Category: General

“Popularity has slain more prophets of God than persecution ever did.” -Vance Havner

“…let God be true, but every man a liar …” (Romans 3:4) is the language of true faith.” -A. W. Tozer

“Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you.” -George Mueller

“An active faith can give thanks for a promise, though it be not as yet performed; knowing that God’s bonds are as good as ready money.” -Matthew Henry

“If we cannot believe God when circumstances seem to be against us, we do not believe Him at all.” -C. H. Spurgeon

“I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” -Hudson Taylor

“Leave the broken, irreversible past in God’s hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.” -Oswald Chambers

“Nothing is too great and nothing is too small to commit into the hands of the Lord.” -A. W. Pink

“To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.” – George Mueller

“All thought, cleverness, knowledge, talent and gift- which the world superstitiously worships -must be set aside in order to enable one to trust the Lord wholly. The Lord’s people should persistently acknowledge their own unworthiness and incompetency.” -Watchman Nee

“God is God. Because He is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will, a will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what He is up to.” -Elisabeth Elliot

A strange subject! Yet if this subject were rightly understood, it would be well. As long as men think they are “something” when they are “nothing” (Galatians 6:3), they are in peril. But he who realizes that “All nations … ” before God “… are as nothing …” (Isaiah 40: 17), and that he personally is “nothing” and has “nothing,” a true hope begins.

The Lord Jesus strikingly said, “… the flesh profiteth nothing …” (John 6:63); whatever a man does or says, he cannot make himself fit for God and Heaven. Deep down in the heart there is pride that will not confess the facts of the case. How few have seen themselves in God’s sight. Stripped of all tinsel, the soul has “nothing” in God’s sight. He who has this experience may well be alarmed.

It is important to remember something else. Ecclesiastes 5: 15 reminds us that a man can “… take nothing of his labour …” when he dies. He must leave everything! It is strange indeed that men are willing to go on in a world of uncertainty, a world of “nothing” – nothing real, nothing permanent, nothing to satisfy the heart – when all the time there is a certainty, there is a security, there is a blessedness in Christ Jesus.

Let a sinner take his right place and own himself a sinner, let him cry out under the burden of sin, let him feel his need of a Saviour what will happen then? Scripture is not indefinite as to the answer, and the Holy Spirit is not slow to apply it to the heart of one awakened. When the load of sin seems too heavy, the Saviour’s “Come unto me …” (Matthew 11 :28) is music to the heart. When the debtor realizes he has “… nothing to pay …” (Luke 7:42), the Lord speaks of frank and full forgiveness. Yes, it is for such that the Gospel has been graciously provided. It is an impressive fact that the Bible has not a single word to encourage the self-confident; all the invitations are worded to show grace to the unworthy.

Think of a few Gospel declarations: ” … he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1); ” … bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind” (Luke 14:21). Could anything be more repulsive and distressing to the one who vainly thinks he has “something”? But could anything be more refreshing to the one who knows he has “nothing”? Truly, in this sense, “He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away” (Luke 1 :53).

Reader, if you are rich in your own self-righteousness, you too will be sent empty away. Read Psalm 107, and you will find each part speaks of God’s wonderful works to those who are in dire need and none others. First we have the hungry and the thirsty, then those that sit in darkness and the shadow of death, next those that draw near to the gates of death, and lastly those who are at their wit’s end. The great peril today is that sinners do not see their utter need and, thus, do not see the precious necessity of the death of Christ if they are to be saved. When we own and feel we are nothing and can do nothing, Christ is the only hope- everything is a blank without Him!

The devil’s hatred of Scripture is revealed the first time his name is mentioned in the Bible. Moreover, those who associate with him manifest the same hatred. Let us notice Genesis 3: 1-3:

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.”

“…Yea, hath God said… ” This is Satan’s first utterance in Scripture. It is a challenge to the authority of the Word of God. Eve, in listening to the devil, altered God’s Word:

1. She omitted the words every and freely (Genesis 2: 16).

2. She added the words neither shall ye touch it(Genesis 3:3), to God’s command in Genesis 2:17.

3. She altered the certainty of “… thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2: 17), to the uncertainty of “… lest ye die” (Genesis 3:3). Satan’s temptation succeeded because the Word of God was omitted, added to, and altered. It was undermined to the extent that the devil was believed when he denied the Word of God, saying, “… Ye shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4).

