1 Chro.10:6,13-14;11:1-3,9, God Is the Center ②

1 Chro.10:6,13-14;11:1-3,9, God Is the Center ②

<Bible>1Chro.10:6.So Saul and his three sons died, and all his house died together...13.Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14.and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. 11:1.All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood. 2.In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord your God said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.' "3.When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel...9.And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him.
<Sermon Summary>
Everyone lives with something placed at the center of their life. Success, money, children, family, honor, and the recognition of people can become our center. However, the Bible asks us: “Who is at the center of my life right now?” The difference between Saul and David was not simply a difference in ability, but a difference in who was at the center of their lives.

1. If You Push God Out of the Center, the Foundation of Your Life Shakes
Saul was a king, but he did not place God at the center. He did not keep God’s word and did not consult God. Ultimately, although he possessed the throne and power, his relationship with God collapsed. Our lives are the same. Money, success, and the recognition of people can adorn our lives, but they cannot serve as the foundation. If you push God out of the center of your life, no matter how much you possess, your foundation will be shaken.

2. When God is placed at the center, new paths open even in places of failure and waiting, and He unites people. After Saul's death, Israel was in turmoil, but God established David as the king of Israel. Even after being anointed, David had to endure a long period of waiting and time in the wilderness. However, because God was at the center, the waiting became a time of preparation, and even places that appeared to be failures became places of new beginnings.
Furthermore, when God established David as king, He gathered the hearts of Israel into one. When God is at the center, different people can become one. True unity is achieved in the family and the church as well when we seek God's will before our own.

3. When God is at the center, one grows stronger(11:9).
“The Lord of Hosts was with him, and David grew stronger and stronger.”(11:9) The most important reason David grew strong was not his ability or circumstances, but because God was with him. The faith that God is with us does not mean there are no difficulties, but rather the faith that God is with us even in the midst of difficulties. Therefore, the strength of a believer lies not in the belief that “I can do it,” but in the faith that “God is with me.” To David, kingship was not a tool to exalt himself, but a mission to fulfill God's will. The health, material possessions, children, jobs, talents, and time given to us are not for our own sake alone, but have been entrusted to us for the glory of God.

Application/Let us center our day on God. Let us begin the day with the Word & prayer. When making important decisions, let us ask, "What does God want?" before asking, "What do I want?" Let us trust in God's presence even during times of difficulty & waiting, & not lose heart. In our families &churches, let us seek God's will together rather than insisting on our own, & strive for unity.

Resolution/ "God, please be the center of my life. May I place You at the center of my family and church, and may I use everything You have given me for Your glory."
Today's Word/"The Lord of Hosts was with him, and David grew stronger and stronger."(1Chro.11:9)
Prayer/Heavenly Father, grant that we may place You alone at the center of our lives. Help us to seek Your will before our own, and to consult You in every decision. Even in moments of difficulty and waiting, grant that we may not waver, holding onto the faith that “the LORD of hosts is with us.” May our families and our church become one at the center of God, manifesting Your glory. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bible Study Material/1Chr.10:6,13-14; 11:1-3,9, God Is the Center② Everyone lives with something placed at the center of their lives. Success, material possessions, children, family, honor, and the recognition of others can become the center of life. However, through Saul and David, this passage shows that “who is at the center of my life?” is a crucial issue that determines one’s life. Although Saul was a king, he did not place God at the center, whereas David relied on God even after becoming king. Therefore, the most important thing in our life of faith is to live with God at the center of our lives.
1. If you push God out of the center, the foundation of your life shakes.
*Observation/1) What does the Bible say is the reason for Saul’s death? (10:13-14) Saul died because he sinned against the LORD. He did not keep God’s word, and instead of consulting God, he sought help from a medium.
2) Was Saul's problem merely that he was defeated in war?(10:13-14) No. Saul's fundamental problem was that his relationship with God had broken down. He prioritized his own thoughts over God's word and relied on other methods rather than God. *Interpretation: Although Saul possessed the status and power of a king, he did not place God at the center of his life. Ultimately, despite holding the throne, he lost his relationship with God. If you push God out of the center of your life, the foundation of your existence can be shaken, even if you have much external success and possessions. Therefore, the core of faith lies not in what or how much you possess, but in whether you have God at the center of your life. *Application: Do I ask God first when making important decisions? In important matters such as family, work, relationships, and finances, you must seek God's word and will first, rather than relying solely on your own thoughts and experiences. What is something you have been relying on more than God recently? Whether it is money, human recognition, or your own experience, if there is anything you are putting before God, you must let it go and surrender your center to God once again.

