IS THERE NOT A CAUSE? (1 Samuel 17:26-30)

Cause - a thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition. It can also be defined as a principle, aim, or movement to which one is committed and which one is prepared to defend or advocate. It is sometimes used synonymously with: root, origin, purpose, etc…

The God-sent deliverer of Israel came in to the battle ground unannounced and unnoticed. He quietly looked around, till he found his brothers. While he was talking with his brothers, the giant came to brag as usual (1 Samuel 17:20-23).
You don’t have to announce yourself, your God-given purpose will announce you to the world.

While David was discussing with people, Eliab his eldest brother tried to ‘belittle’ him (1 Samuel 17:28).

Eliab simply means ‘God is my Father’, but in reality, this man had been rejected by the Lord. He still carried the flag of ‘son-ship’, he was still good-looking, well-dressed, probably Jesse’s pride, well-built, broad-chested and enlisted into the army of Saul….in spite of all these, He lacked divine approval.

Beware of Eliabs! They are everywhere, in the church, in the marketplace…
They have a form of godliness, but deny the power in it. Turn away from such people (2 Timothy 3:5).
Most of them are fire extinguishers. They have been strategically positioned by the devil to quench the Spirit-induced fire in your life.
They are intimidated by your presence. They envy the grace of God upon your life. They feel they are better than you, they believe they possess more qualities than you do…but it’s not by might nor by power…(Zech. 4:6; 1 Cor. 1:26-29).
Don’t even try to engage them in a fight, simply move on quietly!

David asked Eliab the question, ‘Is there not a cause?’

David understood God’s agenda for his life, he came to the battle ground at the right time. Because he was a man of purpose, he was always at the right place at the right time! Are you always at the right place at the right time? Are you too fast for God or too slow for God?
If David’s visit to the battle ground hadn’t been divinely orchestrated, nothing fruitful would have come out of it.
His father, Jesse sent him there for a purpose, but his heavenly Father, God sent him there for a greater purpose. He knew that the destiny of the whole nation was hanging upon his neck.

Without mincing words, kingdom vessels (i.e. men to whom God will entrust power and authority to represent Him in their generation) are raised up by God Himself (Acts 13:22).
He raised up David as king, He sent Joseph ahead of the Israelites (Psalm 105:17), He revealed His ways to Moses (Psalm 103:7)…
Are you one of such people that God is raising?

Only those who are willing to submit to ‘the divine process’ get to know the ways of God.

The Lord God is still asking us the same question today, ‘Is there not a cause?’
What cause are you living for? Are you concerned about the Father’s business? Are you bothered about the souls that are perishing? Are you interested in the expansion of God’s kingdom?
Yes, you recite the quote off-hand ‘He must increase while I decrease’. Do you actually seek the advancement of God’s kingdom at your own expense?
Has your so-called ‘service’ to God ever cost you anything?

Are you fulfilling God’s purpose for your existence?
What most of us do is to number our years, but we fail to number our days (Psalm 90:12).

People of God, please let’s note that success in terms of material acquisition, business progress, financial autonomy or career excellence does not necessary connote that one is fulfilling purpose.
It is possible for one to have been rejected by the LORD, and still be enjoying all these things…(Genesis 4:16-17).

There is a course/cause for which God has kept you alive today! You have a mandate to fulfil. God has sent you here for a purpose, not just to work, make money, retire and die. There is a reason why this message is coming out to you at this point in time. So many destinies are hanging on our necks, waiting to be fulfilled!


May the Lord grant us the grace to be spiritually sensitive, that we may fulfil God’s purpose for our lives.

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

        Resident  Pastor

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DAVID – A MAN OF DESTINY (1 Samuel 16:1-13)

David was a shepherd boy whom God took from the sheepfold, to dwell in the palace. This man was called by God, ordained for greatness, even when no one was mindful of him. David eventually became a man dear to God’s heart.

The first time the name of David was mentioned in the Bible was in Ruth 4:17.

Another occurrence of David in the Bible, prior to the time he was anointed, was in 1 Samuel 13:13-14 (even though his name was not mentioned here).

The Lord also made reference to David in 1 Samuel 15:27-29.

