HEROES NEED NOT APPLY

OBEDIENCE GREATER THAN SACRIFICE

Have you ever met a glory-hound; you know, someone who always wants to get credit for success; or even for just giving their maximum effort?

My most memorable experience with glory-hounds was in high school during weight lifting class. That was a place that haunts me to this day. While lifting weights, in preparation for playing football on Friday nights, the guys their were of differing ages and abilities. For instance, in one weight lifting class, there would be guys from all grades and all sizes.

So, there would be freshman and sophomores who were still trying to get strong enough to make the team. There were also juniors and seniors who were bigger and stronger. It was actually harder to get any reps in for the guys who actually needed it most.

There were especially a couple of guys who never let the weaker guys lift. In other words, they more interested in showing how strong and committed to the team they were instead of helping members of the teams out who needed it most.

There were also guys who did not let anyone spot them. They would rather have the weights collapse on them than appear weak and needing help.

You can imagine how hard it must’ve been for the coaches to try and implement their vision of us being a team of brothers, rather than a collection of individuals who didn’t care for one another. In order to do so, there would need to be a realization that not only do have something to give to the team; but you also have something that you need to receive from your teammates, as well.

In 1 Samuel 15:22, we read that “obedience is greater than sacrifice.” In this passage, we have Saul explaining why he didn’t completely destroy Israel’s enemy, like God had commanded him to. Saul explains to Samuel, the prophet all of the good things that he did; essentially proclaiming how great he was for team God, rather than proclaiming how great God was and how worthy He was to be obeyed fully.

So, the prophet Samuel had to remind of God’s words about obedience is more pleasing to God than our own personal sacrifice and efforts. And in doing so, Samuel informed Saul that, as a result, he had been rejected as king of Israel.

There’s a real difference here between sacrifice and obedience. Sacrifice are those efforts of God’s people which are intended to elicit praise and rewarding from God and people, alike. However, obedience, in this instance, is referring to one’s efforts that prevents praise for one’s self in order for God to be praised. Sacrifice displays how great and valuable we are. Obedience displays how great and valuable God is.

In the early history of the nation of Israel, there were significant strides made by the nation. Some of them were as a result of obedience, but, some were a result of glory-seeking sacrifice. They became the nation that God called them to be through the Ten Commandments. Then, in order to display how good they were for God, they developed the Mosaic law, which comprises of six hundred and sixty-six dietary, social, and worship laws, in addition to the 10 Commandments.

Their disobedience of God’s law was, in fact, an effort to explain the law in unnecessary detail. King Saul followed suit in, not only leading Israel according to God’s commands; but also by trying to participate in the spoils of war in order to please himself, also. Israel was no different.

However, after the death of Saul and his men, Israel came around to God’s way of thinking; Almost like it took the plagues against the Egyptians to allow the release of their Israelite slave force.

The main point of our sermon, this morning, is this idea that God does not look for us to save the day. In God’s kingdom, HEROES NEED NOT APPLY. Godly obedience requires us to participate in the economy of God’s family; both as givers and receivers.

BENEFITS OF OBEDIENCE

In our passage, we have actual footage of a people obeying God and the benefits that come with it.

First, we have the 11 northern tribe of Israel deciding to obey God’s command and anointing. They were actually led for a long time by Saul to not obey God in this instance. And after their loss of the king and his men, the leaders of these tribes began to consider the costs and rewards of such a decision. In verses 1 through 3, there is a list of what they realized were the benefits of joining David and Judah as a united Israel before God.

First, they realized that it wasn’t like God was asking them to completely deny themselves. Judah was an actual tribe of Israel. They were family; their connection went back as far as Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham.

Share Illustration of Talent reunions and the growing apart of cousins over time.

Now, while it would be important and a good thing for all of us to reconnect because of our relational bond; it is actually far more God-honoring and enriching to grow and bond with those who are our spiritual brothers and sisters.

Share value of Growth Groups; make invitation

Another thing that Israel realized as they considered joining him and Judah was the work and leadership that David had already committed to all of Israel, not just Judah; “while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in.”

The importance of this point needs to be considered. What do you look for in leadership? Political or Familial connection? Or, would you prefer someone who has been gifted and called to the job?

Israel saw, first hand, what David was all about.

Share Illustration of Mona teaching me about a person’s calling goes along with people’s affirmation.

Whenever we allow our obedience to God to be a family event rather than an isolated conversation between us and God, the benefit is added assurance and buy-in from those who surround us.

The second picture of obedience that our passage gives us is the idea of Kingdom territory.

Jerusalem was the promised land/city that God called Moses and Joshua to possess. It was the place that flowed with “milk and honey.” However, during the conflict between David and Saul, Jerusalem was, more or less, left unattended. So, in rather easy fashion, the Jebusites took control of the city. The city was naturally fortified, which made it extremely difficult to overtake when occupied.

After the reuniting of the twelve tribes of Israel, the next step to the plan of God was to take back His city, again. It’s an actual call to all of God’s people to push the Kingdom of God throughout all the world.

There are certain events of God that can be tied to actual geographical locations. The garden of Eden is where God created man and woman and placed them there. Golgotha is the location where Salvation of Sins was paid for. And, Jerusalem represents that actual location of where the Kingdom of Heaven/The Kingdom of God enters the earth in order to be spread among all the nations and territories.

We are not only called to win the souls of mankind; we are also called to win and claim the land as the Kingdom of God.

The City of David is our third picture of the benefits that obedience to God unfold. We’ve already looked at how fortified Jerusalem was. However, it was even more special when we consider how neutral it became during the conflict between Israel and Judah.

Jerusalem was perfectly placed between the North and South, directly on the border. Jerusalem was not allegiant to either the North or South, so, it would serve as an appropriate place for both sides to feel as though they belonged. So, Jerusalem is where David built his own personal fortress. And the scriptures tell us that his stronghold and name became greater and greater.

A shepherd boy, a man after God’s own heart, and the one whom God anointed over all the others was consistently obedient to God. And he was given more and more.

Parable of The Faithful Stewards

We are now given a little. Obedience is not only how become more blessed; it is also how the community around becomes more blessed, as well.

CONCLUSION

Illustration of Michael Jr. not paying for car behind him after car in front paid his

Obedience is greater than Sacrifice

We are not the heroes in the God Story; we are the RECEIVERS of God’s grace and gifts. If we play our part, not only we will be surely blessed; but so will all those around us.

AMEN!