1 to obey is better than sacrifice i sam. 15:22 [by ron halbrook]

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““TO OBEYTO OBEY IS BETTER THAN IS BETTER THAN

SACRIFICE”SACRIFICE”

““TO OBEYTO OBEY IS BETTER THAN IS BETTER THAN

SACRIFICE”SACRIFICE”

I SAM. 15:22I SAM. 15:22

[By Ron Halbrook]

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“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. Did much God commandedb. Celebrated his accomplishmentsc. Affirmed obedienced. Made excuses, shifted blamee. Desired to offer great sacrificesf. Argued in self-defenseg. Professed repentance, asked pardonh. Worshipped God

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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.Pardon Provided: Perfect Sacrifice of Christ!To Receive: Repent, Correct Our Lives!

5. We Must Repent Before Our Heart Is Hardened.

6. We Must Learn, “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice.”

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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 ObedienceVv. 10-12 God & Samuel Grieve, Saul CelebratesVv. 13-23 Samuel & Saul DebateSaul Claimed to Obey; Samuel RefutedExcuses, Shift Blame, Sacrifice; Samuel RefutedArguments Repeated in Self-defense; RefutedGod Rejected Saul for Stubborn Disobedience

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C. 15:24-31 Saul’s Professed Repentance RejectedVv. 24, 30 Repent, Ask Pardon—Heart UnchangedVs. 29 God Not Persuaded by Shallow RepentanceVs. 31 Saul Rejected Not Removed—Worshipped

D. 15:32-33 Samuel Finished Saul’s JobE. 15:34-35 God & Samuel Grieve for Saul—

His Heart Hardened F. 15:22 “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice”

True, Heartfelt, Strict ObedienceNo Substitutes, Excuses, ExplanationsHumble Ourselves, Repent Before Heart Hardened

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WHAT GOD WANTS WHAT MEN OFFERDo Much CommandedCelebration, MemorialAffirm ObedienceExcuses, Shift BlameOffer Great SacrificesRepeat Arguments in Self-DefenseRepent, Ask Pardon, Heart UnchangedActs of Worship

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II. Same Lesson Taught by Jesus A. Matt. 7:21-23 Obedience Better Than

Miracle ClaimsLoud Claims to Know Jesus & Perform MiraclesRejected—Did Not Truly Obey!

B. Matt. 15:1-9 Obedience Better Than Gifts, Praises, & Elaborate Human Doctrines

Promise Gift, Excuse Self from Duty to ParentsBeautiful Praises, Elaborate Doctrines to Honor HimRejected—Did Not Truly Obey!

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WHAT GOD WANTS WHAT MEN OFFERLoud Praise to JesusClaim Miracles, Great Deeds in Jesus’ NamePromise Gifts to the Temple TreasuryBeautiful Praises to Honor JesusElaborate Human Doctrines & Commands to Honor the Lord

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Remember

King Saul !!!

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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 GospelDeny Creation Account, Miracles,

Resurrection of Jesus, Heaven & HellJustify Fornication, Adultery, Homosexuality,

Abortion, Drink, Dance, Gamble, Porn, Etc.

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B. Eph. 4:4-6 Obedience Better Than “Join the Church of Your Choice”

“One Body:” One True Church of Christ

“One Lord:” Christ as Founder, in Jerusalem AD 33 (Acts 2)Christ as Head, All Authority, Dwells in HeavenChrist 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

Men Created Many Religions & Churches

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CHURCH OF CHRISTFounder:Christ–Mt.16:18Founded AD 33 – Acts 2In Jerusalem – Acts 2Head in Heaven – Eph. 1:20-23Ruled by Christ’s Word- Matt. 28:20Men Obey Gospel, Saved, Added – Acts 2Christ Save Members in Heaven – Jn.14:1-6

MAN-MADE RELIGIONFounder: ManFounded After Acts 2In Other PlacesEarthly Headquarters

Ruled By Men’s Words

Men Join by Human Doctrines, RulesHuman Leaders Cannot Save Members

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C. Gal. 3:1-2, 24-27 Obedience to Gospel of Christ Better Than Following Law of Moses

“Christ…Crucified:” Perfect Sacrifice for SinBlessings Promised by H.S. Received in GospelMoses’ Law Temporary Teacher: Lead to Christ Many Religions Try to Follow Moses’ Law Today:Jews: Want Temple & Animal SacrificesMuslims, Mormons: Defend PolygamyCatholic Church: Elevated Priesthood & RobesProtestant Denominations: Sabbath, Tithe,

Instrumental Music

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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:Easter: Resurrection of Jesus (Borrowed from

Passover 100s-300s, Goddess Estera 700s)Christmas: Birth of Jesus (Borrowed from Sun

Gods of Rome 200s-300s)Jesus’ Circumcision, Epiphany (Manifest to Magi),

Ascension, Corpus Christi (Body in Eucharist)Mary’s Immaculate Conception, AssumptionSaints Joseph, Peter & Paul, All Saints, Etc.Passover, Pentecost, Etc., Etc.

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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

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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

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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:Divorce-Remarriage Error—Baptize More PeopleName “Church of Christ”—Offensive, StrictAvoid Strict Preaching on Dance, Dress, Gamble,

Denominations—Drive Away Young & VisitorsPositive Preaching Replaces Jesus, Peter, & Paul

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WHAT GOD WANTS WHAT MEN OFFER

Profess to Know God

Join Church of Your Choice

Follow Moses’ Law

Many Holy Days

Profess to Praise & Honor God

Large CrowdsRemember

King Saul !!!

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Remember

King Saul !!!

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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 Relationship1 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!

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V. Must Obey Gospel to be Saved A. Mk. 16:15-16; 2 Thess. 1:7-9 Receive Salvation

If Obey, Punished If DisobeyHear the Gospel with Open, Honest HeartBelieve with Total TrustRepent, Turn from Love of SinConfess Christ as God’s SonBe 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—Disobey & Rebel! Must Yield, Submit, Obey!

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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!”

1 to obey is better than sacrifice i sam. 15:22 [by ron halbrook]

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