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Living by the Spirit’s Power

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Living by the Spirit’s Power

Introduction:

Good reminders of how we are to live.

Ephesians 5:15-20 NLT
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Examine the scriptures:
Ephesians 5:15-20 NLT
Living by the Spirit’s Power 

15 So be careful how you live. 

  • Be careful how you live. 
    • Don’t be fooled by false teaching.

Colossians 2:8 NLT
8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 

Mark 13:22 NLT
22 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.

2 Peter 2;1-2 NLT
The Danger of False Teachers
2:1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 

Be careful how you live. “The stakes are high.”

Matthew 7:13-14 NLT
13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

    • The stakes are high. 

Don’t live like fools, 

The word fool used here is not describing someone with intellectual limits, rather it is describing someone who does not believe the message of the gospel and is living apart from God and his Word. 

Proverbs 14:7 NLT
7 Stay away from fools,
for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

Proverbs 1:22 NLT
22   How long will you fools hate knowledge?

Luke 24:25 NLT
25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures.

Galatians 3:1-3 NLT
3:1 Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. 2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 

Psalm 14:1 NLT
1 Only fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.” 

  • Don’t live like fools.
    • Fools do not believe the message of the gospel and are living apart from God and his Word. 

but like those who are wise.

Proverbs 1:7 NLT
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

John 6:29 NLT
29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

If you need wisdom:

James 1:5 NLT
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

Colossians 1:9-10 NLT
9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

  • Live wisely 

 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 

Colossians 4:5 NLT
5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 

Our time on earth is brief.

James 4:14 NLT
14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

Psalm 39:4 NLT
4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is. 

  • Our time on earth is brief. Make the most of every opportunity. 

17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 

Spend time in the Word.

God’s general guidelines for life are found in the Bible.

God’s will for us is described throughout His Word.

Psalm 119:105 NLT
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

Romans 12:2 NLT
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Accept counsel from other believers.

Proverbs 11:14 NLT
14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls;
there is safety in having many advisers.

  • Seek God’s will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
  • Understand what the Lord wants you to do, and then do it.

Romans 12:6-8 NLT
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 

18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

Do not get drunk on wine.

Galatians 5:16 NLT
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Practical

Colossians 3:16 NLT
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

  • Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. 

 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves,

Corporately worship the Lord.

Psalm 22:22 NLT (David)
22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.
I will praise you among your assembled people.

Psalm 100
A psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2     Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation. 

and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 

Not just in public, but also worship the Lord in private.

  • Worship the Lord both corporately and privately. 

20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6 NLT
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 

  • Give thanks for everything to God the Father. 

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

John 14:6 NLT
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 

Romans 8:34 NLT
Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. (Interceding for us.)

Jesus intercedes for us.

  • Jesus Christ is our mediator and representative as we approach God.

David Kills Goliath

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David Kills Goliath

1 Samuel 17:32-58 NLT
32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”
34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”
Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”
38 Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. 39 David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before.
“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. 40 He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.
41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 43 “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44 “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.
45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.

Israel Routs the Philistines
When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. 53 Then the Israelite army returned and plundered the deserted Philistine camp. 54 (David took the Philistine’s head to Jerusalem, but he stored the man’s armor in his own tent.)
55 As Saul watched David go out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?”
“I really don’t know,” Abner declared.
56 “Well, find out who he is!” the king told him.
57 As soon as David returned from killing Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. 58 “Tell me about your father, young man,” Saul said.
And David replied, “His name is Jesse, and we live in Bethlehem.”

Examine the Scriptures
1 Samuel 17:32-58 NLT
David Kills Goliath

32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”

  • David was not the only person who faced a giant.

A similar story from 400 years previous to this, that David may have known.

Twelve scouts explore Canaan.

Numbers 13:30-33 NLT
30 But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”
31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” 32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. 33 We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”

Numbers 14:8-9 NLT (Joshua and Caleb speaking)
8 And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. 9 Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”

When we get to 2 Samuel 21 we will read more stories about facing giants.

As we go through life we all face giants of different forms.  These giants are obstacles or challenges that are humanly impossible to overcome.

We can all learn valuable lessons from this story about David facing Goliath.

  • David’s courage stands in contrast to Saul’s fear.

1 Samuel 17:11 NLT
11 When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.

33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”

  • In human terms, Goliath was invincible.

Saul does not have the same perspective that David has.  Saul failed to consider the Lord’s intervention. 

34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears,

Lions and bears were common in the land at this time. 

and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 

37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

  • David’s confidence did not rest in his own skill but in the power of the living God.

Psalm 54:4 NLT (written by David)
4 But God is my helper.
The Lord keeps me alive!

  • David’s faith contrasts sharply with Saul’s lack of faith.

David understood the following passages of scripture that fit in well with this story.

Joshua 1:9 NLT
9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Nahum 1:2 NLT
2 The Lord is a jealous God,
filled with vengeance and rage.
He takes revenge on all who oppose him
and continues to rage against his enemies!

Zechariah 9:15 NLT
15 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people,
and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones.

Genesis 12:3 NLT
3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” 

Exodus 23:27 NLT
27 “I will send my terror ahead of you and create panic among all the people whose lands you invade. I will make all your enemies turn and run.

Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a faith similar to David’s faith.

1 Samuel 14:6 NLT
6 “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” 

Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”

Saul may have had a partial understanding of David’s testimony in verses 34 – 37. 

38 Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. 39 David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before.
“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again.  

Later in his life David wrote:

Psalm 28:7 NLT
7 The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart. 

40 He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.

  • David equipped himself with the tools of a shepherd.

David likely became proficient using a sling as a shepherd protecting his sheep.

Slings were also used by warriors.

Judges 20:16 NLT
16 Among Benjamin’s elite troops, 700 were left-handed, and each of them could sling a rock and hit a target within a hairsbreadth without missing.

It is possible for stones hurled from a sling to travel at speeds close to one hundred miles per hour.

Slings were used to hit targets as far as 600 feet away. 

41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 

Youthful looking boy rather than a seasoned warrior.

43 “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?”

The word “dog” symbolizes things that are hated, impure, sinful, and disgusting.

Goliath uttered a statement of ironic truth about himself of which even he was unaware.  As a wild dog can be a threat to the flock and must be chased away or killed, Goliath as a threat to Israel must be killed.

Apparently Goliath did not see David’s sling. 

