1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:01,640 Well, good morning, Crossing Church. 2 00:00:01,640 --> 00:00:03,680 So good to see you today. How are you doing? 3 00:00:05,520 --> 00:00:07,000 Great. Hey. 4 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:09,480 I want to welcome all of. You that are joining from all of 5 00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:11,560 our locations all across these three. 6 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:16,160 States, If you're inside or online, we are so absolutely 7 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:21,840 thankful for you as well. And we're in a new series called 8 00:00:22,160 --> 00:00:26,600 Handle with Care, But before we. Get into that new series. 9 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:32,400 I just really want to encourage you if you. 10 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:34,760 Didn't have a chance to hear last week. 11 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:38,080 'S sermon. You need to hear that sermon, 12 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:43,000 and I don't want you to, like, get online, put in your earbuds 13 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:44,520 and listen to it right now. OK? 14 00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:47,920 I'd like for. You to listen to me, but I would 15 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:48,680 really like. It was. 16 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:53,560 It was just a brilliant sermon that Clayton delivered last week 17 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:55,920 to to wrap. Up truth intention. 18 00:00:56,420 --> 00:00:58,380 It was amazing to me and I think that it'd really be a. 19 00:00:58,380 --> 00:01:04,660 Blessing to you as well and we're coming off of RISE 20 00:01:04,660 --> 00:01:06,860 Conference. Anybody go to RISE conference? 21 00:01:08,260 --> 00:01:10,260 I heard that was. Incredible. 22 00:01:10,580 --> 00:01:13,900 And all the men that were at Uncommon conference remember 23 00:01:13,900 --> 00:01:15,940 that. Anybody, any men in here? 24 00:01:19,460 --> 00:01:21,220 You see this stuff that wears off? 25 00:01:21,220 --> 00:01:24,830 Doesn't it? It kind of wears off last two 26 00:01:24,830 --> 00:01:26,510 weeks. I've been at 2 uncommon 27 00:01:26,510 --> 00:01:30,750 conferences. You know, this was an idea that 28 00:01:30,750 --> 00:01:33,430 Clayton had nine years ago, actually 10 years ago, and the 29 00:01:33,430 --> 00:01:36,110 first one was nine years ago. And it's been a. 30 00:01:36,110 --> 00:01:42,190 Blessing to the men of our church for all of those years a 31 00:01:42,190 --> 00:01:45,470 couple of years ago, Clayton. Really wanted to see other 32 00:01:45,470 --> 00:01:48,550 churches to be able to. Experience what we experienced. 33 00:01:49,100 --> 00:01:52,100 And last year, there was one other. 34 00:01:52,100 --> 00:01:55,620 Church in South Carolina. That said, we're going to do it 35 00:01:55,860 --> 00:01:59,820 this year. There's been 11 churches all. 36 00:01:59,820 --> 00:02:02,580 Across the country that have been doing that and I had the 37 00:02:02,580 --> 00:02:04,660 privilege of. Preaching at a couple of those 38 00:02:04,660 --> 00:02:10,259 in Washington IN last weekend and the weekend before that, I 39 00:02:10,259 --> 00:02:13,060 was suffering for Jesus in Myrtle Beach, SC. 40 00:02:13,950 --> 00:02:18,110 But other than that, you know, it's just just just great. 41 00:02:18,110 --> 00:02:24,750 And it was so amazing to watch these men really connect with 42 00:02:24,750 --> 00:02:26,950 their. Lord in a new way. 43 00:02:26,950 --> 00:02:31,510 And that's that's really. What I want for you today I. 44 00:02:31,510 --> 00:02:34,110 Really want you to connect with the Lord in a new way. 45 00:02:34,550 --> 00:02:36,630 I want you to have a heart. For the Lord, I want to have a 46 00:02:36,630 --> 00:02:39,870 heart for the Lord. And that's what this series is 47 00:02:39,870 --> 00:02:41,790 about. It's about David. 48 00:02:42,950 --> 00:02:46,550 It's about King David and it's about your heart and how he was 49 00:02:46,550 --> 00:02:48,430 the man after God's heart and what is. 50 00:02:48,430 --> 00:02:55,110 There that we can capture there. That we can make our own and and 51 00:02:55,110 --> 00:02:58,870 I'm really privileged to be able to kick it off both this. 52 00:02:58,870 --> 00:03:03,710 Weekend and next week. Have you ever noticed that God 53 00:03:03,710 --> 00:03:08,190 tends to choose the? Last and the least. 54 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:13,400 To be the ones that become some of the greatest spiritual. 55 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:17,480 Change agents in history. He just does that. 56 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:20,440 I mean, he doesn't always pick the. 57 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:24,960 Prom king. He doesn't, you know, always 58 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:29,680 pick the homecoming queen. He picks people that. 59 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:36,080 Frankly, you and I wouldn't like Abraham when he was in his 70s 60 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:39,680 when God first called. Him To be the father of a great 61 00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:41,920 nation. I mean, that's kind of a silly 62 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:43,600 time to call a guy to be the father. 63 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:48,720 Of a great nation when he's in his 70s and he doesn't have his 64 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:52,480 first child. Till he's in his 90s, he only 65 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:57,160 has two sons, one of them questionable lineage. 66 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:05,360 Yet God chose him. He also chose Jacob. 67 00:04:07,980 --> 00:04:13,180 Abraham's son Isaac had twins Esau and Jacob Esau. 68 00:04:13,260 --> 00:04:17,339 Came out first, was delivered 1st, and so he was. 69 00:04:17,459 --> 00:04:20,540 Technically the older brother, but they were so. 70 00:04:20,540 --> 00:04:24,780 Different and and Jacob was definitely the weaker of the two 71 00:04:24,780 --> 00:04:28,020 twin brothers. But God called him to be the 72 00:04:28,020 --> 00:04:31,180 Father of 12. Sons who ended up becoming the 73 00:04:31,180 --> 00:04:33,300 patriarchs of the 12 tribes of Israel. 74 00:04:34,280 --> 00:04:39,040 Of those sons, Joseph was the younger and weaker of those 75 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:46,040 brothers, but God chose Joseph to become the change. 