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1 Samuel 28 Bible Study - Pastor Daniel Batarseh · Bible Study with Pr. Daniel Batarseh | Verse by Verse Series | Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago

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Nothing is more powerful than singing Doctrine truth and I
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just praise God. That this is a church that loves
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to sing the Bible. And not just to sing the Bible,
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but to read the Bible and study the Bible, and that's where
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you're going to do right now. And so meet me in first Samuel
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28. You and I are coming to the
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closing chapters of this wonderful, wonderful book and
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only continue and the second. second book of Samuel, but we
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still have much to learn. In this chapter is specially
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because it is a very unique chapter, very unique for many
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reasons. But before we get into these
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verses, let us consider and be reminded of the previous chapter
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our last study together. Explored the decision of a
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discouraged. David Who made the foolish
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decision to move with his family and his followers into the land
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of the Philistines, and it's in for a same as 27, where we
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learned that David was warmly greeted and welcomed by the
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Philistines. And he was even given a town
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called ziklag, and this town became somewhat of a
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headquarters for him. And his band of men because they
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would make secret raids against Israel's enemies and come back
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with plunder and And possessions, and it seemed like
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things were going very well, because he was prospering, and
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he was at peace. And there seemed to be a
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wonderful adaptation for David, but it would quickly turn sour
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for this man. It would quickly go south
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because one day, he is the king of the Philistines would
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approach David and call him and his band of men to join him in a
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battle against his own people. You will fight with me against
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Israel. And look at the first two verses
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of chapter 28, to see the response of David and those days
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the Philistines gathered their forces for war to fight against
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Israel. Now, he said to David,
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understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the
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Army. David said that he's very well.
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You shall know what your servant can do and I he said to David
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very well. I will make you my bodyguard for
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life. When you read that, you should
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be concerned. Because it seems like David is
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entertaining the possibility of doing what he said.
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He would never do. And that is touch the Lord's
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anointed. And now, for a sudden, when the
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invitation presents itself, David seems to give an answer
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that he's willing to participate in this.
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Now there's debate about David's response because it seems
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ambiguous, right? It seems like it is open for
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different interpretations. But here's the main point,
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David's, David's lodging in Phyllis and the Philistine land.
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Cause them to be placed in this very uncomfortable situation, to
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even be tempted in this way is an uneasy thing in itself.
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And the point is this, that no matter what kind of gained, he
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thought, he might have acquired in Disobedience, whatever
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profit, he thinks that he has made.
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All of that was suddenly interrupted by a hefty bill.
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Because sin has wages. and no matter how much we think we
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might enjoy or Prosper, or feel replenish or whatever, the case
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may be concerning our engagement with sin, there will be a bill
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to pay and David was experiencing that here even
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though he thought that he escaped the pestering Pursuits
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of Saul and even though he found he was getting away getting away
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with so much while living Behind Enemy Lines He was now forced to
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compromise in a way that he never thought he would and
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masterfully the author. The Holy Spirit.
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Yes, leaves us with a cliffhanger because For the Rest
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of chapter 28, we don't deal with David, we don't see him
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until the next chapter. We're actually now returning to
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solve the scene, shifts to the king of Israel.
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And what we see is that this portion of scripture is very
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important concerning Saul, because it is the last in-depth,
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look that you and I will have of this man before he dies in
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chapter 31. And what we see here are really
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his final moments. Yes, there are his final final
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moments but this is really, this is really the lowest point.
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That's all is going to arrive at before.
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He ultimately experiences, God's chastisement.
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So, what do we have to learn in this chapter very much.
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So, let us pay, careful attention, verse 3, Now, Samuel
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had died. And all Israel had mourn for him
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and buried him in Rama. His own City and saw had put the
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mediums and the necromancers out of the land.
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The Philistines assembled and came and a camp that shun them.
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And saw gathered all Israel, they encamped out gilboa When
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Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid and
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his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the
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Lord, the Lord did not answer him either by dreams or by ear
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Amor by prophets. Then Saul said to his servant
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seek out for me, a woman who is a medium that I may go to her
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and inquire of her. And his servants said to him
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behold, there is a medium at Endor.
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Let's examine these verses carefully.
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Verse 3, we read that Samuel had died.
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And that all Israel had mourned for him.
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Is this the first time that we were told that Samuel had died?
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No, this is the second time and there's a reason why we are told
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the second time of something that we already know the first
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time that we were told that Samuel had died.
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Is because it, it was meant to connect to David.
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In other words, Samuel was a great pillar of support to
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David. And the first time we are told
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that he was gathered to his people were supposed to feel
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what David must have felt a sense of loss.
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A sense of perhaps even despair. Maybe at least the temptation of
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it, we don't know. But the whole point is that
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David is David that he felt, as though this whole trial is going
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to be much more Difficult with the loss of a voice in his life,
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like Samuel. And when it is brought up again,
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the second time, as we see here, it is not meant to connect the
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David. It's meant to link to Saul.
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It's meant to bring about a reaction from Saul and not just
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a reaction but how it would play out for his predicament.
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How Saul or rather Samuels death influence saws life at this
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particular and pivotal time. Why.
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Because for this Prophet, to have died means that there is no
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voice for divine Council. There is no sense of guidance.
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That Saul could have received, additionally.
