Session 1 - UNITE

IT BEGINS WITH THE HEART

THE POINT: Christ-centered living chooses to trust and follow God with the whole heart, not just perform religious observances.

Up the creek without a paddle (Genesis 3:1-8, 3:16-19)

Story of Elle, me, Braden, and Leah on Ute. I took out my dad’s boat. He said watch out for the weather- and if it looks like it may even possibly get stormy, head to the ramp and get off the water. What’d we do??

Humankind chose to disobey God… and it came at a huge cost

People like to disobey? What??

As a child, I was a skilled mastermind at disobeying my parents

Wanting to go over to Audra’s house… angry… said a four letter word

Stayed in car at state fair to play with matchbox cars

You name it

The fall affected everything. While Adam and Eve once experienced God’s Presence and guidance unhindered, sin now made this experience an upstream battle

We read, “Eve, you and your offspring will have pain in childbearing,” “You will fight the desire to rule over your husband”

Get that dude into submission! Rather than partnering together in a marriage of love and unity, you will want to steer him via nagging him

“Adam, your labor will be difficult” There’ll be hard ground, thistles, and thorns. (Sounds a little like West Texas)

There will be arguments and dissension with family and friends, schoolwork will be cruelly challenging and next to impossible to understand, a.k.a. there’ll be math now (LOL JK)… etc.

“Here’s your free admission ticket to the struggle bus. Get on.”

Sin now became the broad stream that was wide and easy

To obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15)

People through the ages (after Adam and Eve) live, try, frequently doubt, and by-and-large ultimately fail trying to answer this question in their lives: how do we go upstream?

God provided the Law, but the Law really just shows the people how awful they are

10 commandments- 1st one… hm? If no, you just broke two… because you are a liar also!

Saul tries religious observances and outward expressions

Saul was essentially Everyman

However- God wants Saul’s heart and inward devotion

It begins and ends with the HEART (1 Samuel 16:6-13)

Saul is rejected by God- and the search for a new king begins

Jesse’s strong, impressive sons are not chosen

It’s worse than Steve Harvey up there, crowning Miss Universe (are you Miss Universe? No. Are you Miss Universe? No...”

Alright God, who is it?

“Do you have any other sons?” “Um, the youngest isn’t here. But it’s OK… he’s with the sheep.”

“This shows the low regard David had among his own family. First, his father didn’t even mention him by name. Second, he wasn’t even invited to the sacrificial feast. Third, he was only called to come because Samuel insisted on it.God has looked upon David’s heart and chosen him. David had a repentant, soft heart ready to follow the Lord”