Sermon Tone Analysis

“How to come back to God”

Now last week we spent some time looking at panoramic views of a life lived well and a life lived poorly

Now last week we spent some time looking at panoramic views of a life lived well and a life lived poorly

We looked at Samuel (A life lived well) v.1-6 His life was marked by consistency, Character and integrity, A life spoken well of, A life that is above reproach

We looked at Israel (A life lived poorly) v.7-12 Their history was marked by the cycle of sin God delivered them...then they would forget about God...then there would be a discipline, then they would cry out to the Lord…then he would deliver them again…but all of it lead to a roller coaster of a life that was marked by brokenness and inconsistency

“Grace means you can come home”

The question this presented was “which one of these lives best describes yours?

Maybe your life looks like Samuel’s

Maybe your life looks like Israel’s

But in verse 14 Samuel stops talking about the past…and begins to tell them it’s not too late to get right with God today…and this is what we’re gonna speak about today

(Prop) Today as we look at the rest of Samuel’s farewell address we’re gonna see Samuel describe what getting right with God looks like

(Prop) Today as we look at the rest of Samuel’s farewell address we’re gonna see what getting right with God looks like...

Prone to wonder

“What who says’ I’m wrong with God”…the bible

(Prop) Today as we look at the rest of Samuel’s farewell address we’re gonna see what getting right with God looks like...

Samuel mentions 5 things

Samuel tells them to do 5 things

Confess your sin

1 Sam 12:1

It’s like me saying in southern California the middle of July that their was gonna be a storm…that would be kind of a shocking thing

A life lived well - Samuel v.1-6

A life lived well - Samuel v.1-6 His life was marked by consistency, Character and integrity, A life spoken well of, A life that is above reproach

So, Samuel says “stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes” and what he’s gonna do is make it rain during the harvest season…why was that great?

because that was their summer season...It’s like me saying in southern California the middle of July that their was gonna be a storm…that would be kind of a shocking thing…now it is sad that this was what God had to resort too...

A life spoken well of

Now understand that this “great thing” a sign of Judgment to show them emphatically that it was a sinful decision to pine after a king like Saul

A life lived poorly - Israel v.7-12

So, Samuel says “stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes” and what he’s gonna do is make it rain during the harvest season…why was that great?

because that was their summer season...It’s like me saying in southern California the middle of July that their was gonna be a storm…that would be kind of a shocking thing…now it is sad that this was what God had to resort too...

A life lived poorly - Israel v.7-12 Their history was marked by the need for deliverance..then they would forget about God...then there would be a discipline, then they would cry out to the Lord…and He would send them relief…but all of it lead to a roller coaster of a life that was marked by brokenness and inconsistency

A life that is above reproach

But understand the purpose of this “Great thing” - It was to expose the people’s wickedness - It is to show the people that their asking for a king was a sinful decision

A life lived poorly - Israel v.7-12

They forget about God

App: Sometimes the greatest thing God can do is expose your sin

Jesus

A call to obedience v.13-25

Thiers a discipline

The question this presented was “which one of these lives best describes yours?

App: Sometimes the greatest thing God can do is expose your sin

Anything that exposes sin from the darkness to the light is a great thing in God’s eyes…here it’s a fearful things...It’s often a painful thing…It’s in the scope of eternity…It’s a great thing

They Cry out…God restoresA call to obedience v.13-25

Jesus exposed people’ sin

But it wasn't all hopeless because In verse 14 Samuel stops talking about the past…and lays before them

Think about Nathan speaking to David…It was a painful thing…but it was a great thing

Think about Nathan speaking to David…It was a painful thing…but it was a great thing

Think about Jesus and the women at the well…I’m sure it was embarrassing…but it was a great thing

And there will be times when your sin will be exposed - Might not be through a thunder storm…but it might be through a friend…a parent…a spouse…It might be embarrassing in your eyes…It’s great in God’s

And look at what it produces here....

