WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:10.880 Well, good evening everybody. My name is Alistair. As has already been mentioned, I have the privilege of being on staff here at the church and the privilege of opening this passage of God's Word to us this evening. 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:13.900 But before we get to that, let's pray together. Let's pray. 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:24.940 God, we come before you and acknowledge that we need your help with this passage. 00:00:24.940 --> 00:00:31.300 It is long, it is full of details, but it is beneficial for our souls. 00:00:31.940 --> 00:00:37.600 And we pray that you'd keep us attentive and that you would transform our hearts by your Word this evening. 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:40.140 In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:43.420 --> 00:00:49.400 You might not know it, but I can almost guarantee that the majority of you will remember 00:00:49.399 --> 00:00:55.519 what happened on Saturday the 11th of April in 2009. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:00:59.619 I can see you all thinking. That's good. You're with me. 00:01:00.700 --> 00:01:07.340 Well, it was the night that Susan Boyle took to the stage for her very first audition of Britain's Got Talent. 00:01:08.500 --> 00:01:12.840 Now, as she walked onto the stage, Susan looked a little bit out of place. 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:18.359 She's a small 47-year-old lady from a small town in West Lothian. 00:01:18.880 --> 00:01:26.000 And she's now standing on an absolutely massive stage, packed with flashing lights and glitter. 00:01:28.260 --> 00:01:32.640 And as she walked onto the stage, you could see the skepticism in the judges' faces. 00:01:34.520 --> 00:01:36.620 Simon Cowell asked his normal question, 00:01:36.859 --> 00:01:37.780 What's the dream? 00:01:39.100 --> 00:01:41.520 And Susan said, Well, I'm trying to be a professional singer. 00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:44.219 Who do you want to be like? 00:01:45.039 --> 00:01:46.079 Elaine Page. 00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:48.500 And everybody was surprised. 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:51.739 You could hear whispers in the audience. 00:01:51.859 --> 00:01:54.500 You could see that people didn't believe it. 00:01:55.679 --> 00:01:58.379 They were judging Susan Boyle by what they saw. 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:03.579 Now, none of them would have thought that this little lady from Bathgate 00:02:03.579 --> 00:02:08.079 would go from being completely unknown to the world in 2009 00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:17.020 to having an estimated net worth of £23 million in 2018 and six albums. 00:02:18.439 --> 00:02:22.960 The minute she opened her mouth and sang just the very first line of the song, 00:02:23.040 --> 00:02:24.160 I Dreamed a Dream, 00:02:24.640 --> 00:02:29.780 the whole crowd erupted with amazement and stood to their feet applauding. 00:02:29.780 --> 00:02:37.620 Susan Boyle is now a household name in Scotland and arguably all over the world. 00:02:38.099 --> 00:02:43.639 And that very first audition on YouTube has over 28 million views. 00:02:46.259 --> 00:02:48.120 Appearances can be deceiving, can't they? 00:02:48.120 --> 00:02:52.560 And the big thing that we're going to see in 1 Samuel this evening 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:56.439 is that God doesn't look at things the way people do. 00:02:57.340 --> 00:03:02.180 People look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. 00:03:04.640 --> 00:03:06.599 But before we dive into chapter 16, 00:03:06.740 --> 00:03:11.620 we need to do a quick recap of what's already happened in 1 Samuel up until now. 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:15.879 So a lot has happened in this book so far. 00:03:16.539 --> 00:03:20.620 In chapter 3, God stepped into the broken life of the nation of Israel 00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:23.400 and called a prophet, a man named Samuel. 00:03:23.539 --> 00:03:24.740 At that point, he was a boy. 00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:27.340 He's a spokesperson for God. 00:03:27.920 --> 00:03:30.719 Someone who would proclaim the word of God to the nation 00:03:30.719 --> 00:03:34.540 and then call them to a right worship of their God. 00:03:36.379 --> 00:03:37.840 But sadly, that didn't happen. 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:45.099 Chapters 4, 5 and 6 show us how Israel treated God as a good luck charm. 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:51.680 They weren't giving God the honor or the praise that he deserves. 00:03:52.340 --> 00:03:55.219 And then in chapters 8 to 15, we see the rise, 00:03:55.819 --> 00:03:57.560 but sadly also the fall of a king. 00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:03.199 In chapter 8, Israel cry out for a king to fight against their enemies. 00:04:03.740 --> 00:04:05.640 They reject God as their ruler. 00:04:05.639 --> 00:04:11.019 And they say they want an earthly king to sit on their earthly throne. 00:04:12.799 --> 00:04:14.919 But despite all of Samuel's warnings, 00:04:15.559 --> 00:04:21.199 despite this so-called brave king hiding in the luggage when they want to crown him, 00:04:21.539 --> 00:04:23.379 they still make Saul their king. 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:26.459 Saul was tall. 00:04:27.180 --> 00:04:28.120 He was handsome. 00:04:28.279 --> 00:04:29.500 He looked the part. 00:04:30.339 --> 00:04:33.079 He looked like the real deal, and so they made him king. 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:38.000 But it doesn't take long before we see that he isn't the right king at all. 00:04:39.359 --> 00:04:42.240 Saul disobeys God's commands time and time again, 00:04:42.379 --> 00:04:46.180 and we see the end result of that in chapter 15, verse 26, 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:48.439 where Samuel says to Saul, 00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:53.240 that the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel. 00:04:54.519 --> 00:04:56.899 This is terrible news. 00:04:56.899 --> 00:05:02.379 Israel looked at Saul's physical attributes, 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:06.599 and they thought, yes, this is the guy we want in the head of us. 00:05:07.459 --> 00:05:09.159 But appearances can be deceiving. 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:12.599 Saul looked the part on the outside, 00:05:12.919 --> 00:05:16.719 but on the inside, he was not obedient to the Lord. 00:05:16.799 --> 00:05:18.399 He didn't care for God's ways. 00:05:18.739 --> 00:05:20.239 He didn't care for God's word. 00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:22.400 And so God rejected him as king. 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:27.460 And it's with that backdrop that we arrive at chapter 16, 00:05:27.460 --> 00:05:31.180 and I'd encourage you to keep that open as we walk through this passage together. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:34.460 And we are told about God, 00:05:35.139 --> 00:05:39.759 and how God, this is the God who sees things differently. 00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:45.360 And the first thing that we see in this passage is God's chosen leader, 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:47.199 in verses 1 to 13. 00:05:47.660 --> 00:05:49.460 God's chosen leader. 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:55.259 So in verse 1, we see the state that this ordeal has left Samuel in. 00:05:55.759 --> 00:05:56.639 He is mourning. 00:05:57.699 --> 00:06:00.280 The one he anointed, the one he blessed, 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:02.519 the one he spent so much time with, 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:04.199 has now been rejected. 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:10.819 He is mourning, and chapter 15, verse 35, 00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:13.439 tells us that Samuel never went to see Saul again. 00:06:14.259 --> 00:06:16.639 That's how painful this ordeal was for him. 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:20.419 And this presumably went on for quite some time, 00:06:20.479 --> 00:06:21.759 because God says in verse 1, 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:23.659 how long will you mourn? 00:06:23.660 --> 00:06:28.800 Now as I read, as I was reading this verse this week, 00:06:28.840 --> 00:06:30.760 I was convicted, and I asked myself, 00:06:31.100 --> 00:06:34.100 when was the last time I mourned for someone else's sin? 00:06:34.100 --> 00:06:38.120 When was the last time that I mourned, 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:40.939 because someone was wandering away from God, 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:42.120 and away from the gospel? 00:06:43.960 --> 00:06:46.280 Does it cut us to the core, 00:06:46.540 --> 00:06:48.939 to know that someone is skimming off their work? 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:54.959 Does it hurt us to see people walking away and rejecting God? 00:06:55.180 --> 00:06:58.300 Does it hurt us, and does it make us weep, 00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:02.699 to know that thousands of people around the world this evening 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:04.740 will die without being made right with God? 00:07:05.899 --> 00:07:07.120 It should make us mourn. 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:11.439 And I long that our hearts would mourn like Samuel's. 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:13.480 I long that we would be broken, 00:07:13.980 --> 00:07:16.040 because people are not made right with God. 