I Chr. 19:13 "... let us behave ourselves valiantly ..."

Ammonites and Syrians had Israel surrounded. Joab put half his army on one side, and half on the other side. Joab then told his soldiers to "be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the Lord do that which is good in his sight". The Syrians fled from before Israel, and when the Ammonites saw it, they did the same.

Fight valiantly for your people, for the United States, and may the Lord be with you to do that which is good in His sight.

Text: 1 Chronicles 28:6-10

Subject: God's Man.

Theme: The man God uses.

Introduction:

During the 1988 election year, we saw numerous candidates throw their hats into the ring. They were all hoping to take the torch from former President Reagan. But the list of candidates tapered off. They started dropping out. One had an extra-marital affair, one was found to have plagiarized in college. Some didn't have the required amount of delegates from the primaries. In a word--they weren't qualified.

In the book of 1 Chronicles, chapter 28, David's reign was coming to a close, and he knew it. His son, Adonijah, was planning to seize the throne. David had to hurriedly set up another of his sons, Solomon. David had Solomon quickly anointed and charged him with the weighty responsibility of building God's temple. The job wasn't for just anyone. But Solomon met the qualifications. Solomon was an example of "the man God uses."

1A Chosen v. 6

1B "I have chosen him"

1C God had chosen Solomon to be holder and administrator of his kingly domain--not David, Nathan, or Solomon himself

2C We, too, have nothing to do with whom God has chosen for His work

2B Chosen--to try, select, from among many.

1C There are others God could have chosen, but Solomon was the one

2C Others today, but God stopped at us

3B "My house and My courts"

1C God had a purpose for Solomon

2C God has a purpose for each of us

2A Obedient vss 7 & 8

1B Establish--to set up, erect

1C God says He establishes

2C God needs obedient men--God will establish the work

3C Constant--obstinate, strong (McClary--"Any mission assigned will be accomplished in a superior manner no matter what the obstacles"

4C God wants a man who, no matter the consequences, will be constant

2B Keep and Seek--guard or protect

1C This Bible is a priceless book

2C We should guard and protect what we have

3B Possess this land . . . inheritance

1C David was looking ahead

2C We should think of those coming after us

3A Sincere v 9

1B "Know . . . God"--comes by loving and serving God

2B "Serve Him"

1C "Serve" is translated other places, "to till the ground; to enslave"

2C Nobody likes work--but it is required

3B "Perfect heart, willing mind"

1C Perfect, meaning undivided

2C God doesn't want 50%, 75%, but 100% of our heart

3C Willing mind--a child is sometimes obedient but not willing

4B Understandeth . . . thoughts

1C Thought refer to intentions or plans

2C God knows what our motives are

4A Determines v 10

1B "Take heed now"

1C David tells Solomon to open his eyes and understand the seriousness--6-8 million people under him

2C God-called pastors today read over the great commission

2B "Be strong"--courageous

1C Solomon would be up against the rebellious, lawless

2C We are up against the same--but God says Be strong, Pastor

3B And do it

Conclusion:

The man God uses is a chosen man. He is obedient, sincere, and determined.

God chose you, from among many, for a specific purpose. You know what that is--I don't. He said He would establish the work if you would but obey His word. God requires that you be sincere in your intentions and motives. And you must be determined that, as Lt. Clebe McClary put it, "Any mission assigned will be accomplished in a superior manner no matter what the obstacles." Be the man God uses.