Obedience is Better, Part 3

1 Samuel 15:24-35 (NIV) - [24] Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the LORD’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. [25] Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD.” [26] But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!” [27] As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. [28] Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. [29] He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.” [30] Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.” [31] So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. [32] Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agag came to him confidently, thinking, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” [33] But Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel put Agag to death before the LORD at Gilgal. [34] Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. [35] Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.

1. Partial obedience to God’s specific instructions.

2. Subjective interpretation of God’s objective commands

3. Overestimation of our own importance

4. Unwillingness to take personal responsibility

5. Blaming others for our mistakes

6. Fear of what others may think, say, or do

7. Outright rebellion against God

Deuteronomy 18:10-13 (NIV) – [10] Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, [11] or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. [12] Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. [13] You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

Jeremiah 32:30, 35 (NIV) – [30] “The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth; indeed, the people of Israel have done nothing but provoke me with what their hands have made, declares the LORD… [35] They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech, though I never commanded, nor did it enter my mind, that they should do such a detestable thing and so make Judah sin.

2 Chronicles 33:1-2, 6 (NIV) – [1] Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. [2] He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites… [6] He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

8. Qualified and conditional repentance.

“Saul was constantly redefining the Lord’s commands, doing what seemed best to him rather than what God said was best. He made a show of repentance and pleaded with Samuel not to abandon him.” (Believer’s Bible Commentary)

9. Resistance to the discipline of the Lord.

Hebrews 12:5-6 (NIV) – [5] “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: [6] ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.’”

10. Failure to finish the task

Matthew 21:28-32 (NIV) – [28] “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ [29] “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. [30] “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. [31] “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. [32] For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”

11. Grieve the heart of God

“When God said he was sorry that he had made Saul king, was he saying he had made a mistake? God’s comment was an expression of sorrow, not an admission of error. An omniscient God cannot make a mistake; therefore, God did not change his mind. He did, however, change his attitude toward Saul when Saul changed. Saul’s heart no longer belonged to God but to his own interests.” (Life Application Bible)

Ephesians 4:29-31 (NIV) – [29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not GRIEVE the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Guard Your Heart From Deception

Jesus Prophesied many would fall away

Matthew 24:3 NKJV

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

Matthew 24:4 NKJV

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.

Matthew 24:10-12 NLT

And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

1 Timothy 4:1 NLT

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first..."

Matthew 24:12-13 NLT

12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

The one who endures to the End will be saved

How does this Love of God in our Hearts grow cold?

Matthew 24:12 NKJV

because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

TO ENDURE

#1) We must lay aside every weight and sin

Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

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 Peter 2:20-22 NLT

20 And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”

Hebrews 3:12-13 NLT

12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

TO ENDURE

#2) Guard your heart

Proverbs 4:23 NLT

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Heart (Hebrew word is Leb)

Seat of appetites, emotions and passion.

2 Timothy 4:9-10 NLT

9 Timothy, please come as soon as you can.10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica.

Examine Yourself

1) Is there any known sin in your life?

2) Has there ever been a time in your life when you were more on fire for God then you are right now?

Obedience is Better

John 14:23 (NIV) – [23] Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

John 15:10-11 (NIV) – [10] If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. [11] I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

1 Samuel 15:13-24 (NIV) - [13] When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.” [14] But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” [15] Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.” [16] “Stop!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied. [17] Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. [18] And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.’ [19] Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?” [20] “But I did obey the LORD,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. [21] The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” [22] But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. [23] For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” [24] Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the LORD’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.

1. Partial obedience to God’s specific instructions.

2. Subjective interpretation of God’s objective commands

3. Overestimation of our own importance

4. Unwillingness to take personal responsibility

"Rather than confessing his sin, Saul sought to justify his disobedience. He believed it was for a worthy purpose, and he failed to take responsibility for his actions and blamed the people instead." (Thomas Constable’s Notes)

5. Blaming others for our mistakes

Proverbs 21:3 (NIV) – [3] To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Jeremiah 7:22-23 (NIV) – [22] For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, [23] but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you.

