A Man After God's Own Heart

[0:00] Thank you for tuning into this message by David Entry. Every true revival is a product of the strong preaching of God's word. may you receive a word from this message that will spark a revival in you.

[0:13] So, chapter 13, verse 1 to 14. Saul reigned one year, and when he had reigned two years over Israel, Saul chose for himself 3,000 men of Israel, 2,000 were with Saul in Mishmash in the mountains of Bethel, and 1,000 were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin, the rest of the people he sent away every man to his tent.

[0:42] And Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it, and then Saul blew his trumpet throughout all of the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

[0:54] Now, all Israel heard it, said that Saul had attacked the garrisons of the Philistines, and that Israel had also become an abomination to the Philistines, and the people were called together to Saul at Gilgal.

[1:08] Then the Philistines gathered themselves to fight with Israel, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen, and people as the sand. Oh my God, you have only 3,000.

[1:20] Which is on the seashore. In multitude. And they came up to encamp in Mishmash, to the east of Beth-evin.

[1:31] Then the men of Israel saw that they were in danger, for the people were distressed. Then the people hid in caves, in tickets, in rocks, in holes, in pits.

[1:42] And some of the Hebrews crossed over to the Jordan, to the land of Gath and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal. And all the people followed him, trembling.

[1:54] And he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal. And the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, Bring a burnt offering, and a peace offering, here to me.

[2:08] And he offered the burnt offering. Now it happened as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.

[2:18] And Samuel said, What have you done? And Saul said, When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, that the Philistines gathered together at Mishmash, then I said, The Philistines will now come down to me in Gilgal.

[2:36] And I have not made supplication to the Lord. Therefore, I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly.

[2:48] You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which he commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now, your kingdom shall not continue.

[3:00] Amen. The Lord has sought for himself a man after his own heart. And the Lord has commanded him to be commander over his people, because he has not kept the Lord's commandment to you.

[3:14] Let's pray. Father, we thank you for this afternoon. Lord, let your word come alive. Speak to us. Change us, Lord.

[3:25] Teach us. Open our eyes. Transform us. Lead us. Guide us. Help us. Let us receive of you. In Jesus' name. Amen. Please take your seats.

[3:36] Hallelujah. And so, I am speaking on a man after God's own hearts.

[3:47] You know what? I was thinking about why do I get these messages? Why? I believe that God is preparing us. And it took me back to, you know, my formative years, my Christian formative years.

[4:06] And these were the core principles that had been anchored in us. And so, it had become your compass in life. And so, it's almost like, when you get to the junction of life, you know what you ought to do.

[4:22] It influenced our choices. We're never caught in a space where it's like, should I choose God or should I choose otherwise? Because these kind of messages, God had been so embedded in us.

[4:36] That with time, it became second, it became you. It became the message. It became the word of God. To the point that, it has been, it has become a guide all through life.

[4:50] A lot of these things, some of the, the Ephesians series, God's ever knew it back to back more than 25 years ago. What he's preaching is not new to him at all.

[5:01] But these were the times where you just had to sit down and just learn from God. Sit at the feet of Jesus. Learn from the Lord.

[5:12] Learn from his word. Commit your hearts to his word. And that was our becoming. We didn't know where God would take us. We didn't know how I'll have such a privilege. But it's just God forming himself.

[5:24] As much as, as you receive the word, don't receive it for knowledge only. But it's becoming you. The, the word became flesh. So that's what, that should be your experience.

[5:36] That's not just what you read in the Bible. That sounds spiritual. But it has to become flesh. It has, it's like what you eat, you become what you eat. In the physical. So when you have tendencies of eating some things, it will show you in your body.

[5:49] And if you eat some other things too, it will show you in your body. The word of God is the same. It's the same. So when you hear the word of God, and it is food for you, not just knowledge for you, but it's food for you, you are becoming the word.

[6:06] You are becoming the word. It will shock you. Who few years down the line, you have become. Not just a good preacher. We thank God for that. In this church, I know we have so many good preachers, amazing preachers.

[6:19] God is raising. But it's who you have become. The word has become flesh. You have become the word of God. And so I understood, the mission at hand.

[6:30] So I said, yes, Lord, we will do it. Because God needs men and women for the future.

[6:42] Yes, for the now, but there's greater work ahead in the future. The revival is on the line. If we don't, he doesn't find men he has prepared. He doesn't find women he has prepared.

[6:54] God is serious about what he's doing here. God is serious. God is selecting and separating people unto himself for a purpose he has in mind.