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What, it's all do, with all the priests of Israel.
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He slaughtered them, he slaughtered them, except for
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one, I'd be out there who ran away and escaped and went to
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David. But essentially what he did by
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doing that is he cut off another source of communication of of
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being mediators between the people and God, only adding to
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the Silence from heaven. For Saul.
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And the people of Israel bring into a very, very vulnerable
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Point as we are reading. Now, Saul is getting desperate
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and that's the reason why we're told of Samuels death, and we're
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going to see just how desperate he becomes.
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But interestingly what do we read here?
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And the same verse of verse 3. Look at the second part.
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For some reason we're told that he had put the mediums and the
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necromancers out of the land. This may surprise us, but this
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is a favorable thing. This is a favorable light
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concerning sauce character. Why because Saul doing this
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meant that Saul was obeying God, that's what he was doing.
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Because throughout the, the pentateuch throughout the law
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God over and over, especially in The Vedic is had instructed that
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there would be no necromancer's. No communicators with the dead.
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No Sorcerers, no witches. No warlocks.
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In fact, it was a sin. Punishable by Death.
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And saw we are told here, drove them out.
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He dealt with these Outlaws. Now, I believe and I'm sure you
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would agree that this commentary of Saul's obedience was early on
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in his Reign. It's very difficult to reconcile
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this as a present Act of obedience, because Saul was just
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losing it. So, I was under demonic
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oppression, so, I was in total sin and he's approaching
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apostasy Why is this verse important to consider?
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Because you heard it. When we read, he's actually
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going to call for a medium. He's going to call for a witch.
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For guidance. And the point of this is that
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whatever honor was left in Saul's, testimony is going to be
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very much eclipsed. By form of Disobedience that he
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is never entertained before. And it is in the arena of
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Witchcraft, remember his Rebellion against God when he
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didn't kill the amalekites. What were we told about that?
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That his rebellion was as what Witchcraft, and now he's
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actually going into witchcraft. And the idea here is that his
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strong stance in this area, the strong conviction would be a
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banded later on in life. Giving us a sobering lesson of
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what of how lost someone can be. When they are disconnected from
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a consistent walk with the Lord and his word.
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What we once held as a non-negotiable conviction can
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quickly become something that we are so willing to compromise at
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another point in life. You do, you know how that
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happens? It's a very simple formula.
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It's a very simple formula. Choose to remove yourself from
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the anchoring power of a discipline of being in God's
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word, and in his presence. And time.
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That's all you need. And there is no telling how the
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Strong Winds of strange doctrines will toss somebody
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into a direction that they never thought.
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They would even Explore even doctrines that they once stood.
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Against at one point in their lives, it is very scary.
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It is very scary. How we are easily influence.
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When we remove ourselves from the protection of being under
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God's Authority, and his word, and his people, and his presence
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on a daily basis. This is the fruit of Long-term
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disconnection from God from a daily fellowship with him daily,
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obedience to him. You end up doing things that you
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once said you would never do once preached against and told
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others not to do now, you're willing to embrace so closely to
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your bosom. So what happens here?
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first four were told that the Philistines assembled and he
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realized here, That he's in trouble.
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They have so infiltrated in the land, that he knows that he is,
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he is outnumbered, he's out strengthened, he is going to be
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killed. He feels that fear and the
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separation between Saul's conviction.
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And his current compromise is indeed a tragic site but we're
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about to be told something that's much more horrific, even
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more horrific than the fact that the army of the Philistines are
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right at his front door. something is told here, his low
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point is so low that as she calls out to God, There's no
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answer. At first glance.
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Look what it says here. It says here in verse 6 that
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when he inquired of the Lord, that's a good sign.
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Isn't it prayers? Good seeking.
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God is good. That first impression that might
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seem so. Because we are so familiar with
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the wonderful mercies and Promises of God.
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That when we call upon Him, He will hear us.
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And when we seek him, we will find him.
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And when we humble ourselves, he is willing to manifest himself.
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So this is good for Saul until we realize that he received no
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answer. Not only that look how strong
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this languages. The Lord did not answer him
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either by dreams or by our mm or by profits.
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That's another way of saying that God, slammed every door in
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Saul's face. When he heard his voice, Saul
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refused rather God, refused to answer them by any Avenue
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possible. And all he received was
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deafening Silence from heaven. How?
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What about those wonderful promises and prayer?
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What about other kings throughout first?
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And second Kings, who are very Wicked?
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Very, very evil. But in a moment of humility
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pause and sought the Lord and God got answered them and he
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provided a measure of Grace when they learn about their fate
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because of their evil, seems like that is totally unavailable
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to Saul. And we have to understand why.
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Sauce case is unique but it is very possible for it to be
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repeated today and it has been replicated throughout history.
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You want to see something even more?
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Perhaps, confusing, go to 1st Chronicles in your Bibles.
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And look at chapter 10, look at the commentary of Saul.
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And that book and to the skeptic into the unbelieving, this would
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be a text to prove a contradiction in the Bible, but
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to the believing, they would realize that this is a text
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that's going to provide great grade revelation You going
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there, right? First Chronicles, chapter 10,
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verse 13. I would love for you to see it
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in your own Bibles. Look what it says here as the
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author. Reminds us.
