PP0231 DATE
THE KING CARRIED THE CHEESE!
1 Samuel 17:12-22.
1Sa 17:12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.
15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;
18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
“Take their pledge” – was to bring back a token of their welfare, their health. Namely, to report how they were doing in battle.
INTRODUCTION: David was the youngest son of Jesse. He had eight sons totaled. David was just a teenager at this time. No one would have ever suspected the mission of which David would someday be called to fill – the King of Israel. He had already been anointed king back in chapter 16. The anointing gave him the position, but did not provide the qualification. There were a few things David had to do before he would be king material. He had to prove himself. The basis of proof is not man made, but made of and for God. God already knows what a person will do. He knows whether that person will be qualified to fulfill any certain calling. He wants the individual to go through each step of proof to himself.
I. HE PROVED HIMSELF AT HOME FIRST.
Let me give you three thought about this:
A. He Was Obedient To His Father. The father was concerned about the welfare of the other three sons who were in battle. Normally a battle such as was taking place was not of long duration, but just a few days. The members of the army were usually voluntary. Thus Jesse’s sons themselves were part of Saul’s army.
Jesse wanted David to go and take food to his three sons, David’s older brothers. The younger son is helping care for the older. You would almost have to think that God is putting David in a position for some experience that will be needed in years to come. It is not a normal responsibility for the younger to care for the older; but the opposite.
B. He Was Thorough In His Plans.
1. He left the sheep in the care of another Vs. 20. (1 Sam 17:20 KJV) "And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper,…..” David had to find someone that he could trust to take care of the sheep in his absence. The sheep was his responsibility and he was not going to leave them unattended.
How many teens would have seen to the welfare of the sheep before leaving? That doesn’t sound much like the actions of a teen from today’s society.
2. He made sure his carriage was properly parked Vs. 22. (1 Sam 17:22 KJV) "And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren."
This young man has character. He has accepted his responsibility of caring for sheep, and that same spirit spread over into other areas of responsibility.
If one thing is lacking in the home education it is that of instilling responsibility. Parents make your children participate in home responsibility. Give them chores around the house and hold them to it. Don’t let them off. Start when they are toddlers. You can teach a toddler to pick up a piece of trash and take it to the garbage can. Everyone must have responsibility. Don’t pay them for everything. There are some responsibilities they should do because they bear the family name. My dad always told me, “You are a Casteel therefore, you will help bare the Casteel burdens.”
He proved himself at home by being obedient to his father – by being thorough in his plans – and:
C. He Was Servant To His Siblings.
1. The brothers scoffed him. (1 Sam 17:28 KJV) "And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle."
2. There was criticism. Vs. 28. David is trying to do good and they are criticizing him for it.
3. David never complained.
What is it like at your home? What about your conversation and behavior around the family table, your relationships with husband, wife, parents, or children?
I’ve noticed this – some families are kinder to the neighbor’s dog than their own family.
Any person thinking of going to or doing any kind of work for God whether it is missions or other wise must first prove himself to those of his home church.
If a missionary doesn’t wins souls at home what changes can we expect when he goes to a foreign place?
Those of you preparing for some kind of ministry, the place to begin is here and now.
God will not send a person anywhere until proven. If a person is doing nothing for God now, why would He think one would do anything later?
Another thing: Happiness will only come to you when you have given yourself to others:
Helping others.
Caring for others.
Giving to others.
Many of the prayer requests we hear are always self-oriented: “Bless me – bless my family – meet my needs. – Make this happen – take care of this.” Maybe it is time those efforts were outwardly.
II. HE PROVED HIMSELF IN HUMILITY
Humility is nearly a forgotten grace today. Self image has gotten to be too important in most lives. God never looks at the self image. He looks at the hidden man of the heart. (1 Sam 16:6 KJV) "And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him."
(1 Sam 16:7 KJV) "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." We can see one reason why Eliab may have been refused – he had a critical spirit.
Five thoughts on David’s humility.
A. David Accepted The Challenge Before Him. Vs. 20. (1 Sam 17:20 KJV) "And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle."
1. He arose early.
2. And went as Jesse’s commanded.
3. He got there as quickly as he could.
B. David Didn’t Make Any Excuses.
He could have claimed his future position, that of the king, and said, “I’m going to be the King of Israel – who ever heard of a king carrying cheese?”
C. David Went To His Brothers With Joy. Vs. 22. (1 Sam 17:22 KJV) "And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren."
1. He ran to the army.
2. He saluted his brethren.
3. He talked with them. Vs. 23.
4. He didn’t argue with them.
5. He didn’t try to agitate them.
D. David Did The Menial Jobs With Particular Care. Before he could be king he had to carry the cheese. Before he carried the cheese he was a shepherd boy. Anyone could have taken the cheese to the battle front. It did not require a highly skilled person to complete this task. Any bum off the street could have done it. God wanted David to carry it. So that tells me that somewhere in my ministry I will have to carry cheese and so will you. Are you going to carry the cheese when it comes your turn?
