David: A Man After God’s Own Heart – Sermon #4

 

1 Samuel 18:5-16

IN THE PRESENCE OF TRUE GREATNESS

Intro:  How do you measure greatness?  Is true greatness seen in how much money a person has?  Can it be determined by the car they drive, the size of the house they live is, or in the status that have achieved in life?  Is true greatness recognizable by one’s achievements in life?  For instance, if an actor wins an Oscar has he or she achieved greatness?  If an athlete topples longstanding records, have they achieved greatness?  If someone is able to do what no one else has ever done before, have they achieved true greatness?  Some would say “Yes!”  But, I have the sneaking suspicion that God would say “No!” I think God would say, “True greatness is not measured by what you achieve in life, but how you live your life.”  (Ill. Job 1:8 – God declared Job’s greatness.)

      We can see this principle fleshed out in the life of David.  In this passage, David is just a young lad.  He is a kid fresh from his first battle; but he has already achieved what so few people ever achieve in this life: David has achieved true greatness.  I would like to take this text and share with you a few observations from the life of David.  These observations reveal why I say that David has achieved true greatness; and they tell us how we can achieve it too.  I would like to take this passage and preach on the subject: In The Presence Of True Greatness.

 

  I.  v. 5, 14, 30  THE PRESENTATION OF DAVID’S LIFE

(Ill. Three times in this chapter we are told that “David behaved himself wisely.”  This phrase speaks of someone “walking properly.”  It refers “to a person who knows how to carry themselves.”  It is speaks of more than mere manners.  It speaks of a person who watches what they say, what they do, and how they act; because they know they are being watched.  It has the idea of walking “accurately and carefully,” as if one were navigating a minefield.  It is the kind of walk we are all called upon to exhibit, Eph. 5:15.  There are three areas were this accurate, careful walk of David was on display.)

A.  v. 5  He Behaved Himself Well In Spite Of Life’s Promotions – After David defeated Goliath, he continued to prove himself to be a faithful, loyal subject day by day. David did not allow his victory over the Philistine to go to his head.  David knew he was climbing to the top, but he was willing to take the climb one step at a time.

 

      (Note: There is always a danger when we see some measure of success in our walk with the Lord.  When God allows us to see a victory or two, we need to beware of the snare of pride.  It has a way of telling us that we are greater than we actually are.  Thank God for the victories He gives, but be careful that they do not go to your head, Pro. 16:18; 1 Cor. 10:12.)

 

B.  v. 14  He Behaved Himself Well In Spite Of Life’s Problems – Even when Saul tried to kill him, David still carried himself the right way.  David could have become bitter, or he could have been overcome by a desire for revenge.  Instead, David continued to carry himself well and set a good example.

 

      (Note: Often, it’s the problems of life that throw us off course.  Some unexpected calamity will blindside us and we will be down and out before we know it.  A sign of true greatness in one’s faith is the ability to continue to walk the right way in the right path, even when things are not going well in your life. Ill. Paul – Phil. 4:11-13; Ill. Job – Job 1:20-21.)

 

C.  v. 30  He Behaved Himself Well In Spite Of Life’s Possibilities – David has, through the providence of God, become far more popular than King Saul.  David has married into Saul’s family.  David has been blessed and he has prospered greatly in Israel.  He is in a position to attempt an overthrow of Saul’s kingdom.  After all, he is the king!  But, instead of trying to elevate himself; David is content to wait on the Lord.  David continues to carry himself well in spite of the opportunity to promote himself.

 

      (Note:  Be very careful when it seems that you are on the way up.  There is a tendency for us to blow our own horn.  But, if we are wise, and if we are walking properly; we will leave the horn tooting to the Lord.  He knows where we are and He knows how to elevate us in His time.  Our duty is to live for Him and make a proper presentation of our lives before others for His glory.  After all, the Bible says, “charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own,” 1 Cor. 13:4-5.)

