Saul
Going from good to bad
1. Israel with saul
A. No capital, palace, governmental machine in place
B. Not unified
2. Humility to pride
A. When they came to anoint him he hid behind "the stuff"
B. His rule was simple and inexpensive
i) No controls, taxes
ii) Its easy to be humble when you aren't successful and no one respects you yet!
iii) Most of us haven't risen to great success and rebellious pride so we think that we are immune to it, but we sure have the early signs!
(1) We obey and do what we know is right when we want to (no temptations, influences are good, not in a sticky spot)
C. Saul made it for about a year (13:1)
i) Caved into temptation – 13:6-10
ii) Offered sacrifice the way he wanted
(1) It always starts with compromising on the good things
(2) Making real spiritual excuses
(a) I want to understand people that are doing wrong
(b) It doesn't say anywhere specifically that "marijuana" is wrong!
(c) Or, "I will pray the whole time church is going on"
(d) Or, "I will sacrifice this lamb, I will do it just like Samuel"
D. Its not how he started in his humility, it is how he finished in pride that he is remembered – your testimony??
3. Bravery to recklessness
A. Started as king by calling the nation together to fight against the ammonites (1 sam 11:7)
B. Now he was fighting against the amalekites (15:2-3)
i) Was to utterly destroy (3), but the people didn't (9)
C. Did what he wanted – called a feast, saved the king alive
D. Partial obedience is disobedience
E. Samuels response (15:22)
i) We should take full obedience seriously
ii) By full obedience I mean – in every place
iii) In every situation
iv) Through every temptation
v) To the fullest extent
F. But saul started to make small concessions and ended up with the prophet before his face telling him "the Lord hath rejected thee" – I dont want to be there!
4. Filled with the spirit to troubled by an evil spirit
A. Filled with the spirit (11:7) to lead the nation
B. Led the nation for a while, made a few mistakes
C. Rejected as king as consequences
D. Reacted wrongly – no longer concerned so much about his people – now it was all about his name
E. Now there is a young boy that the nation loves – and he wants to kill him – because now, it is all about him
F. Jealousy – great indication that something is wrong!
i) You are either not doing right
ii) Not trusting God
iii) Relationships – big red flag!
5. Diligence in your life
A. I don't know if you are going to switch tomorrow
B. I don't know if I am going to stick with it!
C. We have to be vigilant
D. What ways have you seen yourself slip?
E. What is the first step toward slipping?
