Southview Baptist Church
Pursuing the Heart of God | Check That Your Focus Is on God
This week, Pastor Nathan Wakefield continues our sermon series, Pursuing the Heart of God. In 1 Samuel 18:1-30, we see that self‑focus leads to destructive emotions like jealousy and fear, while a focus on God invites peace, assurance, and strong relationships. By examining Saul and David’s contrasting responses to God’s work in David’s life, we highlight the importance of humility and trust in God’s greater plan. Video of the worship service is available beginning Sunday at 9:30 AM at https://southviewbaptist.org/live.
Locations & Times
Southview Baptist Church
3434 S 13th St, Lincoln, NE 68502, USA
Sunday 9:30 AM
1. Companion or Competition — A self‑focused heart misses the joy of God’s blessings — Saul could have shared in the celebration of God’s anointed, but instead he saw only a threat (1‑9).
• Jonathan saw a brother; Saul saw a rival.
• The people saw a champion; Saul saw a threat.
• What could have united the kingdom, divided Saul’s heart.
Action: Instead of looking at life through a focus on self, look at it through a focus on God — and enjoy the privilege of sharing the spotlight.
• Jonathan saw a brother; Saul saw a rival.
• The people saw a champion; Saul saw a threat.
• What could have united the kingdom, divided Saul’s heart.
Action: Instead of looking at life through a focus on self, look at it through a focus on God — and enjoy the privilege of sharing the spotlight.
2. Friend or Foe — A self‑focused heart will sacrifice the very people and blessings God sends — Saul’s obsession with protecting his position led him to destroy what mattered most (10‑19).
• Instead of seeing a servant, Saul saw a threat.
• Saul used his daughter as bait; the people began to see the rise of a leader.
• Jealousy sabotages blessing.
Action: Choose to enjoy the success of others instead of seeing it as a challenge to your position.
• Instead of seeing a servant, Saul saw a threat.
• Saul used his daughter as bait; the people began to see the rise of a leader.
• Jealousy sabotages blessing.
Action: Choose to enjoy the success of others instead of seeing it as a challenge to your position.
3. Strategy to Self‑destruction — Self‑focus leads to foolishness — when we try to manipulate outcomes for our own gain, we often end up working against the very purposes of God (20‑30).
• Saul schemed; David served.
• Saul manipulated; David rose.
• The wisdom of standing with God’s plan.
Action: Remind yourself, “I cannot elevate myself by tearing someone else down.”
• Saul schemed; David served.
• Saul manipulated; David rose.
• The wisdom of standing with God’s plan.
Action: Remind yourself, “I cannot elevate myself by tearing someone else down.”
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Text a dollar amount to 84321 to set up and use Text-to-Give.
Text a dollar amount to 84321 to set up and use Text-to-Give.
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https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ministrycentered.churchcenterListen to the Podcast
Listen to the sermon and find out more about Southview by visiting our website. Sermons are normally posted on the following Monday and are available via the website or whichever app you enjoy listening to podcasts on, such as: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and many more.
https://southviewbaptist.org/podcastWatch the Worship Service
In addition to the audio for this sermon, we livestream our service beginning at 9:30 AM on Sundays, and it is available for replay anytime at the conclusion of the service.
https://southviewbaptist.org/live