Attributes of a man after God's own heart

Attributes of a man after God’s own heart

1 Samuel 17:12–30 NIV

12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before.

Introduction

Sermon Illustration - How you recognize someone - by their characteristics or attributesConnection of Illustration to text - In this text we see someone God will useIntroduce the thesis

Thesis: To be used by God we need to have the attributes of a man after God’s own heart.

David is faithful with a few things (vv. 17-23)He was careful to obey his father (vv. 17-19)He was careful to find somebody to watch his sheep (v. 20)He was careful to leave his baggage with the baggage keeper (v. 21)Cared to see his brothers quickly (v. 22)Cared to hear the charge against God & Israel from Goliath (v. 23)

David has confidence in God (vv. 24-27)All of Israel is fearful instead of confident (v. 24)Israel, through their speech, shows they fear man (v. 25a)They’re focusing on the earthly reward not the greatest reward of God receiving glory (v. 25b)David’s confidence is contrasted with Israel’s fear (v. 26)He gets details about the situation (v. 26a) He wants to see God receive glory - “taunt the armies of the living God”He wants to see God’s people delivered - “takes away the reproach from Israel”

David has a clear conscience in his motives (vv. 28-30)David’s conscience is in the stark contrast between him and his oldest brother, Eliab (v. 28a)Appearance ()Eliab is a “little” SaulAngers easilyNo patience for DavidViews David as a threatIsn’t concerned with what God might be doing through DavidDavid’s ability to have a clear conscience is because he acted in obedience (v. 28b)Sent by command of his fatherTook care of his sheep beforehandDavid responds with wisdom, humility, and zeal for God’s glory (vv. 28c-30)Doesn’t desire to see a battle but to see God’s name magnified, which is why he volunteers (v. 28c)Answers with a gentle word ()Doesn’t get angry quickly, doesn’t speak rashly ()Bridles his tongue ()Turns away from his brother knowing that relationship is not edifying ()

Conclusion- If we want to be used by God we need to live with these attributes in our mind: to be faithful with the few things the Lord has given us to be over right now in our lives, to be confident in God, and to have a clear conscience in our motive. Ultimately though our model is Jesus, who displayed the attributes perfectly. Where are you in pursuing these attributes? Do you need to believe in Jesus, the ultimate display of these attributes, and begin to be used by God for the very first time, or do you need to work on having more confidence in God from now on, if so, Jesus can help you with that as well. Whatever attribute you need to work on more today trust and believe that if you want to be used by God He will provide for you to be used by Him for His glory.