Indian Idol is one of the most popular prime-time shows on Indian television. The Sony Entertainment Television (
In 2005, Sony Entertainment Television (
Millions eagerly watch each season’s nationwide search process and await their opportunity to participate in the voting. The producers and judges sift through thousands of aspiring entertainers in audition sessions conducted around the country. It is an arduous process, and an extensive search.
As impressive as the scope of the Indian Idol talent search is, another ongoing search is both broader and more important. God Himself is constantly searching for a special kind of person.
2 Chronicles 16:9a (HCSB)
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to show
Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His.
God is actively seeking godly men and godly women, whose heart is completely devoted to Him, men after His own hearts.
a. God desires partnership with godly men/ women.
b. The world desperately needs godly men/women
c. The fellowship needs godly men/women
d. Our family needs godly men/women.
About 10 yrs before David was born, God said to Saul, through Samuel the prophet. - "But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."(1 Sam 13:14)
The word "seeking" often means desiring or wanting, not the actual act of seeking. For example, when I was single, people would often ask me, "What kind of girl are you looking for?" or "What kind of girl are you seeking?" Basically, they were asking, "What kind of girl do you desire?"
The “heart” is mentioned 743 times in the N.I.V. Bible, ‘Mind and thoughts’ are mentioned 198 times; ‘soul’ is mentioned 136 times; ‘strength’ is mentioned 180 times, ‘feelings’ are mentioned 4 times. The overwhelming is laid upon the heart.
The “heart” is the core of the human life. It is the command center, the ‘CEO’, the leader of all the other elements which make up the person. From our heart, we commit our will to some course of action or decide on some point of view. It is not emotions or thoughts, although they influence the heart. The heart is where we make decisions based upon our thoughts and emotions. The heart is also referred to as the human spirit, where we ‘sense’ things not perceived by our physical being. If a person were a ship, the heart is the captain with one hand upon the wheel and in the other, a guiding light for the way ahead.
What does it mean to be such a man after God’s heart, a man God seeks to find and bless?
J A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART POSSESSES THE VALUES AND PRIORITIES OFGOD.
We must be in tune with God’s heart. It is imperative that we share His values and His priorities. God demands that we share His values and priorities.
B Matthew
B Philippians 2:5 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus”
B Colossians 3: 2 “ Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth”
J A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART PURSUES THE CHARACTER OF GOD.
The goal of the disciple is to become Christ-like. A man after God’s own heart will be actively working to develop Christ-like character in his life.
F Romans 12:2 “ And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect”
F Ephesians 1:4 “ Just as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love”
What are the characters of God look like in a disciple’s life?
F The Beatitudes ( Matt 5:3-12)
F The fruit of the Spirit ( Gal
Illustration: If you set out to bake a delicious cake, you will locate the recipe and
place it in front of you. If you use the ingredients the recipe calls for, and follows
the instructions, you will end up with a delicious cake. But if you begin
substituting other ingredients that do not belong in a cake, you will end up with
an unappetizing result.
God has given us a recipe for a godly life, a life that is pleasing to Him. Are you seeking to cultivate a godly character that mirrors the character of God? Or are you substituting other ingredients in your life, things that do not belong in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ?
J A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART PRACTICES THE WILL OF GOD.
g The ultimate test of a godly life is obedience to God. Talk is cheap.
I Samuel
James
g God’s definition of a man after His own heart involves obedience”
Acts 13:22-23
"After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, 'I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY H
Are you willing to give absolute obedience to God? Is your desire to do the will of God in you life? A man after God’s own heart will be consumed with a passion for obeying the will of God.
CONCLUSION
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His.” (2 Chron. 16:9, HCSB) God is seeking men after His own heart. He longs to partner with men who possess His values and priorities, who pursue His character, and who practice His will. And He promises His help and blessings to those who are willing to do so.
Are you a man after God’s own heart? What is it that holds you back? Are there things of the flesh or the world that hold a valued place in your heart, rather than the things of God? Are there things in your character that have no place in a man of God? Are you afraid or unwilling to submit your life completely to God in obedience?
Lay aside those things that keep you from being completely devoted to God. Be the kind of man that God is searching for, a man after God’s own heart.
1. What is your reaction to God's call to be a man after his heart? Do you think this is even possible? Why or why not?
2. Can you identify any obstacles in your life that can get in the way of your being a man after God's heart?
3. . Do you believe that being a man after God's heart is more than just trying harder or doing good deeds? Why or why not? What is the difference between doing a good thing versus doing a Godly thing?
4. . In our daily lives, what are some steps we can take that will help us to choose Godly things over non-Godly things?
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