TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE I SAM

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” I SAM. 15: 22 [By Ron Halbrook] 1

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” Introduction: 1. Samuel Rebuked King Saul—He Did Not Obey Exactly What God Commanded. 2. Saul’s Response to God & Samuel: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. Did much God commanded Celebrated his accomplishments Affirmed obedience Made excuses, shifted blame Desired to offer great sacrifices Argued in self-defense Professed repentance, asked pardon Worshipped God 2

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” 3. King Saul Wanted to Bring Great Honor to God by Offering a Great Sacrifice. To Change God’s Command Dishonors God. 4. When We Sin, We Need Pardon Not Excuses. ØPardon Provided: Perfect Sacrifice of Christ! ØTo Receive: Repent, Correct Our Lives! 5. We Must Repent Before Our Heart Is Hardened. 6. We Must Learn, “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice. ” 3

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” I. King Saul’s Failure to Obey God (1 Sam. 15) A. 15: 1 -9 God’s Command, Saul’s Failure Vs. 3 “Smite Amalek…utterly destroy all” Vv. 8 -9 “Spared Agag, and the best” B. 15: 10 -23 Samuel & Saul Debate Obedience Vv. 10 -12 God & Samuel Grieve, Saul Celebrates Vv. 13 -23 Samuel & Saul Debate ØSaul Claimed to Obey; Samuel Refuted ØExcuses, Shift Blame, Sacrifice; Samuel Refuted ØArguments Repeated in Self-defense; Refuted ØGod Rejected Saul for Stubborn Disobedience 4

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” C. 15: 24 -31 Saul’s Professed Repentance Rejected Vv. 24, 30 Repent, Ask Pardon—Heart Unchanged Vs. 29 God Not Persuaded by Shallow Repentance Vs. 31 Saul Rejected Not Removed—Worshipped D. 15: 32 -33 Samuel Finished Saul’s Job E. 15: 34 -35 God & Samuel Grieve for Saul— His Heart Hardened F. 15: 22 “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice” True, Heartfelt, Strict Obedience No Substitutes, Excuses, Explanations Humble Ourselves, Repent Before Heart Hardened 5

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” WHAT GOD WANTS WHAT MEN OFFER Do Much Commanded Celebration, Memorial Affirm Obedience Excuses, Shift Blame Offer Great Sacrifices Repeat Arguments in Self-Defense Repent, Ask Pardon, Heart Unchanged Acts of Worship 6

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” II. Same Lesson Taught by Jesus A. Matt. 7: 21 -23 Obedience Better Than Miracle Claims Loud Claims to Know Jesus & Perform Miracles Rejected—Did Not Truly Obey! B. Matt. 15: 1 -9 Obedience Better Than Gifts, Praises, & Elaborate Human Doctrines Promise Gift, Excuse Self from Duty to Parents Beautiful Praises, Elaborate Doctrines to Honor Him Rejected—Did Not Truly Obey! 7

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” WHAT GOD WANTS WHAT MEN OFFER Loud Praise to Jesus Claim Miracles, Great Deeds in Jesus’ Name Promise Gifts to the Temple Treasury Beautiful Praises to Honor Jesus Elaborate Human Doctrines & Commands to Honor the Lord 8

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” WHAT GOD WANTS r e b m e ! R ! ! l u a S g Kin WHAT MEN OFFER Do Much Commanded Celebration, Memorial Affirm Obedience Excuses, Shift Blame Offer Great Sacrifices Repeat Arguments in Self-Defense Repent, Ask Pardon, Heart Unchanged Acts of Worship 9

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” III. Same Lesson Needed Today A. Tit. 1: 15 -16 Obedience Better Than Professing to Know God. Claim to Know, Love, Serve, Worship God Substitute Flagrant False Doctrines for Simple Truths of Gospel ØDeny Creation Account, Miracles, Resurrection of Jesus, Heaven & Hell ØJustify Fornication, Adultery, Homosexuality, Abortion, Drink, Dance, Gamble, Porn, Etc. 10

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” B. Eph. 4: 4 -6 Obedience Better Than “Join the Church of Your Choice” “One Body: ” One True Church of Christ “One Lord: ” ØChrist as Founder, in Jerusalem AD 33 (Acts 2) ØChrist as Head, All Authority, Dwells in Heaven ØChrist as Savior, His Blood Saves, He Will Take His Members to Heaven “One Baptism: ” God Adds Men to One Body When They Receive Salvation in Water Baptism 11 Men Created Many Religions & Churches

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” CHURCH OF CHRIST Founder: Christ–Mt. 16: 18 Founded AD 33 – Acts 2 In Jerusalem – Acts 2 Head in Heaven – Eph. 1: 20 -23 Ruled by Christ’s Word. Matt. 28: 20 Men Obey Gospel, Saved, Added – Acts 2 Christ Save Members in Heaven – Jn. 14: 1 -6 MAN-MADE RELIGION Founder: Man Founded After Acts 2 In Other Places Earthly Headquarters Ruled By Men’s Words Men Join by Human Doctrines, Rules Human Leaders Cannot Save Members 12

