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What defines us?What defines us?Do we have any say in it?Do we have any say in it?

What defines us?What defines us?

"It's the role I've been cast into…""It's the role I've been cast into…"

"I can't get away from my past""I can't get away from my past"

"I was hurt bad…it was a "I was hurt bad…it was a defining moment"defining moment"

nicenice funny funny

"I'm the "I'm the coolcool one" one" prettypretty

overweight overweight

Most of us are defined byMost of us are defined byother peopleother people

And some of us thinkAnd some of us thinkwe're in chargewe're in charge

What defines usWhat defines usQuite often limits usQuite often limits us

And keeps us from God's bestAnd keeps us from God's bestfor usfor us

"I can't be seen with…""I can't be seen with…"

What defines you?What defines you?

What defines usWhat defines us

Tells others who we areTells others who we areGives us a sense of belonging Gives us a sense of belonging

and valueand value

David:David:

What they sayWhat they sayWhat's been done to himWhat's been done to him

What he's doneWhat he's done

David:David:

What they sayWhat they sayWhat's been done to himWhat's been done to him

What he's doneWhat he's done

What God says about himWhat God says about him

Meet the new boss…Meet the new boss…Same as the old bossSame as the old boss

Samuel did what the LORD said. Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled the elders of the town trembled

when they met him. They asked, when they met him. They asked,

“Do you come in peace?”“Do you come in peace?”

Samuel replied, Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come “Yes, in peace; I have come

to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice yourselves and come to the sacrifice

with me.” with me.”

Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed

stands here before the LORD.”stands here before the LORD.”

But the LORD said to Samuel, But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his “Do not consider his appearance or his

height, for I have rejected him. The LORD height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. does not look at the things man looks at.

Man looks at the outward appearance, Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. pass in front of Samuel.

But Samuel said, But Samuel said,

“The LORD has not chosen “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” this one either.”

Jesse then had Shammah pass by, Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, but Samuel said,

“Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.”

Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, Samuel, but Samuel said to him,

“The LORD has not chosen these.” “The LORD has not chosen these.”

So he asked Jesse, So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”“Are these all the sons you have?”

“ “There is still the youngest,” Jesse There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.”answered, “but he is tending the sheep.”

He's just a sheep-boy.He's just a sheep-boy.We don't include him.We don't include him.

15 years old15 years old

Samuel said, Samuel said,

“Send for him; we will not sit down “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”until he arrives.”

So he sent and had him brought in. He was So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and ruddy, with a fine appearance and

handsome features.handsome features.

So he sent and had him brought in. He was So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and ruddy, with a fine appearance and

handsome features.handsome features.

Then the LORD said, Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one”“Rise and anoint him; he is the one”

- 1 Samuel 16:4-12- 1 Samuel 16:4-12

Who would you believe?Who would you believe?Everyone…all your life?Everyone…all your life?


Or a Prophet who anoints you king andOr a Prophet who anoints you king andleaves…and you ain't king yet?leaves…and you ain't king yet?


Or a Prophet who anoints you kingOr a Prophet who anoints you king and leaves…and you ain't king yet? and leaves…and you ain't king yet?

For 15 years!For 15 years!

What would you believe:What would you believe:What people say about you?What people say about you?

Or what God says about you?Or what God says about you?

War, uh, good God y'all…War, uh, good God y'all…

Now Jesse said to his son David, Now Jesse said to his son David, "Take this ephah of roasted grain and "Take this ephah of roasted grain and

these ten loaves of bread these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry for your brothers and hurry

to their camp" to their camp"

But…I'm a King!But…I'm a King!

Take along these ten cheeses to the Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. commander of their unit.

See how your brothers are See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance and bring back some assurance

from them. They are with Saul from them. They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of and all the men of Israel in the Valley of

Elah, fighting against the Philistines”Elah, fighting against the Philistines”

Early in the morning David left the flock Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd, loaded up and set out, with a shepherd, loaded up and set out,

as Jesse had directed. as Jesse had directed.

Knowing who God calls him to beKnowing who God calls him to beDoesn't produce pride, but humilityDoesn't produce pride, but humility

He reached the camp as the army was He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, going out to its battle positions,

shouting the war cry. Israel and the shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines Philistines were drawing up their lines

facing each other. facing each other.

We are the We are the Champions,Champions, my friends… my friends…

David left his things with the keeper of David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines supplies, ran to the battle lines

and greeted his brothers. and greeted his brothers.

As he was talking with them, Goliath, the As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine Philistine championchampion from Gath, stepped out from Gath, stepped out

from his lines and shouted his usual from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. When the defiance, and David heard it. When the

Israelites saw the man, Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.they all ran from him in great fear.

Now the Israelites had been saying, Now the Israelites had been saying,

“Do you see how this man keeps coming “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. out? He comes out to defy Israel.

The king will give great wealth to the man The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him who kills him. He will also give him

his daughter in marriage and will exempt his daughter in marriage and will exempt his father’s family his father’s family

from taxes in Israel.”from taxes in Israel.”

