Finishing Well

Always preach a New Year's message. Like I said, it's been extended somewhat

God willing in a couple weeks We're going to return back to the gospel John but as a

New Year's message 2026 I Cannot help but think it's always important not only to start well, but to finish well you know, we began a race and And and we also we began a new year and we all all of us desire to begin well and I really believe there's something here.

There's many Farewell speeches in Scripture Paul has one

The Scriptures are loaded up with them, but in first Samuel chapter 12, please turn with me to first Samuel chapter 12

We're going to look at all 25 verses This will be our message to focus on the new year and onward

I Prayed that this is just not another sermon for us. But this is a word from God that will transform our lives.

I always Remind myself this is just not about receiving information and facts from the

Word of God even though it is that But it is truth that Transforms our lives we desire just not information but transformation by the

Holy Spirit. This will be a two -part message Let me read the text very quickly then we'll go through it like a jet tour this morning reading from the

New King James translation first Samuel chapter 12 Samuel is addressing

Actually Saul's coronation, but it's also a farewell address Hear the

Word of God now Samuel said to all Israel indeed I have heeded your voice and all that you said to me and have made a king over you

And now here is the king walking before you and I am old and gray headed and look my sons are with you

I have walked before you from my childhood to this day Here I am witness against me before the

Lord and before his anointed whose ox Have I taken and whose donkey have

I taken or whom have I cheated? whom have I oppressed or From who whose hand have

I received any bribe with which blind my eyes. I will restore it to you

And they said you have not cheated us or oppressed us nor have you taken anything from any man's hand then he said to them the

Lord is witness against us and His anointed is witness this day and you have not found anything in my hand and they answered

He is witness then Samuel said to the people it is the Lord who raised up Moses and Aaron and Who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt?

Now therefore stand still that I may reason with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous acts the

Lord Which he did to you and your fathers When Jacob had gone into Egypt and your fathers cried out to the

Lord And then the Lord sent Moses and Aaron and brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place

And when they forgot the Lord your their God he sold them into the hand of Caesarea Commander of the army of Hazar Into the hand of the

Philistines and into the hand of the king of Moab and they fought against him then they cried out to the

Lord and said we have sinned because we have forsaken the Lord and Served the bells and the

Asherahs and now deliver us from the hand of our enemies and we will serve you but the

Lord sent Dribble ball and bending and Jeff it and Samuel and Delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side and you dwelt in safety

And when you saw that Nash king of the Ammonites Came against you and you said to me no, but a king shall reign over us

When the Lord your God was your king now therefore here is the king whom you have chosen and whom you have desired and Take note the

Lord has set a king over you if you fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice

Do not rebel against his commandment of the Lord The commandment of the Lord then both you and your king who reigns over you will continue

Following the Lord your God. However, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the

Lord Then the hand of the Lord will be against you as it was against your father's

Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes

Is today not the wheat harvest I will call to the Lord and he will send thunder and rain and You may perceive and see that your wickedness is great

Which you have done in the sight of the Lord and asking a king for yourselves So Samuel called to the

Lord and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day and all the people greatly feared the

Lord in Samuel And all the people said to Samuel pray For your servants to the

Lord your God that we may not die For we have added to all of our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves

And then Samuel said to the people do not fear You have done all this wickedness yet.

Do not turn aside from following the Lord but serve the Lord with all your heart and Do not turn aside for then you would go after empty things that cannot profit or deliver for they are nothing

For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake Because it is pleased the

Lord to make you his people Moreover as for me Far be it for me that I should sin against the

Lord and ceasing to pray for you But I will teach you the good in the right way only fear the

Lord And serve him in truth With all your heart for consider what great things he has done for you

But if you still do wickedly You shall be swept away both you and Your king may

God bless the reading of his word from our ears to our hearts this morning Please bow with me in prayer

Father this is your eternal word You have blessed it. Oh God we are so blessed to hear it this morning.

