Sermon Tone Analysis

15:15

Saul is quick to respond to Samuel when asked about the sounds from the animals who are being sacrificed.

It sounds like an honorable thing, but he says “sacrifice to the Lord your God.”

15:16-19

Samuel reminds Saul who he is that he is the anointed king and the Lord sent him on a missionSamuel tells him that he was disobedient and done evil in the sight of the Lord

15:20-21

Saul tries to justify his actions, claims that he followed God,, but isn’t prepared to admit his wrong.He goes on to do what Adam did to Eve when he blamed her for eating from the tree.

Saul points the finger at the peopleSaul was the anointed king and instead of taking responsibility, he wants to save his image and blames the peopleDo you know how to accept responsibility for your faults and errors?Are you constantly adding a qualifying statement for your sin or errors?

15:22-23

True vs False ReligionObedience to God is greater than sacrificeIsaiah 29:13 and echoed in Matthew 15:8 This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from meRitualism is denounced by the prophets and instead of ethical principles, Samuel is saying that God wants consistency from usGod rejects Saul, since Saul rejected command of the Lord

15:24-26

Only when his sin is exposed does Saul confess and admits that he wanted to maintain his image with the people above following GodYet despite this he wants forgiveness, reconciliation with Samuel, returning back to the LordHe sees that gravity of his decision and all that he stands to loseDo you fully see the consequences for your actions?Where are you continuing to overlook consequences because of God’s grace?Do you see what would happen without God’s safety net of grace?How concerned are you about your public (worldly) image?When confession of sin is closely linked to concern about honor and public image, then the quality of the confession is suspect