1 Samuel 15:10-26

10 Then the Lord said to Samuel, 11 “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night. 12 Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.” 13 When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the Lord bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!” 14 “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded. 15 “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.” 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! Listen to what the Lord told me last night!” “What did he tell you?” Saul asked. 17 And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel. 18 And the Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ 19 Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?” 20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. 21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” 24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. 25 But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord.” 26 But Samuel replied, “I will not go back with you! Since you have rejected the Lord’s command, he has rejected you as king of Israel.”

About 40 years before this incident with Saul, Samuel had been the leader of Israel. He had served as a prophet, a priest and a judge for the people before God. When he grew older and his sons took over these responsibilities 1 Samuel 8:3 says “his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.” As a result the Elders of Israel took Samuel aside and “said to him, ‘You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have” 1 Samuel 8:5. They desired to be like the other nations and their request revolved around what they wanted and what made sense to them, it was never filtered through what the Father wanted. Their request was actually a rejection of God, 1 Samuel 8:7-8 “the Lord replied, “for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. 8 Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods.” So God let them have their way, sometimes the worst thing that can happen in our lives is when God lets us have our way. At first everything seemed perfect, their plan came together and when Saul was first anointed King he seemed the ideal candidate. He was athletic, humble and a head taller than everybody else. Someone they could look up to and rally around on the battlefield. Yet over time Saul’s humility was replaced with pompous pride and his commitment to God crumbled. Instead of a life of obedient service to the true King he came to see self as the more important king, and by the time we get to the incident recorded here in I Samuel 15, life revolved around Saul not service. So, what did Saul do wrong? He was disobedient to God and the most obvious problem was his concept of obedience. God had given him some simple instructions: Go to war with the Amalekites and totally destroy everything. Regardless of how gruesome God’s instructions seemed, the command was clear, destroy everything. So the question is did Saul do what God instructed him to do? Well, kind of, he spared King Agag and the best of the cattle and sheep, but he did destroy everything else. But partial obedience is still disobedience. But in Saul’s mind what he did made sense, I mean why waste all those good cattle and sheep, and King Agag was a powerful man, he knew people and maybe even made it worth Saul’s time to spare his life. Other than a few seemingly minor things Saul seemed to obey God, well at least in his mind. But obedience is not filtering the Fathers commands though our common sense, it’s not following what we think or want. Consecration means putting your whole life in his hands and faithfully followed His instruction. Today there are many Christians who either don’t understand this concept or don’t care. The truth is that disobedience is easy to justify, it’s easy to feel like we have sacrificed time, talents and treasures for God, that we have been a good Christian, and somehow have earned a little leeway. It’s easy to convince ourselves that we don’t have to obey Him on certain matters, but God makes it clear that, “Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams” God places obedience above everything else. When it comes to disobedience scripture gives a stern warning, comparing rebellion to witchcraft. When we rebel we need to repent, we need to confess and come clean, I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” When we fall into disobedience, we need to admit our failure and He will forgive. But Saul never really confessed his sin, when Samuel calls him to account for his disobedience he puts the blame on others: “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.” Saul never really took personal responsibility for his sin, he simply blamed others, and the more Samuel confronted him the more he countered. Again in verse 21 he tries to blame the soldiers and justify his actions by calling his disobedience devotion, instead of admitting his sin he claims it is his sacrifice. Even when he admits that he has sinned in verse 24 he tries to justify it by saying he gave in because he was afraid of the people, he is still blaming and justifying. How about you do you pass the buck? Saul was in essence saying that if it hadn’t been for the people he would have obeyed God. So why would he deliberately disobey God and then try to blame others, because long before this Saul had begun to edge God out of the picture. So that when we come to I Samuel 15:12 we discover what he was really putting his time, treasures and talents into: “Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, ‘Saul has gone to Carmel to set up a monument to himself.” Scripture only tells us of one other who built an altar to himself, Absalom, the rebellious son of David. Both of them did it to prove their power and position. Pride will always position us to promote self, it will always seek the place of prominence. Saul was only king because God had made him king, he had power because God gave it to him. But Saul had stopped looking to God as the source of his strength, and instead of building a monument to the one who was worthy he built a monument to exalt self. Saul’s pride left no room in his heart for God, Psalm 10:4 says: “In his pride the wicked does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” This explains the most puzzling part of the story, where three times Saul says “YOUR” God. He says “Your God” in verse 15, 21, and 30, not “my God” or “our God” but “YOUR God.” The sin of pride not only promotes self but it demotes God. It separates us from the need for Him by establishing us in His place. Whoever or whatever is in charge of our lives becomes our God. Are you being fooled into believing that you can use your service or sacrifices for God as an excuse for disobedience? When you do disobey, learn to take responsibility for your sins, don’t pass the buck and blame others for your failure. Live with a heart of humility; don’t allow pride to poison your life. Because of his disobedience Saul sacrificed his kingdom, his relationship with Samuel, who never saw him again, and his relationship with God. What are you willing to sacrifice to disobey? Are there any areas where you need to come clean and confess? Are you committed to obedience or are you cutting corners for the sake of convenience?

John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands.”

