LAST SUNDAY'S SERMON NOTES
Read Peter's preaching notes....
"Picking the Runt"
I Samuel 16:1-13
8/20/17
Had a rowdy gym class in HS: probably not like most schools
didn't spend much time strength training, or endurance, agility or flexibility
most of time played games: 3 favorites, added special touch to each.
1. hockey, on gym floor w/ sticks and puck: maybe should have worn helmets & pads
best friend Mark almost took out someone’s eye when hit him w/ flying puck
2. volleyball: broke more than one pair of glasses at wrong end of spike
3rd was favorite of all: wild version of dodgeball called bombardment
in our school better known as killball: think that tells you all you need to know about.
Never really enjoyed playing these bloodsports in gym class, but wasn't about game
hated the way the teams were chosen: 2 guys (jocks) take turns picking
almost never failed: last 2 people fat, slow kid named Dave,
and me, skinny kid wearing taped-up glasses.
Not telling you about my phys. ed. experiences to get you to pity me
remind you constantly choosing people, whether teams for killball, electing officials
some ways better than others, but each have drawbacks
national elections by private ballot: good but campaigns really expensive
4 yrs ago: $14,000 every day to run for Senate: who has that much money?
more down to earth: doubt any of us run for Senate
how do you decide whom to befriend, or lend hand to, take advice from?
well-dressed, but insensitive jerk? looks like mutant, but know can trust?
last week, reminded that nation struggles w/ people who reject & attack others
because of race or background
Bible passage tells us about time when God chose a person
learn not just how to choose people, but what makes God decide to choose us.
Situation: Israel recently got first king: a man named Saul
anointed by Samuel the prophet: God's spokesman at time
started out well as king, but before long, quit following Lord's guidance
soon, God regretted ever having made Saul king
told Samuel to go anoint new king: sent him to B’hem, where man named Jesse lived
had chosen one of his sons to be king
Samuel reluctant to do what God wanted: don't anoint new king while still have old one!
To put mildly, can cause problems: 1st king will accuse as traitor and try to kill you
new king probably lead rebellion against old king, many people killed in civil war
2 kings for one country causes general mess
but God can be very persuasive: convinced Sam against better judgment to go to B’hem
When arrived, city leaders of B’hem were shaking in sandals
didn't know why Sam showed up at their city gates, but didn't like it
like many today, didn’t trust gov’t: much better if nat’l leaders just left them alone
if Sam came to town, sure to mean trouble
but Sam could also be persuasive: convinced people of B’hem everything would be fine
only came to offer sacrifice to Lord
Once in town, invited Jesse & sons to join him for sacrifice: wanted to check them out
had to figure out which of Jesse’s sons God chose to be king
quite an honor for Jesse & family to be invited to join Samuel: like Prez, or famous star
gathered all sons to go w/ to meet Samuel the great prophet
well, not all of them: left youngest son David at home to take care of sheep
didn’t think would really matter: had seven other sons: David more like afterthought
Youngest children weren’t taken seriously in that culture: oldest got more than anyone
still see it today, though not as much
if youngest, like me, feel like always trying to catch up
“that’s so grade school/high school/college:” always at least one step behind
about 4 yrs old, family went to Montreal Expo, left me behind w/ aunt & uncle
probably was too young to enjoy, but felt left out: still don’t family forget it
how did it feel for David that day? maybe like Cinderella
whole town a-quiver w/ arrival of great prophet Sam
own family received special invitation to join him
but father turned to him & said, "sure to take good care of sheep while we're gone"
everyone else left to join excitement, while David stuck at home w/ the livestock
no fairy godmother
So Jesse (other) sons met w/ Samuel
looked each of them over to decide which one God had chosen to be king
Jesse started w/ oldest son Eliab
only natural: if God going to pick one of sons to be king, of course would be oldest
when Sam saw him, thought job was over: Eliab looked like king
Sam ready to make decision based on impressions & appearances
all that different from us? when meet someone for 1st time, don’t look past surface
dress & talk well? from good family? skin color? well educated? where from?
give some people benefit of doubt before even get to know
studies show good-looking people have advantage at job interviews, loans, etc
don’t give other people a chance, because of preconceived notions
when motorcycle broke down, who helped? people who looked like junkies
Sam & Jesse like rest of us: thought Eliab was the one
but God said “Nope. Not the man I want for a king. Try again."