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Of this man's death. So Saul died for his breach of
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Faith. He broke Faith with the Lord and
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that he did not keep the command of the Lord and also consulted,
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a medium seeking guidance. We know that.
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But look at the next part. He did not seek guidance from
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the Lord, hold on. Are you sure?
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Is anybody's translation say something else verse 14 says
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very plain and clear. He did not seek guidance from
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the Lord therefore the Lord put him to death and turn the
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kingdom over to David. The son of Jesse.
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Well you just read it, verse 6 of first name is 28 and when
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salt inquired of the lord? Well, which one is it?
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Did he inquired? Did he not contradiction?
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No, a setup for great insight. Why didn't the Lord answer song?
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That's the first question. Here it is because God doesn't
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answer all prayer. He doesn't.
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In fact, God doesn't even hear all prayer.
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Nevermind answer. The scripture tells us that in
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Proverbs 28:9, if one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
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pay attention. If one turns away, his ear from
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hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
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Even his prayer that sacred act, that that posture of humility is
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regarded. As you know, what an Abomination
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is that is a very serious word. God uses that word for specific
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gross, vile sins. And yet the Holy Spirit ascribes
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Abomination, to prayer when it is done in a certain way.
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Why didn't god listen to saw? Because Saul didn't listen to
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God. It's as simple as that
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throughout all of Saul's life main, his mainly, his lack of
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the latter part of his ministry. Actually.
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Most of his ministry, God had extended Mercy, rebuke
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chastisement sparing of his life and all Saul did every single
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time. Was SWAT away, God's hand.
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And want nothing to do with him and only continue in his
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stubbornness. And so there is a deliberate
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turning away from God's word. He knew what God's will was and
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over and over he despised it rejected, it try to manipulate
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it and when it came to the time for him to ask God, God said,
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why should I Why should I now? We hang on there because Because
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that might seem like God doesn't respond to Brokenness and
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Desperation but that's not Sol's.
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Attitude. Is it, is there any sign of a
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penitent heart here? Is there any sign of repentance
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here? Absolutely, not.
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Absolutely, not always seesaw. Here is asking God for some
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Supernatural favor for the sake of self-preservation.
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Saul is seeking the Lord with no intention of changing.
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No intention of being conformed. No intention of being reproved.
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No intention of becoming a different man saw.
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Just wanted some Transcendent assistance so that he can be
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spared and that he can continue to live on the way he was
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living. So then when you connect that
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understanding to First Chronicles, 10:13, where we are
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told that saw did not seek guidance, from the Lord, you
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know, what, the spirit of God is saying through that.
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Saul's prayer was such an Abomination to God that it's as
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though he didn't. Pray at all.
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Saul seeking of God was, was such a hopeless cause it's as
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though he didn't even do it, that's how deaf God's ear was to
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Saul's prayer. And I want to tell you
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something, I don't know about you.
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That's more frightening to me than standing before an army
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who's against me. But that's unfortunately, where
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he's at. The fact that he goes and seeks
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a, which afterwards shows that he is not a man who's concerned
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about God's righteous will, he wants God to perform his will.
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And when he didn't get it from God, I'm going to get it from
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someone else. And that proves that he was a
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man that did not concern himself with God's ways.
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And you. And I Can be assured that if we
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deliberately disobeyed something, and God convicts us
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and he shows us and he reveals it to us.
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We cancel any privilege and prayer.
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We forfeited. I can we can spend the next half
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an hour going verse of the reefs throughout the whole Bible of
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how this principle is true is true but we don't want to be
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that kind of person. We can be assured that we have
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an open Heaven throughout our lives, if we, but simply do one
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thing and that is tremble at God's word, tremble, at his word
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and obey, everything that he has to say, in to submit ourselves,
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in every aspect of life. We will then inherit something
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glorious and that is God's ear towards our cry.
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Let me prove that to you. There is a king who cried out to
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God. And God heard him because he
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cried out to him in a specific way that King is one of my
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favorite Kings, King Josiah. Israel was so bad.
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At that time, that when Josiah had the priest come into the
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house of God to clean it. They found a book.
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It was the book of the law, but they were so far from from
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walking, and God's ways, I didn't even recognize it.
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And so they come up to the king, they said we found a book.
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Can you imagine that? Can you imagine a Bible being so
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ignored that apparently a church sees a Bible?
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Like, what is this? That's how bad it was for
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Israel. And as they read out the law joe
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side, rips his robes and great humility.
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He just breaks before God and before God's people and look how
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the Lord answers Josiah, I want you to just hear this, it's in
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Second Kings 22:19 Look. What the Lord says about Josiah
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and second Kings. 22, 19 and compare it to Saul.
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Because your heart was penitent and you humbled yourself before
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the Lord. When you heard how I spoke
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against this place and against its inhabitants, that they
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should become a desolation and a curse.
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And you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have
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heard you You see, I also have heard you declares the Lord.
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The way you responded to my word.
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Determines how I will respond to your word.
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That is the order. It was true.
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Then it is true today, your attitude, and your reverence
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towards the word of God will affect your prayer life.
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It will, it will it will reflect and affect how you experience
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the goodness of God through prayer.
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It's when you say people say I love to pray but I don't love
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the Bible. That's a dangerous thing to
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entertain because God has conditions and there are certain
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things in his word that he requires before prayer, can even
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be a possibility. Saw was a man who proved
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otherwise when we can spend the rest of this Bible study,
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exploring that but let's continue this.
