Embracing God's Purpose: The Power of a FAT Heart

 

Summary

In my sermon, I began by reflecting on the complexities of life and the challenges we face in our spiritual journey, drawing parallels to the college admissions process and the criteria for selection. I emphasized that God's selection process for using individuals for His purpose does not rely on human standards of perfection or pedigree. Instead, God often chooses the unlikely, the imperfect, and those from humble beginnings, as was the case with King Solomon.

I recounted the story of King David and Bathsheba, highlighting the grace of God in the midst of David's sin. Despite the consequences of his actions, which included the death of their first child, God's forgiveness was evident in the birth of Solomon, whom God loved and chose to succeed David as king. This narrative set the stage for the first principle I shared: God uses flawed and imperfect people.

I then delved into the life of Solomon, who was chosen by God despite not being the obvious choice according to human standards. I drew from 1 Chronicles 22 and 28 to illustrate that God had a unique purpose for Solomon, distinct from that of his father David. While David's role was to prepare, Solomon's was to build the temple—a task that required a heart that was teachable, available, and faithful.

Throughout the sermon, I emphasized the importance of authenticity in our relationship with God, citing the example of King David's charge to Solomon to know God intimately and serve Him with a loyal and willing heart. I stressed that God looks for a heart that genuinely seeks Him, and that our outward actions cannot mask the true intentions of our hearts from God.

I shared stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary acts of kindness, like the pizza delivery man who drove hours to deliver comfort to a family in need, to illustrate that God gives each person a special and unique life purpose. I encouraged the congregation to embrace their God-given story and purpose, rather than coveting the lives of others.

Finally, I concluded with a call to cultivate a heart that is faithful, available, and teachable—a FAT heart. I used the acronym FAT to remind us that God desires a heart that is committed to Him, open to His calling, and eager to learn and grow in faith.

Key Takeaways:

1. God uses flawed and imperfect people, and this truth should give us hope and encouragement. We are all eligible to be used greatly by God, regardless of our past mistakes or imperfections. God's grace is sufficient, and He often chooses the unlikely to fulfill His purposes, so that His glory may be revealed through our lives. [08:47]

2. God gives each person a special and unique life purpose. Our roles in God's story are crafted individually, and we should humbly accept and embrace the tasks He has given us. Whether in the limelight or behind the scenes, our purpose is known to God and is significant in His plan. [15:54]

3. God looks for a heart that genuinely seeks Him. Authenticity in our relationship with God is paramount. He knows our true intentions and desires a genuine connection with us. Our actions should reflect a heart that truly knows and loves God, not one that simply goes through the motions. [28:46]

4. Embrace the life story God has given you. Resist the temptation to compare your life to others, especially the curated lives presented on social media. Your unique experiences, challenges, and opportunities are part of God's special purpose for you. Encourage your children and those around you to pursue their God-given calling, not a replica of someone else's life. [20:36]

5. Cultivate a FAT heart—faithful, available, and teachable. God desires a heart that is committed to Him, ready to serve, and open to learning. This type of heart is what God looks for in those He chooses to impact the world. Let us strive to have a FAT heart in our walk with God. [38:20]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Samuel 12:24-25: "Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah."
2. 1 Chronicles 22:6-10: "Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon: 'My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. But this word of the Lord came to me: You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.'"
3. 1 Chronicles 28:9: "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the background of Solomon's birth according to 2 Samuel 12:24-25?
2. In 1 Chronicles 22:6-10, what specific task did David charge Solomon with, and why was David himself not allowed to complete it?
3. According to 1 Chronicles 28:9, what qualities did David emphasize to Solomon in his charge to him?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Solomon's birth illustrate the principle that God uses flawed and imperfect people? [06:42]
2. What does David's charge to Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28:9 reveal about the kind of relationship God desires with His people? [24:13]
3. How does the narrative of Solomon's selection as king challenge our understanding of qualifications and worthiness in God's eyes? [07:42]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy or flawed. How does the story of Solomon encourage you to see your potential in God's plan? [08:47]
2. What unique purpose do you believe God has given you? How can you embrace this purpose without comparing yourself to others? [15:54]
3. In what ways can you cultivate a more genuine and authentic relationship with God, as David advised Solomon? [24:13]
4. How can you encourage your children or those around you to pursue their God-given calling rather than imitating others? [20:36]
5. What steps can you take to develop a heart that is faithful, available, and teachable (a FAT heart) in your daily walk with God? [38:20]
6. Think of a specific area in your life where you struggle with authenticity. How can you begin to align your actions with a heart that genuinely seeks God? [28:46]
7. Identify one way you can serve God with a loyal heart and willing mind this week. What practical steps will you take to ensure you follow through? [24:43]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Imperfect Vessels
God's grace qualifies the disqualified, using our imperfections for His glory. Imperfection does not disqualify one from God's purpose; rather, it often becomes the very reason God chooses an individual. Just as a potter uses clay with all its inconsistencies to mold a vessel, God uses our flaws to shape us into instruments for His use. This truth is liberating, as it means that past mistakes and current shortcomings are not barriers to being used by God. Instead, they are opportunities for His power to be displayed in and through us. The story of King David and Bathsheba reminds us that even in the wake of sin and its consequences, God's grace and plans prevail. Solomon's birth and subsequent anointing as king serve as a testament to God's redemptive power and His ability to use those whom society might overlook. [07:40]

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Reflection: Reflect on a past mistake or weakness. How can you offer it to God as a vessel for His use today?