May Christians say that they want to know God’s Will for their lives but once they do will they be obedient to it? Do we really want to know His Will so we can please Him, or is it more a case of wanting to know His Will so we can determine if it fits our wants and then decide if we will follow? In John 14 we find Jesus preparing His disciples for His departure, and as He does He not only reveals God’s Will to be a lifestyle of obedience, but models it in His own walk. Jesus was “obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). It is here that we who claim to be followers of Christ also come face to face with the call of every Christian, to follow His commands.  God’s Will is not is not about some specific place it’s a practice called obedience. It’s not some hard to grasp concept it is simply choosing to obey His commands. Today we tend to shy away from talking about obedience because we live in a society that is tuned to self not sacrifice, but the Bible has much to say about obedience. For Christians, the very act of taking up our cross and following Him requires a life of obedience. Obedience is careful compliance to the commands of Christ, it is at the very heart of our relationship with God. We can’t have a healthy connection to our Father if we have a disobedient life. Obedience comes from a heart that is at home with Him being in charge. But this is not just a matter of outward compliance to His Will, it involves our hearts not just our heads. It’s not just outward conformity to commands but inward change, the driving force behind our obedience is love not the law. Today we see obedience as obligation, all we see is restrictive rules and so we miss the relationship. It is here that Jesus also reminds us that our love for Him is not just a matter of words but action. So let me ask you do you Love Jesus? Before you answer that first answer take the time to answer these questions:

Does your life show that you love Jesus?

Do your actions prove your love for Jesus?

Are the choices that you make based on your love for Jesus?

Would others testify of your love for Jesus?

It is in this simple verse that we see:

• The Evidence of our love for Jesus

Jesus begins His statement with the word “IF” because He knew that not everyone who had said that they loved Him did. One of His own disciples, Judas, had already left to betray him for 30 pieces of silver, the price of a Hebrew salve (Exodus 21:32). That’s how much value religion places on the Redeemer, they see the Savior as nothing more than a slave there to do their bidding. Jesus makes it clear that if we really love Him then there will be evidence and that evidence is obedience. What about the life that you are living, are you living in complete obedience to Jesus? Can others see what it looks like to be Christian by watching your daily life? Today there are many who claim to love Jesus yet continue to live life their way. The truth is that their lives do not conform to God’s commands because they are caught up in their own cares. Vance Havner said, “You have not really learned a commandment until you have obeyed it.… The church suffers today from Christians who know volumes more than they practice.” Anyone can say they love God, but the proof is in obeying Him. Following Christ involves conforming every area of our life to him. It requires submitting every relationship, every attitude, every word, every thought, and every action to Him. It involves our whole lives, not just a few specific things that we do or don’t do. Today we practice compartmentalized Christianity, where we choose which of His commands we want to follow. When we see obedience as optional instead of being conformed to Christ we live compromised and carless lives. Listen to what Peter said : “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16.  We are called to be obedient “In all that we do” not in some of what we do. There are many things vying for control of your life like magnets pulling you in different directions. But true freedom comes when we are conformed to God’s Will, when we choose to follow His commands. A compass works, not when the needle does what it wants, but when it is directed to true north. The alternative to obeying God is not freedom, but obeying another authority.  We either surrender our lives to the Savior or we live lives as slaves. If the evidence of our love for Jesus is obedience, then we must examine our lives because looking for the evidence requires:

• The Examination of our love for Jesus

In Matthew 22 we read that after Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees came and questioned Him, one of the experts in the religious law tried to trick and trap Him: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law?” In verse 37 Jesus replied “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 and the second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself.” It is here that Jesus summed up the entire law for He said in verse 40 “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” If you want to know whether you really love Jesus then measure your life, your attitudes and actions against these verses. What about you, do you obey the first commandment, do you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind? Many of us claim that God is first yet we place everyone and everything else before Him. So what place does Jesus have in your life? If we truly love the Lord, He will have preeminence in every area of our life. Look at the Ten Commandments that Jesus summed up. 1. ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.’ 2. ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image–any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.’ 3. ‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.’ 4. ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’ If we really love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, and mind then we will not have any other Gods, we will not create idols, disgrace His name or dismiss His day. But how many today who claim to be Christians don’t pray, don’t worship and don’t read the Bible? We say that we love Jesus but we don’t even talk to Him. What if I told you that I loved my wife but I never talked to her, what would you say about my love? Today we claim that we love God but we don’t even talk to Him. I do love my wife and one of the evidences of my love is that I communicate with her regularly. Now some of us may be feeling good right now because we do communicate with Christ, but only when there is in a crisis. What if the only time I talked to my wife was when I was complaining or when I needed her to do something, do you think she would view that as love? In Philippians 4:6 Paul says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” And in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” When was the last time you called on Christ just to say thanks for who He is and what He has done? When was the last time you appreciated His mercy, grace, love, and salvation?  Today most of our communication with Christ revolves around our current crisis, because we are no longer consumed with Christ and His Will but the cares of this world. We say that we love the Lord but when was the last time you listened to the Lord? Do you allow Him to speak to you through scripture? Today most of the people who claim to be believers don’t even read their bible. There are some who argue over which translation of the Bible to use yet in truth they never even read the one they say is right. If the Bible is God’s infallible, inerrant and inspired Holy Word then why would we leave it sitting on a shelf? The Psalmist said in Psalms 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” While prayer provides a way for us to speak the Bible is God’s way of speaking to us, but how many of us are having one way conversations with the Creator? Does your love for Him cause you to listen, do you love His Word? Which did you spend more time on last week, studying God’s Word or scrolling through your Facebook feed? What is more important to you His truth or was is trending on TV and Twitter? When was the last time you lingered over the living Word and let God to speak to you about, His work in creation, His perfect plan that resulted in the sacrifice of His Son for your sins? When was the last time you listened to what He has in store for you when this life is over? Or what He calls His children to accomplish and avoid? We are privileged to possess a copy of God’s Word, it’s in our homes and even on our phones yet do we read it? Obedience is not a matter of rules it revolves around relationship. So how about you, after all the examination is there any evidence that you love Jesus?