Saul, Samuel And A Shepherd Boy
1 Samuel 15:17-35, 16:4-13
Three points........
I. Saul Was Losing !
a. Lost his convictions.
b. Lost his chance.
c. Lost his crown.
II. Samuel Was Lamenting !
a. He annointed Saul.
b. He advised Saul.
but in the end
c. He abandoned Saul. (no longer advised him because he had been rejected by God)
III. The Shepherd Boy Was Leading.
a. He was forgotten.
b. He was faithful
c. He was favored.
When I was a kid growing up in the metropolis of Haralson, Ga.....I attended the Baptist church there. However, the Methodist Church was having a big barbeque.........now when you grow up in Haralson you don’t get the chance for much free food........so I went ! When it comes to barbeque, brunswick stew........free food, you know it doesn’t matter what denomination you are !
Joke: A baptist was talking to a Methodist one day and asked........How come you’re a Methodist ? The guy said.......well I guess it’s because my great grandparents, my grandparents, my parents, and all my aunts, and uncles were, and are Methodists. The Baptist said.....why that’s the dumbest thing I ever heard of ! I guess if your great grandparents were morons, and your grandparents were morons, and if your mama, and daddy, and all your aunts, and uncles were morons.........I guess you’d be a Moron too........wouldn’t you ? The Methodist says.......naw I’d be a Baptist then !
Now back to the BBQ........there was some excitement in the air that day at the Methodist church........someone famous was coming ! Man was I excited........couldn’t wait to meet the guy................anyone remember "Herman Talmidge" ? I think he was a Senator or Congressman at one time...........now listen no respect to Mr. Talmidge.......but we kids didn’t know who in the world he was or what he did..........but it was exciting anyway !
In our text today set in another small out of the way place, excitement feeled the air. Someone famous was coming to Bethelehem. Everyone knew Samuel..........he was the prophet/priest of God...........Samuel of course was the Son whom Hannah prayed for.........remember how she gave him back to the Lord after he was born, and oh how God used this mighty man ! When he was a kid living at the Temple learning at the side of Eli, the High Priest.......Samuel was lying in the bed one night asleep, but was awakened by someone calling his name.....Samuel immediately jumped out of the bed, and ran to Eli’s room.......Here am I; for thou calledst me. Eli said to the boy....I called not; lie down again...........2nd time.....same
Joke: When you do will you bring me some water....
3rd time.........Eli finally got the message and perceived that God was speaking to the boy, and said to Samuel the boy......Go lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Samuel learned to recognize the voice of God, and grew into one of the mightest prophets of all time !
The word in the street.......Samuel’s coming.........word has it..........that he’s coming here to annoint a King ! Can’t you hear the buzz ? Sure.........right........Samuel the prophet is coming here to annoint a King.......yeah right !
Can’t you hear the speculation ? Who will it be ? Surely it will be Jacob because he has all the credentials......no.....I think it will be Reuben because he is so handsome, and so strong..........how bout Gideon the son of Amos........he’s got quite a resume........and he was a Captain in the Army......
Hey......don’t forget about Benjamin the grandson of Caleb......you know he just graduated from King’s College with a Master’s degree in Administration.
I don’t for sure if that’s the way is was........but I would imagine that there was a great deal of speculation....
Here’s the scriptural narrative.........
Vs 5-13
Here are some lessons we can learn.........
1. God Looks At The Heart And Not At Height !
Story: What’s that in your ear.......is that Elmo ? Laughter.........Let me look in your mouth........is that Big Bird.......Now let me listen to your heart.......is that Barney I hear in there ? No.......Barney’s on my underwear.......Jesus is in my heart !
2. God Often Uses The Least Likeliest !
When I was in H.S. I was voted least likeliest to succeed !
If you had known me then, you would haven’t expected to see me here. I was the guy that mother’s feared, and daddy’s hated ! When folks at school heard that I had become a Christian.....they laughed ! When I shared it with a lady that was a Christian, she didn’t even believe it was possible.......in fact, she said........it might last 6 wks !
Two modern day David’s.........least likeliest.
Illust. David Ring
Few individuals have felt the crushing blows that have besieged David Ring since birth. He was born to lose. On October 28, 1953, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, David was born with cerebral palsy. Orphaned at age 14, he was cast about from family to family, with nowhere to call home. He endured constant physical pain, humiliating public ridicule and constant discouragement. Yet in the face of these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, David emerged not victimized...but victorious! Life was worse than hopeless to him until his relationship began with Jesus Christ who taught him self respect and an acceptance of his physical challenges. To most, physical challenges of this magnitude would prove to be a tombstone. For David, his coming of age was and remains a milestone. He speaks to over 100,000 people each year.
Illust. Dave Roever
Eight months into his tour of duty in Vietnam, Roever was burned beyond recognition when a phosphorous grenade he was poised to throw exploded in his hand. The ordeal left him hospitalized for fourteen months, where he underwent fifteen major surgeries. His survival and life are miraculous.
Today, with his humorous style, Dave Roever is enthusiastically received both nationally and internationally as a public speaker.
3. The Little Stuff Matters To God
4. God Blesses Those Who Are Faithful.
Would it surprise you to learn that more has been written about David than any other biblical character ?
Abraham has some fourteen chapters dedicated to his life, and so does Joseph, Jacob has eleven. Elijah has ten. But do you have any idea how many are dedicated to David ? Sixty six ! David also wrote at least 73 of the Psalms.
One by one Jesse’s sons
Stood before the prophet
Their father knew a king
Would soon be found
And each one passed
Except the last
No one thought to call him
Surely he would never
Wear a crown
CHORUS: But when others see a shepherd boy
God may see a king
Even though your life seems filled
With ordinary things
In just a moment He can touch you
And everything will change
When others see a shepherd boy
God may see a king
One by one problems come
And dreams get shatteredAnd sometimes it’s hard
To understand
But things like chance
And circumstance
They don’t really matter
Our Father holds tomorrow
In His hands
CHORUS
Well it wasn’t the oldest
It wasn’t the strongest
Chosen on that day
And yet the giants fell
And nations trembled
When they stood in his way
