A People After God's Heart | Pr Alvin Keng

You're listening to a message to go from as church. We hope this message

will light up your day. Let's turn to First Semuel chapter sixteen, First

Semil chapter sixteen, and we're gonna do a little bit of a study on

the life of Saul in the life of David. Because if you study the

Bible, Okay, I know all of you do, all of you here

are Bible scholars. Okay, when you study the Bible, you will notice

that there's only one person in the Bible that God actually said, this is

a man after my own heart, and that is David. And it's good

to learn from David, you know, because he is a man after God's

own heart at the same time where he is not perfect. Right, We're

gonna read a little bit. Okay, let me read First Semuel chapter sixteen.

But you know, even before we go there, let me guess established

somethings with you. So God wants to establish a kingdom. That that is

a biblical truth. That's a foundational truth. That need to understand. God

wants to establish a kingdom and he wants subjects. That's why he created the

earth. He wanted people there will you know, be his subjects in his

kingdom, right, that's why we used the term kingdom minded lah kingdom these

kingdom, that is God's kingdom and understanding of God's kingdom. Right, And

who are subjects? Blah okay, those that call him king, those that

call him the king of kings, we are his subjects. And he you

know, he needed an example. So if you if you read the history

of the Bible, there are many many people he can choose. They are

the Egyptians, they are the China, there are so many different big empires.

Why he chose the Israelites? Have you all thought about why the Israelites

was an insignificant group of people? They were they were, they were,

they were like how to saya the least of the least among all the different

peoples. They are there, right, But He chose them for a reason.

Right, And if you studied the Old Testament, you are how or

you learn how God's relationship is with them. And they are difficult people.

Know, they're not easy enough, right. You look at their experience in

the wilderness, You look their experience constantly God is like, hey, I

really tell them, really, and then they don't listen, and then they

complain, and then they complain, and then they complain. They complain all

the time. Okay, how many of you are like that? Don't lift

up your hands. He chose them for what to be an example, to

display his love and power and his character as a god. If you study

the Bible, it's all about God's character. Okay, It's all about God

trying to tell us who he is, how he works, what is important

to him. That is what we know about the Bible. He brought them

to the Promised Land, and they recided that. That's what happened, right

finish, the wilderness went to the Promised Land, and then they stayed there

and then hey they live hapyway. Ever after, not so easy a life.

Okay, they started looking at other nations. So that's what happened.

Okay, so their rights resigning on a planet in that land, and you

think about it. God was with the people there, and of course there

were other things happening around them. Now, you know, the Egyptians was

one kingdom. Then they have another kingdom. Then they look at not what

they did the Amala Kites law and all the different Kites or all the Evenians.

Okay, they have different kingdoms. You know, they organized themselves.

They got the king, they got structure, they got economy. You know

how many who play a civilization, the game civilization, and I played at

those games, and and and and the people start building. But the Israelites

say, the Israelites just follow what God say. So what happened? They

had judges law because they're to sort out different issues, right, not perfect?

Right? How many of you know that if you're a leader or a

big organization, you have a lot of headache. And most of the headaches

people problems. Correct. Okay, those that say yes understand, um.

So they started so happened when they were at the Promised Land. They started

looking at other nations, they started seeing other people. They started, wow,

this world is also happening. Uh that the feller also all their family.

So how many of you know that that's human nature. We like to

compare right now? Even more also, no, not even easier to compare.

You just look at social media and you compare, compare, you compare,

and and and God really knew that that that's not good because he said

in his ten commandments, do not covert, do not envy, don't compare.

But we are humans, we do it. And that's what happened.

