Godly Men

Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Camaraderie is a word that has been coming to me a lot lately. When you ask almost any Veteran what they miss most about the service, camaraderie is the number 1 answer, it is pretty much the only answer. But why? Well we certainly don’t miss the wars and we don’t miss the long exhausting hours and missing special times with our families. But what makes veterans cling so tightly to each other that even after years when they come back together its always a celebration. Well, its because they were warriors together. They had each other’s back no matter what the enemy they faced. It is one of the toughest adjustments we make to civilian live, the lack of team and camaraderie.
You know the Church should be the same way! We are warriors in a battle for the souls of people. The battle is real, ask anyone down and out. So, we should have each other’s back and understand that it isn’t about the appearance of a person, but about the two pronged mission of the Church, to seek the lost for Christ and to fight for the kingdom of Christ, that is exactly what David was about and many found him to be lacking, even Samuel at first to which God replied in 1 Sam 16:7:
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Prayer
No matter your shape, size, status or age you men are all warriors for the kingdom of God. We have been ordained as such from the beginning, but it may not look like what you think, but then again, maybe it does. David was a man after God’s own heart, not perfect, with plenty of sin in his life. But the three things he had going for him was his ability to Shepherd, Serve and Fight. I want to share with you these three character traits of David, starting with being a Shepherd.

Shepherd

1 Samuel 16:5–11 NIV
Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
A. God Chooses
1. Not who we think
a. That was Saul
1 Samuel 9:2 NASB95
He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.
b. The World looks at the appearance
c. God sees to the character
2. Don’t be surprised
a. When He chooses you
b. He knows your capabilities
c. Wants you to shepherd people
i. Family
ii. Brothers and sisters
B. We Must be Shepherds
1. What are shepherds
a. Constant watch
b. Powerful against foes
1 Samuel 17:34–36 NIV
But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.
c. Lowly and humble
d. Steadfast and alert
e. Willing to face the enemy
f. Not unafraid but courageous
Nelson Mandela said: Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
2. I must be this
a. Family
b. Important people in my life

Servant

1 Samuel 16:16–19 NIV
Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.” So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”
A. David was Anointed
1. He was Already King
2. Went and served
B. No Pride
1. Humbled himself
a. Served the king God had forsaken
b. Honored the position of King
i. Anointed by God
Several times he could have killed Saul and didn’t because He was God’s anointed.
Many times in my life I want to hold a grudge against those who wronged me to see bad things happen to them but I have to repent and realize that is pride and arrogance to think God who reach a sinner like me but not like them.
2. Can I be that servant
a. Humble
1 Samuel 18:10–11 NIV
The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
b. Following God’s commands
i. David came back for more!
ii. Even when I think different
c. Can I honor God and not the king
Respect the stripes

Warrior

1 Samuel 17:26 NIV
David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
1 Samuel 17:32 NIV
David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
A. No enemy too Big
1. Because God
a. We fight with the power of God
b. God who fights for us
1 Samuel 17:33–36 NIV
Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.
2. We fight for His will
a. Never loses
b. Never fails
c. Have to think of our wins and loses in a different way
B. Confidence in God
1 Samuel 17:37 NIV
The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
1. His power is undeniable
a. Do not doubt
b. Know that He is God and what He has done
I was very timid at one point with God. I was always afraid someone would be able to outsmart me or cause doubt in me. But through the Word, through the history of God, I have learned better.
2. Will bring us together
a. Develop that Camaraderie
b. Know we all face battles
c. Know that through Christ we have each other’s backs
Ecclesiastes 4:7–12 NIV
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business! Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
C. Speak as a Warrior
1. To Evil
a. Do not be afraid
b. God has already conquered
c. Be God’s warrior
2. Understand it is all from God
1 Samuel 17:46–47 NIV
This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
a. Our victories point to God
b. So that people may see and rejoice in Him
Matthew 5:16 NASB95
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Conclusion:
Our strength of relationship and camaraderie should outshine the most skilled unit in the military. For while I love them and they fight for our freedom, we fight for the souls of people. We are willing to pick up a gun and defend our country and our families, yet are we willing to pick up our Bibles and do the same. We are at war men and to be Godly men we are going to have to first be Shepherds to our family and to the body of Christ. Leading out, being alert through the Word of God, ready to stand and defend the flocks, not matter who we are. Secondly, we must be servants, not seeing to our own pride but humble willing to be in the most lowly of positions for the work of the Lord, respecting and loving all that God loves no matter what. And finally we must be warriors; strong, brilliant lights for God’s kingdom. Willing to stand in the gap against the enemy; to speak the Word of God against evil with power and authority. We have to be willing to fight the battles and win the souls of people for the Glory of God and the sake of the kingdom. So let us raise our banners, let us draw together and let us stand against that which seeks to destroy the kingdom, let us be rid of the sin that hinders us, let us lead our families with Godly humility, power and authority, let us win and know that we are brothers to the end!
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