76 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:50,760 Agent to save his family and the entire known world at that time 77 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:53,320 from starvation. And he did that in this 78 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:57,560 convoluted way where he ends up being sold into the slavery of. 79 00:04:57,560 --> 00:05:00,280 Egypt and becomes second in command. 80 00:05:00,280 --> 00:05:05,060 Incredible story of what God? Did with someone that would have 81 00:05:05,060 --> 00:05:09,340 been marginalized. Moses was 80 years old. 82 00:05:09,340 --> 00:05:11,740 When God called him out of Midian, he was a. 83 00:05:11,740 --> 00:05:16,180 Forgotten Exile, and God chose him to be the Deliverer. 84 00:05:16,180 --> 00:05:19,900 Of the nation of Israel. Deborah was the. 85 00:05:19,900 --> 00:05:25,260 Woman in a man's world when God chose her to be the judge over 86 00:05:25,260 --> 00:05:28,610 Israel so that he could deliver his people. 87 00:05:28,610 --> 00:05:31,850 From an army of oppressors. And he used the courage of 88 00:05:31,850 --> 00:05:37,410 another woman named Jail to actually take out the. 89 00:05:37,410 --> 00:05:43,330 Captain of the army. Of this invading army, Gideon 90 00:05:43,330 --> 00:05:46,690 was the least and the weakest of his family, and God chose him to 91 00:05:46,690 --> 00:05:49,930 deliver the nation of. Israel out of the hands of an 92 00:05:49,930 --> 00:05:53,410 overwhelming force, with only three hundred men who had no 93 00:05:53,410 --> 00:05:57,350 weapons. Pretty amazing. 94 00:05:58,750 --> 00:06:02,790 It's this continual theme that goes through both the. 95 00:06:02,790 --> 00:06:05,910 Old and the New Testament. And I believe that God does this 96 00:06:06,270 --> 00:06:09,190 because. He wants to leave no doubt that 97 00:06:09,190 --> 00:06:11,870 it was God. And only God, who was actually 98 00:06:11,870 --> 00:06:13,910 doing all of the supernatural work. 99 00:06:17,230 --> 00:06:23,430 And maybe God can do that with us, but biblically I don't. 100 00:06:23,430 --> 00:06:26,730 Think there's any greater example of this than David? 101 00:06:27,130 --> 00:06:31,570 David is the 8th. And youngest son of his father, 102 00:06:31,570 --> 00:06:35,450 Jesse, a Hebrew. Who lived in Bethlehem between 103 00:06:35,450 --> 00:06:39,290 1000 and 1100, years before Jesus was born in the same 104 00:06:39,290 --> 00:06:42,570 place. So we're talking. 105 00:06:42,570 --> 00:06:46,970 About something that happened 3100 years ago now. 106 00:06:46,970 --> 00:06:51,490 David was just a boy. At the time, he's maybe 12 to 15 107 00:06:51,490 --> 00:06:54,680 years old. When he was anointed to become 108 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:57,640 the next king of Israel by. Samuel. 109 00:06:57,640 --> 00:07:00,640 Samuel was this great prophet. He was a priest. 110 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:05,680 And he was the final judge, the 10th judge of the Judges of 111 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:07,880 Israel. He was considered the spiritual 112 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:11,760 leader of. Israel at that time and even 113 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:13,920 though that was secretively. Done. 114 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,640 David becomes a personal aide to King Saul. 115 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:21,350 It plays the harp. For King Saul, because Saul has. 116 00:07:21,350 --> 00:07:26,990 These bouts of madness, I mean not anger, but like craziness. 117 00:07:27,670 --> 00:07:30,670 And when David plays the harp, it calms him down. 118 00:07:33,070 --> 00:07:37,430 He also serves as Saul's. Armor bearer, the King's armor 119 00:07:37,430 --> 00:07:39,670 bearer. And he goes on to become the 120 00:07:39,710 --> 00:07:42,950 this great. Hero of the Nation when he faces 121 00:07:42,950 --> 00:07:46,030 down Goliath. The Philistine. 122 00:07:46,030 --> 00:07:47,430 This. Giant This. 123 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:50,840 Incredible Giant in the valley of Elah. 124 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:55,640 Then he becomes the target. Of Saul's madness and jealousy, 125 00:07:56,000 --> 00:08:00,680 because people are really flocking to David this young. 126 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:06,240 Man who's done this incredible thing, and so he has to run from 127 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:08,880 Saul's anger. And then Saul later on dies at 128 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:11,390 the hands of an enemy. Then David does. 129 00:08:11,390 --> 00:08:14,950 Become king, and he's this mighty warrior throughout his 130 00:08:14,950 --> 00:08:17,430 life. And he he builds the nation of 131 00:08:17,430 --> 00:08:20,790 Israel. It was really tribal until 132 00:08:20,790 --> 00:08:22,750 David. And then it becomes a nation 133 00:08:22,750 --> 00:08:27,910 under his kingship, and he uses the spoil of both war and wealth 134 00:08:28,590 --> 00:08:30,230 to. Fund the building of the First 135 00:08:30,230 --> 00:08:32,590 Temple, one of the Ancient Wonders of the World. 136 00:08:34,190 --> 00:08:39,270 David is also. A man of incredible contrasts. 137 00:08:40,330 --> 00:08:44,049 His highs are very, very high and his lows. 138 00:08:44,049 --> 00:08:49,090 Are just as extreme, and he serves as a prophet as well as 139 00:08:49,090 --> 00:08:53,370 the. King and his songs because he 140 00:08:53,370 --> 00:08:54,490 was a. Musician. 141 00:08:54,490 --> 00:08:57,730 They're preserved in the Book of Psalms. 142 00:08:58,090 --> 00:09:01,850 Now he wrote or composed half. Of those psalms, there's 150 143 00:09:01,850 --> 00:09:07,610 psalms and we know that David did about. 75 of those psalms do 144 00:09:07,610 --> 00:09:10,930 you know that David has more chapters about? 145 00:09:10,930 --> 00:09:15,450 Him in the Bible than anyone else, with the exception of 146 00:09:15,450 --> 00:09:22,210 Jesus. 15 chapters in First Samuel all 20, 4 chapters of 147 00:09:22,210 --> 00:09:24,690 2nd. Samuel, the 1st chapter of 148 00:09:24,690 --> 00:09:29,290 first. Kings and 75 psalms for 115 149 00:09:29,290 --> 00:09:32,930 chapters. You know, I stand up here, 150 00:09:32,930 --> 00:09:35,370 Clayton stands up here and we'll deliver sermons. 151 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:39,760 Based on a person in the Bible had maybe one or two verses. 