[7:06] At the appointed time, God will be counting on the people he has poured into. The word has been preached. That's why the word is not diluted here. We don't do youth kind of, you know, okay, let's entertain ourselves, youth activity.

[7:21] We are not a youth church. We are a full-blown church. And we are serious about, we are clear about what we're doing and what we're serious about because God is preparing himself for himself.

[7:33] Vessels. Vessels. It will be necessary for the future of this country. I bet you. In areas of authority, in areas of government, in the areas of ministry, in communities, or in schools, in institutions, God is preparing all manner of people to be a voice, to be his voice in this nation.

[7:57] Of course, some of us want to go mission out. But I bet you, God needs to retain quite a few here. The land needs it. Our land will need what God is doing here.

[8:09] And so let's take it seriously. Don't count yourself out. And don't look down on yourself at all. As long as you're opening yourself to the word, it will surprise you what God has in store for you. As long as you are veiling yourself for God to continue to work on you, as you hear the word of God, God, the word is working on you.

[8:27] The world is building you. The world is building you. The word is building you. It will surprise you. When duty calls, what will come out of you?

[8:38] Because you have become. You would have become. And so really, God is on an agenda here. He's serious about what he's doing. He's serious. And he's committed.

[8:49] God is committed. Jesus had 12. Yeah, there were others, 70 and all that. But really, the people Jesus was pouring into on a regular basis was 12.

[9:01] The mission was done. God has more than 12 here. God's mission will not be aborted.

[9:30] God's agenda will be accomplished because God will find more than 12 here. God's agenda will be accomplished because God has more than 12 here. God's agenda will be accomplished because God has more than 12 here.

[9:46] Just count yourself in. When God is speaking, he's no respecter of persons. He's not intimidated by people's outward look. Just decide that I am part of this.

[9:58] I am calling myself into this. Lord, if you are picking, you have picked me. I'm not saying, Lord, please pick me. You have picked me. I'm ready for this. I'm ready to go all the way.

[10:11] I am determined that God won't do his work and leave me out. As to how he will do it, I don't know, but I've counted myself in. You must. God is on an agenda and it will beautify all of us, our lives.

[10:27] Look at God's event today, a guy from Ghana. Has he not told you where he's coming from? Has he not told you? Have you not heard his stories? What is his entitlement on that stage?

[10:39] Nothing. Just the word of God. Just the word of God. Trading with the word of God. Back and forth. Back and forth. Look at what it has made of him. And this is just the beginning.

[10:52] Why would God do any different? When we started our journey, we didn't even have access to the word you hear. Why did you know these deep revelations? It took us time to find them.

[11:04] Took long labors. Long hours. Of steady back and forth. Flipping left, right, back and forth to discover one revelation. To discover another revelation. And all of it together to be poured into you.

[11:18] If somebody who started from less from you, where you are starting from, God can do this. Then it's only a matter of time.

[11:30] It's only a matter of time that God is catapulting us into various levels of influence. Because the word of God is in our mouth.

[11:42] It's in our hearts. It's burning in our hearts. It's in our mouth. And we will deliver in Jesus' name. Please take your seats. Oh yes.

[12:01] If in me, I said I am young and I'm part. Who told you age matters? In my case, age does not matter. I am part of it.

[12:12] Completely. If you want to exempt yourself on the basis of age, that's your problem. But me, I am determined that when it comes to God's agenda, I am forever young. I am forever young.

[12:25] Lord, I am always ready to be enlisted. You cannot retire me. I cannot sit down. I will not be kicked out. I am in need all the days of my life until you call me home.

[12:39] I will be an old 100-year-old and still doing it. With all my heart, with all my mind, with all my strength.

[12:51] Hallelujah. Let's sit down. A man after God's own hearts. Yeah. He will take us there.

[13:03] And so, based on what we've read, this is looking very interesting for one man who seemed to have started well. So, we have read about how God orchestrated his steps for him to become king.

[13:24] But before then, in 1 Samuel 8, the people of Israel had gathered together and asked Samuel, who was at that time the prophet and the judge of Israel, that they wanted a king.

[13:38] to be honest, it did hurt Samuel. Because many people had come, all the samsons, all these guys, even Eli, who was a bit dodgy. Even him, in his reign, and in the time where he was leading the people of God, they didn't ask for a king.

[13:55] Is this someone that me, oh, look at how I've been dedicated. I've prayed for you. I've stood in the gap for you. Before I finish, you're telling me you want a king. You don't want me anymore.

