Scripture Reading: Psalms 51:10-19

My Condition of Heart (2)

(A people after God's own heart)

Intro.

1. Heart of man: Emotions, intellect, will, conscience; Seat of man’s inner life.

2. God knows our hearts (Lk. 16:15); Tries the heart (Jer. 17:10); Judges our ways (which come from our heart, Matt. 12:35).

3. We must examine & improve our hearts to examine & improve ourselves (Prov. 27:19); use God’s word to do this (Heb. 4:12).

4. Contrasting hearts: Saul & David.

a. Saul: After the people’s heart – 1 Sam. 8:19-20; 10:24 (the popular choice).

b. 1 Sam. 10:8 – Under commandment; 13:8-13 – Impatient & people frightened – Disobeyed (failed to trust the sovereignty & power of God). 1 Sam. 13:14 – God sought & found one after His own heart.

5. David: After God’s own heart – Acts 13:22.

a. David’s character when chosen by God – 1 Sam. 13:14.

b. David did some things that were not at all after God’s heart. He was not sinless; when he sinned, he repented without making excuses (cf. Saul).

c. David looked at things the way God does!

I. LIKE DAVID, WE CAN BECOME PEOPLE “AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART” – Acts 13:22; 1 Sam. 13:14.

A. A Responsive, Obedient Heart - Acts 13:22.

1. Saul failed to be this – 1 Sam. 13:13; 15:22-23.

a. Saul made excuses for his disobedience

b. Saul failed to grasp the meaning & importance of obedience.

2. David obeyed God’s will! (“…who will do all My will…”)

a. He inquired of God – 1 Sam. 23:2, 4; 2 Sam. 2:1; 5:19, 23, 25.

b. Like David, our obedience must come from a responsive heart – Rom. 6:17; cf. Matt. 7:24-25.

3. “What shall I do?” Inquire of God; His word answers – Jno. 6:68.

B. A Servant Heart – Psa. 89:20.

1. David was humble before God.

2. 2 Sam. 12 – When confronted with his sin, David immediately repented (took the blame; didn’t rationalize & make excuses; accepted consequences. God forgave him – 2 Sam. 12:13; Psa. 32:5 (cf. Psa. 6:1-4).

3. Lk. 18:13-14 – The humble in heart obtain mercy from God.

a. Lk. 17:10 – Humility of heart prompts willing obedience.

b. 1 Pet. 5:5-6 – Humility translates into serving each other (Matt. 25:40).

-(cf. Jesus the Servant – Matt. 20:28; Jno. 13:12-17; Gal. 5:13.)

C. A Loyal Heart.

1. David never committed idolatry or de­filed the worship of God.

2. Heart full of trusting confidence (faith) in God – 1 Sam. 17:37; 2 Sam. 22:1-4.

3. When he faltered, he knew what he had done & what he needed to do! Word of God provoked him to obey the will of God!

a. Moving the ark – 1 Chrn. 13:7-12; 15:2, 13.

b. Numbering people – 2 Sam. 24:10, 14, 24.

4. Good & honest (loyal & true to word of God) is fruitful – Lk. 8:15.

5. Loyalty to God is rewarded – 2 Chrn. 16:9; Matt. 10:22 (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

II. DAVID’S EXAMPLE GIVES US HOPE.

A. God Will Receive Us When We Have a Heart that Willingly Obeys Him, that Serves God & is Loyal to Him.

1. When you think of David, what comes to mind first:

a. Adulterer, murder, disobedient?

b. Faith, courage, servant, loyal, king, blessed by God? – Acts 7:46

2. David was forgiven. David’s heart enabled it to be so. (Psa. 51)

3. What about us?

Conclusion

1. 2 Sam. 22:21-28 – Reward for those after God’s own heart.

2. Jas. 4:7-10 – Heart that is purified by humility, reverent obedience to God, & genuine sorrow for sin: You will be lifted up.

3. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matt. 5:8

4. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Prov. 4:23