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:20.439 Samuel is mourning. 00:07:21.340 --> 00:07:23.840 And he knows that God has rejected Saul, 00:07:24.400 --> 00:07:28.120 but God goes on to give Samuel some great news 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:29.340 at the end of verse 1. 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:33.759 God says, I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. 00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:36.580 I have chosen one of his sons to be king. 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:41.460 So God speaks into Samuel's grief and mourning, 00:07:41.640 --> 00:07:42.560 and he gives him hope. 00:07:44.080 --> 00:07:45.860 God has chosen a new king. 00:07:46.040 --> 00:07:50.439 Samuel's commanded to go and fill his horn with oil 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:51.540 and go to Bethlehem. 00:07:52.280 --> 00:07:54.100 The oil was used to anoint a king, 00:07:54.220 --> 00:07:56.180 and so in this first verse, 00:07:56.460 --> 00:07:58.500 yes, we see mourning, but we also see hope. 00:07:58.620 --> 00:08:00.640 Something new is about to begin. 00:08:02.320 --> 00:08:04.000 But it makes sense, doesn't it, 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:05.960 that Samuel's afraid in verse 2? 00:08:05.959 --> 00:08:12.299 To anoint a new king whilst the current king is alive and well, 00:08:12.299 --> 00:08:15.439 well, that's a bit of a hairy situation. 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:21.180 The equivalent would be Scotland deciding to set up its own king or queen 00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:22.439 in the place of Queen Elizabeth. 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:28.000 calling together the government and placing a crown on someone else's head 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:30.279 and obeying only their rule in the land. 00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:32.720 Now don't get me wrong, 00:08:32.799 --> 00:08:37.379 the consequences today would be far more polite and middle class 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:38.759 than they would be back then. 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:43.379 You'd probably get taken to court or sued or maybe go to prison. 00:08:43.379 --> 00:08:46.879 But for Samuel, treason meant death. 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:49.600 His life was on the line. 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:52.480 But God has a plan. 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:55.399 And Samuel will not be in danger 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:57.500 because God tells him to take a cow 00:08:57.500 --> 00:08:58.980 and to make a sacrifice. 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:02.019 And this raises a question. 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:03.539 In verses 2 and 3, 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:05.240 is God lying? 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:08.360 Well, the answer is no. 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:11.940 Samuel is going to make a sacrifice 00:09:11.940 --> 00:09:13.840 and that happens in verse 5. 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:16.340 God is protecting Samuel 00:09:16.340 --> 00:09:19.620 and he was preparing the way for his chosen king 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:21.960 to rule over his chosen people. 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:25.480 And Samuel acts out God's command. 00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:27.399 He arrives and says 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:30.240 that Jesse and his son should be at the sacrifice. 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:33.500 And so just picture this scene for a second. 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:38.080 Jesse's sons are all brought before Samuel one by one. 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:41.820 Starting first off with the firstborn Eliab. 00:09:41.919 --> 00:09:44.159 He's the oldest, probably the biggest. 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:47.559 And he fits Samuel's ideology 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:49.440 of what a king should look like, doesn't he? 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:51.200 Verse 6. 00:09:51.919 --> 00:09:55.259 Samuel saw Eliab and thought, 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:59.000 surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord. 00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:00.840 Surely it's him. 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:04.220 But do you see the problem? 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:06.879 Samuel's using his eyes. 00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:11.800 He's thinking that this new king 00:10:11.800 --> 00:10:15.300 will be just as tall, strong and handsome as Saul was. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:18.800 He's looking for a Saul 2.0. 00:10:18.920 --> 00:10:20.100 He's looking for the upgrade. 00:10:21.680 --> 00:10:22.940 But Samuel's got it wrong. 00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:27.800 See, verse 7 is the key verse in this whole chapter 00:10:27.800 --> 00:10:30.460 and it gets to the heart of the problem with our world 00:10:30.460 --> 00:10:33.380 and it gets to the heart of the problem 00:10:33.380 --> 00:10:34.640 of how to choose a king. 00:10:35.760 --> 00:10:37.160 God says in verse 7, 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:39.920 Do not consider his appearance or his height 00:10:39.920 --> 00:10:41.900 for I have rejected him. 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:47.180 The Lord does not look at things like people do. 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:50.559 People look at the outward appearance 00:10:50.559 --> 00:10:52.279 but the Lord looks at the heart. 00:10:53.319 --> 00:10:55.479 God sees things differently. 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:58.679 People look at the outward appearance 00:10:58.679 --> 00:11:00.339 but God looks at the heart. 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:06.480 Now when we read verses about the heart in the Bible 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:08.639 we need to remember a few things. 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:12.420 It isn't referring to the organ that pumps blood 00:11:12.420 --> 00:11:14.940 around our veins and around our whole body day and night. 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:18.180 Nor does it only refer to the emotions 00:11:18.180 --> 00:11:20.340 like we would say to a loved one, 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:21.560 I love you with all my heart. 00:11:21.559 --> 00:11:28.359 But in the Bible the heart refers to a person's emotions, 00:11:28.959 --> 00:11:31.259 a person's mind, a person's will, 00:11:31.359 --> 00:11:33.139 a person's character and motivation. 00:11:33.599 --> 00:11:36.039 The heart in the Bible is all-encompassing. 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:40.799 Now it's easy to do something nice for someone 00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:42.859 and to have an almost saintly appearance. 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:46.719 People thank you for your help 00:11:46.719 --> 00:11:49.000 and you brush it off with a comment like 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:50.619 I was only serving the Lord. 00:11:51.559 --> 00:11:55.599 But inside we long for those compliments, don't we? 00:11:57.719 --> 00:12:01.039 We eat them up and they give us the boost that we want. 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:04.799 Or what about the times where we don't get thanked? 00:12:05.959 --> 00:12:08.799 Or the times where people don't show appreciation 00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:11.079 as we think they should, we get upset. 00:12:12.459 --> 00:12:15.899 These are all indications that our motives, 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:18.500 that our heart are in the wrong. 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:22.700 On the outside, yes, we look the part. 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:24.860 We maybe even sound the part, 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:27.340 but on the inside our hearts are just as fallen 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:29.500 and broken as they have always been. 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:32.460 That's what God sees. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:35.899 God sees the heart. 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:38.159 He sees things differently than we do. 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:42.779 Now this is both a good and a scary thing. 00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:47.379 It's good because on the day when we stand before God, 00:12:47.439 --> 00:12:48.459 as we all will, 00:12:49.439 --> 00:12:51.860 He will judge us based on our response to Him. 00:12:52.719 --> 00:12:54.839 And for Christians, we will be judged, 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:56.579 our actions will be weighed. 00:12:56.580 --> 00:13:01.720 God will determine the motivations of our heart. 