09 Lead Like David

Opening Song

“We gather to be formed in God’s presence so we can be sent into our community”

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

After greeting prayer: “Lord, open our eyes this week to those who are curious about faith.”

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NEW ANNOUNCEMENT: ____

These are not events to attend — it is an environment to build relationships.

Prayer for...

Sermon

THE TENSION

(Why This Matters - Name the struggle)

During More Than a Song we learned:

Worship as surrender

Worship in the valley

Worship before victory

Worship that forms character

Worship that sends

Worship will last

Throughout the series we learned: Worship is more than a song.

But if there is one leader in Scripture who demonstrates that truth, it's David.

David was:

a warrior

a king

a shepherd

a leader

But before any of those things...David was a worshiper.

His leadership flowed from worship.

His influence flowed from God's presence.

And if we're going to lead well (in our homes, churches, workplaces, and communities) we must learn to lead like David.

TITLE - Lead Like David: Leading From the Presence of God

THE PROBLEM

Our culture teaches…Leadership begins with:

talent

charisma

strategy

position

But Scripture teaches: Leadership begins with the heart.

Many people want David's throne.

Few have David's posutre.

Many want influence. Few want intimacy.

BIG IDEA: The greatest leaders are first wholehearted worshipers.

MY STORY

(Relatable Entry Point - vulnerable authenticity - emotional connection)

THE SCRIPTURE

(Context, Characters, Read)

Acts 13:22 “22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’”

God does not first praise:

David's courage

David's military success

David's leadership ability

God highlights David's heart.

THE DISCOVERY

(What We See Unfolding — 3 Movements: What does this reveal about God? - What does this reveal about us? - What lie is being confronted?)

1. David Learned to Worship Before He Learned to Lead

Before David stood before giants...He stood before God.

Before David led a nation...He shepherded sheep.

Before public influence came private devotion.

We often want public impact before private formation.

God forms leaders in hidden places before He trusts them with visible places.

Lie being confronted: "Leadership begins when people notice me."

Truth: Leadership begins when God forms me.

David's greatest preparation for leadership wasn't military training. It was time in God's presence.

1 Samuel 16:11–13 “11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.”

1 Samuel 17:28 “28 Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.””

We don't know exactly how David's brothers felt when he was anointed. But we do know that later Eliab responded with criticism and contempt, suggesting that David's calling was not celebrated by everyone around him.

David was faithful when:

overlooked by his father,

forgotten in the field,

criticized by his brother,

underestimated by Saul,

opposed by Goliath.

Yet David kept his focus on God rather than proving himself to people.

2. David Fought Giants Because He Had Already Found God in the Field

When Goliath appeared, David wasn't relying on confidence, He was relying on experience with God.

The giant was not David's first battle, the lion and the bear had already taught him trust.

1 Samuel 17:37 “37 And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!””

We often want victory without preparation but God uses ordinary seasons to prepare us for extraordinary assignments.

Lie being confronted: "My current season doesn't matter."

Truth: God is preparing me even when no one sees it.

The victories of public leadership are often won during private worship (Ps. 18:29-34).

3. David Valued God's Presence More Than Position

David wanted many things but one thing stood above everything else.

Psalm 27:4 “4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”

Not power. Not success. Not influence. God's presence. (Ps. 63:1-3)

We often seek God's gifts more than God's presence but God desires relationship before accomplishment.

Lie being confronted: "If I get the position, I'll be fulfilled."

Truth: Only God's presence satisfies the soul.

Leadership becomes dangerous when we love influence more than intimacy.

4. David Led Others Into Worship

David didn't merely worship personally, he shaped a culture of worship.

1 Chronicles 15:16 “16 David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.”

1 Chronicles 16:4 “4 Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel.”

He brought the Ark back, he organized worship.

He danced before the Lord (2 Sa. 6:14-15).

He wrote songs generations would sing.

We often think leadership is about directing people.

Godly leaders help people encounter God's presence.

Lie being confronted: "Leadership is about building my kingdom."

Truth: Leadership is helping others know God's kingdom (Ps. 34:3).

5. David's Greatest Legacy Was Not a Throne But a Heart

David had failures. Significant failures.

Yet Scripture remembers him as: A man after God's own heart. (Ac. 13:22)

Why? Because David continually returned to God.

We often define leadership by perfection but God works through surrendered and repentant people.

Lie being confronted: "My failures disqualify me."

Truth: Humility and repentance keep us close to God's heart.

IDENTITY SHIFT

(Who does this reveal God to be? Who does this reveal us to be?)

Who God Is

God is the Servant King.

He leads through love, sacrifice, and service.

Who We Are

We are not owners, We are stewards.

We are not called to build our kingdom.

We are called to help people encounter Jesus and become disciples - Developing Missionaries!!

PRACTICE OBEDIENCE

(Next Steps - Application)

1. Surrender Your Influence

Ask: "Am I using influence for myself or for God's mission?"

2. Serve Someone Intentionally

Pick up the trash. Clean up the mess.

3. Invest In One Person

Support someone’s spiritual development

4. Remove One Distraction

Identify what is pulling you away from God's mission.

5. Lead as Worship

This week ask: "How can my leadership become an offering to God?"

CALL UP MUSIC TEAM

A song may last a few minutes, leadership lasts much longer.

Every conversation.

Every decision.

Every act of service.

Every person you develop.

These become acts of worship.

Because worship is a life surrendered to God.

And Biblical leadership is one of the ways that surrender becomes visible.

Worship Thru Music

Commissioning:

This week, build one relationship. Pray for one person far from God.

As you depart…Take one step toward discipling someone.