OUTLINE:

Perspective
God is after the attitude of the heart.

Perspective
Living under the privilege of serving the Lord God is living in the freedom of grace. Our Master has already taken care of us, in every way, and so we worship and honor Him, in any way He gives us opportunity.

Serving From the Heart
The proper perspective on serving is that it's a pure privilege.  It's nothing less than a privilege, a grace gift, and an opportunity to honor the Lord from the heart.

The Value of the Mirror
We look at others and say "what's wrong with them?", or "I can't deal with them", and yet, THAT WAS YOU at one point! Look in the mirror! Did you forget what you look like?!

Serving is a Pure Privilege
If we change our perspective and realize that serving is a pure privilege before God, we will be willing to do whatever is needed, whatever the Lord brings to our doorstep.

Serving is a Pure Privilege
The Example of Obed-edom.
2Sa 6, 1Chr 13

Gaining the Lord's Perspective
This is why we NEED to learn the Word of God daily, both under our Pastor-teacher, and in our own reading of the scriptures. Without training in the Word, we are destined to DISPLEASE God with our ways and motivations. We desperately need to gain the Lord's perspective!

Buying Time For Your Fellow Soldier
3 months later, David learned of the blessing of God upon Obed-edom and his house, and he then went to take the Ark into Jerusalem. 2Sa 6:12-15

John 15:12-13
"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."

Obed-edom's Blessings Continue
In 1Chr 15:18-24, he is appointed as a Gatekeeper of the Ark, as well as being privileged to play instruments of celebration to the Lord.

Perspective
Serving the Lord is a pure privilege, and nothing less than that.

"Casting Lots" from Biblestudy.org
The primary reason for casting lots was to render an impartial, unbiased decision on important matters. Once they were cast, no one could argue that the decision was the result of human intervention like nepotism, politics, favoritism, and so on.

"Casting Lots" from Biblestudy.org
This practice would be the same as throwing dice or flipping a coin we commonly use today. In ancient times, they used varying means to cast lots, depending on the place and local customs, such as coins, polished sticks, cards, dice, and so on.

Pr 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.

Matthew Henry on
1 Chr 26:1-19
The sons of Obed-edom were employed in this office, sixty-two of that family. This was he that entertained the ark with reverence and cheerfulness; and see how he was rewarded for it. 1. He had eight sons (v5), for God blessed him. The increase and building up of families are owing to the divine blessing; and a great blessing it is to a family to have many children, when like these they are able for, and eminent in, the service of God.

Matthew Henry on
1 Chr 26:1-19
2. His sons were preferred to places of trust in the sanctuary. They had faithfully attended the ark in their own house, and now were called to attend it in God's house. He that is trusty in little shall be trusted with more. He that keeps God's ordinances in his own tent is fit to have the custody of them in God's tabernacle, 1 Tim 3:4,5. I have kept thy law, says David, and this I had because I kept thy precepts, Ps 119:55,56.

David's Greatest Asset
David remembered where he came from, and all that the Lord had done for him.

A Pure Perspective
David knows in his heart that he's NOTHING without God, and that's what gave him the right perspective about serving the Lord and his people.

Ps 18:35
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,
And Your right hand upholds me;
And Your gentleness makes me great.

Perspective
We are simply unworthy slaves, with a very kind Master.

Recognizing the Privilege
"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?" 2Sa 7:18, 1Chr 17:16

David's Greatest Asset
David remembered where he came from, and all that the Lord had done for him.

11/27/16 - 12/4/16
Remember (Do Not Forget) the Grace the Lord Your God Has Shown You

David's Greatest Asset
David remembered where he came from, and all that the Lord had done for him.