Sermon Tone Analysis

We we hear the story of Samuels waining days in office.

There are some closing thoughts that you need to know.

Some final things but very important things.

These are things that we should remember.

1. Remember your walk?

When others look into your life what do they see?

What do they say?

There is power in personal integrity.

Spurgeon said it this way.

A good character is the best tombstone; those who love you, and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots are withered.

Carve your name on hearts and not on marble.

It is as though Samuel is providing Israel a glimpse of her past and future.

Samuel represents the past while Saul the future.

A Godly leader doesn’t exploit the people.

A Godly leader edifies the people.

A Godly leader edifies the people rather than exploiting them.

Samuel was a giver not a taker.

The people exchanged a leader who served them for one that would serve himself.

2. Remember God’s work.

God had provided...

a. Leadership

Moses, Aaron, Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, Samuel

God had not left his people leaderless.

b.

Deliverance

Every time the people cry to God he responds and delivers.

Every time the people cry God would raise up a deliverer.

Until God raises up an ultimate deliverer.

When is the last time you looked back on the goodness of God in the story of your life?

3. Remember your sin.

a. God blesses faithfulness.

1 sam 12 12-

Obedience to God brings a blessing.

Never forget that.

Satan says you are missing out on all that is available.

Satan says you can have the good life by following his ways.

God says the only way it will be well with

b.

God judges sinfulness

b.

God judges sinfulness.

1 sam 12 15

This is the problem - if blessings come through obedience, if the law of sowing and reaping is inextricably linked to my life - there is no hope for me receiving the blessing.

Is it not wheat harvest now?

Wheat harvest took place early in Israel’s dry season (in May–June).

In this period of almost complete drought, Yahweh’s sending of “thunder and rain” at Samuel’s request would serve both as a sign of divine approval for Samuel and as a mild punishment for Israel’s sin, as rain is never welcome at harvest time.

Thunder and rain normally do not come in Israel from about late April to sometime in October.

Their coming would function as a sign of an immense evil the people had committed … by requesting a king.

1 sam

c.

God responds to repentance.

1 sam 12 19-

When is the last time you have been overwhelmed by a sense of your own sinfulness?

Martin Luther sated

"The recognition of sin is the beginning of salvation."

When is the last time you have been overjoyed by a sense of God’s forgiveness?

Augustine Stated

God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.