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Continue on. Verse 7 and first saying at 28,
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he said to his servant seek out for me, a woman who is a medium
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that I may go to her and inquire over?
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What a sad place to be, man. This is extremely disappointing.
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But what's more disappointing is the Insight in The Following
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part of the verse and his servants set to and behold,
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there is a medium at Endor. What does that reveal?
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There's anybody there may have an idea what that shows.
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Yeah, the servants themselves showed no hesitation and Saul's
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request to actually inquire of a medium.
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That's that's a very concerning thing.
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Anything else? Ah, so we're told earlier that
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he put the mediums in the necromancers, out of the land.
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How did the servants know where witches and the land?
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That's all do. What he was supposed to do and
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cleansing the land. You can argue.
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Yes, you can argue. No, but what I see here and
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those are great answers. is that these men by revealing where
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the, which is Prove their own spiritual condition, and it's
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actually an indictment against Al's leadership.
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Why? Because these men are only
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imitating what they have seen over the years.
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These men are only the product really of observing partial
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obedience in their leader. And so, what do you expect from
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them? It's no surprise that they don't
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fully obey themselves. That shows me that even though
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salt, enforce, this law throughout the land, the
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servants knew Find a which, which tells me.
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You're either entertaining that sin.
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Or you tolerated that sin. And I believe these servants saw
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a man who didn't truly follow God.
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Then it truly fear God in every aspect and so they themselves
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thought it was okay, it was okay to entertain just just just a
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sliver of it and Saul's inconsistency is so severe here
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that there is no reaction to him based on the fact that these men
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know where to find a medium. He is unmoved.
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He's like whatever. Here's the point that I want to
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make. The greatest power.
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For discipleship. Is not.
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Preaching, it's not enforcing its not pointing its modeling
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the thing that you say others should obey.
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It's as simple as just being a consistent follower of Christ by
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the grace of God and letting others watch you.
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And then imitate what they see being lived out before them.
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And there is nothing more destructive to whatever laws you
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might impose on others or in yourself.
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If that is not fully kept or it has not kept in another area.
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And Saul is seeing that and I would say these servants are not
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completely off the hook, they're not just victims of poor
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leadership. They themselves should have
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proven their loyalty to God by standing up against the king and
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saying, what are you thinking? This is not what God asked us.
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This is goes directly flies in the face of what God demands
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from us, but no such thing. No such thing.
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So saws even suffering from the product of his own leadership
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because now, these servants are telling him and encourage him to
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sin. Be careful who you get counsel
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from. What happens?
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Look at verse 8. So, solve disguised himself and
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put on other garments and went, he and two men with him and they
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came to the woman by night, they came to the woman by night.
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And he said, Divine for me by his spirit and bring up for me.
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Whomever I shall name to you. So saw here changes his clothes,
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he disrobes himself from his Royal garments.
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And although that may seem like a shady strategy actually says
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more. It speaks of the shift in his
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identity saw now has crossed the line that he's never crossed
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before. Yes he was disobedient
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rebellious inconsistent but now he is becoming an apostate.
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He is denying the truth and one of the most abominable ways
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possible He is seeking guidance from a supernatural Force, who
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is not God. And that is a violation to God's
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character and his prerogative. So he disguises himself and what
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he's about to find out his, no matter how much he thought that
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he can hide himself from this which because it wouldn't help
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if he came in as the king. She knows that he put everyone
27:31
to death for doing such a thing. So he wants to hide himself, he
27:35
wants to disclose his identity, but what's so funny, is that in
27:38
this very same scene, he's going to be discovered, You Can't
27:41
Hide, You Can't Hide no matter what you do, no matter where you
27:46
do it. No matter what time of the
27:48
night, it is No matter what layers, you put on, no matter
27:51
what kind of screen you're behind you and I cannot hide.
27:56
God, is a master at hide and seek and no matter how clever
28:03
you and I think we may be he will always find us out.
28:07
Always, And he goes by Night. How telling right?
28:13
Evil loves Darkness, evil loves Darkness.
28:16
There's no wonder why I crime intensifies during the night
28:21
hours. It's not just because you are
28:24
more able to hide your identity, it's because it also parallels.
28:28
The spiritual darkness. That people love.
28:30
They hate the light, not just physical light, but spiritual
28:33
light because it exposes their deeds of Darkness.
28:37
It's a salt clothes himself and he comes at night and he comes
28:42
to this unnamed woman. And he makes a request.
28:47
Bring up a spirit for me. And look what she says.
28:52
Verse 9, the woman said to him, surely you know what Saul has
28:54
done? How he has cut off the mediums
28:57
and the necromancers from the land?
28:58
Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my
29:01
death? I have a question for you.
29:03
Is this woman righteous? Good.
29:06
Why? While she's not sinning, she
29:10
doesn't want to send. She showing hesitation not to
29:12
sin, so why isn't she righteous? Haha.
29:20
Very good. The motivation.
29:24
What is her fear? What is her fear that her life
29:29
would be cut off? That's all would discover her,
29:34
and that she would be put to death.
29:37
Punishment, judicial punishment has been instituted by God.
