How a Father Develops Greatness in His Children
1 Samuel 16:1-13
DATE:
20 June, 1999 AM
PLACE: BBC Blarney
I.
Introduction (1 Samuel 17:12)
A. David was not known only as "David, the king." No, he was almost as often called "David, the son of Jesse."
B. This was not just his name, but WHO he was. He was the product of someone's life and effort - David was no accident. He was the son of a great man
1. Not that Jesse did any great feats
2. But that Jesse raised a son that did great feats
3. Which then is greater?
C. How many people name their children after David, king of Israel? Lots!
D. Not many name their children after Jesse. I think it is because we are ignorant of this father, who raised the greatest king, Israel has ever known.
E. Listen men, it was not by accident either - a lot of work went into this boy, and it was invested by the FATHER!
F. Let's learn from Jesse - from both his successes, and his mistakes
II.
Message - How
to Raise a King (1
Samuel 16:1-13)
A. Lead Your Home (16:1-5) - Jesse Led His Home (Gen 18:19; Josh 24:15)
1. Don't wait for others to lead your children (Mom, G-parents, SS teacher, School teacher, friends).
2. Jesse had 8 sons - He was their main example. No TV, radio, sports stars, etc (sad isn't it?). Just Moses, Abraham, Joseph, and Daddy!
3. Jesse had a job for each son to do each day, every day - no laziness around that home
a) Couldn't have survived as a family without this structure
b) Makes servants out of boys instead of the self-centered tyrants men are today!
c) Even the youngest had work to do - W.O.R.K. keeping sheep out in the hot desert all day, every day, and sometimes all night!
4. Jesse instilled interests into his sons - encouraged them to develop themselves - like in music (1 Sam 16:17,18,23).
5. Jesse had time for God - made regular time for God (church, Bible worship at home), also time for the unexpected - the preacher coming to town
a) Samuel - the prophet
b) Circuit riding preacher - had a bunch of meetings to preach in over the course of a month, and would speak in each once a month
c) Samuel made an unexpected diversion to Bethlehem!
d) Jesse made no excuses - dropped everything to be there! Wanted his children to hear this man preach - spoke God's word!
B. Look Beyond the Obvious (16:6-10) - Jesse only promoted the Obvious
1. Jesse did not know what Jesse was looking for when asked to present his children - so he starts with the obvious: oldest and best son - only natural
2. Even the seasoned veteran Samuel, the mature man of God, gets caught up in "appearances"
a) These three first boys were great men - men of great strength and height (would have made great Guardai)
b) Each had great talents that they could show off
c) But no one could show off a clean heart, and a walk with God
3. Both Samuel and Jesse were looking for God's choice but according to human standards
a) What would make a great man? Jesse wanted his boys to be great men - shows off their natural abilities - for what he still doesn't know.
b) What would make a great wife, or husband? Don't just look at appearances - let God show you their heart! Save you a lot of heartache
4. God looks on the heart - scans it - knows it through and through
a) Must be better than the hearts of the religious (Mt 5:20)
b) Must be like His heart (Acts 13:22)
c) The only way that happens is when our heart is cleansed by the blood of the Lamb
C. Let Your Children Have a Chance (16:11,12) - Jesse finally allows his youngest son to come in and be presented before the great prophet, Samuel
1. We are too quick to limit our kid's potential and abilities
a) There is also the other extreme that says NOTHING is too good for "my little darling" and so they are spoiling this current generation!
b) What God wants is that we parents, and especially us fathers, need to allow for God to use our children the way HE plans - encourage them that GOD is fully trust-worthy, and to follow HIM all the way
c) The problem is that we think we have it figured out who is great, and who is not - who can be saved, and who cannot (Cf Saul of Tarsus) - who can be king, and who cannot (certainly not a shepherd)!
2. Mk 10:13-15 says that we are to go out of our way (suffer) to get kids to Jesus - to get them to follow Him
3. Give all your children the chance to be born again, and to serve God - never figure that God can't reach that child - no matter how young or old!
4. So, Jesse calls for his youngest son - discovers some things about David that maybe he had not noticed before - easy to be too busy with a farm, and 8 boys and no Mom.
a) A young lad - less than 15 years old
b) Yet in charge of sheep. Not a complainer, but instead…
1) Faithful (day and night job)
2) Dependable (his Dad knew where to find him)
3) Responsible (fought off enemies at great risk) - didn't run!
c) Ruddy - healthy, rough tough - red skin colour from being in the sun
d) Joyful face - loved life - even though out working hard all day - not downcast, and disappointed not being asked earlier to the dinner
e) Pleasant to look at - well kept - tidy
D. Learn From Your Mistakes (16:13; 22:1,2)
1. Up until this point, Jesse didn't have a clue what Samuel was looking for, nor why David had to be brought in
2. But when Samuel brought out his horn of oil, and poured it all out on young David's head, everyone in that room went silent! PIN-DROP!
a) They knew what it meant - didn't have to say a word
b) Right before their eyes was THE KING!
3. Can you imagine Jesse? Never mind all his older sons!
4. Jesse had a great quality - he accepted correction, and learned from his mistakes - this shows up all throughout David's life
a) When David is rebuked for his sin with Bathsheba
b) When David vainly numbers all the people for his own pride
5. Jesse, a man with 8 great sons, humbles himself, and submits to his youngest son as his KING (22:1,2)! Didn't hold a grudge - neither did any of his brothers
6. Jesse continued to go on, and influence the life of this young man who became the greatest king Israel ever had
III.
Conclusion - You can influence your kids, and your community, if you
would:
A. Lead Your Home
1. Have a job for each child to do - no laziness around the home
2. Instill interests into your children, and wife - encouraged them to develop themselves - like in music (1 Sam 16:17,18,23).
3. Protect your time for God - regular and unexpected (church, at home)
B. Look Beyond the Obvious - Jesse only promoted the Obvious
1. Demote outward appearances. Exalt a clean heart, and a walk with God
2. God looks on the heart - scans it - knows it through and through. Let God show you the heart YOU have first, and let Him cleanse it, and develop it
3. Encourage your children to submit to God's word - 2-edged sword
C. Let Your Children Have a Chance
1. What God wants is that we parents, and especially us fathers, need to allow for God to use our children the way HE plans - encourage them that GOD is fully trust-worthy, and to follow HIM all the way
2. Give all your children the chance to be born again, and to serve
D. Learn From Your Mistakes - Don't be too proud to change your ways!