David asked the men standing near him, David asked the men standing near him,

“What will be done for the man “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this who kills this Philistine and removes this

disgrace from Israel? disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine Who is this uncircumcised Philistine

that he should defy that he should defy the armies of the living God?”the armies of the living God?”

He's believing GodHe's believing God

They repeated to him They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, what they had been saying and told him,

“This is what will be done “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.”for the man who kills him.”

When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with him speaking with the men, he burned with

anger at him and asked, anger at him and asked,

“Why have you come down here? “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave And with whom did you leave

those few sheep in the desert? those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how I know how conceited you are and how

wicked your heart is; wicked your heart is; you came down you came down

only to watch the battle”only to watch the battle”

Just because you believeJust because you believewhat God says about youwhat God says about you

Don't expect everyone Don't expect everyone around you to agreearound you to agree

David has to decideDavid has to decideWho defines him…Who defines him…

““Now what have I done?” said David. Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” “Can’t I even speak?”

He then turned away to someone else He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and brought up the same matter,

and the men answered him as before. and the men answered him as before. What David said was overheard and What David said was overheard and

reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him - 1 Samuel 17:17-31- 1 Samuel 17:17-31

Goliath gets stonedGoliath gets stoned

And loses his headAnd loses his head

When the men were returning home after When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, David had killed the Philistine,

the women came out from all the towns of the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and Israel to meet King Saul with singing and

dancing, with joyful songs and with dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. tambourines and lutes.

As they danced, they sang:As they danced, they sang:

“Saul has slain his thousands, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” and David his tens of thousands”

Saul was Saul was very angry;very angry; this refrain galled him. this refrain galled him.

“They have credited David with tens of “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the thousands. What more can he get but the

kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on Davida jealous eye on David

- 1 Samuel 18:6-8- 1 Samuel 18:6-8

David is huntedDavid is hunted

Over and over againOver and over again

Is he what God said?Is he what God said?

Or is he a victim of injustice?Or is he a victim of injustice?

Is he what God said?Is he what God said?

Or is he a victim of injustice?Or is he a victim of injustice?(It'll show in his actions…)(It'll show in his actions…)

David:David:

Refuses to become bitterRefuses to become bitter

Refuses to play the victimRefuses to play the victimRefuses to take Saul's lifeRefuses to take Saul's life

Are these the actions of a victim?Are these the actions of a victim?

- - David mourns Saul's deathDavid mourns Saul's death

- And kills the Amalekite - And kills the Amalekite who struck the final blowwho struck the final blow

- Brings Mephibosheth, Saul's son, - Brings Mephibosheth, Saul's son, in to eat at his tablein to eat at his table

Had he become bitter, unforgivingHad he become bitter, unforgiving- A Victim - - A Victim -

He'd be defined by He'd be defined by what was done to himwhat was done to him

And And his actions would be unrighteoushis actions would be unrighteous

His family said he was just a weakHis family said he was just a weakPretty boyPretty boy

God said he was chosenGod said he was chosen

David believed GodDavid believed God

His family said he was just a weakHis family said he was just a weakPretty boyPretty boy


David believed GodDavid believed God

His "if only" was replaced His "if only" was replaced by an "even now"by an "even now"

Saul said he was dead meatSaul said he was dead meat


David had to run for his lifeDavid had to run for his lifeHe struggled, but he believed GodHe struggled, but he believed God

And it gave him strength to continueAnd it gave him strength to continue

Saul said he was dead meatSaul said he was dead meat


David had to run for his lifeDavid had to run for his lifeHe struggled, but he believed GodHe struggled, but he believed God

And it gave him strength to continueAnd it gave him strength to continue

"If only" was replaced by "even now""If only" was replaced by "even now"

"If onlys" "If onlys" are excuses and rationalizationsare excuses and rationalizations

"Even nows" "Even nows" are declarations of faithare declarations of faiththat what we can't see with our eyesthat what we can't see with our eyes

or understand with our mindsor understand with our minds

We will believe in our heartsWe will believe in our heartsAnd act on in our livesAnd act on in our lives

An An "even now" "even now" killed Goliathkilled Goliath

An An "even now" "even now" kept David strongkept David strong

An An "even now" "even now" set the tone for his set the tone for his Kingdom by mourning Kingdom by mourning

his enemy's deathhis enemy's death

In the spring, In the spring, at the time at the time when kings go off to war, when kings go off to war,

David sent Joab out with the king’s men David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They and the whole Israelite army. They

destroyed the Ammonites destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. and besieged Rabbah.

But David remained in Jerusalem.But David remained in Jerusalem.

The wrong place at the wrong timeThe wrong place at the wrong timenever leads to the right thingnever leads to the right thing

One evening David got up from his bed One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the and walked around on the roof of the

palace. From the roof he saw a woman palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, bathing. The woman was very beautiful,

and David sent someone and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, to find out about her. The man said,

“Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and Eliam and the the wifewife of Uriah of Uriah the Hittite?”the Hittite?”

Hint, Hint!Hint, Hint!

Then David sent messengers to get her. Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. She came to him, and he slept with her.

