Running With The Giants, Week 1 - Pastor Ted Max

This sermon from Pastor Ted Max explores God's surprising choice of David as king, emphasizing that God's perspective on leadership and calling differs vastly from human expectations. Beginning with God's decision to replace King Saul due to his deviation from divine instruction, the message highlights God's desire to do a "brand new thing."

Samuel, God's prophet, is sent to anoint a new king from Jesse's sons in Bethlehem, despite his fear of Saul's reprisal. God provides a plan, instructing Samuel to go under the guise of offering a sacrifice, demonstrating His protection when we step out in obedience.

As Samuel assesses Jesse's sons, he, like many people, initially judges by outward appearance, stature, and strength, believing the eldest son, Eliab, to be God's choice. However, God corrects Samuel with the profound truth from 1 Samuel 16:7: "Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

One by one, seven of Jesse's sons are presented and rejected. It's only when Samuel asks if there are any other sons that Jesse mentions David, the youngest, who is out in the field tending sheep—an indication that even his own father had overlooked him for such a significant role.

David, the overlooked shepherd, is then brought in and anointed by Samuel, and the Spirit of the Lord rushes upon him. This anointing, however, did not lead to immediate kingship. The sermon reveals that David embarked on a 17-year journey of struggle and preparation between his anointing and ascending the throne.

During this time, he was faithful in "little things" like protecting his sheep from lions and bears, fighting battles that weren't his, leading men, and listening to God, all of which formed his character. This period underscores that a promising future does not skip the necessary process of growth and development, often found in consistent faithfulness in seemingly small tasks.

Ultimately, the message offers profound encouragement to anyone who has felt overlooked, unqualified, or disqualified by others. Just as Jesse overlooked David, and as Pastor Ted shared personal experiences of feeling overlooked in ministry, the sermon reassures us that we are "never overlooked by God."

God sees potential in us that we often don't see in ourselves. The call is to shut down the negative, disqualifying voices of others and our own insecurities, and instead, turn up the voice of God in our hearts. He has a plan, loves to do new things, and invites us to trust Him, take the next step in obedience, and be faithful in the "little things," knowing that these often lead to the "greater things" He has prepared for us.