The Kings choice. Part 2
Acts 13:22-23
And when He had removed Saul, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.' From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior--Jesus—
1. Man’s choice. We want a king.
Judges 21:25
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
The people were rejecting God as their King – God has always desired a people to know Him – to Love Him – to seek Him - to be led by Him
They ask for King - that we also may be like all the nations.
1 Sam. 8:1-21
God has given us the ability to choose. Everything we choose is not God’s will.
What was God’s choice? He wants to be their King. The people had rejected God as their King – God has always desired for a people to know Him – to Love Him – to be led by Him
2. The first King’s choice - Saul did it His way.
1 Sam. 13:13-14 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. (The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people,) because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
His way cost Him everything.
King Saul lost it all. 1 Sam. 16:14 …the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul.
Why? The why is the easiest to answer. The Spirit of God departed from Saul because of his deliberate disobedience to God. Saul’s deliberate disobedience (rebellion) opened the floodgates. The word itself means “to startle, to terrify, to fall upon suddenly.”
This is not God’s will for us. He calls us to finish.
Heb. 12:1-3
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself,[b] so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
2 Tim. 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
3. Every course contains challenges and difficult potholes.
God forewarns us of challenging times:
Josh 1:5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.
Mark 4:17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[a] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
2 Tim.3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Potholes to avoid:
a. Deception potholes - Lucifer
The first leader to fall/fail due to an unmaintained thought life. It was a perfect environment. The Father was in charge.
Isa. 14:12-15
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer,[b] son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.
James 1:22 Be doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving yourselves.
b. Everybody’s doing it potholes - Lucifer’s angels - they followed the rebel. In a perfect leadership environment.
c. Potholes: Division, Seperation, Offense, Pride….
4. The answer for Potholes.
Eph. 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
How do we resist the Devil? Submit to God
How do we get back on the right track? Submit to God
If we submit to God we can finish well.
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