[14:06] Samuel took it personal. But God said, don't take it personal. Because it is me they have rejected. In 1 Samuel 8, verse 4, it said, then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, look, you are old.

[14:24] And your sons don't walk in your ways. Now, make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But I think this pleased Samuel when he said, when they said, give us a king, to judge us.

[14:39] So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

[14:54] That's deep. What they asked for seemed reasonable. They gave reasons why. They said, one, you are old and two, your sons don't walk in your ways.

[15:05] You got to walk in the ways of your father. We have a genuine man of God here. Walk in his ways. Walk in his ways. The words he preaches to you, take it because it's from scripture.

[15:20] Take it raw and eat it. It will do you good. And so, they said, your sons are not like you. So now, we are asking for a king. To be honest, what made them think that God won't raise another prophet after?

[15:35] Because Samuel is not Eli's son. Eli's sons also went wayward. And God raised a prophet and a judge for them in Samuel. So why? But why? They wanted to be like the other nations.

[15:49] They wanted to be. So the reasoning was so absurd they should have come to Samuel to say, Samuel, who is God electing or choosing to come into your step?

[16:02] Because we can see that as for your sons, they can't do it. So they should have asked, what is God saying? No, they said, make us. So they prescribed what God should do. That is where God said they have rejected me.

[16:15] So when we are, when you are approaching God, you have to leave an allowance for God which is divine providence to his will. When we are praying and demanding things from God, I bet you every one of us has to leave a little bit allowance for God.

[16:32] Is this what God really wants to do in my life? Because in my easiest way. And Samuel was very disappointed.

[16:44] So, he then started telling them what was going to become of them when they have a king. Because kings have the tendency of ruling. He, Samuel, is a prophet.

[16:55] He said, did I ask you of anything? Did I demand anything from you? They all said no. He said, let me tell you, when you get a king, the king will take your children and make slaves out to them. The king will take your husbands and make them to do this, build a build.

[17:08] They say, yes, we want it. Why? Because they want to be like other nations. That's the problem. They want to be like other nations.

[17:18] You are a Christian. But you want to be like the other only liver. Their life seems nicer. Because they are wearing designer wear. Because they have this kind of boyfriend who has been sponsoring them vacations.

[17:34] Yes, you have appetite for the things of the world because it looks attractive. You have the desire for it. When you sit by yourself, your thoughts, where your thoughts take you, determines who you really are.

[17:48] Not when you put on tight. It's when the places your thoughts takes you. Beware. It's a picture of who you are. Watch it. Fight those things.

[18:01] Because you should be scared. When we pull down your thoughts and we see the things you're thinking about and you yourself, you know you are shy. You don't want people to see that these are the things I've been thinking about.

[18:12] It's a call for Lord, please help me. Because nobody knows, but he knows. We can deceive everybody, but you can't deceive him.

[18:24] So you have to, when you go and start doing flashbacks, say, Lord, have mercy on your poor servants. Because it ain't good.

[18:36] Because they had desire for what the world has. They had the appetite for what the world has. God said, some will go ahead and do what they want.

[18:48] And so, nobody knew, but God had chosen for the people, Saul. And so God orchestrates from chapter 9, how he's going to meet the prophet.

[19:01] The prophet is going to anoint him. And he will step into his kingship. And that brings us to where I was reading chapter 13.

[19:12] So it says, Saul reigned one year, and then he reigned two years over Israel. And so, whether one year was a part, whether in Bethlehem, wherever he was in Lund, or in two years all over Israel.

[19:26] Saul, but it looks like it's a very short reign. Let's say, at most, he's reigned for two years. And already, already, his kingship has been taken away from him.

[19:41] Yeah. So to enter is good. But how you finish is even more important. He has, what a privilege, the first king of Israel.

[19:53] God picked Saul for the people. Because when you see how Saul was described at the beginning, he talks about his height. You know, he was very impressive. You know, so it's not like the brother where you are looking, you know, you have to go down and look for him amongst the people.

[20:11] He's also a brother. May God forgive you, those who aren't tall, dark, and handsome. May God forgive all of you. If he will give you, it's a different thing. Yes, God is no respecter of persons, neither is he a respecter of height.

[20:24] So Saul, in a very short space of time, his kingship, the privilege of being the first king, and someone made a statement that for now the Lord will have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

[20:41] So he had the potential to have a lineage forever. So David wasn't the first one. God was going to give him a son forever on the throne.

[20:53] He clearly, as Saul and Samuel prophesied, he said, and told him, for God would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. So that was God's plan.