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:04.500 So in this life, 00:13:04.920 --> 00:13:07.500 if we are weak and if we're struggling, 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:10.480 if we are mocked and if we are scorned, 00:13:10.540 --> 00:13:12.360 if we are shunned and cursed 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:15.379 because we believe in the living God of this world, 00:13:15.800 --> 00:13:18.460 take courage because God looks at your heart. 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:21.700 And you are not alone. 00:13:22.160 --> 00:13:23.080 He sees it all. 00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:25.600 But also be warned. 00:13:27.040 --> 00:13:30.420 Because if all we do is look the part, 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:33.200 if we live out a religious life, 00:13:33.280 --> 00:13:35.900 if we live a secret life of sin 00:13:35.900 --> 00:13:37.820 and we lie to cover our tracks, 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:42.259 if we serve our own fame and glory and not God, 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:45.179 then we need a wake-up call. 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:49.720 Because God doesn't care about our religious trimmings. 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:52.500 He looks at the heart. 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:57.379 So it doesn't matter if you're a CEO or a chimney sweep. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:14:01.519 It doesn't matter if you're young and enthusiastic 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:04.059 or if you're older and you're frailer. 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:05.840 God looks at your heart. 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:09.980 And you can have your head bowed 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:11.980 and sound your amends during prayer meetings. 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:15.100 But if your mind is thinking about the apples 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:16.840 that you forgot to put on the shopping list, 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:18.340 well, where's your heart at that moment? 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.460 Or maybe that time 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:26.319 that you made it obvious for all to see 00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:28.100 just how much you were serving in church. 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:30.659 Or just how much you were giving 00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:32.039 during the collection that week. 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:34.019 Or just how many hours you've spent 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:35.539 helping others this month. 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:39.840 Or what about the time you said to that person, 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:41.039 oh, I'm praying for you 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:42.659 just to make them feel better. 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:47.419 Or that time you shared that juicy bit of gossip, 00:14:48.099 --> 00:14:50.120 but you wrapped it up nice and neat 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.360 in a prayer request. 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:54.980 what is our motivation? 00:14:56.080 --> 00:14:57.440 What is in our heart? 00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:01.580 Or maybe the time you didn't share the gospel 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:02.919 with somebody because you thought, 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:04.440 no, they're too far gone for God. 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.440 God can't touch them. 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:09.480 God looks at the heart 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:12.519 and as much as we try to hide our failings 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:13.460 and our faults, 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.539 He sees them all. 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:18.699 If you're here this evening 00:15:18.699 --> 00:15:19.899 and you're serving yourself 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:21.279 instead of serving God, 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:23.679 or if you're saying the right things 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:24.719 to please others 00:15:24.719 --> 00:15:26.159 as opposed to pleasing God, 00:15:26.219 --> 00:15:26.819 if you're here 00:15:26.819 --> 00:15:28.240 and you're just going through the motions 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:30.839 of living in a middle-class city 00:15:30.839 --> 00:15:32.679 and you're happy 00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:34.279 with middle-class religiosity, 00:15:35.599 --> 00:15:38.099 please wake up. 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:41.519 because God doesn't care about any of that. 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.680 He looks at the heart. 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:47.200 And in verses 8 and 9, 00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:48.779 the parade continues. 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:51.040 Seven of Jesse's sons 00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:52.159 are brought before Samuel, 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:54.680 each one failing the test 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:56.300 and not being king. 00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:59.200 And Samuel asks if anyone's missing 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:00.580 and he's told in verse 11 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:02.060 that there's one son, 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:03.440 but he's out tending the sheep. 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.899 Can you imagine the conversation 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:08.319 that they had that morning 00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:09.539 in the Jesse household? 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:12.699 Jesse walks in and tells the family 00:16:12.699 --> 00:16:14.179 that Samuel's asked specifically 00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:15.720 that him and all of his sons 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:17.259 show up to this sacrifice. 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:20.079 But then they think, 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:22.259 well, who's going to look after the sheep? 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:26.779 And everyone turns to little young David, 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:29.240 the youngest brother, 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.620 the least of the lot. 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:32.919 Surely no one's going to even notice 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:33.740 if he isn't there. 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:37.720 This is an important day after all 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.820 and the normal worries 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:40.419 of sheep and cattle 00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:41.360 shouldn't bother us. 00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:43.480 Let's leave David behind 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.680 to look after the flock. 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:47.639 This sacrifice is far too important for him. 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:52.960 But suddenly this unimportant shepherd boy 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.600 becomes the man of the hour. 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:57.060 In verse 12, 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:58.419 David walks in. 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:00.519 He's glowing with health. 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:02.079 He's a handsome young man, 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.220 but his features are not 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:04.359 the determining factor 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:05.220 in this decision 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:07.680 as they were in the case of Saul. 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:11.900 God has chosen this boy to be king 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:14.220 and God says to Samuel in verse 12, 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.920 rise and anoint him. 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:17.160 This is the one. 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:19.039 This is the indication 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:20.920 that Samuel's been waiting for 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:22.259 and he doesn't waste any time. 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:27.759 God has chosen David to be king, 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:30.400 but do you see how in verse 13 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:32.420 God equips him for the task at hand? 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:36.019 Samuel took the horn of oil 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:37.019 and anointed him 00:17:37.019 --> 00:17:38.660 in the presence of his brothers 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:41.480 and from that day on 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.799 the Spirit of the Lord 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:45.680 came powerfully upon David. 