Agenda Harmony
Discerning and Being
In-step With God’s Will
I Samuel 16:1-13; Matthew 7:7
May 6, 2007 AM
Pastor Michael Prince
Do you believe in God?
Then you must conclude that He created you for a purpose, and you must know
that He has a wonderful plan for your life, and likewise the life of this
church. Knowing that, are you able to face each set of circumstances in your
life with confidence, knowing that He can be depended upon to reveal that plan? As Christians all of life pivots on God’s
will. Oswald Chambers says it well, “Faith includes being so convinced of God’s
plan that you waive all your personal rights in favor of pursuing His will.” True
faith is centered in God’s will.
Therefore it is imperative that we always be in pursuit of not only
knowing, but doing God’s will. And since
you have the God-given ability to choose, you have the potential problem of
missing his plan.
In this message I use
the phrase “Agenda Harmony” to refer to
being in-sync with and doing God’s will.
Without the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit, we would be nothing
more than a social gathering of friendly people. We have not come here today to
only be entertained with good music and a speaker telling us all how to live.
As with Moses going up into the mountain to be in the presence of God, we have
come today to dwell in the presence of the Holy Spirit and to have Agenda
Harmony, knowing and doing God’s perfect will.
It is extremely important that a healthy church maintains Agenda Harmony
with God, both within its leadership, and individuals. By harmony and agreement I mean that
Hillcrest is a church that is lead by a God-called pastor, giving Spirit-led
leadership, and the people following. Thus it is imperative to seek a spiritually
mature pastor with a real vision for the lost and to make disciples, whose
heart has captured the heart of God.
Today, Hillcrest, a missional
church finds itself seeking to discern God’s missional
leader, and every interested party needs to be in agenda harmony, seeking God’s
perfect will. Let me ask you a question
to get you thinking a little bit. Who does God choose to accomplish his
purposes? Let me say it in another way, what kind of person does God pick to do
his supernatural work in the world? Does God choose the “good” people that have
got it all together?
Are they the really talented people, smart people? The
people who come from good family backgrounds who are charismatic or
outgoing? Is His criteria good looking
people? What does God look for when
choosing people to do his work? God does not choose people by the worlds
standards. God does not make His choice by looking at their appearance, rather
God looks at the inside heart. God uses one measuring stick above all others to
choose people to accomplish his plans, and it has nothing to do with anything
on the list I just mentioned. The one thing God looks at is the heart.
He chooses people who are sold out for God, whose motives
and intentions are focused on God’s desires above their own. God is looking for
people who love him and have a heart to serve God without thought to what they
will receive in return. How do I know? David.
Let’s consider the setting before we get into David’s part
of this story, let me give you a little background on our passage this morning.
By the time we get to 1 Samuel 16, the very first king has been ruling over
The Bible
says Saul was a head taller than anyone else, and handsome (1 Sam. 9:1-2). His
family was wealthy and influential. He would make a perfect king, at least by
human standards, but that would not turn out to be the case. You see, just before we are introduced to
David, we learn in chapter 15 that God had rejected Saul because of Saul’s
disobedience, and he sent the prophet Samuel out to anoint a new king over
Israel, one in whom God had chosen.
David was divinely “Called
out.” He didn’t seek the position. Today
we are seeing more and more “vocationally” self-called people coming into the
ministry. They see being a pastor as
just another profession, like teachers, Dr’s, and lawyers, and such. They may have good intentions and want to
serve God, but they lack a divine call which includes the God-given gifts and
graces that are essential resources for success. We also see this with laymen who demean or
discredit God’s divine call on their pastor.
How so?
They question their call, and motives by thinking they are
merely operating in the flesh. So they
discredit their pastor’s motives and agenda.
Thinking “he’s building his kingdom instead of God’s.” They seek a pastor who has sought and is
following God’s guidance, who has a seminary education, who is 26 years old and
has 20 years experience, and then seldom follow their discernment or disregard
their direction all together. Wouldn’t
you think that if a congregation would go to all the effort, and give serious
prayer and fasting to discern God’s man for the church, that they would give
serious attention to his anointed counsel?
David was called or set apart by God to lead the nation of
The main player of our text will be Samuel, yet the story is
about David and what precipitates his kingship.
Looking at the text we read in 1 Sam. 16:1 NIV The Lord
said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have
rejected him as king over
God sent the prophet Samuel to the
house of Jesse in
Here is stated God’s Character Criteria: “but
the LORD looks at the heart.’" Which man can see a man’s heart? None. That’s why it is absolutely paramount
that we seek God’s eyes. If you look through your eyes you will have to settle
for a “Saul,” or less than God’s ideal.