They didn't. What did they do? Okay? They they they wanted what

the other nations had because they noticed that they were more organized. They are

the army. They look more happening. They wear nicer armor. I don't

know that. Okay, how many you can relate to that? Don't eat

up your hands, you know, go a nicer vacation, you know,

not stuck on Sunday in church. Can do other things right, not not

have to go for you know, all the Christian events, can do whatever

they want, can enjoy what. Okay, let me let me not go

there. Okay, I scare I'm touching to two sensitive things. First,

semit It was forward? Does it say? First? Semit It? And

of course God to lead the people. God always have a profit, someone

that will speak on his behalf right, someone that is set apart, someone

that you know, who knows God, you know, so he can communicate

with the people. He had Moses. Now he had Samuel in the time

of judges, right, and and and and this is what happened. Right,

Israel started demanding a king because they say it, let me see your

one Samuel it for what did they say? Then? All the elders of

Israel gathered together and came to Samuel and Rama wall all gathering. Hey,

let's all gather together. Let's all have a meeting. Come, let's talk

to Samuel. Right, and what did they say? Okay, and say

to him, look you're old. Come, come, guys, let's go

talk to the pastor. I think it's time we tell him. You know

what we should do, because now it's more relevant. Don't worry, nobody

has done it to me. So you guys are fine. Look at all

and your sons do no wrong in your ways? Oh my goodness, whack

the prophet, whack the family. Then what do you say? Now?

Make us a king to judge us like all the nations. He not a

bad idea, right, look like other people. Now make us a king.

Remember the first time said God wanted her kingdom? So who is actually

their king? God? They wanted to make a man. They are king

because of what they see other nations are doing. Friends, I don't know

why you're catching something here. Who is supposed to be the king God?

But they wanted someone else to be the king? And Rod because it looks

more happening, that place looks more happening. That blank looks more happening while

they're having such a good time, while they're singing happening songs, not all

the boring. I can sing of your love Forever cf. Malasia songs.

Whoa, whoa Am I hitting a nail? Oh? It looks so,

it looks so nice. What was the plan, guys? What's the plan?

People got distracted right doing thing they got I think they got distracted.

And what happened? What did God respond? Okay seven eight, nineteen twenty.

He say, it says here and you will cry out in the day

because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourself, that the Lord

will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless, the people refuse to obey

the voice as sigment, and they said no, but we will have a

king over us. So what happened? Their eyes were fixated on what other

people were doing. That's why they were more interested in that. That was

what they were more motivated with. They were looking at other people. They

were looking or what it's more happening out there? Right? So God wasn't

happy now, of course, I mean Samuel was not happy at first,

but God was also not happy because it's like, hey, I brought you

out of Egypt. You're supposed to be my people. Now you're asked for

someone so they can look like another person. That's not my plan. But

okay, and this is the thing, you know, that's that's why.

Um. We also gotta be careful what we asked for sometimes because because God

actually answered them, he wasn't happy with the request, but he gave them

what they asked for. He actually gave them what they asked for or not,

and he did it right way. So Saul was their first king.

Before the it was judges, and then Saul was their first king. So

he even warned them. Samuel warned them first eight verse seven. Let's let's

read that. I guess, okay, catching something, And the Lord said

to Samuel, hit the voice of the people in all that they say right

to you, for they have not rejected you, Samuel. Don't worry.

They say, oh, they say your sons cannot juddy, don't worry.

They're not rejecting you. They're rejecting me. That I should reign over them.

That was God's intention. He wanted to reign over them. But now

they want to put someone else in charge. They want to put someone else

in charge because or what they saw other people are doing. That looks more

happening. No, don't got in charge. Someone else to be in charge.

Someone else would take over. And and and if you read following the

verses, they actually want. This is a guy. He's going to mess

up because who is fallible and who is infallible. God is infallible, but

man is fallible. We make mistakes, guys. I make mistake. Right.

I might have come in this morning and not shake your hand, and

you might be like, oh, past head, so sorry. If I

have not right, I might have him saying something wrong here and you you

feel personally offended. Guys, Sorry, I don't know you specifically enough to

choose a message show that I can hunt them you. No, no,

please understand this. This is the word of God and I'm just sharing to

whoever you know. And if you feel it, you feel it. It's

the Holy Spirit. I know, so free you No, guys, I'm

not so free to find out you know sometimes we feel like that. You

know why I say these guys? I used to be like that. You're

a lot of buster. Definitely here from my Huther leader. That's why he's

saying this or the outlet is the God's laughter. Okay, we're not so

free. We don't have this acount of time. Um to to just pick

something and choose a message, show that we can like, oh yeah,

you listener, guys who are not so free, I hope you catch something.

