David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. - 1 Samuel 22:1-2 (ESV)

Life was good. He had single-handedly driven back the nation's greatest enemy. He had won subsequent battles. He was the darling of the people. He had married into the royal family and was going to be the next king (even though it was still secret).

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."- 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)

What do real leaders look like? What do they sound like? What kind of communicators are they? Should they have some level of command presence? Are real leaders born, made, or some combo? These are real and important questions when we consider who want to be and who we are willing to follow? But are they the most important question about leaders?

Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him. And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them. - 1 Samuel 18:12-16 (ESV)

Relationships are ruined through rivalry. When there is a competition for who is the fastest, smartest, bravest, or best within a friend group there is sure to be conflict. It's in our nature. We hate being bested. But when you add power, position, and politics in the mix expect an explosion.

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. - 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (ESV)

You have heard the numbers. You have read the stories. You have seen the pictures. All of these things make me consider my mortality. I've had times in the past when I've physically suffered or when I've narrowly avoided an accident that for a little while the illusion of my invincibility has been pierced. In these days we consider what is dangerous and ultimately deadly. While this is a frightening reality to live in, it also forces us to confront the truth. We will all face death.

And David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth." - 1 Samuel 17:32-33 (ESV)

There are a few stories in the Bible that most people have heard and if you grew up in church probably saw play out on flannel graphs and coloring sheets. The story of David and Goliath is one of those stories.

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body "Jews or Greeks, slaves or free" and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. - 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV)

I've heard it A LOT. I'll ask someone where they go to church. They answer by saying, 'I go to (Insert pastors name) church.' It's as if that pastor is the sole proprietor & founding owner of the institution. I get it especially when it comes to gifted leaders, pastors, and teachers. It's easy to identify them with the church the pastor. But is the church just a key leader? Or is there something different going on?