Day 2: Unique Purpose in God's Tapestry
Each individual thread in a tapestry has a unique color and texture, contributing to the beauty of the whole. Similarly, God weaves the story of each person's life into His grand design with a unique purpose for every individual. This purpose is not a one-size-fits-all but is as distinct as our fingerprints. The life of Solomon illustrates that God's plan for us may differ from that of our predecessors or peers. While David was a warrior king, Solomon was chosen for a different task—to build the temple, a role that required specific qualities such as wisdom and discernment. This serves as a reminder that one's significance in God's plan is not determined by visibility or worldly standards but by obedience to the unique calling God has placed on each life. [15:54]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10

Reflection: What unique gifts or opportunities has God given you that you can use to serve Him in a way that only you can?

Day 3: The Heart's True Reflection
The heart is like a mirror, reflecting our true intentions and desires. God, who is the discerning observer of the heart, values authenticity above all. He is not fooled by outward appearances or actions but looks deep into the heart to find genuine love and devotion. The charge of King David to Solomon to serve God with a loyal and willing heart underscores the importance of cultivating a heart that truly seeks God. This authenticity is what fosters a deep and meaningful relationship with the Divine, one that transcends mere religious rituals and permeates every aspect of life. [28:46]

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7b

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a more authentic relationship with God, focusing on the intentions of your heart rather than outward appearances?

Day 4: Celebrating Your Divine Narrative
Every life is a story authored by God, with its own set of challenges, triumphs, and a unique narrative arc. Embracing this story means accepting and valuing the life God has given you, without falling into the trap of comparison. The curated lives we see on social media can often lead to discontentment and envy, but recognizing that your life's plot is crafted by God helps in appreciating your own journey. This acceptance allows you to live out your God-given purpose with joy and confidence, knowing that you are exactly where you are meant to be in the grand narrative of God's kingdom. [20:36]

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" - Hebrews 13:5

Reflection: How can you celebrate and embrace the unique story God is writing in your life today, without comparing it to someone else's?

Day 5: Cultivating a FAT Heart
A FAT heart—faithful, available, and teachable—is fertile ground for God's work. Faithfulness speaks of unwavering commitment, availability signifies a readiness to act on God's call, and teachability reflects a humble spirit eager to learn and grow. This acronym serves as a practical guide for developing a heart posture that God can use mightily. It is not about having all the answers or being perfect, but about maintaining a heart that is open and responsive to God's leading. A FAT heart is what God seeks in His followers, and it is this kind of heart that can truly make a difference in the world. [38:20]

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." - 2 Chronicles 16:9a

Reflection: What steps can you take today to become more faithful, available, and teachable in your relationship with God?

Quotes

1. "You see, my friends, if you are willing to be used by God, then he is a special and unique purpose for your life. It doesn't have to be one in the world's limelight, but it can be one that makes an impact in the world, albeit silently and unknown. But we don't worry, because while unknown to the world, it is known your works to the omniscient God." [19:57]( | | )

2. "My friends, don't compare and desire what others have and the life they live, especially the lives of those on social media. Those are not real lives. The unique crafting of how God made and the life He gives you is unique to you, to fulfill His special purpose." [23:39]( | | )

3. "God looks for a heart that genuinely seeks him. It's all about the heart. It's not necessarily about our outward actions. We can fool people with our actions but we can't fool God with our heart." [28:46]( | | )

4. "Stop following and wanting the lives of others. Live the story that God has given you. God's story for David was not to build a temple. It was only to make preparations for it. While Solomon's story, as we will see, is to build the temple. One's was to prepare. The other's was to build." [21:17]( | | )

5. "God gives each person a special and unique life purpose. This is echoed in the New Testament in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, when God says each member of the body of Christ has been given a spiritual gift to play a unique role in the church." [15:54]( | | )

6. "You either love God or not. You either know him or not. You either serve him or not. You either genuinely live for him or not. He is really either number one or he is not honest. My friends, God knows our hearts. He knows if we're really sorry or simply sorry because we were caught." [27:45]( | | )

7. "Putting it all together, King David was hoping that Solomon would have a teachable, available, and faithful heart. Or if you mix it, mix the order, you have a faithful, available, and teachable heart. In other words, you have a fat heart." [38:20]( | | )

8. "So many people begin well, but they finish badly because they are not faithful. And one decision, one act, towards the end of your life, can destroy a whole lifetime of achievement. Only because of faithfulness." [37:50]( | | )

9. "To be available for God's purpose requires a humble heart because putting the will of God above yours takes humility. It takes great humility to acknowledge all the things of God higher and more important than your own desire and passions and even schedule." [34:11]( | | )

10. "Church is hard for the person singing worship songs overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics. Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader. Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man. Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love." [11:55]( | | )

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Transcript
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