I Have Obeyed/Sinned

Introduction

I have often shared 6 words that settle any argument. I frequently refer to these 3 pairs as my relational recipe. [ words # 3 & 4 are the most difficult.]

‌2 weeks ago Brendan superbly talked about our need for reconciliation and the need for reconciliation to be proclaimed to our neighbors, because sin separates and all have sinned. Because of sin we need to honestly admit words 1-4.

‌Last week Dr. Kinser illustrated from the life of Paul and his enemies how foolish it is to pretend like we are something that we are not, because if we’re honest, healing can happen and power can be displayed.

‌Broken Together and If We’re Honest are two of the most empowering songs that I have heard on Christian radio in the last 10 years!

‌I found the article that the local newspaper did about my arrival 5 years ago this month - In that article I talked about being a safe place for people to explore faith. I said it then, and I still believe it now that, “If we are honest with one another, honest with ourselves, and honest with the Lord, I believe that genuine life transformation can happen.”

Transition: In today’s sermon we see 2 examples of those who failed to admit their failures. It cost 1 his life and the other it cost his career.

Saul’s Self-Deception (vv.13,20)

Subtle differences between instruction and execution can create huge problems with outcomes.

Eve and Saul listened to their own hearts and made adjustments to their obedience, with disastrous results.

My devotional Bible reading has been in 1 Chronicles recently. At the end of David’s life he states (1 Chr 28:2) “I had it in my heart to...” Then the next verse starts with, “But God said to me...”

Too many of us have problems when we reverse David’s statements. Too often our lives look like “God said to me, but I had it in my heart.”

What was instructed (1 Sam 15:2-3)

1. God tells why He gives the Instruction

1 Samuel 15:2 (ESV) — Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt.

The Amalekites are targeted not because of their race, but because of their religion.

The Amalekites are targeted not because of the tone of their skin or the texture of their hair, but because of their opposition to Yahwek.

The Amalekites are targeted not because of where they were born, but because of their ongoing rejection of God’s will and God’s people.

This is not “ethnic cleansing”, it is preventive pruning.

I recall visiting with one of our ranchers who sold a bull to another ranch out of state. He was not allowed to cross the state line with that bull without a veterinarians report that the bull was clean of a certain virus. This is because the livestock commission of that state realizes the threat of even 1 contaminated bull.

Before we impose our ideas that God is being too harsh, let’s remember how well He knows human temptation.

God knows that if Saul doesn’t deal decisively with the Amalekites here, they will keep coming back to cause problems (as they will in 1 Sam 30)

2. God tells how the instruction is to be carried out.

1 Samuel 15:3 (ESV) — Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”

What was done (1 Sam 15:4-19)

Saul numbered the people. (v.4). We saw during the time of the Judges that when a leader counted his soldiers (as a way of estimating his strength or force) God reduced the number to show HIS power. We will see this in a few weeks with the Goliath story as armies lined up to show their strength, then God uses ONE.

Saul used the wrong pronoun when warning the Kenites (v.6). He threatens using I, rather than we or He. He had come to believe his own press releases. Notice, there is not a single mention of the Lord in all of this paragraph (4-9)

1 Samuel 15:9 ESV:2016

9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction.

3. When God determined what was worthy of destruction, the people imposed their opinions of “good” and “despised”

Who done it (v.9)

1 Samuel 15:9 ESV:2016

9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction.

1. The job of a King is to lead the people to accomplish prioritiesof God.

2. The compromise of a Leader happens when polling replaces principles.

3. V.12 describes the extent of Saul’s self-deception. Rather than carrying out v.3, Saul set up a monument for himself.

Transition: v.20 even states that Saul has turned his own disobedience into a declaration of his obedience until Samuel points out the sound of livestock.

Saul’s Broken Admission

Saul enters the “spin zone”

In vv.4-9 the Lord is not mentioned.

In 10-33 we see a return of the Lord.

“We” sinned because I was weak (v.24)

Seeking pardon

Saul makes a weak excuse and expects Samuel to make things right.

Every single one of us (myself included) is guilty a qualified confessions. “Yes, technically, I sinned, BUT we’re all human so how about if we just consider it an indiscretion.”

