For every Young minister (a Must Read)

For every Young minister (a Must Read)
Lessons from David (1)

By Pst Segun Onayinka

The Epistles teach us to learn from the Examples written beforehand

Romans 15:4 KJV

[4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

We can learn attitudes from the saints of old.

The anointing of David by Samuel must have caught many by surprise.

Even the prophet assumed wrongly and his presumption bit the dust.

1 Samuel 16:6 KJV

[6] And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.

He probably saw the certificates of Eliab, his looks, his title etc

1 Samuel 16:7 KJV

[7] But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

God doesn't.

He looks at the heart.

One striking statement was "I have refused him"

In the Hebrew language, it sounds off like "he failed me" "failed a test"

Samuel moved on to the other kids .

None was accepted. Its noteworthy only Eliab got specific comments.

It's implied he should have been the natural choice via natural qualification and age.

But not so always .

1 Samuel 16:11-12 KJV

[11] And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

12] And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

Notice the very delicate detail here.

He wasn't present based on his Dad's reckoning.

But where was he ?

Keeping the sheep.

whose sheep? What manner of sheep?

He was anointed and everyone moved on

That will become vital soon.

Much later the Goliath scenario provides details

1 Samuel 17:17-18 KJV

[17] And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn , and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;

18] And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

His dad even after the anointing sent him on an errand, a menial one .

Some latter day believer would have rejected it, not after the great anointing.

How can a God's general like me take food to my subjects?

The apostles served bread and fish (ushering) after healing the sick!

That said

Yet he went faithfully.

Great men are revealed in little things, little men in great things.

The catch in this narrative will Soon appear.

1 Samuel 17:28 KJV

[28] And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whomever is hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

Eliab accused him of pride ,smarting from the rejection I guess .

Then the issue, "with whom did you leave those FEW SHEEP"

David's work wasn't major.

His bible study group weren't much, his church was small .

Remember, this sheep belonged to his dad.

Eliab was a stupid man. He spoke in low terms of His patrimony.

His Dad's work, sheep.

We have called Gods work " mushroom" as if we are referring to commercial outfits. David however treated the "few sheep" with much dignity, respect and devotion.

1 Samuel 17:20 KJV

[20] And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; ....

If we didn't know why Eliab was rejected, now we see.

Much later we see why David defeated Goliath.

In his discourse with Saul the (outgoing or outgone king) came much more sophisticated detail.

Saul doubted David's capabilities based on the natural appraisal.

David had rich experience which was hitherto insignificant but has now become his asset.

1 Samuel 17:32,34-35 KJV

[32] And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

34] And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: [35] And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

He kept the "few sheep" well. Not his own sheep. Not his own ministry.

He took on the lion and the bear.

No sheep was lost, he defended the " Insignificant " with his life.

He learnt to fight his battles from insignificant numbers, he learnt pastoring, by discipling two folks, wasn't eager for the cheap Facebook /social media crowds gotten via easy friends acceptance and "likes".

He took his briefs dutifully .

If he had run from the lion and the bear in the Teens church, was lazy to pray as a house fellowship leader, ran away for secular duties as a cell leader, he would never have faced Goliath nor become king!

See another take away

Saul wasn't fully convinced.

Since this guy wasn't on tv or being to USA for bible school, how can he do this, he must arm him or have a reasonable explanation when his corpse is sent home by Goliath.

Was it a teddy bear or lion king? Saul must have mused, I guess.

Saul offered his armor.

1 Samuel 17:38 KJV

[38] And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

You can't borrow experience, You must have yours, If you like talk like Revd so and so, this kind goeth not by copying diction or hair do or iPad..

David tried it ...

1 Samuel 17:39 KJV

[39] And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it . And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them . And David put them off him.

I can't go in this !

I have not proved it!

The maniacal tyranny of learning tips of church growth from some conferences falls flat here.

During real battles none of those razzmatazz will work.

Only a spiritual armor birthed and manufactured in your daily experience with God will work.

Not back drops, montage, suits, music, klieg lights etc

Real armor will be your experience in the Lord.

Your true prayer life. Study. Meditation (not Facebook copy and paste or read and repackage)

He had a rich experience to rely upon.

From "few sheep"

I am growing in learning to minister God's word and Spirit over His house.

I am still growing .

My deepest experiences are from the insignificant.

Years I taught 1-3 people .

For a very long time .

Today, such folks might be wondering how this is,

I once taught 2 1/2 (two and half ) members. One was more of an abiku (inconsistent) member

But I ensured I did at least 4 times a week, 3-4 hours daily, with daily fasting.

I undertook personally all night prayer every other day in this.

Over "few sheep"

Many of those I learn from and of have much more deeper experience.

You have to be faithful !

For example, You can't ignore your "few sheep" for a ready made social media crowd.

Minister to them too, please don't get me wrong but who did God (either via your pastor, leader or otherwise) commit to your trust?

Acts 20:28 KJV

[28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

2,3,4....10,30 etc face your work faithfully,

Fight " their lions and bears "

Pray, fast, do vigils, study etc.

Faithfulness is currency in Ministry and service. 

In 1993, whilst watching a RW Schambach Video, I sensed the Lord tell me concerning men He used and uses.

"Follow their labour, toils, faithfulness not the results"

I have taken this seriously .

I beseech you fellow laborers..it's time to be faithful with the " few sheep "

1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV

[2] Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Do it well, even the menial work like washing church toilets.

I remember 1994 after I had done a healing meeting with Gods power healing the sick, blind, deaf etc I attended Youth Foundation Camp Ibadan, and was asked to clean toilets.

Me? Greatest man of God !

Uncle (Pastor) Oladele rebuked us (me and my co God's generals), "you mean your anointing will be destroyed by cleaning this toilet?"

What? I don't know how my friends took it, but I adjusted and made amends.

Till date, during any of our special programs and even church services, I get there early to help out, even as the pastor with several hundreds of church workers.

If you want to teach, and last teaching, be faithful.

2 Timothy 2:2 KJV

[2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

 

Faithful men will always be able, but able men aren't always faithful.

Thanks uncle for teaching me this before I started pastoring , I have killed some bears and lions by listening to these details.

Let's be steadfast and faithful!

Amen

Have a glorious day ahead, full of miracles.

I call You Blessed

Pst Segun Onayinka.

Blessed Saint.