Jeremy Utley - Don't Despise the Pasture

Jeremy UtleyFebruary 12, 201827mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: Don't Despise the Pasture Date: 02-11-2018 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is to never despise the current, seemingly small responsibilities or 'pasture' God has placed before us. Using David's life as an example, the speaker argues that these overlooked assignments are actually God's appointed training grounds. By faithfully serving in our current roles, we acquire necessary skills—like a shepherd's heart, fighting ability, and contentment—that prepare us for greater ministry.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Don't despise the pastureWhen thinking of King David, people usually remember him killing Goliath, ruling as king, and writing Psalms, but they often forget where he began.

David's humble beginningsWhen the prophet Samuel came to town to anoint a king, David was not even invited to the meeting and was left out tending the sheep.

Scorned by his own familyDavid's oldest brother Eliab despised him and looked down on his meager responsibilities, reflecting how we often view our own small boundaries in life.1 Samuel 17:28

Waiting for a big breakIt is a mistake to view our current small responsibilities simply as a waiting room for our big chance, because the pasture is actually God's appointed training ground.

The Lord who delivered meDavid recounted how he fought off lions and bears while tending sheep, recognizing that God who delivered him from the paw of the lion would deliver him from Goliath.1 Samuel 17:34–37

Negligence in the pastureUnfaithfulness in small private matters can disqualify us from further usefulness, as faithfulness in the little things precedes faithfulness in much.

An audition for what is nextEvery private battle is an audition where God tests our faithfulness to see if He can entrust us with greater responsibilities.

Training to praise GodJust as David played his harp calmly while Saul threw spears at him, learning to praise God in the little pasture prepares us to praise Him on the big stage.1 Samuel 18:10

Learning contentment and humilityThroughout his life, David displayed a remarkable lack of ambition, self-defense, and self-promotion, which he learned during his time in the obscure pasture.

Today is the only day that mattersWe should not view faithfulness in the present pasture merely as a tactic to gain a future reward, but as an entrance into abundant joy, rest, and peace with God today.

Finding pleasure in God like JesusJust as Jesus lived a life of total rest and victory in His Father's presence in relative obscurity, we can be perfectly pleasing and at rest in the Lord right where we are.

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Jeremy Utley - Don't Despise the Pasture

Jeremy Utley · February 12, 2018 · 27m

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