[21:05] Even though it wasn't God's choice, God said, I'll do it for the people, and I'll do it forever. He's supposed to remain. And he has now gone and done something very foolish.

[21:17] I'm the one using the word scripture is. He said, you have been foolish. You've done foolishly. For you have not kept the commandment of the Lord. Because he knew it wasn't for him to sacrifice.

[21:30] He knew that that was the place of the priest. And Samuel had actually told him, I'll come in seven days. And he said, you didn't come within. So he may be, Samuel came just ten minutes to the end of the seven days.

[21:44] But he said, you didn't come within. The seven days. So he had decided what it should be rather than just follow. Because after all, who were you until someone anointed you?

[21:58] Who were you? You have so quickly forgotten that the day they were looking for you to anoint you in public, you were hiding in equipment. This tall man was hiding in equipment.

[22:12] They had to literally go and bring him to the point that when they finished anointing him, people said, how can we follow a man like this? But God had blessed him, given him a great opportunity. And so for some of us, when God calls us early, when he sees that your ministry is flourishing early, be very careful.

[22:30] It is not a determination that that is how you will end. Be very careful. And hold it sacred and watch yourself. Take heed to yourself.

[22:41] Because it's not an entitlement forever. everybody who has survived has had a way of doing things for them to survive. It's not automatic. God calls and the end is determined by how we walk with him and how we obey him.

[22:57] So Saul is missing it. Things are dangerous for him. And God is saying that it looks like it's over for him in just two years.

[23:09] And first I'm watching chapter 15 verse 11 the Bible says that the Lord regretted making Saul king. Yeah. The Lord knew him. The Lord picked him for the people.

[23:20] But the Bible says the Lord regretted. I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king. For he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandment and it's grief someone and he cried out to the Lord all night.

[23:36] Because someone knows what a shame. what a shame. What a privilege and what an opportunity to just waste. So when God gives you an opportunity don't mess about with it.

[23:49] Hold it dear. Hold it dear. God calls again and again but it's never as the first. And so God had repented and then the Bible then goes on.

[24:04] We are still staying in chapter 13. It says verse 14. That's our key scripture. It said now your kingdom will not continue. Why?

[24:16] The Lord has sought for himself. God went shopping. God went looking. He was going to and through seeking him.

[24:31] He will show himself strong. So Saul is on the throne sitting everything as normal as a king. God is already going shopping.

[24:45] God is already looking for his replacement. And this time it's not for the people. He said for myself. God sought for himself.

[24:57] Before the qualification of the man. This one is for God. I'm looking for a king for me. Not for the people. God's desire is that you be for him.

[25:12] First, before the work. Before your big ambitions. Before carrying your red Bible. Before putting on your tie.

[25:23] Before wearing your church skirt. Everything we do, God wants for himself. for himself. For himself.

[25:36] God doesn't want any competition in your heart. Nothing should compete with God in your heart. God wants soul access.

[25:52] The highest priority he needs to be take the most important seat. in your heart.

[26:04] He wants it all. He demands all. So this time as he's going shopping, he's shopping for himself. He's not shopping for the people.

[26:17] He's shopping for himself. He's looking for a certain kind of man. A certain kind of man. A certain kind of man. Are you that kind of man? Can God find you for himself?

[26:29] Or is God competing with the world? For your attention. For your hearts. Is God competing with this small thing that is in your life but you're not ready to give in and give up on?

[26:42] Is God competing with a guy in your life? Is God competing with a lady in your life? Is God competing even with your pride in your life? With a certain image you have created for yourself, God is saying, let's take this away.

[26:54] You say, no. Let's deal with this. You say, no, don't touch here. God, you can't touch it. Don't touch it. Don't touch. For some does our reaction. So sensitive to the places God touch.

[27:08] It's like, no, you can't go here. You cannot go here, God. But he said, now I'm looking for myself. I'm looking for myself.

[27:22] What I'm looking for now is what will satisfy me, what will please me, what will meet my needs. No longer what is out there.

[27:34] Yes, God has his needs. God has his plan. God has what he's looking for. You think he saved you for the sake of saving you? No. Everybody would have been saved.

[27:48] God is very clear. On who he's saved now, to what time. And what he's poor, do you think it's by mistake you're sitting here, and get all the things that you know, it's personal to God.

[28:03] It's personal. That you come to a church where they teach you how to do evangelism to win souls, serve the Lord, be consecrated, be separated, be sanctified, all these things. But there's a reason why God called for a chari's face too.