Give us ears to hear your word Speak Lord for your servant hears

And we ask this for your glory and honor in Jesus name Amen It's been said that the

Christian life is a marathon not a sprint And how well we finish the race before us is more important than how we start the race and that is so true

It's always great to get off to a good start But how we finish the race is what really matters the runner

Who gets off to a good start? but then stumbles Becomes disqualified shipwrecked along the way loses the race

But when we finish well when we finish well And one day here our master the

Lord Jesus Christ say well done good and faithful servant enter into the joy of the

Lord will indeed as Paul says receive a crown of righteousness laid up for them which the

Lord the righteous judge will give them on that day Beloved this is the joy that is set before us today to finish well

To be faithful to the end And oh, what a glorious joy it will be

To hear our master say well done good and faithful servant It will not be easy

The Lord never promised it would be easy, but he did promise he would be with us through hardships and trials and values and Darkness he would never leave us nor forsake us and that's the promise that we have as God's people

Samuel's speech here marks the final transition from the period of the judges in Israel to the time of the

Kings There's a transition taking place here It's a coronation of Saul King Saul now

King Saul Which the people desired to have? Really was not the anointed

King even though he was anointed as a king, but he was not the one

That God has chosen that God chose that would be David later to come interesting to know that Samuel was both a priest and a prophet a priest and a prophet of Israel As a priest as you well know

He spoke to God for the people and as a as a prophet he spoke to the people for God Very similar to Moses very much like Moses.

So Samuel is the last Judge of Israel and Saul is the first king of Israel.

This is what's taking place here It is a changing of the guard so to speak

And that's what's happening It's changing of the guard and Samuel gives his farewell speech a farewell address to the people of Israel here

And as I've mentioned Samuel was Israel's last judge according to 1st Samuel 7 6 you can read that verse 15 to verse 17 as the first prophet according to 1st

Samuel 3 20 acts 3 24 and 1320 you can read that as well that backs up that statement

According to 1st Samuel 2 18. He functioned as a priest and according to Hebrews 11 32

He was a great man of faith yet What stands out most? personally to me here is

That not only was he a prophet in a function did a prophet and a priest but he was a man of prayer

He was a man of intercessory prayer God willing we're going to look at that in a whole sermon next

Lord's Day as he interceded for God's people Regardless of their wickedness and forgetfulness of toward God the wickedness of their sin

It's four major points. I'd like to bring to your attention this morning in this wonderful chapter for credit now.

I borrowed these From a Presbyterian preacher. Yeah, even

Reformed Baptist barring for Presbyterians But that's okay. I don't suppose there's a sin in that but our

Presbyterian brothers and sisters are very similar To us and in doctrines and most points except that we are credo and they're pedo

Baptist we don't believe in baptizing infants. I won't go there this morning, but we are Baptist and we do believe in immersion

But I got a man there for he's got but there are four wonderful points and I will do my best to get through this as fast as I can but without giving

Dishonor to God's Word. We're going to look at this and in the jet tour overall

Look at the context but the commentary From 1st

Samuel I was reading from Dale Ralph Davis is a Presbyterian minister and he's really good

But here's the points. I really like these and I got exhortations to build on that On each of these points as we go so that'll help us in the application at the end

But the first point is the case against us case against us. We see that in verse 1 through 15

Second we see the fear upon us. We see this in verse 16 to 19 the fear upon us and third we see the grace over us in verse 20 to 25 and Then fourth we see the man for us in verse 23

I think that's a great place to conclude So we have the case against us the fear upon us the grace over us the man for us

Great outline. I could not resist not using this as To help me keep track as I preached the word to you this morning, so could not resist this outline but in part

One of this message we're going like I said, we're gonna take a quick jet tour through this and hit these points

There are multiple exhortations, even though there is a rebuke here, but Samuel gives multiple exhortations

Through this chapter then God willing like I said next Lord's Day We will pick up and I like to give one

Strong final exhortation from the Word of God from this chapter of how we can improve our prayer life and intercessory prayer

I don't know about you. I need this. I need Lord. I'm more I walk this

Christian life and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to pray for others This is one of the greatest

I'm telling you folks one of the greatest ministries. You could be called to even

Preachers and preaching will eventually come to an end evangelism will come to an end but intercessory prayer goes on throughout eternity

You it never ends So that is one of the greatest ministries I really believe that any of God's children can have and by the way, all of us as God's children

Called to pray. Amen, and That I like to give an exhortation on that next

Lord's Day now How we can be more effective and more useful in the kingdom of God in our daily prayer life now to our exposition

Let's observe the case against us the case against us we read this in verse 1 to 15

And I'd like to point out here the fact the first exhortation I observe and found in the opening verses 1 to 5 is

This that it's all that we always maintain a good reputation with God and man a good reputation with God and man

We see it in the text now Samuel said to all Israel Indeed, I have heeded your voice and all that you said to me and I have made a king over you

Even though God was not in favor of this according to Scripture in the

Psalms God sent lameness to their hearts Therefore they asked for a king and In verse 2 it says now here is the king walking before you and Samuel says

I am old. We know he's up in age I'm gray -headed and look my sons are with you and I have walked before you from my childhood to this day

Even though this is Samuel's farewell speech I like to add here is we see as Israel's leader

He will not retire from the ministry as many ministers do this man does not retire from ministry

He goes all the way to the end faithfully he's a faithful minister of the priest a faithful minister of God's Word a prophet as Well, his ministry will continue for some time and he will even anoint

David as the true king of Israel when Saul proves Unqualified for the office and this happens we see this will happen

Now in an interesting here we see Samuel that is faithful He not only started well, but he finishes.

