Who does God choose to use?

Notes for the AVBC Service for February 7th. Pastor David Elliott will be preaching the second message in the series After God’s Heart on the life of David.

Video

Sermon Audio

mp3 link: 20210207_who_does_God_choose_to_use.mp3

Notes

Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Printable notes: Sermon-Notes-2-Choose.pdf

Overview of David’s Life

AGEBirth – 17 yrs.17-30 yrs.30-50 yrs.50-70 yrs.
ROLEShepherdFugitiveKing-conquerKing- crisis
ATMOSPHERESolitudeStruggleSuccessSorrow
EVENTSAnointed to be king (age 15)Began to reign (age 30)United Judah/Israel Nation expands.Adultery/murder (age 50)
SCRIPTURE1 Sam. 16-181 Sam. 19-312 Sam. 1-102 Sam. 11-24
DATES1040-1023  BC1023-1010 BC1010-990 BC990-970 BC
  • A time of _____________ decline.
  • A time of moral and __________________ decline.
  • A time of _____________________ decline.

God is often doing His greatest _________ when                                        we are least aware of it!

1. God chooses those who have a ____________ for Him.

1 Samuel 13:13, 14; 15:20-23

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”  

(John 6:28-29)

2. God chooses those who have a ____________’s heart. 

“I have found David, My servant; with holy oil I have anointed him.”           (Psalm 89:20

He chose his servant David, calling him from the sheep pens.  He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob’s descendants- God’s own people, Israel. He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skilful hands. (Psalm 78:70-72)

3. God chooses those who have a _______________ heart. 

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.          (Luke 16:10)

Digging Deeper

(For personal study, family devotions or Care group use)

Q1: If you had to define these unusual times that we are living in right now with 2 or 3 summary statements, what would you say?

Q2: Read Judges 2:8, 10-12.  What do these verses teach you about the kind of environment David was stepping into?  What kinds of challenges would that environment create?

Q3: Samuel was heartbroken when God chose to end Saul’s leadership. Read Galatians 6:1-2.  What kind of spirit does the Lord want us to have towards those who stumble?

Q4: The elders of Bethlehem were afraid when the prophet Samuel came to town.  Why do you think that was?  What light does 1 Samuel 15:32-33 shed on that question?  What does passionately living out our faith, like Samuel, look like in our world today?

Q5: Why is the allure of “outward appearance” so powerful?  What mental check-points can you put in place to avoid making a foolish or hasty decision based purely upon the external?

Q6: Why do you think David was not initially invited to the sacrifice with Samuel and the rest of his brothers?  How do you feel when you are left out of the loop?  What strength and comfort can you find in the scripture when you are overlooked?

Q7: Read Luke 6:46-49.  What is the one fundamental difference between the wise builder and the foolish builder?  Why is obedience such a powerful indicator of a person’s heart?

Q8: Read John 13.  What are some marks of a servant heart you discover in this passage?