6. Fear of what others may think, say, or do

Proverbs 29:25 (NIV) – [25] Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV) – [5] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” [6] So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Obedience is Better

Deuteronomy 28:1-3 (NIV) – [1] If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. [2] All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: [3] You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country…

1 John 5:3-4 (NIV) – [3] This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, [4] for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) – [6] And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

1 Samuel 15:7-23 (NIV) - [7] Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, to the east of Egypt. [8] He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. [9] But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. [10] Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: [11] “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night. [12] Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.” [13] When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.” [14] But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” [15] Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.” [16] “Stop!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied. [17] Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. [18] And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.’ [19] Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?” [20] “But I did obey the LORD,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. [21] The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” [22] But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. [23] For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”

1. Partial obedience to God’s specific instructions.

Exodus 19:3-6 (NIV) – [3] Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: [4] ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. [5] Now if you obey me FULLY and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, [6] you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

2. Subjective interpretation of God’s objective commands

Psalms 51:16-17 (NIV) – [16] You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. [17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

3. Overestimation of our own importance

1 Samuel 9:21 (NIV) – [21] Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”

Stand Firm in Your Freedom

Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

Galatians 6:1-6 (NIV) – [1] Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. [2] Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [3] If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [4] Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, [5] for each one should carry his own load. [6] Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

I. Our Responsibility to Others

A. Confrontation

1. We have a responsibility to lovingly confront Christians who sin. (Matthew 18:15-17)

Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV) – [15] “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. [16] But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ [17] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

2. We must first judge ourselves before we ever attempt to confront someone else. (Matthew 7:1-5)

Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV) – [1] “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. [2] For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. [3] “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [4] How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

3. The goal of confrontation is to bring a person to repentance. (2 Corinthians 7:8-11)

2 Corinthians 7:8-10 (NIV) – [8] Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— [9] yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. [10] Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

B. Restoration

1. Our goal for those who have sinned is always to restore them.

a. Restore (katartizoo) means to mend what has been broken or torn, to repair; to put in order, to strengthen.

b. It is used for the setting of broken bones, mending torn nets, or bringing warring factions together in peace.

2. Only those who are spiritual should conduct the work of restoration.

a. Restoration, not condemnation, is the very kind of thing truly mature Christians believe in and practice.

b. However, only those who are well-established in the faith and genuinely led of the Spirit have the maturity to deal with the sin of others.

c. Restoration is a process that requires time, patience, mercy, wisdom and discernment.

d. Restoration should be done with humility and gentleness.

e. Those who restore must guard themselves from temptation. (1 Corinthians 10:12)

1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) – [12] So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

C. Care

1. We are to help carry each another’s burdens.

a. Carry (bastazoo) means to take up with the hands, to take up in order to carry or bear, to put upon oneself something to be carried; to take away or remove by curing them.

b. Burden (baros) means a heaviness, weight, burden, trouble.

c. The emphasis is on moral burdens or weaknesses and it implies a burden too heavy for one person to carry. (1 Thessalonians 2:6-7)

1 Thessalonians 2:6-7 (NIV) – [6] We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a BURDEN to you, [7] but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.

2. When we care this way, we fulfill the law of Christ, which is different from the Mosaic Law.

CRISIS! Part 3

1 Samuel 13:1-15 (NIV) – [1] Saul was [thirty] years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel [forty-] two years. [2] Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Micmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes. [3] Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, “Let the Hebrews hear!” [4] So all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines.” And the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal. [5] The Philistines assembled to fight Israel, with three thousand chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Micmash, east of Beth Aven. [6] When the men of Israel saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. [7] Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. [8] He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter. [9] So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. [10] Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. [11] “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, [12] I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” [13] “You acted foolishly,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. [14] But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command.” [15] Then Samuel left Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin, and Saul counted the men who were with him. They numbered about six hundred.

1. Saul’s support is slipping away.

2. God seems late in coming.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11 (NIV) – [1] There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: [2] a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, [3] a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, [4] a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, [5] a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, [6] a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, [7] a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, [8] a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace… [11] He has made everything beautiful in its time.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NIV) – [5] Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

3. Saul assumes the worst.

4. He thinks he can force God’s favor.

5. He panics and feels compelled to do something.

“Compelled” (apac) means to force oneself into doing something.

