Embracing the Extraordinary in Ordinary Lives
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the life of David, a man after God's own heart, and how his story can inspire us to live out our spirituality in the everyday world. David's life is a testament to the fact that God uses ordinary people in ordinary positions to fulfill His extraordinary purposes. Despite his flaws and the seemingly insignificant role he played as a shepherd, David was chosen by God to be king. This choice underscores that God looks at the heart, not outward appearances or societal status.
We often compartmentalize our lives, separating the sacred from the secular, but David's story teaches us that every aspect of our lives can be an encounter with God. David's journey from shepherd to king was marked by his unwavering faith and his ability to serve God in whatever circumstances he found himself. This is a powerful reminder that God can use us right where we are, regardless of our perceived ordinariness or lack of qualifications.
We also discussed the fears that hold us back from serving God: feeling like an ordinary person, being in an ordinary position, and having ordinary power. David's life shows us that these fears are unfounded because God equips those He calls. The Holy Spirit empowers us to accomplish whatever God sets before us, just as He did with David.
In conclusion, David's story encourages us to move beyond the status quo, to serve God with our whole hearts, and to trust that He will provide the strength and power we need.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Uses Ordinary People: David was an ordinary shepherd boy, yet God chose him to be king. This teaches us that God values the heart over outward appearances or societal status. He can use anyone, regardless of their background or qualifications, to fulfill His purposes. [19:46]
2. Serve God Where You Are: David served God faithfully in every circumstance, whether tending sheep or fleeing from Saul. This reminds us that we don't need to wait for perfect conditions to serve God. We can serve Him right where we are, in our current circumstances. [23:20]
3. God Equips the Called: When God calls us to serve Him, He also equips us with the necessary power and resources. The Holy Spirit empowers us to accomplish God's purposes, just as He did with David. This should encourage us to step out in faith, knowing that God will provide what we need. [27:18]
4. Avoid Compartmentalizing Life: One of the dangers we face as Christians is compartmentalizing our lives into sacred and secular. David's life shows us that every aspect of our lives can be an encounter with God. We should strive to integrate our faith into all areas of our lives. [06:41]
5. Move Beyond the Status Quo: David's story challenges us to move beyond the status quo and take risks for God. We often let fear hold us back, but David's life demonstrates that with God's help, we can overcome these fears and do great things for His kingdom. [16:53]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[04:15] - Introduction and Personal Connection
[05:27] - Why Study David?
[06:41] - David's Spirituality in Everyday Life
[08:12] - Reading from 1 Samuel 16
[09:22] - Samuel's Anointing of David
[10:37] - David's Selection by God
[11:46] - The Song "Brave" and Its Relevance
[12:42] - Overcoming Fear: Ordinary Person
[14:58] - Overcoming Fear: Ordinary Position
[16:53] - Overcoming Fear: Ordinary Power
[17:58] - God's Choice of David
[19:46] - God Uses Ordinary People
[21:24] - David's Return to Shepherding
[23:20] - Serving God in All Circumstances
[25:15] - Avoiding the Status Quo
[27:18] - God Equips the Called
[29:14] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[31:25] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NLT)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Samuel's initial reaction when he saw Eliab, and how did God correct his perspective? ([09:22])
2. How did David's family view him in comparison to his brothers, and what was he doing when Samuel called for him? ([10:37])
3. What happened to David after Samuel anointed him with oil? ([10:37])
4. What are the three basic fears mentioned in the sermon that hold people back from serving God? ([12:42])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose David, an ordinary shepherd boy, to be king instead of one of his older brothers? ([10:37])
2. How does David's life challenge the idea of compartmentalizing our lives into sacred and secular? ([06:41])
3. In what ways does the story of David show that God equips those He calls? ([27:18])
4. How can David's example of serving God in all circumstances encourage us to serve God in our current situations? ([23:20])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt too ordinary or unqualified to serve God. How does David's story change your perspective on this? ([19:46])
2. Are there areas in your life where you have been compartmentalizing your faith? How can you begin to integrate your spirituality into these areas? ([06:41])
3. What fears are currently holding you back from stepping out in faith to serve God? How can you overcome these fears with the help of the Holy Spirit? ([12:42])
4. Think about your current position in life. How can you serve God right where you are, even if it seems ordinary? ([23:20])
5. David went back to shepherding after being anointed king. How can you remain faithful in your current responsibilities while waiting for God's timing in your life? ([21:24])
6. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit's power rather than your own strength in your daily life and service to God? ([27:18])
7. Identify one specific way you can move beyond the status quo in your spiritual life this week. What steps will you take to make this change? ([16:53])
Devotional
### Day 1: God Values the Heart Over Outward Appearances
David was an ordinary shepherd boy, yet God chose him to be king. This teaches us that God values the heart over outward appearances or societal status. He can use anyone, regardless of their background or qualifications, to fulfill His purposes. David's selection by God was not based on his physical stature or his position in society but on the condition of his heart. This is a powerful reminder that God sees beyond what humans see and values the inner qualities of faith, humility, and devotion.
In our own lives, we may feel insignificant or unqualified for the tasks God sets before us. However, David's story encourages us to trust that God knows our true potential and can use us in extraordinary ways. We should focus on cultivating a heart that seeks after God, knowing that He values our inner character more than our external achievements or status. [19:46]
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: Think about an area in your life where you feel unqualified or insignificant. How can you shift your focus from outward appearances to cultivating a heart that seeks after God?