Well, we see King Saul Oh, he starts well, but he does not finish.

Well, we see what happens to him He actually falls on his sword at the end at the end before he commits suicide

It was definitely suicide and the servant committed suicide right along with him at the end of his life

But he was he got away and forsook the Lord and he was even seeking

Medians and and it goes to a witch and indoor and he got he did not he could not even

Hear the Word of God anymore He the Spirit of God departed from him so the important thing that we need to observe here first of all is that Samuel in his speech is

Both vindicates his own godliness Particularly in a lot in light of his son's offenses his sons

Had problems and here he is very transparent He's very open and again, it highlights the

Israel sin in requesting a king Like those of other nations, that's why they wanted a king.

They wanted to be like other nations I Got a quote here by Martin Lloyd -Jones.

I never heard the sermon, but I was reading Part of his sermon that he preached called an earthly King and he says this about this particular

Text as we begin so many of the problems that came later To these people came as a direct result of this fatal error.

He's speaking about how they desired a king They said a king shall reign over us

What they began to do at that point is to insert their own ideas Lloyd -Jones says

They began to insert their own ideas and and their heart desires against the plant plain teaching of God They wanted something new

They wanted something different We see this all over the church what is called the church today they wanted to be like others

They wanted to be relevant, right Lloyd -Jones goes on to say the other nations had their king.

So they wanted a king they say Why should we be different?

This is something that has been Faithful Lloyd -Jones says in the history of the church to do things in the way that the world has been doing them the

Lord was their king and they were a Unique people they had the highest privilege a people could ever have

But they did not realize it and so they coveted What the godless nations around about them had in quote and how true that is we see this in this chapter

So in these opening verses of Samuel Samuel actually demonstrates that he never defrauded anyone

He never perverted justice during them in his administration and a claim the

Israelites actually affirmed to witness In other words Samuel was a man of integrity

We see this here Samuel was above reproach and Here's a few words and attributes that Define integrity.

He was honest. He was truthful. He was responsible. He was accountable. He was fair He was respectful.

He was consistent and he was dependable Sounds very much similar to the qualifications of elders and pastors

These are the key attributes of integrity what a key word and Samuel was a man of integrity

And as believers in Jesus Christ, we are to maintain a good reputation

With God and man this applies to all of us The way we walk the way we talk

We are to be different. We supposed to be different as light shining in darkness salt of the earth as our

Lord says and of course in his life

The Lord Jesus Christ sets the perfect example, doesn't he? about this actually

Luke the gospel of Luke chapter 2 verse 52 Luke tells us as Jesus grew the scripture says he grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men in Favor with God and men

Beloved if you want to finish well in this race of life To the very end you need and I myself need to maintain a good reputation before God and man before God and man

There are many ways to do that But let me start with three ways we could do this

From our passage this morning. First of all First of all, I believe it's important that we make ourselves

Accountable to the people of God in our life make ourselves accountable accountability

Sisters make yourself accountable to another sister brothers make yourself accountable to another brother

Samuel made himself accountable to the people you notice this He's an open book

He had fulfilled their requests for a king even though God was not in favor, but he refilled their requests

He had completed his role as a leader and now he stood before them and made himself accountable to them.

He was accountable Commentator Robert Bergen puts it this way

Quote Samuel's final act as judge was to put himself on trial in quote

That is so true. In other words Samuel makes his life an open book before the people of Israel and it gives them and Anyone who wishes to The opportunity to testify against notice this he does this right at the beginning beginning of his address

He's transparent. He's open Actually in the

New Testament in the book of Acts turn with me there quickly to chapter 20 chapter 20 we see something very similar that the

Apostle Paul does in Chapter 20 He gives his a farewell speech here

It's interesting how this connects with Samuel's farewell speech, but notice what Paul says

Let me begin with verse 17 and read it all the way to verse 38 from Miletus He sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

He don't purposely did this to exhort them When they had come to him, he said to them, you know

From the first day I came to Asia and what manner I always lived among you

Serving the Lord with all humility with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the