In sharp contrast, Satan’s temptation of the last Adam failed because the Lord Jesus Christ three times repeated, honoured, and established what God had said. He refuted the devil’s suggestions with the affirmation, “… It is written … “ (Matthew4:4,7,10).

In Christ’s great high priestly prayer (John 17), the Word of God is referred to three times (verses 8,14,17). The disciples received the Word, and they conformed to it. That fellowship with the Father sanctified them and determined their relationship to the world. God’s commandments are only kept when they are obeyed.

Three times God has warned us of the seriousness of altering His Word:

1. “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2).

2. “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6).

3. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Revelation 22:18-21).

God has entrusted us with His Word; therefore, it is time for believers to uphold His Word.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” ( 1 Thessalonians 5: 18).

God intends that our Christian life should be one of constant prayer, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5: 17); constant joy, “Rejoice evermore” (1 Thessalonians 5: 16); and constant thanksgiving, “In every thing give thanks …” (1 Thessalonians 5: 18). The Apostle Paul certainly lived out his own injunctions, for he was unceasing in prayer, full of thanksgiving, and rejoiced greatly in all circumstances. He lived continually in the spirit of thanksgiving. Praise was as natural to him as breathing. He could truly say with the Psalmist, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34: 1 ). He was ever on the lookout to find some cause for gratitude, and every prayer had its note of praise. He was never without some theme for thanksgiving. He perpetually thanked God for His marvelous grace in saving his soul, in calling him to be His apostle to the Gentiles (1 Timothy 1: 12-16). He thanked God for the faith, love, fellowship, and witness of his beloved converts. What heartfelt gratitude he showed to the believers in Philippi for their thoughtfulness to him in his hour of need! (Read Philippians 4:10-19.)

The apostle exhorted and encouraged his fellow Christians to cultivate the beautiful flower of thanksgiving in the garden of the soul. “… be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15), he said to his converts in Colosse. To emphasize this injunction, he adds, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3: 17). In his epistle to the Ephesians, he exhorts, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20). No time of prayer should be without its season of thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6).

The Apostle Paul exhorted believers not merely to give thanks in some things, but “In every thing …”; nothing is to be excluded. It is very easy to give thanks for some things because they give such pleasure to body, mind, and soul. We thank God for the springtime, and for the annual miracle of the harvest. We find cause for deep gratitude in the love of parents, wife, husband, brothers, sisters, lover, and friend; in God’s bountiful provision for our daily needs, for the gift of sound body and sound mind. We thank God for the great men of the past who toiled, prayed, and suffered that we might enjoy our national independence, our freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience. We do not find it difficult to give thanks to God for the wonderful way He has brought us through the dark days of the past, for the glorious victory He is granting to us and our allies over a cruel and relentless foe. Above all these material blessings, the believer thanks God for the gift of His beloved Son, through whose atoning blood we have been “ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,” and for the great gift of eternal life. For ten thousand precious gifts from the giver of “Every good gift and every perfect gift …” (James 1: 17), we should lift up our hearts in thankfulness and praise. It is sad to reflect on the fact that there are multitudes who are thankless, full of murmurings and complaints; they never lift up the heart in praise to God. There are times when the ingratitude of man burdens the heart of Christian workers, and the soul cries out in sorrow. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8).

But to give thanks in “… every thing …”, how hard and seemingly impossible! How can we give thanks at the coffin that contains the mortal remains of our nearest and dearest; in failure in business; in the loss of sight, hearing, or speech; when that man or woman tries us so sorely and continuously; in these and a hundred other heavy trials, how can we give thanks? The heart is tempted to rebel and to murmur rather than to give thanks. Yea, there are times when even the choicest of God’s saints find themselves struggling hard with giant despair; the burden of life gets on top of them for a while and crushes the spirit.

Let it be admitted that it is hard to give thanks always in all things, but through divine grace it is gloriously possible. When we have learned to live out the apostolic injunction, we shall find that life will become completely transformed. There are thousands of Christians who have maintained the spirit of thanksgiving and praise under the hardest possible circumstances. Did not the Apostle Paul practice his own precept? With his back bleeding and smarting with pain, and his feet fixed fast in the stocks, he “… sang praises unto God…” (Acts 16:25). One of his brightest epistles was written when a prisoner, and uncertain whether the morrow would bring life or death. It is full of thanksgiving and joy, and he called on his converts to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). The early Christians faced the lions and the stake with a song and a smile, thanking God that they were counted worthy to suffer and to die for the sake of the Name of Jesus.