So what happened Saw was their first king. He was a man who

wasn't perfect, and he made some mistakes, but you know, he had

a problem. His problem worse, he tried to cover up and he even

came up with excuse him when he was confronted. If you study Sauls life,

you know, uh said he wanted to you know, before they go

to war, right, they will offer up sacrifices to the lord to check

first, Hey, Lord, can we win or not? If we win,

we will go for it. We won't win them, we will probably

another day. That's what they do. And normally the people that can only

offer sacrifices was the prophet Samuel, and there were specific instructions, I will

come, I will come and help offer sacrifice. Saul, don't do anything.

Wait their chill their first but Saul chung chung chung gunchung. Then he

offered himself sacrifice because he's seen it done many times, and then Samuel right,

whore, like what are you doing? You shouldn't be doing this?

And then what they saw respond He didn't even say sia straight away. The

excusers come, oh, you know, you know you were late, Samuel,

you were late. That's what happened. You know, all excusers never

admit there wrong, that we was Sauld. Unfortunately, So what happened.

God regretted making Saul king and he chose someone else. And the stage is

set for David. So now let's read David. Oh my goodness, at

Rebel of Time. Okay, Now the lords say to Samuel, how long

will you mourn for Saul? Seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel?

Fill your horn with all and go. I am sending you to Jesse

the battle of Mine, for I provided myself a king among his sons.

And Samuel said, how can I go? If Saul here's it? He

will kill me? Say, is still king? Our guys, imagine what

what happened? You'll like to watch those like Game of Trolling and stuff the

Rings, all those like you know, but God is God, say,

don't Marrie, there's an important day going to happen. You come and you

bring and you invite them so they can offer sacrifice. But we're not gonna

say it's anointing you king, Okay, Samuel Scatla like, oh, man,

I anointed this king, and then you ask me to do this.

I have to follow you. But then this world's gonna kill me knowing that

I'm going to anoint another king. Right, So then invite Jesse to sacrifice,

and I will show you what you shall do. You shall annoy it

from me the one and I named to you. So Samuel did what the

Lord said and went to Bethleham. Elders of the town trembled at his coming

and said, do you come peaceably? And he said, peaceably, I've

come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify yourselves. Come with me to the

sacrifice. And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and vetted them to the sacrifice.

So he worked. When they came that, he looked to Eliot and

say, surely the Lord annointed his years. So then what happened? Okay,

go on to annoint another person. So Jesse had sons, so one

by one elder son, second son, and I must give you this context,

okay. But before that let's rewind a little bit now. Forst.

Samuel thirteen thirteen four says, and Samuel said to Saul, you have done

foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God. We

she commanded you for now the Lord, who have established your kingdom over Israel

forever. Do you know that if Saul sort of like admitted to his mistakes

and still following God, God will still have established its ing them. But

because Saul, because if we compare Saul's life and David's life, not much

difference. Nor both of us are got mistakes in feta. David quite bad.

No, David, he one day didn't go to war. Okay,

sorry, I'm paraphrasing a lot of things. He's from Bible. Okay,

just it's just the way I'm speaking, So going real Bible to clarify.

He went to a war. He didn't go to war. He was hanging

out on the roof and then he saw what what do you see? He

see a nickel ooman bidding, oh my goodness, King David, why you

do this guy thing? And she looked good. And then one thing led

to another and then oh no, okay, I know they are younger people

here, So I am sensoring a lot of things by anyway. And then

what happened after that? To cover aba he sent the husband, No,

he sent the husband to go and die. You know, oh my good

nurse. Okay, King is this? This was the Saul. But David

repented. David. We got to understand. We got to understand why Lord

still called David a man after his own heart even though he messed up so

badly. And what was David's response to God? And we also have to

understand why I saw, although he didn't message badly as David, if we

were to compare, at least Sin cannot compare her, but we were to

compare human way of looking at it, the response that Saul had instead of

David. David always repented. And to me, when I read this,

it is a comfort to me knowing that I don't have to be perfect.

But when I make a mistake, I need to say, Lord, forgive

me, Lord forgive me. Don't cover up, cover up, cover up.

Okay, I'm discovered, I repair. I'm sorry. Lord, I'm

just human. Thank you for your forgiveness. Punished Mila, That's what happened.