Exodus 32:1 (MSG) – [1] When the people realized that Moses was taking forever in coming down off the mountain, they rallied around Aaron and said, “DO SOMETHING. Make gods for us who will lead us. That Moses, the man who got us out of Egypt — who knows what’s happened to him?”

Deuteronomy 20:1-4 (NIV) – [1] When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. [2] When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. [3] He shall say: “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. [4] For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

6. He acts foolishly.

2 Chronicles 26:16-21 (NIV) – [16] But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. [17] Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in. [18] They confronted him and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the LORD God.” [19] Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead. [20] When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the LORD had afflicted him. [21] King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house—leprous, and excluded from the temple of the LORD.

“Act foolishly” (sakal) means to act without thinking because of an attitude of self-reliance.

7. He disobeys God’s commands.

Stand Firm in Your Freedom

Crucified or Conceited

Galatians 5:23b-26 (NIV) – Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

NIV – [23] Against such things there is no law.

KJV – [23] Against such there is no law.

AMP – [23] Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

NLT – [23] There is no law against these things.

MSG – [23] Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.

1. “Such things” is referring to the Fruit of the Spirit.

a. Because love, joy, peace, etc. can never be wrong or evil, there is no law against them.

b. In addition, legalism though observance to the law will never produce the fruit of the Spirit in us. (Romans 7:4-6)

Romans 7:4-6 (NIV) – [4] So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. [5] For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. [6] But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

NIV – [24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

KJV – [24] And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

AMP – [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.

NLT – [24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

MSG – [24] Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.

2. The reason believers are to no longer live a sinful lifestyle is because that lifestyle was crucified when we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. (Romans 6:6)

Romans 6:6 (NIV) – [6] For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin — [7] because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

a. Like any crucifixion, death is guaranteed, but not necessarily immediate. (Luke 9:23; 2 Corinthians 4:10)

Luke 9:23 (NIV) – [23] Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

2 Corinthians 4:10 (NIV) – [10] We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

b. Therefore, though the sinful nature has been crucified, we still struggle with its influence.

c. Though we will not be entirely free from the desires of the sinful nature in this life, by the power of the Holy Spirit, those desires no longer control and rule us. (Galatians 2:20)

Galatians 2:20 (NIV) – [20] I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

d. We have been saved from the PENALTY of sin (hell), we are being saved from the POWER of sin (sanctification), and we will eventually be saved from the very PRESENCE of sin (heaven).

NIV – [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

KJV – [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

AMP – [25] If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]

NLT – [25] Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.

MSG – [25] Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.

3. The best way to learn to stop doing wrong it to start living right.

a. It is not enough to stop practicing the acts of the sinful nature; we must also start producing the fruit of the Spirit.

b. “Keep in step” (stoicheo) means to walk in a straight line, to arrange in a row, to march in military rank. (Romans 4:12)

Romans 4:12 – [12] And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

c. Keeping in step with the Spirit means following the Spirit’s leading without wavering or taking detours.

NIV – [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

KJV – [26] Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

AMP – [26] Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.

NLT – [26] Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

MSG – [26] That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

4. “Conceited” (kenodoxos) is a compound word: “keno” is translated “empty or vain,” and doxa means, “glory or praise.”

a. Combined, it means vainglory, empty praise, false pride; full of empty boasting; to have a false estimate of oneself; one who talks big.

b. Conceit promotes competition and comparison which provokes envy.

c. And envy is one of the acts of the sinful nature. (Galatians 5:21)

d. When we walk in the Spirit, we won’t think too highly of ourselves.

e. When we walk in the Spirit, we won’t purposely stir up strife and dissension or covet the possessions or positions of others.

Crisis, Part 2

1 Samuel 13:1-15 (NIV) – [1] Saul was [thirty] years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel [forty-] two years. [2] Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Micmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes. [3] Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, “Let the Hebrews hear!” [4] So all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines.” And the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal. [5] The Philistines assembled to fight Israel, with three thousand chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Micmash, east of Beth Aven. [6] When the men of Israel saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. [7] Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. [8] He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter. [9] So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. [10] Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. [11] “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, [12] I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” [13] “You acted foolishly,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. [14] But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command.” [15] Then Samuel left Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin, and Saul counted the men who were with him. They numbered about six hundred.

