I Thought God Only Used the Famous Ones. I Was Wrong.

Sermon outline

God does not only use the famous; like David anointed while doing chores in his father's house, every believer is chosen, and becomes a person God uses by loving the Lord, being faithful, ignoring the cost, seizing the moment and trusting God's timing.

1. Key number one: love the Lord

   David was the youngest, the errand boy and the shepherd, so overlooked that he was not even in the line-up when Samuel came to Jesse's house. But he was faithful and dependable and, above all, he loved the Lord and used his harp to worship. When God has chosen you, it does not matter who is hiding you or what obscurity you live in. David did not even understand what his anointing meant; he simply kept loving God.

   Illustration: Samuel had to ask Jesse whether there was anybody else, and Jesse said there was the small boy out in the field with the sheep.

   “When God has chosen you, it doesn't matter who is trying to hide you, and it doesn't matter what sort of obscurity you're living under. God has your number.”

   • 1 Samuel 16:11-13

2. Key number two: be diligent, faithful and a good steward

   After his anointing David did not boast, demand respect or abandon his responsibilities; he went back to his duties. Many today drop their daily responsibilities to chase a prophecy, not understanding that God's timing is everything. Be dedicated, dependable, faithful and accountable wherever you are.

   “A faithful man will abound in the blessings of the Lord.”

   • Proverbs 28:20

3. Key number three: don't consider the cost

   Sent with food to his brothers, David heard Goliath mocking Israel and asked who this uncircumcised Philistine was. He saw a dead man, not a threat. You do not need to work for a church to be used by God; He may call you into business, a corporate company, government or science. What frustrates and irks you most may be the very thing God has called you to bring order to.

   “God may not call you into full-time ministry, but God has still called you.”

   • 1 Samuel 17:26

4. Key number four: seize your opportunity

   David accepted the king's challenge and did not let fear rule. Do not be consumed by what people say, by your insecurities or by your circumstances, only by what God says about you. David's confidence came not from Samuel's prophecy but from his victories over the lion and the bear.

   Illustration: If God could deliver the lion and the bear into his hand, surely He could deliver the giant.

   “Never let fear rule.”

   • 1 Samuel 17:34-37

5. Key number five: God's timing is everything

   David's stone was no freak shot; his whole life had prepared him for that moment without his knowing it. The lion and the bear were practice for Goliath, and herding sheep was practice for ruling Israel. If we go before our time we may get there but lack the character and wisdom to stay. Even after Goliath, David did not change: he served Saul faithfully though Saul threw spears at him. Do not let your gifting rule you; rule your gifting.

   “The fact that you're standing there and the fact that you are breathing and it didn't kill you, that means that it was a preparation time for right now.”

   • 1 Samuel 17:40-51
   • 1 Samuel 16:23
   • 1 Samuel 18:10-11
   • John 15:16

6. Where to start today

   Participate in the local church, whether a youth meeting, an outreach, a feeding scheme or a Zoom meeting, in spite of the pandemic. Spend time in the word to understand God's character and promises. Pray, because many try to serve the Lord without praying. Keep the right attitude and get to know the Holy Spirit. Your business or inheritance is tentmaking; your destiny in God is far greater.

   Illustration: David could have told the prophet that he had a family business and that one day all the sheep would be his, but he chose a destiny with God far bigger than himself.

   “Many people think that they can serve the Lord without praying.”

In this message