Victory Over Self

Welcome to this edition of PowerPoint with Jack Graham a little later in the program will tell you how you can get a copy of Dr. Graham's book man of God. The first hears the message victory over self. David one Millie grade victories. He was a champion in so many ways. The as a young man shepherd boy he killed the lion and the bear when he was a teenager he went up against the great giant of gas Goliath and he destroyed that giant as a warrior he thought Philistine armies of the enemies of God, and he defeated them but I believe in this chapter we see perhaps his greatest victory.

That's a big statement but it is probably an unknown incident in the life of David, and yet it reveals his heart, the heart of a champion. Perhaps like few others in his life because it describes his victory over self. If you want to be a champion for Christ. You must win this victory over self and David in refusing revenge and in seeking restoration with Saul demonstrates his victory over self. So let's look at the passage in first Samuel chapter 24 and let me to set this up for a moment. David has been anointed as king by Samuel profit.

Saul has been set aside. David has won the great victory over giant. He is killing for listings left and right now and he is become the champion of Israel and the people love David and Saul did like that this man who had huge ego is incensed and he makes David rather than his ally. He chooses to go after David as an adversary to take him out. Saul knows that David will one day be king unless he can take them out unless he can killing. So Saul, the king turned David into a fugitive that sorta brings us to chapter 24 when Saul returned verse one when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines. He was told. David is in the wilderness near in Gaddy so Saul took 3000 of Israel's choice. Maddie took the best of the best and went to look for David and his men in front of the rocks of the wild goats will place the rocks of the wild goats.

To me this was a place better fit for animals than men. Verse three when Saul came to the sheet pans along the road. I cave was there. The old King James says he went and covered his feet. The actual translation is, he went in to relieve himself, so David and his men were staying in the back of this cave so they said to him, they meeting the men of David look this is the day the Lord told you about this is what we've been waiting for David. I will hand your enemy over to you so that you can do what ever you desire David we got this sorry king now.

So here's what happened.

David got up and secretly cut off the corner of Saul's robe so you verse five and afterwards.

This is the heart of David David's conscience bothered him because he cut off the corner of Saul's robe. David's men say are saying go getting this is God's time.

This is God's will take this guy out. David simply goes over cuts off a piece of the robe of Saul and his conscience is bothering him. I'm eager to kill the and yet he has such a tender heart such a sensitive spirit towards God that he's upset with himself that he cut off just a corner of the Kings robe. He said to his men. In verse six I swear before the Lord. I would never do such a thing to my Lord, the Lord's anointed.

I will never lift my hand against him since he is the Lord's anointed with these words David persuaded his men and he did not let them rise up against Saul. I'm sure this was no small argument then Saul left the cave and went on his way. Verse eight. And after that David got up went out of the cave and call to Saul my lord the king when Saul looked at it, David Dow to the ground in homage our knowledge to stop right there and I want you to notice several things. First of all I want you see a great spiritual principle in this lesson. What motivated David, what could possibly motivate a man to do what he did, rather than kill the king. He honored the king it was because a great spiritual principle dominated David's life and if you want to be a champion for God.

If you want to do great things in your life for God. If you want God to exalt you and to use you, then this principle must absolutely must be active in your life, you say okay what is this great spiritual principle, it is the principle of authority in verses five and six.

As we read them. David expressed this principle when he said I will not touch the Lords anointed David that even though Saul was unwarranted. Even though Saul had this honored the kingdom even though Saul had been set aside as the king David knew that it wasn't his responsibility to react to Saul, but rather to respond in his heart with humility and devotion, and David.

Now listen to this. David refused to have a rebellious spirit against authority now you're in first Samuel 24. Just hold your place there less to see the New Testament side of this and go over to Romans chapter 13 verse one. Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, what that means. That means that anyone who is an authority to the police officer to the city official all the way to the president of the United States and everyone in between. If they are in a place of authority that they have been placed in that position of authority by God. So then verse to the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command and those who oppose it will bring judgment upon them so you cannot have the heart of a rebel and be a leader you cannot dishonor those in authority and disrespect those who are over you and expect to rise to succeed in life.

Not talking about civil disobedience that is correct and right stand for truth and righteousness and there times when, as Peter said in the book of acts we must obey God and not man. And if you ever put in this position where you must obey God choose to obey God and suffer the consequences. And you must be willing to do that but this goes to the heart of a man doesn't and it goes to this issue of self. Why did Saul lose the blessing of God on his life. Well first Samuel 15 tells us why Saul lost everything. Samuel said the Lord has great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as obeying the voice of the Lord. Behold is better to obey than sacrifice, and to heed the fat of rams and then he says for rib the alien is the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry, and then he said to Saul, this is the great prophet.

He said because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he is rejected you from being king.

What was Saul's great sin setting aside he disobeyed God he dishonor spiritual authority, though he was the king.