152 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:49,360 David had 115 chapters. Now if God chose to put David. 153 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:53,800 In that prominently in his Bible, don't you? 154 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:58,600 Think that we need to spend some time looking over David. 155 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:04,000 And what he can teach us now the most defining verse about David. 156 00:10:04,650 --> 00:10:07,490 Isn't even in those 115 chapters. 157 00:10:07,810 --> 00:10:10,210 It's in a different chapter because. 158 00:10:10,210 --> 00:10:13,610 He's not actually named in it, even though it is referring to 159 00:10:13,610 --> 00:10:21,050 him, and that is First Samuel. Chapter 13, verse 14 And this is 160 00:10:21,050 --> 00:10:25,330 Samuel speaking and he's talking to. 161 00:10:25,330 --> 00:10:30,290 Saul the king at the time after Saul has discredited God and he 162 00:10:30,290 --> 00:10:32,930 says. But now your Kingdom will not 163 00:10:32,930 --> 00:10:35,030 endure. The Lord has. 164 00:10:35,030 --> 00:10:44,430 Sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of 165 00:10:44,430 --> 00:10:46,630 his people. Because you. 166 00:10:46,630 --> 00:10:49,310 Have not kept the Lord's command. 167 00:10:49,630 --> 00:10:53,870 The Apostle Paul reaffirmed that passage. 168 00:10:53,870 --> 00:10:58,350 In the book of Acts chapter 13 verse 22, when he was writing he 169 00:10:58,350 --> 00:11:01,830 said after removing Saul. He made David their king. 170 00:11:01,830 --> 00:11:05,630 God testified concerning him. I have found David's son of 171 00:11:05,630 --> 00:11:11,990 Jesse, a man after my own heart, and he will do everything I want 172 00:11:11,990 --> 00:11:14,550 him to do. Wow. 173 00:11:15,790 --> 00:11:19,830 So what does that mean? What does it mean to be someone 174 00:11:20,390 --> 00:11:22,150 after God's own heart? You know what? 175 00:11:22,150 --> 00:11:26,990 I think everyone I'm talking to right now that's listening to 176 00:11:26,990 --> 00:11:30,520 me. I think you want that I do I. 177 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:31,040 Really. Do. 178 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:32,600 I think in your heart you want that? 179 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:35,960 I would want to be a person who was considered someone after 180 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,800 God's own heart, a man after God's own heart, a woman after 181 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:41,200 God's own heart. That I would raise my children 182 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:42,760 that they would be after God's own heart. 183 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:47,120 I think we want that. So I don't think you're leaning 184 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,200 away right now. I think you're you're leaning in 185 00:11:51,160 --> 00:11:54,280 and So what is it that we? Can discover from David's desire 186 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:56,400 for God. That can help us to have a 187 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:59,160 better relationship with. Him. 188 00:11:59,830 --> 00:12:02,470 Is it possible that we could actually? 189 00:12:02,470 --> 00:12:06,870 Become people after God's own heart as well. 190 00:12:07,950 --> 00:12:10,750 Well, maybe we need to learn a little bit more about David. 191 00:12:12,470 --> 00:12:15,910 See David. Was known by God before he was 192 00:12:15,910 --> 00:12:20,270 ever chosen. He was known, and I want you to 193 00:12:20,270 --> 00:12:24,270 know that God knows you. There's not a person I'm talking 194 00:12:24,270 --> 00:12:27,860 to that God hasn't chosen. Some of you are thinking, well, 195 00:12:27,860 --> 00:12:29,740 maybe you know, God didn't ever choose me. 196 00:12:29,740 --> 00:12:32,180 He chose. He has chosen every one of us 197 00:12:32,180 --> 00:12:34,660 for specific things he wants. Us to do. 198 00:12:34,660 --> 00:12:36,740 How do I know that? The Apostle Paul said. 199 00:12:36,740 --> 00:12:40,940 That in Ephesians 210 he said, For you and I, we are God's 200 00:12:40,940 --> 00:12:45,380 workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works that God is. 201 00:12:45,380 --> 00:12:47,540 Prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 202 00:12:48,540 --> 00:12:50,300 That means you're chosen, all right. 203 00:12:50,340 --> 00:12:52,780 All of us are chosen to do things to. 204 00:12:52,780 --> 00:12:58,410 Accomplish things for God. And you are known to God. 205 00:12:59,090 --> 00:13:02,290 David was known to God. He was known to God before he 206 00:13:02,290 --> 00:13:04,050 was chosen. We know that from those 207 00:13:04,050 --> 00:13:06,850 scriptures. And then he was chosen by God. 208 00:13:07,850 --> 00:13:11,170 Now I want us to do a. Deep dive to get a better. 209 00:13:11,170 --> 00:13:15,490 Understanding into David and there are clues that we can 210 00:13:15,490 --> 00:13:20,250 follow biblically. And they're like bread crumbs to 211 00:13:20,250 --> 00:13:22,690 get a better understanding of who he actually is. 212 00:13:22,690 --> 00:13:25,890 And I have to tell you, I was studying for this. 213 00:13:26,590 --> 00:13:30,310 And like a whole new world. Opened up for me like I actually 214 00:13:30,550 --> 00:13:33,470 from last week to this week I. Have a completely different 215 00:13:33,710 --> 00:13:37,230 understanding of David than I did from last week, and I want 216 00:13:37,230 --> 00:13:39,190 to be able to impart some of that to you. 217 00:13:39,190 --> 00:13:42,230 Some of you may think, well, you know, I I've read a lot about 218 00:13:42,230 --> 00:13:43,910 David. I, I, I know something about 219 00:13:43,910 --> 00:13:45,150 David. Some of you don't know anything 220 00:13:45,150 --> 00:13:48,190 about him. But I want you to to listen what 221 00:13:48,190 --> 00:13:50,070 I have to say, because I think it's really. 222 00:13:50,670 --> 00:13:55,460 Going to have an impact on your understanding of David, many of 223 00:13:55,460 --> 00:13:58,620 David's. Psalms are actually reflections 224 00:13:59,180 --> 00:14:01,740 of his personal experiences that are. 225 00:14:01,740 --> 00:14:05,740 Set to rhyme and music, but there's none of them that are 226 00:14:05,740 --> 00:14:07,780 more revealing than the 23rd Psalm. 227 00:14:09,340 --> 00:14:11,820 And the 23rd Psalm is where David is. 228 00:14:11,820 --> 00:14:14,900 Reflecting on being a shepherd, Right. 229 00:14:14,900 --> 00:14:19,540 So Jesse, his father. Gave him the responsibility of 230 00:14:19,540 --> 00:14:21,780 taking care of the sheep out in the fields. 