[28:18] Yes. And it is personal to him. That is not about Pastor David only, or this or that, or okay, it would be nice to have young people. It's more than that.

[28:30] It's more than that. This is personal to him. And so if he's calling you early, you better sit up. If he's giving you all these things, don't joke with it.

[28:45] Some of us are playing here and there. Playing here and there is personal to God. God if God is helping you, teaching you, separating you, it's personal.

[28:58] He said, I'm looking for myself this time. Not for just the sake of it. Not just for the people. Not just for whatever. Okay, it would be nice to have some kind of nine group of people.

[29:13] No. It's personal. When God saved you, the day you gave your life to Christ, he was very intentional. very intentional. He knew your days, how he organized your days, how he directed your path.

[29:30] So let's get serious. So he's looking for people for himself. The Bible says in Exodus chapter 34 verse 14, also chapter 20 verse 5, he said, I am a jealous God.

[29:44] I don't want to share with anybody. And I guess he's very entitled to be in that position. You can't question him, why don't you want to share me with the devil? Yeah.

[29:56] Do you think we have the right to ask God that question? After such such sacrifice to save us, do you think you should be negotiating with him, God? You see, you should understand that in this season, I have a few other things to sort out.

[30:12] So you have to take the back burner. No. But God demands exclusivity. In 2nd Corinthians chapter 6 verse 17 it said, come out of amongst them and be ye separated.

[30:27] He demands exclusivity. He said, be ye holy for I am holy. 1st Peter chapter 1 verse 16 he demands exclusivity. God demands exclusivity.

[30:40] He demands to be Lord over your life and Lord indeed. we are God's people. We are his chosen people. We are his chosen vessel.

[30:51] We are a separated nation unto the Lord. You are part of it. God demands exclusivity. God has a right to have exclusivity in the church. In the church.

[31:04] The world may reject him. But if you are in the church and you are part of the church, he is entitled to be your Lord. He is entitled to be obeyed.

[31:16] He is entitled to be surrendered to. There are no two of us who are playing games and think you can do it the way you want. That's not how God expects him.

[31:31] And there will definitely be a difference between those who obey and those who don't. If God doesn't do that, he is not just God. He is not just God.

[31:42] God so when you go out and you come back, you have been doing this flip flop and you are in and out. And anytime you come, oh, hello, welcome, take a seat, you think you are the same as the people who stayed.

[31:53] You are the same. So this time, once you have come, stay. Stay. Because it's not possible for us to be the same. God will be an unrighteous!

[32:05] judge. not to fairly judge, not to reward those who diligently seek him. God will be an unrighteous judge. So as you have come, stay.

[32:19] And stay properly. And start this flip flopping. In and now, in and now, in and now. It will show on you. Just a matter of time. He has to have preeminence.

[32:31] The Lord must Have preeminence. So because this time he is seeking for himself. He's not seeking for other people. What would satisfy him? God separated the people and called Abraham.

[32:44] He began to separate them. He gave them so many laws just so that they would not be like the others. Don't do this. Wear this. Wear that. So that even in their appearance it would be obvious that these guys are different.

[32:55] Yeah. That's why even clothing had law. And even different parts of the different groupings of the people the priest had a certain look.

[33:07] Different parts different groups of people had certain looks because God was demanding separation separation and again and again he said don't be like the people don't be like the Canaanites don't be like them be separated unto me.

[33:24] Not separated unto yourself but unto me. When you see God call a young lady Mary you could see that he was intentional at the age he had to go in early enough there would be no contamination.

[33:44] God doesn't want leftovers. He demands holiness. He demands consecration. He demands for you to be separated. This time he's choosing for himself what will satisfy him.

[34:01] What will please you? What will please the world? What will we think? This time he wants what will satisfy him. He gave the opportunity for what will please the people and they messed up.

[34:13] So he said this time I'm intentional who I'm choosing and I'm looking for somebody who will satisfy! me. He's looking for God chases! who have a certain heart.

[34:28] In Acts chapter 13 verse 22 the New Testament threw more light on it. It said David a testimony and said I have found David the son of Jesse a man after my own heart.

[34:50] So David was a certain kind of man a man after God's own heart. We meet David in 1 Samuel chapter 16 and then God had asked Samuel to go and anoint the next person God was picking.

[35:11] We can safely say that David didn't know that God had picked him. David didn't even know he had the testimony that he was a man after God's own heart.

[35:22] He was just busy doing what he knew to do. So he wasn't going around with a badge with his harp that I am a man after God's own heart.

