Summary: The characteristics of a man (or woman) after God’s own heart. I also have this message available in Powerpoint, if you would like to use it, just email me at apayne@chickeechurch.org.

A Man After God’s Own Heart

1 Samuel 13:14

Psalm 26

Intro.

Saul had disobeyed God.

His throne was taken away and given to another.

David was annointed by Samuel to be the new King of Israel.

The Lord is still seeking a man (person) who is “after

His own heart”

In Psalm 26 we see the characteristics of a man after

God’s own heart.

Psalm 26

1. He desires to be examined by God. Vs. 1-2

-The man who seeks after God’s own heart does not

fear the judgment or examination of his life.

-Examine me – look into my heart

-Try me – like the refiner tries the silver

-My reins – (kidneys) most inner most emotions.

-My heart – my innermost thoughts

-Are you willing to have God look deep inside you and

reveal to you all your sin.

--Full submission

--Full confession

2. Has faith in the Lord. Vs 1

-I have trusted…

-A full and complete trust.

-Not just lip service, but a trust that leads to life service.

-With all your heart.

3. He guards himself against backsliding. Vs 1

-By Prayer

-By faithful church attendance

-By reading the word.

4. He walks according to the Word of God. Vs. 3

-He is a doer of the Word

-He reads it.

-He studies it.

-He obeys what it says.

5. He separates himself from the ungodly. Vs 4-5

-"Sat" – hang out. (fellowship)

-With vain persons – those who cannot contribute to by spiritual growth because they are spiritually empty.

-With dissemblers –those with something to hide.

-With evil doers – those who knowingly continue in sin.

-With the wicked ones – those who are guilty without

repentance.

-Vs 9-10

-Witness to them, but don’t join them in their sin.

6. He offers sacrifices. Vs 6

-When a person entered into the temple to offer

sacrifices, he stopped at the giant laver to wash his

hands, signifying His purity.

-We must offer to God a pure living sacrifice.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by

the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a

living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is

your reasonable service.

-Our sacrifice begins with the offering of ourselves to the Lord.

7. He testifies of God’s work. Vs 7

-He simply tells what God has done in His life.

-With an attitude of thanksgiving (not bragging)

8. He loves the house of God.

-He attends it.

-He gives to supports it.

-He prays for it

-Because the honour of the Lord is there.

9. He walks in integrity. Vs 9-11

-In honesty

-In righteousness

-In holiness

-As opposed to those who are…

--bloody men (murderers)

--whose hands is mischief

--lays plans for deceit for and deception

--find some way to sin and get away with it

--right hand if full of bribes (a quick way to get

rich by trickery or bribery (lawsuits)

10. He praises the Lord.

-In the congregation

Psalms 111:1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

-For everything.

-He is in a right place (even ground)

Conclusion…this is the man I want to be this year…what about you.

Note: When I preached this message at our church, the altar was filled with people making a committment to become a person after God’s own heart.