 

      (Note: David may have been a young man, but he set the kind of example that we all need to follow.  He lived a wise and balanced life for the glory of God.  He lived a life that honored God and a life that God could honor.  I don’t know about you, but I am interested in living that kind of life also.)

 

 II.  v. 10-13         THE PRIORITIES OF DAVID’S LIFE

(Ill. Another example of the greatness of David’s young life is the priorities he exhibited.  These were not easy days for young David.  He has been uprooted from his home.  He has found instant fame from killing Goliath.  And, he has found a bitter enemy in the person of King Saul, v. 9.  Still David remains faithful in his priorities.  He carried on with his assignments in spite of all the difficulties he faced.  Notice how David demonstrated faithfulness to the priorities of his life.)

A.  v. 10  David Was Surrendered – David knew the king was against him, still David walked into that throne room, picked up that harp and played his music.  He had a job to do, and he did it faithfully.

B.  v. 11  David Was Steadfast – In his hatred, Saul attempted to kill David.  But, notice the phrase, “And David avoided out of his presence twice.”  Saul tried to kill David and David ran away.  I don’t know about you, but that would have probably finished me up.  I would have turned in my resignation and headed back to the sheep fold.  But not David!  He was steadfast.  Even though Saul tried to kill him, David returned to his post and continued doing the job he had been assigned to do.

C.  v. 13  David Was Submissive – Even after Saul attempted to take his life, David kept on serving the evil king.  David took his new assignment and carried to out to the best of his ability.

 

(Note: In these three verses, David sets a good example for you and for me.  Often the difference between the average Christian and the great Christian comes down to a simple matter of priorities. 

      You see, we do the things that are important to us.  Those things you attach value to determine the priorities of your life.  Everything in your life is touched by this principle.  For instance, your church attendance will be determined by what priority it holds in your life.  The same is true of prayer, Bible study, witnessing, etc, etc.  You do what you think is important.

      David’s standard of living is one from which we could all take a lesson.  At some point, David had determined to be faithful in spite of injury; in spite of trouble; in spite of difficulty.  He had made up his mind that he was going to be surrendered, steadfast and submissive to the king, regardless of what took place in his life.

      This is how we should all be this evening.  In fact, this is God’s will for each of His children, 1 Cor. 15:58; Rom. 12:1-2.  But, aren’t we guilty of allowing everything in the world hinder our walk with and faithfulness to the things of God?  We need to make up our minds that He will be the first priority of our lives.  If he is, then we will have no trouble serving Him like He deserves to be served!  If He isn’t, we will have trouble in this area, which will lead to trouble in all areas of our lives.)

 

III.  v. 17-23        THE PERCEPTION OF DAVID’S LIFE      

(Ill. David’s greatness can also be seen in how he was perceived by the people around him and by himself.)

A. v. 7-9; 15; 29 The Private Perception Of David’s Life – How King Saul perceived David – King Saul hated David and wanted him dead.  When he looked at David, he looked at him through jealous eyes.  He saw a young man who was everything he himself was not.  He saw a young man who walked with God.  He saw a young man who carried himself well.  He saw a young man who was ambitious, faithful and clean.  And, Saul hated him because of it.  Saul hated David so much that he tried to kill him with his own hand.  When that didn’t work, he tried to kill David through deceit, v. 17-25.   Saul hated David, but he hated him because God was with David and not with Saul.  He hated David because David walked with God.

B.  The Public Perception Of David’s Life – How the people of Israel perceived David – Saul’s private perception of David was one thing, but the public’s perception of David’s life was altogether different.

      1.  v. 5 Saul’s Servants – The people in the king’s palace saw how David carried himself and they were impressed with David.

      2.  v. 5, 16, 30 Saul’s Subjects – All of the people saw God’s hand on David’s life and they were impressed with him.

      3.  v. 1-4, 20, 28  Saul’s Son and Daughter – Even Saul’s own children, Jonathan and Michal love David.  There is something about his life that touches them as well.