And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 

  • Since Goliath appealed to his gods, David’s victory over Goliath would symbolize God’s victory over the gods of the Philistines.

Dagon, the chief god of the philistines.
Ashtaroth (31:10) was also a god of the Philistines. 

44 “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.

  • In Israel, being left unburied and exposed to birds and beasts was considered to be a terrible curse.

Deuteronomy 28:25-26 NLT (Curses for disobedience.)
25 “The Lord will cause you to be defeated by your enemies. You will attack your enemies from one direction, but you will scatter from them in seven! You will be an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth. 26 Your corpses will be food for all the scavenging birds and wild animals, and no one will be there to chase them away.

Psalm 79:1-4 NLT
A psalm of Asaph.
1 O God, pagan nations have conquered your land,
your special possession.
They have defiled your holy Temple
and made Jerusalem a heap of ruins.
2 They have left the bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of heaven.
The flesh of your godly ones
has become food for the wild animals.
3 Blood has flowed like water all around Jerusalem;
no one is left to bury the dead.
4 We are mocked by our neighbors,
an object of scorn and derision to those around us. 

45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 

  • David’s strength was his reliance on the Lord.

Proverbs 18:10 NLT
10 The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.

Deuteronomy 20:1-4 NLT
Regulations concerning War
20:1 “When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you! 2 When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops. 3 He will say to them, ‘Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. 4 For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!’

46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals,

  • David accurately predicted the outcome of the battle.

Here the curse is directed to the Philistines. 

and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 

  • David fought in the name of the Lord and for the glory of the Lord.

47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear.

Iron weapons were scarce in Israel. 

This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

  • Despite any military advantage the Philistine army may have had, David knew that the battle belonged to the Lord.

48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.

A portion of Goliath’s forehead remained exposed beneath his helmet.

50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. 

David used it to kill him and cut off his head.

The stone had only stunned Goliath. David used Goliath’s own sword to kill him by cutting off his head.

  • David triumphed over Goliath with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword.

Israel Routs the Philistines
When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. 

The Philistines may have seen this defeat as a judgment of their gods.

The Philistines did not honor Goliath’s original proposal.

1 Samuel 17:9 NLT
9 If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! 

  • When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran.

52 Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron.

Gath was 6 miles to the west.  Ekron was 5 miles north of Gath.

The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. 

David’s prediction come true.

Shaaraim was a city of Judah near Azekah.

53 Then the Israelite army returned and plundered the deserted Philistine camp. 

Unless expressly prohibited, the taking of war spoils was a common practice.

Joshua 8:1-2 NLT
The Israelites Defeat Ai
8:1-2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take all your fighting men and attack Ai, for I have given you the king of Ai, his people, his town, and his land. 2 You will destroy them as you destroyed Jericho and its king. But this time you may keep the plunder and the livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the town.” 

54 (David took the Philistine’s head to Jerusalem, but he stored the man’s armor in his own tent.)

Jerusalem was probably the final destination of Goliath’s head.

At this time Jerusalem was controlled by the Jebusites.

Later in the story:
2 Samuel 5:6-7 NLT
David Captures Jerusalem
6 David then led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land who were living there. The Jebusites taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” For the Jebusites thought they were safe. 7 But David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David.

David may have kept Goliath’s head as a trophy of victory and brought the skull with him to Jerusalem when he made the city his capital.

Or

David may have displayed Goliath’s head to the Jebusites as a warning of what the God of Israel was able to do and would eventually do to them. 

55 As Saul watched David go out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?”

“I really don’t know,” Abner declared.

Saul almost certainly knew who David was and was only asking for the name of David’s father.

56 “Well, find out who he is!” the king told him.

David was going to marry into his family.

57 As soon as David returned from killing Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. 58 “Tell me about your father, young man,” Saul said.
And David replied, “His name is Jesse, and we live in Bethlehem.”

 

Goliath Challenges the Israelites

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Goliath Challenges the Israelites

1 Samuel 17:1-31 NLT
17:1 The Philistines now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. 2 Saul countered by gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah. 3 So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them.
4 Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! 5 He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. 6 He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. 7 The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds. His armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield.
8 Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! 9 If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! 10 I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” 11 When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.

Jesse Sends David to Saul’s Camp
12 Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. Jesse was an old man at that time, and he had eight sons. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimea—had already joined Saul’s army to fight the Philistines. 14 David was the youngest son. David’s three oldest brothers stayed with Saul’s army, 15 but David went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.
16 For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army.
17 One day Jesse said to David, “Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and carry them quickly to your brothers. 18 And give these ten cuts of cheese to their captain. See how your brothers are getting along, and bring back a report on how they are doing.” 19 David’s brothers were with Saul and the Israelite army at the valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.
20 So David left the sheep with another shepherd and set out early the next morning with the gifts, as Jesse had directed him. He arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries. 21 Soon the Israelite and Philistine forces stood facing each other, army against army. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies and hurried out to the ranks to greet his brothers. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel.
24 As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright. 25 “Have you seen the giant?” the men asked. “He comes out each day to defy Israel. The king has offered a huge reward to anyone who kills him. He will give that man one of his daughters for a wife, and the man’s entire family will be exempted from paying taxes!”
26 David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”
27 And these men gave David the same reply. They said, “Yes, that is the reward for killing him.”
28 But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!”
29 “What have I done now?” David replied. “I was only asking a question!” 30 He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer. 31 Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him.

Examine the Scriptures
1 Samuel 17:1-31 NLT
Goliath Challenges the Israelites 

17:1 The Philistines

1 Samuel 14:52 NLT
52 The Israelites fought constantly with the Philistines throughout Saul’s lifetime. 

  • The Israelites fought constantly with the Philistines throughout Saul’s lifetime. 

now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. 

Socoh and Azekah were towns of Judah.
Socoh was 14-15 miles west of Bethlehem near the Philistine border.
Azekah was a few miles northwest of Socoh.

  • The Philistines were encroaching on Israelite territory.

Note the location of the Philistine cities Gath and Ekron on a map.

2 Saul countered by gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah. 

 3 So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them.

Apparently both armies were intimidated by their opponent. 

4 Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath,

Gath- one of the five major Philistine cities.

Came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! 

Gath was known for having giants as citizens.

Goliath stood between the two armies of the Philistines and Israel.

5 He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. 6 He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. 7 The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds.  

His armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield. 

  • In human terms, Goliath was invincible. 

8 Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! 9 If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! 10 I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!”  

  • Rival forces would sometimes agree to let selected individuals from each side decide a conflict.

Both sides assumed that the “gods” would use this to determine the winning side.  This method was more “economical” and the lives of many soldiers would be spared.

This does not always work out as planned.  See 2 Samuel 2:14-17. 

11 When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.

  • Goliath terrified Saul and the Israelite soldiers.

No one was willing to take on this Goliath.

Skip ahead to verse 24:

24 As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright.  

Goliath was the Israeli soldier’s worst nightmare come true.

  • It appears that Israel forgot God’s covenant promises.

Exodus 23:22 NLT
22 But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you.

Deuteronomy 3:22 NLT
22 Do not be afraid of the nations there, for the Lord your God will fight for you.’

Deuteronomy 20:1-4 NLT
20:1 “When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you! 2 When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops. 3 He will say to them, ‘Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. 4 For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!’

Look closely at:

Joshua 1:7-9 NLT
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

  • Some of God’s promises are conditional.

Obey God’s instructions.
Study scripture continually.
Meditate on scripture.
Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.

Jesse Sends David to Saul’s Camp

12 Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. Jesse was an old man at that time, and he had eight sons. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimea—had already joined Saul’s army to fight the Philistines. 14 David was the youngest son. David’s three oldest brothers stayed with Saul’s army,  

15 but David went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 14:52 NLT
52 The Israelites fought constantly with the Philistines throughout Saul’s lifetime. So whenever Saul observed a young man who was brave and strong, he drafted him into his army.

1 Samuel 16:21-23 NLT
21 So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. (MacArthur stated that Saul had many armor bearers.)  22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.”
23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away. 

1 Samuel 17:55-58 NLT
55 As Saul watched David go out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?”
“I really don’t know,” Abner declared.
56 “Well, find out who he is!” the king told him.
57 As soon as David returned from killing Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. 58 “Tell me about your father, young man,” Saul said.
And David replied, “His name is Jesse, and we live in Bethlehem.” 

David spent time tending his father’s sheep as well as serving Saul “part time”.  The intermittent nature of David’s service might explain why Saul was unfamiliar with the details of David’s life.  David was present in Saul’s life during the times that “the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled Saul with depression and fear” (v. 16:14).  Saul wasn’t in his right mind. (not rational)

David’s position with Saul was not “permanent” until chapter 18.

1 Samuel 18:2 NLT
2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home.

  • David spent time tending his father’s sheep as well as serving Saul “part time”. 

16 For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army.

“Strutted”

Presented himself.
Took his stand.
Gave his challenge.
Taunted (v.23)

Clearly, this behavior for 40 days would be very demoralizing to the Israelite army.

  • For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army. 

17 One day Jesse said to David, “Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and carry them quickly to your brothers. 18 And give these ten cuts of cheese to their captain. See how your brothers are getting along, and bring back a report on how they are doing.” 19 David’s brothers were with Saul and the Israelite army at the valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines. 

20 So David left the sheep with another shepherd and set out early the next morning with the gifts, as Jesse had directed him.

15 but David went back and forth 

He arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries. 21 Soon the Israelite and Philistine forces stood facing each other, army against army. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies and hurried out to the ranks to greet his brothers. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel. 

24 As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright. 25 “Have you seen the giant?” the men asked. “He comes out each day to defy Israel. 

The king has offered a huge reward to anyone who kills him. He will give that man one of his daughters for a wife, and the man’s entire family will be exempted from paying taxes!”

  • Saul offered a sizeable reward to anyone who would kill Goliath.

26 David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? 

  • As we read on in the story, it is clear that David’s motivation is silence Goliath’s defiance of God, not to receive some huge reward from King Saul. 

Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”

David viewed Goliath as a pagan, defying the living God.

1 Samuel 17:45 NLT
45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 

  • David sees the issue clearly, unlike Saul and the other Israelites, David sees this as a spiritual battle.

Biblical principles we need to apply to our lives.

Colossians 3:23-24 NLT
23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

David understood this principle.  David was working for the Lord, not for King Saul.

Ephesians 6:12 NLT
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood.” In other words, the fight is not against governments or people or companies or circumstances. Our battle is against the unseen world of spiritual evil that surrounds us.

  • David’s motivation was to serve the Lord. 

27 And these men gave David the same reply. They said, “Yes, that is the reward for killing him.”

28 But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!”

Eliab was angry, perhaps resentful that David, rather than he, was anointed to be king (16:6-13).

  • Eliab does not understand why his younger brother is willing to do something that all of the other Israelite soldiers are afraid to do.

29 “What have I done now?” David replied. “I was only asking a question!” 30 He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer. 31 Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him.

God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed

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God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed

Introduction:

Again, Paul repeats himself quite a bit in this passage.

In this passage, Paul talks about his God given role.

Paul talks a lot about Paul.

When I think of all this …

I, Paul …

God gave me ..

I briefly wrote …

… revealed his mysterious plan to me.

… I have written …

… my insight …

I have been given …

… I am the least …

He graciously gave me …

I was chosen …

How can we apply this passage of scripture to our lives?

Ephesians 3:1-12 NLT
God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed
3 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . . 2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. 3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Because of Christ and our faith in him we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

 Examine the scriptures:

Ephesians 3:1-12 NLT
God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed

3:1 When I think of all this,

Briefly:
Review Chapter 2

11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, …. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. … (through the end of chapter 2)

This is a good description of each of us before we were saved.

We really were outsiders, lost and without hope, heading straight to hell. 

I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus

Repeated:

4:1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord …

6:20 I am in chains now …

Paul was a prisoner at the time he wrote this letter. (Likely in Rome)

Paul suffered imprisonment or confinement several times for serving Christ.

2 Timothy 1:11-12 NLT
11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.
12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

for the benefit of you Gentiles . . .  

Paul suffered imprisonment for preaching to Gentiles.

  • Living a life that is honoring to God can be very challenging. 

2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. 

Paul’s primary God given role was to proclaim God’s grace to the Gentiles.

  • A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NLT
7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. … 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT (Previous chapter)
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 

Paul’s understanding of God’s mysterious plan came as God Himself revealed it to him.

Galatians 1:11-12 NLT
Paul’s Message Comes from Christ
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.