Samuel starts to look like picky customer at shoe store, Jesse like frazzled clerk
tried all 7 sons, Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah, etc: none of them what God had in mind
finally, Samuel asked, "all your sons? any more to choose from?"
Jesse deep sigh, replies, "Well, there's my youngest son, but out working in pasture"
Sam "Well, send him in too. Let me see what he looks like!"
whole show came to screeching halt, while someone ran out to fetch little David
town leaders twiddled anxious thumbs, nervous father Jesse paced back and forth
great prophet Sam cooled heels, “can’t get started till last son gets here”
finally David wandered through door, Sam knew right away looking at next k of Israel
What do we learn? standards God uses for picking people different from ours
often, those no one else considers
does not base his decision on how much ability or talent you have
certainly not what look like
when God chooses someone, based on how willing to let God work through them
how willing are you to let God's power work through you?
power seen best when revealed through people who don't have power on own
when have abilities of our own, think we have accomplished it, not Lord
1 Cor: "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
does not choose strong and wise and powerful
chooses people willing to let his strength work through them
Good news for us, when feel like 8th son out w/ sheep
last to be picked for killball, left behind for vacation
good news: God has place for us: may be most important place of all
even when others reject you, God will accept & select
if like Eliab, good news that what makes us special not ability we have
if it was, would have to work overtime to stay on top
whether top or bottom of heap, what matters is willingness to have God in life
caution if like Sam and making choices: don't decide at outward appearances
consider instead the paths of the heart
God used Sam to anoint David as k of Isr: not just any king
greatest nation would ever have
God chose the forgotten and worked wonders: wants to do w/ you too
I Samuel 16:1-13
8/20/17
Had a rowdy gym class in HS: probably not like most schools
didn't spend much time strength training, or endurance, agility or flexibility
most of time played games: 3 favorites, added special touch to each.
1. hockey, on gym floor w/ sticks and puck: maybe should have worn helmets & pads
best friend Mark almost took out someone’s eye when hit him w/ flying puck
2. volleyball: broke more than one pair of glasses at wrong end of spike
3rd was favorite of all: wild version of dodgeball called bombardment
in our school better known as killball: think that tells you all you need to know about.
Never really enjoyed playing these bloodsports in gym class, but wasn't about game
hated the way the teams were chosen: 2 guys (jocks) take turns picking
almost never failed: last 2 people fat, slow kid named Dave,
and me, skinny kid wearing taped-up glasses.
Not telling you about my phys. ed. experiences to get you to pity me
remind you constantly choosing people, whether teams for killball, electing officials
some ways better than others, but each have drawbacks
national elections by private ballot: good but campaigns really expensive
4 yrs ago: $14,000 every day to run for Senate: who has that much money?
more down to earth: doubt any of us run for Senate
how do you decide whom to befriend, or lend hand to, take advice from?
well-dressed, but insensitive jerk? looks like mutant, but know can trust?
last week, reminded that nation struggles w/ people who reject & attack others
because of race or background
Bible passage tells us about time when God chose a person
learn not just how to choose people, but what makes God decide to choose us.
Situation: Israel recently got first king: a man named Saul
anointed by Samuel the prophet: God's spokesman at time
started out well as king, but before long, quit following Lord's guidance
soon, God regretted ever having made Saul king
told Samuel to go anoint new king: sent him to B’hem, where man named Jesse lived
had chosen one of his sons to be king
Samuel reluctant to do what God wanted: don't anoint new king while still have old one!
