The Making Of A Servant King Series

David

The making of a servant king

Audio at-

http://jubilee-church.org/sermons/2004/02/series-on-david.htm

* How can we learn to be meek rulers?

* We must all be leaders in our homes, at work on our street

* Leaders influence rather than being influenced

Why study David the servant king?

* He models meekness and leadership

* He is described as being ‘the man after God’s own heart’

* Jesus was described as the ‘Son of David’

* He shows us much of the character of God

* David is an inspiration to us in many areas- prophecy, worship, theology, care of others, leadership, a sense of mission, repentance, community life, faith in God, etc….

* The bible devotes many chapters to him

The making of a servant King

* The contrast between Saul and David

* The growth of meekness in David

* Our response to this

Saul - how not to do it!

* Samuel had rightly perceived that in choosing to have a king Israel had rejected God as king over them

* But God chose Saul for them and anointed him as King

* It is God who raises up kings and deposes them

* Saul began well but seemed to forget who’s kingdom it really was

Romans 13:1-2

* 1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Saul- the ‘head and shoulders’ man

* Saul was tall, impressive, eager to please and enhance his own power

* 1Sam 14:52 There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.

* Should we ‘attach people to ourselves’ for our own ends or allow God to join us to people to serve them?

* Are you a follower of a man or of God in a man?

* Are you holding back* Are you critical* Are you an observer?

Are you with us?

* 1 Chron 12:18 ‘Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said:

"We are yours, O David!

We are with you, O son of Jesse!

Success, success to you,

and success to those who help you,

for your God will help you."

So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.’

* Saul was a man anointed by God who nonetheless chose to ignore aspects of God’s word

* Saul represents man’s way of running a kingdom

* David represents God’s way of running a kingdom

Absolute obedience required

* 1 Sam 15:17 Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel* The LORD anointed you king over Israel. 18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, ’Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.’ 19 Why did you not obey the LORD * Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD ?"

Rebellion like witchcraft

* 1 Sam 15:22-23 22 But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD *

To obey is better than sacrifice,

and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,

and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the LORD , he has rejected you as king."

The paradox of Saul

* Little in own eyes yet eager for power

* Seeking things for himself

* Unwilling to submit to a higher authority

* Not submissive himself but controlling and dominating others

* God hates rebellion

* Anarchy is not in Gods plan, but nor is domination

The making of a servant king

* How did God turn a shepherd into a great but humble King?

* How can I learn from this in fulfilling God’s plans for my life?

* How can I serve God and his people exercising authority with love* How to learn to lead others

* We need many servant leaders as we continue to grow- why not you?

* Servant leaders serve for God and the people not for their own fulfilment or ends

What’s in your heart?

* David a humble shepherd, despised by his family & not included in the dinner invite

* Not ‘I need counselling’ or ‘I can’t achieve anything’

* 2 Sam 17:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”