Jews how I kept Back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you and taught you publicly from house to house

Testifying to the Jews and also to Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our

Lord Jesus Christ This is Paul's a farewell address to the elders here and see now

I go bound in the spirit To Jerusalem not knowing the things which will happen to me there

Except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city saying that chains and tribulations await me

But none of these things move me or do I count myself dear to my my life dear to myself so that I may finish my race with joy and The ministry which

I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God and indeed now

I know that you all among whom I've gone preaching the kingdom of God will see my face no more

Therefore I testify to you this day. I am innocent of the blood of all men For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God therefore take heed to yourselves

Now he gives a warning to all the flock Among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseer speaking to the elders to shepherd the church of God Which he has purchased with his own blood

For I know this he knew it that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock

Within the church notice this verse 30 also from among yourselves men will rise up speaking perverse things

To draw away the disciples after themselves Therefore watch and remember

That for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears is a man of prayer

So now brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace Which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified

And notice what he says listen what he says here. He is a man of integrity. He's transparent

I have covered no, I've coveted no one silver or gold or apparel

Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities and for those who were with me

I Have shown you in every way by laboring like this that you must support the weak and remember the words of our

Lord Jesus that he said it is more blessed to give than to receive And when he had said these things he knelt down and prayed with them all

And they all wept freely and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him How warm and compassionate is that?

sorrowing most of all For the words which he spoke That they would see his face no more and they accompanied him to the ship

There you see Paul's farewell address that he was a man of integrity a man of prayer

But he did not covet Silver or gold he labored

He wept Knowing that Tribulations awaited him.

None of those things would even move him What a man of God very similar to Samuel Very similar

Sam Let me ask you a few questions and then context here. Are you accountable to people in your life?

Are you transparent? Are you willing to let them speak into your life and correct you when necessary?

Are you willing to put yourself on trial? Like Paul like Samuel don't be a lone ranger

Immuning from all criticism and critique those things are good for you beloved. They're good for me

Welcome it invite it and this dinner demonstrates true accountability and humility

We need this more in the church beloved And we would see less departures and less disqualifications as we now know and of many

Ministers that's gone shipwrecked There was a lack of accountability folks.

There was secret sins that was going on and they were not accountable Proverbs 15 31 and 32 says it like this the ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise

He who disdains instruction despises his own soul But he who heeds rebuke

Gets understanding That's the word of the Lord Welcome it be accountable the second exhortation we see here in this chapter is

That if you've wronged anyone make it right ASAP Keep short accounts with God in men

Keep short accounts with it where we see this in verse 3 B verse 4 back to Samuel It's 1st

Samuel 12 Here I am witness against me before the

Lord and he asked the questions before his anointed Whose ox have I taken whose donkey have

I taken or whom have I cheated whom I have oppressed for whom his whose hand

I've received and any bribe with which to blind my eyes. I will restore it to you

Notice what he says there. I will make it right. I will restore it to you

And they said you have not cheated us or oppressed us nor have you've taken anything from any man's hand but you see the the truth of making it right before God and man is here.

Samuel not only made himself accountable to the people, but he also had done He has he had done.

No one wrong. He was willing to make it, right? He was willing to make it right we all fall short of the glory of God, right we do

I Don't believe there's a perfect person among us here Only the

Lord Jesus Christ We've all fallen short including this pastor and We do slip up many times and that's why

We need to be forgiving. We that's why we need salvation, right? We need to be redeemed and To those of all of us that are redeemed.

Well, let me go further. That's why there's a there's has to be personal sanctification Our personal holiness our walk with the

Lord We just need to be willing to make things right when we do mess up Make it right and make it short and and just not saying

I'm sorry, but say please forgive me Be open be honest

Jesus our Lord and Savior gave us the following instructions on the Sermon on the Mount about this how important it is

Even before we come in worship notice in Matthew chapter 5 verse 23 and 24

Jesus says therefore if you bring your gift to the altar and there

Remember that your brother has something against you Leave your gift there before the altar and go your way

And what does he say? first Be reconciled to you brother first be reconciled to you brother and then come and offer your gift see how important it is that we have a

Clear record before God a clear conscience before God and men make it right before your brothers and sisters

So the disciples of Jesus as disciples of Jesus I should say must have a daily

Urgency we must have a daily urgency every single day With one another loving one another forgiving one another as Christ has forgiven us

If you've wronged someone make it right Go quickly make it right

Go ask her get for forgiveness Go to them be reconciled

So, how do you maintain a good reputation before God and man make yourself accountable to the people and if you wronged

Anyone make it right third Third exhortation we see here and it leads to this if you do those things

Obviously You have a clear conscience before God and man Keep a clear conscience before God we see this we see this in Samuel.