It is only as we recognize that it is “… the will of God in Christ Jesus …” that we should give thanks for all things that we will be ready and able to live out the apostolic injunction. The trustful and obedient believer who lives to do the will of God will give thanks in all things, knowing that whatever lies within His will must have some good behind it. That trying experience you are passing through just now is meant for your good. God has a plan for your life and mine, and it is His great purpose that we should grow in the likeness of His dear Son, and glorify Him in all things.

Life’s trials are sent to develop in us the Christian virtues and graces of love, trust, patience, humility, fortitude, and courage. When these things are seen in us, the thoughts of men tum Christward and heavenward. Men will then see their own selfishness, unbelief, impatience, pride, and cowardice. Often their hostility to us is but a cloak to hide their own deep sense of sin, defeat, and dissatisfaction. When we believe beyond all doubt that “… all things work together for good to them that love God…” (Romans 8:28), we shall not find it difficult in everything to give thanks. When we live this life of continuous thanksgiving, we shall find its effect on body, mind, and soul will be most beneficial, for “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD…” (Psalm 92:1). “… O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever” (Psalm 30: 12).

“He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11:4). The wise man in these writings still speaks to us today. It will be well for us to exercise a proper and salutary care in the use and disposition of precious seed entrusted to our hand. We should know that, under certain conditions, we

must withhold action, lest there be useless and futile waste. But the diligent and determined man, the fearless and faithful, will not be deterred or turned aside by the threat of difficulty or trial; rather, these will be regarded as challenges to be faced and overcome. Faint-heartedness is no qualification for the Christian warrior.

In the preparation and selection of a Gideon’s band (Judges 7), there must first be eliminated those who are craven and fearful. Such are utterly useless when it comes to the business of being called upon to stand alone “… every man in his place …” (Judges 7:21). The quality of God given courage, when confronted by the seeming might of an outnumbering enemy host, is of great value! But in this realm, human bluster and pretentious bravado break away- they are not enough!

Conquering courage, when facing Satan’s massed multitudes, must depend on that kind of knowledge of God Himself, that is blessed with an experience that is personal and intimate, being wholly independent of outside and extraneous resources. Witness Paul’s words concerning his own experience when facing the devilish cruelty of Nero, “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me …and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion” (2 Timothy 4:16-17).

We are moving through days of immense difficulty in Gospel witness. The chicken-hearted, the hesitant, and the fearful will certainly be likely to counsel that we hold our hand, and wait for more propitious times! No time, this, for either sowing or reaping, they would protest! Unwise counsellors all! We are moving into the teeth of a gale; conditions will probably deteriorate! “…evil men and seducers shall wax worse

and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). Then how dare we wait? There is a great work to be done! “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). So runs the tremendous declaration of our triumphant Lord and Master.

William Carey’s missionary journey was launched from England in days when the whole continent of Europe was alerted and alarmed by the threat and fear of Napoleonic wars, by the way! “The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the

streets” (Proverbs 22:13). The only satisfying reason why Carey displayed such seeming nonchalance, in such a “do-and-dare” spirit, is that he had listened to the voice of the Lord, and nothing else mattered he must obey!

We believe that, despite all the threats of the enemy, and the hesitancy and fear of the faint-hearted and disobedient, these are the very days in which to call for the advance! God’s divine program must be fulfilled and finalized. He has already issued His call in terms crystal clear. He expects His obedient and faithful servants to fall into line, and

with the resources adequate to the need, which He tells us are available in their abundance, to finish the job. Forward, then, in Christ’s Name!

1) Put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:11-18).

2) Know Satan’s devices (II Corinthians 2:11).

3) Resist the devil (James 4:7; I Peter 5:8,9).

4) Be sober, be vigilant lest he devour us (I Peter 5:8,9).

5) Give him no place (beach head). (Ephesians 4:7).

6) Quote Scripture to refute his lies (Matthew 4:1-11; I John 2:14).

7) Overcome him by the blood of Christ and a good testimony (Revelation 12:11).

8) Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18) & yielded to the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-13; 3:13)

The Lord Jesus Christ is the fulness of God, of His wisdom, power, and love. “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16). “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). The Lord Jesus is the One altogether lovely, and the chiefest among ten thousand. He is the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley, the King of kings, and Lord of lords (Song of Solomon 5: 16; Song of Solomon 5:1 0; Song of Solomon 2:1; 1 Timothy 6: 15; Revelation 17: 14; Revelation 19: 16).

