David's Heart: A Call to Deeper Faith
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound journey of King David, a man described as being after God's own heart. This exploration was not just a historical recount but a spiritual invitation to examine our own hearts and lives. We began by acknowledging the unease that can settle in our spirits when we become too comfortable with the status quo of our faith. The American Christian life often emphasizes comfort and acquisition, but we are called to something deeper and more meaningful. God is preparing us for more, not in the sense of endless pursuit, but in the fullness of His presence now.
We delved into the story of Saul and David, contrasting Saul's disobedience and David's heart for God. Saul, despite his qualifications, lost his kingdom due to his failure to fully obey God's commands. In contrast, David, the youngest and least likely of Jesse's sons, was chosen because of his heart. God sought a man who would do all His will, and David was that man. This was not about perfection, as David's life was marked by significant failures, but about a heart that continually sought God and repented when it strayed.
David's life teaches us that God values a heart that is willing to do His will above all else. This willingness is not negated by our failures but is demonstrated in our repentance and desire to align with God's heart. We are reminded that revival and spiritual growth are sustained by a constant posture of humility and repentance, asking God to search our hearts and reveal anything that displeases Him.
As a community, we are called to move beyond mere church attendance and community life. We are invited to be warriors in the spiritual realm, advancing God's kingdom with passion and commitment. Our focus should not be on the outcomes of revival, such as miracles and breakthroughs, but on pursuing God Himself. When our hearts are aligned with His, the byproducts of His presence will naturally follow.
Key Takeaways:
- The Heart of Obedience: David was chosen because he was a man after God's own heart, willing to do all of God's will. This teaches us that God values obedience and a heart aligned with His purposes over external qualifications or appearances. [18:12]
- Repentance and Restoration: Despite his failures, David's willingness to repent and seek God's forgiveness kept him in God's favor. This highlights the importance of repentance in maintaining a relationship with God and experiencing His grace. [21:20]
- Pursuing God Over Outcomes: Our spiritual journey should focus on pursuing God Himself rather than the outcomes of revival, such as miracles or breakthroughs. When God is our primary pursuit, the fruits of His presence will naturally manifest. [41:38]
- The Danger of Disobedience: Saul's story serves as a warning about the consequences of disobedience and pride. It reminds us that failing to follow God's commands can lead to losing His favor and the opportunities He has for us. [06:05]
- A Call to Spiritual Warfare: We are called to be more than just church members; we are invited to be spiritual warriors, advancing God's kingdom with passion and commitment. This requires a heart fully surrendered to God's will. [25:42]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:07] - The Unease of Comfort
- [03:02] - Saul's Disobedience
- [04:49] - God's Search for a New King
- [06:05] - The Consequences of Disobedience
- [07:09] - A Man After God's Heart
- [08:07] - The Search for David
- [09:10] - David's Heart for God
- [10:18] - The Anointing of David
- [12:07] - David's Humble Beginnings
- [13:30] - The Qualities God Seeks
- [15:10] - Discovering David's Secret
- [18:12] - Obedience as the Key
- [21:20] - Repentance and Favor
- [25:42] - A Call to Spiritual Warfare
- [41:38] - Pursuing God Over Outcomes
- [50:41] - The True Focus of Revival
- [57:51] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 13:22 - "After removing Saul, he made David their king. God 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.’"
2. 1 Samuel 13:13-14 - "You have done a foolish thing," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command."
3. Psalm 51:10-12 - "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the key differences between Saul and David that led to God choosing David as king? [06:05]
2. How does the sermon describe David's heart and his relationship with God? [18:12]
3. What role does repentance play in David's life according to the sermon? [21:20]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of pursuing God over the outcomes of revival? [41:38]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be "a man after God's own heart," and how did David exemplify this in his life? [18:12]
2. How does the sermon suggest that disobedience and pride can lead to losing God's favor, as seen in Saul's story? [06:05]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that repentance and a willingness to align with God's will are crucial for maintaining a relationship with Him? [21:20]
4. How does the sermon challenge the idea of pursuing miracles and breakthroughs as the primary focus of spiritual life? [41:38]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be prioritizing comfort and acquisition over a deeper relationship with God? How can you shift your focus? [01:07]
2. Consider a recent failure or mistake. How can you practice repentance and seek God's forgiveness in a way that aligns with David's example? [21:20]
3. What steps can you take to ensure that your spiritual journey is focused on pursuing God Himself rather than the outcomes of revival? [41:38]
4. How can you cultivate a heart that is willing to do all of God's will, even when it is challenging or uncomfortable? [18:12]
5. In what ways can you engage in spiritual warfare and advance God's kingdom with passion and commitment in your daily life? [25:42]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel God is calling you to obedience. What practical steps can you take to align your actions with His will? [18:12]
7. How can you create a regular practice of asking God to search your heart and reveal anything that displeases Him, as David did in Psalm 139? [29:54]
Devotional
Day 1: The Heart of Obedience
David was chosen by God not because of his external qualifications or appearances but because he was a man after God's own heart, willing to do all of God's will. This highlights the importance of having a heart aligned with God's purposes. In a world that often values outward success and appearances, God looks deeper, seeking those who are willing to obey Him fully. David's life serves as a reminder that true obedience stems from a heart that desires to please God above all else. This obedience is not about perfection but about a sincere willingness to follow God's commands and align one's life with His will. [18:12]
1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you focusing more on external appearances rather than aligning your heart with God's will? How can you begin to shift your focus today?
Day 2: Repentance and Restoration
Despite his significant failures, David's willingness to repent and seek God's forgiveness kept him in God's favor. This underscores the importance of repentance in maintaining a relationship with God and experiencing His grace. David's life was marked by moments of sin and failure, yet his heart continually turned back to God in repentance. This posture of humility and repentance is crucial for spiritual growth and restoration. It is not our failures that define us, but our response to them. When we repent and seek God's forgiveness, we open ourselves to His grace and restoration. [21:20]
Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV): "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."