We see this in Paul It's one thing to call people a witness against you, but beloved.

Let me say this. It's another thing all together to call God as A witness Really? It's God He is the one that matters first and foremost to make it right

That's what David does and Psalm 51 in his penitent prayer It's Lord God.

I have sinned against you and you alone. He cries out for mercy

Have mercy upon me so make it right with God and they go make it right with your brothers

Because people see you see people we see the outside don't we but God sees the heart He sees the heart actually first Samuel chapter 16 verse 7 of a very well -known verse

It says but the Lord said to Samuel do not Look at his appearance or at his physical stature speaking about when

David was being picked Because I have Rejected him. No for the Lord does not

See as man sees for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart

How about Hebrews 4 12 and 13 for the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two -edged sword piercing even to the division of soul spirit of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of thoughts of the thoughts and the intents of the heart and There is no creature hidden from his sight

But all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must give an accounts

God sees the heart He's the discerner of hearts. He's the searcher of our hearts

Apostle Paul said in Acts 2416 this being so I myself always strive to have a conscience clear without offense toward God and men

You notice that He's sure he had to strive to this he had to strive

That's personal holiness. That's personal sanctification and it is hard work, but it must be done by the

Holy Spirit It's the Spirit of God that comes that is abiding within us and gives us the power because without him we can do nothing actually in the long haul

First Thessalonians 2 5 for neither at any time did we use Flattering words as you know nor a cloak for covetousness

God is witness. He calls God the witness He had a clear conscience

Samuel had a clear conscience Paul had a clear conscience and you can have a clear conscience as well

It's been said that your true character is who you are and what you do when no one is watching

That's the truth in it, but I'll take that a step further I like what Robert Murray McShane says a man is what he is on his knees before God and nothing more

That's searching, isn't it? When no one else is watching but God's the audience

He sees through and sees all things So anytime you and I are tempted to said remember

God sees God's all -searching eye

Sees through and in and everything you might as well make it right before now beloved that's integrity.

That's Keeping short accounts with God and man. I Kind of like to think of it this way if your vertical relationship with God is right

Then in loving God then our horizontal relationship with one another be right that will come

Automatically when we make it right with God and that's what the scripture teaches in first John Our relationship with God is first and foremost

And then our relationship with one another and that's actually the first and great commandment and it loved the

Lord that God with all your heart soul mind and strength and Love your neighbor as yourself.

I Like to think it like this, but it's so true. Jesus loved his neighbor more than himself. It's powerful

So beloved, this is all the first step and finishing. Well the race of life maintaining a good reputation with God and man

Have an integrity There's another exhortation is to give testimony to God's goodness give testimony to God's goodness in the past there are a couple ways we could do this look at verse 6 and 7 and Samuel said to the people it is the

Lord who raised up Moses and Aaron and who brought your father's up From the land of Egypt and now therefore stand still that I may reason with you reason

Even the Lord says in Isaiah Come now. Let us reason together says the

Lord Though your sands be as scarlet. They shall be white as snow though. They be red like crimson.

They shall be white as wool Reason with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous acts the

Lord That the Lord which he did to you and your father's God is good

God is good and his goodness So that's rotation give testimony to God's goodness in the past Samuel was faithful as a judge over Israel But now he impresses upon them that God has been faithful to his people all along and that also includes them as well as their fathers

Keep in mind that Israel Here are the ones that broke God's covenant and asking for a king they actually that's the the sin of it

They broke God's covenants. They were unfaithful to God, but God remained faithful God is a covenant -keeping

God He's always faithful and he he would never break his side of the bargain his word

God is a covenant -keeping God and he is faithful and true and Israel broke

God's covenant and asking for a king that this covenant Must be renewed actually for that reason repentance and renewal

Constitute Samuel's agenda here in his farewell address to Gilgal. That's actually what constitutes it not only did

Samuel highlight Israel's sin, but But God's goodness is in view here before the

Israelites His righteous acts his righteous acts We see this in Psalm 105 1 through 5 there's so many

Psalms that point this out. I don't have time to touch on all of them You can read

Psalm 78 It's lengthy in your devotional time It speaks about the goodness of God and even though Israel sinned against the

Lord time and time and time again God's goodness was always he was always gracious always patient always long -suffering always forgiving and Here's Psalm 105 speaks of the eternal faithfulness of the

Lord. Let me read you just six verses Oh give thanks to the Lord call upon his name make known his deeds among the peoples

Sing to him sing psalms to him talk of his wondrous works That's what we should be talking about Glory in his holy name.