1. Saul’s support is slipping away.

1 Samuel 30:6 (AMP) – [6] David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

2. God seems late in coming.

1 Samuel 10:8 (NIV) – [8] “Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.”

Lamentations 3:22-26 (NIV) – [22] Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. [23] They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. [24] I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” [25] The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; [26] it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Acts 1:4-5 (NIV) – [4] On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. [5] For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

3. Saul assumes the worst.

Psalms 37:7-9 (AMP) – [7] Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. [8] Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself — it tends only to evildoing. [9] For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait and hope and look for the Lord [in the end] shall inherit the earth.

Job 3:25-26 (NIV) – [25] “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. [26] I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.”

4. He thinks he can force God’s favor.

Genesis 6:5-9 (NIV) – [5] The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. [6] The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. [7] So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.” [8] But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. [9] This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.

Daniel 9:13 (NIV) – [13] Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.

Crisis!

1 Samuel 13:1-15 (NIV) – [1] Saul was [thirty] years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel [forty-] two years. [2] Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Micmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes. [3] Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, “Let the Hebrews hear!” [4] So all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines.” And the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal. [5] The Philistines assembled to fight Israel, with three thousand chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Micmash, east of Beth Aven. [6] When the men of Israel saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. [7] Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. [8] He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter. [9] So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. [10] Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. [11] “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, [12] I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” [13] “You acted foolishly,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. [14] But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command.” [15] Then Samuel left Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin, and Saul counted the men who were with him. They numbered about six hundred.

1. The Cause of Crisis

a. Doing God’s will

John 16:33 (NIV) – [33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 (AMP) – [33] I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

b. Conflict with others

c. Severe stress

Isaiah 53:7 (NIV) – [7] He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

2. Our Reaction to Crisis

a. Some go into hiding.

b. Some run away.

c. Some quake with fear.

Leviticus 26:3-6 (NIV) – [3] “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, [4] I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. [5] Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. [6] I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid.”

Stand Firm in Your Freedom

The Fruit of the Spirit of GENTLENESS

I. The Meaning of Gentleness

A. Gentleness (prautes) means mildness of disposition, a submissiveness of spirit, kindness, humility.

B. It is also translated as “meekness.” (Matthew 5:5)

C. Gentleness has two applications—toward God and toward other people.

D. Gentleness or meekness has nothing to do with weakness.

II. The Source of Gentleness

A. God speaks to His people in a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:12)

1 Kings 19:12 (NIV) – [12] After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a GENTLE whisper.

B. It was prophesied that the Messiah would be recognized for His gentleness. (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5)

Zechariah 9:9 (NIV) – [9] Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, GENTLE and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Matthew 21:5 (NIV) – [5] “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, GENTLE and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

C. Jesus identified Himself as one who by nature is gentle. (Matthew 11:29)

Matthew 11:29 (NIV) – [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am GENTLE and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

III. The Practice of Gentleness

A. Christians are to exhibit that same quality of gentleness and meekness of Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 10:1; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12)

2 Corinthians 10:1 (NIV) – [1] By the meekness and GENTLENESS of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away!

Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) – [2] Be completely humble and GENTLE; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Colossians 3:12 (NIV) – [12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, GENTLENESS and patience.

B. Gentleness produces peace and calms quarrels. (Proverbs 15:1)

Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) – [1] A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

C. Gentleness is crucial in restoring those who have been caught up in sin. (Galatians 6:1)

Galatians 6:1 (NIV) – [1] Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him GENTLY. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

D. The person of God will gently instruct those who oppose him and the truth. (2 Timothy 2:25)

2 Timothy 2:24 (NIV) – [24] And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. [25] Those who oppose him he must GENTLY instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.

E. Effective witnessing requires gentleness and respect for the unbeliever. (1 Peter 3:15)

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) – [15] But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with GENTLENESS and respect.