Austin is stinkin’ HOT. I never knew how much I love having grass, trees, wind, and mountains in Arkansas. One great thing about Texas is they know how to make sweet tea. But hands down, Arkansas is so much better. I know, I know, it’s boring in Arkansas; all there is to do is cow tipping, fishing, and hunting….but still, I love my state. Enough about why I don’t like Texas to much, more about the conference.
So far Ross Parsley has brought it over and over again. I got here early for a smaller session with Bishop Garlington and Ross Parsley. Great stuff. I love getting to see the heart of men (worship leaders) whom I’ve only known from a distance. These are the real deal and have been at it for a long time. There is so much I can learn here. When this thing is over I will be a better worship leader.
Main Session Speakers thus far: Skip Heitzig, Leonard Sweet, and Marcos Witt
Main Session Worship Leaders thus far: Sarah Kelly, Matt Redman, Paul Baloche, Fernando Ortega, Rush of Fools
Let me say this before I wrap up this blog…..Paul Baloche has re-invented himself, he was so relevant and anointed. It’s hard to believe this was the guy who wrote Open the Eyes of My Heart. I hope he leads again.
Our challenge is to affect our culture without being influenced.
Teams are made up of individuals who give up their own rights for a unified purpose.
Teams are created when we/I am willing to deny myself, pick up a cross, and follow Christ
The spirit of Cain is all over our worship ministries in America. Envying gifts and talents and maybe even anointing that resides inside other people.
We need to focus on teaching WHY? we worship vs. HOW?
Make sure we raise up worship leaders not worship technicians. - Ross Parsley
We need to teach young musicians how to Learn and Lead at the same time.- Ross Parsley
Create opportunities to lead worship, maybe even outside of the church. Nursing homes, homeless missions, small groups, etc. - Scotty Smith
It’s important to contextualize your worship to the area you live in. - Matt Redman
Worship is physical…”they bow, fell down” Psalm 149, Exodus 14, Psalm 145
so far so good, today i was led in worship by Laura Story, Bishop Garlington, Matt Redman, John Noel, Sarah Kelly, Matt Redman again, Paul Baloche….Paul was awesome, Matt was really good, Laura Story was really good, everyone else did pretty good. best speaker by far to this point, Ross Parsley…..looking for him in all the breakout sessions. trying to decide right now if we are going to go to the early morning session, speaker never heard of and worship team not so found of.
more notes coming tomorrow ya’ll. (i’m in texas so i have to say that)
peace out it’s bed time.
Jon Morris 7-17-08
Tonight I want to you guys about my hero, DAVID. There is a lot I could say and teach on this guy. He was one of the most incredible men in the Bible, ever!
In all David’s greatness, in all his valor, in all his victories, in all his crazy life there is a huge under tow of bad. When I say bad, I mean sin, weakness, humility, revenge, anger, discontent, crisis, etc. So much of David’s life was far from glorious.
There is 5 Characteristics of David that I want to hit tonight.
1, David the Shepherd
For the majority of David’s youth life he was a shepherd. As a shepherd he wrote a lot of songs, this is where he really honed in on his music skills. He also killed a bear and a lion protecting his sheep.
2. David the Warrior
I would love to spend tons of time talking about this. David was in the Israelites Special Forces Unit. He shed a ton of blood, warring off enemies, protecting countries and towns. The most familiar story of David as a warrior is probably David vs. Goliath. Let me give you a brief description of what happened on that day.
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=D4NhvFkRet4]
This was the short and sweet version. What this video didn’t tell you was Goliath was 9 ft. tall, his armor weighed in @ 125 lbs. and the tip of his spear @ 15 lbs. Goliath had one guy who just followed him around and carried his shield.
After David and Goliath challenged each other verbally they began to make their move. As Goliath walked toward David the Bible says in 1 Samuel 17:48 that David “ran quickly toward the line to meet him.” And of course as we saw in the video David threw a stone from a sling and then chopped of the head of the Philistine giant. It says in 1 Samuel 17:51 “When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.” This whole series is about heroes and it was said of David that he killed a hero. WOW! But this is not the main topic of tonight message.
3. David the Worshiper
This is where I would love to stop tonight and talk. I could stay here all night. And of course this is where you would expect to stay, but God stirred my heart in a different direction, so we will just hit this for a minute. David was probably the most anointed worship leader ever. He wrote most of Psalms. He was called out from all of Israel to come and lead worship for King Saul. 1 Samuel 16:14-23
David had a calling upon his life to build the temple of the Lord, a place where worship and prayer would never cease. But bc of some mistakes David made he never got to see this happen. But that didn’t stop David from being an advocate for the future of this….so he found and trained hundreds of Levites to lead worship in the temple.