This glorious Saviour is the life of every believer. In Him we find all the longings of our souls. From Him we drink the water of life freely, living waters that fail not. From Him we receive moment by moment light, strength, peace, and joy. In Him is the life triumphant, and as we abide in Him a constant victory over sin. His life, His power, His victory, His joy, His fulness become ours.

Are you enjoying this life triumphant? The Lord Jesus alone can transform your life and satisfy the deep longings of your soul. He is the center of the new creation life, the source of all blessings. It is not a doctrine, a creed, a church, singing hymns, or even listening to sermons. These all may point faithfully to Him, but they are not the Lord Himself. He is supremely greater than these, and must be the object of every true believer.

We may have correct doctrine, yet know little of the victory over the self life, and of the joy of intimate communion with Him. But when we realize that Christ is our goal, our life, our all in all, we find in Him our all-sufficiency in all things. Not a religion, but the Lord Jesus enthroned in your heart and life; a glorious, living, bright reality. The desire of the Apostle Paul, as expressed in his letter to the Philippians, was “For to me to live is Christ …” (Philippians 1:21).

Philippians 3:8-10, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”

Beloved, you have been by faith to that place called Calvary; you have been cleansed from all sin by His precious blood, but have you fully surrendered your heart and life to Him who loved you and gave Himself for you, and now is at the right hand of the Throne of God, ever living to make intercession for us? (Read Hebrews 7:25.) May the Lord grant that our lives may be completely abandoned to the Lord, that His abundant life may flow through to others.

“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3).

Prayer holds the supreme place among the callings and privileges accorded to God’s children. What a great privilege it is that God the Creator, the Almighty God, gives man the authority to come before Him at any time, in any place, and commune with Him. God challenges man to ask God anything and to any extent.

A Simple Request

“Call unto me …” is exhortation for a simple request. “… men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). The prayer “…without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is to be made unto God. God does not ask man to do anything which is beyond his capacity to fulfil. Saints of old went to the throne of grace in every moment of need, and found God sufficient for their every need. Today God also asks His people to draw nigh to Him in prayer.

A Sure Reply

“…I will answer thee…” is the promise for a sure reply. Not a grain of doubt or hesitation need be in the heart of the believer when he asks God. For the one who needs deliverance from sin, Jesus says, “… him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). For the one in spiritual or physical need or trouble, God promises, “… call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee…” (Psalm 50: 15). God remembers His covenant with man through His Son and honours it. For a simple request God promises a sure reply.

A Shocking Revelation

“… and shew thee …” Here is the shocking revelation to everyone who seeks God’s face. Moses was transformed by God and commissioned to deliver Israel from Egypt’s bondage. Gideon and his three hundred men found victory over a vast army of the enemy.

How often the people of God forget that it is not they but the Lord of hosts who fights the battle for them, “… Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). This world has yet to see what God can do through a man who is totally surrendered to His will and dedicated for His purposes. God’s eyes are searching for men in whom He can manifest His power. For a simple request God promises a sure reply and a shocking revelation.

The Surprising Result

“… great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” is the essential surprising result when God is at work through His chosen instrument. “Fear not, thou worm Jacob… I will help thee… Behold, Iwill make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth:thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff” (Isaiah 41: 14-15). The God of Abraham,

Moses, Elijah, and Zerubabel uses small but completely surrendered instruments to manifest His glory. The pages of human history are full of instances of great and mighty things which men of God did for Him: the invincible, vast Red Sea divided when the rod of Moses was lifted against it; at Elijah’s word, fire descended from above and consumed the sacrifice; George Mueller’s orphans were fed from the great store-house of Heaven. For everyone who believed God, surprising results were granted.

The Christian church today is largely devoid of power. We have all forms and rituals of worship, but not the spirit of worship. The apostles said, “… Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). The twentieth century church has silver and gold, but not the power of God. We belittle God’s power by teaching that miracles of God’s grace are a thing of the past, meant for a former age only. How great a day it will be when the scales fall off from our eyes, and we see that God is still on the throne and can do great things today.

We need to pray that we will regain our sight so that we see the wretched, miserable condition of the church and of Christians today, and then turn back to God, turn back to the cleansing, sanctifying blood of Jesus for forgiveness, and to the Spirit of God for a new manifestation of God’s might. We will never pray as we should until we see it is a necessity. “…men ought always to pray…” (Luke 18: 1).

To the prophet Jeremiah, God gave the promise that for a simple request there is a sure reply, shocking revelation, and surprising results. Are we willing to ask God? God is willing to give. “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psalm 2:8).

