Lessons Learned

1 Samuel 15:17-25.

A. Foundational Elements

1. “Lessons Learned”

2. 1 Samuel 15:17-25.

3. Disobedience leads to rejection.

4. ETS: Samuel was rejected as king by God because of his disobedience.

5. ESS: We should fully obey the Lord’s instruction in our lives.

6. OSS: [Devotional or Conservative] I want the hearers to fully obey the Lord.

7. PQ: What lessons can we learn from the life of King Saul?

8. UW: Lessons

B. Formal Elements

Introduction:

1. [AGS] A family was expecting guests over, and in preparation to receive them, the mom and dad were tidying up the house. While tidying the house, the dad noticed that the son’s room was rather messy. He called to his son, “Son, come, please!” The son came, and the dad instructed him, “I need you to clean your room and to put away all of the toys that are out of place. Please do not leave any toys out and visible. We have company coming, and I want the house to look nice and presentable.” The boy responded, “Yes sir.” He began working to clean his room. He put away most of the toys and other stuff that was out, but this one toy- his favorite toy that was the coolest- he left out in the center of his room hoping to get to show it off. He thought the company coming would also think it was neat, and he did not want to miss the opportunity to be declared the “cool kid” because of this toy.

2. [TS] The son’s actions were like those of king Saul in the text today. The Lord, through the prophet Samuel, instructed Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and their livestock. However, Saul acted in disobedience leading to God rejecting him as king.

3. [RS] As believers, God has instructed us through the Bible regarding what He desires us to do in our ministries. Our aim in life should be to fully obey the Lord’s instruction in our lives and ministries. As we study this text today, I want us to learn from the disobedience of Saul. Disobedience to the Lord leads to rejection by the Lord. Therefore, we need to be proactive in our lives to ensure that we are obedient to the Lord.

4. [Transition] Let us examine together a few lessons we can learn from King Saul.

Body:

We cannot hide from, deny, or shift to someone else the responsibility of our calling. (vv. 17-21)

The Lord’s instruction to Saul was clear. Yet, Saul only partially obeyed the Lord. He sought personal gain and what he thought would benefit him more than what the Lord expected of him.

Saul sought both to justify his disobedience and to blame others for his mistake. Three times (13, 15, 20-21) he claimed he had followed through with the Lord’s instruction; not only that, but in 15 and 21 he blamed the troops for his disobedience. Key here, is v. 17- Saul was now in charge. He was responsible.

APPLICATION: No matter how much we try to hide from the instruction of God, deny the instruction of God, or shift it to someone else- we will one day face that responsibility and be held accountable. Rom. 14:12 states that we will all give an account to the Lord.

God values obedience more than sacrifice. (vv. 22-23)

Samuel finally realizes that Saul does not seem to get the issue: he had failed. Thus, Samuel, rather directly, confronts Saul with the truth: God values obedience more than sacrifice.

We could be the most kind people; we could be the best steward; we could have perfect church attendance; we could do everything- yet if we are not obedient to what God has instructed us to do- then we have not pleased the Lord. Sacrifice is not as important as obedience to the Lord.

APPLICATION: We must obey the Lord’s instruction. Mt. 28:18-20 is clear in instructing us and informing us regarding what God expects of us. Many of us are simply disobedient.

Confession is necessary. (vv. 24-25)

After being confronted head on, Saul confessed his sin.

“Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them.”

APPLICATION: We must come to a place of confession- acknowledging our sin. The word confess (ὁμολογέω) literally means “say the same as”- thus, confession is “saying the same as God.”

Conclusion:

[1] God has given each of us instruction through His word regarding what He expects from us in life.

[2] The following are steps to take if you have not been obedient to the Lord:

1. Confess our disobedience.

2. Genuinely focus on God and not on self.

[3] What has God called you to do that you have tossed onto someone else’s lap, justified giving excuses for, or simply ran from? Today, come home.