How does God call and mold men?

1
How does God call and mold men?

• We will examine one of the great men that God
  used for His purposes, King David.

2
How does God call and mold men?

• We will examine one of the great men that God
  used for His purposes, King David.
• The only one that more is written about in the
  Bible is Jesus Himself.

3
How does God call and mold men?

• We will examine one of the great men that God
  used for His purposes, King David.
• The only one that more is written about in the
  Bible is Jesus Himself.
• Towards the end of Davids life God describes him
  as the man raised up on high, the anointed of
  the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of
  Israel (2 Sam 231)

4
How does God call and mold men?

• God also recognizes a group of men that are
  described as David's mighty men.

5
How does God call and mold men?

• God recognizes a group of men that are described
  as David's mighty men.
• God wants us to know that Davids work was not
  accomplished alone.

6
How does God call and mold men?

• God recognizes a group of men that are described
  as David's mighty men.
• God wants us to know that Davids work was not
  accomplished alone.
• In many ways we will see how Jesus, the son of
  David and the Son of God, in His ministry and
  today calls and uses mighty men.

7
The calling of the mighty men

• These men were out of step with society. (1 Sam
  221-2)

8
The calling of the mighty men

• 1 Samuel 221-2 (NKJV) - David therefore
  departed from there and escaped to the cave of
  Adullam. So when his brothers and all his
  fathers house heard it, they went down there to
  him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, everyone
  who was in debt, and everyone who was
  discontented gathered to him. So he became
  captain over them. And there were about four
  hundred men with him.

9
The calling of the mighty men

• These men were out of step with society. (1 Sam
  221-2)
• Jesus found His followers from such rejects. (1
  Cor 126-29)

10
The calling of the mighty men

• 1 Corinthians 126-29 (NKJV) - For you see your
  calling, brethren, that not many wise according
  to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble,
  are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish
  things of the world to put to shame the wise, and
  God has chosen the weak things of the world to
  put to shame the things which are mighty

11
The calling of the mighty men

• 28 and the base things of the world and the
  things which are despised God has chosen, and the
  things which are not, to bring to nothing the
  things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in
  His presence.

12
The calling of the mighty men

• These men were out of step with society. (1 Sam
  221-2)
• Jesus found His followers from such rejects. (1
  Cor 126-29)
• The common attraction was a faith in God.

13
The calling of the mighty men

• These men were out of step with society. (1 Sam
  221-2)
• Jesus found His followers from such rejects. (1
  Cor 126-29)
• The common attraction was a faith in God.
• Before Jonathan knew David he stood by faith. (1
  Sam 141, 6)

14
The calling of the mighty men

• 1 Samuel 141 (NKJV) - Now it happened one day
  that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young
  man who bore his armor, Come, let us go over to
  the Philistines garrison that is on the other
  side. But he did not tell his father.

15
The calling of the mighty men

• 1 Samuel 146 (NKJV) - Then Jonathan said to the
  young man who bore his armor, Come, let us go
  over to the garrison of these uncircumcised it
  may be that the Lord will work for us. For
  nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or
  by few.

16
The calling of the mighty men

• When Jonathan saw Davids faith they became
  friends. (1 Sam 1757-181)

17
The calling of the mighty men

• 1 Samuel 1757 -181 (NKJV) - Then, as David
  returned from the slaughter of the Philistine,
  Abner took him and brought him before Saul with
  the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58 And
  Saul said to him, Whose son are you, young man?
  So David answered, I am the son of your servant
  Jesse the Bethlehemite.

18
The calling of the mighty men

• 181 - Now when he had finished speaking to Saul,
  the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of
  David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

19
The calling of the mighty men

• When Jonathan saw Davids faith they became
  friends. (1 Sam 1757-181)
• Where did Jesus find His followers?
  (Jn 129, 35, Mt 31-4)

20
The calling of the mighty men

• John 129 (NKJV) - The next day John saw Jesus
  coming toward him, and said, Behold! The Lamb of
  God who takes away the sin of the world!