To put mildly, can cause problems: 1st king will accuse as traitor and try to kill you
new king probably lead rebellion against old king, many people killed in civil war
2 kings for one country causes general mess
but God can be very persuasive: convinced Sam against better judgment to go to B’hem
When arrived, city leaders of B’hem were shaking in sandals
didn't know why Sam showed up at their city gates, but didn't like it
like many today, didn’t trust gov’t: much better if nat’l leaders just left them alone
if Sam came to town, sure to mean trouble
but Sam could also be persuasive: convinced people of B’hem everything would be fine
only came to offer sacrifice to Lord
Once in town, invited Jesse & sons to join him for sacrifice: wanted to check them out
had to figure out which of Jesse’s sons God chose to be king
quite an honor for Jesse & family to be invited to join Samuel: like Prez, or famous star
gathered all sons to go w/ to meet Samuel the great prophet
well, not all of them: left youngest son David at home to take care of sheep
didn’t think would really matter: had seven other sons: David more like afterthought
Youngest children weren’t taken seriously in that culture: oldest got more than anyone
still see it today, though not as much
if youngest, like me, feel like always trying to catch up
“that’s so grade school/high school/college:” always at least one step behind
about 4 yrs old, family went to Montreal Expo, left me behind w/ aunt & uncle
probably was too young to enjoy, but felt left out: still don’t family forget it
how did it feel for David that day? maybe like Cinderella
whole town a-quiver w/ arrival of great prophet Sam
own family received special invitation to join him
but father turned to him & said, "sure to take good care of sheep while we're gone"
everyone else left to join excitement, while David stuck at home w/ the livestock
no fairy godmother
So Jesse (other) sons met w/ Samuel
looked each of them over to decide which one God had chosen to be king
Jesse started w/ oldest son Eliab
only natural: if God going to pick one of sons to be king, of course would be oldest
when Sam saw him, thought job was over: Eliab looked like king
Sam ready to make decision based on impressions & appearances
all that different from us? when meet someone for 1st time, don’t look past surface
dress & talk well? from good family? skin color? well educated? where from?
give some people benefit of doubt before even get to know
studies show good-looking people have advantage at job interviews, loans, etc
don’t give other people a chance, because of preconceived notions
when motorcycle broke down, who helped? people who looked like junkies
Sam & Jesse like rest of us: thought Eliab was the one
but God said “Nope. Not the man I want for a king. Try again."
Samuel starts to look like picky customer at shoe store, Jesse like frazzled clerk
tried all 7 sons, Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah, etc: none of them what God had in mind
finally, Samuel asked, "all your sons? any more to choose from?"
Jesse deep sigh, replies, "Well, there's my youngest son, but out working in pasture"
Sam "Well, send him in too. Let me see what he looks like!"
whole show came to screeching halt, while someone ran out to fetch little David
town leaders twiddled anxious thumbs, nervous father Jesse paced back and forth
great prophet Sam cooled heels, “can’t get started till last son gets here”
finally David wandered through door, Sam knew right away looking at next k of Israel
What do we learn? standards God uses for picking people different from ours
often, those no one else considers
does not base his decision on how much ability or talent you have
certainly not what look like
when God chooses someone, based on how willing to let God work through them
how willing are you to let God's power work through you?
power seen best when revealed through people who don't have power on own
when have abilities of our own, think we have accomplished it, not Lord
1 Cor: "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
does not choose strong and wise and powerful
chooses people willing to let his strength work through them
Good news for us, when feel like 8th son out w/ sheep
last to be picked for killball, left behind for vacation
good news: God has place for us: may be most important place of all
even when others reject you, God will accept & select
if like Eliab, good news that what makes us special not ability we have
if it was, would have to work overtime to stay on top
whether top or bottom of heap, what matters is willingness to have God in life
caution if like Sam and making choices: don't decide at outward appearances
consider instead the paths of the heart
God used Sam to anoint David as k of Isr: not just any king
greatest nation would ever have
God chose the forgotten and worked wonders: wants to do w/ you too
Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com