Let the hearts of those who rejoice who seek the Lord Notice how many times he says seek seek the

Lord in and his strength seek his face evermore How we do that through prayer through prayer?

Verse 5 remember his marvelous works which he has done his wonders and the judgments of his mouth

Oh seed of Abraham his servant you children of Jacob his chosen ones

God's people So we are to remember

God's goodness given testimony of God's goodness in The past also tells

God's goodness to those in the Bible This is what Samuel does Samuel does this

Romans chapter 15 verse 4 says this Paul for whatever things

Were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the

Scriptures, don't you love that? Scriptures gives us comfort the comfort the patience and the comfort of the

Scriptures might have hope You and I have hope because of what the Word of God says

Do you desire to give testimony to God's goodness every day you live tell people about it?

Tell it to yourself preach the gospel to yourself. Tell others about it Well, that's the case against us.

Now. Let's look at the second point the fear upon us to fear upon us This is really heavy, but it's very important verse 16 to 19

Speaks about this Or should I say in verses 14? Let me start with 14 if you fear the

Lord and serve him and obey his voice and Do not rebel against the commandment of the

Lord then both you and your King who reigns over you will continue following the

Lord your God To persevere to continue we must first and foremost fear the

Lord What has happened to the fear of the Lord? Where is it gone folks? You rarely hear about this

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Samuel here reiterates that even the new age of monarchy

Basically what's happening the Israelites must keep the covenant with the Lord Yahweh like Moses commanded the people now the king must fear the

Lord To fear the Lord is to depart from evil scripture says

So to finish well involves more than just giving testimony to God's goodness that and from the past That's good.

And we must urge people to follow God in the present as well

But the fear of the Lord Two things that are absolutely essential in urging people to follow guard

God in the present is first remind people of the Consequences and this is what

Samuel does here remind people the consequences of obedience that there are rewards and Also the consequences of disobedience

Sounds like a parent something parents do good parents anyway godly parents

We see this in verse 12 through 15 Samuel reminds them the consequences of obedience and disobedience.

We find the same thing in the New Testament There are consequences. Let me give you a

New Testament verse on this and a very good one too Galatians chapter 6

Listen to this. It's actually speaks about being generous and doing good to others Verse 6 of chapter 6 let him who taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches

Do not be deceived Paul gives a warning don't be deceived

God is Not mocked That's the truth

God will not be mocked But whatever a man sows that he will also reap for he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption

But he who sows to the spirit will of the spirit reap life everlasting and let us not

Grow weary while doing good For in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart

If we do not faint therefore as we have opportunity don't we have opportunities

Opportunity let us do good to who to all But especially

Especially to those who are of the household of faith right in among us

Loving one another as Jesus has commanded us So that's important we find the same thing here in Galatians Romans 6 23 says it in one verse for the wages of sin is death

But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord Next warn people not only speak to them and Urging them to follow after God speak of his goodness, but warn them warn the people that God calls them to repentance

This is love This is truth and love Andrew Willett put it this way in his commentary and I really like what he speaks about here in verse 16 about verse 16 to 18 and in 1st

Samuel 12 He said this hereby the Lord showed his power and the people saw their foolishness and not being contented to have such a mighty

God for their protector who could with thunder and rain fight for them against their enemies and Beside it appeared what small reason they had to be weary of Samuel's government

Who by his prayer could fetch down rain and thunder from heaven and these two signs?

the Lord showed his mercy and judgment and the rain

Is for the most part a sign of his mercy and the thunder and lightning of his judgment and as the rain mitigates the heat and the rage of the lightning so the

Lord's judgments are tempered with mercy

That's so good You see what happened? He he calls upon God Samuel and What does he say?

Notice what he says in verse 17 is today not the wheat harvest I will call to the

Lord and he will send thunder and rain Here's a miracle that happens that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great

Even the slightest sin is a treason a cosmic treason against God as Edward says but this is a great sin and Samuel says

I'm gonna call on the Lord and he's going to send thunder and rain at the harvest here And he says what you have done in the sight of the

Lord and asking the king for yourselves And so Samuel called to the Lord and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day and all the people greatly feared the

Lord and Samuel makes me think of another time when there was mercy and judgment and darkness

Pervaded the entire earth and God sent an earthquake When Jesus Christ himself died upon the cross of Calvary for our sins

And became a curse Greater that's the greater picture given to us as Isaac What sings?

