TEXT:   1 Sam. 15:24-31

INTRODUCTION:

A.      A PITIFUL PICTURE INDEED.  HOW DID SAUL GET TO THIS POINT?

B.      SAUL WAS GOD’S CHOICE FOR A KING (1 Sam. 9:15-17).  WHY?

          1.       Ch. 9:1-2.  None goodlier.

          2.       Ch. 9:20-21.  Humble.

          3.       Ch. 10:27.  Understanding.  11:12-13.

C.      WHAT HAPPENED TO SAUL MAY HAPPEN TO US.

I.     THE ILL-ADVISED SACRIFICE (13:8-15).

      PRESUMPTION.

A.      THE SIN OF PRESUMPTION.

          1.       “To take upon oneself without permission or authority”  (Webster).

          2.       Deut. 18:20.  Without God sending (Deut. 1:43)

          3.       May be outright rebellion or thoughtlessness.  Always deadly!

B.      GOD’S REGARD FOR IT (Deut. 17:12-13;  18:20;  Num. 15:30;  2 Pet. 2:9-10).

C.      UNDER THE NEW COVENANT (2 John 9).

D.      Psalm 19:13.

II.    THE FOOLISH ADJURATION (14:24-30).

      THOUGHLESSNESS!

A.      WE ARE TOLD TO BE CAREFUL (Eph. 5:15;  1 Pet. 5:8).

B.      WE ARE TO BE DILIGENT IN HIS WORK (Heb. 6:11-12).

C.      EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO USED NO THOUGHT:

          1.       Jepthath’s rash vow (Judges 11:30-31, 34-35).

          2.       David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:10-12;  18:33).

          3.       Lot’s choosing of Sodom (Gen. 13:13;  19:14, 26,  31-32).

D.      A MOMENT WITH OUR GUARD DOWN MAY HAVE

          ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES (Heb. 12:14-17).

E.      “I JUST DIDN’T THINK …”  USED TO JUSTIFY TOO MANY THINGS.

III.   THE SPARING OF AGAG (15:1-3,  9,  13-15,  20-23). 

      REBELLION.

A.      “I KNOW WHAT GOD SAID, BUT SURELY …”

B.      IF WE KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT AND DON’T DO IT (James 4:17).

C.      WHAT DOES GOD DESIRE IN US? (1 Sam. 15:22-23).

D.      IF WE SIN KNOWING IT … (Heb. 10:26-27;  2 Thess. 1:7-9).

IV.   THE CONSEQUENCE OF SAUL’S SIN (1 Sam. 15:28).

A.      WE CAN FALL FROM GRACE (Gal. 5:4).

B.      2 Peter 2:9-10.

CONCLUSION:  WILL YOU HUMBLE YOURSELF TO SERVE GOD?