29:42
Because in his wisdom, he knows that in order for life to be
29:45
livable and to put a restraint on wickedness, being rampant in
29:48
society, Sinners need to fear. Sinners need to be afraid.
29:55
And so God even from Genesis has established her in-laws?
30:00
And he established capital punishment, that might conflict
30:03
with some people's political views.
30:06
But what's the idea there? The idea there is that he must
30:09
enforce drastic consequences. Less our culture becomes.
30:15
So overwhelmed by the sins of people that you wouldn't even be
30:19
able to step out of your front door at night or even during the
30:22
day. But fear of punishment is not
30:26
God's ultimate desire. For us to uphold righteousness.
30:31
That's not God's ultimate goal. That's not.
30:34
There is a great term. There is a greater motivation
30:38
and it is inspired by the work of the Holy Spirit.
30:41
One of the differences between a Christian and an unbelieving
30:44
person. In their dealing with sin is
30:50
that when the Holy Spirit comes in to a Blood Washed Born Again,
30:54
child of God that individual will be motivated not to sin
31:01
even though there is no threat to their reputation.
31:06
To their resources. Or to the relationships.
31:10
You understand what I'm saying? The Holy Spirit, provoke
31:14
something, so great within the child of God, that even though
31:18
that person could sin and seem to get away with every
31:21
consequence and be untainted by any punishment, they would still
31:26
not do it. If there's Spirit-filled, at
31:31
least, why? Because that's the miraculous
31:36
consequence of the new birth. The Holy Spirit, Soul transforms
31:41
a heart, making a Believer slow to sin for the sole reason that
31:44
they do not want to make their savior sad.
31:49
That's the sole reason believer. If you're only reason not to sin
31:58
is because you don't want to pay a consequence in this life,
32:02
whether again, it's with your reputation, your resources or
32:06
your relationships. You and I are no different than
32:08
the witch from Endor. That makes sense.
32:14
There are sinners, who don't sin, their unbelieving, people
32:18
who don't do certain things to have a form of goodness, but
32:22
what's the motive for it? The distinction is not just
32:26
whether somebody's sins or not is why?
32:29
Why? And Joseph pre 10 commandments
32:34
pre indwelling of the Holy Spirit could say in the secrecy
32:39
of a room with a beautiful woman, how can I do this evil
32:42
against, who God? now that man could come to that
32:47
conclusion before the New Covenant, how much more you and
32:50
I I really believe when Jesus said that the road is narrow.
32:55
I really believe he meant it. this woman here is not choosing
33:02
to do wrong, but for the wrong reason, if you and I do not have
33:06
that Supreme desire, if there is no hesitation to our Temptation,
33:12
that points, to how can I do this against my Lord, we have to
33:16
ask yourself some serious questions of the work of the
33:18
holy spirit in our lives. Something interesting is about
33:22
to happen though. Saul falsely assures her in
33:26
verse 10. He swore to her, by the Lord, as
33:29
the Lord lives. No punishment shall come upon
33:30
you for this thing. Then the woman said, whom shall
33:36
I bring up to you? You can just feel the suspense
33:37
of this moment. I'm curious to know.
33:39
Has anybody never read this chapter?
33:41
Just lift your hand? There's no shame.
33:42
I just want to know. It's fine.
33:45
Everybody else here has read this chapter.
33:48
Okay, so you know what's coming. When the woman verse 12 saw
33:52
Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice.
33:54
And the woman said to Saul, why have you deceived me?
33:57
I love that. Like the first thing that she
34:00
says, is your soul. We don't know how that came
34:04
about. I don't know if Samuel said
34:05
something to her and we didn't have it recorded, but she
34:08
discovered it, your saw, he doesn't care.
34:12
The king said to her, do not be afraid.
34:14
What do you see in the woman said to Saul?
34:15
I see a god coming out of the earth.
34:18
He said to her, what is his appearance?
34:19
And she said an old man is coming up and he is wrapped in a
34:22
robe and saw knew that it was Samuel.
34:25
And look at this. He bowed with his face to the
34:27
ground. At paid homage kind of laid.
34:29
You think? Why don't you do that while he
34:32
was alive? He was alive, you ripped his
34:35
robe, and now that he's dead. You want to Bow before him and
34:37
show respect. It's really a picture of how
34:40
people will bow before Christ when it's too late.
34:46
They will not bow. Out of adoration, they will bow
34:50
because they have to And that bowing at that time, that has
34:55
been prophesied in Isaiah and Philippians will mean nothing
34:58
concerning their spiritual condition and their Eternal
35:01
destination just like Saul. It's too late.
35:08
There's gonna be a little debate here because this text is highly
35:10
controversial. It seems to suggest some
35:12
theological ideas that are difficult to grasp.
35:14
And the main debate is around the idea of whether or not the
35:19
spirit that this woman summoned was in fact saw or someone else
35:23
or something else. I'm curious to know where you
35:26
stand who would say here that this is not solved.
35:28
This is an impersonation, this is a hallucination. this is,
35:36
something or someone other than the real person who would say,
35:40
yeah, okay. This is not a Salvation issue so
35:44
you don't have to be scared. Nor is it a membership
35:49
qualification? Who believes that?
35:54
This is actually Samuel. Okay.
35:57
Some of you have attended a previous Bible study, where we
35:59
talked about this briefly Great minds.