21
The calling of the mighty men

• John 135 (NKJV) - Again, the next day, John
  stood with two of his disciples.

22
The calling of the mighty men

• Matthew 31-4 (NKJV) - In those days John the
  Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of
  Judea, 2 and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of
  heaven is at hand!

23
The qualities of the mighty men

• They had a strong faith

24
The qualities of the mighty men

• They had a strong faith
• Eleazar and Shammah (2 Sam 239-12)

25
The qualities of the mighty men

• 2 Samuel 239 -10 - And after him was Eleazar
  the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three
  mighty men with David when they defied the
  Philistines who were gathered there for battle,
  and the men of Israel had retreated. 10 He arose
  and attacked the Philistines until his hand was
  weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord
  brought about a great victory that day

26
The qualities of the mighty men

• 2 Samuel 2311-12 (NKJV) - And after him was
  Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The
  Philistines had gathered together into a troop
  where there was a piece of ground full of
  lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines.
  12 But he stationed himself in the middle of the
  field, defended it, and killed the Philistines.
  So the Lord brought about a great victory.

27
The qualities of the mighty men

• They had a strong faith
• Eleazar and Shammah (2 Sam 239-12)
• They were not here from privilege.

28
The qualities of the mighty men

• They had a strong faith
• Eleazar and Shammah (2 Sam 239-12)
• They were not here from privilege.
• The followers of Christ have learned to stand (Mt
  1230 Titus 19-11)

29
The qualities of the mighty men

• Matthew 1230 (NKJV) - He who is not with Me is
  against Me, and he who does not gather with Me
  scatters abroad.

30
The qualities of the mighty men

• Titus 19 -11 (NKJV) - holding fast the faithful
  word as he has been taught, that he may be able,
  by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict
  those who contradict.

31
The qualities of the mighty men

• They had a strong faith
• Eleazar and Shammah (2 Sam 239-12)
• They were not here from privilege
• The followers of Christ have learned to stand (Mt
  1230 Titus 19-11)
• They understood the meaning of love and loyalty.

32
The qualities of the mighty men

• Genuine love does not wait on commands.
  (2 Sam 2313-17)

33
The qualities of the mighty men

• 2 Samuel 2313-17 - Then three of the thirty
  chief men went down at harvest time and came to
  David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of
  Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14
  David was then in the stronghold, and the
  garrison of the Philistines was then in
  Bethlehem.

34
The qualities of the mighty men

• 15 And David said with longing, Oh, that someone
  would give me a drink of the water from the well
  of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! 16 So the
  three mighty men broke through the camp of the
  Philistines, drew water from the well of
  Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and
  brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not
  drink it, but poured it out to the Lord.

35
The qualities of the mighty men

• 17 And he said, Far be it from me, O Lord, that
  I should do this! Is this not the blood of the
  men who went in jeopardy of their lives?
  Therefore he would not drink it. These things
  were done by the three mighty men.

36
The qualities of the mighty men

• Genuine love does not wait on commands.
  (2 Sam 2313-17)
• Must we wait for a command?
  (1 Cor 161-2 2 Cor 88-9)

37
The qualities of the mighty men

• 1 Corinthians 161-2 (NKJV) - Now concerning the
  collection for the saints, as I have given orders
  to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also
  2 On the first day of the week let each one of
  you lay something aside, storing up as he may
  prosper, that there be no collections when I
  come.

38
The qualities of the mighty men

• 2 Corinthians 88-9 (NKJV) - I speak not by
  commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of
  your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you
  know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
  though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became
  poor, that you through His poverty might become
  rich.

39
The qualities of the mighty men

• They obeyed when it went against their reason and
  emotions.

40
The qualities of the mighty men

• They obeyed when it went against their reason and
  emotions.
• Abishai was willing to follow
  (1 Sam 266-12)

41
The qualities of the mighty men

• 1 Samuel 266 -7 - Then David answered, and said
  to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son
  of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, Who will go
  down with me to Saul in the camp? And Abishai
  said, I will go down with you. 7 So David and
  Abishai came to the people by night and there
  Saul lay sleeping within the camp, with his spear
  stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and
  the people lay all around him.

