Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

David had a rough go at this

David had a rough go at this

From boyhood serving Saul to being hated by Saul to being perused by Saul and joining the enemy, the Philistines, to escape Saul.

David’s integrity carried him through

Not once but twice he could have taken Sauls life and he would be exalted for doing so, but David loved the Lord his God more than life itself and he refrained from evil

Saul and Johnathan die in battle

The tribes are scattered, unorganized, without leadership

David is the anointed one but there are political games and showmanship that would rival our own political gamesmanship

Some trying to impress the new leader, David, set out and on their own kill anyone that might be opposed to David’s reign

But it appears as David set out to have them killed and has blood on his hands

David wept and fasted over these deaths showing some that it wasn’t his doing but few believed

David went so far as to put to death soldiers, who did the very customary thing of killing off Saul’s relative and leader

Finally, at the hand of God, David is made king by a unanimous vote of the elders of the tribes (reading between the lines) and seated at Hebron

11 years.

Samuel anointed him, but most turned away.

David is bone of their bone and flesh of their flesh.

They have been captives and slaves.

v 1

David led them in battle, and won.

v 2

David was anointed by the prophet and they had a wait and see attitude.

v 2

11 years.

-28

Having a rough go?

Physical struggles, caring for a loved one, work situation, marital strife, children aren’t really adding up to what you hoped they would be?

Is it possible for you to wait until the Lord is ready to move you to the next thing?

Do you believe He can strengthen you and reward you for your dedication, integrity, and patience?

His grace is sufficient for you, His strength is made perfect in weakness.

Is your outlook poor?

How about your IN-Look.

Sometimes the trouble is right here (point at yourself).

(say i’m the problem)

We gather information that seems good to us but may not be profitable for us

In other words, we go to the people who praise us where we are instead of allowing people to speak into our lives that will let us see where we need to be.

How are you at constructive criticism?

Elijah killed the prophets of Baal and Asherah then hid.

God said why?

They seek to kill me, i am the only one!

Get up, i have reserved 7000 in Israel who’s knees have not bowed to Baal

Momentum -

We refuse to wait on God

We don’t like the circumstances He has placed us

Placed us to live, serve, work

When cycling, there’s a world of difference between cruising downhill, with momentum, and pedaling uphill without any momentum at all.

The former is a breeze; the latter is extremely tiresome and requires extraordinary effort.In like manner, leaders are sure to feel the difference between having momentum and lacking it.

Momentum makes leaders look better than they actually are.

It exaggerates all of their strengths.

It also covers a multitude of mistakes.

When an organization has momentum, people will forgive their leaders for almost anything.

Without it, people magnify the flaws of their leaders and forget none of their faults.Many times momentum is the only difference between winning and losing.

With it, everyone is expectant and energized, and people tend to perform at their peak potential.

Without it, people lose heart and have difficulty finding motivation.Momentum is the greatest of all change-agents.

When a leader has it, organizational change comes easily, for it’s much simpler to steer a company that’s already experiencing success than to jumpstart one that’s stagnant.On a team that’s thriving, growing, and delivering results an aura of excitement permeates everything.

The momentum is almost tangible.

Yet even though we can feel the momentum, it’s hard to define.

Let’s take a momentum to pin down where it comes from.

Momentum

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

David feared God and bowed before him.

David bowed before Him and at times repented and confessed his sin

David was gaining strength and momentum for the kingdom because he sought God and was a man after God’s own heart

God would again be exalted and lifted up in Israel

For some, the greater they grow, the less of God the enjoy, gradually forsaking Him.

Finally abandonment.

Humility

Constant devotion is required

Constant prayer

pride, selfishness and prayerlessness separate us from God

Trouble comes when we are at ease - Bathsheba

Trouble comes when we are at ease - Bathsheba

Attitude

There are promises in scripture that assist our attitude

He is the Lord of Hosts!

Proverbs 10:

He is the Lord of Hosts!

The phrase Lord of Hosts communicates God’s role as a warrior who fights both in the cosmic conflict against divine forces and through human historical events for his people

Look at the promise God gave Moses, as we discussed in our group study this am

Exodus 23:20

Attitude: Victor Frankl, survivor of the Nazi concentration camps said, “The last of any human freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

In David’s case, some meant to stop him temporarily, but only he could decide to stop God’s work in him permanently

His brothers at the battle