Reflection: Is there a specific area in your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness and restoration? How can you take a step towards repentance today?
Day 3: Pursuing God Over Outcomes
Our spiritual journey should focus on pursuing God Himself rather than the outcomes of revival, such as miracles or breakthroughs. When God is our primary pursuit, the fruits of His presence will naturally manifest. This perspective shifts our focus from seeking tangible results to seeking a deeper relationship with God. It is easy to become fixated on the outcomes we desire, but true fulfillment comes from knowing and experiencing God Himself. As we pursue Him, we find that the byproducts of His presence, such as peace, joy, and transformation, naturally follow. [41:38]
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."
Reflection: Are there specific outcomes or results you have been prioritizing over your relationship with God? How can you refocus your heart on pursuing God Himself today?
Day 4: The Danger of Disobedience
Saul's story serves as a warning about the consequences of disobedience and pride. Despite his qualifications, Saul lost his kingdom due to his failure to fully obey God's commands. This reminds us that failing to follow God's commands can lead to losing His favor and the opportunities He has for us. Disobedience often stems from pride and a desire to do things our way rather than God's way. Saul's downfall serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are walking in obedience to God's will. [06:05]
1 Samuel 15:22-23 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.'"
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are struggling with disobedience or pride? What steps can you take to align yourself with God's commands today?
Day 5: A Call to Spiritual Warfare
We are called to be more than just church members; we are invited to be spiritual warriors, advancing God's kingdom with passion and commitment. This requires a heart fully surrendered to God's will. As believers, we are engaged in a spiritual battle, and God calls us to take an active role in advancing His kingdom. This involves prayer, intercession, and living out our faith with boldness and conviction. It is not enough to simply attend church; we are called to be active participants in God's mission, using our gifts and talents to make a difference in the world. [25:42]
Ephesians 6:10-12 (ESV): "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: How can you actively engage in spiritual warfare and advance God's kingdom in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to be a spiritual warrior today?
Quotes
1. "I don't want to go through the motions of church life, and I don't want to live what we would probably classify as the American Christian life, that its goal is to live a comfort, increase, and an acquisition of things, acquiring things. I want to make sure that we never get caught up in the trap of the American Church Incorporated." ([00:00:36] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "There's been this uneasiness in my spirit that the Lord is saying, I'm preparing Christ Fellowship Church for the more, but I never want to be the guy that always seeks the more, as if it's like a carrot dangled in front of a horse or a donkey and you're always in this endless pursuit. You won't hear me talk a lot about the more, I want the now, I want everything he has now in this moment, but I think that God is preparing us and stretching us for more." ([00:01:28] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "The prophet gave Saul very specific instructions about destroying the people that were the enemies of God, kill everything that's living, kill the king, and the prophet said, I will be there to offer a sacrifice. Well, you know the story, 1 Samuel chapter 11, 12, and 13, and 14. It unfolds before us that the prophet delayed his coming, and Saul did not obey the nth degree of the command of God. Therefore, he left some key sheep living, key personnel living, and he spared the life of the king, all of which God had instructed him through the prophet, I need you to take care of all of this, and wiped them out." ([00:04:18] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "My question to you this morning is, how many others did God look at in order to find his replacement? How long did God have to look in order to find the right person? Have you ever thought about that? Why do I ask that question? Because the qualification, the type of man that he was looking for, was the individual who would be after his own heart. Not his own personal heart, the individual himself, but the heart of God." ([00:07:41] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "I have found David, the son of Jesse. A man after my own heart. And there it is. There it is. Do you see it? Who will do all my will. Let me put it to you this way. I have found the man after my own heart. Listen to this. Who will do everything I ask him to do. Amen." ([00:18:15] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "Because if you're not careful, you'll take biblical characters and you will elevate them to a place of saying, and to a point of where they're such high. I mean, they're just way up here and I'll never be able to, to be used like them or be favored like them. And then they can become somewhat like a rock star and you go, wow, they're way up there and they are special men and women. But guys, you understand, the Bible's not written to us to dangle a carrot in front of us so that we can never attain it." ([00:20:04] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "You can sin and make a choice that you know is devastating to you, your family and others, and it be wrong. And it doesn't disqualify you from a relationship with him and his place of favor in your life. Now, if I sin and rebel and continue and refuse to repent, then that's when like Saul, that you disqualify yourself." ([00:21:46] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "When you study the Old Testament Psalms, more specifically the Psalms, you are given insight, Matt, to the heart of David. Who he was at the core, where his convictions came from. And this is what I discovered. Hold up. Psalm 51 on the screen. That particular passage, I think it is. Psalm 51. Psalm 51. After David's failure with Bathsheba, committing murder with Uriah and losing his child, that was born in an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan, Nathan, I said, came to him and pointed out his sin." ([00:27:32] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "The church, us, all of us can never make revival about the outcome of revival. We cannot make what's happening here the pursuit of the outcome. We can't pursue miracles. We can't pursue breakthroughs and deliverances as our goals. That is a byproduct of keeping him our pursuit, our aim, our goal, our ambition, my drive, my hunger." ([00:41:06] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "God is telling us as a church, even though there have been 42,000 water baptisms in this building, 60,000 outside of this building, and we've seen not dozens or hundreds, but literally thousands upon thousands of miracles, God says, please do not make the miracles your goal. Do not judge a service based upon what you see with your eyes. But continue to cry out to me that, Lord, create in me a clean heart. Seek my kingdom first, and all these other things will be added unto you." ([00:49:58] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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