231 00:14:22,590 --> 00:14:24,990 And that's important to understand because shepherding 232 00:14:24,990 --> 00:14:32,630 at the time of David was viewed as the lowest of positions. 233 00:14:33,870 --> 00:14:37,430 But when David writes Psalm 23, he elevates it. 234 00:14:38,750 --> 00:14:40,430 He gives. You a completely different 235 00:14:40,430 --> 00:14:44,270 understanding of shepherding than what his culture believed. 236 00:14:44,550 --> 00:14:49,110 He even refers to God as a shepherd, the Lord. 237 00:14:49,790 --> 00:14:52,230 Is my shepherd. It's interesting because. 238 00:14:52,350 --> 00:14:56,510 When P if people would have heard that. 3100 years ago, 3000 239 00:14:56,510 --> 00:15:00,310 years ago, they would have what? I mean, that's. 240 00:15:00,950 --> 00:15:03,070 I mean, it's almost like a curse to be a shepherd. 241 00:15:03,270 --> 00:15:06,270 And you're saying the Lord, the Lord is the shepherd, the Lord? 242 00:15:06,270 --> 00:15:11,870 Is my shepherd. These were the responsibilities 243 00:15:11,870 --> 00:15:16,990 that he had as a boy to lead the sheep, to feed the sheep. 244 00:15:17,430 --> 00:15:21,230 To find water for the sheep, to protect them, to keep them 245 00:15:21,230 --> 00:15:25,110 healthy and to keep them strong. And it's actually a perfect 246 00:15:25,110 --> 00:15:26,310 picture. Of what? 247 00:15:26,310 --> 00:15:28,510 An intimate. Personal relationship with Jesus 248 00:15:28,510 --> 00:15:33,310 Christ looks like. Now, where I'm standing about 249 00:15:33,310 --> 00:15:35,550 right, about right. Here, where I'm standing, 250 00:15:35,550 --> 00:15:39,510 underneath my feet, there is the. 251 00:15:39,510 --> 00:15:44,510 Concrete underneath my feet I. Wrote the 23rd song. 252 00:15:44,510 --> 00:15:48,570 It's still down there. As a matter of fact, on every 253 00:15:48,570 --> 00:15:51,250 stage at the. Crossing If you go under that 254 00:15:51,250 --> 00:15:55,890 stage on the concrete, it's written 23rd Psalm. 255 00:15:56,490 --> 00:15:58,770 We stand on the 23rd Psalm. Do you know why? 256 00:15:59,290 --> 00:16:03,330 Because it is a perfect description. 257 00:16:03,690 --> 00:16:07,730 Of what it means to have an intimate, personal relationship 258 00:16:07,730 --> 00:16:09,530 with Jesus Christ. And that's our mission 259 00:16:09,530 --> 00:16:12,890 statement. Isn't it interesting that even 260 00:16:12,890 --> 00:16:14,610 though we're a New Testament church? 261 00:16:15,780 --> 00:16:19,900 The mission statement comes out of the Old Testament, the 23rd. 262 00:16:19,900 --> 00:16:25,620 Psalm. And when David wrote the 23rd 263 00:16:25,620 --> 00:16:29,780 Psalm, he wrote it. In the middle of three psalms, 264 00:16:30,220 --> 00:16:35,140 the 22nd, the 23rd and the 24th. And actually, what David was 265 00:16:35,140 --> 00:16:38,660 writing when he wrote that was. Prophetic in nature. 266 00:16:38,660 --> 00:16:42,500 It's part of this amazing trilogy showing our past, our 267 00:16:42,500 --> 00:16:46,510 present and our future. And I would encourage you to go. 268 00:16:46,510 --> 00:16:50,310 Back and read. It won't take long to read 2223 269 00:16:50,310 --> 00:16:53,470 and 24, and it's not about David's past. 270 00:16:53,470 --> 00:16:56,030 Present and future. Because everything he's writing 271 00:16:56,030 --> 00:17:00,270 about was in his future. That's why it's prophetic. 272 00:17:00,670 --> 00:17:05,270 But if you place. Yourself in 2223 and 20 4 you 273 00:17:05,270 --> 00:17:06,270 are the. Meat in the middle of the 274 00:17:06,270 --> 00:17:07,430 sandwich? You're like, right? 275 00:17:07,430 --> 00:17:11,190 In the middle of it if you. Go to Psalm 22. 276 00:17:11,190 --> 00:17:14,450 You know how it begins. My God, my God, why have you 277 00:17:14,450 --> 00:17:16,569 forsaken me? Why are you so far from me? 278 00:17:18,530 --> 00:17:21,650 The actual words that Jesus used 1000 years. 279 00:17:21,650 --> 00:17:24,849 Later when he was dying on the cross, if you read. 280 00:17:24,849 --> 00:17:29,170 Further, in Psalm 22, what you'll find out is A is a 281 00:17:29,410 --> 00:17:32,170 perfect. Detailed description of 282 00:17:32,170 --> 00:17:35,350 crucifixion they've pierced. My hands and my feet. 283 00:17:35,470 --> 00:17:38,910 I can count all my bones. They divide my garment and cast 284 00:17:38,910 --> 00:17:42,070 lots for my clothing. It's all in Psalm 22, written 285 00:17:42,070 --> 00:17:47,590 1000 years before Jesus was even born in David's future. 286 00:17:48,070 --> 00:17:52,310 He's saying this prophetically. It even it even describes the 287 00:17:52,310 --> 00:17:55,110 resurrection. But you will not leave me in the 288 00:17:55,110 --> 00:17:58,870 dust of death. It says later on, but I was but 289 00:17:58,870 --> 00:18:00,870 but I will see the light of life. 290 00:18:03,500 --> 00:18:05,820 Psalm 22, The Gospel Message you Get. 291 00:18:05,820 --> 00:18:09,300 To Psalm 20, three and it's talking about what life is like 292 00:18:09,460 --> 00:18:11,740 being. Part of the Kingdom of God in 293 00:18:11,740 --> 00:18:14,540 this present day, in this age today. 294 00:18:14,740 --> 00:18:17,380 Lord's my shepherd, I I I shall not want. 295 00:18:17,380 --> 00:18:19,900 He makes me lie. Down in green pastures and 296 00:18:19,900 --> 00:18:22,580 leaves me beside still waters, he he restores. 297 00:18:22,580 --> 00:18:25,620 My soul leaves me in paths of righteousness for his name's 298 00:18:25,620 --> 00:18:27,700 sake, and even though I walk through the valley of the shadow 299 00:18:27,700 --> 00:18:30,550 of death, I'll fear no evil. Because you're with me, your 300 00:18:30,550 --> 00:18:32,350 rod, and your staff. They comfort me. 301 00:18:32,350 --> 00:18:34,470 You prepare a table. For me, in the presence of my 302 00:18:34,470 --> 00:18:36,070 enemies, you anoint my head with oil. 303 00:18:36,070 --> 00:18:39,590 My cup runs over, surely. Goodness and mercy will follow 304 00:18:39,590 --> 00:18:42,790 me all the days of my life, and I'll dwell in the House of the 305 00:18:42,790 --> 00:18:45,550 Lord forever. That's our present reality. 306 00:18:46,150 --> 00:18:48,630 You get to Psalm 24. The earth is the Lord. 307 00:18:48,630 --> 00:18:50,710 'S and everything in it, the people, all who dwell. 308 00:18:50,710 --> 00:18:55,150 In it is talking about the coming Kingdom when Jesus 309 00:18:55,150 --> 00:19:00,530 reigns. This is David. 310 00:19:02,050 --> 00:19:04,410 Man, I would love to spend more time on that, but that's for a 311 00:19:04,410 --> 00:19:05,450 different sermon. Sorry. 