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:50.019 David was not in this by himself 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:53.180 because from that day 00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:54.319 the Spirit of the Lord 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.019 was with him. 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:57.799 God has chosen him to rule 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:59.559 and he's equipped him to do so. 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:03.940 Doesn't this make your mind 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:06.000 wander to a greater anointed 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.940 and chosen one? 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:10.440 Doesn't David make you think 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:11.220 about Jesus, 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:13.619 how he too had the appearance 00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:15.619 of the least important 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:16.339 of the world? 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:19.180 And yet he turned out 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:21.079 to be the chosen one of God. 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.879 So think back to the reading 00:18:23.879 --> 00:18:24.940 in Matthew's Gospel. 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:27.859 Jesus too was someone 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.940 who we would never 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:30.259 have picked to be king. 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:32.900 Born in a little town 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:35.200 into an ordinary family, 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.500 the son of a carpenter, 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.400 nothing special 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.400 in the eyes of the world. 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.460 He had no riches, 00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:42.000 he had no palace, 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:44.339 he had no throne, 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:47.900 but he is God in the flesh. 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:51.559 Jesus is the real king 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:53.799 of God who came into this world 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:55.639 to reconcile us to God. 00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:57.220 To bridge the void 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.519 between us and God 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.500 that is caused 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:01.019 by his righteous anger 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:03.099 against our sin 00:19:03.099 --> 00:19:03.919 and our rebellion. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:07.240 He paid the price. 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:09.559 He bore the wrath 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:11.480 and now we can stand forgiven 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.379 because of him. 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:15.740 Adopted into God's family. 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:20.279 This is a far greater work 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.559 than David could ever do. 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:25.120 Jesus is the true king 00:19:25.120 --> 00:19:25.960 to whom we owe 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:27.259 all of our praise 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:28.319 and our devotion. 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.759 He came into this world 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.539 and he proclaimed 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.700 that the kingdom of God 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.400 is at hand 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:36.140 and that people need to repent 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:37.640 and believe the good news. 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:40.200 And that is the same message 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:41.360 that we proclaim. 00:19:42.840 --> 00:19:44.060 But we are not alone. 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.780 Jesus has called us 00:19:47.780 --> 00:19:48.320 to himself 00:19:48.320 --> 00:19:49.240 and he's given us, 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.620 given his people, 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:52.060 the Holy Spirit 00:19:52.060 --> 00:19:53.720 who lives within us, 00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:54.700 who helps us 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:56.160 and who transforms 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.960 our hearts 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.880 and makes us more 00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:59.100 into the likeness of Jesus 00:19:59.100 --> 00:20:00.780 every single day. 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:06.020 God sees things differently 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.660 than we do. 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:08.859 And I thank God 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:10.200 for that every single day 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.460 because if he didn't, 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.160 you and I 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:13.160 would still be cut off 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:13.700 from God. 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:17.579 Because we don't deserve 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:18.180 his forgiveness. 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.680 And yet God saw fit 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.639 to send his son 00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:23.460 so that we can be 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.779 reconciled to him. 00:20:26.639 --> 00:20:28.079 Is this true for you? 00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:32.079 Remember that God 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:33.059 looks at the heart 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.160 and he knows the truth. 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:37.420 Don't go another day 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:39.200 without being sure 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:39.900 that your heart 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.980 is right with God. 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.360 The second thing 00:20:46.360 --> 00:20:46.880 that we see 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:47.640 in this passage 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:49.440 is the rejected ruler 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:51.880 in verses 14 to 23. 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:53.240 The rejected ruler. 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.700 So if the first half 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.200 of this chapter 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:57.240 focused on God's 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.060 chosen king 00:20:58.060 --> 00:21:00.180 and it ended up 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:01.259 with the wonderful news 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:02.440 that the spirit of the Lord 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.080 was with him 00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:04.240 from that day forward, 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:05.259 the second half 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.019 of this chapter 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:08.360 focuses on the rejected king 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:10.640 and we see devastating news 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:11.660 in verse 14. 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.360 It says, 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:15.019 Now the spirit of the Lord 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:16.480 had departed from Saul 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:18.100 and an evil spirit 00:21:18.100 --> 00:21:18.900 from the Lord 00:21:18.900 --> 00:21:20.140 tormented him. 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.700 Now I find myself 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.860 asking two questions 00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:24.820 of this verse. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.220 How 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:27.759 and why? 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:30.519 So how can 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.759 the spirit of the Lord 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.920 depart from somebody? 