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1 Samuel 12:1-25
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 1st Samuel chapter 12, please turn with me to 1st 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.
1st 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 Witnessed 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 and To 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 Bales and the Asherahs and Now deliver us from the hand of our enemies and we will serve you but the Lord sent Drabble ball and bending and chaffet 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 fathers 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 13 20 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 and for credit now. I borrowed these From a Presbyterian preacher. Yeah, even Reformed Baptists 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 we'll 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 first 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 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 it as rotation 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 like to point out here the fact the first exhortation I observed and found in the opening verses 1 to 5 is Is This that it's all that we always maintain a good reputation with God and man.
A good reputation 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 plan 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 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 request for a king even though God was not in favor, but he refilled the request.
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 begin beginning of his address.
He's transparent. He's open. Actually in the New Testament and 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 in the 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 long 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 first 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 is whose hand I've received in 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 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. 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 forget 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 in 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 fathers 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 fathers God is good. God is good and his goodness. So the exhortation 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.
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 the 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 to fear 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 to 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 sharing 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 will 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 survey the wonders cross on which the Prince of Glory die. May 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.
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. That 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 is a future and a hope and a full answer Through Samuel is found here. He gives hope. Well, we're 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 count it 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 In it. Great privilege Philippians 1 for 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 reign. 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 or nothing? For the Lord God Will not Forsake his people for his name great for his great name's 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 making 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.
That 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?
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 Michuri Mishane 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. Amen.