Missing God's Best
Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: The Gospel Story Scripture: 1 Samuel 9–15
The Gospel Story
Missing God’s Best
1 Samuel 9-15
Not everything that begins well ends well!
The Erosion in Saul’s Life:
1. A _______________ Beginning (9-11)
Characteristics of Saul’s life:
- Impressive young man (9:2)
- Modest or humble (9:21; 10:20-24)
- Empowered by God’s Spirit (10:6-7)
- Exercised bold Spirit-led leadership (11:1-11)
- Generous (10:27 & 11:13)
2. A _______________ Act (13)
Our true _______________ shows forth in times of stress Saul didn’t trust in God’s ____________ or __________
Saul took his _______________ seriously; but he didn’t take God seriously
3. An _______________ Oath (14)
Saul rushes in without _______________ God (14:19) Saul refused to admit his _______________ (14:44-45)
Saul took _______________ seriously; but he didn’t take God seriously (15:12)
4. A _______________ Act (15)
Saul’s life has so eroded that he could not _____________ his own sin
Religious _______________ will never replace a righteous _______________
Saul took _______________ seriously; but he didn’t take God seriously
Saul’s epitaph: “Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” (1 Samuel 26:21, ESV)
A Few Sobering Reminders from Saul’s Life:
- Past faithfulness does not guarantee present nor future faithfulness
- Partial obedience is disobedience
- Sinful choices do have consequences
- True joy is found in wholehearted obedience to God
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
1 Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount I'm fixed upon it mount of God's redeeming love.
2 Here I find my greatest treasure; hither by thy help I've come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God; he, to rescue me from danger, bought me with his precious blood.
3 Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee: prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; here's my heart, O take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.
Making It Personal:
- Is today the day for you to bring your wandering heart to Jesus Christ by turning from self-rule and self- righteousness and trusting in Jesus Christ to be the forgiver of your sin and the leader of your life?
- Which reminders from Saul’s life do you most need to pay attention to in this season of your life?
- What practices and rhythms can you put into your life to help keep your heart from wandering? Specifically, what will you do, where and how will you do it, when will you begin? Who can help you to reinforce these practices in your life?
- What is your next step of obedience to God today?
Ready to take your Next Step?
- See Pastor Jeff after the service today
- Fill out a Connect Card and drop it in the offering box
- Text Next to 803-637-8484
- Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps”
other sermons in this series
Sep 10
2023
The Return of the King
Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Revelation 19:1– 20:15 Series: The Gospel Story
Aug 20
2023
Getting On God's Agenda
Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Acts 10:1–48 Series: The Gospel Story
Aug 13
2023
Transformed
Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Acts 9:1–43 Series: The Gospel Story