David's firstborn son, with Bethsheba died, but out of a test became

a testimony because the next son that came out Bathsheba because of David's honor to

the Lord, became Solomon, and God built his temple with Solomon. The

significance of things, Guys, how do we approach God as a people after

God's own heart? Are we a people after God's own heart? So God

orchestrate a significant moment to annoy a new king. Samuel obeyed, Okay,

a party was organized, but the chosen person wasn't there, right, David,

it was not there for the party. Samuel say, invite all your

sons, thinking that all of them are there, and then God say no,

no, no, no no, And then SAMs like, huh,

God, you asked me to invite him, and they hear to ask Jessea

just wonderinger, is there anyone left? And then He's like, oh,

that's one more I didn't invite to this party? Why uh? Why do

you think that the father didn't invite the youngest son. Could it be that

the father thought I a younger son, not as good or I don't know,

maybe he was looked down. Maybe he had to take care of sheep,

so not as important. The other sons more important. They were soldiers

of war, they were you know, this event is good. But then

David was just the king of Sheepmah, young people, the Bible said,

do not despise your youth. Don't despise your youth. You may be quiet,

you may be timid, but God sees you as how. God said

David. He was the youngest, He took care of sheep. His brothers

probably looked down on him. If you study King David after that, when

he was a goliath, they all laugh at David. You're crazier, you

know. And David was that it was at the front of all doing what

he was the grab driver, deliver food to the brothers, while the brothers

doing more important things. And you're all scared. You know, I've got

this line I wrote here. When God has a plan for you, he

won't miss you. You know that. Are you in a place where you

feel like you're being missed? Oh? You know, my time has passed.

Oh you know I'm already let the young people. You know, all

these all these words we tell ourselves. Do you know that God is not

done with any of you here? He's not done. No, you are

done, but God is not done. He has a plan for you.

He does. You think you're done, but God's not done with you.

He's just getting started. However, all you are, have a young you.

It doesn't matter however insignificant are. David was perceived by men as insignificant.

What does it say? First Samuel sixteen? But the Lord said to

Samuel, do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I've

refused him war for the Lord. That's don't see as man sees. For

man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the Hahn.

God looks at your heart. That's what God sees. So stop looking like

the Joneses. Stop chasing stuff in the outward appearance. Stop thinking that your

facial features, your social media content will define you, because it is a

black hole that will suck your life into it. You know who defines you

and who will give you peace, Jesus. That is the truth, and

the truth will said you free. So don't believe in the lies of the

devil. Don't believe in the lies you hear from the world today. Only

God's truth can set you free. Guys, you don't need all these other

things. That is the truth. So you gotta believe in the truth.

If not, it is going to be a very difficult road for you.

Who is David, Let's go into that a little bit. I know,

I knew stop very soon David knew who his God was? Do you know

that? Why King David? Why was David called the man after God's own?

Had he knew who was? Who was God? And he experienced God

in his life right first seven seventeen thirty four to thirty seven. God actually

gave him the strength to defeat the band the lion. That's why he said,

you know, let's go there. He was talking. Vidn't what they

say? Let me see u thy four thirty seven? Okay, David said

to Saul, your seven used to keep his father's cheap. And when a

lion or bed came out and took a lamb out of the flock, I

went out after it and struck it and delivered the lamb from his mouth.

And when he rose against me, I caught it by his beard and struck

it and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear. And

this uncircumcised war unsignala Sistine will be like one of them, seeing he has

defied the armies of the wing God. Why was David so so confident the

Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the

bear, he will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine. In our

mind we think that David pump iron and do CrossFit, that's why he can

fight lion and bear. But in David's mind, God is the one that

delivered him. That's why he was confident. He didn't just willy nilly go

and chase after lion and bear. He knew his role. He knew he's

God and then one. That's what made him different. He was very confident

of what God could do. Why do I say that if we follow first

Samuel, chapter seventeen, verse forty five to forty seven, say, then

David said to the Philistine. Can remember David is just a young boy.