God revealed this mysterious plan to Paul by revelation on the road to Damascus and more fully at other times. 

4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ.  

  • As we spend quality time in the word God gives us (reveals to us) a better understanding of His will for our lives.

Romans 10:17 NLT
17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. 

5 God did not reveal it (verse 6) to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

“But now …” Paul is referring to NT prophets.

The role of the Holy Spirit is somewhat different in the NT compared to in the OT.

Beginning at Pentecost.

Prophecy here is not so much about predicting the future as it is speaking a special word from God.

6 And this is God’s plan:

This is what is being revealed.

Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

Gentiles: anyone who is not Jewish.

Both … Both … both.

Jews and Gentiles, who believe the Good News, together are part of God’s family and heirs of God’s riches.

Jews and Gentiles, who believe the Good News, are part of the same body.

Jews and Gentiles, who believe the Good News, are united with Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:12 NLT
12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.

Galatians 3:28 NLT
28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

  • As believers, we are part of God’s family and heirs of God’s riches. 

 7 By God’s grace and mighty power,

Grace: Undeserved blessing that comes from God.

Mighty power:

Matthew 19:26 NLT
26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” 

  • God equips us to serve Him.

I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

Would God treat Paul differently than He treats us?

(Keep in mind that the “body” has many parts.)

8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people,

God did not call Paul because he was a good person.

  • God did not call us because we were good people.

he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 

Reminder: We are heirs of “endless treasures.”

  • We have the privilege of serving God by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. 

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 

The church is meant to be God’s showcase.

The ultimate purpose of the church is to glorify God.

  • God uses people (us), His church, to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.

11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s plans existed from the beginning of time.

  • God’s plans for each of us existed from the beginning of time.

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

Not because of what we have done, but because of what Christ has done for us, we can come boldly to the throne of God. 

Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT
Christ Is Our High Priest
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. 

  • As believers, we can come boldly to the throne of our gracious God and receive His mercy and grace to help us when we need it most. 

 

Samuel Anoints David as King

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Samuel Anoints David as King

1 Samuel 16:1-13 NLT
16:1 Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”
2 But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
“Take a heifer with you,” the Lord replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.”
4 So Samuel did as the Lord instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?”
5 “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too.
6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”
“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.
And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”<
13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

Examine the Scriptures

Similarities between Saul and David.

Both men were anointed by Samuel.

Neither one was pursuing the position.

Both were unlikely candidates.

Saul was from the smallest tribe.

David was the youngest son.

Both were impressive in appearance.

The Spirit came mightily on each when he was anointed king.

1 Samuel 16:1-13 NLT
Samuel Anoints David as King 

16:1 Now the Lord said to Samuel,

The Lord spoke to Samuel.

1 Samuel 3:1 NLT
The Lord Speaks to Samuel
3:1 Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.

The Lord spoke to Samuel.

The Lord spoke to Samuel when he was a boy. (1 Samuel 3)

The Lord spoke to Samuel when he was an adult.

1 Samuel 9:17
17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said, “That’s the man I told you about! He will rule my people.” 

In today’s lesson:

1 Samuel 16:12 NLT
12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.
And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”

  • In those days messages from the Lord were very rare, but God did speak to Samuel.  

“You have mourned long enough for Saul.

1 Samuel 15:34-35 NLT
34 Then Samuel went home to Ramah, and Saul returned to his house at Gibeah of Saul. 35 Samuel never went to meet with Saul again, but he mourned constantly for him. 

  • After Saul and Samuel parted company, Samuel mourned constantly for Saul. 

I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem.

Bethlehem is in Judah, about 5 miles south of Jerusalem, and about 10 miles from Ramah.

Luke 2:11 NLT
11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 

Find a man named Jesse who lives there,

Jesse was a descendant of Perez, son of Judah and Tamar. (Refer to family tree of Ruth)

Jesse was the Grandson of Boaz and Ruth.

Ruth 4:21-22 NLT
21 … Boaz was the father of Obed.
22 Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David. 

Ruth 4:18-22 NLT
18 This is the genealogical record of their ancestor Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron.
19 Hezron was the father of Ram.
Ram was the father of Amminadab.
20 Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
21 Salmon was the father of Boaz.
Boaz was the father of Obed.
22 Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David. 

Genesis 49:10 NLT
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants,
until the coming of the one to whom it belongs,
the one whom all nations will honor.

  • David was a descendent of Judah. 

for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”

  • God chose David to be the next king of Israel.

At this point in time, Samuel did not know that David would be chosen as the next king of Israel.

Romans 13:1 NLT
13:1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

Scripture describes David as:

A man after God’s own heart. A man better than you (Saul). A neighbor of yours (Saul).

1 Samuel 13:14 NLT
14 But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

1 Samuel 15:28 NLT
28 And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else—one who is better than you.

1 Samuel 15:28 ESV
28 And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, (KJV, NIV, RSV, ASV) who is better than you. 

  • God commissioned Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel. 

2 But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The road from Ramah to Bethlehem passed through Gibeah of Saul. (Refer to a map)

1 Samuel 15:34 NLT
34 Then Samuel went home to Ramah, and Saul returned to his house at Gibeah of Saul.

Saul already knew that the Lord had chosen someone to replace him as king.

Samuel fears that jealousy will incite Saul to violence.

“Take a heifer with you,” the Lord replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. 

The Lord told Samuel to say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord” so it should not be considered morally wrong.

  • God’s strategy is always right.

Isaiah 55:9 NLT
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. 

3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.”

Samuel did not know that David would be chosen as the next king of Israel.

Anoint:

Set apart as king.

Separation to the Lord for a particular task and divine equipping for the task.

  • Note: David will actually be anointed three times.

First here, second as king of Judah, and third as king of Israel. 

4 So Samuel did as the Lord instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?”

News of Samuel’s rebuke of Saul and execution of Agag had likely reached Bethlehem.

5 “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” 

Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too.

Purification and Sacrifice

ESV & NIV: Consecrate yourself (setting apart to the worship or service of God.)

ASV: sanctify (setting apart for a sacred purpose)

CEB: make yourself holy.

CEV: Get yourself ready.

Exodus 19:10 NLT
10 Then the Lord told Moses, “Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing.

Numbers 8:21NLT
21 The Levites purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes, and Aaron lifted them up and presented them to the Lord as a special offering. He then offered a sacrifice to purify them and make them right with the Lord. 

