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Scripture Reading:  Psalms 51:10-19

 

My Condition of Heart (2)

(A people after God's own heart)

 

Intro.

1.  Heart of man:  Emotions, intellect, will, conscience; Seat of man’s inner life.

2.  God knows our hearts (Lk. 16:15); Tries the heart (Jer. 17:10); Judges our ways (which come from our heart, Matt. 12:35).

3.  We must examine & improve our hearts to examine & improve ourselves (Prov. 27:19); use God’s word to do this (Heb. 4:12).

4.  Contrasting hearts:  Saul & David.

  a.  Saul:  After the people’s heart – 1 Sam. 8:19-20; 10:24 (the popular choice).

  b.  1 Sam. 10:8 – Under commandment; 13:8-13 – Impatient & people frightened – Disobeyed (failed to trust the sovereignty & power of God).  1 Sam. 13:14 – God sought & found one after His own heart.

5.  David:  After God’s own heart – Acts 13:22.

  a.  David’s character when chosen by God – 1 Sam. 13:14.

  b.  David did some things that were not at all after God’s heart.  He was not sinless; when he sinned, he repented without making excuses (cf. Saul).

  c.  David looked at things the way God does!

 

I.  LIKE DAVID, WE CAN BECOME PEOPLE “AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART”Acts 13:22; 1 Sam. 13:14

  A.  A Responsive, Obedient Heart - Acts 13:22.

    1.  Saul failed to be this – 1 Sam. 13:13; 15:22-23.

      a.  Saul made excuses for his disobedience

      b.  Saul failed to grasp the meaning & importance of obedience.

    2.  David obeyed God’s will!  (“…who will do all My will…”)

      a.  He inquired of God – 1 Sam. 23:2, 4; 2 Sam. 2:1; 5:19, 23, 25.

      b.  Like David, our obedience must come from a responsive heartRom. 6:17; cf. Matt. 7:24-25.

    3.  “What shall I do?”  Inquire of God; His word answers – Jno. 6:68.

  B.  A Servant Heart – Psa. 89:20.

    1.  David was humble before God.

    2.  2 Sam. 12 – When confronted with his sin, David immediately repented (took the blame; didn’t rationalize & make excuses; accepted consequences.  God forgave him – 2 Sam. 12:13; Psa. 32:5 (cf. Psa. 6:1-4).

    3.  Lk. 18:13-14 – The humble in heart obtain mercy from God.

      a. Lk. 17:10 – Humility of heart prompts willing obedience.

      b. 1 Pet. 5:5-6 – Humility translates into serving each other (Matt. 25:40).

        -(cf. Jesus the Servant – Matt. 20:28; Jno. 13:12-17; Gal. 5:13.)

  C.  A Loyal Heart.

    1.  David never committed idolatry or de­filed the worship of God.

    2.  Heart full of trusting confidence (faith) in God – 1 Sam. 17:37; 2 Sam. 22:1-4.

    3.  When he faltered, he knew what he had done & what he needed to do!  Word of God provoked him to obey the will of God!

      a.  Moving the ark – 1 Chrn. 13:7-12; 15:2, 13.

      b.  Numbering people – 2 Sam. 24:10, 14, 24.

    4.  Good & honest (loyal & true to word of God) is fruitful – Lk. 8:15.

    5.  Loyalty to God is rewarded – 2 Chrn. 16:9; Matt. 10:22 (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

 

II.  DAVID’S EXAMPLE GIVES US HOPE.

  A.  God Will Receive Us When We Have a Heart that Willingly Obeys Him, that Serves God & is Loyal to Him.

    1.  When you think of David, what comes to mind first:

      a.  Adulterer, murder, disobedient?

      b.  Faith, courage, servant, loyal, king, blessed by God? – Acts 7:46

    2.  David was forgiven.  David’s heart enabled it to be so.  (Psa. 51)

    3.  What about us?

 

Conclusion

1.  2 Sam. 22:21-28 – Reward for those after God’s own heart.

2.  Jas. 4:7-10 – Heart that is purified by humility, reverent obedience to God, & genuine sorrow for sin:  You will be lifted up.

3.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  Matt. 5:8

4.  Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.  Prov. 4:23