36:04
Great. Men of God have argued about
36:06
this and they still do. I want to give you three reasons
36:10
why I believe it is actually Samuel.
36:13
First, look at the reaction of The Woman verse 12, when the
36:17
woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice.
36:22
Notice only later on, do you realize it wasn't because she
36:26
saw Samuel because she couldn't identify Samuel, she didn't even
36:31
know. It was Samuel saw had to ask for
36:33
the description. The sketch of the man and then
36:36
only after she described it, that's all affirm that, it was
36:39
in fact, Samuel, she was startled by the fact that
36:43
someone showed up strange reaction to someone who claims
36:48
to be in contact with the dead. Don't you think?
36:52
On a regular basis, if that's your business and you react like
36:55
that, I'm questioning if you're the real thing.
36:59
She's a fraud. She's a fraud, this is a hoax
37:04
and it could be that like many people.
37:07
She just placed tricks and she's a great actress.
37:10
It could be I'm not nullifying the fact that people can tap
37:13
into demonic spirits and communicate with them.
37:16
But this is very, very revealing the fact that she cries out in
37:20
this way in total shock. Why are you so shocked?
37:23
Aren't you supposed to expect this?
37:26
If I make a request, that's why I came here.
37:29
And so why are you so startled? This eliminates the argument
37:33
that this is a hallucination, like, some would claim.
37:36
This eliminates that she is pretending to see somebody and
37:40
she's just playing a game with Saul.
37:42
That is not the fact of the matter.
37:45
Secondly, this is not the strongest point, but it's a
37:47
point to consider notice here the appearance of Samuel
37:52
described and acknowledged by Saul.
37:55
So, once he asked for what she sees, she gives a description
38:00
and he receives the affirmation that he needs.
38:03
That this is, in fact, the man, that he knew throughout his life
38:06
specifically that robe, that rolled that unique robe that our
38:10
profit will wear and maybe it was the same rope that.
38:12
He even had a hand on and rip the piece off.
38:17
Again, I don't think that's the strongest argument because I
38:19
want to make a point here. Demons can impersonate.
38:27
They can replicate, they can pair it.
38:32
And I believe that's what's going on with much of what we
38:35
see with these spiritist and these TV shows and all these
38:39
things where people try to get into contact with dead family
38:41
members. It's demonic.
38:46
Satan himself. Masquerades as an angel of
38:48
Light, he can he can look like something else.
38:52
And I believe demons can can do that.
38:54
They study Humanity, they observed, they listen, And so
38:59
what makes us think that it's so difficult for a demon to appear
39:02
to somebody who's obviously tapped into the wrong spiritual
39:05
realm, and to appear in a certain way for what purpose
39:08
will to do, what demons do lie and deceive.
39:13
But what advantage is that? What what advantage is that if I
39:16
seek a spirit has to say, I've missed my grandpa so much can
39:19
you ask and see if he's okay? Now that sounds silly but I want
39:23
to tell you how damning it can be. and so here's a spirit of
39:27
who does what she does or what he does and channels and then
39:30
describe something a characteristic of what this
39:33
person would only know, concerning Grandpa, Following
39:37
with this, your grandpa is in a good place and he wants to let
39:42
you know, he's at peace and Grandpa never gave his life to
39:46
Jesus Christ. What kind of false hope is that?
39:52
Here's a person who walks away thinking that they're in a
39:54
better place because some Demon appeared to lie to somebody
39:59
skewing their understanding of what's awaiting us when we die.
40:07
So again that I bring that up to say that the visualization and
40:10
the description of the person may not be the strongest case,
40:13
but it's connected to the third point.
40:14
It's what it's what Samuel says. Let's read it, briefly, shall
40:18
we? Yes.
40:56
Hang tight. Great observation.
40:58
We're going to see the answer to how this happened in a moment.
41:01
Look at verse 16 and Sanyo said, why then do you ask me since the
41:06
Lord has turned from you and become your enemy?
41:09
The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me for the Lord has
41:13
torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your
41:16
neighbor David. Because you did not obey the
41:19
voice of the Lord and did not carry out.
41:20
His Fierce wrath against a Mal amalek.
41:23
Therefore, the Lord has done this thing to you this day.
41:26
Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the
41:29
hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you.
41:31
And Sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of
41:35
Israel. Also into the hand of the
41:36
Philistines. Does that sound like a deceptive
41:41
spirit? Does that sound like I mean,
41:46
just ask the question, what would Satan or any of his
41:49
minions? What kind of Advantage would
41:52
they have by saying what they just said?
41:55
It's only a confirmation. What was said, while Samuel was
41:57
alive, it was a pronouncement of judgment.
42:00
It was in fact, a prophetic word.
42:01
That was fulfilled. The next day.
42:04
And so the very content, the very the very monologue here.
42:10
I believe proves furthermore that this is in fact, Samuel,
42:14
How? This mere mortal have the
42:18
ability to disrupt those who have passed on into the next
42:22
round, which our dear sister pointed out.
42:25
And the question is a legitimate one and the answer I hope is
42:29
understandable. No there's only one who has the
42:32
keys to death. What's Happening Here is that
42:36
God made an exception. It was a unique instance.
42:41
And this is not the only time where the Lord has brought the
42:46
righteous from the other world into this world.
