Pastor Dave Martin, Cross Creek Community Church, May 25, 2003
“David – The Price of Success”
Part 2 1Sam 16
(Be reading & studying 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, 1Kings 1-2)
Review from last week:
· Prerequisite for God’s blessing is being a person after God’s own heart!
· Proof of having a Godly Heart is Wholehearted Joyous Obedience!
Text: 1Samuel 16
“Success” – The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted. Having a favorable outcome.
Formula for Success: God (Preparation + Opportunity) = Success
· In math you always solve within the brackets first then work out (Preparation + Opportunity).
· You then take preparation and opportunity and multiply it with God who produces success.
· We may have years of preparation yet without the Lord we’re nothing. (1Co. 13:1-3)
Success is “Doing God’s will, accomplished God’s way, for God’s glory!”
GOD:
God’s Part in Success…
· God OBSERVES 16:7
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do 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."
· God is looking 2 Chron. 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him… Ezekiel 22:30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.
· God CHOOSES 16:12
1 Samuel 16:12 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."
· God calls us to be holy and blameless in His sight. Ephes. 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
· God ANOINTS 16:13a
1 Samuel 16:13a “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers…”
· The Holy Spirit anoints and empowers us today. God only uses an “empty of self” vessel.
· God EMPOWERS 16:13b
1 Samuel 16:13b “…and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.”
· Holy Spirit convicts, seals, protects, gives spiritual gifts, abilities, calling, equips, prays, intercedes, leads..
God uses Time, Trials, and Truth to grow us! (Joseph’s life -13 years from pit to slave to prison to palace)
PREPARATION:
God’s Training Ground for Success…
· Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation. - Zig Ziglar
· The price of mastery in any field is through preparation – God’s training grounds.
1. SOLITUDE
· David shepherd sheep in lonely places. Gently leading and caring for them. Quiet and all alone.
· “Sound of silence” – Getting all alone with God, away from everyday hustle & bustle distractions.
· God does not speak to us in earthquakes, wind or fire but in a quiet whisper. 1Kings 19:12
· Your private life all alone with the Lord is where the action of preparation takes place.
2. OBSCURITY
· Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom. - Gen. George Patton
· David labored unseen, unknown and unappreciated. A nobody that God saw!
· David was faithful in serving out-of-sight in the backfields of Bethlehem.
· Some in this church are faithfully laboring in obscurity, unseen deeds you do, are being noticed by the Lord. Stay obedient, stay faithful you’re being prepared for the future. (1Co. 15:58)
3. MONOTONY
· This is remaining faithful in the insignificant, mundane, routine, unexciting, dull, boring things / life.
· David faithfully attended his sheep. He assumed the responsibility and did it well.
· The secret of success if to do the common things uncommonly well. - John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
· It’s in the little things and the lonely places where we prove ourselves for bigger things.
· In God’s program there is no “fast track” pill we can take – it’s being faithful in the “little” things.
4. REALITY
1 Samuel 17:34-35 But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.
· David remained committed and responsible when nobody was looking.
· Long before he faced off with Goliath he faced reality of lions and bears attacking his sheep.
· Everyone of us go through life’s university of time and reality in preparation for future assignment
· This is the reality of life, God uses trials, circumstances to grow us. He will never waste a hurt.
· If you want a place in the sun, you have to expect some blisters. - Rotator
Today’s Preparation determines tomorrow’s achievement!
David Matured & Grew…
1 Samuel 16:18 One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him."
1. In his OBEDIENT Love for God. V7 “The Lord looks at the heart”
· Just a shepherd boy, David demonstrated his heart for God. He obeyed & grew.
· The secret of success of everyman who has ever been successful lies in the fact that he formed the habit of doing things that we often like least to do. - Albert Gray
2. In accomplished MUSICIAL skills. V18
· The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well” - JD Rockefeller Jr.
· Hone your skills, become excellent in what you do. Electrical, carpenter, secretary, computers, etc.
3. In development of fearless COURAGE V18
· Courage is the absence of fear. David overcame fear by his full reliance upon the Lord.
· Fear of: Death (Be saved), Rejection (Self-image), Change (Value change), Success (It’s OK w/God)
In a 6-year survey at a West Coast university, it was found that self-confident, successful people had three things in common: 1) They were loved and valued at home; 2) their homes were democratic; 3) their parents were not permissive. Homemade, July, 1990
4. In the mastery of WARFARE V18
· David out-lived, David out-loved, but also David out-prayed his enemies. A valiant warrior in battle.
· You may be living your life and never know that you are engaged in an unseen spiritual warfare.
· The enemy is strong with many helpers but the Lord is greater! Put on the full armor of God Eph 6.
5. In EFFECTIVE Communications. V18
· There is no influence; there is no leadership without effective communications.
· The biggest problem in the home, with marriages and children is the lack of communications.
· David spoke well – he communicated. (Being alone with the sheep – he communicated well)
6. In his PHYSICAL appearance. V18
· David was a fine looking young man. 16:12 – “Ruddy, fine appearance and handsome”
· Ruddy could be a reference to having “red hair” and complexion, regarded as beautiful in the area.
· Take care of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually
7. In his FAITH - WALK with God. V18
· “The Lord was with him” – David exercised faith walking with His Lord.
· We need to learn the lesson of whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Stretch out, walk by faith not sight.
· “Every little action of the common day either makes or unmakes character” – Oscar Wilde
Beware of the barrenness of a busy life!
OPPORTUNITY:
God’s Sovereignty in all circumstances…
1. Saul Rebels 15:22-23
· Saul did not do all God said – He was a man after his own heart – not God’s heart.
2. God Rejects 15:23
· Enough is enough – there comes a point when God rejects for disobedience.
3. Spirit Departs 16:14
· Today the Holy Spirit’s presence is permanent in a believer’s life – not true in the O.T.
· John 14:15-17; Eph 1:13-14
4. Satan fills the void. 16:14
· This is a universal principle. It happens in seminaries, churches, ministries, individual lives.
· Kick God out of our public schools and look what you get. Rebellion, shootings, problems.
· Satan is quick to fill the void. I don’t need to church or be faithful or tithe or pray or obey…
5. God orchestrates the opportunity 16:15-20
1 Samuel 16:15-20 Saul’s attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better." 17So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me." 18One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him." 19Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." 20So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
· Notice where David was (He just recently was anointed King) David was back with the sheep.
· God orchestrates the opportunity.
· Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.
The reason many people can’t find opportunity is that it is often disguised as hard work!
Preparation plus opportunity without God equals ZERO!
SUCCESS:
God is the multiplying factor…
Ø David was given an OPPORTUNITY 16:18
Ø David was PREPARED to make the most of his opportunity. 16:21-23
Ø David experienced SUCCESS, PROMOTION, USEFULNESS and GROWTH 16:21-23
· David did a good job and Saul liked him.
· David became one of Saul’s armor bearers.
· David would play and relief would come.
· David experienced God and stayed obedient and grew.
Success:
God (Preparation + Opportunity) = Success
· Be “Seeking God’s Own Heart” in obedience!
· Be “paying the price” of preparation!
· Be “sensitive” to doors of opportunity!
. Experience spiritual growth & Success!
Next week: “DAVID – How To Kill Giants”
Let’s Pray
