God's Choice Not Our Choice
When a man or a woman is seen on the street, we make an assumption about that person. Like what kind work they do, or even if they work. We make choices about liking that person or not liking that person. And we haven't even met them. If we see a man in a nice suit or a woman in a nice dress, we assume a successful career and that may not be the case.
Samuel was faced with the same assumptions. It was Saul whom God removed as king of Israel and it was Samuel who was chosen to anoint the next king. But who would it be. Samuel saw a man like Saul. An established man, someone of honor and stature. Yet, God did not choose a person based on Samuel's assumptions , but the heart of the chosen.
Let's go back 3,000 years to Israel and see how God moved.
[The first move is the . . . ]
I. Unseen Choice (1-5)
A. God Provides His Own
1. King
2. Safety for His own
B. God Causes Terror For the Ungodly
Question: Who were the elders and why terror?
C. God Brings Order
1. Peace
2. Sanctification
There's a wonderful story about a Chicago bank that once asked for a letter of recommendation on a young Bostonian being considered for employment. The Boston investment house could not say enough about the young man. His father, they wrote, was a Cabot; his mother was a Lowell. Further back was a happy blend of Saltonstalls, Peabodys, and other of Boston's first families. His recommendation was given without hesitation. Several days later, the Chicago bank sent a note saying the information supplied was altogether inadequate. It read: "We are not contemplating using the young man for breeding purposes. Just for work." Neither is God a respecter of persons but accepts those from every family, nation, and race who fear Him and work for His kingdom (Acts 10:34-35). Kathleen Peterson
God does not accept us for what family we=re from, but whose child we will become.
With God choosing the king how could Samuel expect anything but perfection. Yet, he did not see what God saw and look outwardly to make a determination.
[When we look outwardly, we will be lead to believe it is a . . . ]
II. Hopeless Cause (6-10)
D. Samuel=s Mistake
E. Jesse=s Mistake
Note: He brought all his sons, but one. Assuming he (David) was not it.
Assumption and mistakes will always get you in trouble. Former heavy-weight boxer James (Quick) Tillis is a cowboy from Oklahoma who fought out of Chicago in the early 1980's. He still remembers his first day in the Windy City after his arrival from Tulsa. "I got off the bus with two cardboard suitcases under by arms in downtown Chicago and stopped in front of the Sears Tower. I put my suitcases down, and I looked up at the Tower and I said to myself, 'I'm going to conquer Chicago.' "When I looked down, the suitcases were gone." Today in the Word, September 10, 1992
God=s choice is not our choice. Just when we think He won=t move in someone=s life, He does.
[It is God=s miracles that brings . . . ]
III. Surprise Conclusion (11-13)
A. God=s Intention
B. Samuel=s Obedience
C. God=s Choice
Note: Just as David, salvation brings God=s Spirit upon us. We are God=s choice.
This surprise ending was just what happened on a New York subway: A New York City businessman decided to avoid a $20 service charge by replacing a fluorescent light himself. After he had smuggled a new light into his office and put it in place, he decided to get rid of the old tube by throwing it in the trash can near his subway stop. That night he got on the subway holding the seven- foot light vertically, with one end resting on the floor of the car. As the train became more crowded other passengers took hold of the tube, assuming it was a stanchion. By the time the man reached his stop, he simply removed his hand and exited the car, leaving the other passengers gripping the fluorescent tube! Today in the Word, June 24, 1992
Close with Ray Boltz song AShepard Boy@
C Application led by the Holy Ghost.