HOW GOD WORKS IN OUR LIVES
March 10, 2005 Jay Robison 1 SAMUEL 16:13-23
David is one of the heroes of the OT, wrote many Psalms
A great King, one who dropped Goliath in his tracks
Great military man, wise leader, won many battles
Before all of that though David was the youngest of 8 sons A scrawny kid who knew nothing about being a King
Not from royalty probably never been in a palace
Bible tells us that God worked in David’s life
To make him that great leader, & ways God worked in his life Same ways God works in our lives to make us great for God
David comes on the scene in I Samuel 16
Saul the king has turned away from God
So God sent Samuel to find a new king for Israel
Sent to house of Jesse where he saw fine looking strong boys Said to self over and over again, this must be the one But God never said go ahead anoint him as king
Jesse did not even have small David meet Samuel
Even the dad was so sure Samuel could not choose David
But God did and worked in David’s life to make him great
3 ways God worked in David’s life how God works in ours
1. God Imparts SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Look at 16:13 NRSV Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him. . And, the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward
Something special about David from that day forward
He was divinely equipped to do what God wanted
Spirit gift upon him People knew this guy special
Don’t you want that? For people to say WOW
something about them I feel closer to God
They live their life at a different plane
Some people say I don’t have any spiritual gifts, flunked God May think they are not spiritual enough for them Some people are just plain lazy and don’t want to find out Ignorance is bliss, I can say didn’t know then no responsible
Listen to what I Cor 12:4-7 tells us about these gifts God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit,and to all kinds of people! The Message
Underline various gifts handed out everywhere
Originate in God’s Spirit and Each person given them
Then reason we have them show who God is
Some people love to pray for others Gift of prayer
Some love giving $$ to help others Gift of giving.
Gift of service people always busy helping others
“Family gifts” benefit church, exhortation, missionary, music Evangelism God-given ability to share faith so people want it Teaching when study understand and help others understand
Warren book Purpose Driven Life 2 problems w\spiritual gifts
GIFT ENVY compare our abilities and gifts to others. Then we might feel tempted to feel jealous of others or feel dissatisfied with what God has given us.
GIFT PROJECTION when you expect other people to have your gift, do things as you do them & to feel same way you do about subject w\same passion. Just isn’t going to happen.
Purpose of the gifts is to build up church & equip it to become mature & complete, then each of us have a responsibility to find out in what ways we have been gifted so that we will become a productive part of the body of Christ.
We help build up others & they help to build us up too.
We grow and depend on one another
As I share my gifts you yours build together
Also as I serve in my giftedness no frustrated
2. We Have TALENTS AND ABILITIES
Problem in the passage, Saul has an evil spirit from God In O.T. everything was attributed to God, or was under god’s providence so it was not uncommon to write something was “from” God when really they were saying, “God allowed or permitted an evil or troubling spirit to torment him
When King Saul was troubled in his mind he sought relief Asks all his advisors who for help, finally one says in Vs 18 “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem play the harp. He is brave and courageous. He is a good speaker and handsome, and the LORD is with him.” Vs 18
David had God given talent play harp; spiritual gift and ability David known as a mighty, courageous & brave, man shown through experiences in life, David was patriotic and loyal. David had an ability to speak in public talent & spiritual gift, to be used for God; motivated people around him a leader If you are a leader, use that talent for God, lead for God
Lastly David handsome, nothing wrong w\pride in our looks. We are all blessed w\different looks, enjoy what you have. Take care of your body, Remember you represent the Lord Jesus Christ with your appearance.
What abilities do we have here?
Some of you are just oozing w\talent- use it for glory of God!
Mayme Walker and Janet Timberlake make quilts
Doug Hayes teaches adult art classes
Gary McComas is a wood craftsman
Carolyn Davis is great organizer,
Joe writes music
We can share The Love of God in cards and cookies
Our Children are making Easter cards for the homeless Why not take some cookies and cards to police officers at substation not far from here Next month is child abuse prevention month Our church cares about hurting families Social workers, often jaded overworked underpaid a part of our target, offices for them not far from here cards and cookies from our family
Our gifts and talents must be DEVELOPED
Think David had to practice the harp? Of course he did; We will have to develop God given talent, work learn Make them available for God’s use.
Find a place you can be used make self
Be faithful where you are today w\whatever opportunity God gives you, in church or in your marriage or any other place trust God to work
Michelangelo’s teacher said, "Talent is cheap, but dedication is costly” We’re inclined to see others in their glamour moment.
See surgeon take off gloves after an operation that saved life, everybody is appreciative, Dr. gets into her Mercedes drives out to her million dollar home and we say, "Boy, sure would be great to be a surgeon." we forget about yrs of study & intense medical school forget about patients who sue or those that don’t make it.
Hear Helen or Sandy play piano wonderfully & say, "Oh, that would be wonderful to play the piano like that." We forget hours of practice when other kids were playing. We forget about the cost of lessons or the days when their fingers just don’t want to work right or hurt
Matter to taking spiritual gifts and abilities for God
With screw in board I want to finish putting this screw in this board for my deck
Hold a hammer should I use this, NO it will work but cannot get it out. Sledge hammer force it in show whose boss, do it but no good, Screw driver GOOD start turning screw in, good doing right thing. Power screwdriver BEST when our gifts empowered by God
3. God Works THROUGH OUR CIRCUMSTANCES
God led David on a path to greatness but wasn’t an overnight trip. David endured years of difficulty and testing, it was not end result of being a king so important as journey molded him along the way. See, the key was David’s intimacy w\God
He believed that he served a great God who would teach him utter, daily dependence on Him for every need he had, whether they were emotional, physical or spiritual
David invited into the palace for Saul what would happen if Saul summons David and David comes to stand before him. Saul says, "David, I want you to play for me." David looks at him and says, "Play for you" Who do you think I am? You’ve got to be kidding! I’m the new king- you should be playing for me buddy!" Get off my throne Of course David didn’t do this. He humbly accepted place of service and was faithful to do it. He gave his best in this small place of service, knowing that he chosen to replace Saul, patiently awaited God’s timing.
Listen to Vs 23 NKJV And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.
David came at King’s request, God working in circumstances. Going into the palace did not imbalance him, stayed the same David became one of Saul’s most trusted men earned it
“Our God specializes in working through normal people who believe in a supernormal God who will work through them . . . My willingness and weakness + God’s will and supernatural power = my expanded territory” Prayer of Jabez p. 41.
All of us have been given Spiritual gifts Pray about these Share them for the building of the church
As you do you encourage others We have natural gifts & abilities use them for God
Woman was retired hairdresser, give it to God told Pastor want to use my hairdressing for God. Pastor
found nursing home for her to do hair. Now 4 ladies spend one day a month doing hair, listening to ladies.
God working in our circumstances, we all have a story to tell. Part of our church’s job is to call out gifts