Numbers 19:19
… the people being cleansed must wash their clothes and bathe themselves, …

  • Worship of God was always preceded by cleansing or washing and putting on clean clothes. 

6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”

Eliab had an impressive outward appearance.

This had also been true for Saul.

1 Samuel 9:2 NLT
2 His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land. 

  • Samuel thought that Eliab “looked” like the perfect candidate to be Israel’s next king. 

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him.

We learn a little more about Eliab in 1 Samuel 17:28.

1 Samuel 17:28 NLT
28 But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!” 

The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Psalm 139:1 NLT
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.

The “heart” in Scripture refers to a person’s inward moral and spiritual life, including the emotions, will, and reason.

  • People judge by outward appearance, but the Lordlooks at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

Jesse’s sons names come from the books of 1 Samuel and 1 Chronicles.  Jesse is mentioned to have eight sons, but only seven are mentioned by name. 

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”

The Lord’s chosen one is a shepherd.

Psalm 78:70-72 NLT
70 He chose his servant David,
calling him from the sheep pens.
71 He took David from tending the ewes and lambs
and made him the shepherd of Jacob’s descendants—
God’s own people, Israel.
72 He cared for them with a true heart
and led them with skillful hands.

“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” 

12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.

And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”

  • The Lord’s chosen one was a shepherd. 

13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil.

This is the first time in this narrative that David is mentioned by name.

David’s brothers witnessed this anointing.

The Elders of the town also witnessed this anointing.  (verse 5)

The small circle of witnesses to David’s anointing assured its confidentiality, but also provided ample testimony for the future that David had been anointed by Samuel. 

And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.

  • David was being equipped and empowered by God to fulfill a new role.

Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

Later David was anointed king over Judah and then over Israel.

2 Samuel 2:4 NLT
4 Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah.

2 Samuel 5:3 NLT
3 So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.

 

 

From “Outsider” to “Heir”

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From “Outsider” to “Heir”

Another “before” and “after” picture.

We (Gentiles) go from “Outsider” to “Heir” and receive all of the benefits that belong to heirs of God.

Christians are the temple of the Holy Spirit, individually and corporately.

Ephesians 2:11-22 NLT
Oneness and Peace in Christ
11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
A Temple for the Lord
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Examine the scriptures:
Ephesians 2:11-22 NLT
Oneness and Peace in Christ

11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders.

  • Gentiles (us) used to be “outsiders”.

You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 

Socially:

Gentiles were considered outsiders. 

Genesis 17:9-14 NLT
The Mark of the Covenant
9 Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. 10 This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised. 11 You must cut off the flesh of your foreskin as a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased. 13 All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant. 14 Any male who fails to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for breaking the covenant.” 

Gentiles were cut off from the covenant family. 

  • Gentiles were “excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel” (Ephesians 2:12). 

12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 

  • Gentiles:

Were living apart from Christ.

Did not know God’s covenant promises.

Lived in this world without God.

Lived without hope.

Colossians 1:21 NLT
21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.

***This is also a description of all unbelievers.

Romans 3:23
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

We really were outsiders, lost and without hope, heading straight to hell. 

13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

We have been brought near to God.

Jesus restored a broken relationship. 

  • Gentiles were brought near to God through the blood of Christ.

The Old Testament discusses this in Isaiah 56. 

Isaiah 56:8 NLT
8 For the Sovereign Lord,
who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says:
I will bring others, too,
besides my people Israel.” 

What happened at Easter? 

14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us.

  • We can have peace with God because of what Jesus has done for us.

Romans 5:1 NLT
5:1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 

He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.  

  • Christ made peace between Jews and Gentiles possible.

Galatians 3:26-28 NLT
26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. 

  • The Mosaic Law included many commandments that served to separate Israel (the Jews) from the other nations (Gentiles).

Deuteronomy 20:16-18 NLT
16 In those towns that the Lord your God is giving you as a special possession, destroy every living thing. 17 You must completely destroy the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, just as the Lord your God has commanded you. 18 This will prevent the people of the land from teaching you to imitate their detestable customs in the worship of their gods, which would cause you to sin deeply against the Lord your God.

Jesus changed all of that.

Romans 10:4 NLT
4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given.   As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

Romans 6:14 NLT
14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

Romans 7:6 NLT
6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

  • We have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power.

He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NLT
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. 

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 NLT
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. 

  • Christ’s death on the cross reconciled humans to God, and also Jews and Gentiles to each other. 

17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 

John 14:27 NLT
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 

18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

The gift of the Holy Spirit.

We have access to God through the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:44-45 NLT
The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit
44 Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. 

Galatians 4:6-7 NLT
6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. 

Romans 8:15-17 NLT
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. 

Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. 

Ephesians 3:12 NLT
12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 

  • Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

A Temple for the Lord

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners.

Strangers and foreigners had no rights or privileges, or limited rights and privileges.

  • There are no strangers, foreigners, or second-class citizens in God’s family.

You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people.

Note:  As citizens …

1 Peter 1:3-4 NLT
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 

You are members of God’s family. 

Romans 8:15-17 NLT
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”  16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.

  • Believing Gentiles are members of God’s family and are heirs of God’s glory.  

20 Together, 

Jew and Gentile believers. 

we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets.

Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets teaching, not the apostles and prophets personally.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 NLT
10 Because of God’s grace to me, I (Paul) have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

At this point in time the New Testament had not yet been completed.

Today we could say, built on the foundation of the scriptures (God’s Word). 

And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.   

The cornerstone is the most important stone in a building’s foundation.

This stone set the foundation and squared the building.

The building is aligned with Christ.  Everything points back to the cornerstone.

  • Jesus is the cornerstone of his holy temple. 

21 We are carefully joined together in him,

  • Every believer is a stone in Christ’s temple, the church, Christ’s body of believers.

1 Peter 2:5 NLT
5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.

Scripture is all about community.

1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

Believers Form a community.

Acts 2:42 NLT
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Galatians 6:2 NLT
2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Romans 12:5
5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Romans 12:10 NLT
10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Hebrews 10:25 NLT
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Proverbs 27:17 NLT
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend.

  • As believers, we are carefully joined together in Christ. 

becoming a holy temple for the Lord.  

“Becoming”

  • The church is a living and growing organism.

