Not Chosen

B.K. York

1 Chronicles

Title: Your Reputation Proceeds You

Text: 1 Chron. 11:1-3

Introduction:

There once was a young lady who was known for her red hood. There once was a young man who was known for crying wolf. There once was a maiden who is locked in a tower but people could hear her beautiful singing and see the shine of her golden hair. There once was a prince whose date ran away at midnight. What do all of these individuals have in common? We can obviously see that all of them are fairytales. But what they really have in common is that we all know them. They are known for their characteristics and distinct stories. They have reputations. That is something we have in common with them. What are we known for? It is in the way we dress, the way we talk, how we work, and ultimately what God sees inside our hearts. Our reputations dictate our future. Whether it is the future that is on this earth or it is our eternal home to come. Let us see how one can be affected by what they have done in the life of David. The reputation (Vs. 1-2a), the decree (Vs. 2b), the obedience (Vs. 3).

Thesis: The goal of this lesson is to that how we carry ourselves will have an effect on our lives.

The Reputation (Vs. 1-2a)

(Vs. 1a) In 1 Chronicles we see a summary of King David’s Life.

In verse one of this chapter, we see the people gathered together before him in Hebron.

They will go through the process of making him the king of Judah in the following verses. (Vs. 1b) This means they are of the same family, the same bloodline.

Since they are family, they know him. They know that he believes in the one and true and living God and that he knows of the Laws God commanded through Moses. As a child of Israel, he would have shared in their language and costumes. (Vs. 2a) They can identify him from the past.

They remember all of the deeds that he had done, the killing of Goliath, soothing the king's spirit with music, and leading of victorious battles. David was a man of great reputation.

A reputation does not only apply to the great men of history though. It applies to each and every one of us. What does your reputation say about you?

Are you known as a righteous person of God? Are you known as an unrighteous individual?

Your reputation will proceed you and affect those around you. Sometimes you can hide certain things about yourself, but there is always One who knows what is inside and that is God.

The Decree (Vs. 2b)

(Vs. 2b) The people knew not only that David was an Israelite like them and the things he had done in the past. But they also knew what God had said and commanded of him.

In verse three we see that this was because the Lord spoke these things through His prophet Samuel.

The Obedience (Vs. 3)

(Vs. 3) The elders then make David king.

When God gives a command we are to obey it, and that is exactly what the children of Israel did at this time. His reputation of being a man of great leadership proceeded him. On top of that, Samuel spoke God’s command for him to be king and so it was. (1 Chron. 29:27) David would go on to reign over Judah for seven years in Hebron, and in Jerusalem, he would go on to reign over all of Israel and Judah for forty years.

Conclusion:

See how the reputation of a person can have a great influence on a people and their own lives. Granted they were to obey God in making him king, but sadly God’s commands had been disobeyed in the past, just read through the book of Judges. David’s reputation and obedience to God helped the people of Israel get to where they needed to be. Often times the people will follow and feel what the leader does.

Call to Action:

A young lady was known for her red hood. There once was a young man who was known for crying wolf. David was known as a man after God’s own heart. What are you known for?