I. Service has Common Basics and Different Expressions

22:7 David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house to the name of the LORD my God 8 But the word of the LORD...you shall not build an house to my name, because you have shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

II. Outward Service Must Be an Expression of Inward Sanctification

A. Active Obedience 28:8...sight of all Israel...and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.

B. Know before Do...9a And you, Solomon my son, know you the God of your father,

C. Maintain a Whole Heart...9b and serve him with a perfect heart

D. Cultivate a Willing Mind...9c and with a willing mind:

E. Live in Fear...for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts:

                if you shall seek him, he will be found of you; but if you shall forsake him, he will cast you off for ever.

F. Be On Guard...10a Take heed now; for the LORD has chosen you to build an house for the sanctuary:

G. Do Until Done...10b be strong, and do it.

1) A perfect heart is a prerequisite to joy 1Ch 29:9 people rejoiced...because with perfect heart they offered willingly to LORD

2) A perfect heart gets God's help 2Ch 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run...to show himself strong...heart is perfect toward him.

3) A perfect heart requires grace 1Ki 8:58 may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways, keep his commandments...61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments

4) A perfect heart requires our will 1Ch 22:19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise and build...

5) A perfect heart obeys 1Ch 29:19 give Solomon a perfect heart, to keep your commandments...and to do...

6) A perfect heart goes beyond right 2Ch 25:2 Amaziah did right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.

7) A perfect heart requires:  Ps 101:2 a) Right objectives= I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way.  b) Seeking God= O when will you come to me? c) Purposely acting whole-heartedly= I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 d) Preventing/Avoiding temptation= I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: e) Despising sin= I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. 4 f) Planning change= A perverse heart shall depart from me: g) Avoiding those who talk, but don't walk= I will not know a wicked person Isa 38:3 h) Life based on Truth= ...I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, i) doing what pleases God= and have done that which is good in your sight.

8) A perfect heart doesn't have a lifetime guarantee 1Ki 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

III. Service Requires a Right View of God

29:11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty:

for all that is in the heaven and on the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and you art exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you,

and you reign over all;

and in your hand is power and might;

and in your hand it is to make great, and to give strength to all.

13 Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name.

IV. Service Requires a Right View of Man and Righteousness

A. We're Dependent 29:14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort?

B. We're Stewards...for all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.

C. We're Transient...15 For we are strangers before you, and sojourners, as were all our fathers:

D. We're Fleeting...our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding.

E. We're to bring Glory to God 16 O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build you an house for your           holy name comes from your hand, and is all your own.

F. We're being Tested...17 I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. {Ps 11; Col 1}

                As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things:

                and now have I seen with joy your people, who are present here, to offer willingly to you.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What forms of service does God desire us to do today? Should we serve even if our inner/attitude is not upright?

2. Which of the inward disciplines are most lacking in the Christian community?

3. What else can we do to develop perfect hearts and willing minds?

4. Which aspects of the proper views of God and Man are most at odds with our culture?

5. How would your life be different if you had the same view of God and man as did David?