This is called Ownership....now we know that their aran’t where they need to be because their saying things like “Pray to the Lord your God Samuel” But at the very least their willing to own their wicked choice

2 things stand out here:

They take personal responsibility for their sin - No deference here....Deference has been around from the beginning and Satan absolutely loves it - Adam “The women you gave me”

They understand they they've sinned against God first - “Pray for your servants to the Lord”They doin’t say “Samuel, we’re so sorry “ no they understand that this sin was against the Lord first

App: One part of repentance is to understand what sin is: It’s a transgression against God LawNow effects othersBut the sin is always Godward

App: One part of repentance is to understand what sin is:

It’s a transgression against God LawNow effects othersBut the sin is always Godward

It’s a transgression against God LawNow effects othersBut the sin is always Godward

Makes me think of David - “Against you and you alone have I sinned” - when David says, "Against you and you only have I sinned," I don't think he means, "I didn't wrong Uriah by killing him, and I didn't wrong Bathsheba by raping her, and I didn't wrong the baby by being the cause of its death."

He meant, "The horrible thing here, ultimately, is that I rebelled against God.

Makes me think of David - “Against you and you alone have I sinned” - when David says, "Against you and you only have I sinned," I don't think he means, "I didn't wrong Uriah by killing him, and I didn't wrong Bathsheba by raping her, and I didn't wrong the baby by being the cause of its death."

He meant, "The horrible thing here, ultimately, is that I rebelled against God.

Now Samuel speaks about the next step

Follow the Lord

1 Sam

Wow…how awesome is that…First Samuel takes their sin very seriously…But then He says “You don’t need to be afraid…their hope for you still…walked with God today....repent today…embrace his mercy…begin to serve him with your whole heart today

Understand the power the “today” Holds - Satan would love for you to caught up in the present or the future...All nostalgic about when you were on fire for the Lord...Always putting off tomorrow what you could do today

All nostalgic about when you were on fire for the Lord...

The young girl in Brazil - App: Understand what Jesus grace has proved with today…An opportunity to return home and follow him

Always putting off tomorrow what you could do today

Don’t turn aside after empty things - To turn aside means to retreat so Samuel is saying “don’t retreat from the battle by chasing after empty things” - Whats an empty thing?

Anything that takes a place in your heart above Jesus…because in comparison to Jesus…It’s empty

Follow the Lord today

Don’t turn aside after empty things - To turn aside means to retreat so Samuel is saying “don’t retreat from the battle by chasing after empty things” - Whats an empty thing?

Anything that takes a place in your heart above Jesus…because in comparison to Jesus…It’s empty

It’s tough to follow Jesus…It’s harder not too...

Here’s the next thing

Trust in God’s Love

You know what he’s communicating here?

the Love of God...The fact that God loved these people…even though they were the further thing from lovely

Why will he not abandon his people in spite of their constant failure to live up to to his commandments …because he loves you

Why did he make a way for to be restored?

because he loves you

Why

App: Why will he never give up on you and I in spite of our faults and failings?…Because he loves you

App: Why will he never give up on you and I in spite of our faults and failings?…because of his steadfast love

Why does he love us?

It’s for his name sake - In the bible names were always connected to someones nature…we see this in

Moses wanted to see God’s glory…God said thats above your pay grade…But I’ll pass before you and proclaim my Name…and thats what he did

Why does he love us?

Because He is love - In the bible names were always connected to nature…we see this in

Moses wanted to see God’s glory…God said thats above your pay grade…But I’ll pass before you and proclaim my Name…and thats what he did

App: God loves us because He is love

If you think he hates you all you will do is give up

App: God’s loves us because He is love...

Because It pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself - Samuel’s saying…this is who you are to God....You are his!

Repentance is easier when you when you begin from that place - I’m not just an outsider…I’m a child who is love unconditionally by God

For some reason I think about the Shulamite womanShe says “don’t look at me i’m ugly…the sun has burnt me…my brothers have scared me…He’s like…Your so beautiful…Your so beautiful…Your so beautiful…till she believes and she’s His banner over me is love!”

App: Maybe your here…and you have let sin and shame drive you away from Jesus…Understand He loves…and let that love make you lovely again

You might say “so I can do whatever I want right?” wrong…His kindness is to lead you too repentance

So confess your sin, follow Jesus, trust in his Love, Here’s the next thing