### Day 2: Serve God in Your Current Circumstances
David served God faithfully in every circumstance, whether tending sheep or fleeing from Saul. This reminds us that we don't need to wait for perfect conditions to serve God. We can serve Him right where we are, in our current circumstances. David's life exemplifies how we can honor God in both mundane and challenging situations. His faithfulness in small tasks prepared him for greater responsibilities.
Often, we may feel that our current situation is too ordinary or insignificant to make a difference. However, David's story teaches us that God can use our present circumstances as a training ground for future purposes. By serving God faithfully where we are, we open ourselves to His guidance and prepare for the roles He has planned for us. [23:20]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: Identify a task or responsibility in your daily life that feels mundane. How can you approach it with a heart of service to God, knowing that He values your faithfulness in all circumstances?
### Day 3: God Equips Those He Calls
When God calls us to serve Him, He also equips us with the necessary power and resources. The Holy Spirit empowers us to accomplish God's purposes, just as He did with David. This should encourage us to step out in faith, knowing that God will provide what we need. David's life is a testament to the fact that God does not call the equipped but equips the called. Despite his initial lack of experience and resources, David was able to fulfill his role as king through God's empowerment.
We often hesitate to take on new challenges or responsibilities because we feel inadequate. However, David's story reassures us that God will provide the strength, wisdom, and resources we need to fulfill His purposes. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our fears and step into the roles God has prepared for us. [27:18]
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (ESV): "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
Reflection: Think of a challenge or responsibility you are hesitant to take on. How can you trust in God's provision and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to equip you for this task?
### Day 4: Integrate Faith into All Areas of Life
One of the dangers we face as Christians is compartmentalizing our lives into sacred and secular. David's life shows us that every aspect of our lives can be an encounter with God. We should strive to integrate our faith into all areas of our lives. David's spirituality was not confined to specific religious activities but permeated his everyday actions and decisions. Whether he was tending sheep, leading armies, or writing psalms, David sought to honor God in all he did.
In our modern lives, it's easy to separate our faith from our daily activities, treating them as distinct and unrelated. However, David's example encourages us to see every moment as an opportunity to connect with God and live out our faith. By integrating our spirituality into all aspects of our lives, we can experience a deeper and more consistent relationship with God. [06:41]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you tend to separate your faith from your daily activities. How can you intentionally integrate your spirituality into this area, making it an encounter with God?
### Day 5: Move Beyond the Status Quo
David's story challenges us to move beyond the status quo and take risks for God. We often let fear hold us back, but David's life demonstrates that with God's help, we can overcome these fears and do great things for His kingdom. David faced numerous challenges and dangers, yet he trusted in God's guidance and stepped out in faith. His willingness to move beyond the status quo allowed him to achieve great things for God's kingdom.
In our own lives, we may be tempted to stay within our comfort zones, avoiding risks and challenges. However, David's example encourages us to trust in God's plan and take bold steps of faith. By moving beyond the status quo, we open ourselves to new opportunities for growth and service in God's kingdom. [16:53]
Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Reflection: Identify a fear or comfort zone that is holding you back from taking a step of faith. How can you trust in God's presence and guidance to move beyond the status quo and take a bold step for His kingdom?
Quotes
1. "One of the dangers we face as Christ followers is that we tend to compartmentalize our lives. We have our work lives, and we have our home lives, and maybe we have the night out. We have the night out with the boys' lives. But then we separate the secular and the sacred. When we look at the life of David, we begin to realize that in a sense, everything that we do is an encounter with God." [06:41] (37 seconds)
2. "I think there might be three basic fears that most of us experience. The first one is, I'm just an ordinary person. We live in this ordinary world where we entrust everything to the experts. We turn the responsibility for our health over to the medical experts. We turn our education, over to the educational experts. And we turn responsibility for our relationships over to the psychological experts like Dear Abby." [12:42] (44 seconds)
3. "Unfortunately, many of us have gotten this mistaken impression that God can't use us because we don't have a seminary degree and we don't have all the answers. I know. I've been there. I'm just this ordinary guy who's gone through four or five or ten career changes in my life. I don't have a seminary degree and I don't have all the answers." [13:52] (31 seconds)
4. "God is in the business of choosing ordinary people to carry out his plans and his purposes. Look at the 12 disciples. God doesn't care about your heritage. God doesn't care about your intelligence. God doesn't care how much money you have. He doesn't care about how many people you know or how much influence you have or how many Facebook followers that you have. He doesn't care how ordinary you think you are. He only cares about your heart." [19:46] (36 seconds)
5. "David proved that he's able to serve God wherever he is and whatever he's doing. David never asked to be king. He didn't campaign for the position. He didn't update his resume to even apply for the job. And even after David was anointed king, he did nothing to take over the position. But he did keep serving God wherever he was and whatever he was doing." [23:20] (29 seconds)
6. "God is more interested in developing our character than in changing our circumstances. When I read the Bible, I find very few instances where people prayed and asked God to change their circumstances and God answered that prayer. But you can find numerous examples where God chose to work in people's lives right where they were." [24:58] (31 seconds)
7. "Our problem is we try to serve God in our own strength and in our own power. And I am incapable of doing anything God wants me to do in my own power. If I want to move beyond the status quo and really serve God, then I can take encouragement from David because God chooses to give extraordinary, power to ordinary people in ordinary circumstances in order to serve his purpose." [29:14] (38 seconds)
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