HOW TO BE READY WHEN GOD GIVES YOU OPPORTUNITY
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
What can you do be ready when God gives you an opportunity to do something significant?
What can you do be ready when God gives you an opportunity to do something significant?
Many of us could be used by God in very important ways if we were just ready when the opportunity came...
There is so much work to do all around us for the Cause of Christ, but Jesus said, “the harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few” (Mt. 9:37).
One reason for the shortage is that many are not ready
Perhaps we are distracted, inattentive, or spiritually disqualified – and as a result we did not see or take advantage of the opportunity presented us
The Bible speaks often of taking advantage of our opportunities...
15 Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
35 Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
In this lesson we are going to look at a young man who was given an opportunity to do something very special for the Lord – a young man who took advantage of the opportunity and blessed the whole world - this young man’s name was David (1 Sam. 16:1-13).
In this lesson we are going to look at a young man who was given an opportunity to do something very special for the Lord – a young man who took advantage of the opportunity and blessed the whole world - this young man’s name was David (1 Sam. 16:1-13).
DISCUSSION
SAMUEL’S DISAPPOINTMENT
SAMUEL’S DISAPPOINTMENT
Samuel was very disappointed at the downfall of Saul and his grief was evident...
Samuel was very disappointed at the downfall of Saul and his grief was evident...
1 And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
I find myself wondering about Samuel’s grief.
I find myself wondering about Samuel’s grief.
He knew long ago it was not going to work, for Samuel had warned the people saying...
18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day. 19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
You see, Saul was not God’s choice, he was the people’s choice
The people demanded a king, so God gave them exactly what they were demanding – God gave them the kind of king they wanted - sadly, they had to live with the results
There will always be disappoints associated with doing things our way
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Once again I want you to notice God’s instruction to Samuel...
1 And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
Man would not have chosen David – he was a nobody
Saul, though, was head and shoulders above the rest (1 Sam. 9:2) - he had what men look for
It is evident that David did not have what it took to please men – he didn’t even impress Samuel.
So it is important to remember that...
WE MUST DETERMINE TO BE GOD’S CHOICE – NOT MAN’S CHOICE
WE MUST DETERMINE TO BE GOD’S CHOICE – NOT MAN’S CHOICE
Becoming man’s choice and becoming God’s choice are two totally different things
Becoming man’s choice and becoming God’s choice are two totally different things
If we are looking for men to notice us, we will be doing things to please them – and ignoring things that please God...
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
If we seeking the favor of men, we will be jealous of others and what they may be promoted to or how they have been successful
Many live to be seen of men, but notice that warnings of Jesus...
1 Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
5 And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
James, had something to say to some in his day who were striving to be the choice of men rather than the choice of God...
James, had something to say to some in his day who were striving to be the choice of men rather than the choice of God...
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Let me tell something about responsibility in the Lord’s church ... You do not have to force and demand places of responsibility in the church.
Let me tell something about responsibility in the Lord’s church ... You do not have to force and demand places of responsibility in the church.
If you are pleasing to God, then He will see to it that you get responsibility
You will not have to call attention to yourself before men - tooting your own horn...
If you are faithful – God will notice and use you - and thats all that is really important
What I am saying is this: Determine that if you are going to be used by God it will His choice. It is God we must please – We will soon see how David became God’s choice
What I am saying is this: Determine that if you are going to be used by God it will His choice. It is God we must please – We will soon see how David became God’s choice
In connection with this notice that...
GOD SEE DIFFERENTLY THAN WE SEE
GOD SEE DIFFERENTLY THAN WE SEE
Samuel has a little problem that needs to be solved. He is afraid to do what God told him to do...
Samuel has a little problem that needs to be solved. He is afraid to do what God told him to do...
2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord.
You see, anointing another king while Saul was still on the throne would be considered an act of open treason.
You see, anointing another king while Saul was still on the throne would be considered an act of open treason.
Saul was already fighting bouts of depression and paranoia, and getting more unpredictable every day.
Saul just might kill Samuel
Sometimes we allow fear to hinder our efforts...
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
It is not always easy fulfilling God’s wishes, but where there is a will there is a way
2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.
God wanted this done in secret for it would be several years before David would ascend to the throne
4 And Samuel did that which the Lord spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
So, they all go through the consecration rituals, the elders, Samuel, and Jesse’ family
Unknown to all of them, Samuel was watching as the sons of Jesse came in
6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.
Samuel, using human judgment, immediately notices the one he thinks God will pick
Samuel probably thought himself to be a pretty good judge of character – just like most of us do. But he was wrong!
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Man tends to look at and be concerned with other’s physical appearance
You see, Eliab had eye catching physical characteristics like Saul had
We tend to judge people by what we see physically, or judge them with with little or flawed information
This is why when choosing leaders in the church God has given the qualifications and has not left it up to man.
Now let’s ask this question: How are we going to be ready to be used by God for something special?
Now let’s ask this question: How are we going to be ready to be used by God for something special?
PUT OUR EFFORTS INTO THE THINGS GOD LOOKS AT
PUT OUR EFFORTS INTO THE THINGS GOD LOOKS AT
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Remember, we want to concentrate on being God’s choice. He is the One we need to please
God is looking for people who have the right hearts before Him. That is the limiting factor when it comes to being used by God
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
God is looking for good hearts - people with the right mindset and the right attitudes
Do you see what God is looking for? God did not find this in the seven older sons of Jesse.
Do you see what God is looking for? God did not find this in the seven older sons of Jesse.
If you want to be used by God for something special, then take an inward spiritual inventory
In your heart of hearts – whom do you serve?
David was a man after God’s own heart – that was the stated conclusion that God had of David’s life.
Would that be true of us?
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
Well, Samuel quit second guessing God after the first blunder with Eliab.
Well, Samuel quit second guessing God after the first blunder with Eliab.
Maybe that would be a good thing for you and me to do as well.
To not second guess God
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this. 9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this. 10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these. 11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
Jesse, evidently, didn’t even think David was worth considering
Where was David? With the sheep – faithfully attending to the job he was presently entrusted with
When God is looking for someone to do something special, He looks for one who is faithful to what he is currently doing
Where did David go after being anointed to prepare? To the palace? No, he went back home to his father’s sheep.
Where did David go after being anointed to prepare? To the palace? No, he went back home to his father’s sheep.
Where do you find David when he is not playing music for Saul?
He was with the sheep!
David was preparing for his kingship among the sheep.
CONCLUSION
We need to accept God’s timetable, and not insist on ours
We need to accept God’s timetable, and not insist on ours
That is hard to do sometimes. Especially when we are brimming with enthusiasm for something
God has a timetable – it is seen in the life of David
This principle is stated in the New Testament...
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;
I am not suggesting that we just sit back and wait on God to do it all …
We must be working – that is what God is looking for
If we are working for the Lord special opportunity will be afforded us
We should all want to be used by God, and we should all be ready when He opens the door of opportunity.
We should all want to be used by God, and we should all be ready when He opens the door of opportunity.