Whichever political party you identify with, aren’t you tired of the other side claiming, “It wasn’t criminal or illegal, it was just an ethical grey area.”

3. If I minimize the intent, we should be able to get past it.

4. Samuel says “your rejection is more serious than you think, God has rejected your kingship!” In response to Saul’s human grasp that tears Samuel’s robe, Samuel states, “you tore my robe, God has torn your reign”

I sinned but it wasn’t that bad (v.30)

Seeking respect

Okay, I may not be King any longer, but even though I have sinned, you can still save my reputation before the elders and people.

A pronoun in vv.15, 21 & 30 shows that Saul still doesn’t own his blame before the Lord. As Saul speaks to Samuel, he speaks of the Lord, but not my God or our God. In these 3 verses, Saul only speaks of the Lord Your God.

I sinned and have no excuse (v.31b)

1. Seeking mercy

2. The word bowed is translated other places as worshipped. I believe Saul realized at a very personal level that the gig was up, and he was humbled before God.

3. Then in v. 34 his only response is to finally stop making excuses and return to his home.

Transition: Saul has failed as a leader, but God isn’t done with His plan for the descendants of Abraham. The King has failed, but the kingdom is still intact.

Transfer of the Kingdom to David (vv.26-28)

Rejection and tearing

Often a person will reveal his or her own weakness given enough time.

Samuel has repeated warned Saul that he had deficiencies that would become his ruin.

Sure enough, it was Saul’s ignoring of God and grasping for power that ended his reign.

Pinnacle of the book (v.28)

1st and 2nd Samuel were originally 1 scroll. This verse in the middle of this chapter is the key to understanding the whole book.

A new & better King (v.28)

David’s identity is not revealed at this point to either Saul or to Samuel, but that is about to change in the next chapter.

This book started with someone tall and impressive who tends to ignore God. Between now and Thanksgiving we will be introduced to an unlikely musician who has his own faults that will yield their own disastrous consequences, but he will reign in alignment with God’s heart.

Transition: While none of us are ever likely to become a King, this chapter has a lot to say to us that IS applicable to our lives. As we wrap this sermon up, where do you see yourself in the characters?

Conclusion:

Responses to Sin (vv.35)

Erase

God had clearly declared that the Amalekites were wicked and their disregard for His plan had to be eradicated.

God’s conclusion regarding the Amalekites is similar to Some who claim to be Christians. There are some who are so repulsed by the sin of others that they are not satisfied to see the sin erased, they wish that the very people who sin would be erased as well.

It may be easy for us to view other people’s sin in this way, but It is VERY dangerous to see ourselves in the role of God.

The older brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son thought everything would be better if the younger son had just stayed away.

Excuse

Saul and his soldiers evaluated the actions of the Amalekites according to their own standards and redefined what God had said.

If I can overlook shortcomings of others, I can leverage opportunities for my own enrichment. Text

The Israelites excused the sin of the Amalekites, Saul sought to excuse his own sin in exchange for pardon and popularity.

I remember being in Oklahoma when the subject of lottery and off-reservation gaming was being discussed. For years the Baptists had opposed betting on horse races, but the Baptists were willing to excuse all the errors of horse gambling to create a coalition to oppose scratchcards and other games of chance.

4. The only proper response to sin, whether by ourselves or others, is a broken cry for mercy.

Evangelize (v.35)

Look at the middle of v.35. Samuel did NOT glory over Saul’s demise, although it was predictable and earned. Samuel grieved over the consequences of sin in Saul’s life.

Sinners (like me) NEED to grieve over our sin so that we admire the glory of the gospel in our own lives.

Only when we can learn to say words 3-6 of my relational recipe, can we begin to see the glory of Christ in the Gospel.

Sinners (like me) NEED to grieve over the world’s sin so that we assert and attest to the beauty of the gospel in other’s lives.

Communion is not just a ceremony we do in church. It is a Day by Day reminder of the mercy that is available for sin.

Confession is not just something we do, like Saul, when confronted. It is a Day by Day wiping of the slate as we appeal to the finished work of Christ as our only hope.

Song of Response #56..... “Day by Day”

Benediction: Phil 4:7 [it is only when we glory in the Gospel day by day that...] the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.