I have learned that obedience and submission to God’s Word
and plans are sometimes difficult to find in certain Christians. Some
Christians have their own ideas and their own agendas as to how things should
be done. They disregard God’s measuring
stick; the heart. God looks at the heart, not the outside. So Jesse’s sons walked by Samuel one by one,
oldest to youngest, but God didn’t affirm any of them as king. Samuel finally
had to ask, “are these all your sons?” And Jesse replied almost as an afterthought, “there is still the youngest, but he is
tending the sheep.” Almost as if to say, don’t bother with that one Samuel,
surely it couldn’t be David, he’s the sheepherder. David’s own father didn’t
even consider him to be a potential candidate for king. This is certainly nothing new. How many children have felt their parents
compare them to their brothers and sisters and whether it is spoken or unspoken
the feeling is still the same, you’re not as good as they are. You’re
not as smart they are, you’re not as talented as they are, you’re not as good
looking as they are. The message is, ‘you’re not good enough to be anyone
important.’
Maybe you grew up with some of those negative comparisons
from your parents. Did you ever feel that way growing up? Do you still feel it
today? Have you ever done that to your children, whether intentionally or
unintentionally? David’s dad didn’t think too much of him, and yet who did God
choose? When David walked in the door, God told Samuel, “that’s the one; he’s
the one I have chosen.” God wanted David to be king. David, the harp playing songwriter, shepherd
boy, the eighth son of eight sons in a culture which gave preference to the
oldest. David from a family without wealth or influence in their tribe (1 Sam.
16:4,5; 18:18). The most unlikely
candidate to be king, but God chose David. Why? Because David was a man after
God’s heart.
Aren’t you glad our Heavenly Father doesn’t look at the
outside package to determine who he will use? God looks at our heart? God made
you the way you are for a reason, and he loves you just the way he made you.
Like David, he chooses people according to their heart. God chooses unlikely people to accomplish his
purposes so his power can be manifest in their weakness. God uses people who
will depend upon his power rather than upon their own strength and abilities.
They are humbled knowing it wasn’t them, it was God. And the only conclusion they will be able to
make is, “it must be God,” and they
will recognize we have been with Jesus. God wants people to be amazed at his
ability, not ours.
Greatness is not a one time event: We see David slay the
giant and we think that was when he became great, but greatness is not doing
one great thing in a big way, But in doing every little thing in a great
way. Someone has said that, “True greatness is not seen in the big
things we do, but in the little things we do in a great way.” “Great people do consistently what others
only do occasionally” “A crown doesn’t make a man a king, it only identifies
the king in the man.” While man
promotes talent-abilities etc, God promotes character. Your gift may bring you before great men, but
it is character that enables you to stay there.
The principles addressed here are very important to us for
what is dealt with concerns the primary issue of how a person makes decisions.
That’s a fundamental question that you and I ask. “What should I do? –with my
life, in respect to what school I go to, what career I should pursue, what
house I should buy, when I should have children, who I should date amongst the
eligible Christian pool, etc..
The simplest answer to the question we face in our lives all the time is this,
WAIT FOR THE VOICE AND LEADING OF GOD BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY DECISIONS IN LIFE.
The principle is this, God says to you and me; Listen to my voice for I will answer all
your questions in respect to what you are to do. God’s promise is to lead
us. We are never left high and dry by God. He will make his will for our lives
clear. Our responsibility is to listen, obey, and to wait for his voice before
we barge ahead and blow it.
Did you notice how Samuel almost blows it? Remember God’s word to him. I will show you
the one of my choosing. Well, as soon as
Samuel sees Jesse’s eldest son he draws the conclusion that this is the one of
God’s choosing. He makes this conclusion
based upon Eliab’s appearance. How he looks. But beforewe point
our finger think first. You and I often make decisions based upon how things
look. We say “It looks pretty good to me.”
We are not to make decisions based upon our human evaluations but on the
basis of God’s voice and leading, for which we are to wait upon and seek.
Imagine what Samuel was thinking after the seven sons had
passed in review. It looks as if God was mistaken or Jesse is out of sons. He
has to ask if there were anymore. David
was brought in and identified as God’s choice.
That day Samuel took his horn of oil, the horn which is a symbol for
power and might, and he anointed David’s head in front of his family. Even his
brothers came to know that: one day David would be king, he was God’s
authorized man, he was to be held in special regard and honored. God provided evidence of his choosing and
empowering. The Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. (v.13).
