It's not how you start; it's how you finish

Saul and his son died

1 Samuel 31:4–6 KJV 1900

Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.

It is appointed to a man once to die.

Hebrews 9:27 KJV 1900

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

The name of this message It’s not how you start it is how you end.

This should be GOOD NEWS for those that did not start well.

This message should give hope to those that need to start again.

1) Saul had a good beginning but a terrible and tragic ending.

He was humble when chosen to be king.

King Saul help free Isreal of its enemies.

King Saul extended the borders of Isreal.

King Saul brought Israel closer to unity.

Yet despite these magnificent accomplishments, King Saul's fate took a downward trajectory because.

Saul failed to obey; he did not destroy all the Amalekites

Saul sacrificed burnt offering rather than wait on the Prophet Samuel

Saul became jealous of David and sought and for years sought to kill him.

Saul sought sources outside of God (witch of Endor).

What could Saul have done to prevent his tragedy and what could we do?

Could he have taken his sin more seriously?

Romans 6:1–3 KJV 1900

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

He could have put character over reputation.

Philippians 2:7–10 KJV 1900

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Reputation what people see;

Character is who you are.

Even Jesus, Paul, and the other had a bad reputation with some people but they had a good character.

He could have taken advantage of friendship and godly counsel. Proverb 18 ( isolates himself) wage against all wise judgment.

Proverb a man who isolates himself

Proverbs 11:14 KJV 1900

Where no counsel is, the people fall: But in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.

Proverbs 24:6 KJV 1900

For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: And in multitude of counsellers there is safety.

Saul had Samuel, David, Jonathan and other that could have been his counselors but he isolated himself and did not listen.

Proverbs 18:1 KJV 1900

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh And intermeddleth with all wisdom.

Ending well is more important than beginning well. ( example Paul).

The Apostle Paul did not start well.

He persecuted Christians because he was blinded by his Jewish religion.

He had a Damascus Road experience

He fought the fight

2 Timothy 4:7–8 KJV 1900

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Matthew 24:12–13 KJV 1900

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

It is not how you started, it is not how you stumbled, it is how you end.

If you have backslidden, get back up before it is too late.

I pray that you get back on fire for things of God.

If you did start yet GIVE your life to Christ and get started now. Rather you young, middle-aged, or old.

Now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV 1900

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

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