Samuel hadn’t met David before the anointing service, but the Lord had given him (Samuel) a prior notice of the man he was preparing for kingship.

Speaking about Saul in Hosea 13:11, the Lord said ‘I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath’.

Also in Acts 13:21-22, the Bible confirmed that the Israelites asked for a king, and He gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin who reigned for forty years.
God later on removed Saul and He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will’.

Let’s examine the life of David in 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and draw out some important lessons:

1. God knew you before you were formed. He already established His plans and purposes for your life, even before you were conceived. He had perfected His work in you before now, He had pre-ordained you ahead of time.
He said to Samuel ‘…For I have provided Myself a king among his sons’
1 Samuel 16:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Romans 8:28-30

2. Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. People and even men of God sometimes fail to see from God’s perspective.
Are you a surface Christian or a person of depth? Men of depth are grounded, they are firmed rooted in Christ the Rock! They are Spirit-filled and Word-oriented…
Even the best of prophets could get carried away with the outward appearance of men of surface, they possess great enticing skills… (e.g. good looks, eloquence, display of affluence, etc). Dig deep! Be a person of depth. Seek not after temporary things alone…
1 Samuel 16:5-10
Names of David’s brothers were listed in 1Chronicles 2:13-14

3. When you carry the grace of God for generational impact, people will look down upon you, even your folks will despise you. Joseph’s brothers hated and envied him. Jephthah’s brothers ostracized him. David’s folks looked down on him. Jesus’ brothers doubted Him. 
NOTE: It’s part of the process that God is taking you through.
Moreover, you don’t need the approval of men to make a full proof of your ministry, God is all you need.
David was relegated to the background, left to cater for the sheep in the wilderness. But, he found God! Stay alone with God, don’t be in a hurry to launch out, stay in the place of your calling, and you will find Him…
Make a full proof of your ministry (2 Tim. 4:5).
Let no one despise your youth (1 Tim. 4:12).

4. Take your place. Where you are might not be the desired place, but hold on to it, while you trust God to fulfil His promises. Step into your God-given place (the place of preparation, service and purposeful living).
Until you take your place, nothing takes place. Assume your rightful position! Do your business diligently. Cultivate a lifestyle of discipline. Be responsible.
Spiritual responsibility places you in a high demand. It’s the bedrock on which successful life and ministry are built.
Ecc. 9:10; Prov. 22:29; 1 Samuel 16:11.

5. Covet and receive the anointing.
Samuel was sent specifically for this purpose. This anointing made the difference in the life of David. He had previously been chosen by God, but he needed the anointing. Samuel came all the way from Ramah for this purpose.
This anointing launched David into a new realm of exploits and spiritual insights.
Psalm 23:4; 89:20; 1 Samuel 16:12-13

Jesus called us the light of the world and the salt of the earth. You have been called by God for a specific purpose, to advance His kingdom. Destiny beckons on you, the seed of greatness lies within you.
Arise and shine!

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

        Resident  Pastor

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David - ANOINTED FOR SERVICE (1 Samuel 16:13-23)

We have been created by God for a special purpose - service.

Service is a set of actions put in place to provide a particular outcome or result. 

Service in God’s kingdom involves our works (good deeds), devotion and commitment towards the manifestation of God's glory on earth.
It must be proven to be good, acceptable and perfect - the will of God! (Romans 12:1-2).

The journey into fulfilment begins with a sincere heartfelt desire to serve God and humanity. 
In the process of serving God, you will locate devotion (which is the reasonable service) and through this, Godly attributes begin to rub off on you. 
Eventually, you begin to discover and fulfil God's purpose for your life!


Some of the things (qualities) that rub off on you in the place of service are:

1. Godliness (character) 

2. Governance (self restraint/discipline)

3. Personal development (spiritual, intellectual, stirring up your gifts, etc)

4. You possess the mind of God – through the knowledge of God, by beholding His face as in a mirror...being transformed by the renewing...from glory to glory.
(Through the Word and the Spirit of God).
You see yourself in the light of God’s Word!
The Spirit also bears witness within you, revealing the mind of God to you.

David served his generation according to the will of God (Acts 13:36).

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power, Who went about doing good... (Acts 10:38).

Service is not just the key to greatness...service is greatness!