He was a big man over everybody he was still subject to the authority of God and Saul as a pattern in his life. In one last time. He finally rejected the authority of God in disobeyed God. Samuel said that is as witchcraft, and stubbornness, you might as well of committed idolatry and evil iniquity because buddy, you are through. Here's the difference between Saul and David. Why David was a champion and Saul was a chump. David was a man after God's own heart. Saul became a man after Satan's because Saul refused to be under no longer be over your listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham in his message victory over self faster this month with a special gift for listeners to give a gift to PowerPoint. It's your book man of God.

What can you tell us about this powerful resource you live a real passion to see men know and follow Jesus Christ as their Lord as their Savior and that if I were just speaking of men right now.

I would say the greatest thing you can do with your life is fully follow the Lord Jesus Christ said that it doesn't take much of a man to be a Christian but I tell you this. It takes all the man that there is you.

In other words you are to give yourself completely and totally to Christ. I some you guys your tomorrow your good your good husband family guy your good worker but goodness doesn't get us to have that doesn't make us a man of God. God's man. Jesus says that I want to encourage you to walk with God like never before. That's the reason I've written this book man of God I really want to have this book because it talks about how we as men can truly be men of God. And if that sounds overwhelming. I promise you is possible for you. You can be the man. The person that God wants you to be as you walk with him and the power of the Holy Spirit. So I've written man of God so that we can live life with purpose and passion in life and make a difference in the world today and get Dr. Graham's book man of God is our thank you for your call 1-800-795-4627 that's 1-800-795-4627 or text the word PowerPoint 259789 now is to back today's message victory over self so there was not only a great bull but we see here a a gentle plea and in there you here. You see, really, the gentleness of his heart see the humbleness of his heart. You see the gentleness of his heart when verse eight. After that David got up went out of the cave and called to Saul my lord the king when Saul looked behind him. David bowed to the ground in homage and David said to Saul, why do you listen to the words of people who say look, David intends to harm you. First of all, reminds Saul of the facts he said here listing the people who are telling you that David wants to kill you but David is out to get you the date. David wants to destroy you. Why do you listen to these people.

Okay. So much of conflict between people in relationship is brought about by third parties.

He said she said somebody said amount is that right every so often the problem we get that you got a broken relationship with somebody. Maybe you got a problem going on. I guarantee, in most instances is because you heard something that was said or somebody gave a report to you. You can check out the facts. You just got all bent out of shape and here is this here is this battle going on and it's because somebody said something was even true and select what David is saying David is say look it up you been listening to these people. The words the people say David intends to harm you.

Verse 10, you can see with your own eyes that the Lord handed you over to me today in the K and someone several someone's advised me to kill you, but I took pity on you and said I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the Lord's anointed. See my father. Look at his humility, causing my father rumored his relationship with Jonathan, the son of the king. Johnson was Saul's son and Dave is feeling a part of the family here sick father. Look at the corner of your role in my hand.

He holds it up. I cut it off, but I didn't kill you, look and recognize that there is no evil or written alien in me.

I haven't sinned against you even when you are hunting me down to take my life and that's what he said in verse 12 this great statement.

This is when he shows us his heart. May the Lord judge between you and me, and may the Lord take vengeance on you for me but my hand will never be against you. What a man so you have been a man you taken Saul out now. He was a man because he was a man of God, and he did it God's way, rather than his own way. That's what takes real courage is to obey God and not man.

He bowed before him, he respected him, he confronted them with the facts. He confirmed his his friendship, his love for him. Father and he promised him safety. He said I've never to raise my hand against I'm never going to strike and then he says something in verse 14 it I don't know if it was funny when David said it, but it's a little bit funny to me when I read it for access to Saul, he said, was the king of Israel, after what are you chasing after a dead dog to flee is saying saw you trying to kill a mosquito with a hammer here means that Saul's out there with his best of his best. He's got steadily after killing the really bad people.

The listings there out there.

3000 of the best man was Saul, the king of the nation.

He's out there chasing David a little shepherd boy was living like a wild goat in the desert come after that dog a fleet. The sincerity in the simplicity of David's heart has such a sweet, gentle spirit, and when Saul heard this he was stricken. He confesses instead.

Sammy starts crying. Look at verse 16 we David finish these things saying these things to him, Saul replied is that your voice David Maysan then Saul wept aloud and said to David, you are more righteous than I for you have done what is good to me even though I have done what is evil to you.

You yourself have told me today what good you did for me when the Lord handed me over to you. You didn't kill me when a man finds his enemy does he letting go unharmed. May the Lord repay you with good for what you've done for me today.

What is Romans 12 say overcome evil with what there is overcome evil with good. Verse 20. Now I know for certain, you will be king Saul knows he's finished.

He's been beaten by better man not being physically but spiritually. Verse 21. Therefore, swear to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendents or wipe out my name for my father's family. So David swore to Saul, the date Saul went back to his home and David and his men went up to the stronghold. Now you see later on that Saul never really repented.

