Fear the Lord: A Call to Faithful Service

1 Samuel 12:19-25

Summary: In 1 Samuel 12, the people of Israel are encouraged to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all their hearts by Samuel, reminding them of God's faithfulness in the past despite their disobedience.

Application: This passage serves as a reminder for Christians to always fear the Lord, recognizing His authority and sovereignty in our lives, and to serve Him faithfully with our whole hearts. It challenges us to repent of our sins, turn away from worldly distractions, and commit ourselves fully to God's purposes.

Teaching: The teaching from this passage emphasizes the importance of genuine reverence for God and wholehearted obedience to His commands. It highlights the need for sincerity in our worship and service, as well as the significance of seeking forgiveness and restoration when we fall short.

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus, as the ultimate example of obedience to the Father, perfectly embodied the fear of the Lord and served Him faithfully with His entire being. His sacrificial death on the cross reconciled us to God, enabling us to walk in obedience and serve Him with pure hearts.

Big Idea: By fearing the Lord and serving Him faithfully with all our hearts, we can experience His restoration, forgiveness, and abundant blessings in our lives. This passage calls us to wholehearted devotion and obedience to God, reflecting the love and grace of Jesus in all that we do.

Recommended Study: When preparing this sermon, I recommend exploring the concept of 'fearing the Lord' in the Old and New Testaments using Logos. Additionally, delve into the historical context of 1 Samuel 12 to understand the significance of Samuel's call to repentance for the Israelites. Consider studying the themes of repentance, obedience, and servanthood in relation to the fear of the Lord for a deeper insight into the passage.

1 Samuel 12:19–24 ESV

And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.

Opening Prayer

They got their King!

King had a victory in his 1st campaign.

Now the question is will they see this as…

Evidence of God’s blessing (and give HIM the glory)

Human achievement accomplished without divine sovereignty.

1. Fear and Repentance: Turning Back to God

1 Samuel 12:19 ESV

And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.”

“We have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king”

It must have felt good to defeat the Ammonites.

They had victory for their brother (Jabesh-gilead)

They have a king.

But blessings can be a doubled edged sword.

If disobedience leads to suffering

Blessings must be a sign of obedience to God! (right???)

But Israelites weren’t living in obedience.

They needed to stop and evaluate this reality.

“You HAVE done evil” … BUT!!!!

1 Samuel 12:20–21 ESV

And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.

“Do not turn aside from following the Lord”

(instead) “serve the Lord with all your heart.

“Do not turn aside after empty things”

(why not?)

they are “empty things that cannot profit or deliver.

Fearing the Lord leads to turning away from useless Idols (false securities) and instead, faithfully serving God.

Jesus is the perfect example of this king of reverence.

He faithfully turned from the worlds temptations to fulfill His mission.

2. Unfailing Love: God's Enduring Promise

1 Samuel 12:22–23 ESV

For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

“The Lord will not forsake His people”

Recognizing their sin should lead to understanding of God’s faithfulness.

Look how much God has done for them!

God is faithful.

God is gracious.

“…because it pleases the Lord to make a people for Himself”

God MADE THEM the chosen people!!!!

Because it pleases Him.

Samuel shows us how to respond to the faithful, gracious love…

“More over, sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you”

Samuel understood God’s will by observing His actions.

Samuel responded by JOINING GOD through faithful service.

So what about us? We aren’t God’s “chosen people”.

Actually you are!

God chose to make the Israelite His chosen people THROUGH A PROMISE to Abraham.

God Chose to make you His chosen people when he fulfilled that promise THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.

Through Christ, we are given the assurance of God's never-ending love and the call to live in a manner worthy of His grace.

All of Gods attributes should be observed by His people (including us)

Just as God loved the Israelites … He also loves you.

Correct response is accepting His promise through Christ

Committing to a life of service through Jesus our Lord.

3. Faithful Service: The Choice is Ours

When I choose to correctly respond to God, through Christ Jesus, what should it look like?

1 Samuel 12:24–25 ESV

Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

“Fear the Lord”

“Serve Him” ( service has 2 attributes)

faithfully

with all your heart

But if you still do wickedly…

Those in Christ fear God out of reverence

Those who reject Christ should fear God because of His wrath.

In light of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, we're called to wholehearted devotion and obedience, fearing God not out of terror but in reverence and awe, fully committed to His purposes.

Closing Prayer

The Deep End

How can we practically demonstrate genuine reverence for God and wholehearted obedience in our worship and daily lives, based on the teachings of 1 Samuel 12?

What worldly distractions do we need to turn away from in order to serve God faithfully with all our hearts, and how can we make this commitment in our lives following the message of 1 Samuel 12?

What does it mean for teenagers to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all their hearts in the context of their relationships, choices, and daily activities, as presented in 1 Samuel 12? What particular struggles to teenagers face that makes it hard to do this?

How can a child show that they fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all their heart, in their daily life, just like Samuel encouraged the Israelites to do in 1 Samuel 12?

Making it Real

Are you facing challenges and obstacles in your career? Remember the great things God has done for you and the victories He has brought in your life. Serve Him faithfully in your workplace by approaching each task with integrity and a heart devoted to honoring God. Trust in His guidance and provision as you navigate your career path.

Are you struggling to find joy and motivation in your service at church? Reflect on the great things God has done for you personally and within your church community. Allow gratitude to fuel your service and dedication to the Lord. Engage in acts of kindness and service within your church, knowing that you are serving a faithful and loving God.

Do you feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life and responsibilities at home? Take a moment to consider how God has faithfully provided for you in the past. Trust in His continued faithfulness as you serve Him wholeheartedly in your home. Seek strength and guidance through prayer and lean on the support of your Christian community.