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.559 Now it's important 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.839 to make a distinction here 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:38.259 between the Old Testament 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:39.180 and the New Testament. 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:41.180 In the Old Testament 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:42.099 the spirit of the Lord 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:43.240 came upon people 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:44.180 and they fulfilled 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:45.140 certain tasks. 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:46.599 So you see that 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:47.519 with Saul himself 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.460 in chapter 10. 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.720 The spirit of the Lord 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:50.619 comes upon him 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.799 and he prophesies. 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:54.799 But the way that Saul 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:55.339 has been living 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:56.619 in these previous chapters 00:21:56.619 --> 00:21:58.240 indicate that he isn't 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.419 really following the Lord. 00:22:01.159 --> 00:22:02.139 He doesn't seem 00:22:02.139 --> 00:22:03.460 to want to obey God 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.279 and so the outward 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:05.259 appearance is great. 00:22:05.379 --> 00:22:06.200 I mean he is king 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:06.960 after all. 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.619 But on the inside 00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:13.680 he's not great. 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.799 He's not fine. 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.759 He's not walking 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.379 with the Lord. 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.919 Saul is no longer 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:20.400 divinely empowered 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.779 to act as God's 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.620 anointed king 00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:23.460 over his people. 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:25.060 He has rejected 00:22:25.060 --> 00:22:26.039 God's guidance 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:27.820 and words 00:22:27.820 --> 00:22:29.320 time and time again. 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.380 And now God 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:32.840 has left him 00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:33.680 for good. 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:37.300 For us today 00:22:37.300 --> 00:22:38.220 the most important 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:38.980 thing to know 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:40.380 is that the Bible 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:41.420 says if we put 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.539 our faith in Jesus 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:44.259 then we will have 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.440 the Holy Spirit 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.100 within us. 00:22:47.840 --> 00:22:48.840 In the Bible 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.720 people are given 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.539 opportunities 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.919 and time to repent 00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:53.059 before God's judgment 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.659 comes. 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.059 And that day 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.699 will come 00:22:56.699 --> 00:22:58.099 when those who are 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.859 not in Jesus 00:22:58.859 --> 00:22:59.819 will be judged. 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.399 But until that day 00:23:03.399 --> 00:23:04.019 there is time 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.619 to repent. 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.679 God does not 00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:08.599 cut people off. 00:23:08.679 --> 00:23:10.079 He doesn't enjoy 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:11.099 sending people 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:12.500 made in his own 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.019 image 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:14.399 into an eternity 00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:15.119 without him. 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:19.039 And the second 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.779 question that I 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.239 was asking 00:23:20.239 --> 00:23:20.859 is why would 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.339 God send 00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:22.139 an evil spirit 00:23:22.139 --> 00:23:22.599 to torment 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.019 Saul? 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.179 And the truth 00:23:26.179 --> 00:23:27.000 is that we 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.619 haven't been given 00:23:27.619 --> 00:23:28.539 much information 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:30.019 by the author 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.259 regarding this 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:31.979 spirit so therefore 00:23:31.979 --> 00:23:32.719 we don't actually 00:23:32.719 --> 00:23:33.799 know much about it. 00:23:34.979 --> 00:23:35.839 But what we do 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:37.019 know is that 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:38.219 this evil spirit 00:23:38.219 --> 00:23:39.119 whatever that may 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:40.159 have looked like 00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:41.979 was sent by God. 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:44.940 It was a form 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.819 of God's judgment 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.640 on Saul 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:48.180 for his rebellion 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:48.880 and rejection 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:49.440 of God. 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.860 But this does 00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.660 not mean 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.700 that God 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.480 did something 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:55.960 evil. 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.680 Throughout the 00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.039 Bible 00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:59.640 we see God 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:00.759 sometimes 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.720 using evil 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.299 people to 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:03.120 accomplish his 00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:03.660 good and 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.680 sovereign will. 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.220 For example 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:06.259 the Babylonians 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.599 capturing Israel 00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:09.620 or the sinful 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.299 people who 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:11.460 condemned Jesus 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.019 to death 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:12.660 and shouted 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.700 crucify him. 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.660 Each situation 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.640 seems to be 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.460 under the control 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.120 of the evil 00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:18.660 party 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:20.420 and yet we 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.079 know that God 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:21.559 was working 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:22.360 out his purposes. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.980 Now if you 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.600 have questions 00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:26.220 about this 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.799 I'd love to 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.460 chat with you 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.600 afterwards about 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:28.819 it. 