The point that is made, is clear… God never fails to equip those whom he has
called. Likewise, God confirms to those who are His that that is what they
are…His. He confirms it through his
Word, confirms it through the indwelling Holy Spirit, confirms to us through
service for those who have served well gain a great assurance in their faith.
(I Tim. 3:13).
At this point David is the man who will be king. He’s the man of God’s choosing, chosen not
based on externals, but by God’s evaluation of his heart (which means he was a
follower of God at the time of his choosing.
A maturing Christian is the one who lives in agenda harmony with an
eager pursuit to carry out all he/she knows of God’s will. Let’s lay aside our choices of self-rule and
elect to choose what God wants.
So now that we have heard the message how can I apply it to
my life. Great question. Remember, “Today’s Preparation determines tomorrow’s achievement!” So prepare by using a simple acrostic:
God’s
Will: God has a perfect will for mankind. How do I discover it?
Obedience: From the beginning of time, God’s
one condition has been obedience. Is God going to be in charge or are we? Think
about those heroes of obedience of the Bible like the following:
2 Chronicles 26:5b NIV As
long as he (Uzziah) sought the Lord, God gave him success. God commanded Moses to do an absolutely
unreasonable task, build a boat about a block long in his front yard that had
never been built before for a deluge that had never occurred before, all the
while enduring all the criticism from the people. Genesis
6:22 NIV
“Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” Then there is Abraham, Genesis 22:2
NIV “Take your son, your only
son, Isaac; whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah.
Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you
about.”
Genesis
22:3 NIV
Abraham rose up early in the morning…and went into the place of which
God had told him.”
Some of us have problems
with obedience. We want our will. We want our own destiny. We want to call the
shots. We want to coach God. Thinking like, “I
don’t know God’s will for my life. Therefore, it is not possible for me to
obey, because I am not responsible for what I don’t know.” Or,
“I would rather dictate to God, and then ask Him to bless my obedience
to my own will. “Bless my Mess!” In
truth, obedience is
the epi-center of our spiritual state and a
reflection of where we are placing our confidence. Hannah Whitall
Smith said, “Obedience is the path to
happiness. But whether or not we are fixed on that path depends upon where we
are placing our confidence.” Perfect obedience would be perfect happiness if
only we had perfect confidence in the power we are obeying.”
So where is our confidence, in man
or God? God, of course!
Discernment: - Prayer
Discernment can be sought through
intimate communion with God through prayer and fasting?
Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV 11
“For I know the plans I have for
you," declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I
will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me
with all your heart.
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV Ask and it will be given to you; seek and
you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks
receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Sacrifice: What was Samuel willing to sacrifice
to cooperate with God in order to know His will? I Samuel 16:2 The Lord said, "Take a
heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.' 3 Invite Jesse to the
sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I
indicate."
Are we serious enough about knowing God’s will for Hillcrest
that we will make the calling of a pastor our highest priority? Are we willing to spend serious time in prayer and fasting. What price are you willing to pay?
Wisdom: God wasn’t obligated to Samuel to give him
that second insight until Samuel had obeyed the first instructions. Fortunately
for Samuel, God was patient. I find that
my most insightful times of direction come from the Lord when I am worshipping
and praising Him. Proverbs 4:7 NIV Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom
though it cost all you have, get
understanding. In 2 Chronicles
1:10 NIV Solomon prayed, “Give
me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern
this great people of yours?"
Insight/Illumination: When you
willfully say no to God’s will (insight), you are electing to assume the
consequences. Psalms 111:10 NIV “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good
understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”
1 Samuel 16:4a NIV
“Samuel did what the Lord said…”
Love:
Obedience
is the language of love. It is how we communicate to God that we love Him. John 14:21 NIV “Whoever
has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me
will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to
him."
Lag-time: Lag time is the length of time between God revealing His will and when we decide to act upon it. Our goal is to reduce the lag-time. Dr. Russell V. DeLong used to describe lag-time in decision making as “putting it in the pigeonhole of suspended judgment.” The tragedy is that when you know something is God’s will and you hesitate to carry it out, the consequences are dangerous and damaging. In your heart if you make no attempt to seek His will, it is no longer lag-time, but disobedience. They are like those stumbling along in a spiritual fog. The Devil wants to prolong this period called lag-time. Those who reduce the lag-time are consistently discovering God’s best.