The Tale of Two Kings What Legacy Will you Leave? Lesson 2

What Do You Look Like? The Tale of Two Kings Lesson 2 Do you ever look at yourself in the mirror and ask, “Who am I? How could God ever use me?” Many people dismiss the idea that God could ever use them because they think they are not good looking enough, powerful enough, strong enough, or have enough of the right connections. But God’s ways are not our ways and He sees us so differently than we might imagine. Let’s look at how the inward and outward lives of Kings Saul and David were different. Lesson 2

Looking good on the Outside Good Looks 1 Samuel 9:2 Good Family 1 Samuel 9:1-2 Good Looks  And he had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people. 1 Sam 9:2 (NASB77) Saul was one of the “best looking” young men around; he looked like what a king should look like—tall, handsome, and with impressive features. On the other hand, David was young, still considered a boy in the eyes of other. And he was “ruddy,” which means reddish in complexion, as was common in those who spent much time outside. These are not the qualities we would necessarily look for in a king, but God wasn’t looking at these things.   Good Family Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. 1 Sam 9:1 (NASB77) Saul’s father, Kish, was called a man of standing, meaning his family name was well known and respected. David’s father Jesse was the son of Obed, who was the son of Boaz and Ruth. Ruth was a Moabite woman, a foreigner, and foreigners were not considered people of standing because they were forbidden to enter the temple to worship the Lord. And the Moabites were considered enemies of the Israelites, but God overlooked those things. Lesson 2

Looking good on the Outside Good Friends Matthew 26:14-16 Good Position Matthew 23:27,28 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, 15 and said, "What are you willing to give me to deliver Him up to you?" And they weighed out to him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Him. Matt 26:14-16 (NASB77) Other things that people might look for in a leader or king is who his friends are. For example, Judas Iscariot was apparently a friend of Jesus, since Jesus chose him to be among His apostles. And though Judas followed Jesus everywhere for three years, he betrayed Jesus because his heart was not right with God. David, however, probably did not have a wealth of friends, since he was a shepherd and spent much of his time watching his father’s flock. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 "Even so you too outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matt 23:27-28 (NASB77) The Pharisees were among the most respected of God’s people and considered the most holy, but Jesus rebuked them by calling them hypocrites, tombs full of death, and wicked. Not exactly a compliment of respect. As mentioned before, David was a lowly shepherd, and being a shepherd was not considered something to be proud of. Because shepherds had to constantly watch the sheep, they often could not observe the Sabbath or be considered “clean” according to the Law, so they were looked down upon. Lesson 2

When the inside is what matters Purity 1 Samuel 16:7 Perserverance 2 Timothy 4:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Sam 16:7 (NASB77) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Tim 4:7-8 (NASB77) Lesson 2

When the inside is what matters Peaceful Trust Luke 1:45 "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord." Luke 1:45 (NASB77) Lesson 2

I Samuel 16:15 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Lesson 2

the lord looks at the heart Through out scripture the heart is referred to as the seat of the intellect the seat of emotion the seat of a person’s will   In both Hebrew and Greek, the heart is sometimes spoken of as the cognitive center and imaginative process. Lesson 2

Knowledge (Ecclesiastes 8:16) the lord looks at the heart Through out scripture the heart is referred to as the seat of the intellect. The mind, (Genesis 6:5) Knowledge (Ecclesiastes 8:16) Understanding (Job 12:3) Discernment (1 Kings 3:9) and Memory (Exodus 35:21)   The mind Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Gen 6:5 (NASB77) Knowledge When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the task which has been done on the earth…….Eccl 8:16 (NASB77) Understanding "But I have intelligence as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Job 12:3 (NASB77) Discernment So give Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people to discern between good and evil. 1 Kings 3:9 (NASB77) Memory And everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the Lord's contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments. Ex 35:21 (NASB77) Lesson 2

the lord looks at the heart  The heart is also sometimes referred to as the seat of emotion. The heart can be happy (Pro. 27:11) or sad (Nehemiah 2:2), troubled (John 12:27) or at peace (Colossians 3:15) It can sometimes be discouraged (Num. 32:7) or courageous (2 Samuel 17:10). Happy Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, That I may reply to him who reproaches me. Prov 27:11 (NASB77) Sad So the king said to me, "Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart." Neh 2:2 (NASB77) Troubled Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ' Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. John 12:27 (NASB77) At Peace And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, Col 3:15 (NASB77) Discouraged Now why are you discouraging the sons of Israel from crossing over into the land which the Lord has given them? Num 32:7 (NASB77) Courageous And even the one who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will completely lose heart; 2 Sam 17:10 (NASB77) Lesson 2

the lord looks at the heart  the seat of emotion (Continued) envious (Proverbs 23:17), or pure (Matthew 5:8), proud (Deuteronomy 8:14) passionate (Luke 24:32) or cold and indifferent (Revelation 2:4) Envious Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the Lord always. Prov 23:17 (NASB77) Pure  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matt 5:8 (NASB77) Proud then your heart becomes proud, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Deut 8:14 (NASB77) Passionate Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:32 (NASB77) Cold and Indifferent 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 'Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at Rev 2:4-5 (NASB77) Lesson 2

the lord looks at the heart  The heart is also the seat of a person’s will. Our heart can be stubborn (2 Chronicles 36:13) desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) or it can be broken and contrite (Psalm 51) The choices we make and the things we do are often determined by the condition of our heart. Stubborn But he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord God of Israel. 2 Chron 36:13 (NASB77) Wicked The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jer 17:9 (KJV) Broken Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 (NASB77) Lesson 2

the lord looks at the heart  Our heart is where decisions are often made. 1.Obedience or disobedience to God takes place here and the determination of our wills is set. 2. God’s grace can move upon our hearts and cause a stubborn disobedient heart to change (Ezekiel 36:24-28). 3. God alone can touch a person’s heart and change them (1 Samuel 10: 6, 10; 26).   Lesson 2