42:48
Can you think of a time in the gospel of Matthew Mount of
42:53
transfiguration, who was there with Jesus?
42:55
Very good, very good. And so, God, in his wisdom, and
43:00
unique instances has justifiable reasons why he would do, what
43:03
only he can do. No man.
43:04
Has the ability know which has the ability.
43:08
That's why she was so shocked. To actually bring the righteous
43:13
from their arrest. If that was the case, imagine
43:16
that happening all the time, I can imagine happening all the
43:18
time. Imagine somebody was connected
43:20
to the devil could reach and deal with those who have passed
43:24
on in such a way. The very fact that this woman
43:28
responds in This Way shows that she realized that this is a
43:30
Divine Act. He appears.
43:35
For what reason, we just read it to pronounce judgment upon upon
43:41
Saul. And not just that I believe it
43:43
is a veiled Act of Mercy. Availed Act of Mercy.
43:47
How so well, if you were told that you were going to die
43:51
tomorrow and you were not in a good place with God, when do you
43:54
think that that heads-up would help you prepare to meet with
43:56
your God? You would hope so.
44:01
You would hope that the fact that this actually occurred that
44:03
this actually came about would cause would cause saw though,
44:08
his Fate has been sealed to spend, whatever waking moment,
44:12
he had to be broken before God. And to make sure that no matter
44:15
how much he has messed up throughout his life, he would be
44:17
ready to meet the one. that he is disobey, but was willing to
44:21
forgive And guess what? He doesn't.
44:27
He doesn't. Makes you wonder if that rich
44:31
man in Jesus teaching about hell had this story in mind when he
44:34
requested Abraham and Lazarus who was in his bosom.
44:39
Would you would you just send someone from the dead to tell my
44:43
brother's to repent? What did Jesus say, if they
44:49
won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen to
44:52
anybody who rises from the dead and funny.
44:55
Enough, a man by the name of Lazarus rises from the dead, and
44:58
guess what? The Pharisees wanted to do kill
45:00
him. Are you safe today?
45:05
Praise God for that miracle in your life.
45:08
Because even if somebody comes from the dead we can be.
45:10
So harbored in sin, so proud so arrogant that we would still not
45:16
even choose to give our hearts to Christ.
45:19
It's a frightening sight. so, if you disagree with my analyzation
45:24
of this being actually Samuel, Debate about it afterwards,
45:29
argue righteously, if you have questions, come see me, but we
45:34
must move on. Samuel appears.
45:38
Look at Sol's reaction of verse 20.
45:41
And Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled,
45:44
with fear because of the words of Samuel and there was no
45:47
strength in him, free had eaten, nothing all day and all night.
45:53
Almost feel bad for the man. He just slips out of his seat
45:58
and lays there, like a little child realizing that he's going
46:02
to die tomorrow. If you knew you were going to
46:04
die tomorrow, would you slip out of your chair?
46:06
Would you be ready? Look at the woman that she like
46:12
turns from a witch to like a mother, the woman came to saw
46:15
and when she saw that he was terrified.
46:17
She said to me, behold your servant as obeyed you, I've
46:19
taken my life in my hand. I've listened to what you have
46:21
said to me. Now, therefore you also be your
46:23
servant. Let me set a morsel of bread
46:25
before you and eat that. You may have strength when you
46:28
go on your way, he refused. He said, I will not eat but a
46:32
servant's together with the woman urged him and he listen to
46:35
their words. So, he arose from the earth and
46:38
sat on the bed. And what did she do?
46:42
She feeds him. He received some strength.
46:47
He takes these men with him. And they go back into that black
46:51
night. Who knows what was running
46:55
through his mind. I could only imagine that it was
46:58
sheer Terror. but what I like to point out from here, is that the
47:02
witch The which we obviously saw a man who realize his Dreadful
47:07
destination. Attempted to console him, but it
47:12
was a failure. Why she saw the physical need
47:17
but she didn't realize the spiritual one.
47:21
And so, what did she do? She saw the temporary and she
47:27
ministered to that. Saul's ultimate need wasn't
47:31
another meal. It was to be renewed, in his
47:35
spirit is to be transformed. It was to be forgiving.
47:39
It was to be restored and reconciled to God, this witch,
47:43
who couldn't even understand that this was Samuel.
47:45
When she saw him, shows you how disconnected she was from the
47:48
righteous while Samuel was alive.
47:51
Also could not perceive what saw actually needed in this moment
47:57
and that was salvation. And if she really, really had a
48:03
hint of righteousness, she would not have made the food, a
48:08
priority, she would have made spiritual food, a priority.
48:12
As one preacher said, it's better to have one restless
48:17
night with conviction than 1,000 restless nights and sleepless
48:22
nights in hell. And I would borrow that and say
48:29
it's better for salt to go hungry and to get right with
48:31
God. That the go where most people
48:36
believe he went after he died. And share that thirst with the
48:43
rich man who just wanted a drop of water on his lips.
48:50
She's a picture of the world. The world is not concerned about
48:55
your Eternal State. The world is not concerned about
48:57
where you go. After this life, all they offer.
48:59
You is morsels of bread for today.
49:01
And for tomorrow, all they offer you satisfaction for the moment.