312 00:19:05,450 --> 00:19:11,090 Back to the story. David's still just a boy. 313 00:19:12,330 --> 00:19:14,250 He's working out in his father's field and. 314 00:19:14,250 --> 00:19:20,370 Samuel comes to Bethlehem. This this ancient warrior 315 00:19:20,450 --> 00:19:24,770 prophet priest guy because God. Told him that he would find the 316 00:19:24,770 --> 00:19:27,210 next king there in the household of Jesse. 317 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:31,240 But Samuel couldn't let that be known because the present King 318 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:34,440 Saul would see that as a threat. And probably have him killed. 319 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:37,800 The Bible says that, so he. Comes under the reason of a 320 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:40,200 sacrifice. And I want us to read First 321 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:45,200 Samuel 16, five to 11, OK, Samuel replied yes, and because 322 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:46,600 they asked him if he came in peace. 323 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:50,560 He is a warrior. I have come to sacrifice to the 324 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:52,960 Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come 325 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:56,540 to the sacrifice with me. Then he consecrated Jesse and 326 00:19:56,540 --> 00:19:59,220 his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 327 00:19:59,860 --> 00:20:04,020 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, surely the 328 00:20:04,020 --> 00:20:07,420 Lord's anointed stands. Here before the I guess. 329 00:20:08,020 --> 00:20:10,860 I guess Eliab was was a good looking dude. 330 00:20:11,860 --> 00:20:16,100 I guess he just. Kind of had that you know, 331 00:20:16,820 --> 00:20:21,540 captain of the football team look and and Samuel's like that. 332 00:20:22,020 --> 00:20:25,580 OK, God, I get to you, but the Lord? 333 00:20:25,580 --> 00:20:31,500 Said to Samuel, Do not consider his appearance or his height. 334 00:20:32,540 --> 00:20:38,620 For I've rejected him. The Lord does not look at the 335 00:20:38,620 --> 00:20:42,020 things people look at. People look at the outward 336 00:20:42,020 --> 00:20:45,020 appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 337 00:20:46,740 --> 00:20:48,020 OK, All right. All right. 338 00:20:49,220 --> 00:20:52,700 And Jesse called Abinadab. Had him pass in front of Samuel. 339 00:20:52,700 --> 00:20:54,740 He's not a liar, but you know he's a Benedad. 340 00:20:54,740 --> 00:20:57,980 Come on. But Samuel said the Lord has not 341 00:20:58,060 --> 00:21:03,500 chosen this one either. Then Jesse then had Shama passed 342 00:21:03,500 --> 00:21:06,300 by, but Samuel said, nor has the Lord. 343 00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:10,020 Chosen this one, and Jesse had seven of his sons passed before 344 00:21:10,020 --> 00:21:13,420 Samuel. But Samuel said to him, the Lord 345 00:21:13,420 --> 00:21:17,300 has not chosen these, So he asked Jesse. 346 00:21:17,780 --> 00:21:22,580 Are these all the sons you have? There is still the youngest, 347 00:21:23,900 --> 00:21:26,380 Jesse answered. He's tending the sheep. 348 00:21:27,940 --> 00:21:29,740 Samuel said. Sin for him. 349 00:21:29,740 --> 00:21:34,220 We will not sit down until he arrives. 350 00:21:36,500 --> 00:21:40,220 Verse 7 reminds us that David. Is already known by God for his 351 00:21:40,220 --> 00:21:44,180 heart, but David isn't even. There, you know, they go through 352 00:21:44,180 --> 00:21:47,940 this consecration and sacrifice with the seven sons. 353 00:21:47,940 --> 00:21:51,270 Dave is not even part of it. He's not even invited to it. 354 00:21:51,270 --> 00:21:56,470 You notice that he's like a complete outcast, like. 355 00:21:56,470 --> 00:22:05,190 Why is that? You know, I told you before that 356 00:22:05,190 --> 00:22:07,630 shepherding is a disgrace at the. 357 00:22:07,630 --> 00:22:09,590 Time. And it was also an extremely 358 00:22:09,590 --> 00:22:14,030 dangerous profession. I know that it was extremely. 359 00:22:14,030 --> 00:22:16,550 Dangerous profession because later on. 360 00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:19,360 When David wants to fight Goliath and he's. 361 00:22:19,360 --> 00:22:22,280 Talking to King Saul, Saul says he's just a. 362 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:23,320 Boy. And he can't. 363 00:22:23,440 --> 00:22:25,560 There's no way that he could defeat this giant. 364 00:22:25,880 --> 00:22:29,000 And you what? David says he had already killed 365 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:30,760 a. Lion and a bear. 366 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:37,440 Wow. Killed a lion and a bear while. 367 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:41,160 Tending sheep. Here's my question. 368 00:22:41,480 --> 00:22:45,120 Why would Jesse allow that danger to be inflicted? 369 00:22:45,120 --> 00:22:47,430 On his youngest son, if it was that. 370 00:22:47,430 --> 00:22:53,910 Dangerous to 10 sheep, Why would Jesse pick? 371 00:22:54,390 --> 00:22:59,190 A boy named David to do that a. Young teenager, rather than one 372 00:22:59,190 --> 00:23:01,830 or two or three of his. Other sons or son and some hired 373 00:23:01,830 --> 00:23:03,430 hands. Why would he do that? 374 00:23:04,870 --> 00:23:12,790 Did he want his son to die? There are actually indications 375 00:23:12,790 --> 00:23:15,870 that he did. Want his son to die? 376 00:23:19,390 --> 00:23:20,230 Now? Here's where. 377 00:23:20,230 --> 00:23:25,190 I was learning this last week. How do I Why would I say a thing 378 00:23:25,190 --> 00:23:26,790 like that? Well, shepherding. 379 00:23:26,790 --> 00:23:30,510 Itself Sheep or predator magnets. 380 00:23:31,430 --> 00:23:33,750 And you can see that David has already fought. 381 00:23:34,190 --> 00:23:38,190 Two wild animals at the time that would that should have been 382 00:23:38,190 --> 00:23:39,270 able to. Kill him. 383 00:23:41,190 --> 00:23:44,310 Why had Jesse put his? Son in harm's way. 384 00:23:46,300 --> 00:23:48,020 Well, that brings me to the second point. 385 00:23:48,020 --> 00:23:53,100 And that would be a questionable lineage in Psalm 51, David. 386 00:23:53,100 --> 00:23:57,500 Is writing that Psalm, and it's about his repentance from being 387 00:23:57,500 --> 00:24:00,140 in this sinful relationship with Bathsheba. 388 00:24:00,140 --> 00:24:03,060 Covering it up by having Uriah killed. 389 00:24:03,060 --> 00:24:09,500 In the battle and then being found out and in Psalm 51 he 390 00:24:09,500 --> 00:24:11,540 said that this. Is some of those bread crumbs 391 00:24:11,540 --> 00:24:13,020 right? He declares. 392 00:24:13,020 --> 00:24:16,670 These words, surely? I was sinful at birth. 