42
The qualities of the mighty men

• 1 Samuel 267-12 - So David and Abishai came to
  the people by night and there Saul lay sleeping
  within the camp, with his spear stuck in the
  ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay
  all around him. 8 Then Abishai said to David,
  God has delivered your enemy into your hand this
  day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at
  once with the spear, right to the earth and I
  will not have to strike him a second time!

43
The qualities of the mighty men

• 9 But David said to Abishai, Do not destroy him
  for who can stretch out his hand against the
  LordS anointed, and be guiltless? 10 David said
  furthermore, As the Lord lives, the Lord shall
  strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he
  shall go out to battle and perish. 11 The Lord
  forbid that I should stretch out my hand against
  the LordS anointed. But please, take now the
  spear and the jug of water that are by his head,
  and let us go.

44
The qualities of the mighty men

• 12 So David took the spear and the jug of water
  by Sauls head, and they got away and no man saw
  or knew it or awoke. For they were all asleep,
  because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on
  them.

45
The power of Davids leadership

• David leadership was essential
  (2 Sam 183 2 Sam 2115-17)

46
The power of Davids leadership

• 2 Samuel 183 (NKJV) - But the people answered,
  You shall not go out! For if we flee away, they
  will not care about us nor if half of us die,
  will they care about us. But you are worth ten
  thousand of us now. For you are now more help to
  us in the city.

47
The power of Davids leadership

• 2 Samuel 2115-17 - When the Philistines were at
  war again with Israel, David and his servants
  with him went down and fought against the
  Philistines and David grew faint. 16 Then
  Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the
  giant, the weight of whose bronze spear was three
  hundred shekels, who was bearing a new sword,
  thought he could kill David.

48
The power of Davids leadership

• 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his
  aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him.
  Then the men of David swore to him, saying, You
  shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you
  quench the lamp of Israel.

49
The power of Davids leadership

• How important is a coach to a team?

50
The power of Davids leadership

• How important is a coach to a team?
• Which is more important to a church, a preacher
  or an elder?

51
The power of Davids leadership

• David leadership was essential
  (2 Sam 183 2 Sam 2115-17)
• There is power in the example of one man. (2 Sam
  2316-17)

52
The power of Davids leadership

• 2 Samuel 2316-17 (NKJV) - So the three mighty
  men broke through the camp of the Philistines,
  drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by
  the gate, and took it and brought it to David.
  Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it
  out to the Lord.

53
The power of Davids leadership

• 17And he said, Far be it from me, O Lord, that I
  should do this! Is this not the blood of the men
  who went in jeopardy of their lives? Therefore
  he would not drink it. These things were done by
  the three mighty men.

54
The power of Davids leadership

• When David offered the water to God they saw his
  love for them by his love for God.
  There was no doubt where David stood.

55
The power of Davids leadership

• It is this kind of leadership that inspires and
  pushes others to become all that they can be for
  the Lord.

56
The power of Davids leadership

• It is this kind of leadership that inspires and
  pushes others to become all that they can be for
  the Lord.
• You cannot accomplish this in a conference room
  and meet with a few people.

57
The power of Davids leadership

• David leadership was essential
  (2 Sam 183 2 Sam 2115-17)
• There is power in the example of one man. (2 Sam
  2316-17)
• What have we seen in Jesus Christ?
  (1 Pt 221-25 Rom 56-8)

58
The power of Davids leadership

• Romans 56-8 (NKJV) - For when we were still
  without strength, in due time Christ died for the
  ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will
  one die yet perhaps for a good man someone would
  even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own
  love toward us, in that while we were still
  sinners, Christ died for us.

59
The power of Davids leadership

• David leadership was essential
  (2 Sam 183 2 Sam 2115-17)
• There is power in the example of one man. (2 Sam
  2316-17)
• What have we seen in Jesus Christ?
  (1 Pt 221-25 Rom 56-8)
• What did Jesus do with these simple men? (Acts
  413)

60
The power of Davids leadership

• Acts 413 (NKJV) - Now when they saw the
  boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that
  they were uneducated and untrained men, they
  marveled. And they realized that they had been
  with Jesus.