Oh, I surveyed the wonders cross on which the Prince of Glory died made my riches gain I count but loss and poor contempt on all my pride

That humbles us at the foot of the cross Well, not only call people to repentance and love by warning them in Love We also plead with them that God commands all men to repent as we see this is commanded by God Apostle Paul Says this in Acts 17

Verse 30 and 31 as he preached that powerful message on Mars Hill He said truly these times of ignorance

God overlooked but now now commands all men everywhere to repent

Because knows even tells the reason why why should we repent? Because he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world and righteousness by the man whom he has ordained and he has given assurance of this to all by raising him from the dead

I Tells us right there Jesus Christ because he's resurrected that assures a judgment to come

So in like manner Samuel called the people to repentance through the miracle of the thunder and the rain

God calls us all to repent and Have faith in Jesus Christ alone of his death and his resurrection

What about the fear of the Lord well Psalm 2 11 and 12 one of my favorite verses there says this serve the

Lord with fear Rejoice with trembling Verse 12 kiss the son there's worship kiss the son lest he be angry and you perish in the way

When his wrath is kindled, but a little Blessed are all those who put their trust in him

Well, we've seen the case against us the fear upon us next we see the grace over us the grace over us

We see this in verse 19 through 25 19 through 25 and all the people said the same will pray for your servants to the

Lord your God that We may not die for we have added to our sins the evil of asking the king for ourselves now

They see it. They're convinced that they have sinned against the Lord Verse 20

Samuel does a wonderful thing. He Gives them hope then Samuel said to the people do not fear

You have done all this wickedness yet. Do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the

Lord with all your heart in that wonderful Dale Ralph Davis since I was reading

I got his outline here. I got a quote from him here He says is what does God do with his people when they've committed a spiritual disaster

When they have chartered their own course and what is and then stripped off all its camouflage nothing less than rebellion

What does he say to his people when they have apparently come to see how ugly their sin really is before God?

Inquote, what does he say? Do not be afraid

They remind you of Jesus after God showed up on the Mount of Transfiguration the father with a cloud and Actually rebuked the

Apostle Peter for wanting a tabernacle here and there and everywhere And the father speaks and says this is my beloved son.

Hear ye him and they were fearful But God but Jesus says do not be afraid fear not

That's our Lord You don't have to be afraid About what you have done all this evil even all this wicked sin this here's a future and a hope and a full answer

Through Samuel is found here. He gives hope

Well, we are to maintain a good reputation before God and man Give testimony to God's goodness in the past urge people to follow hard after God in the present and never ever stop praying for people

That would be the next Never stop praying for people. How can we do that? first of all

We should be glad and always counted a joy and a privilege to pray for someone who is asking for us to pray for them

That's found in verse 19 and all the people said to Samuel pray for your servants to the

Lord your God that we may not die pray For we've added to all of our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves pray for us

When someone's asking you to pray for them think of this They were actually entrusting you to talk to God on their behalf.

What a privilege beloved Isn't it great privilege? Philippians 1 4

Paul says is always Always in every prayer of mine making requests for you with all joy

Paul was in a dungeon when he said that Jeremiah 32 27 behold.

I am the Lord your God The God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?

Let me push toward my conclusion here once caught in a severe storm of the west coast of Ireland John Newton Who gave us amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me and many other great hands

He prayed to God for mercy and the Lord answered That despite desperate prayer for the storm was still mark in the beginning of John Newton spiritual awakening

He began to read the scriptures study the scriptures meditate on the scriptures and he began to pray and seek the

Lord He was a very wicked man God who can transform a wretch like John Newton who used to curse drink to excess

Show cruelty to his fellow men. He was a wicked sinner. God changed him and transformed him into a

Changed believer a saint of God a hymn writer Jeremiah 32 17 all

Lord God behold that house made the heavens and the earth by that great power and stretched out arm Is there nothing too hard for thee?

No Listen to it. We don't sing this. I don't actually know this is in him right writing in a hymn form but it's a poem that Newton wrote and I love it and it's about prayer and Listen to this

He says come my soul that sweet prepared

Jesus loves to answer prayer He himself has bid thee pray rise and ask without delay

Thou art coming to a king large large petitions with thee bring for his grace and power such none can ever ask too much

With my burden I began Lord remove this load of sin let thy blood for sinners filth set my conscience free from guilt

It's two more verses Lord I come to thee for rest take possession of my breast there thy blood brought

Right maintain and without a rival rain While I am a pilgrim here let thou loves

My spirit cheer as my God my guard my friend lead me to my journeys in Show me what

I have to do every hour my strength renewed. Let me live a life of faith. Let me die that people's death

All beloved We had the case against us the fear upon us the grace over us and last

Here's the application We had the man for us man for us

Listen to this What is Samuel do he prays?

