Royal Obedience

03/04/2019 Royal Obedience

Series: The Story Of The Bible 

https://vimeo.com/317913788

What Does The Bible Say?

1 Samuel 8 & 15

As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel. 2 Joel and Abijah, his oldest sons, held court in Beersheba. 3 But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice. 4 Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. 5 “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.” (1 Samuel 8:1–5 NLT)

God did not call us to be like everyone else.

6 Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance. 7 “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. (1 Samuel 8:6–7 NLT)

We always make bad decisions when we refuse to follow God as our King.

One day Samuel said to Saul, “It was the Lord who told me to anoint you as king of his people, Israel. Now listen to this message from the Lord! 2 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt.” 3 Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation—men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys.”   (1 Samuel 15:1–3 NLT) 

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.  (Romans 12:19 NLT)

You need to trust that God has your back.

9 Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs—everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality. 10 Then the Lord said to Samuel, 11 “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night. (1 Samuel 15:9–11 NLT)

God expects us to follow Him completely.

19 Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?” 20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. 21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 22 But Samuel replied,“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices 

or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”  (1 Samuel 15:19–23 NLT)

When we disobey God, there are always consequences.

How Can You Obey:

15 “If you love me, obey my commandments. (John 14:15 NLT)

If you love God, then obey all He asks. Your life will have more influence for Christ. 

Question 1 of 5

Why are Christians suppose to live differently than the world?

Question 2 of 5

Why did Saul disobey God’s command and keep the animals of good quality?

Question 3 of 5

The people did not want Samuel’s sons to lead them because they were greedy and perverted justice. Why is character important in leadership?

Question 4 of 5

Why is obedience an indicator of our love for Christ?

Question 5 of 5 

The Human capacity to self-deceive and rationalize sin is staggering. This pattern cost Saul his kingship. Reflect on why we find it so easy to rationalize sin?