October 9, 2016

Dangers of a Decaying Heart

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: Developing a Heart Like God's Scripture: 1 Samuel 9–28

Developing a Heart like God’s
Dangers of a Decaying Heart
1 Samuel 9-28

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God places priority on the heart!

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

“And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’”
(Acts 13:22)

One of the saddest things in the world is seeing something that was once strong and vital slipping into a state of decay.

David learned through the life of King Saul the dangers of a decaying heart.

1 Samuel 9-10 – Background – Saul begins so well!

Four Stages of Spiritual Decay

1. Tolerating subtle Disobedience to God

1 Samuel 13 – Saul panics; disobeys; Rationalizes

Saul was trying to Use God like a genie in a bottle

1 Samuel 15 – Selective Obedience – Seeks to cover up with spiritual sounding language (13)

Key Principle (22): To Obey is better than sacrifice! God wants a heart that is tender toward Him with love and trust.

Reflection: Is there any area of subtle disobedience in my life? Name it and repent of it. Don’t rationalize it!

2. Tolerating the loss of Intimacy with God

1 Samuel 16:14 – The Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul. Harmful spirit allowed by God to call Saul back to Himself!

This is Not Possible for a true believer today

We can lose our Fellowship and intimacy with God

Vs. 23 – Saul is using music to get Relief when what he really needed was to Repent

Reflection: How are things between God and me right now? Is there any area where I have been seeking relief instead of heeding God’s gracious call to repentance?

3. Tolerating poisoned Relationships

1 Samuel 18 – David is Loved (1,16,20) and Successful (5,14,30)

Saul is Jealous (6-9)

Jealousy and envy have been a problem in relationships since the beginning with Cain and Abel

Saul thinks that if he just Eliminates David then his problems will go away (10-11)

Reflection: Do I have a toxic spirit toward another?

Do whatever you have to do to deal with it. (Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15-17)

4. Betraying the very Values that he once would have staked his life on

1 Samuel 28 – The downward spiral is complete

vs 6 - Didn’t really want to hear from God, that would have involved Repentance. He is still trying to use God.

vs 20 – The sad picture of a decayed heart. Saul is finished. Filled with fear. Nobody to comfort him except a two-bit fortune teller. He falls on his sword a broken man a few chapters later.

When Samuel died, all of Israel wept out of Gratitude

When Saul died, all of Israel wept out of Regret

Reflection: Is there any area of my life where I am betraying the very values I once would have staked my life on?

Good News! God can take a decaying heart and transform it into a heart like His!

Making It Personal

Is there any area of subtle disobedience in my life?

How are things between God and me right now? Is there any area where I have been seeking relief instead of heeding God’s gracious call to repentance?

Do I have a toxic spirit toward another?

Is there any area of my life where I am betraying the very values I once would have staked my life on?

What do I need to turn from? How will I turn anew and afresh to the Lord?

other sermons in this series

Dec 4

2016

A Broken Heart

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 2 Samuel 13–19 Series: Developing a Heart Like God's

Nov 27

2016

A Generous Heart

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 1 Samuel 30, 2 Samuel 9, 1 Chronicles 29 Series: Developing a Heart Like God's

Nov 20

2016

An Encouraged Heart

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 1 Samuel 22 Series: Developing a Heart Like God's