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GOD'S INCREDIBLES: 
What Bible Characters Teach Us About Life, Leadership, and the Power of God
"DAVID: Overcoming Incredible Odds" 
1 Samuel 16 & 17
Pastor Rob Carlson
Sunday, May 29, 2005

REMEMBER THESE TWO THINGS:

1. GOD’S INCREDIBLE!! 
There is nothing TOO BIG or TOO DIFFICULT for God.

2. GOD’S INCREDIBLES!! 
God wants to do big things and overcome difficult situations in us and through us.




DAVID'S INCREDIBLE ODDS

1. HIS DAD WAS DOWN ON HIM.
Jesse did not think David had king-potential.

1 Samuel 16:6,7—When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord." But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."




2. HIS BROTHERS WERE DOWN ON HIM.
David’s brothers did not think he had warrior-potential.

I Sam 17:28-- Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.



3. THE KING WAS DOWN ON HIM.
King Saul did not think David had champion-potential.

I Sam. 17:33—You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth

I Sam. 17:32—Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.



4. THE OPPOSITION WAS DOWN ON HIM.
Goliath did not think David had serious competition-potential.

I Sam. 17:43-44—"Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. "Come here," he said, "and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!"





GOD’S INCREDIBLES!!
What David Teaches us about Self-Leadership and Faith

1. Put your faith in God--limitations don’t limit us unless we let them.

Persectives:
DOWN TALK              FAITH TALK
I can’t                             I can
If only                             I will
I don’t think                   I know
I don’t have the time    I will make the time
Maybe                           Absolutely
I’m afraid                        I’m confident
I don’t believe               I’m sure

2. Don’t try to be someone else—be who God made you to be and trust Him.

Realities:
-God fashioned you carefully.
-God wants to use you specifically.
-God desires that you live your life intentionally.



3. Realize that your journey of faith will encourage others.

Commitments:
-Don’t give up—God hasn’t.
-Don’t drift from God—draw near.
-Don’t allow yourself to get bitter—keep growing.
-Don’t underestimate how God wants to use you—think big!!



4. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things by His extraordinary power.

Values:
-It is not about me, it is about God.
-I’m to be a channel of his power and grace.
-God has a purpose for my life and I want to fulfill it.

Small Group Discussion Questions

1. What is one incredible thing God has done in your life or the life of someone you know?

2. Review the points and Bible verses from this lesson. 
What personal application can you make from this week's teaching? 

3. “What limitations can God help you to overcome in your life?”

4. Take some time right now to pray for the needs of those in your small group.

*Scripture is quoted from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.
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