393 00:24:17,110 --> 00:24:20,270 Sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 394 00:24:20,550 --> 00:24:23,270 Now, some of us might think, well, that's just hyperbole he 395 00:24:23,270 --> 00:24:25,550 feels real bad about. Himself and he's saying that, 396 00:24:25,950 --> 00:24:28,750 but I want you to consider that it might be a more literal 397 00:24:28,750 --> 00:24:33,390 interpretation, because other translations actually. 398 00:24:33,390 --> 00:24:40,110 Say in sin my mother conceived me that could be a. 399 00:24:40,110 --> 00:24:44,420 Reference to Jesse. Having an extra miracle marital 400 00:24:44,420 --> 00:24:49,700 affair that produced David. That he might have been 1/2 401 00:24:49,700 --> 00:24:54,980 brother to those other brothers, they're actually. 402 00:24:54,980 --> 00:24:59,380 Ancient rabbinical writings that give that same interpretation 403 00:24:59,380 --> 00:25:03,860 that I was reading. In Psalm 2710, David writes 404 00:25:03,860 --> 00:25:06,940 these words. Though my mother and father 405 00:25:06,940 --> 00:25:11,340 forsake me, the Lord will receive. 406 00:25:11,340 --> 00:25:14,240 Me. Why would he say that? 407 00:25:15,320 --> 00:25:18,240 Why would he make reference to his father and his mother 408 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:20,600 forsaking him? You know his brothers. 409 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:23,480 Rejected him too. They mocked him in First Samuel 410 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:25,600 1728. When he's going to fight 411 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:27,160 Goliath. It says when Eliab. 412 00:25:27,160 --> 00:25:29,760 Remember Eliab? You know, the captain of the 413 00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:33,120 football team, David's oldest. Brother heard him speaking with 414 00:25:33,120 --> 00:25:35,640 the men. He burned with anger at him and 415 00:25:35,640 --> 00:25:39,110 asked why have. You come down here and with whom 416 00:25:39,110 --> 00:25:42,830 did you leave those? Few sheep in the wilderness. 417 00:25:43,270 --> 00:25:48,030 I know how conceited you are. Look what he says and how wicked 418 00:25:48,030 --> 00:25:52,910 your heart is. He defined his heart as wicked. 419 00:25:52,910 --> 00:25:55,110 But how did God? Define David's heart. 420 00:25:57,270 --> 00:26:02,670 A man after my own heart, right? Obviously, Eliab. 421 00:26:03,070 --> 00:26:04,990 Doesn't have a good handle on his brother. 422 00:26:05,670 --> 00:26:07,910 You came down only to watch the battle. 423 00:26:11,990 --> 00:26:17,550 Later on, after Saul decides he's trying to kill David 424 00:26:17,550 --> 00:26:20,670 because he's jealous. Of him, the brothers actually 425 00:26:20,670 --> 00:26:24,950 sided with Saul. In trying to kill David now, I 426 00:26:24,950 --> 00:26:26,870 want you to look closer at this story. 427 00:26:27,430 --> 00:26:30,470 In First Samuel, 16, 11B. To 13. 428 00:26:30,470 --> 00:26:33,210 Let's read that again. There is still the youngest, 429 00:26:33,210 --> 00:26:35,050 Jesse answered. We read this already. 430 00:26:35,210 --> 00:26:37,810 He is tending the. Sheep, And Samuel said, send for 431 00:26:37,810 --> 00:26:43,050 him, we will not sit. Down until he arrives. 432 00:26:44,570 --> 00:26:47,810 So he sent for him and had him brought in. 433 00:26:48,570 --> 00:26:52,730 He was glowing with the health and had a fine appearance and 434 00:26:52,730 --> 00:26:55,370 handsome features then, the Lord said. 435 00:26:55,370 --> 00:26:57,890 Rise and anoint him. This is the one. 436 00:26:59,380 --> 00:27:03,020 So Samuel took the Horn of Oil. And anointed him in the presence 437 00:27:03,300 --> 00:27:06,260 of his. Brothers and from that day on 438 00:27:06,260 --> 00:27:09,420 the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David, and 439 00:27:09,420 --> 00:27:16,860 Samuel then went to Rhema. So Samuel is. 440 00:27:16,860 --> 00:27:20,940 Like the mega guy in ancient Israel. 441 00:27:20,940 --> 00:27:23,140 I mean, Samuel comes to your house a big deal. 442 00:27:24,220 --> 00:27:26,700 And so you know that you know that, Jesse. 443 00:27:26,930 --> 00:27:28,850 Would have made this big feast feast. 444 00:27:28,850 --> 00:27:32,170 For him, right. So here's this big feast. 445 00:27:32,610 --> 00:27:36,090 But everybody's not there. David has been left out in the 446 00:27:36,090 --> 00:27:41,130 field and Samuel says nobody's eaten anything until David comes 447 00:27:41,130 --> 00:27:45,170 in. Here, how do you think it would 448 00:27:45,170 --> 00:27:46,810 have felt to be those seven? Brothers. 449 00:27:48,330 --> 00:27:50,370 You kidding me? We got this whole. 450 00:27:50,690 --> 00:27:52,650 Meal ready? Everything's set up, 451 00:27:52,650 --> 00:27:55,490 everything's ready to go. I'm hungry and and I got to 452 00:27:55,490 --> 00:27:57,690 wait. For my pipsqueak brother to get 453 00:27:57,690 --> 00:28:00,330 here. And somebody has to go and find 454 00:28:00,330 --> 00:28:01,890 him. You know it It wasn't. 455 00:28:01,890 --> 00:28:04,170 Like, you know, they could call him up on the phone and he'd get 456 00:28:04,170 --> 00:28:05,730 on his four Wheeler and come back. 457 00:28:07,210 --> 00:28:09,610 It would have taken a while. It would have taken a while to. 458 00:28:09,610 --> 00:28:13,890 Send somebody to go find David out in some field somewhere. 459 00:28:14,730 --> 00:28:18,650 They couldn't GPS the guy. And get him back. 460 00:28:18,650 --> 00:28:22,570 Then once he comes back, you know he's going to, he's been 461 00:28:22,570 --> 00:28:23,810 with sheep, you know what I'm saying? 462 00:28:24,550 --> 00:28:25,950 So he's going to have to clean up so they're. 463 00:28:25,950 --> 00:28:29,870 Just sitting there, waiting. Everybody's waiting until. 464 00:28:30,070 --> 00:28:33,350 He gets found, he gets brought back, he cleans up. 465 00:28:33,350 --> 00:28:36,190 He. Walks in and then what happens 466 00:28:39,670 --> 00:28:44,990 before anybody sits? Down Samuel comes up to David 467 00:28:45,230 --> 00:28:47,550 pulls out this. Horn of Oil and by the way. 468 00:28:47,750 --> 00:28:51,190 There are only three occupations where there's anointing done, 469 00:28:51,190 --> 00:28:53,670 and that's prophets, priests and kings. 470 00:28:55,080 --> 00:28:58,400 It's a very selective process, not anybody gets to. 471 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:00,240 Be anointed. It's not something that you do, 472 00:29:00,640 --> 00:29:03,760 just, hey, glad you're here. It doesn't happen like that. 473 00:29:05,920 --> 00:29:08,280 It's a very, very big deal, especially. 