| God delights in obedience! |
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God delights in obedience!
I Sam.15:1-23
Introduction:
People were complaining on the news about some of the new installed cameras at some of the traffic lights. People were mad because even though it says, you can turn right on red, after stopping; they have gotten tickets on the mail. The camera would issue you a ticket if you only slowed down; you need to come to a complete stop. The sign says, “stop and turn right”, not slow down and turn right. In the Bible we find someone whose disobedience cost him dearly, more than a traffic ticket.
In I Samuel 15 we find the story of the first king of Israel, Saul, and how he was rejected by God as king for disobeying his command.
God had promised to completely destroy the Amalekites; Israel’s enemy because of what they had done to Israel. The Amalekites were the first enemy to attack God’s people as they traveled to the land of the Canaan, the Promised Land. God had promised in Ex.17:14-15 “I will completely blot out the memories of Amalek from under the heaven.” Yahweh (Jehovah) was going to pay back for what they did to his people. 400 years later God assigned the task of totally destroying them to Saul, the first king of Israel. Revenge is mine says the Lord, and here the time for the Amalekites had come.
God’s mission for Saul his servant was to completely annihilate those people, everything that belonged to them. So Saul and his army got ready to carry out God’s mission.
Read text: I Sam.15:1-23
What was Saul’s downfall!
a) -He turned away from God by disobeying the Lord’s instruction.
1) The Lord’s instructions: (v.2-3)
2) Saul obeyed God partially (v.7-9) he went on a mission, destroyed the people but spared the king and some of the animals) this was not what Yahweh had commanded him to do
b) -Saul was arrogant (V12) he set up a monument for himself after coming back from the mission; “I did this” “look what I have accomplished.” Saul also became defensive when confronted by the prophet Samuel regarding his sin, and then Saul wanted to blame the soldiers.
c) -Saul didn’t handle peer pressure very well. (v24) he gave in to the request of the soldiers. He later on said: “I was afraid of the people (his army) so I gave in to their request”
God rejected Saul as king because of his disobedience; Saul chose to carry out his own agenda and partially obey the instructions of the Lord. God doesn’t like partial obedience. To partially obey God is to sin against him and Saul learned it the hard way.
Sometimes people think that the commands of the Lord are just suggestions; you find people groups that distort or twist the Word of God to their own benefits, to support their own agendas at times, and God doesn’t like that. People who know that Christ commanded us to be baptized and they don’t want to do it or don’t think it’s necessary. Jesus said to his followers, if you truly love me you would obey my commands (John 14:15; in other words, obedience is a sign of your true love and devotion you have for God. he also said that we remain in his love by obeying his commands. John15:10
A) It grieves God when we, his children disobey him; just like we grieve our parents when we don’t follow their instructions.
-God was grieved by the choice Saul made, Saul chose to do things his way, not God’s way.
B) God delights in obedience; this is more important to him than any sacrifices and burnt offerings you may offer. When you disobey God, then your worship becomes meaningless because He will not accept it.
C) Disobedience is sinning against God. Samuel compared it to two detestable sins of divination (witchcrafts) and idolatry. (V.22-23)
Since it’s is a sin to disobey God, then it must be punished, sin always has a price, a consequence attached to it. In Saul’s case, he lost his position as king and he forfeited God’s favor.
Remember Adam and Eve, their sin cost them greatly; their relationship between them and God was disconnected and they became mortal because they also chose to disobey the Lord’s instructions. Jonah ended up in the belly of a large fish for running away from God in disobedience.
God expects us to obey him with our hearts, to heed to his commands and instructions.
Conclusion:
How well are you listening to God’s instructions today? How much do you love the Lord? Your love for him will be evident in your truly obeying his words, his commands, his instructions. If we still have some areas in our lives in which we seem to be partially obeying God, then let’s given them up to him, and pray saying:
Father forgive us when we go about our own agendas and neglect your instructions. We pray that you help us not to give in to peer pressure when we are offered to go opposite to your plan. Father, help us not to be arrogant and become defensive when confronted with your word. Your word confronts us, disciplines us and equips us to be better disciples for your glory. Help us to always do things your way and not our way because your ways are perfect. Amen.
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