[35:34] He had no clue that God had found him because God went seeking and he found him. He found him amongst the sheep. As a shepherd boy he had a certain heart.

[35:47] He had a certain heart. That's why he said the Lord is my shepherd. As a shepherd boy I shall not want. He had a certain! heart. He had a certain relationship. found him.

[36:05] I found my man. He found him not because he was perfect but he found because of his conviction. Where his heart was positioned.

[36:15] How his heart was positioned. That is what made him different. Not because he was perfect. But we see in his characteristics. His choices. What his motivation is.

[36:28] When we look at 1 17 And then he is! standing before the uncircumcised Philistine Goliath. And David's declaration about why he is ready to put his life on the line.

[36:41] First is a statement of faith. He said the God who delivered me. I know him. I know him. When I was in the wilderness and the light on the back came for me. I saw him.

[36:55] He delivered. That was the basis for which he said I can face this one because I've seen him. I know him. I know how he works.

[37:05] We've been together for a long time. I know him. I know him. You got to know God for yourself. God because in the day of trouble it is what you can definitely know about God is what will deliver for you.

[37:19] You may have heard many people's testimonies like the sons of Sceva. They couldn't cast out a demon in the name of Paul. The God Paul calls on. They had no clue what they were doing.

[37:30] They didn't know God. Yeah. Copycats. And in a church like this you can easily be a copycat. Yeah. Because when you come you watch.

[37:43] Okay. When they pray they shake. Oh yes. We can even shake harder. When the anointing comes you cry. You lift your hands and you fall down. I can't fall. Yeah.

[37:56] The guys wear suit and tie. I'll go and buy some. Primark is not far from me. Yeah. So you can have a certain form of godliness. But their power now.

[38:11] So it wasn't his perfection. It was his persuasion that God will be first. So he stood before the Philistine and said I know God who has delivered me before.

[38:26] But the other statements that just blows me apart. said how can this uncircumcide Philistine defies not Israel but defies the army of the Lord.

[38:40] He said if it is of the Lord how dare you how dare you touch it how dare you defy it so he was making a stand not because he wanted to fight per se but somebody dares to defy the armies of God.

[39:00] No no no I'm not standing for that. I'm standing for that. Those of you are home and they are insulting your pastors they are insulting your church. Yeah.

[39:14] With all humility this is what the word of God says. With all humility this is what I've encountered. I know that church. I know that pastor. God had been with him for a very long time.

[39:33] He had seen God come through. So he couldn't give any regard to this one. Whilst all of that time the great men in Israel were hiding. He offered so he had faith in God for God's glory.

[39:47] This is one of some of the characteristics of the man God found to be a man after his own heart. He offered anointed service. So it wasn't just mere works but the works inspired by the Holy Spirit.

[40:03] So I'm not saying that you're intentional about what you're doing. If you're doing sanctuary keeping you know it's unto the Lord. That's anointed ministry. Intentional service unto the Lord.

[40:20] So he David had a ministry after the battle then they started singing about David.

[40:33] Saul has killed a thousand. David has killed ten thousand. Jealousy was brooding in the heart of Saul. Now he was given a tormenting spirit. They said you know that son of Jesse he has a ministry he can play the harp and the harp the playing of the harp is anointed.

[40:51] The playing of the harp is able to drive out demons. And so they call for David. But this is the shocking thing. Saul's jealousy doesn't go away.

[41:03] It's like the more he sees the grace of God on this guy's life the more it's even bothering him. Like he can't even receive the good from him. So he knows that when David plays he's relieved.

[41:15] But at one point in time he said I have a spear in my hand I can throw this javelin and pin David to the wall. Why? Why?

[41:26] You haven't learned to know how God uses men. God uses men at this point and uses another at that point. He couldn't stand it. But David anointed effort anointed service.

[41:41] First Samuel chapter 16 verse 18 to 23 and Jesus when he started his ministry in Luke chapter 4 verse 18 he said the spirit of the Lord is upon me. He's anointed me.

[41:52] So the anointing that came upon David helped him to serve. The same anointing came upon Jesus. He has anointed me to do something for the ministry to preach the gospel. The anointing.

[42:05] The anointing. So wherever you serve in the house of the Lord don't do it ordinarily. Do it under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Call on the Holy Spirit as you sweep the floor.

[42:19] Call on the Holy Spirit as you play the instrument. Call on the Holy Spirit as you do your drama. Call on the Holy Spirit. That's when ministration happens. That's when ministration happens.