(She had purified herself from her (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home. uncleanness.) Then she went back home.

The woman conceived The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, and sent word to David, saying,

“I am pregnant”“I am pregnant”- 2 Samuel 11:1-5- 2 Samuel 11:1-5

The litter boxThe litter box

The litter boxThe litter box

David tries to get Uriah drunk David tries to get Uriah drunk

Then he involves his own men Then he involves his own menin a plot to have Uriah killedin a plot to have Uriah killed

Litter boxes have to be Litter boxes have to be emptied sometimeemptied sometime

This is what the LORD, This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: the God of Israel, says:

"I"I anointed you king over Israel, and anointed you king over Israel, and I I delivered you from the hand of Saul. delivered you from the hand of Saul.

I I gave your master’s house to you, and gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. your master’s wives into your arms.

II gave you the house of Israel and Judah. gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, And if all this had been too little,

I would have given you even more"I would have given you even more"

The two lies:The two lies:

I did this by my own strengthI did this by my own strengthSo I deserve…So I deserve…

The two lies:The two lies:

I did this by my own strengthI did this by my own strengthSo I deserve…So I deserve…

God won't give it to meGod won't give it to meBut I can still get it without consequencesBut I can still get it without consequences

If I can't ask God for itIf I can't ask God for itThat's a pretty good indicatorThat's a pretty good indicator

That it's not his will for meThat it's not his will for me

"Why did you despise "Why did you despise the word of the LORDthe word of the LORD

by doing what is evil in his eyes? by doing what is evil in his eyes?

You struck down Uriah the Hittite You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife with the sword and took his wife

to be your own. You killed him with the to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites"sword of the Ammonites"

"Now, therefore, the sword will never "Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, depart from your house, because you because you

despised medespised me and took the wife of and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own"Uriah the Hittite to be your own"

- 2 Samuel 12:8-10- 2 Samuel 12:8-10

All sin is ultimately against GodAll sin is ultimately against God

And God takes it personallyAnd God takes it personally

Did David screw up?Did David screw up?

Did David screw up?Did David screw up?

God forgivesGod forgivesAnd announces consequencesAnd announces consequences

This is David's moment toThis is David's moment toAccept forgivenessAccept forgiveness

And move onAnd move on

David lets it define himDavid lets it define him

Amnon and Tamar- rapeAmnon and Tamar- rape

Absolom- murderAbsolom- murder

When we let our past define usWhen we let our past define us

We lose the ability to deal effectivelyWe lose the ability to deal effectivelywith our presentwith our present

When we let our past define usWhen we let our past define us

We lose the ability to deal effectivelyWe lose the ability to deal effectivelywith our presentwith our present

It's an "if only" It's an "if only" withoutwithout an "even now" an "even now"

What if…Amber Reynolds 6/5/2002What if…Amber Reynolds 6/5/2002

What if someone hurt you so bad, that all What if someone hurt you so bad, that all you can do is cry?you can do is cry?

What if you can’t get it out of your head no What if you can’t get it out of your head no matter how hard you try?matter how hard you try?

What if the world was against you, and you What if the world was against you, and you can’t trust anything that you knew?can’t trust anything that you knew?

What if you were scared to go to sleep at What if you were scared to go to sleep at night knowing that you tried to stop them night knowing that you tried to stop them

with all your might?with all your might?

What if you needed help, more than What if you needed help, more than anyone could give?anyone could give?

What if it hurt so bad that you didn't want What if it hurt so bad that you didn't want to live?to live?

What if…What if…

Amber wrote this after she was raped on Amber wrote this after she was raped on April 22, 2002 at the age of 16.April 22, 2002 at the age of 16.

The Story of DavidThe Story of David

David is defined by family

He chooses to allow Godto define him

Even though they keep talking…

Who am I allowing to define me?

Why?

What does God say about me?Will I believe it and let it change me?

Do I need the approvalAnd affirmation of others?

Why?

David is hunted down To be killed unjustly

He chooses to let Godbe his justice

He's not defined by victimhoodOr by bitterness

What unforgiveness and bitternessAm I holding onto?

Why?

Do I trust that Godwill be my justice?

Will I let him?

David is defined by his sin

And it becomes a snareAnd a trap

That ruins his familyAnd his kingdom

Have I asked forgivenessFor the big thing I did?

Have I repented?Am I still believing I'm not forgiven?

Why?

Have I dealt with my own sin?


RationalizationsWill keep it alive


Excuses means it's still there


If I don't own itI'll never be free from it

When people have hurt me:

Blame and UnforgivenessMean you continue to be

The Victim

You have to own itBefore you can move forward

From it

Never put a period

Where God has placed a comma

God wants more for you

Than where you've beenWhat your past says about you

What people continue to say

God makes all things new

His mercies are new every morning

If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. Old is gone. The new has come.

If onlys place a period

Where God wants to place a commawith Even now

Do I believe that what God wants for me

is greater than what I want for me?

Will I let go of the past in orderto embrace the New God wants to do?

Will my "if only" become an "even now"?

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