1 Chronicles 23:18 Also Jehoiada appointed the oversight of the house of the Lord to the hand of the priests, the Levites, whom David had assigned in the house of the Lord, to offer the burnt offerings of the Lord, as it is written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was established by David. 1 Chronicles 23:27 For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above;
David established a process for worship and worship leading.
Wow, I want to stay here so bad, but lets keep moving.
4. David the King
David was anointed future of King of Israel at age 15ish but didn’t become King till 30ish.
David honored King Saul as God’s anointed even though he knew he was the future heir to the thrown. David had a huge respect for God’s chosen leader.When David finally became King after Saul and his sons where defeated by the Philistines he mourned for his kings death. David ruled as one of Israel most successful kings in all of history.
2 Samuel 8:6 The Lord gave David victory wherever he went
2 Samuel 8:15 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.
David established an organized and successful kingdom. David led with integrity and great victories. David never lost a battle as King. Before David ever became King he went through some pretty crazy times.
Let me give you a brief recap: David was a shepherd, who killed a lion and a bear to protect the sheep, David was then anointed future King of Israel, David was summoned to lead King Saul in worship, David killed the Philistine giant Goliath, David became Saul’s armor bearer and moved into the kings house, David had an army of his own in which he lost no battles for Saul, Saul gave David one of his daughters in marriage for a huge act of heroism (David went and brought Saul 100 foreskins of Philistines), then Saul became jealous and then tried to assassinate David. David, with the help of Saul’s son Jonathon, learned of the Saul’s plans and ran for his life. David hid in a cave.
1 Samuel 22:1 “David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam.”
5. David the Cave Dweller
THE CAUSE – HOW IT HAPPENED
This was the lowest point in David’s life.
- No Crutches: The major support roles in his life had been removed: his position, his wife, his counselor, his close friend, and his self respect.
- No Comfort: Every person he knew became an enemy or was helpless to assist him. His desperation was intensified by having no security, no food, no one to listen, no promise he could cling to.
- No Hope: This was the worst of all. Psalm 142:6 “I cry aloud…I make supplication…I pour out my complaint…I declare my troube before Him…I look to the right and see; for there is no one who regards me….no one cares for my soul…”
This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing…. You’re probably going WHAT? How’s that not a bad thing. You know the saying, “I’ve hit rock bottom.” Let’s take a second and actually think about what that’s saying. Hit rock bottom.
Rock bottom is the most solid ground you will ever stand on.
A. Being with others.
David hid in this cave for sometime, giving the appearance of not wanting to be seen or helped by anyone. Somehow the word got out to his family in Bethlehem…. “when his brothers and all of his father’s household heard of it , they went down there to him” It’s kind of an oxymoron to me…..that his dad; who didn’t even think of bringing David up to meet Saul when he was looking for the future king, and his brothers; who mocked David when he said he would fight Goliath the Philistine, where the first to come and encourage David. Your families, parents, siblings, friends, etc.. might not be perfect, but that does not mean they don’t love you.
When your in the cave don’t be to picky about your encouragement.
Well after David’s family came by and encouraged him it was said that 400 people just like him came to the cave. 1 Samuel 22:2 “And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there was about 400 hundred me with him.”
B. Seeing the Needs
In distress - in reference to people who where fleeing for their lives
In debt - in reference to people who couldn’t afford Saul’s high taxes
In discontent - in reference to people who did not like Saul’s ruling
David’s response to the distressed – Psalm 34:8 taste and see the Lord is good
David’s response to the distressed – Psalm 34:8 taste and see the Lord is good
David’s response to the debters - Psalm 34:9 fear the Lord, there in no want to those who fear Him
In 1 Samuel 23:13 it says that the number of men grew from 400-600. David’s group of men GREW. I could say something right here about remix groups….but I won’t. just listen to me say it again. David’s group GREW.
C. Accepting their leadership
1 Samuel 22:2 he became their “….captain”
Recognizing their needs David began extending himself into their lives.
David didn’t just sit in the cave and cry, he became a leader for the hurting.
We need to quit asking God for: what do I need to do, reveal His calling, show me your plan for my life,” and start taking care of the people that are already here @ 180.
God has and is establishing 180 as a viable source of spiritual growth for students in the Fort Smith area, you just need to choose to be part of it.
God doesn’t send cave dwellers wealthy, healthy, comfortable people.
David’s leadership became unique in his country’s history. Having been beaten to the bottom he had great compassion for the people whom he later served.
David is known as “A man after God’s own heart.” I ask myself this question, why is David known as this when committed just as many sins as Saul and was just as in-perfect as you and me. The difference is what he did while he was in the cave.
What you do while your in the cave determines whether or not you will be a hero.
When Saul had weak moments he turned to jealousy, anger, hatred, bitterness, self-pity.When David had weak moments he turned to humility, patience, love, compassion, and praise.
The key-note of David’s character was not the assertion of his own strength, but the confession of his own weakness.