Sermon Central
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The Dash Between
Contributed by Craig Benner on Jun 12, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: That dash between your birthdate and your day of death seems so little and insignificant on the tombstone. All that one does during the "dash" is what counts for eternity. Fill that space with a life dedicated to God and His kingdom.
The Dash Between-----El Guión
Serving your generation by the will of God
36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: {after...: or, after he had in his own age served the will of God} (KJV)
36 Porque, después de haber servido en su propia generación a la voluntad de Dios, David murió, fue reunido con sus padres y vio corrupción. (SRVA)
1 Samuel 16:7,13,23
7 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. {outward...: Heb. eyes} (KJV)
7 Pero Jehovah dijo a Samuel: --No mires su apariencia ni lo alto de su estatura, pues yo lo he rechazado. Porque Jehovah no mira lo que mira el hombre: El hombre mira lo que está delante de sus ojos, pero Jehovah mira el corazón. (SRVA)
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. (KJV)
13 Samuel tomó el cuerno de aceite y lo ungió en medio de sus hermanos. Y desde aquel día en adelante el Espíritu de Jehovah descendió con poder sobre David. Luego Samuel se levantó y regresó a Ramá. (SRVA)
23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. (KJV)
23 Y sucedía que cuando el espíritu malo de parte de Dios venía sobre Saúl, David tomaba el arpa y la tañía con su mano. Y Saúl hallaba alivio y se sentía mejor. Así el espíritu malo se apartaba de él. (SRVA)
A minister who had been in line to become a bishop in England, came to America to join the Salvation Army under William Booth. When he arrived, Rev. Booth told him that it may be hard for him to serve since he was accustomed to always being in leadership. He gave him the task of blacking the boots of the other workers. It was hard for him to accept until, as he was bending over to black the boots, he began to think about Christ, who showed the example to the disciples, by washing their feet. Are you willing to serve where God opens the door?
We enjoy studying and talking about those who served thoughout different times of history. It is even exciting to speculate about individuals who are promising future leaders. But it is imperative that more men and women raise up to serve this generation of the 'nasty now and now".
How did David do it? It is not just about the beginning or the ending, but about everything done in between.
I. A Heart that Pleases God (1 S. 16:7)
A person's destiny does not depend upon his or her intelligence or amount of diplomas and degrees that go along with their name.
It revolves around the condition of the heart.
One must have a surrendered heart and a yeilded heart.
God wants your whole heart, not just portions of it. Quit just offering Him the corners of your heart
Unselfishness is a must. Become more concerned about others and less concerned about yourself.
II. A Life Empowered by the Holy Spirit (1 S. 16:13)
The prophet Samuel anointed David with oil. This typified the unction of the Spirit on his life. Anointing with oil in the Old Testament is the equivalent of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.
With the anointing on his life came the responsibility of leading and serving faithfully.
Prov. 29:18
18 ¶ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. {perish: or, is made naked} (KJV)
18 ¶ Donde no hay visión, el pueblo se desenfrena; pero el que guarda la ley es bienaventurado. (SRVA)
The vision is set forth by God, but must be accepted and respected. An accountability is now set in place. The anointing is so much more than a sensation, an emotional high, or an exhuberant feeling. The Holy Spirit is the dynamo to empower you in His service. Serve your generation with a continual flow of the Holy Ghost in your life.
III. Understand your Realm of Authority (1 S. 16:23)
Those whom God calls; He equips and empowers. You have been given an authority. Learn how to apply and exercise it. David had a gift with godly music. He understood that it could be used to subdue the evil spirits. There are times you will have to rise and rebuke the contrary forces with the authority that has been given you.