He's looking a giant and he's saying this. You come with me with the

sword, with a spear and made a javelin. But I come to you

in the name a lot of hosts, the God of armies of Israel,

whom you have defied this day, The Lord will deliver you into my hand.

I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day

I will give the caucuses of the camera of the Philispines to the bust of

the end, the wild beasts of the earth, and that all the earth

may know that there is a god in Israel. Then all this assembly shall

know that the lord that's not safe with the sword and the sphere for the

better is the lords, and he will give you into it. Well,

I tell you, this guy has gods. This guy knew who his god

was. This guy was standing in front of a giant. How many of

you feel like you're standing from giants when you're facing your boss, when you're

facing an impossible situation, when you're facing a financial situation. There's like a

giant and you know, confirm Thaiwan. If you look at David and Golia

confirmed Taiwan, Asians will say that David confirmed Taiwan. This is a giant.

He goes short. Who is David a small guy? You know?

But why is David so confident? Have you all thought about it? I

think it's because he spent a lot of time ago. I think is because

of all the time that he would take of ship. Right, God speak

to him. I think, I don't you know, we like to watch

those movies right where Sunny the like Super Mario. You know you touched the

start and then Superpower and then I don't think it happened that way because that's

not real life. Is real life? Right? There has to be something

that happened before that. They prepared David for this moment. He knew who

he's got worse. He spent a lot of time with God. He's a

worshiper. If you read a book of Psalms, one hundred and fifty Psalms,

inside about half David wrote, he wrote half of Psalms. No,

he wasn't perfect. He made his fashi I mentioned just now. But how

did he respond? That made him different? And God honored David X the

teen twenty two twenty three says, and when he had removed him, he

raised up for them David as king, to whom he also gave testimony,

and said, God is the one that gave testimony. Daby didn't call himself,

I'm a man after God's heart. God is to say, this is

a man after my own heart. That's what God said about David. I

have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart who

will do all my will? Don't you think David had a part to play

in being faithful to the Lord to give God that confidence that this guy.

I know, this guy will do all that I need him do, because

his track record has shown me that that is what God sees in David.

David was a big deal to God. Even Jesus came from his lineage from

this man's seat. According to the promise, God raised up for Israel a

savior, which is Jesus from David's lineage. Well, that's a big deal,

man. He must have done something right seriously for God to honor him

and to raise up Jesus from his lineage. So, friends, even as

I come to a close, a lot has been said, a lot more

to say. Okay, but I will close. Don't worry. I've got

five points to share with you. I'm asking myself, Lord, I'm sure

we can learn something about King David. What does it mean to be a

people after God's own heart? Then when God sees you and say, Jessica,

this is someone after my own heart. Whatever I need her to do,

she will do. Yes. It might not be easy, Yes,

she might fail. Yes, she might go through difficult time, But I

am confident. God is confided, not be you know, God is confident

now that she will follow his will. What do we need? Well from

the Bible read he is looking for people after his own heart. Second Chronicle

sixteen nine says for the eyes of the Lord run through and throw throughout the

whole to show himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to him.

God is searching for people. He's not sitting there waiting for people.

No, He's searching. Hey, who are who who will be loyal to

me? Not the world? Who will be loyal in the way they conduct

themselves? Who will be loyal to the Lord? Who? Who I am

searching? And what is he looking for? He's looking for true worshippers,

not the outward their appearance, but the insight true worshippers. But the hour

is coming, and now is when the true worshippers will worship the Father in

spirit and in truth. For the Father is seeking such to worship him.

That is what God is looking for. Friends, a true worshipper, no

strings attached. Lord. I'm just here because I want to worship you.

I'm not here because I want to look good. I'm not here because I've

a role to play. I'm just here because I want to worship God.

I'm here on a Sunday because I just want to worship God, a true

worshipper. And it's not about how well the drama plays or how well the

This song a boring song, not my jam. So I cannot worship God.

Wow, be very way careful if we think that way, you know.

So it is the song and the atmosphere that defines whether we can worship

God. Or is it our heart? Are we worshiping God truly? Or

it has to be perfect before we can worship God. Is it the outward

appearance verst or is it in then insight? This is something I learned we're

young. It doesn't matter where I am at, And I've learned this from

other people, you know, callt date from them as I grew up as

a believer. It doesn't matter how good the song is or how in tune

the worshipper is. I will see a worship God with all my heart.