“…I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons  and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28). We beseech all Christians to try and prove God, to hold a fast and cry unto the Lord, placing all their burdens and needs in His presence, and find the answers as per the promises. Will we tarry in His presence and receive from God the power, the power of the Holy Spirit, the streams of Living Water, until we are filled to overflowing?

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” (Luke 14:28)

            Can you afford the high price of not being saved? Many times when being saved is discussed, we often speak of what we must give up to be saved. Certainly, there must be repentance of sins, and a turning from the world, but look at the other side of the story. Just what are you losing by not being saved? If you choose to live your life without Jesus Christ, it will cost you:

1.  FORGIVING LOVE

            Our Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of the world. Dying in our stead on the cross, He has made forgiveness a reality for us. The invitation is for you and me to come by faith to Jesus, accept Him as our Savior, and know this forgiveness. This, alone, can make us acceptable with God. Can you afford to reject His offer of love and forgiveness and go your own way, only to meet Him in judgment and go to hell?

2.  FELLOWSHIP OF THE SAINTS

            In the world of the unsaved, no man cares for your soul. Everybody lives for themselves and what they can get out of life. In Jesus, however, there is abundant fellowship. Because we have been forgiven, we have fellowship with God and with all the saints. The people of God are real friends who care for you and love you. There is the plenty of the Father’s table that is always set full and free. Can you afford to miss this?

3.  ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD

            If you die without Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will surely be “turned into hell” (Psalm 9:17). It will cost you your soul to live in sin in this world and reject God’s Son as your Savior. Where will you be ten thousand years from now? Can you afford the cost of not being saved? No. None of us can, so “flee the wrath to come” (Luke 3:7) and run to Jesus now while you can. Thank God! He said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)

• Text:  1 Samuel 15
• Intro:
  • I believe why the majority of Christians fail in their walk with the Lord and end up defeated is because of their lack of total obedience or partial obedience to the Lord.

• In other words failing to do what God told them to do and the way to do it.

• Most Christians today put their own spin on what God commands them to do even though the word of God is very clear.

• Then when things don’t work out they have the tendency to blame someone else instead of acknowledging their sin of disobedience.

• What is the result for the Christian?

• They do not lose their salvation.

• However, they can lose their crowns or rewards at the judgment seat of Christ and the privilege to rule with Christ on the earth during the Millennium.

• I believe we will see this sin of partial obedience well illustrated in the life of King Saul.

• As a result of his partial obedience, Saul lost his crown and his right to rule.

• I.  1 Sam 15:1-4 – God’s command to Saul.

• -The LORD’s command very clear.
• -Not subject to interpretation.
• -See v. 3.
• -Simply put – “Utterly destroy Amalek and all they have”.

• II.   1  Sam 15:6-9 – – Saul’s sin of partial obedience.

• -V. 7 – Shows Saul did obey the Lord’s command in that he smote the Amalekities”
  • -Vs. 8-9 – Notice Saul’s sin of partial obedience.
    • *He kept Agag, the king of Amalekites alive.
    • *Kept the best of the livestock and everything and utterly destroyed the vile and refuse.
  • -Remember the Lord’s command in v3. to utterly destroy all life both human and animal and all that the Amalekities had (material  possessions.)

• III.  1 Sam. 15:10-11 – God’s reaction to Saul’s sin.

• -It greatly displeased God.
• -God had a change of mind about making Saul, king.
• -I believe when we are not totally obedient to the Lord, that it displeases Him.
• -It makes God change His mind about us.
• -Maybe withholding a blessing from us.
• -Or taking something that He has given us back.
  • *Material Possession.
  • *Good Health.

• -Notice, also in v. 11, the man of God, Samuel’s reaction.
  • *”…it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.”
• -When a pastor’s sees his people not being totally obedient to the Lord, it grieves him and makes him cry over their sin.

• IV. 1 Sam 15:12-13 – Saul’s Self-Deception.

• -Notice v. 13 – Saul convinced himself that he has done everything the Lord commanded him to do.
  • -Sometimes when we sin, we don’t want to the face the fact that we have.

• V.  1 Sam 15:14 – The exposure of Saul’s sin.

• -Notice the bleating of the sheep exposure Saul’s sin.
• -v3. Saul commanded to destroy everything including livestock.
• -God does have a sense a humor.
• -Here has the bleating of sheep to expose sin.
• -One way or another your sin will find you out.

• VI. 1 Sam. 15:15 – Saul’s justification for his sin.

