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Acts 13:36 For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.
Everything exists for a purpose
Pharaoh
Exodus 9:16 But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
[God’s Purposes for Man]
Rich Warren in his book 『The Purpose-driven Life』
1. God planned us for his PLEASURE
2. God formed us for his FAMILY[FELLOWSHIP]
3. God created us to be like CHRIST[CHARACTER]
4. God shaped us to SERVE God
5. God made us for a MISSION
[David & God’s Purposes]
1. He PLEASED God
2Corinthians 5:9-10 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Through obedience by faith
Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'
2. He sought spiritual FELLOWSHIP(Koinonia)
John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
Koinonia
1Samuel 22:2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
David had spiritual mentors
-
Sought the help
of Samuel
1
Samuel 19:18 When David had fled and made his escape, he
went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul
had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there.
- Listened to Gad
1Samuel 22:5 But the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah." So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.
- Rebuked by Nathan
2Samuel 12:13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.
Meet together
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
3. He was a man of CHARACTER
Christlikeness
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Through sufferings and adverse environments
<Sufferings David went through>
- Chased by King Saul
- Adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah
- Lost his son(2Samuel 12:18)
- Family dispute
Rape of Tamar by Amnon(2Samuel 13:32)
Murder of Amnon by Absalom
- Rebelled by his own son Absalom
Death of Absalom
- Rebelled by Sheba
- A famine for 3 successive years in his reign(2Samuel 21:1)
- 70000 people died of a plague because of his fault(2Samuel 24:15)
A Man of Character
2Samuel 16:5-14 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul's family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. He pelted David and all the king's officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David's right and left. As he cursed, Shimei said, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel! The LORD has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The LORD has handed thekingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!" Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head." But the king said, "What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?' " David then said to Abishai and all his officials, "My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. It may be that the LORD will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today." So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
4. He SERVED God
By serving people
Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
David a Good Shepherd
Psalms 78:72 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
Serve in KDF
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
5. He fulfilled his MISSION
David’s Mission
2Samuel 7:1-2 After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent."
1Chronicles 22:5 David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it." So David made extensive preparations before his death.
God into the World
John 17:18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
John 20:21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
Go and make disciples
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Serving God's Purposes_20151115.docx