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.460 We don't know 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.299 exactly what 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:32.920 took place 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.460 and what all 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.160 of this means 00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:35.180 but we know 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.360 that this evil 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:37.220 spirit was sent 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:38.160 by God as a 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:39.160 result of Saul's 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:40.400 rejection of God. 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.620 And for some 00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:43.180 of you maybe 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.059 this is a new 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:45.220 topic and 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:45.519 you've never 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.200 come across it 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.059 before or maybe 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.100 this is something 00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:48.460 that you're 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:49.220 struggling with. 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.920 Please come and 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:52.360 speak to me 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:53.200 afterwards and 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:53.660 I'd love to 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.400 speak with you 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:54.700 about it. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.079 I'd love to 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:55.660 pray with you 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:56.200 about it. 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.279 But what we 00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.980 need to remember 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.840 is that this 00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:01.700 passage is not 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.319 about us. 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.079 And it is not 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:05.920 here to make us 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:07.000 look behind every 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.259 bad situation and 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:09.360 see an evil 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:10.400 spirit sent by 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:10.759 God. 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:12.620 But this 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:14.080 passage is 00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:15.040 encouraging us 00:25:15.040 --> 00:25:16.180 to see that 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:17.440 God sees things 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.660 differently than 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.100 we do. 00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:21.620 So whatever 00:25:21.620 --> 00:25:23.040 this spirit was 00:25:23.040 --> 00:25:23.780 it was obvious 00:25:23.780 --> 00:25:24.740 to those around 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.580 Saul when it 00:25:25.580 --> 00:25:26.280 tormented him. 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:28.740 So even his 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.519 servants knew 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.860 what it was and 00:25:30.860 --> 00:25:31.420 they knew that 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.240 God sent it to 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.480 him. 00:25:33.320 --> 00:25:33.860 And in verse 00:25:33.860 --> 00:25:35.240 15 Saul's 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:35.980 servants say to 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:37.280 him, see an 00:25:37.280 --> 00:25:38.320 evil spirit from 00:25:38.320 --> 00:25:39.500 God is tormenting 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:39.720 you. 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.539 Let our 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.220 Lord command 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:41.900 his servants 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:42.859 here to search 00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:43.579 for someone who 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.240 can play the 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.559 liar. 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.180 He will play 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:46.819 when the evil 00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:48.519 spirit from God 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.359 comes on you and 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:49.900 you will feel 00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:50.299 better. 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:52.880 Saul agrees to 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:54.619 this and them 00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:55.440 to find someone 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.119 and a servant 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:57.059 suggests David. 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.140 And notice the 00:25:59.140 --> 00:25:59.859 attribute that 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.839 this servant uses 00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:02.920 to describe David 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.839 in verse 18. 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:05.599 He is a brave 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:06.319 man and a 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:06.599 warrior. 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.379 He speaks well 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:09.639 and is a fine 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:11.119 looking man and 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:12.199 the Lord is 00:26:12.199 --> 00:26:12.879 with him. 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.539 The Lord is 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.039 with him. 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.179 Something is 00:26:17.179 --> 00:26:17.859 different about 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:18.319 David and 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.139 everyone can see 00:26:19.139 --> 00:26:19.359 it. 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.199 His anointing as 00:26:21.199 --> 00:26:21.819 the king had 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.720 been done privately 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.480 so Saul doesn't 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.159 know about it. 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:26.419 But now David 00:26:26.419 --> 00:26:27.659 enters the palace 00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:28.919 and he's liked 00:26:28.919 --> 00:26:29.740 and he's trusted 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.720 so much so that 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:31.919 in verse 21 he 00:26:31.919 --> 00:26:32.759 has made Saul's 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.519 armor bearer. 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:36.240 And whenever 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:37.159 Saul was afflicted 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:37.919 by this spirit 00:26:37.919 --> 00:26:39.139 David played his 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:39.819 instrument and 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.539 the spirit would 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.019 leave him. 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:44.639 The irony is 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.799 that Saul was 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:46.659 becoming dependent 00:26:46.659 --> 00:26:47.599 on his successor 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.779 and he didn't 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.419 even know it. 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.599 But this favor 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:53.299 would not last 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:53.619 long. 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.459 In just a few 00:26:54.459 --> 00:26:55.379 chapters we see 00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:56.599 Saul wanting to 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.500 kill David out 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.279 of jealousy and 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:58.720 rage. 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.159 But look at 00:27:02.159 --> 00:27:02.720 David in this 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.399 whole situation. 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:05.839 he's been 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:06.659 anointed king. 