For Us To Be A Man After His Heart
Notes
Transcript
“But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
Story of King Saul
Story of King Saul
Saul was the first king of Israel.
He stood at least a head over all others and was more handsome than others
1 Samuel 9:2
He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.
He was also a mighty warrior.
Saved Jabesh Gilead in 1 Samuel 11
However, Saul loses his kingship because of two things.
Fear of man
1 Samuel 13:11
But Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash,
When he saw that people were leaving him; out of fear, disloyal, etc. He broke the commandment of the Lord.
Disobedience
1 Samuel 15:2-3
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt.
‘Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”
He was commanded to utterly destroy every living, breathing thing.
But he kept the good things alive.
1 Samuel 15:22
Samuel said,
“Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
First time Saul had sinned, God had already sought for Himself a new king, one that is “after His own heart.” Then in 1 Samuel 16, David is anointed as king of Israel by Samuel on the commandment of the Lord.
Story of King David
Story of King David
David’s reward
The very first title David received from the Lord is that he was a “man after God’s own heart.”
Later on, God says He will restore the throne of David in the book of Amos.
Jesus comes through the bloodline of David.
So our first initial thought is that David must be the greatest man who has never sinned.
But that cannot be farther from the truth.
David’s sins
David, Bathsheba, and Uriah.
Amnon, Absalom, and Tamar.
Polygamy.
8 wives
Power struggle between Adonijah and Solomon, Bathsheba, and Prophet Nathan.
Ill instruction of Solomon.
700 wives
300 concubines
But what is utterly interesting is that despite all these flaws, weaknesses, brokenness, and sin, David is still considered to be a “man after God’s own heart.” Furthermore, “did all of God’s will.”
How is this possible?
Perhaps the way God gauges whether someone is righteous or evil is different than ours?
The key to becoming a “Man after God’s own heart”
The key to becoming a “Man after God’s own heart”
There are two critical aspects that must be acquired by us to become a “man after God’s own heart.”
First, 1 Samuel 15:22
Samuel said,
“Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
The Laws of God clearly integrated the sacrificial system into the life of obedience; however, the sacrificial system was never meant to triumph over obedience.
We don’t have animal sacrifice today. However, our sacrifice today is the gathering at church. It is called a sacrifice of praise.
However, coming to church, attending Bible study, etc. though all these religious rituals are critical, are never to be a substitute for obedience.
You can miss church service on rare occasions. However, you must be obedient to God’s commandments. In every aspect of your life.
Second, Hosea 6:6 , Matthew 9:13
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
The difference between Saul and David.
When Saul was rebuked for the unlawful sacrifice, all he cared about was saving face in front of people.
When David was confront by the prophet Nathanael about his sin with Bathsheba, he immediately tore his clothes and fell before the Lord in repentance. Do you see the difference?
Hosea could be rephrased, “I desire devotion and not worship songs, love and compassion not sermons.”
Not saying singing worship songs or listening to sermons is bad. But without mercy, love, compassion, and personal devotion to God, those things are worthless.
See, David, a man after God’s own heart was a broken and sinful man. Yet, his love and devotion to the Lord was real. That is why despite all his failures, he is still recognized by the Lord as a man after God’s own heart.
Conclusion
Conclusion
It’s not
How perfect your life is
How sinless your life is
How faithfully you attend church service
It’s about how well and how much you love the Lord.
It all comes back to the greatest commandment.
Matthew 22:37
And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
That is how you become a man after God’s own heart.