Do you need insurance? Thats a question youll be asked if you ever try to ship a package at the Post Office.

And if your package contains precious cargo then you probably want to say, yes. Now, I recommend that if you do have precious cargo, you allow the good people at the Post Office to do the packing themselves. Because theyll surround the precious cargo with packing peanuts and crumpled paper to ensure that its cushioned against the rigors of the shipping process. And in the same way, we go through certain rigors in this life, and God will provide the cushioning to protect us in every circumstance. Because, you see, were Gods precious cargo, and He paid a high price for us through Christ Jesus. So tonight I want to talk to you about handling Gods precious cargo (people), and for that well start in 1 Samuel 30:1-6. Handling Gods Precious Cargo: Part 1 - Handle Yourself v6 - Keep Your Peace: rigors of life, they want to stone David. Where are his packing peanuts? He turns to God for them. Story: Chris Rheaume...Driving to Hopewell and listened to Sid Roth CD...(Larry Hutton) v7-8 - Get Your Victory: people need victories. You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue Story: Depressed friend is always facing defeats - missed step one (encourage yourself and keep your peace) Story: I love to encourage myself through praying Scripture Discussion Time Effective strategies for keeping peace and getting victories in your own life? Handling Gods Precious Cargo: Part 2 - Handle Others v9-14 - Use Your Kid Gloves: This guy is the perfect scapegoat. They didnt stone David but they still dont have their possessions back, and the mob mentality is still raging - why not kill this Egyptian? Instead they give him water and food. v15 - read, summarize 16-20 - David and his men win and retrieve everything that was lost. People are useful - see the advantage? Story: Stroke Johns ego - conversation with Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 - Paul deals with people - first compliment then correct/rebuke (divisions, immorality, lawsuits, improper communion, issues with spiritual gifts, dont believe in the resurrection) - just like cushioning the precious cargo before you require it to go through the rigors of shipping. (Gods grace for building you up, not tearing you down). v21-22 - People can be difficult, stubborn, and greedy. But theyre still Gods precious cargo. Story: Paintings analogy: worth is not primarily based on the painting, but rather on the painter - Jesus assigned high worth to us, even if we dont look so great sometimes. v23 - Avoid Boasting - 1 Corinthians 4:7 v24-31 - Build, Dont Burn Bridges - Jesus says use worldly wealth (Luke 16:9) - Share the wealth! (Literally and figuratively, have a team mentality) Story: Boss says, youre not friends, keep track of each others progress and report it to me. NO WAY! (Luke 16:15) Sum up - Keep your peace, get your victory, use kid gloves, avoid boasting, and build, dont burn bridges - people are precious to God. James 3:18, Matthew 5:9 - be a peacemaker.