A Heart After God's Own Heart

Summary

In this Wednesday service the church heard two messages, both calling believers closer to God. The first drew a sharp contrast between Israel's first two kings, Saul and David. Saul craved the praise of people, and when he sinned he tried to justify and cover himself, so his throne ended with him. David sought to give all the glory to God, and when he fell he ran straight back to the Lord in repentance, which is why he is remembered as a man after God's own heart, whose line led to Jesus.

Using the picture of a boxer who loses only when he can no longer rise, the preacher reminded the congregation that a righteous man falls seven times and gets up again. Our struggle is not against people but against the powers of darkness, and we are not defeated by falling - only by refusing to return to God.

A visiting minister then spoke on the Holy Spirit and the day of Pentecost. He shared his own baptism in the Spirit, explained the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and pointed to the parable of the persistent friend at midnight: God gives His Spirit to those who keep asking with bold desire. Above all, he urged the church to know God not merely as a judge but as a loving Father who delights to give good gifts to His children.

Key Points

• Saul lived for the praise of people, while David lived to give praise to God.
• The problem is not that we sin, but how we respond - David repented and returned, while Saul justified himself.
• A righteous man may fall seven times, yet he rises again every time (Proverbs 24:16).
• Our real battle is against spiritual powers of darkness; we lose only when we stop getting back up.
• The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one God, working together and revealing one another.
• God gives the Holy Spirit to those who keep asking with persistence and bold desire (Luke 11).
• Know God as a loving Father, not only as a judge - He hates sin yet loves and forgives the sinner.