Being in God's Workshop 1 Sam. 16
Being in God’s Workshop EBC 12/10/06 1 Sam. 16:14-23
Intro: There was a time when King Saul had been used of God to accomplish great things. Yet, now we see him in desperate days. Because of rebellion (1 Sam. 15:23), God had removed His spirit from Saul and had allowed an evil spirit to torment him.
1- 1 Sam. 16:1- God has rejected Saul
2- 1 Sam. 16:14- God allows an evil spirit to overtake him
3- 1 Sam. 16:15- Saul’s servants realize it and get him some help. It was thought that music calms the soul and it did.
David is once again cast into the spotlight amid depression, madness and spiritual tragedy.
God saved us to change us into his image. To do this God uses certain tools:
I. Solitude (16:19)
A. It was on the lonely hills of Judea that David learned how to be alone with God.
B. Away from all distractions he learned how to hear the voice of God.
1. 1 Kings 19:12- Elijah had seen the earthquake, wind and fire and realized God was in none of those. He walked back into the cave and God spoke to him in a still small voice (quite). Elijah put his cloak over hi face and came to the opening of the cave.
2. Amos 7:14,15-
C. Many today know nothing about being alone with the Lord. Can’t make it without noise.
D. Jesus wanted time alone with the Father
1. Mark 1:35-
2. Luke 6:12-
II. Secrecy (16:18)
A. God always trains His people in private before he uses them in public. You want to be used of God them be faithful in private areas.
1. David was faithful in tending to his father’s sheep when no one was looking
B. David learned obedience, he learned humility and watchfulness. He always had to keep his eyes on the sheep.
1. In obscurity, God taught Moses how to lead the nation Israel.
2. In prison, God taught Joseph how to govern.
C. God sees you in secrecy:
1. Mark 12:41-44-
III. Sameness (16:11,19, 17:15)
A. Where is David? Right where his father put him. If we are faithful where we are, we won’t be faithful where you are going.
1. Good lessons for Sunday school teachers – be faithful with the ones you’re got and maybe God will give you some more.
B. David was faithful in mundane tasks and when God promoted him David didn’t have to learn faithfulness he didn’t have to learn responsibility.
IV. Struggle (17:34-37)
A. David’s life was not all mundane and routine. We see David in many struggles.
1. 1 Sam. 17:40-51- Goliath
2. 1 Sam. 17:28- critized
3. 1 Sam. 17:33- misunderstood
B. God uses all this to teach us about his power and provision
C. Great people have learned much in affliction.
1. 1 Kings 17:9,10-24-
2. Dan. 3- 3 Hebrew boys
D. Someone said life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% your response