The Decline of Saul
A. A PITIFUL PICTURE INDEED. HOW DID SAUL GET TO THIS POINT?
B. SAUL WAS GOD’S CHOICE FOR A KING (1 Sam. 9:15-17). WHY?
1. Ch. 9:1-2. None goodlier.
2. Ch. 9:20-21. Humble.
3. Ch. 10:27. Understanding. 11:12-13.
C. WHAT HAPPENED TO SAUL MAY HAPPEN TO US.
A. THE SIN OF PRESUMPTION.
1. “To take upon oneself without permission or authority” (Webster).
2. Deut. 18:20. Without God sending (Deut. 1:43)
3. May be outright rebellion or thoughtlessness. Always deadly!
B. GOD’S REGARD FOR IT (Deut. 17:12-13; 18:20; Num. 15:30; 2 Pet. 2:9-10).
C. UNDER THE NEW COVENANT (2 John 9).
D. Psalm 19:13.
A. WE ARE TOLD TO BE CAREFUL (Eph. 5:15; 1 Pet. 5:8).
B. WE ARE TO BE DILIGENT IN HIS WORK (Heb. 6:11-12).
C. EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO USED NO THOUGHT:
1. Jepthath’s rash vow (Judges 11:30-31, 34-35).
2. David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:10-12; 18:33).
3. Lot’s choosing of Sodom (Gen. 13:13; 19:14, 26, 31-32).
D. A MOMENT WITH OUR GUARD DOWN MAY HAVE
ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES (Heb. 12:14-17).
E. “I JUST DIDN’T THINK …” USED TO JUSTIFY TOO MANY THINGS.
A. “I KNOW WHAT GOD SAID, BUT SURELY …”
B. IF WE KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT AND DON’T DO IT (James 4:17).
C. WHAT DOES GOD DESIRE IN US? (1 Sam. 15:22-23).
D. IF WE SIN KNOWING IT … (Heb. 10:26-27; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).
A. WE CAN FALL FROM GRACE (Gal. 5:4).
B. 2 Peter 2:9-10.