C.  The Personal Perception Of David’s Life – How David perceived himself - The only person in Israel who seems to be unaware of David’s greatness is David.  When it is mentioned that he might become the king’s son in law, David speaks about his own unworthiness, v. 17-23.  David isn’t nearly as impressed with David as the others were.

 

      (Note: Here is one of the most powerful secrets of obtaining greatness.  The person who possesses true greatness will be the last one to know it! 

            All around us, there are plenty of people who want us to know how great they think they are.  They are always talking about themselves and their achievements.  They are constantly elevating themselves and exalting themselves above others.  But, the truly great person will never be in the business of lifting up his own name or promoting his own fame.  In fact, he will be amazed when others lift his name and talk about his greatness.  This was the kind of spirit that David possessed and it is the same spirit that we should all strive to have within us.  This was also the spirit that dwelt within the Apostle Paul, “I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.” 2 Cor. 12:11. 

            The Bible has something to say about this matter of self-perception:

      Listen to Proverbs 27:2, “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”

Listen to Proverbs 26:12, “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”

      Listen to 2 Cor. 10:12, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

            The person who must toot his own horn to get attention and recognition is not a wise person, according to the Bible.  It is far better to let the Lord exalt us, in His time, than it is for us to be in the business of exalting ourselves.  Listen to 2 Cor. 10:18, “For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” 

            In fact, it is unwise to listen to closely to what others say about you!  Folks will love you today and tell you how great you are; but just cross them up, and they will turn on you like a rabid dog!  Live for God and let Him do the exalting; beware of thoughts of personal greatness and don’t believe all the good things others say about you!)

 

IV.  v. 12, 14            THE POWER OF DAVID’S LIFE          

(Ill. David presented himself the right way; had his priorities in the right order and had a proper perception of his own life because things were in order between him and the Lord.  All of these other things were possible in David’s life because his relationship with God was what it ought to have been.  When you get right down to it, a right relationship with the lord is the first, essential step on the pathway to true greatness in life.)

A.  David’s Relationship With The Lord – David was in a faith relationship with God.  He was able to say this in Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”  David knew God is a personal way.  His was not a faith based in what his parents knew.  He did not worship God vicariously through the prophet Samuel.  David knew God on a personal level and that made all the difference in his life.

B.  David’s Resources In The Lord – It is said that “God was with him.”  David was able to do all that he did because God was with him.  He had favor with man because God was with him.  He had humility and grace in his life because God was with him. 

 

(Note: If you would be great in this life, the first step will be found in your relationship with God.  Salvation is the key ingredient in achieving true greatness in life.  You see, you might amass fortunes; you might achieve fame and status among men; your name might be a household word; but if you are not saved by the grace of God, you are nothing!  When this life ends, and it will, what will you have to show for your life?  Nothing but an eternity in Hell!  True greatness is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

      There are people in this world; some in this very room tonight; you are not famous and you never will be, but you are leaving a legacy of greatness!  Why? You know the Lord and through His work in and through you, He is doing great things.  Others have passed this way who were not great in the eyes of men; but they left their mark on this church and on your lives.  Why? Because they knew the Lord and He used them for great things!

      So, don’t worry about getting your name in lights.  Don’t worry about grabbing the headlines.  Don’t worry about being known by men.  The best thing in life is living for Jesus Christ and allowing him to live through you to make an impact on this world.  True greatness is knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior and living out your life for Him.)

 

Conc:  David’s life was truly great, not because of what he did, but because of who he was.  The same is true in your life and mine.  True greatness is not in the things we do, but it is found in who’s we are and Who we know. 

      Would you like to live a life and leave a legacy of true greatness?  If so, then take the essential step of ensuring that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Then, behave yourself well, establish the right priorities and live by them, and have a proper perception of who you are.  When life is lived within this framework, true greatness has been attained.