He continues to go after David. Ultimately his life. It ends a defeated disaster. He takes his own life falls on his own sword is a man who might've been, but at least in this moment, he recognizes greatness when he sees it.

He cries these are somewhat crocodile tears and not tears of repentance.

He's crying and he's confessing still interested in themselves that David, whatever you do when you become king keep my keep my name alive. David SoCal do that. Remember when David lived later when he became king would say is there anybody in Saul's house that I can show mercy upon for the sake of Jonathan and they've the suggestion for the ship, the crippled boy, Jonathan.

They brought him in and and this was was Saul's grandson any putting that the king's table and setting a beautiful meal and he kept his promise. This wasn't just David saying that he would do something in not doing it. He kept his promise. Well, David would become king.

He did he was king because he had a kingly heart. He was a man because he was God's man. Now, let me disclose this by applying you probably have some conflicts going on in your life. You probably have some people who some things to you that business and in life.

Maybe in relationships and marriage.

You had some bad things happen. Some of you if you're not careful.

You're going to allow the bad things to become a better thing in your heart. I think one of the real problems that men deal with in particular is dealing with bitterness and you know what bitterness is. Bitterness is anger turned inward and a lot of bitter man today and there's nothing more unattractive and disappointing than a bitter man, and in particular a bitter old man. Sometimes men get beaten up their entire life in the end up in her own man because they've never learned to let God be God to turn those insults and those injuries over to him to let God be God. Let God judge between you and me, David sought reconciliation sought to restore the relationship.

He did everything he could he say what you do when when when you try to reconcile with someone or some some situation and they want they want let you date it doesn't happen. That's not your issue how somebody else reacts to you're doing the right thing is not your issue. You do the right thing whether the other party does the right thing or not. Go allow bitterness over something that happens something you disagree with something you don't like to destroy your life you like David read Psalm number seven. Most people think. Psalm number seven was written at this period of David's life. You read Psalm number seven. When you get a chance and ask God breathing and is a prayer and let it be your prayer and especially if you're facing conflict and and and you're dealing with injury are you're dealing with problems in your life if you want the heart of a champion. If you want the heart of David, then you pray and ask God to help you overcome rather than the person God turn on the line listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham in today's message victory over self. Today's culture has so distorted the concept of masculinity that some even rejected as toxic world doesn't need less manly men.

We need more men of God, men who love Jesus make a living.

Husbands and fathers and lead as servants we'd like to help you uncover what God says about true masculinity by sending you Dr. Graham's man of God yielding difficult insight into how you met in your life can live with purpose and passion in Christ first in living radically for him. Men of God is our thanks for your gift to help proclaim God's word to PowerPoint to request your copy when you call today: 800-7954 627-1800 795-4627 can also text PowerPoint to 59789 and don't forget to visit Jack Graham.org where you can shop our E store. Give a gift online or sign up for Dr. Graham's free daily email devotional our website again is Jack Graham.Margie Pastor what is your PowerPoint for today. David was contrite, incredibly powerful warrior and yet he was gentle in spirit. Saul, on the other hand, was a jealous, bitter king, a man who might've been, but never achieve greatness in his life and he of course was enraged over David's popularity and you know there's so many lessons for us here. Saul never had victory over himself. He couldn't see beyond his own agenda. He was so absorbed in his own petty little dilemmas are his own petty little kingdom, and like some politicians you may know, he was very insecure working overtime to jockey himself for the good will of the people. If you live today, he'd be the kind of leader to take a poll to find out what direction to go. Tragically, Saul took on every single battle as his own rather than turning those burdens over to God. Right around this time when David was being hotly pursued by Saul.

He wrote Psalm chapter 7 we read, you just a few lines from his journal of prayer and praise his great wisdom here. He was obviously talking about Saul when he wrote this he who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoop set out falls into the pit.

He is made, the trouble he causes recoils on himself. His violence comes down on his own head.

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high. So let me ask you something.

Are you more like David or Saul have you learned to have victory over yourself. Can you put your own agenda your own ego aside and relinquish all your battles to the real king, King Jesus, those of us who want to have the heart of a champion can afford to nurture bitterness.

You can have the heart of a rebel and truly be great if you're working overtime today fighting all your own battles. Remember what David is said is futile. You just digging a hole for yourself and my hope today is that you'll choose to have the heart of a champion by giving up yourself focused agenda and trusting Christ fully and completely, and then just stand back and watch what God can do with your life totally and that is today's PowerPoint. Remember when you give a gift PowerPoint will send you Dr. Graham's book man of God is our thanks. Call 1800-795-6271 800-795-4627. You can also text the word PowerPoint to 5978 and join us again next time. As Dr. Graham brings a message that how men of God can leave a legacy of faith in their families next next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint ministries