Verse 21 he do not he says do not turn aside for then you would go after empty things

Which cannot profit or deliver for they are nothing for the Lord God Will not

Forsake his people for his name great for his great name sake that's the reason why it's for his glory his name's sake

His name is to be hallowed Because it has pleased the Lord to make you his people and what does he say in verse 23?

And I'd like to have a full sermon on this next Lord's Day Moreover as for me be it far

Be it from me that I should sin against the Lord and ceasing to pray for you

But I will teach you the good and the right way only fear the Lord knows how many times he says fear the

Lord and Serve him in truth with all your heart for consider. What great things he's done for you.

God's goodness and verse 25 ends with a a Warning if but if you do still do wickedly you shall be swept away both you and your

King. What a warning This is what I like to press to you in application guard against the sin of prayerlessness in your life

Samuel promised also to instruct to teach the people on Israel's behalf

But as priestly intercession and prophetic instruction Samuel filled the office of both pre as priest and prophet for Israel Now, let me leave you with this

It is in such offices that we now we now Have a greater

Samuel In this wonderful We have one at the right hand of the

Father beloved and he's make an intercession at this very moment as we Are worshiping the

Lord and as many of God's people across this globe Jesus forever makes intercession for his people how we need him every hour every day

No less than Israel the church. I mean called out ones God's chosen race the rendement of God stands only because and we stand only because of the man

Jesus Christ at the right hand of the father or we perish There is a man who stands in the breach for us before God beloved and is one who is our prophet priest and king

He's King Jesus He's the great mediator between God and men The man

Christ Jesus and notice in your translations capital M He is the man

He's called for us to take up his yoke and learn from him Come on to me

Jesus says and learn from me. My yoke is easy. My my burdens light There's a wonderful verse in Romans 834

The speaks about intercession that Jesus Christ has make an intercession wonderful verse

Chapter 8 Oh anything out of chapter 8 Romans is the pinnacle

Who is he who condemns? That's the question It is

Christ who died and furthermore is also risen and notice what he says

Who is even at the right hand of God who also makes intercession for us?

He makes intercession for us. Isn't that enough? and All that he's done.

He even goes further make an intercession for his people The one who prays

He's the great high priest always make an intercession for his people Hebrews 7 25 for his weak sinful faltering covenant -breaking people he prays

Just as he prayed for Peter before he even denied the Lord and he said Satanist Desired to sift you like wheat

To sift you like wheat and by the way, Satan would sift us all like wheat unless Jesus prays for us but Jesus says this in Luke 22 32, but I Have prayed for you

That your faith will not fail Isn't that a great encouragement

Our Faith will fail unless Jesus is praying He prays for us that our faith would not fail just like Peter And what does he tell

Peter? That's not all he says and when? You have turned back notice what Jesus says.

This is a sure thing in other words Jesus is praying and this tells us that the father always answers the prayers of the

Son and Because Peter denied the Lord of Glory three times and then

Jesus tells them I've prayed for you that your faith will not fail And then he says when you've turned back it's going to happen

Strengthen your brothers Strengthen your brothers give yourself away and serve like brother

Keith preached last week Serve until you have no more strength left in you and God will reward you faithfully at the judgment

It'd be all worth it all. I Like what Robert McShane and I'll close with this said this about Jesus praying

And to make an intercession for us. He says if I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room,

I Would not fear a million enemies Yet distance makes no difference

He is praying for me And he forever makes intercession for his people right now

He's the man for us Jesus Christ Crucified buried

Risen and now at the right hand of the Father and soon coming as our glorious King That's the blessed.

Hope we have beloved Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith

Amen. Amen. Let's pray father we bow In prayer before you in our presence and I before one another and in your holy presence

To hallow your holy name and to glorify you father son and Holy Ghost father we thank you for your one and only son who loved his people to the very end and gave his all his life for the sheep of his pastor

Father his love gift to us the one whom You are most pleased in Lord we are nothing but he is everything he purchased our salvation with his precious blood and father he has he has

Accomplished Redemption For our salvation. We thank you.

We praise you bless our time as we come and Remember his sufferings and his death as he gave his self and broke his body

His body was broken. His blood was shed for our salvation. We thank you and give you glory in Jesus name.