1 Peter 2:4-5 NLT
4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.

Matthew 18:20 NLT
20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

Matthew 28:20 NLT
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

1 Corinthians 3:16 NLT
16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in (or among) you?

  • The church is meant to be a community of people in whom the Holy Spirit dwells.

Belonging to the visible church is not optional for followers of Christ.

  • Living in isolation, separated from believers, is not an option for followers of Christ. 

22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

  • The Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence in the vast spiritual body of all of the redeemed. 

Individually

1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT
19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Corporately

2 Corinthians 6:16 NLT
16 … For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people. 

From “Outsider” to “Heir” and the Benefits That Go With It.

  • Gentiles used to be “outsiders”.
  • Gentiles were “excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel” (verse 12).
  • Gentiles: Were living apart from Christ. Did not know God’s covenant promises. Lived in this world without God. Lived without hope.
  • Gentiles were brought near to God through the blood of Christ.
  • We can have peace with God because of what Jesus has done for us.
  • Christ made peace between Jews and Gentiles possible.
  • The Mosaic Law included many commandments that served to separate Israel (the Jews) from the other nations (Gentiles).
  • We have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power.
  • Christ’s death on the cross reconciled humans to God, and also Jews and Gentiles to each other.
  • Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.
  • There are no strangers, foreigners, or second class citizens in God’s family.
  • Believing Gentiles are members of God’s family and are heirs of God’s glory.
  • Every believer is a stone in Christ’s temple, the church, Christ’s body of believers.
  • Jesus is the cornerstone of his holy temple.
  • As believers, we are carefully joined together in Christ.
  • The church is a living and growing organism.
  • The church is meant to be a community of people in whom the Holy Spirit dwells.
  • Living in isolation, separated from believers, is not an option for followers of Christ.
  • The Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence in the vast spiritual body of all of the redeemed.

Living in the Light

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Living in the Light

Ephesians 5:8-14 NLT
8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper,
    rise up from the dead,
    and Christ will give you light.”

Examine the scriptures:

Ephesians 5:8-14 NLT
Living in the Light 

8 For once you were full of darkness,

This is a description of everyone one of us.

We were all dominated by sin, ignorant of God and His ways.

Ephesians 4:17-19 NLT
Living as Children of Light
17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

John 3:19-21 NLT
19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” 

  • At one point in time we were all full of darkness. 

“But” 

but now you have light from the Lord.

Christians are changed people.

Christians are no longer part of the darkness, in which they used to live.

Colossians 1:11-14 NLT
11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 NLT
4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

  • When we became Christians, we were rescued from the kingdom of darkness. 

So live as people of light! 

Believers live in fellowship with God, in whom there is no darkness.

1 John 1:5-7 NLT
Living in the Light
5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Philippians 2:15 NLT
15 … Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

John 3:21 NLT
21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” 

  • Scripture tells us to live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Be noticed!  (I wasn’t raised this way.)

Redeemer Day School needs to be noticed. 

9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

Light is productive.

Grow lights promote plant growth.

Light chases away darkness.

Jesus is the Light of the world.

John 8:12 NLT
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Philippians 1:11 NLT11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

  • The light within us produces only what is good and right and true.

We have a perfect resource living within us. 

10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 

Romans 12:2 NLT
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 

Philippians 1:9-10 NLT
9 … keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.

Our goal should be to please God.

Colossians 1:9-10 NLT
9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. 

  • Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 

11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 

  • Love justice and hate evil.

Amos 5:15 NLT
15 Hate evil and love what is good;

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NLT
9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

2 Thessalonians 3:6 NLT
6 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us.
14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NLT
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.
18 And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.” 

12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 

Merely talking about the things that morally and ungodly people do in secret can be morally and spiritually corruptive.

  • Christians should not dwell on the evil that their lives (Christ) are exposing in others.

Example: Parents to children.
Positive proclamation of the truth in the light of the Word exposes all evil.

Proverbs 6:23 NLT
23 For their command is a lamp
and their instruction a light;
their corrective discipline
is the way to life. 

How does this apply to parents? Teachers? 

13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 

  • The pure and illuminating light of God’s Word exposes sin.

2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 

Psalm 119:105 NLT
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.

Christ’s light shining on us and reflecting from us will expose evil intensions.

14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper,
    rise up from the dead,
    and Christ will give you light.”  (Possibly Isaiah 60:1)

Christ shines on sinners with His life-giving light.

This is an invitation for salvation to the unsaved, in order that they may be transformed from children of darkness into children of God’s holy light.

 

The Lord Rejects Saul (Part 2)

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The Lord Rejects Saul (Part 2)

Introduction:

Two passages: 1 Samuel 15:24-34 & 1 Samuel 16:14-23 NLT

Saul is experiencing a long and painful consequence for his sins. (15 + years)

Review:

1 Samuel 15:1-3 NLT
15:1 One day Samuel said to Saul, “It was the Lord who told me to anoint you as king of his people, Israel. Now listen to this message from the Lord! 2 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt. 3 Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation—men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys.” 

Saul disobeyed this command.

1 Samuel 15:24-34 NLT
Saul Pleads for Forgiveness
24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. 25 But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord.”
26 But Samuel replied, “I will not go back with you! Since you have rejected the Lord’s command, he has rejected you as king of Israel.”
27 As Samuel turned to go, Saul tried to hold him back and tore the hem of his robe. 28 And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else—one who is better than you. 29 And he who is the Glory of Israel will not lie, nor will he change his mind, for he is not human that he should change his mind!”
30 Then Saul pleaded again, “I know I have sinned. But please, at least honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel by coming back with me so that I may worship the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel finally agreed and went back with him, and Saul worshiped the Lord.
Samuel Executes King Agag
32 Then Samuel said, “Bring King Agag to me.” Agag arrived full of hope, for he thought, “Surely the worst is over, and I have been spared!” 33 But Samuel said, “As your sword has killed the sons of many mothers, now your mother will be childless.” And Samuel cut Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal.
34 Then Samuel went home to Ramah, and Saul returned to his house at Gibeah of Saul.

1 Samuel 16:14-23 NLT
David Serves in Saul’s Court
14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.
15 Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.”
17 “All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.”
18 One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.”
19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” 20 Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine.
21 So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer.
22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.”
23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.

Examine the Scriptures: 1 Samuel 15:24-34 & 1 Samuel 16:14-23 NLT

The Lord Rejects Saul (Part 2)
1 Samuel 15:24-34 NLT
Saul Pleads for Forgiveness

24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. 

