"Building a Church Through Outreach"
Looking for Donkeys
ELCOG 6/3/07
Text: 1 Sam. 9:18-21
As we start tonight’s message let me give you the back ground for the text. Kish, a rich man from the tribe of Benjamin, lost 3 donkeys and he sent his son Saul to look for them. They search for several days without finding the donkeys. They are about to turn around to head back home, without the donkeys when the servant had a good idea, "Let’s ask the prophet." They had heard about this man Samuel who was held in very high esteem because everything he said came true. So Saul and his servant found Samuel. They were hoping to find donkeys, but instead found much more. They were on a mission looking for something to please their father, but what they found was much more valuable than donkeys.
What are you looking for? Some of you are on a mission looking for donkeys, but you are about to find something greater than a donkey.
Psa. 37:23
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
You need to remember that God is taking you where he wants you to go. You might not have planed on looking for donkeys, but he has a plan in this process. You might not desire looking for donkeys, but God is up to something. He has ordered your steps. He is planning your anointing. He is planning your miracle. He is setting you up to be blessed. You may be frustrated because you can not find the donkey, but its really not about the donkey. It’s about you!
Matt. 6:33
33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matt. 6:34
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Lets look back at our text: Saul and his servant finds Samuel to get a message about the donkeys, but when they find the prophet they get an invitation not direction about the donkeys. The invitation is for a great dinner that was being prepared. God was preparing a fest for Saul and Saul didn’t even know it.
Psa. 23:1
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa. 23:2
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa. 23:3
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psa. 23:4
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psa. 23:5
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa. 23:6
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
God is preparing a table for you right now. He is setting you up. You may be weary in your search and you may be discouraged, but look up. God has something better than donkeys. He has a table prepared for you in the middle of your troubles and tribulations. He is getting you ready for the throne!
Gal. 6:7
7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal. 6:8
8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal. 6:9
9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
I know that you are tired. You thought your mission was one thing, but God is about to change your direction. He is about to reward you for your faithfulness, but your message is greater than the news of donkeys. Keep on pushing, keep on working. God is about to bless you in a way that no one ever expected. He is about to move you into a new position. You are no longer looking for donkeys, but for kingship!
Let’s look back at our text: Verse 20…. Don’t worry about the donkeys they have gone home, but you are now the focus
Samuel took Saul and the servant and placed them as the guest of honor. He set them at the head of the table and served them the best portions of the meat.
In Chapter 10 Saul is anointed by Samuel to be the king. He pours the oil over Saul’s head to set him up for kingship.
** There is a new anointing coming on your life. Tonight you need to change you focus. You are not here looking for donkeys, but for a new anointing. The Holy Spirit is about to pour is oil upon your life and you are going to move into the royal family. At first you were looking for donkeys, but now the oil of anointing for kingship.
Some of you have cried yourself to sleep because you can’t find the donkeys, but there should be no more tears. The donkeys are safe, but you are being promoted. You are being anointed to be king!
Let me point out one very important verse in chapter 10:12. But Saul is from the smallest tribe and his family is one of the lest important, but verse 12 says it doesn’t matter who his father is, anyone can become a prophet. In other words, it doesn’t matter where you come from if God wants you to be king, get ready for your crown. God qualifies you! Not your parents, or your grand parents. God set the standard and his anointing qualifies you to be king.
Stop looking for donkeys and get ready for kingship. God is changing the focus of your life. Are you ready for His anointing? Get ready for a change!