2. When You Place God at the Center, New Paths Open Even in the Place of Waiting, and He Unites People
*Observation/1) To whom did the people of Israel go after Saul died? (11:1-3) All Israel went to David in Hebron and established him as the king of Israel. 2) Whose will was fulfilled in David becoming king?(11:3) It was the fulfillment of what God had spoken through Samuel. David's kingship was not obtained solely through his own efforts, but was in accordance with God's plan and promise. *Interpretation/David did not become king immediately after being anointed. He spent a long time in the wilderness, lived as a fugitive, and endured many hardships. However, God did not waste that time. When God is at the center, waiting becomes a time of preparation, and a place that seems to have ended can become a place of a new beginning. Furthermore, God gathered the hearts of the people of Israel toward David. When God is at the center, different people can become one within God's will.
*Application/What am I waiting for right now? We must believe that God is working even amidst unanswered prayers, unresolved problems,&incomprehensible situations. What must I lay down for the sake of unity in my family or church? Rather than putting my own opinions&expectations first, I must ask, "What does God want?" rather than "What do I want?"

3. When God becomes the center, you become increasingly strong and live a life for God.
*Observation/ 1) What is the most important reason why David became increasingly strong? (11:9) "The Lord of Hosts is with him." David became increasingly strong. God's presence is emphasized more than David's ability. 2) What does David's strength demonstrate? (11:9) It shows that the true strength of God's people lies not in their own ability, but in God being with them.
*Interpretation/David also possessed ability, courage,&leadership. However, the Bible does not explain David's success first, but states, "The Lord of Hosts is with him." The strength of a saint lies not merely in the self-confidence that "I can do it," but in the faith that "God is with me." Furthermore, God’s purpose in establishing David as king was not for David’s own glory. It was to fulfill His will through his kingship. We must use the health, material possessions, children, jobs, talents,&time given to us for the glory of God.
*Application/For whom am I using what God has given me? I must not use my health, material possessions, time, and talents solely for myself, but for the glory of God and to serve others. What am I looking to in difficult situations? Rather than focusing only on the magnitude of the problem, I must look to the greatness of God who is with me. Even if the problem does not disappear immediately, I must walk forward with the faith that God is with me.

*Resolution&Application/Let us resolve three things through today's message: 1. I will place God at the center of my life. I will start each day with the Word and prayer, and I will ask God first. 2. I will trust God even during times of waiting. I will believe that God is preparing me even during times I do not understand. 3. I will use everything God has given me for His glory. I will become a person who values ​​God's will more than my own success and possessions, and who achieves unity in my family and church.

*Practice/Whenever you make an important decision this week, let us first pray like this: “God, help me to choose the path You desire, not the path I want.”&as we begin the day, let us pray, “God, please be the center of my life today as well.”  *Questions/1. What is it that is easily placed at the center of my life rather than God right now? 2. If there is something I am waiting for right now, how do you think God might use that time? 3. What is one thing I can do to place God at the center of my family and church? 4. How does the verse “The Lord of Hosts is with him” give strength and comfort to my life right now? Scripture to Remember/“The Lord of Hosts was with him, and David grew stronger and stronger.”(1Chro.11:9)  *Prayer/Heavenly Father, help us to place only You at the center of our lives. Help us to seek Your will before our own, and to trust You even during times of waiting. May we live boldly every day with the faith that “the LORD of hosts is with us.” May our families and church be united in God’s center to manifest the glory of the Lord. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.