[42:31] Outside the Holy Spirit you are only doing labor. you are only doing labor but with the Holy Spirit you are ministering. So you can be the usher shaking hands but that can be great ministry if it's with the Holy Spirit.

[42:50] And then David the same attacks of the enemy Saul was on the run from 1 Samuel chapter 22. You see that David is on the run now.

[43:01] He had some men with him discontented men who had gathered to him and he's on the run. But the beauty of being on the run was a season of his breaking.

[43:13] Because oh he's a nice man you know God is doing things he's using me I'm anointed when I play the demons get lifted all these things but then God drives him out of the palace. Just gets driven out of the palace using Saul trying to kill him.

[43:29] God is working. So he gets driven out of the palace. He has to run for his life. And it's that place that he writes a lot of the psalms that we read of today. Psalm 124 If it had not been for the Lord on my side.

[43:44] Oh he knew that if God was not on my side shall he just say. All the way Psalm 140 Psalm 144 he wrote he saw the deliverance of the Lord.

[44:02] He sought God. He prayed. He cried to the Lord. And that season God was breaking him. God was breaking him. He was taking all the things that would cause pride in him. Because it's not easy to be on the run.

[44:16] That is why he was able to tell the men that when you meet my son Absalom who has committed a great atrocity a coup against me to the point that I the king have run out of my palace.

[44:27] He said please deal gently with him. Because he knows what it means to be on the run. He knows what it means to be on the run. That you don't know where you are tomorrow and you know when you are going to be caught up with.

[44:40] He knows what he means. So he said when you catch him because he knew that those mighty men they will catch him. He said please deal with him gently for my sake.

[44:52] So what God is doing in you and through you even though he seemed very uncomfortable it will be somebody's administration in the future. He wasn't vengeful.

[45:06] In 1 Samuel chapter 24 verse 16 to 21 I mean Saul had the audacity to tell him to lay his hands when he was after he had attacked him and pursued him again and again he was telling him that promise me promise me that you deal gently with me and my descendants you will not cut them off.

[45:28] I mean you want to cut my life off but you are telling me that I should promise you and did David not do it? He did it because when he was on his throne he asked for is there not anyone in the house of Saul and they brought Mephibosheth a cripple but gave him his place at the king's table he kept it he kept it he kept his word even though he was under duress and with an enemy he still kept his promise that I will not cut off your descendants and I will be good to them he was good to Mephibosheth so if God is just teaching us different characteristics that helps in having a certain heart a certain heart disposition you are not vengeful you are not vengeful some of us when somebody does something to you oh it's a deep deep deep it's buried it's so hard to approach it even the word of God it can't divide but it's supposed to divide the soul and the spirit oh but you you are holding tight because

[46:35] God said vengeance is mine but you say vengeance is mine you are looking for the day look at the beauty in Jesus when they were about to arrest him some verses say Peter pulled out a sword and cut off the ear of one of the people coming to arrest Jesus Jesus said don't do that don't do that he picked the ear pulled it back and heals it we are not here for revenge it's God let him have his way as we obey him and the glory will be his and the blessing will be ours the apostle Paul in Philippians chapter 1 verse 12 he said but I know you but I want you to know brethren that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the federation of the gospel so that it became evident to the whole palace guard and to all the rest that my chains are in Christ and most of the brethren in the Lord having become confident by my chains are much more bold to speak the word without fear some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife and some also from goodwill the former preach Christ from selfish ambition not sincerely supposing to add affliction to my chains but the latter also out of love knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel what then only that in every way whether in pretense or in truth

[48:15] Christ is preached and in this I rejoice yes and I will rejoice so Paul knew there were some people were very happy that he's in chains because now he's off the scene now I'll be the one doing the preaching there were some people who were very happy that since this person you know is not I'm now the one with the microphone I'll be singing I'm now the one with the opportunity to lead something has happened something negative has happened you are rejoicing because it sees as an opportunity for you to shine for your takeover don't look at somebody else's demise and think that that will be the basis for your shining Paul said this is what they were doing and so some were preaching out of selfish ambition he said even though I know my aim is Christ has been preached because of that I rejoice even though