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.259 He knows what 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.019 his job is. 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:08.980 He knows that 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.639 the throne is 00:27:09.639 --> 00:27:10.539 rightfully his 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.399 as God's chosen 00:27:11.399 --> 00:27:12.519 king and yet 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.319 what does he do? 00:27:13.939 --> 00:27:14.779 Well he willingly 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:16.199 and humbly 00:27:16.199 --> 00:27:17.139 serves. 00:27:19.199 --> 00:27:20.199 He doesn't get 00:27:20.199 --> 00:27:21.119 frustrated and 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:21.419 annoyed. 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.259 He isn't itching 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:23.039 to sit on the 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.819 seat of power. 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:25.839 But the Lord 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.720 is with him and 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.419 he goes about 00:27:27.419 --> 00:27:28.459 his normal life 00:27:28.459 --> 00:27:29.500 waiting for God's 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:31.279 time to come 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:32.319 to completion. 00:27:34.379 --> 00:27:35.119 David can wait 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:35.920 patiently and 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:37.000 serve because 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.619 God is with 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:37.859 him. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.639 Now contrast 00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:40.299 that with 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:42.920 Saul who's 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.519 been rejected 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.139 by God. 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.759 He doesn't 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.440 care about 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:47.779 anything else 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.359 other than 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:49.000 himself in 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.599 this passage. 00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:50.720 Even when his 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.619 servants observe 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.500 that this evil 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.160 spirit is sent 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:53.680 by God, 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.039 we don't see 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.779 him arguing, 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:57.500 we don't see 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.519 him repenting, 00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.859 we see him 00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:00.480 looking for a 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.319 quick fix to 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:01.879 his problem. 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.460 Appearances 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.319 can be deceiving. 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:09.039 People can 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.759 look the part, 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.480 they can say 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.099 and do the 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:11.680 right things, 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.119 but at the 00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:12.619 end of the 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:13.079 day God 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.660 sees things 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.119 differently. 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.259 God looks 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:15.839 at the heart. 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:19.339 How is your 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:19.859 heart looking 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:20.319 this evening? 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.440 Are you 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.180 with God 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.620 or are you 00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:27.420 against God 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:28.539 because there 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.080 is no middle 00:28:29.080 --> 00:28:29.460 ground? 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.440 If you're 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:34.360 trying to work 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:35.039 your way into 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.680 God's good 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.299 books by 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.940 filling your 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.440 time with 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.180 church meetings, 00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:39.860 by filling 00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:40.299 out your 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.460 religious CV, 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.380 but your 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.180 motivation is 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:43.840 not the glory 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.440 of God, 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.039 then I 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:46.519 encourage you 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:46.880 to think 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:47.299 about that 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:47.700 truth, 00:28:48.360 --> 00:28:48.700 that God 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.080 looks at 00:28:49.080 --> 00:28:49.600 the heart. 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:52.880 Serve him 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.480 for who he 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.580 is and not 00:28:54.580 --> 00:28:54.900 what he 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:55.340 gives, 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.040 because God 00:28:57.040 --> 00:28:57.519 knows your 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.000 motivation. 00:29:00.340 --> 00:29:01.220 This passage 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.820 is a wake 00:29:01.820 --> 00:29:02.900 up call for 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:03.500 us to think 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:03.940 about the 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.759 reasons behind 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.519 our service 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.080 of him. 00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:07.880 And it 00:29:07.880 --> 00:29:08.660 encourages us 00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:09.360 to think about 00:29:09.360 --> 00:29:09.800 where we 00:29:09.800 --> 00:29:10.420 stand before 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:10.700 God, 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.320 because friends, 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:11.720 that is the 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.440 most important 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.540 thing in the 00:29:13.540 --> 00:29:13.960 world. 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.500 If our 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.200 heart is not 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:18.680 right with 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:18.940 God, 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.400 then we are 00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:19.960 under his 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:21.320 righteous wrath 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:21.819 God, 00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:22.000 and we 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.619 deserve it. 00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:24.419 But if our 00:29:24.419 --> 00:29:24.980 heart has 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.359 been made 00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:25.859 right with 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:26.319 God through 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:26.720 Jesus, 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.139 then we 00:29:27.139 --> 00:29:27.939 stand free 00:29:27.939 --> 00:29:28.899 and forgiven 00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:29.480 because of 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:29.659 him, 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.099 and that 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:30.399 is what 00:29:30.399 --> 00:29:31.079 God sees. 