61
The power of Davids leadership

• He changed the sons of thunder.
  (Mk 317 Lk 954-56)

62
The power of Davids leadership

• Luke 954-56 - And when His disciples James and
  John saw this, they said, Lord, do You want us
  to command fire to come down from heaven and
  consume them, just as Elijah did? 55 But He
  turned and rebuked them, and said, You do not
  know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the
  Son of Man did not come to destroy mens lives
  but to save them.

63
The power of Davids leadership

• He changed the sons of thunder.
  (Mk 317 Lk 954-56)
• They saw Jesus turn to Jerusalem and then tell
  them to put up their swords.
  (Lk 951, Mt 2635)

64
The power of Davids leadership

• Luke 951 (NKJV) - Now it came to pass, when the
  time had come for Him to be received up, that He
  steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,

65
The power of Davids leadership

• Matthew 2635 (NKJV) - Peter said to Him, Even
  if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!
  And so said all the disciples.

66
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• David was not able to keep these men from sin.

67
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• David was not able to keep these men from sin.
• Abishai gave in to the influence of family
  (2 Sam 330)

68
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• 2 Samuel 330 (NKJV) - So Joab and Abishai his
  brother killed Abner, because he had killed their
  brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

69
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• David was not able to keep these men from sin.
• Abishai gave in to the influence of family
  (2 Sam 330)
• David did not excuse or overlook this matter. (2
  Sam 331-32, 39)

70
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• 2 Samuel 331-32 (NKJV) - Then David said to
  Joab and to all the people who were with him,
  Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with
  sackcloth, and mourn for Abner. And King David
  followed the coffin. 32 So they buried Abner in
  Hebron and the king lifted up his voice and wept
  at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.

71
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• 2 Samuel 339 (NKJV) - And I am weak today,
  though anointed king and these men, the sons of
  Zeruiah, are too harsh for me. The Lord shall
  repay the evildoer according to his wickedness.

72
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• Ezekiel 3312 (NKJV) - Therefore you, O son of
  man, say to the children of your people The
  righteousness of the righteous man shall not
  deliver him in the day of his transgression as
  for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not
  fall because of it in the day that he turns from
  his wickedness nor shall the righteous be able
  to live because of his righteousness in the day
  that he sins.

73
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• David let his heart stray into sin.
  (2 Sam 113-5)

74
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• 2 Samuel 113-5 (NKJV) - So David sent and
  inquired about the woman. And someone said, Is
  this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the
  wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 Then David sent
  messengers, and took her and she came to him,
  and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from
  her impurity and she returned to her house. 5
  And the woman conceived so she sent and told
  David, and said, I am with child.

75
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• David let his heart stray into sin.
  (2 Sam 113-5)
• David gave orders that led to Uriahs death. (2
  Sam 1114-17)

76
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• 2 Samuel 1114-17 - In the morning it happened
  that David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by
  the hand of Uriah. 15 And he wrote in the letter,
  saying, Set Uriah in the forefront of the
  hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may
  be struck down and die. 16 So it was, while Joab
  besieged the city, that he assigned Uriah to a
  place where he knew there were valiant men.

77
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• 17 Then the men of the city came out and fought
  with Joab. And some of the people of the servants
  of David fell and Uriah the Hittite died also.

78
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• David let his heart stray into sin.
  (2 Sam 113-5)
• David gave orders that led to Uriahs death. (2
  Sam 1114-17)
• What did Uriah think of David?

79
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• David let his heart stray into sin.
  (2 Sam 113-5)
• David gave orders that led to Uriahs death. (2
  Sam 1114-17)
• What did Uriah think of David?
• Where else do we read about him?
  (2 Sam 2339)

80
The shortcomings of the mighty men and David

• 2 Samuel 2339 (NKJV) - and Uriah the Hittite
  thirty-seven in all.