49:04
All the offer, use replenishment strength For the brief 60, 70,
49:10
80 years. If that as you journey through
49:14
this life, But they will never do what only Jesus can do and
49:20
they never offer what only Jesus can offer and there was a time
49:23
where there are people who love Jesus because he gave them some
49:26
physical bread. And as I read this, my mind
49:30
raced to John 627, where Jesus looked at this crowd of people
49:33
who wanted him to be king because they thought, man, if we
49:36
make him King, we never have to buy anything.
49:38
We don't have to go to the grocery store.
49:40
We don't have to worry about nothing.
49:42
We want you to be king and Jesus says, do not work for the food
49:46
that perishes But for the food that endures for eternal life,
49:52
which the son of man will give to you for on him.
49:55
God the father has set his seal. You want bread, I didn't come
50:00
here to bake. I didn't come here to make you
50:04
more financially comfortable. I came here to offer, you a food
50:08
that only the son of man can give.
50:10
Would you ask for it? Saul's pathetic condition here
50:17
is just like the world. They go to those who claim to
50:21
have answers even answers from another world, and all they
50:24
receive is a meal for the night when they will face A Thousand
50:28
Years. Ten billion years.
50:34
Empty and suffering. So tonight, I want to ask you
50:40
and close of this Bible study. If you receive the bread from
50:43
Jesus, not the bread of this world.
50:48
Have you determined within yourself that you are satisfied
50:50
in Jesus Christ Alone that you sought him for a bread?
50:54
That does not perish. That does not fail you the next
50:57
day and you need another, another load something that just
51:02
deals with you once and for all if not, It's free.
51:10
It's actually free. You can walk out of here, full
51:14
in a way that can even overshadow, whatever emptiness
51:18
you feel physically, even actual physical hunger, you can Soul,
51:21
no, a joy in Christ like Jesus, new and serving the father, then
51:25
when he was actually hungry and the disciples came to give him
51:28
food, he just finished evangelizing a woman and she
51:31
went to go and is about to spread Revival and they said,
51:34
hey there's food for you goes out how I'm actually not hungry.
51:39
Serving God can be so fulfilling that it even even can Eclipse
51:45
Physical hunger at times. Some of you have known that,
51:48
that's how powerful This Joy is this rest is.
51:52
And if you don't have it, Christ Alone can give it.
51:56
Christ Alone can offer it. And maybe you're not a Christian
52:00
in this place. I would ask you to talk to the
52:03
Lord your lord and asked him. Lord, I'm empty.
52:08
I know that what this man is speaking about I don't have and
52:11
I need it and you get it by repenting and trusting in the
52:15
Lord Jesus Christ you get it by. Admitting not like Saul claiming
52:20
you have a prayer life but not repenting that conforming to the
52:22
word of God. You admit that you've broken
52:24
God's law that you have disobeyed him that you will
52:27
stand before him Tea and you say, Lord, I realized that the
52:32
same time that you forgiven me on that cross.
52:34
And I ask that you would forgive me and wash me afresh.
52:37
And Lord, give me this breath that.
52:38
You spoke about. No, give it You'll never hunger
52:43
again. Can I tell you something?
52:45
Encouraging, I ate that breath. 10 years ago.
52:48
I'm still full. I'm still full 10 years ago
52:54
before that I was in the buffet of the world trying this and
52:59
trying that and it tasted good for the moment.
53:02
But just like much junk, it tends to turn its back on you
53:05
later. On one day there is that bread
53:09
from Heaven Christ himself. There's such a desperation in my
53:13
life and I smelt that righteousness in that Holiness,
53:16
and that Purity in that love, I want this bread and I ate it by
53:21
God's grace. I'm still full.
53:26
You can do the same. I can't give it Pastor Daniel
53:30
Bennett, can't give it the worship.
53:31
Team can give it your dad. Can't give it.
53:33
Your mom, can't give it your girlfriend boyfriend, fiance
53:36
none Christ himself, go directly to him and he will come and deal
53:41
with that emptiness in your heart.
53:43
Let's pray. We thank you for the Living Word
54:03
of God. We feel fed by your grace we
54:10
ask. Oh Lord that these things would
54:12
not be forgotten, it would be remembered They would be
54:16
remembered for the sake of obedience, not for the sake of
54:18
parroting truths. Low, we want this war to deal
54:25
with us and to transform us Lord.
54:28
We thank you for this wonderful lesson.
54:30
We pray that it would be more than a lesson, it would be a
54:34
life-altering power in our lives. we thank you o God that
54:40
you hear us even now, You hear those who tremble at your word
54:45
and we tremble tonight. Lord, for those who might not
54:49
know you in this place, let this evening.
54:53
Be the turning point And may they know this bread from
54:57
Heaven, who is Jesus? May they know that fulfillment
55:03
that only comes by faith in him. And Lord we just pray that as we
55:08
heard before the service, even began the Bible study.
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That all of us who came in here in a certain way, with leave
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healed replenished. Comforted encourage built up and
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perhaps even convicted of necessary.
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Do that work in each of us? We believe, oh God, that you've
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spoken, but we don't want to leave here.
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We don't want to leave here the same way.
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And so between now and the dismissal of the service load
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of, there's anything that still needs to be dealt with in our
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hearts. Would you speak to our hearts?
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As we meditate on? What we heard, we trust that you
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will in Jesus name. Amen.