[49:15] I know they are radically me and they are very happy that I'm in chains I rejoice because the gospel is still being preached don't be vengeful in different departments don't be competing don't be dropping negative things about people just so that you have an advantage these are very bad habits that can be found in the body you say things that ideally you know if you don't say it won't make any difference but you say it just as a hint because you have an upper hand you have an advantage he waited patiently on the Lord he was anointed king from age 15 16 he waited 7 years to be king in Hebron another 7 years to be king in all of Israel 14 years by the time he came on to the throne the scripture says he was about 30 years he reigned for 40 years and died at the age of 70 but you can imagine having been anointed and still going through all manner of challenges issues you are serving you are running you are doing all you can and you have been told that you are actually a king but you can't assume your tone and in the middle of it all manner of things are happening to you what a joy that he was able to have a heart that was after God this is one beautiful thing

[50:53] I think I'll say and then we'll move on David wanted to have some water from Bethleh the bible says he desired waters of Bethleh in 2 Samuel chapter 23 verse 15 and people say we can go we have raised mighty men when we met you we were nothing we were discontented men we didn't know anything but being with you your leadership has brought us this far you have taught us how to fight today we have become mighty men we can break through and bring you that water because that time the water was behind enemy lines and so they said we'll go they went and they fetched the water when they brought it to him instead of drinking if it was you he said set me a seat bring people to find me after drinking what else would I want or what would I want to eat before I drink this water because you desired it and you have raised men it looks like you have labored you have a right to enjoy the bible even says the labor is worthy of his wages so the waters from

[52:06] Bethlehem was like wages for his labors over the years raising men who can now go behind enemy lines and just bring him what he wants water what does he do he poured it as an offering to the lord it is not every blessing you enjoy it's not every accolade you receive it's not every testimony you claim Elisha asked Gehazi is it your time is it your time two years or one you have been a departmental leader now you are demanding all kinds of things that people must do for you is it your time is it your time if you are not careful the leprosy of reaping before your time will catch you will catch you when God gives you authority over people influence over people be very careful how quickly you want to reap how quickly you want to reap how quickly you want to reap cream he said is it your time even after his labors he said

[53:09] I don't deserve to drink this water I appreciate your faithfulness I appreciate your commitment but I can't drink this water it's not what waters we drink it's not every seed it's not every thing that looks like a blessing it's time for you to enjoy some of you are reaping too early you are eating forbidden fruits it's not your time it's not your time but you can't wait for you people to see you are powerful and you too you have arrived and you too you are doing this this is happening where you are serving this is happening where you are your new oh lord is it time is it time is it time it's not your time David cared for the house of the lord God's servant has preached on his many a time but he had a heart for God he brought the ark into the city of David and prepared treasure for the building of the temple it was for the lord jesus said i'll build my church the gates of hell is his church any parts we have to play in we are just accompanying him but the church is his and of course we see

[54:20] David's heart of repentance when he sinned big time with Bathsheba and killing of Bathsheba's husband Uriah but even that you see that it wasn't about perfection but his heart's persuasion in Psalm 51 it says it's against only you his focus was not Bathsheba Uriah Nathan or what people would say he said lord it's only you and you alone have I sinned against of course if I hear that I'll be very upset if I'm Uriah's brother because Uriah really sinned against us as a family that you've killed our brother if I'm Uriah's child I'll be very upset or Jimmy you've killed my dad and you say he's only God sinned against he knew he wasn't perfect he knew he couldn't pay back but his motive was God I missed it with you that was his heart that his heart was so much God he was blinded by others he was blinded to others so God sought for himself a man after his heart a man who will pursue him a man who has a certain heart disposition

[55:32] Matthew chapter 5 verse 8 he said blessed are the pure in heart for they are see God pure in heart they are sincere no deceit no hypocrisy they are what's inside is what is on the outside blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God the heart a heart full of the word of God a heart of faith a broken and contrite heart a heart that is circumcised a heart that is tender towards God and his people a joyful heart an expectant heart a hopeful heart a heart the height the word of God inside a heart that is after God the secret is in Acts chapter 13 verse 22 we read it again how come he is qualified to be this man after God's heart he said and when he had removed him he raised up for them

[56:37] David as king to whom also he gave testimony and said I have found David the son of Jesse a man after my own heart why he will do all my will he will do all my will who will do all my will so God is looking for a man for himself who will do all his will to be a man after God's own heart is clearly stated in that verse so we could have read verse Samuel chapter 13 and jump to Acts chapter 13 22 and would have finished the message but the bible says who will do all of my will that is the man God is looking for that is the man who is after the heart of

[57:37] God amen let's pray thank you for listening to this message by David Entry we pray you have been revived towards God you can connect with David Entry on all relevant social media platforms including Instagram and LinkedIn you can also hear more messages from David Entry on all relevant streaming platforms and the Carriage Church app don't forget to like and share the message be blessed