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” C. Gal. 3: 1 -2, 24 -27 Obedience to Gospel of Christ Better Than Following Law of Moses “Christ…Crucified: ” Perfect Sacrifice for Sin Blessings Promised by H. S. Received in Gospel Moses’ Law Temporary Teacher: Lead to Christ Many Religions Try to Follow Moses’ Law Today: ØJews: Want Temple & Animal Sacrifices ØMuslims, Mormons: Defend Polygamy ØCatholic Church: Elevated Priesthood & Robes ØProtestant Denominations: Sabbath, Tithe, Instrumental Music 13

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” D. Gal. 4: 8 -11 Obedience Better Than Holy Days “First Day of the Week” (Acts 20: 7; 1 Cor. 16: 1 -2) Men Added Memorial Days, Celebrations, Festivals, & Other Holy Days: ØEaster: Resurrection of Jesus (Borrowed from Passover 100 s-300 s, Goddess Estera 700 s) ØChristmas: Birth of Jesus (Borrowed from Sun Gods of Rome 200 s-300 s) ØJesus’ Circumcision, Epiphany (Manifest to Magi), Ascension, Corpus Christi (Body in Eucharist) ØMary’s Immaculate Conception, Assumption ØSaints Joseph, Peter & Paul, All Saints, Etc. 14 ØPassover, Pentecost, Etc.

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” E. Ja. 3: 9 -10 Obedience Better Than Professions of Praise & Honor to God Disobey When Praise God Then Sin with Tongue Matt. 5: 21 -24 Lose Control of Temper & Tongue, Curse Men—God Rejects Worship Till We Correct Our Sin Matt. 5: 33 -37 Religious People Must Learn: All Lies Dishonor God Ja. 1: 26 -27 Loose, Worldly Tongue Defiles Our Service to God 15

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” F. Matt. 7: 13 -14 Obedience Better Than Large Crowds in Religion King Saul Influenced by “the People” (1 Sam. 15: 9, 15, 21) Jn. 12: 42 -43 Decide Whether to Follow Christ 2 Tim. 4: 2 -4 Decide What to Preach 1 Jn. 4: 5 -6 Decide What Is True or False 16

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” F. Matt. 7: 13 -14 Obedience Better Than Large Crowds in Religion Denominations Dilute & Compromise Morals, Plan of Salvation, Pattern of Worship, Etc. Liberals Dilute & Compromise Pattern for Work of Church—Social & Recreational Activities Some Brethren Dilute & Compromise the Truth: ØDivorce-Remarriage Error—Baptize More People ØName “Church of Christ”—Offensive, Strict ØAvoid Strict Preaching on Dance, Dress, Gamble, Denominations—Drive Away Young & Visitors 17 ØPositive Preaching Replaces Jesus, Peter, & Paul

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” WHAT GOD WANTS r e b m e ! R ! ! l u a S g Kin WHAT MEN OFFER Profess to Know God Join Church of Your Choice Follow Moses’ Law Many Holy Days Profess to Praise & Honor God Large Crowds 18

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” WHAT GOD WANTS r e b m e ! R ! ! l u a S g Kin WHAT MEN OFFER Do Much Commanded Celebration, Memorial Affirm Obedience Excuses, Shift Blame Offer Great Sacrifices Repeat Arguments in Self-Defense Repent, Ask Pardon, Heart Unchanged Acts of Worship 19

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” IV. Whom Should We Obey? A. Acts 5: 29 Obey God First in All Things B. Matt. 17: 1 -5; 28: 18 -20 Obey Christ in All Things C. Rom. 13: 1 -7 Obey Civil Rulers D. Heb. 13: 17 Obey Elders in Local Church E. Obey in Family Relationship 1 Cor. 11: 3 Husband: Obey Christ Col. 3: 18 Wife: Obey Husband Col. 3: 20 Child: Obey Parents F. Learn What Saul Did Not: Submit, Yield, Obey! 20

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” V. Must Obey Gospel to be Saved A. Mk. 16: 15 -16; 2 Thess. 1: 7 -9 Receive Salvation If Obey, Punished If Disobey Hear the Gospel with Open, Honest Heart Believe with Total Trust Repent, Turn from Love of Sin Confess Christ as God’s Son Be Baptized in Water for Remission of Sins B. Acts 8: 22 Erring Christian Return: Repent, Confess, Pray C. If Try to Receive Salvation in Other Ways— 21 Disobey & Rebel! Must Yield, Submit, Obey!

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” Conclusion: 1. King Saul Did Not Obey Exactly What God Commanded—God Wants True, Heartfelt, Strict Obedience! 2. Let Us Avoid the Mistakes & Failures of Saul: When We Sin, Let Us Correct It in the Way God Commands. Excuses, Explanations Are Useless. We Must Be Convinced Before We Reach Saul’s State of Mind—His Heart Was Hardened Beyond the Possibility of True Repentance. 3. Learn the Lesson Now While It Can Save Us: “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice!” 22