Life S Messages to Life S Ministry
I Samuel 16:14-23
Life’s Messages to Life’s Ministry
Introduction
1. How does God take life’s messages and turn them into life’s ministry?
2. I Samuel 16:14-23 God takes David’s messages and begins to turn them into life’s ministry.
How does God take life’s messages and turn them into life’s ministry?
I. THE MEANS 16:14-18
A. Life’s Obstacles 14-15
The Spirit of the Lord came upon David…The Spirit of the Lord departed from
Saul…An evil Spirit from the Lord…there is nothing evil about God. God
permitted an evilSpirit to enter Saul.
*Circumstances change…negatives enter into someone’s life…unforeseen
obstacles…
B. Life’s Opportunities 16-18
1. The Provision 16 Where did the servant get that thought? Seek out a man
who isa skillful player of the harp…
2. The Permission 17 Provide me a man…Why was Saul willing to listen?
3. The Providence 18
Another servant ‘just happened’ to know just the man.
Here is his resume: Skillful in playing…(the very thing that men may have
belittled)He had to practice. He had no idea that God would use what he
was learning.
Mighty man of valor…the Spirit of the Lord was on him. He had killed a
lion and bear.
A man of war…a warrior…he has a warrior’s heart, given to him by God.
Prudent in all matters... he had common sense, given by God.
Comely… he was handsome, good looking, God did it. He put the genes
together!
The Lord was with him…he was a man after God’s own heart. A
surrendered heart…
How does God take life’s messages and turn them into life’s ministry?
II. THE METHOD 16:18, 19; 17:24, 34-37
How do you train a person to become a king? He uses some of the same methods
with us.
A. God Uses Solitude 19
We need time alone (no t.v., no cell phones, no computer to interrupt)…time
to think… time to pray and hear God’s voice…time to walk with Him… This
prepares us for greatthings!Too many voices crowds out the voice of God!
B. God Uses Study 18
It takes preparation to be what God wants us to be. It takes time, work and
study.
C. God Uses Secrecy 19
David was alone...unnoticed and unappreciated…Sheep…He learned:
*To be Faithful/Watchful/Obedient…He learned lessons in the secret place
that he couldlearn in the spotlight. God always trains in private before He
uses us in public.
*Faithful in little things…there is no little or insignificant task (always give
your best)!
*Never despise the days of obscurity. God knows where you are and in His
time Hewill put you where He wants you, and to what extent He wants to
use you.
D. God Uses Struggle 16:11, 19; 17:28, 34-37
David went through hard places, and so will we. Jesus learned obedience
through the things that He suffered. Paul: (II Cor. 4:8-10, 14-17) (Rom. 5
tribulation, patience,experience, hope, makes us not ashamed.)No two
struggles will be identical. You will go through it!
How does God take life’s messages and turn them into life’s ministry?
III. THE MOVEMENT 16:19-23
God moves you to His place for His purpose.
A. The Choice 19
David had no choice in the matter, just as we have no choice in many, many
things.
*No choice in parents…time or place of birth…rich or poor family…
height…intelligence..
*You had no choice: schools you attended before college…your
language…your culture..your color…your subjects taken in school…your
church as a child or no church…
B. The Curriculum 20, 21a
David was trained by royalty for royalty. He spent time in Saul’s presence.
He lived withhim. Saul loved him greatly. David saw how to be a king.
David was trained as a warrior. He was Saul’s armor bearer. He would
accompany Saul into battle.
C. The Chance 22
This was the chance of a lifetime! He stood before Saul. Saul didn’t realize
that he was training his successor!
D. The Confidence 23
*He used what God had given him and a hurting heart was healed.
*He was used by God while he was awaiting his ‘big’ assignment. Somehow
the mentalanguishleft Saul.
*He saw God use him where he was placed.
Life’s Messages to Life’s Ministry
You are a work in progress. Are you in the hands of the Master?
Realize: He has equipped you for the task He has for you.He will work in you
to will and to do of His good pleasure.
Learn all you can while you can. Don’t waste the opportunities that God gives you.
168 principle: 168 hours in a week…after work, sleep, and play you still have over 40 hours…don’t waste them!
Old Age: what is God teaching you? Trust Me! Prayer Warrior…be an example to younger believers!
Saved: live 100% for Him…learn it takes total and absolute surrender!