Scripture
“I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will.” Acts 13:22

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; 37 but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Acts 13:36-39

Observation
Even with adultery, murder and deceit written across his life, in the end David was considered a “man after my heart, who will do all my will” who “served the purpose of God in his own generation.” The cleansing of David’s record shows how seriously God takes the business of forgiveness. It also shows how thorough David was in bringing all of his sin into the cleansing presence of the Lord.

A man with a heart after God’s heart is a vulnerable man. David had an enormous capacity to spiritually connect with the Lord. That capacity can be easily abused to be satisfied with immorality. The sincere worshipper is the most vulnerable to sexual temptation because his soul is sensitive and and seeking communion.

These simple sentences about David iron over how God made redemption part of Jesus’ lineage. Jesus was a descendant of Bathsheba as much as of David. Her blood flowed through Jesus’ veins too. God takes forgiveness so seriously that even the sinner is part of his perfect plan.

Application
A heart after God’s heart is not a heart perfect in performance but quick to respond to him. Most of David’s life that response was in the form of worship. There were a few moments where he had to be quick in repentance too. God will evaluate the outcome of my life not by how perfectly I follow him but by how I return to him again and again.

Prayer
Father, I incline my heart toward yours today. Jesus take me over. My soul seeks you for what is missing within myself. I need you more. Amen.

Scripture
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55-56

Observation
A man can get through just about anything if he looks to Jesus. It was in his moment of dying that it became clear what Stephen had been living for all along. Because he had been looking for Jesus throughout his life he saw him clearly in his death.

I don’t want to get mystical here, as if what Stephen experienced is something only a few navel gazers can attain to. His revelation of Jesus is far more attainable. It is as simple as this: instead of looking to friends, family, or authority figures, look to Jesus. Look to what he desires. Look for his approval. Live for his reward.

Application
“Well done’ are the two words I’m listening for. Too often I look to authority figures and friends to be my final reward, instead of looking to Jesus only. It is as simple as any athletic endeavor or ministry goal that I see and achieve. Am I doing it for Christ or for someone else? I will run for him.

Prayer
Father, keep my eyes focused on Jesus. Amen.

Acts 2 is an amazing sermon, and not for the obvious reasons.

Obvious reasons? Oh, there are tons.

The question was answered. Every crowd has a question. Everyone is thinking of it, but no one has articulated it. There were two questions. First, what the heck is going on in your prayer meeting? Then Peter seized the other question that had been rattling around in hearts for six weeks: who was this Jesus we killed?

The answer grasped the will. Peter didn’t give information, he appealed to the emotions and to the will. He romanced them with the prophecy of Joel, and endeared them to the current experience of the Spirit. Then he defined Jesus with the punch line: God came, and you killed him, so deal with it.

Peter also used a little humor. He reasoned. He was agile like a boxer. In all, the sermon was a ten out of ten. It became the model for all Christian preaching.

But what made this message amazing was the lack of time Peter had to prepare it. Pentecost happened, people asked questions, and suddenly Peter was standing in front of the microphone to explain. This proves how much Jesus has to say and how much the Holy Spirit can help us to say it.

Application
Peter’s sermon is evidence that most of good preaching comes from God and not from us. The most important preparation Peter had done for the message was 3 years with Jesus followed with 10 days of prayer. When the moment came, the message flowed. Preaching is not the fruit of an intellectual pursuit. Preaching is the overflow of a journey through a leader.

Prayer
Father, preach through me this Sunday. It’s been a little rusty getting this one out of the scabbard. Please speak through me. Amen.