access to God and His truth; all believers have the Spirit within who will lead us into all truth, in Christ and enable us to be His witnesses.
Amen