474 00:29:08,280 --> 00:29:10,840 When you're being anointed by the spiritual leader of the. 475 00:29:10,840 --> 00:29:13,560 Whole country. And this is what happens. 476 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:16,400 David comes in, he's gotten cleaned up, he's ready for a 477 00:29:16,400 --> 00:29:20,720 banquet, and they and Samuel anoints him. 478 00:29:23,420 --> 00:29:32,000 And then they can eat read Psalm 23/5. 479 00:29:35,240 --> 00:29:42,480 You prepare a table before. Me in the presence of my 480 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:46,440 enemies, you anoint my head with oil. 481 00:29:48,160 --> 00:29:54,320 My cup overflows every. Time I have read Psalm 23, 482 00:29:54,320 --> 00:29:57,020 probably the Most Precious Scripture. 483 00:29:57,260 --> 00:30:01,140 In my heart I have always thought of all of David's. 484 00:30:01,460 --> 00:30:05,820 Enemies out there? Never thought about his 485 00:30:05,820 --> 00:30:09,180 brothers. Never thought about his father? 486 00:30:10,260 --> 00:30:12,660 Never. Thought about his mother. 487 00:30:16,500 --> 00:30:18,340 I think some of you might connect to that. 488 00:30:20,260 --> 00:30:24,700 I think some of you might be looking back on your life and 489 00:30:24,700 --> 00:30:27,300 you're like, you know. I never got a break. 490 00:30:29,540 --> 00:30:32,140 Now I've had, I've had, I've had a difficult life. 491 00:30:32,140 --> 00:30:34,900 Up to this point, it's been hard for me. 492 00:30:37,340 --> 00:30:41,700 Maybe there's some bitterness in your heart over that because it 493 00:30:41,700 --> 00:30:45,020 wasn't your fault like it was. Something that was imposed upon 494 00:30:45,020 --> 00:30:49,660 you. I wonder if this passage of 495 00:30:49,660 --> 00:30:53,780 Scripture will have a. Deeper, deeper impact on you and 496 00:30:53,980 --> 00:30:57,100 the idea that you can be a. Person after God's own heart, 497 00:30:57,220 --> 00:30:59,500 regardless of what's. Happened in your past. 498 00:30:59,500 --> 00:31:04,940 How about that? You see, David had. 499 00:31:04,940 --> 00:31:08,900 Plenty of reason for bitterness, but instead he chose. 500 00:31:08,900 --> 00:31:12,380 Blessings. This is who he was. 501 00:31:12,620 --> 00:31:16,740 Even when he was a boy. Even when he was invisible to 502 00:31:16,740 --> 00:31:20,290 his family. Even when he was rejected by the 503 00:31:20,290 --> 00:31:22,690 people that he should have been able to trust in. 504 00:31:24,410 --> 00:31:27,650 And you know why? Because a heart for God, a heart 505 00:31:27,650 --> 00:31:29,970 after God's heart, is a heart that. 506 00:31:29,970 --> 00:31:35,410 Dwells in gratitude, and that is where David chose to reside in a 507 00:31:35,410 --> 00:31:39,530 heart filled with gratitude. In a heart that was firmly 508 00:31:39,530 --> 00:31:43,450 focused on the upper story, regardless of the harshness of 509 00:31:43,450 --> 00:31:46,810 the lower story. His lower story was pretty bad. 510 00:31:47,350 --> 00:31:49,710 But he didn't choose to live there. 511 00:31:49,830 --> 00:31:53,070 He kept his eyes lifted up. Matter of fact that is that A. 512 00:31:53,070 --> 00:31:55,110 Psalm. I will lift up my eyes to the 513 00:31:55,110 --> 00:31:56,870 hills from whence cometh my help. 514 00:31:57,030 --> 00:32:00,750 My help comes from the Lord. Who made heaven and earth kept 515 00:32:00,750 --> 00:32:07,150 his eyes up? It's a heart that refuses to let 516 00:32:07,150 --> 00:32:13,500 go of the truth at the. End of Psalm 2323 6 Surely your 517 00:32:13,500 --> 00:32:16,500 goodness. And love will follow me all the 518 00:32:16,500 --> 00:32:20,580 days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord 519 00:32:21,620 --> 00:32:27,100 forever. Here's what David. 520 00:32:27,100 --> 00:32:29,340 Is going to teach you and me today. 521 00:32:30,500 --> 00:32:33,100 First thing he's going to do, he's going to take away all your 522 00:32:33,100 --> 00:32:36,180 excuses. And he's going to take away all 523 00:32:36,180 --> 00:32:40,780 mine because some of you today. Were dealt a bad hand when it 524 00:32:40,780 --> 00:32:43,740 came to your family. Some of you have been abused or? 525 00:32:43,860 --> 00:32:46,420 You've been mistreated, and maybe there are times when you 526 00:32:46,420 --> 00:32:48,740 felt like God. Had abandoned you. 527 00:32:50,580 --> 00:32:55,700 You've let your heart get. Lost in that lower story, but 528 00:32:55,700 --> 00:32:59,100 God is greater. Than the circumstances of your 529 00:32:59,100 --> 00:33:03,620 past, and he is greater. Than the circumstances of your 530 00:33:03,620 --> 00:33:06,880 present. And God, and only God is. 531 00:33:06,880 --> 00:33:11,200 Able to remove the bitterness from your heart if you will 532 00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:15,640 choose. The blessing instead and Jesus 533 00:33:15,640 --> 00:33:22,200 is a constant reminder that you have not been abandoned because. 534 00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:26,920 He knew your name when he was bleeding and dying alone on that 535 00:33:26,920 --> 00:33:29,320 cross. You know that some people go, 536 00:33:29,320 --> 00:33:30,960 well, Jesus died for the whole world. 537 00:33:30,960 --> 00:33:33,160 He died for the world. He had the world on his mind. 538 00:33:33,160 --> 00:33:40,300 No, he had you on his mind. Your name, your life, You're 539 00:33:40,380 --> 00:33:43,300 just like. He knew everything about David. 540 00:33:45,620 --> 00:33:47,900 He knew his. Heart before he chose him. 541 00:33:48,500 --> 00:33:52,100 He knows yours and he's chosen you. 542 00:33:54,220 --> 00:33:57,540 And even though right now, at this particular moment of your 543 00:33:57,540 --> 00:34:01,380 life, you might feel lost in that lower story, let me tell 544 00:34:01,380 --> 00:34:02,020 you. Something. 545 00:34:02,330 --> 00:34:05,250 There is not a Good Shepherd, but a great Shepherd. 546 00:34:05,490 --> 00:34:09,650 There is a great shepherd who goes out searching for that one 547 00:34:09,650 --> 00:34:14,770 lost. Sheep and brings that sheep back 548 00:34:14,770 --> 00:34:19,889 home, and he can do that for you today. 549 00:34:20,449 --> 00:34:22,090 We're moving to a time of decision. 550 00:34:34,360 --> 00:34:39,600 You know, when I read 23, Psalm 23, I wish I could, I wish I 551 00:34:39,600 --> 00:34:45,199 could identify with the Shepherd, You know, pastor of a 552 00:34:45,199 --> 00:34:46,840 church, big church. Yeah, a lot of people. 553 00:34:46,840 --> 00:34:49,000 You know, 11 locations. God. 554 00:34:52,280 --> 00:34:56,080 I'm not impressing him. Sorry. 555 00:34:56,080 --> 00:34:58,600 I wish I. Could identify with a shepherd, 556 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:02,240 but the truth is I. Identify with the sheep. 