Sermon Central
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A Nobody That God Can Use
Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Jan 16, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
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+ New PowerPoint Slide
> Transition Within Slide
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- Samuel had to pass Gibeah
+ 1 Sam 15:34 — Map
> Ramah - Samuel’s Home
> Gibeah - Saul’s Home
> Bethlehem - David’s home
+ Samuel’s Blunders
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> 1. Would not give it up
- Morning for Saul - v.1
- My first computer recalled
> 2. Hesitant to go
16:1 - God s Mind go
16:2 - Samuel How can I go
- There is no such word “how” in
the vocabulary of faith
> 3. 16: 6-10 His natural choices
A group of High School students were asked recently “If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?” Do you know what they said?
Was it I wish “I had better grades?”
Was it I wish “I was healthier?”
Was it I wish “I had more money?”
Was it I wish “I had more athletic ability?”
Was it I wish “I was more popular?”
Was it I wish “I was holier?”
Was it I wish “I was more patient?”
No it was none of the above – 90% responded in this survey with this answer “I would change my physical appearance.” This was the overwhelming response of some of today’s High School students. Pastor Erickson states this about our study, “The girls wanted to be thinner, the boys wanted to be taller, and both wanted to be free of acne”(2).
This obsession with appearance though is not just a teen fad. The Pioneer Press this week noted how diet fads are causing major health problems in the U.S.. People are actually damaging their bodies internally even to the point of death to look better on the exterior surface.
Other reports have observed that today people are spending millions on face lifts, tummy tucks, lipo suction, plastic surgery and other cosmetic surgeries so they appear better looking. You could realistically say that America is obsessed with their exterior appearance at the risk of damaging their internal organs.
Pastor Erickson reiterates the problem, “It is not that people are merely dissatisfied with how they look, many are depressed by their appearance and obsessed with finding a way to change it. Many of us have totally forgotten that it is not the outside, but the inside, the inner character, that really counts”
+ David’s Brothers
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- 1 C. 2:13-15
> Eliab - ‘God is father
> Abinadab My father is willing ‘father of generosity’
> Shammah - Astonishment
> Nethanel - Given of God
> Raddai - Trampling
> Ozem - Strong
- Missing brother may have died
without children
- 1 Chron 27:18 - Elihu (could be
variant of Eliab
> David - Beloved (16:11- youngest)
+ David - Beloved
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- What made him beloved of God
- What made him beloved of God?
> Lord does not look upon one’s position in life
> Lord does not look upon one’s family history
> Lord does not look upon one’s wealth
> Lord does not look upon one’s appearance
> Lord does not look upon one’s age
> It was his heart
+ Integrity
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> Meaning from the Latin
integer; and the meaning of integer is “whole;”(soundness of moral character); and wholeness is our old strong Saxon for holiness.
> Ps 7:8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
> Ps 26:1-3A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth
+ God’s Value of Integrity
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Bible places a great value on what kind of heart you have.
> Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
> Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
- God returns to Solomon a 2nd time
What Is Your Heart Like Today?
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IS IT:
> 1. A Secure Heart (II Kings 5:1-3)
- She was far from her home,
- She followed what she was taught
- She trusted God to accomplish what needed to be done!
> 2. A Sensitive Heart
(II Kings 22:1-2, 8, 19; 23:1-3)
- Once Josaih knew what was right to do, he immediately obeyed God!
> 3. A Surrendered Heart
- Giving all what he had to Jesus!
