The Eighth Son

 Pastor’s Pen…

If you were looking for a man to fill the size 13 EEE sandals of Saul to become king of Israel, David would have been the last man you would likely have considered. The text we are considering this weekend bears this out. Undoubtedly Samuel, not to mention Jesse and David's older brothers, were all shot at what happened in this passage. But it was all part of God's plan to fulfill what he had said in first Samuel 13:14.

 

Saul’s “Watergate experience” as ultimately disqualified him from continuing as God's ruler. But as Asap wrote in Psalm 75:6, 7, “God puts down one and sets up another.” 1 Samuel 16 gives us insight into the selection of proper leaders today, and into the kind of character God looks for and builds on, as we examine the portrait we are beginning to paint of King David, a man after God's own heart.

 

As always, thanks to all who help sanitize our facilities for services each Saturday morning in preparation for Sunday worship. Also, to those who make it possible for us to ‘live-stream’  on Facebook at 10:45 each Sunday morning, and to post each message on our website (www.fccwylie.org) each Sunday afternoon. 

 

If you haven't come out to worship with us recently, we sure love to have you! We continue to hold our Sunday services with all safety protocols and pre-service sanitizing in place. No Sunday school yet, and the nursery is not available.  We will continue following the protocols as outlined by GA-18 guidance.  Face masks, social distancing, no physical contact. We use bulletins printed untouched by human hands, with songs, etc. printed therein, and pre-packaged communion elements. Offering plates are located at the rear, or giving can be done online at www.fccwylie.org.

 

If you still feel uncomfortable attending, feel free to join our live stream on Facebook, at 10:45 AM, which includes communion and the worship hymns. Or the message is available each Sunday afternoon on our website. (www.fccwylie.org)

 

“The Eighth Son”                                                                                                       1 Samuel 16:1-14

 

I.               The mission of Samuel (1-3)

 

            He was distressed over Saul's defection

 

            He fears for his own life 

 

            He may have been unsure of what to do 

 

            

II.             The method of revealing God's choice (4, 5)

 

The response of Samuel (is significant)

 

The reaction of the elders

 

III.            The man of God's choice (6-   )

 

The logical choice: Eliab

 

The alternate logical choices

 

The ill logical choice

 

IV.           The results of this event 

 

God’s Spirit came upon David

 

God’s Spirit departed from Saul

 

Lessons we can learn: 

 

o   We must guard our hearts against ungodly influences

 

o   We must exercise care to be led by God in selecting leaders

 

o   Outward appearances can be deceiving

 

o   We must frequently examine the condition of our hearts

 

 

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Prayer items: 

 

Evelyn Henderson is on hospice care

 The family of Melvin Graham, who passed away

 

Praise for Ken’s positive report regarding his health and heart

 

Continue praying for Barbara’s step-daughter Angie and three children in the loss of Angie’s husband. Also her neighbor has tested negative and is home from the hospital.

Bobby and his family, especially his cousin re: a job

Dennis Ramsey’s mother is battling to cancers plus other health issues. Kim would appreciate our prayers for her health and her son Kevin

Jim Casteel requested continued prayer for Judy Moblee, recovering from heart surgery

Feel free to contact me with urgent prayer requests, and I will include them in my weekly ‘Pastor’s Pen’ texts

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20: Bruce Moilan will be speaking for me on missions, telling about his 8-year ministry in Liberia and Sierra Leone, dealing with a pandemic then.  Kathy and I will take off to celebrate her birthday (39?) which is Monday 9/21.

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RADIO THIS EVENING: RADIO THIS EVENING: Young people have been greatly impacted by the coronavirus, and a variety of ways. Nimmy Zachariah is the principle of the Christian school in Houston and has worked as a life coach with adolescents. She joins me to address this issue and answer listener questions with encouragement and insight. 

Encouragement Live can be heard tonight at 7:05 pm Central Time on American Family Radio (90.5 FM in Dallas), (www.afr.net) and on theworshipchannel.org.9A rebroadcast of the program can be heard Sunday at 9:00 PM central time on theworshipchannel.org. 

May our Savior’s grace and peace continue to encourage you as you trust in Him during these challenging times.

Don Hawkins, D. Min.                                                                                                                          Interim Pastor