June 18, 2006 am    The Heart of a Man of God.    I Samuel 16:1-13

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

What is the heart?  It is the spirit, mind, passion or compassion, and center of a person.  What is in the heart of a man?  What was it about David’s heart that God chose him above all the other 7 of Jesse’s sons?  What is in the heart of a man of God?  God looks on the heart. What is in the heart? He was ruddy with a fine appearance and handsome features, but he was chosen by God because of his heart.  

Scripture Text:  1Sam 16:1 (NIV) The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel ? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king." 2 But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me." The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, `I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate." 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem , the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?" 5 Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, The LORD has not chosen these." 11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down ntil he arrives." 12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.

What was in the heart of David?  He had a:

·         A Heart that seeks God.  

1Kin 11:4 (NIV) As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 

1Kin 14:8 (NIV) I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, but you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes.

·         A Brave and courageous heart.  Why?  Faith and experience on trusting the Lord who doesn’t fail. 

1Sam 17:32 (NIV) David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him."

·         A Shepherd Heart. 

Isai 40:11 (NIV) He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

·         A Heart to build for God. 

1Kin 8:17 (NIV) "My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel .

·         A Righteous and upright in heart.  

1Kin 3:6 (NIV) Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

·         A Heart for God. 

Acts 13:22 (NIV) After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: `I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'

·         An Humble Heart. A Broken and Contrite heart.

Psal 51:6 (NIV) Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

God changes the heart.  If you believe and give your heart to God, He can give you a new heart.  Will you let me have your heart? 

·         Will you ask God for a new heart?  Ezek 36:26 (NIV) I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.