A SHIPWRECKED FAITH Holding faith and a good

A SHIPWRECKED FAITH

“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: ” 1 Timothy 1: 19 v. 18 - Charge to Timothy v. 19 - Hold on to your faith v. 20 - Hymenaeus and Alexander are examples of men who made shipwreck of their faith

A SHIPWRECKED FAITH Saul - st 1 King of Israel 1 Samuel tells about his life

King Saul • • Handsome and tall. From the tribe of Benjamin. Anointed by Samuel. God warned His people. I Sam. 8: 10 - 18

How Saul Wrecked His Faith Impatience under Trial 1 Samuel 13: 8 -14 Battle against Philistines Offered a burnt offering He was not from tribe of Levi

2. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3. knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1: 2 -3 “testing of your faith” - trials “Patience” – endurance, waiting

“that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious then gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise , honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”. I Peter 1: 7

How Saul Wrecked His Faith Partial Obedience 1 Samuel 15 - utterly destroy Saved the best Partial obedience is really disobedience Obedience = doing what God tells us to do

Illustration of partial obedience Father asks son to: (1) Mow grass (2) Trim shrubs (3) Water flowers (4) Take out the Trash Partial obedience is disobedience

Illustration of partial obedience We understand sports: (1) Linemen must be set for 1 second. (2) If a linemen moves before the ball is snapped…… (3) The linemen is offsides, and a penalty is assessed to the offensive team. Partial obedience is disobedience

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. ” Jas. 2: 10 If we only obey laws with which we agree and disregard the others, then we have not really obeyed God. “And Samuel said, Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. ” 1 Sam. 15: 22

How Saul Wrecked His Faith No Appreciation for a Friend 1 Samuel 15 Did not appreciate value of Samuel Appreciate one who will point our sins “Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? Gal. 4: 16

How Saul Wrecked His Faith Jealousy and Envy engulfed him 1 Samuel 18: 7 -9 Jealous of David “eyed” James 3: 14 -18 q bitter envying and strife q not from above q earthly, sensual, devilish

Desperation of a man who Has Lost His Faith “God has departed from me. ” 1 Sam. 28: 15 Saul was afraid - his heart trembled Called on God but received no answer Dreadful Silence !!

Prov. 1: 24 “Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand no one regarded, 25. Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, 26. I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 27. When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. 28. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.

God is now his enemy - 1 Sam. 28: 16 Saul turns to the witch of Endor - 1 Sam. 28: 8 Asked the counsel of Samuel - doom Saul is a wrecked man without God. v His strength is gone v He is without hope v He could not shed a tear over his sins He had destroyed his faith.

Saul might have been… Ø A man of prayer Ø A man with a loving heart Ø A man after God’s own heart But he was not Instead of nourishing his faith He destroyed it. Saul made Shipwreck of His Faith

What Causes A SHIPWRECK Ø Improper navigation Ø Getting off course Ø Not prepared for a storm Ø Lack of visibility

What Causes A SHIPWRECKED FAITH Ø Improper navigation - not following God Ø Getting off course - sin Ø Not prepared for a storm - trials Ø Lack of visibility

Guarding Against A SHIPWRECKED FAITH I Corinthians 16: 13 * Watch * Stand fast in the faith * Be brave * Be strong

Guarding Against A SHIPWRECKED FAITH “ Happiness on this Earth comes from contentment in Christ ”.

Was Saul with out help? “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you”. James 4: 7

“ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin”. Hebrews 4: 15

“ My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word”. Psalm 119: 28

“ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Philippians 4: 13

“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding”. Proverbs 3: 5

What Can We Learn From Saul? 1. Don’t be full of pride. 2. Follow what God says. 3. Trust in God… “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3: 5