• -Notice he blames the people.
• -Notice however in v.9 both Saul and the people made the decision together to spare Agag and the best of the livestock.
• -Notice Saul says but for a good cause, a religious reason.
• -“sacrifice unto the Lord.

• VII. 1 Sam. 15:16-18 – Samuel Reminds Saul.

• -How Lord had blessed him and made him king when he was nobody.
• -How the Lord commanded him to destroy the Amalekites.
• -I believe it is the man of God, the pastor to remind the people.
• *How God has greatly blessed them by saving them from a sinner’s  hell.
• *Of the Lord’s commandments as spelled out in the Word of God.

• VIII. 1 Sam. 15:19 – Samuel Confronts Saul with his Sin.

• -Samuel asks Saul why he could not obey the Lord.
• -Samuel calls sin for what it is “evil in the sight of the Lord.
• -Again, it is the man of God responsibility to confront a person with their sin with the preaching of the Word of God.
• -And spell out what sin is and how God views it as evil.

• IX. 1 Sam 15:20-21 – Saul answers Samuel and sticks to his story.

• -v 20 – Saul’s responds I did obey the Lord.
• -v.21 – However, the people disobeyed the Lord but for a good reason, religion.

-Remember, The king or leader is to set the example for the people to follow but he did not.

• -Again, v. 9 – says Saul and people together choose to disobey God.
• -Saul was a bad example.
• -He caused the people to sin.
• -Regardless, if the animals were to be sacrificed to Lord still obeyed God’s command.
• -Principle need to see “It never right to do wrong to do right.”

• X.  1 Sam 15:22 – Samuel tells Saul what is important.

• -V. 22 – Read.
• -The Lord values obedience to His commands and His word more than He does religious and formalistic rituals.

• XI. 1 Sam 15:23 – Samuel Describes the Seriousness of Saul’s Sin And the Results.

• -Rebellion not doing it God’s Way is as the sin of witchcraft.
• -We know in the Old Testament those who performed witchcraft were to be put to death.
• -Stubbornness, doing it our way, refusing to yield to God, is as iniquity and idolatry.
• -Result of Saul rejecting the Word of the Lord, he loses his kingship.

• XII.  1 Sam 15:24-25 – Saul’s Reaction.

• -V. 24 – Saul changes his tune.
• -He shows sorrow.
• -However, it is worldly sorrow – Sorry that he got caught.
• -See 2 Cor. 7:9-10 – wordly vs. godly sorrow
• -Godly Sorrow – Sorry sinned against God and disobeyed God

not for being caught.

• -Only changed after he heard lost his kingdom.
• -Notice he feared the people.
• -The Bible says “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”
• -v.25 – Notice he asks Samuel to pardon Him.
• -He needs to ask God to pardon his Sin.

• XIII.  1 Sam 15:26-29 – Samuel Responses.

• -Samuel rejects Saul because he rejected the Word of the Lord and the Lord rejected Saul.
• -Saul of all people the king of Israel should have known better.
• -He was held to a higher level of accountability because of his position.
• v. 27 – The renting of Samuel’s mantle represents the renting of the kingdom from Saul.
• -Principle: Sometimes the man of God has to reject those and separate from those who will not truly repent and get right with the Lord.

• XIV.   1 Sam. 15:30-31 Saul’s final plea to Samuel & Samuel’s response.

• -Saul asks Samuel to worship the Lord with him.
• -Samuel responds to Saul’s plea and I believe has one last time of pray and worship with king Saul.

• XV.  1 Sam. 15:32-33 Samuel Finish the Job.

• -Samuel finishes the job that Saul was suppose to do.
• -Remember, if the Lord commands you to do something and you don’t do it, He will raise someone else to do it.
• -And that person will end up with the blessing originally intended for you in this life and the life to come.

• XVI.  1 Sam 15:34-35 Samuel(Saint) and Saul(Sinner) Go Their Separate Ways.

• -v. 34 – Read
• -v. 35 – Notice, Samuel never to see Saul again until the day of his death.
• *But still mourns for Saul and his sin
• -I believe as a pastor, that I will always mourn over those who refused to get right with God because I know the consequences that face them.

• -For the unsaved who reject Christ – all of eternity in a lake of fire.

• -For a Christian who refuse to obey God totally.
• *In this life – A life of constant turmoil with no peace and joy.
• *In the next life  – Lost of rewards at the judgment seat of Christ and miss out ruling and reigning with Him during the Millennium.