557 00:35:05,430 --> 00:35:13,110 Sheep are dumb. I mean, have you ever looked at 558 00:35:13,110 --> 00:35:14,990 sheep? Like you ever watched them, do 559 00:35:17,430 --> 00:35:20,350 you? Do you think that? 560 00:35:20,350 --> 00:35:26,510 Sheep are like in the field and they're going, I mean, birds do 561 00:35:26,510 --> 00:35:30,350 that, not sheep. You know what sheep do? 562 00:35:33,410 --> 00:35:38,050 And that, you know, if there's grass, they eat it, and then if 563 00:35:38,050 --> 00:35:39,490 there's some more grass, they eat. 564 00:35:39,490 --> 00:35:41,290 It they don't look around here where all the rest. 565 00:35:41,290 --> 00:35:46,730 Of the sheep, grass, grass, grass. 566 00:35:47,650 --> 00:35:48,850 Right. No, no, no. 567 00:35:49,410 --> 00:35:52,210 That's how they get lost. They didn't mean to get lost. 568 00:35:52,930 --> 00:35:54,930 They didn't wake up that. Day go, I'm going to get lost 569 00:35:54,930 --> 00:36:02,370 today, but they do. And then the shepherd has to go 570 00:36:02,370 --> 00:36:06,810 out. And find them because they're 571 00:36:06,810 --> 00:36:14,610 dumb and they smell bad. You see that picture of Jesus? 572 00:36:14,930 --> 00:36:15,850 That they? That they. 573 00:36:15,850 --> 00:36:18,330 Paint. You know it's a it's a white 574 00:36:18,330 --> 00:36:20,050 Jesus, which is totally. Wrong. 575 00:36:20,050 --> 00:36:22,290 You know, with the strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes like. 576 00:36:22,370 --> 00:36:27,570 An Aryan Jesus, so dumb and he's holding the sheep. 577 00:36:28,370 --> 00:36:29,290 Have you? Seen that? 578 00:36:30,090 --> 00:36:32,650 Nobody in their right mind would want to hold the sheep. 579 00:36:33,770 --> 00:36:37,530 Why? Well, you know, as a field trip, 580 00:36:37,530 --> 00:36:41,370 go out. And smell one Sometime they 581 00:36:41,370 --> 00:36:44,650 stink. They don't clean up well. 582 00:36:47,570 --> 00:36:49,490 I don't want to identify as a sheep. 583 00:36:49,490 --> 00:36:53,130 But that's what I am. I'm a person who gets lost 584 00:36:53,130 --> 00:36:56,210 easily. I don't mean to, but it ends up 585 00:36:56,210 --> 00:36:58,920 happening. I get you know the the this the 586 00:36:58,920 --> 00:37:00,760 next. Tuft to grasp and the next tuft 587 00:37:00,760 --> 00:37:02,560 to Gras. And he has to keep and just 588 00:37:02,560 --> 00:37:05,960 because I'm saved, just because I. 589 00:37:05,960 --> 00:37:09,200 Accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior when I was 8 years old. 590 00:37:09,400 --> 00:37:11,640 Doesn't mean I don't get lost. All the time? 591 00:37:18,320 --> 00:37:21,320 Oh, the Good Shepherd. Loves his dumb, smelly sheep, 592 00:37:24,120 --> 00:37:27,960 and he loves you. And you may be here, and you've 593 00:37:27,960 --> 00:37:31,420 never ever. Come into an intimate, personal 594 00:37:31,420 --> 00:37:36,980 relationship with Jesus Christ and the Great Shepherd is. 595 00:37:36,980 --> 00:37:39,220 Walking the aisles, He knows you. 596 00:37:40,180 --> 00:37:41,780 He knew you before he called you. 597 00:37:42,780 --> 00:37:46,580 And he loves you, knew your name on the cross and died for you. 598 00:37:47,820 --> 00:37:52,020 And he's there. For you right now, and I want to 599 00:37:52,020 --> 00:37:55,660 invite you, not because I have the right, but because he told 600 00:37:55,660 --> 00:38:00,050 me to. Invite you into an intimate, 601 00:38:00,050 --> 00:38:01,970 personal relationship with Jesus. 602 00:38:01,970 --> 00:38:09,610 Christ, so that Psalm 23 can be descriptive of your life because 603 00:38:09,610 --> 00:38:13,970 that's what he can do. If you've never made a decision 604 00:38:13,970 --> 00:38:16,890 for Jesus, there's going to be somebody right over there by 605 00:38:16,890 --> 00:38:20,650 that baptistry, and your eternity will change in a 606 00:38:20,810 --> 00:38:27,910 moment. Many of you are here today and 607 00:38:27,910 --> 00:38:30,000 you're a lot like me. You'd you'd. 608 00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:35,040 Rather have a higher view of yourself than sheep, but. 609 00:38:35,040 --> 00:38:42,960 Sometimes you have to understand how lost you can get before 610 00:38:42,960 --> 00:38:48,400 you're found and have a moment of clarity or recognition. 611 00:38:50,200 --> 00:38:53,400 And I don't know what your. Circumstance is right now. 612 00:38:53,400 --> 00:38:55,200 I don't know what you're fighting with right now. 613 00:38:55,200 --> 00:38:57,080 I don't know what you're battling with right now. 614 00:38:58,080 --> 00:39:01,320 God does. And he loves you through it. 615 00:39:02,840 --> 00:39:04,440 And he won't leave you or forsake you. 616 00:39:05,560 --> 00:39:08,680 And I invite you to come up here on these steps, get down on your 617 00:39:08,680 --> 00:39:11,520 knees, just pour your heart out to the. 618 00:39:11,520 --> 00:39:14,760 Lord, you're not going to tell him anything he doesn't already 619 00:39:14,760 --> 00:39:23,520 know, but in coming down on in that humble position, you're 620 00:39:23,520 --> 00:39:29,740 starting to recognize who he is. You're kind of encapsulating 621 00:39:29,740 --> 00:39:34,220 that first verse of 23. The Lord is my shepherd, so you 622 00:39:34,220 --> 00:39:36,780 know you're the sheep. I'm the sheep. 623 00:39:36,780 --> 00:39:41,060 Lord, you're the shepherd. And to know how much you love me 624 00:39:41,060 --> 00:39:42,700 in spite of the fact of who I am. 625 00:39:43,740 --> 00:39:46,140 It's pretty amazing. Why don't you? 626 00:39:46,140 --> 00:39:50,260 Do some business with God. I want you to have some time 627 00:39:50,260 --> 00:39:54,820 with him and feel the wonder and the joy of his presence. 628 00:39:56,260 --> 00:39:57,980 Why don't you let him remove the burden? 629 00:39:59,380 --> 00:40:02,500 Would you stand with me in Jesus name, heavenly? 630 00:40:02,500 --> 00:40:06,540 Father, I pray. That in this moment we come to 631 00:40:06,540 --> 00:40:11,060 you, we'd let down our guard all. 632 00:40:11,060 --> 00:40:15,860 Of the defense mechanisms everything that we build up to 633 00:40:15,860 --> 00:40:17,260 make other people think that we're. 634 00:40:17,260 --> 00:40:21,300 More than we actually are. Just be who we. 635 00:40:21,300 --> 00:40:35,350 Are and although, father, we are so flawed, we are also your 636 00:40:35,350 --> 00:40:38,910 children. And that is enough. 637 00:40:40,990 --> 00:40:46,070 So I pray that we would. Just come to our Father under 638 00:40:46,070 --> 00:40:52,030 the blood of our Savior. And be changed and renewed in 639 00:40:52,030 --> 00:40:54,270 Jesus name. Amen.