There is too much pride among Christians today. They want a ministry with some glory attached to it somewhere. There is not much glory in carrying cheese. Most young preachers today if they had to spend two years cleaning toilets they would get out of the ministry. All ministry is work. Every part of it is hard and laborious. The easy ministry can be found only in the Methodists and Catholics. A ministry that comes from and is based around the KJB will always involve some carrying of the cheese.
If you will do the little things as though they were important and God will make the hard jobs easy. If you will look at every part of the Christian life as being exciting and a great privilege God will make it exciting and enjoyable.
E. The Carrying Of The Cheese Didn’t Develop David Into What He Was.
He carried the cheese because of what was expected of him. He was a young man that would do anything required of Him. More likely than not the one main thing that separates you from being that missionary or that worker in the ministry that God wants you to be is that of being obedient to the “small tasks”.
God will not call you to a certain task according to your personality or character. He will call you to His task according to what He needs you to do. He will then change your character and personality to match the calling.
If you will take care of the “small stuff” God will take care of the “giants”.
Am I talking someone today that has refused to carry the cheese? Carrying cheese just isn’t what you thought you were called for, is it? He that carried the cheese would someday be the King of Israel.
Diotrephes wasn’t a cheese carrier. (3 John 1:9 KJV) "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not." Diotrephes thought that there wasn’t much preeminence in carrying cheese. I fear this is where many churches may be today. Too much pride – too much preeminence. If the preacher doesn’t brag on you and your efforts at least once a week are you insulted, or offended?
A few years ago a family left our church because I didn’t brag on them enough. They never did anything to be bragged on. They came only once or twice a month. They didn’t tithe. They didn’t offer any kind of service to the church. Hardly anyone knew them.
Turn to: Humility is Christ-like. (Phil 2:5 KJV) "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"
(Phil 2:6 KJV) "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:"
(Phil 2:7 KJV) "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"
(Phil 2:8 KJV) "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
(Phil 2:9 KJV) "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:"
Think of the stripping – the humility required to accomplish Vs. 7-8. The Son of God gave up all that He was - to become your Savior.
Our Heavenly King wasn’t born in a King’s palace, but He was instead born in a manger. Not much royalty image in a birth place such as that. The approach to such a heritage today would be to first change the “birth place”. Not many would find nobility in a “manger birth.”
I believe I am on to something right here: Many folks today try to build their acceptance by using a “credit card personality”, or “false methods”. They are trying to make the outside be attractive while ignoring the inside. After spending thousands of dollars on remodeling the outside they finally have to give up and by that time they are too far gone to every be reversed. Not that God couldn’t reverse the situation, but that they will not humble themselves to be reversed. The Spiritual junk yard is filled with those who would never humble themselves to carry the cheese. Is that where you are? Are you on that road? If you are it will lead you into a one-way street. One of no return. You had better make a U-turn today and head back to God while the opportunity still exists.
Before you will carry cheese you will have to be humbled to the point that you would do anything for the glory of God. Are you there? Is your doorbell ringing?
Listen to these great scriptures on humility.
(Prov 15:33 KJV) "The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."
(Prov 18:12 KJV) "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility." The word “haughty” means – “to soar” – “to lift up” – “to exalt.” Exalting self – me, my, mine. Always centered around self. Never thinking much of others.
(1 Pet 5:5 KJV) "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."
III. HE PROVED HIMSELF IN HIS PLACE OF CALLING
Two thoughts on this:
A. David Wasn’t Looking For Applause.
God is far more concerned about character than He is about reputation. Most people seek the applause that may come from doing something than they do for an opportunity to carry the cheese.
Reputation - is what we are able to project, or what people are able to perceive and what they think we are.
Character – is what God knows we are, what we are like when no one is watching.
B. Every Leader Must Come To The Realization That He Will Not Lead People Beyond Where He Himself Is.
God will not tolerate people who are called to lead, and then do not continue in the power of the Spirit of God. We cannot disobey God, transgress His righteousness, and expect to get away with it. This is a warning to those who may grow lax and careless in the area of spiritual responsibility. Prove your place of calling. You must do that again and again.
IV. HE PROVED HIMSELF TO GOD
A. David Expresses That Which God Seeks In Every Christian. A man after my own heart. (1 Sam 13:13 KJV) "And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever."
(1 Sam 13:14 KJV) "But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee."
The N.T. account of this:
(Acts 13:22 KJV) "And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will."
(Acts 13:23 KJV) "Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:"
Because of David’s submission to the will of God he was chosen as the lineage of the Saviour for Israel and all the world. That would have never happened had he not been willing to carry the cheese. Suppose that away back there on the hills of Judah David had refused to be obedient to his father?
B. David’s Example Again Shows Us: (Psa 40:8 KJV) "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."
(Psa 40:9 KJV) "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest."
(Psa 40:10 KJV) "I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation."
(Psa 40:11 KJV) "Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me."
What was David’s desire? Above all else he desired to learn what it meant to be obedient. He purposed to find new ways honestly and genuinely to discover God’s will and do it.
It just may be that David became the king of Israel because he was willing to carry the cheese.
The actual carrying the cheese did not make him what we know him as, but rather the spirit by which he carried it. Do you have that spirit?
INVITATION
BETH HAVEN BAPTIST CHURCH MINISTRIES
PO BOX 891523
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73189-1523
405-691-8701
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