It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. Of course he helps her, but

it doesn't matter because God deserves my worship. I got most stuff to share,

but I got no time. Okay. God is looking for people who

would follow his word. In Commandments Joshua Wan, it says the Book of

the Law shall not depart your mouth. You shall meditate on it day and

night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in

it. For then you will make your way prosperous and you will have good

success. Guys, friends, you want to be successful in life, meditate

on God's word day and night. What does that mean? No, God's

word, then you will follow. I was just having a conversation yesterday,

okay, a real quick, real quick example. We were just having a

conversation with someone I don't want to share hula, know, over dinner,

and we were talking and and and this person are you're going to go and

study master is going to go somewhere. And I was telling me about the

costs. You know, this is a positive behavioral costs, you know,

positive something cost la you know, and and and the person told me it

is to say, you know, now there's this trend right in psychology that

that wants to adopt methods that is positive. And then the person made this

statement, which I'm hey, actually some of the stuff you know in a

say say that sounds the stuff they're using a sounds like they're taking from the

Bible and sounds like I look at a person I said, actually, I

think they did probably take him on the Bible. You know why because the

study of science and psychology is the observation of life. But who was the

one that create a life? God? So don't you think true this?

He has given us all the secrets ready. But because the perception we have

of Bible and Christianity is religion, spirituality, basticism, then we think it's

mumbo jumbo and magic. It's not magic. Guys, follow God's word and

you will be blessed. Do you catch that or not? We have the

secret in oh, no need to listen to another person who got studied for

ten years PhD observation. And then after we say, oh, now the

Bible is correct because I trust in these men. Don't we sound like the

Israelites? Can we be a people after God's own heart? He's looking for

people who will follow his commandments. God wants us to us to trust in

him and rely on him. That's what he wants us to do. Problems

three, five to six says, trust in a lot with all your heart,

and lean not on your illness, and in all your ways acknowledge him

and he shall direct your path. There's so much truth in the world,

so much truth, so much truth. And finally, in our endy this

God wants us to follow in his will so that we can prosper and have

good success. And again, friends, it's not just about us prospering.

There is a purpose to why we do this, so that more people will

be saved, more people will see the truth, more people will experience freedom

in their lives. Met you six day three says but Sicky first, the

Kingdom of God and is right, justness, and all these things shall be

added to you. But friends, I will just ask us this question as

we do life in church in our lives are can we consider this one thing

or actually got what's on your heart? What's on your heart? Lord?

Can you please reveal to me before we even come and say, Lord,

I need abcd FG Lord, what's on your heart? Because at the end

of the day, right we are on his heart. Now. He wants

to see us succeed, He wants to see us grow, He wants to

see us experience abundant life. That's the promises that the Bible has. But

we are the one that choose at the end of the day. That's why,

ultimately right we have a choice. There is a choice that we have

to whether we want to align to the Lord or whether we want to believe

anything any other thing. And I will He's searching for people who would follow

after his will wholeheartedly. And I will challenge you in this thought. The

only way to know whether everything I say is correct or wrong, or whether

or not this makes sense is to try it. That's the only way.

There's no other way to know it. You don't try this, you will

know. Listening to someone else's testimony is encouraging, but nothing beats you experiencing

it yourself. So the only way to fully maximize and experience God is to

come to this place to say, Lord, what is on your heart?

Can I be like a David, be a person after your own heart,

Be a man after your heart, a woman after a heart. Can I

come to this place to say, Lord, take over you reveal because you

have it all in your hands. Let him take over and see him more.

I am convinced because I've experienced it. I've experienced it personally, many

many times, that when we own a lot and we seek Him, we

will be blessed, we will be set free, we will experience you know

something, Try says, though I walk through the value of the shadow of

death. Though I walk through even in times where it's tough, even in

times where you feel alone, even in times where you feel like giving up,

you can go through it because God is there. Amen. We hope

you've been blessed by this message. For more information on our church, please

visit x church Org. We are also active on Facebook and Instagram. We're

believing that this week is going to be a good week, a hit for

you. God bless