  • Saul finally confesses his sins, but his confession does not appear to be genuine.

It is too little, too late, and is accompanied with excuses.

“I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.”

Saul is putting the blame on “the people”.

  • Saul’s confession appears to be generated more by a concern over consequences he would face than by a felt sorrow for offending a Holy God. 

25 But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord.”

  • Saul wanted to avoid a break with the prophet Samuel that could undermine his authority as king.

Saul recognized the importance of a good relationship between the king of the nation and the spiritual leader of the nation. 

26 But Samuel replied, “I will not go back with you! Since you have rejected the Lord’s command, he has rejected you as king of Israel.”

In 1 Samuel 13:13 God rejected Saul’s dynasty.

1 Samuel 13:13-14 NLT
13 “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

Here Saul himself is rejected as king.

1 Samuel 15:23 (previous lesson)

1 Samuel 15:23 NLT
23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”

  • Previously God had rejected Saul’s dynasty. Now God is rejecting Saul as king of Israel. 

27 As Samuel turned to go, Saul tried to hold him back and tore the hem of his robe. 28 And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else—one who is better than you. 

Notice the symbolism:

“Torn the hem”   “torn the kingdom of Israel from you today.”

  • Saul tearing Samuel robe symbolized God tearing the kingdom from Saul and his family.

Past tense.

The decision is made, and the decision has been finalized.  Saul has gone past the point of no return. The Lord took the Kingdom of Israel from Saul when Saul disobeyed God’s command to completely destroy the Amalekites.

The actual act was yet to come.

David’s name is not mentioned here. 

29 And he who is the Glory of Israel will not lie, nor will he change his mind, for he is not human that he should change his mind!”

  • God’s plans haven’t changed. It was always God’s intention for David to become king and for Jesus to come from the line of David.

1 Samuel 16:1 NLT
16:1 Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”

The people will still recognize Saul as their King for about 15 more years.

  • Saul’s consequences for his sins will take place over the next 15 years. 

30 Then Saul pleaded again, “I know I have sinned. But please, at least honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel by coming back with me so that I may worship the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel finally agreed and went back with him, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

Saul was still thinking about himself.

  • Saul is more concerned with his reputation among the people than the awfulness of his sin.

Saul wanted to save face.

It is not clear why Samuel goes back with Saul.

It could be out of concern for Saul or it could be out of concern for the nation of Israel.

Samuel does go back with Saul and carries out the divine sentence on King Agag and in doing so reemphasizes Saul’s neglect of duty.

Samuel Executes King Agag
32 Then Samuel said, “Bring King Agag to me.” Agag arrived full of hope, for he thought, “Surely the worst is over, and I have been spared!” 33 But Samuel said, “As your sword has killed the sons of many mothers, now your mother will be childless.” And Samuel cut Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel went home to Ramah, and Saul returned to his house at Gibeah of Saul.

From that day Samuel never visited the King again.

This estrangement between Samuel and Saul symbolized the permanent break that now existed between the Lord and King Saul.

(Saul and Samuel are mentioned together in 1 Samuel 19:24)

1 Samuel 16:14-23 NLT
David Serves in Saul’s Court

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.

The spirit of the Lord left Saul.

Saul knows that the kingdom of Israel has been (is being) taken from him.

1 Samuel 15:28
28 And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else—one who is better than you. 

Saul is experiencing a long and painful consequence for his sins.

Scripture clearly states that “the Lord sent a tormenting spirit”.

Evil spirits are subject to God’s control and only operate within divinely determined boundaries.

Saul is filled with depression, fear, tendencies to despondency, jealously, anger, delusion, and violence.

These feelings are caused by his knowledge of his rejection as king, David’s growing popularity, and the involvement of an evil spirit in these psychological aberrations.

  • The Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. 

15 Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.”

  • Certain types of music can have a soothing effect on a troubled spirit.

17 “All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.”

18 One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.”

  • God’s sovereignty was clearly at work in this narrative.
  • God used the evil that had befallen Saul to introduce David into the court of the king and to the attention of the nation of Israel. 

19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” 

  • At this point in time Saul does not know that David will be the next king of Israel.

20 Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine.

21 So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer.

David is first introduced as a musician. (Later as a warrior.)

David became a close personal attendant to King Saul. (The time sequence for this is unclear.)

  • David is in a good position to learn the duties of a king.

At first Saul loved David very much, but this love soon turned to intense jealously and hatred. 

22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.”

1 Samuel 17:14-15 NLT
14 David was the youngest son. David’s three oldest brothers stayed with Saul’s army, 15 but David went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.

23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.

Certain types of music can have a soothing effect on a troubled spirit.

  • Beyond this natural effect of music it would appear that in this instance the Spirit of the Lord was active in David’s music to temporally suppress the evil spirt that was tormenting Saul.

Something similar to this happened to Elisha.

2 Kings 3:15 NLT
15 Now bring me someone who can play the harp.”
While the harp was being played, the power of the Lord came upon Elisha,

The Holy Spirit empowered David to drive away the evil spirit that overwhelmed Saul.

  • Whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp, Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.

 

Walking in Love

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Walking in Love

Introduction:

Practical examples of how Christians should relate to others.

This passage contains powerful lessons for us as well as powerful lessons to teach to young people.

Ephesians 5:1-7 NLT
Walking in Love
5:1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 

Examine the scriptures:

Ephesians 5:1-7 NLT

Walking in Love

5:1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 

  • Christians are commanded to imitate God in everything they do.

This command is found throughout scripture,

Matthew 5:48 NLT
48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

1 Peter 1:15-16 NLT
15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

Leviticus 19:2 NLT
2 “Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

Leviticus 20:7 NLT
7 So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the Lord your God.

Luke 6:36 NLT
36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Paul’s challenge:

1 Corinthians 4:14-17 NLT
14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. 15 For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. 16 So I urge you to imitate me.
17 That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.

As a child imitates his parents, a child of God should imitate his heavenly father.

This is the purpose of sanctification.

1 John 3:2 NLT
2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

  • The Christian has no greater calling or purpose than imitating the Lord.

God chose his children to be like His son.

Romans 8:29 NLT
29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

The Lord makes us more and more like Him.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

  • The Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

When Christ gave Himself up for us, it was the supreme act of His love.

  • Imitate God by living a life filled with love.