The greatest of all is the servant of all...(Matt. 20:26; 23:11; Luke 22:26)

Joseph served even in the prison (Gen. 40:4).

Jesus came as the servant of all (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45).

Even after David had been anointed, he went back to the place of service, the place of devotion, the place of preparation.

Anything that takes you away from the place of selfless service is only setting you up for a fall.

Sometimes, it will look as if the anointing of God in your life can only work for others (it doesn't seem to work for you), keep serving the purpose of God and the needs of others.
While you're serving in the secret place, God is training your hands to war.
Keep serving!!!

While you are serving whole-heartedly and selflessly, God is positioning you ahead for greater heights in life.

In spite of His dominion over all things, Jesus laid aside His garment and served (He washed the feet of His disciples - John 13).

People of God, it is time for us to rise up in the light of God’s Word, and serve!
Serve GOD! Serve your generation according to the will of God, and you will eventually become an eternal excellency, the joy of many generations.

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

        Resident  Pastor

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THE GREAT CHALLENGE

THE GREAT CHALLENGE
1 Samuel 17:1-12

In this anchor text, we see the great challenge that faced the Israelites. An army of the living God, standing helpless, greatly embarrassed and humiliated before the army of the (uncircumcised) Philistines.

The Philistines camped at Shochoh which belonged to Judah. Before this time, the Philistines had encroached on some places in Israel. The hill of the Lord had become the garrison of the Philistines (1 Samuel 10:5).

There was a champion who went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits (nine feet) and a span (nine inches). This man tormented the Israelites for forty days, morning and evening.

Important lessons to draw from this message:-

1. Goliath was probably one of the descendants of the Anakims that were not wiped out in Gath (Joshua 11:21-22). Joshua and the Israelites thought they had completely wiped out the race of the Anakims, but the ones that were ‘mistakenly’ spared in the neighbouring cities eventually became national threats to Israel, many years after (1 Samuel 17:4). Every unfinished business has a multiplier effect on future generations…
If God has given you an assignment to undertake, ensure that you complete it in your lifetime, without delay and without leaving any stone untouched.

2. A family, group, organisation or nation is as good as its leadership. Everything rises and falls on the leadership. Under the leadership of the ‘ex-anointed’ the covenant people of God have suddenly become spiritually vulnerable (1 Samuel 17:8-11). Under an ungodly leadership, there are no plans to raise valiant men and kingdom ambassadors, people lack spiritual depth, men of sound mind and excellence are not raised…(1 Samuel 13:19-22).
As a leader, in any capacity where God has placed you, develop the capacity of your followers. In your home, office, or group, ensure that as you are developing yourself spiritually and intellectually, you are raising the standard also, in the lives of your people (followers). Never enrich yourself at the expense of the people…

3. God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11).
While the army of Israel was suffering a great humiliation from the giant of Gath, (under the spiritual leadership of the ‘ex-anointed’, God was ‘equipping’ another man for the restoration of Israel’s national dignity.
Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse, and who had eight sons... (1 Samuel 17:12).
God deliberately chose David, the last son of Jesse, as the next king of Israel to fulfil His own purpose for Israel and in his (David’s) life.
He deliberately chose Joseph as the anchor man, who would be strategic to the sustenance of the Israelites in the future (Gen. 39:2; Psalm 105:17).

For there is no respect of persons with God. He can pick up anyone from the dunghill and set him/her up in the palace and He can demote anyone at will. No one will ask Him, none can question His authority!

God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, He uses the weak things to shame the mighty… (1 Cor. 1:26-29).

As people of God, sons of the kingdom and soldiers of the Cross, the great challenge before us today, is to rise up and fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12).

The battle line between the army of the Lord and that of the devil had been drawn right from the day the devil revolted against his Creator. Brethren, the good news is that Christ had won the battle for us over two thousand years ago.

Who do you say you are? Who are you in the light of God’s Word?
Are you a giant killer or a grasshopper? (Numbers 13:25-33)

Don’t wallow in self-pity! Don’t live a life of defeat…
Don’t let Goliath (devil, problems and challenges) triumph over you.
Rise up in the light of God’s Word! You are a victor!

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

        Resident  Pastor

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