E-pistle for December 4, 2015
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation December 4, 2015
"anoint for me the one I name"
(I Samuel 16:1-13)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on Samuel's God-given task to anoint a new king
1. Samuel was told to quit grieving over Saul, and to go search for a successor
in a particular place, v. 1.
2. He was to proceed with his horn filled with oil . . . picturing the anointing by
the Holy Spirit, v. 1.
3. He was instructed to connect his mission with offering a sacrifice of worship
unto the Lord, v. 2.
4. He was assured that God would show him which person he should anoint as
the next king of Israel, v. 3.
II. Meditation: on Samuel's actions
1. Samuel "snapped out of it!" . . . got over his grief at the loss of King Saul,
and he traveled to Bethlehem in obedience to God's word, vv. 1, 4.
2. He spoke God's peace upon the confused and alarmed people of the city,
and he led them in sacrificial worship of God, v. 5.
3. He carefully examined eight candidates, listening for God's voice to indicate
His choice, vv. 6, 8-11.
4. He learned that "man looks a the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at
the heart," v. 6.
III. Revelation: on why God chose David to be anointed by Samuel
1. Because David was the youngest and most insignificant member of the family
. . . in sharp contrast to Saul, the tall and handsome first king of Israel.
(See I Corinthians 1:26-29, II Corinthians 12:10)
2. Because David was faithful in his menial assigned responsibilities and tasks
as a shepherd, v. 11; I Samuel 17:20.
3. Because David was a man with a heart of integrity . . . after God's own heart,
Psalm 78:70-72; I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22.
4. Because David was uniquely gifted by God to fulfill His purposed destiny,
v. 12; Psalm 78:72.
IV. Applications: as a leader searching for God's chosen person to succeed me . . .
1. I need to faithfully fulfill my own responsibilities, which include following God's
general directions (guidelines) for discovering His chosen one.
2. I need to forget all "those things which are behind" . . . (Get over it!) . . . including
my past personnel mistakes, disappointment from former staff members, and
all the "what-might-have-beens", Philippians 3:12.
3. I need to cultivate spiritual perception, seeking God's Spirit to be able to look
into a candidate's heart, searching for integrity.
4. I need to encourage the people and lead them to worship God, while I listen
carefully for God's voice to say: "This is the one I anoint."
" how to know god's will"
(James 1:5-8, 17-22)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on what believers should do when they lack Godly wisdom
1. Ask of God . . . He gives (answers) to all liberally, v. 5.
2. Ask of God . . . He gives (answers) without reproach, v. 5.
3. Ask in faith, not doubting or wavering, v. 6.
4. Ask with sincerity and integrity (single-mindedness), vv. 7-8.
II Meditation: on God's gifts (including wisdom)
1. God's gifts are always good and only good, v. 17.
2. God's gifts are reliable because He is unchangeable, v. 17.
3. God's will is that we understand (receive wisdom) about the word
of truth that brought us salvation, v. 18.
4. God's gift of eternal life in Christ makes believers a kind of first
fruits of His creatures . . . "new creations," v. 18.
III. Revelation: on how believers should respond to God's gifts
1. Be swift to hear and slow to speak, v. 19.
2. Be slow to wrath, v. 19 . . . because "the wrath of man does not
produce the righteousness of God," v. 20.
3. Be repentant; laying aside wickedness and receiving with humility
God's implanted word, v. 21.
4. Be doers of the word, not hearers only, v. 22.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Ask God for wisdom, insight, and spiritual perception as I seek
to find and follow His will for my life.
2. Believe that God is gracious, answering my prayer of faith and
integrity with His generosity and understanding.
3. Know that God's gifts always are good and beneficial for my
spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
4. "PRACITCE WHAT I PREACH" . . . Be a doer and not merely a
hearer of His word, especially His work of revelation to me regarding
His will, for God will not reveal to me His purpose and destiny for my
life if I continue to ignore it or to neglect following it.
"Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising."
--Mark Twain
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