“Standing Up for What’s Right”

1 Samuel 13:1-14

I. The Joys and Trials of Life (v1-8)

Good times come upon us whether we follow God or not (v1-4)
Hard times come upon us whether we follow God or not (v5-8)

The proof that you're a follower of God is not what comes your way, the indication of you're standing is how you handle what comes your way.

Christians aren't guaranteed good times and sunny days every day of our lives, we are guaranteed the strength to get thru no matter what comes (1 Cor 10:13)

II. The Impulsivity of Doubt (v9-10)

When difficult times come, its easy for doubts to arise. Here Saul doubted Samuel and God
He doubted God would be with them in battle without offering a sacrifice
He doubted Samuel would keep his word and be on time

Sometimes God is delayed just so that He can see what you’ll do while He delays
Not so He can see you squirm, but to show you your level of faith in His coming rescue

In his doubt, Saul offered the sacrifice himself. Kings were not authorized to do this, only the priest could do this. (Numbers 18:7)
As the adopted son of Eli, Samuel was the priest of those days.

His impulsive doubt drove him to act sinfully in the nation’s sight. In fact, he led the nation to sin. Now the question is, will God ignore this great sin?

When Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to the rock, he did not get to experience the Promised Land (Num 20:12)

III. The Excuses from the Sinner (v11-12)

Adam and Eve “this woman you gave me”
Cain “I am not my brother’s keeper”
Moses “I am slow of speech and tongue”
Saul
“I saw the people were scattering”
“you did not come on time”
“the Philistines were assembling now”
“they will attack before we have chance to appeal to God”
“I forced myself to offer the burnt offering” - like Aaron “I threw this gold in the fire and out jumped a golden calf Ex 32:?24

IV. The Consequences for Sin (v13-14)

God would have blessed his kingdom forever, but his sin lost his priviledge
Can we say from this that our sin will remove our eternal standing with God? Is Saul the case for losing one’s salvation? Not at all.
This story demonstrates a loss of witness, not a loss of relationship. A loss of vocation not a loss of position.
V14 seems to demonstrate Saul’s standing in eternity. He didn't lose his salvation, he never had it.
The lesson of Saul for us is that our sin can affect our ability and opportunity to shape and change this world
 “Standing Up for What’s Right” “Standing Up for What’s Right”
1 Samuel 13:1-14 1 Samuel 13:1-14

I. The Joys and Trials of Life (v1-8) I. The _________ and _________ of Life (v1-8)

II. The Impulsivity of Doubt (v9-10) II. The Impulsivity of ________________ (v9-10)

III. The Excuses from the Sinner (v11-12) III. The ________________ from the Sinner (v11-12)

IV. The Consequences for Sin (v13-14) IV. The ______________________ for Sin (v13-14)
Pastor Tim and Rachel Schmoyer pastortim@WhitehallBFC.org Pastor Tim and Rachel Schmoyer pastortim@WhitehallBFC.org
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Date Title Text Theme Date Title Text Theme

5/23 Speak, Your Servant Is 1 Samuel 3 Listen for God’s 5/23 Speak, Your Servant Is 1 Samuel 3 Listen for God’s
Listening voice Listening voice
5/30 We Want a King! 1 Samuel 8 If someone rejects 5/30 We Want a King! 1 Samuel 8 If someone rejects
your ministry, they your ministry, they
are really rejecting are really rejecting
God God
June June

Samuel
Samuel

6/6 Standing Up for What’s 1 Samuel Let God’s Word be 6/6 Standing Up for What’s 1 Samuel Let God’s Word be
Right 13:1-14 known, even when Right 13:1-14 known, even when
it’s hard it’s hard
6/13 It’s Better to Obey 1 Samuel 15 God’s favor comes 6/13 It’s Better to Obey 1 Samuel 15 God’s favor comes
through obedience, through obedience,
not title not title
6/20 Pastor Richard Ruth Father’s Day 6/20 Pastor Richard Ruth Father’s Day
6/27 The Legacies of 2 Chronicles Our legacy is the 6/27 The Legacies of 2 Chronicles Our legacy is the
God’s Man 35:1, 11-19 product of our God’s Man 35:1, 11-19 product of our
life’s decisions life’s decisions
July July
7/4 God and Government Romans 13:1-7 What is the 7/4 God and Government Romans 13:1-7 What is the
Christian approach Christian approach
to politics? to politics?

Future Series: Future Series:

Summer: Fruit of the Spirit Summer: Fruit of the Spirit

Sept: Being Jesus’ Disciple Sept: Being Jesus’ Disciple

Fall: Hebrews: Jesus, Our Sure Hope Fall: Hebrews: Jesus, Our Sure Hope