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TITLE: The Value of Obedience
TEXT: I Sam. 15:1ff
INTRO:
(1) Obedience to his will is most important.
(2) This includes his will as revealed in his word.
(3) This includes his will as revealed through his Spirit.
(5) Saul, Israel's first king is about to learn a hard lesson about obedience when God gives an order.
I. THE DUTY HE WAS GIVEN. v-3 Saul had been assigned to a very important mission. "Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant
and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass." Why would God send him on such a mission?

A. Because God's Promise must be carried out. V-2 "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt."

(1) Remember God had made a promise to Amalek in Ex. 17 that the sword would never depart from him.

(2) Judgment may be slow sometimes, but it always comes.
B. Because man's Punishment can't be overlooked.
V-3 "Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy
all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass."
(1) Time does not stop the certainty of judgment.
(2) Time does not stop the seriousness of judgment.

II. THE DISOBEDIENCE THAT FOLLOWED. v-8-9
"And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
1 Sam 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly."

A. He obeyed part of the command. V-8 He DID destroy the people, and at least SOME of the livestock. He was partially obedient.
(1) But so were the Pharisees. (Lk. 11:42) Jesus said, "Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
(2) But so did Moses. He "struck" the rock the second time.
(3) Even King Aggripa was "almost saved," but he was altogether lost! Partial obedience is not obedience at all. You wouldn't let your children get by with bring back "part" of the change.... or half obedience.

B. He disobeyed Part of the command. V-9 "But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly."
(1) He spared Agag. (Wanted to boast of his great power)
(2) He spared the good spoils. Best sheep, oxen, etc.

III. THE DISAPPOINTMENT THAT RESULTED. v-11-12
"Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
1 Sam 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments."

A. Saul had disappointed God. V-11 (God would "repent" that is, change his plans he had for Saul. (Does for us too!) Man has been disappointing God since Adam.

B. He had disappointed Samuel. V-11 "And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night." The man of God, be it prophet, or pastor/teacher is grieved when the people disobey God because we know what's coming. (Judgment)

IV. THE DENIAL THAT WAS EVIDENT. V-12,13,20
Note how he tried to handle the situation. It's amazing how a person's problems, nor their sins, are never their fault. There is always a good reason or explanation for everything bad or wrong that happens.

A. He tried to clear himself. V-13,20
(1) Note his report to Samuel V-13 "..and Saul said unto him, "Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD." (Stood proudly)
(2) Note another report! V-14 "And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" Samuel was old, but not deaf! If there is anyone God can't use and bless, it's a liar!

B. He tried to charge the people. V-20,21 "..Saul said unto Samuel, "Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen,..." "After all, they were just wanted to keep some of the best to give to you, Lord!" (V-15)
Almost anything can be made alright if you can find a way to justify it!

V. THE DISTINCTION THAT WAS MADE. V-21,22 (distinction between obedience and sacrifice.)

A. Note the question that was asked. V-22 "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?"
(1) Obedience to his will makes everything HIS anyway!
(2) All of our works won't suffice nor substitute for obedience to God.

B. The explanation of the issue. V-22,23 "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams". "
(1) Note the comparison he made. "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."
Sounds to me that God takes our rebellion and disobedience much more seriously than we do! (We do it with a ho-hum, tongue in cheek type of
attitude)
(2) Note the final results. "Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king."

CONCLUSION: Saul was eventually replaced... David anointed, and the Spirit left Saul.
INVITATION: Do you see the importance of Obedience?
(1) Partial obedience is no obedience at all.
(2) It's dangerous to be rebellious in the face of a Holy God when he has made his commandment clear.
(3) Some need to come and be saved. Some to become obedient.

SERMON FROM CECIL LOVELACE- GOODE'S CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH

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