Walk in love.                           ESV

Live a life of love.                   ERV

Be full of love for others        TLB

Romans 12:1 NLT
A Living Sacrifice to God
12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 

3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 

These are selfish, self-centered activities.

4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you.

These are harmful behavior.

  • These self-centered vices in conduct and speech (verses 3 & 4) are the opposite of the self-sacrificing love we are called to practice.

Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.  

The speech of God’s people is to be characterized by thankfulness to God for all he has done, and is doing for us. 

5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

The things greedy people desire become their gods.  God is replaced by things.

Colossians 3:5 NLT
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT
9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 

Galatians 5:19-21 NLT
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 

  • Verse 5 is not a description of a believer. This is not who we are.  We have been transformed.  Therefore, it is not o.k. for us to practice an immoral lifestyle. 
  • God’s people must have a holy lifestyle, avoiding the immorality common among the unbelievers. 

6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 

False teachers

2 Peter 2:1-3 NLT
The Danger of False Teachers
2:1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.

God’s view of sin should be taken seriously.

Colossians 3:5-6 NLT (verse 5 repeated)
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.

Romans 1:18 NLT
18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

  • Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse sinful behaviors. 

7 Don’t participate in the things these people do.  

  • Christians must not participate in the sinful behaviors of unbelievers. 

 

The Lord Rejects Saul

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The Lord Rejects Saul

1 Samuel 15:10-23 NLT
10 Then the Lord said to Samuel, 11 “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.
12 Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.”
13 When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the Lord bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!”
14 “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded.
15 “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.”
16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! Listen to what the Lord told me last night!”
“What did he tell you?” Saul asked.
17 And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel. 18 And the Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ 19 Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?”20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else.
21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”
22 But Samuel replied,
“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”

Examine the Scriptures

1 Samuel 15:10-23 NLT

The Lord Rejects Saul

10 Then the Lord said to Samuel, 11 “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.”

Saul was not loyal to God.  He was not acting any differently than the kings of the surrounding nations.

Saul was refusing to obey the Lord’s commands.

1 Samuel 12:14-15 NLT
14 “Now if you (Israel) fear and worship the Lord and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the Lord’s commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the Lord as your God. 15 But if you rebel against the Lord’s commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors.

Saul clearly violated God’s commands given in 1 Samuel 12:14-15.

Sinful behavior grieves God’s heart.

Genesis 6:6 NLT
6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them (humans, before the flood) and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.

Psalm 78:40 NLT
40 Oh, how often they (Israelites) rebelled against him in the wilderness
and grieved his heart in that dry wasteland.

Ephesians 4:30 NLT
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

  • Saul was not loyal to God and he refused to obey God’s commands. (This is certainly a formula for failure.)
  • God felt genuine sorrow when he contemplated Saul’s sin.

Saul’s behaviors do not change God’s plans.

Isaiah 46:9-10 NLT
9 Remember the things I have done in the past.
For I alone am God!
I am God, and there is none like me.
10 Only I can tell you the future
before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass,
for I do whatever I wish. 

Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.

  • Samuel was grieved and upset with Saul. 

12 Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.”

7 miles south of Hebron.

  • Saul was giving himself, not God, credit for the military victories over the surrounding nations.

Saul was filled with pride.

Saul’s behaviors were self-centered.

  • Saul commemorated his own accomplishments by erecting a monument to himself. 

13 When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the Lord bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!”

  • Saul wanted Samuel to believe that he had done as God had commanded him to do.

Saul was either acting deceitfully or ignorantly.

Saul is less than honest in his statements to Samuel.

14 “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded.

15 “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted.

  • Saul blamed the army for disobeying the Lord’s command by sparing the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle.

Look closely at the facts recorded in the scriptures.

1 Samuel 15:9 NLT
9 Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs—everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality. 

“But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God.

  • Saul tried to justify his disobedience by claiming that the animals were brought as a sacrifice to the “Lord your God”.

Contrary to the order to destroy everything, Saul and his men would most likely end up eating a portion of the meat being sacrificed to the Lord.

Note: Samuel did not say “my God” or “our God”.

We have destroyed everything else.”

16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! Listen to what the Lord told me last night!”

“What did he tell you?” Saul asked.

17 And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel. 

1 Samuel 9:21 NLT
21 Saul replied, “But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?”

  • As the king of Israel and the leader of the army, Saul bore the responsibility for his actions and the actions of his army. 

18 And the Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ 

  • God put Saul in a leadership position to carry out His agenda.

19 Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?”

  • Saul and his soldiers willingly and greedily took the spoil.

20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. 

  • Instead of confessing his sin and repenting, Saul continued to justify his actions.

21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”

Gilgal was a religious center. 

22 But Samuel replied,

“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 

  • Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

God values obedience more than ritual.

Even the best sacrifice without obedience gains nothing.

Hosea 6:6 NLT
6 I want you to show love,
not offer sacrifices.
I want you to know me
more than I want burnt offerings.

Micah 6:6-8 NLT
6 What can we bring to the Lord?
Should we bring him burnt offerings?
Should we bow before God Most High
with offerings of yearling calves?
7 Should we offer him thousands of rams
and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
to pay for our sins?
8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.

  • The sacrificial system was intended to be an expression of an obedient and loving heart. 

23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.

Rebellion and stubbornness are sins of the heart.

Saul’s behavior was an indication of the condition of his heart.

Luke 6:45 NLT
45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

  • Saul was behaving like a pagan king. 

So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”

Saul continually rejected God.

Saul was guilty of:

Disobedience,

Rebellion.

Stubbornness, arrogance,

Rejecting God’s Word

Saul did not live up to God’s previously stated expectations of a king.

1 Samuel 12:13-15 NLT (repeated from earlier in this lesson)
13 All right, here is the king you have chosen. You asked for him, and the Lord has granted your request.
14 “Now if you fear and worship the Lord and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the Lord’s commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the Lord as your God. 15 But if you rebel against the Lord’s commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors. 

Previously when Saul, not Samuel, offered a sacrifice to the Lord.

1 Samuel 13:13-14 NLT
13 “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

Saul set his own will above the commands of the Lord and this behavior cost him dearly.

Although Saul would still be recognized by the people of Israel as their king for about fifteen more years, Saul was disposed by the Lord right then.

  • God disposed Saul and his descendants from the throne of Israel.

1 Samuel 16:14 NLT
14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.