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.759 So just 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.059 as we 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.839 draw to a 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.240 close, 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:37.579 think back 00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:38.079 to Susan 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:38.460 Boyle, 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.200 how she 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:40.859 stepped onto 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.559 that stage 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:42.480 in 2009 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:42.899 as your 00:29:42.899 --> 00:29:43.379 average 00:29:43.379 --> 00:29:44.220 Scottish 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:44.599 lady. 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:46.259 The judges 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.879 saw a 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:48.079 47-year-old 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:49.099 woman and 00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:50.059 everyone was 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.919 apprehensive 00:29:50.919 --> 00:29:51.579 when she 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:51.959 said she 00:29:51.959 --> 00:29:52.259 was going 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:52.619 to sing 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:53.179 I Dreamed 00:29:53.179 --> 00:29:53.500 Dream. 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:55.959 But looks 00:29:55.959 --> 00:29:56.299 can be 00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:56.759 deceiving. 00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:58.359 Don't judge 00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:58.859 a book by 00:29:58.859 --> 00:29:59.279 its cover. 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.639 And thankfully 00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:02.599 we serve a 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:03.039 God who 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.759 sees things 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.259 differently. 00:30:04.679 --> 00:30:05.119 He looks 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:05.399 at the 00:30:05.399 --> 00:30:05.639 heart, 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.240 he goes 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:07.339 beyond the 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:07.659 skin, 00:30:07.919 --> 00:30:08.259 and he 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:08.639 looks at 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:08.799 our 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:09.399 motivations, 00:30:09.659 --> 00:30:09.759 our 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.279 desires, 00:30:10.459 --> 00:30:10.619 our 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.019 wills, 00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:11.339 and our 00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:11.859 characters. 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:15.079 So as 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.619 God looks 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:15.919 at your 00:30:15.919 --> 00:30:16.459 heart this 00:30:16.459 --> 00:30:16.799 evening, 00:30:17.179 --> 00:30:18.579 what does 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.000 he see? 00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:21.339 Will he 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:21.819 find a 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.240 heart that 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.699 is filled 00:30:22.699 --> 00:30:22.939 with 00:30:22.939 --> 00:30:23.679 unforgiveness? 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:25.299 A heart 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:25.819 filled with 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.359 resentment, 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:27.179 anger, 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:27.839 and pride? 00:30:27.939 --> 00:30:28.159 Will he 00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:28.579 find a 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:28.939 hardened 00:30:28.939 --> 00:30:29.539 heart that 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.899 has become 00:30:30.899 --> 00:30:31.439 numb to 00:30:31.439 --> 00:30:31.899 all of his 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:32.480 promptings? 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:35.059 Or will he 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.439 find a 00:30:35.439 --> 00:30:35.959 repentant 00:30:35.959 --> 00:30:36.259 heart? 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.079 Will he 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:38.559 find a 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:39.000 heart that 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.819 longs for 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:40.099 God, 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:40.679 and a 00:30:40.679 --> 00:30:41.039 heart that 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.659 wants to 00:30:41.659 --> 00:30:42.339 serve him? 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.500 God sees 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:45.799 things 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:46.259 differently. 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.519 What does 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.000 he see when 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.419 he looks at 00:30:49.419 --> 00:30:49.899 your heart? 00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:52.119 Let's pray 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:52.480 together. 00:30:57.939 --> 00:30:58.759 And just 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.199 in the 00:30:59.199 --> 00:31:00.079 quietness for 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:01.079 a moment, 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.399 take the 00:31:02.399 --> 00:31:02.839 time to 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.559 reflect on 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.079 your state 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.699 before God, 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:05.919 and how 00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:06.459 your heart 00:31:06.459 --> 00:31:06.859 is in 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.539 relation to 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:07.799 him. 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:15.359 our 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:15.859 loving God 00:31:15.859 --> 00:31:16.019 and 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.299 heavenly 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:16.699 father, 00:31:17.139 --> 00:31:19.099 we come 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:19.519 and we 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:21.919 confess that 00:31:21.919 --> 00:31:22.519 without you 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:22.839 we are 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.179 broken. 00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:26.199 Without you 00:31:26.199 --> 00:31:26.559 we are 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.000 lost, 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.519 and without 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.099 you we are 00:31:29.099 --> 00:31:29.679 cut off. 00:31:32.099 --> 00:31:32.759 But we 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.359 thank you so 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:33.879 much that you 00:31:33.879 --> 00:31:34.579 looked beyond 00:31:34.579 --> 00:31:35.139 our sinful 00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:35.619 state, 00:31:36.459 --> 00:31:37.759 and you 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:38.259 chose to 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.679 send your 00:31:38.679 --> 00:31:39.199 son Jesus 00:31:39.199 --> 00:31:40.779 Christ to 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.179 make us 00:31:41.179 --> 00:31:41.559 whole, 00:31:42.399 --> 00:31:43.139 to make us 00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:43.619 right with 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.719 you, and 00:31:44.719 --> 00:31:45.239 to make us 00:31:45.239 --> 00:31:45.699 your sons 00:31:45.699 --> 00:31:46.219 and daughters. 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:50.219 We can 00:31:50.219 --> 00:31:50.659 never say 00:31:50.659 --> 00:31:51.079 thank you 00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:51.459 enough. 00:31:53.859 --> 00:31:54.479 And we 00:31:54.479 --> 00:31:55.119 thank you in 00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:56.319 the name of 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:57.219 your son and 00:31:57.219 --> 00:31:57.899 our saviour, 00:31:58.339 --> 00:31:59.339 our rock and 00:31:59.339 --> 00:32:00.019 our redeemer, 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.659 Jesus Christ. 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:02.639 Amen.