Honoring God with Obedience

Had a great day on Sunday. Preached from 1 Samuel 15:22. Thought I'd post the notes. Anyone can use them, or study them out more.

Honoring God with Obedience
1 Samuel 15:22; John 14:15; 15:14

INTRODUCTION

A. There are many Christian people who make the decision to not follow God’s instructions.
1. Even though they say they are seeking God’s direction they really aren’t.
· Some have their own agendas to fill
· Some have their own ideas or beliefs on something or how to do something
· Some even choose to go with traditional ways because that is what some preacher or teacher said way back when.
· There are even some that have their minds made up to do it their way, because they believe their way is the right way.
2. Many have even chosen to eliminate God in their daily lives.
· They don’t study the Word of God or pray daily.
· They don’t support churches that they belong too, with attendance, finances, or even prayer.
· They easily upset over petty issues that are of no real importance.
· The lack of God’s direction is evident in their lives.
B. Saul and Samuel are two great examples of what to do and what not to do in obedience.
C. Three things we can learn from this lesson to help us with our Christian walk and teach us on why we should listen to God
D. From the beginning of time man has had this idea that his way was better than God’s way.
E. The Lord said, (Isa 55:8 KJV) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”

KNOW THAT MAKING EXCUSES FOR NOT FOLLOWING GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS IN UNACCEPTABLE VS. 21 & 24

A. Saul had an excuse for it all
· Wait, I obeyed God; I did exactly what He told me too. The sheep on oxen, well, we took the best of them, because we wanted to sacrifice them to the Lord.
· Excuse no. 2 – I know I sinned, but the people scared me and told me to do it.
· Even though he admitted he sinned, he then blamed it on others by using the word ‘because.’
B. Today we all have an excuse for everything.
· I planned on coming to church, but I was just tired.
· I would have gone to church, but I had to work all week and it was my only day off.
· I know the Bible says that, but….

KNOW THAT OBEYING WHAT GOD TELLS US TO DO IS BETTER THAN ANYTHING WE CAN DO. VS. 22

A. We are in a world that believes doing good things will get us to heaven.
B. This world thinks that just because they say they serve God, go to church, or have been baptized, that this will get them to heave.
· Ephesians 2:8-9“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast.”
· Saul had this same attitude; “I know that the Lord told me to destroy it all, but after all, I was thinking about rewarding God.”
· That’s what he was saying, but truth is he was only thinking about the value of what he had.
· HE WAS THINKING ABOUT SELF.
C. Even though He sees us worshipping Him and trying serve Him, we need to remember that listening to Him and being obedient honors him.
D. We can say what we want, but God knows our every thought.
E. He knows what’s in our hearts!

KNOW THERE IS A PENALTY FOR SINNING AGAINST THE LORD. VS 26

A. Saul lost everything he had.
· His kingship.
· His authority.
· His relationship with his friend Samuel.
· His relationship with the Lord.
B. He was removed from being the king by God.
C. He didn’t have anymore authority…..God removed it!
D. It broke Samuel’s heart to the point he cried all night long about it. However, after it was over Saul did not see Samuel anymore.
E. His relationship with the Lord, as he knew it was gone.
F. Today we make decisions to go into different directions than the Lord tells us.
· We pray and ask God to lead us or show us to what he wants us to do; when He does, we choose to ignore it, because He can’t be in that.
· Churches ask God to show them directions to go, but because many have different ideas, they decide to follow their ideas.

SAMUEL’S OBEDIENCE HONORED GOD.

A. A quick look into Samuel’s life.
· Dedicated to God by his mother.
· Raised in the temple.
· Heard God call his name three times and as instructed by Eli he answered, “Speak Lord, thy servant heareth.”
· Became of Judge of Israel.
· Anointed Saul King of Israel.
· Obeyed God and with a broken heart told his friend Saul that he was no longer King.
· From a child he obeyed God even when it hurt him.
· He was blessed.
B. If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15.
C. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15:14.
D. If any man serve me, let him follow me. John 12:26.
E. Solomon said it best in Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for the is the whole duty of man.
F. To bring honor to the Lord we must;
· Fear HIM. This means to respect Him.
· Obey HIM. This means to do what He asked or tells you to do.
· Follow HIM. To follow Him you must first be a servant, which shows respect to Him and honors Him with obedience.
· Are you obeying him and hearing what he is telling you to do with your life; your service to Him; and with path of life?

PLEA TO THE LOST

A. Your cannot be obedient to God if you do not know him
B. Romans 3:23; 6:23;