1 Sam 14:47-52 You are being watched
- This scripture summarizes Sauls production as king. It is not unlike other summarizations that we get about other kings.
- What is really different is WHERE we get it. Sauls life isn’t over. Still more time coming in Sauls life, but we get the conclusion right now
- Wonder why? Seems like with God-, Sauls reign is over and his days are numbered.
- From the surface- it seems like Saul did a pretty good job as king. Kept back the enemies of Israel, defeated the amalekites, delivered Israel. Nice work!
- Do you know the biggest thing that missing from this summary tho?
- No mention of his relationship with God. A casual reader would assume that he was not the king of God’s people. He did not worship God or depend on him. He just lived and did stuff
- Take the part of the summation of King Josiah- King of Judah
- 2 Kings 23:25 Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him.
- Saul never even defeated the Philistines- He couldn’t do it without God!
- Sauls summation of his life and reign differed greatly from that of King Josiah why? Josiah followed God! He lived a Godly life and did things for YHWH
What do you want your legacy to be
- In this discourse, the author of Samuel takes the time to declare the accomplishments of Saul
- He established Israels sovereignty, he fought enemies, he harassed them, he ran an army, he had some kids, he had a commander, he went to war and didn’t win.
- Saul was king of Israel and this is how he is remembered- People today- still talking about
- READ 2 Kings 18:4-8 King Hezikiah was remembered well! He lived a good life!
- That’s a good legacy- that’s how you want people to talk about you!
- JUDAS- Acts 1:18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.
- 2 tim 1:5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
- These are Bible legacies! These are people of faith that made it in the book!
- Warren Harding, Chester Arthur, Millard Filmore what do they have in common? Forgettable US Presidents- No substantial policies or wars. Just got to be president. Also- no mention of God
- only president I can think of in Modern times where Faith is paramount to them? Jimmy Carter
- I had a relative who was a chaplain in the Revolutionary War- Elijah Lynch. He’s remembered
- I think of People like Paul Alexander- he’s not remembered for his bus stations. He’s a man of faith! Wife is a woman of faith, 3 great sons, with great kids who love the Lord! That’s a legacy!
- I have done many funerals when I sit with the family- trying to come up with what to say
- No one cares about what you accomplished at your job. Matt fixed the parking lot, bought a building, installed some new doors. NO- Please NO- I want my life to matter!
- Luke 9:23-25 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?
- The plumb line for a life of Legacy is in what you are desiring. What are you building
- Are you trying to gain the whole world? More money, more house, more stuff, more status?
- anyone care when Paul Allen died? I care because he’s a person- but even owning the seahawks isn’t a godly legacy- He had billions- cancer still got him and $$ doesn’t get him into heaven
- What does it mean to you?
- The Bible records you well, or records the truth of what really happened. The Bible is true
- John 6:66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
- That’s those guys legacy. That’s how they are remembered- But what about you?
- Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
- Ecc 7:1a A good name is better than precious ointment,
- How you live your life today will be how people will remember you. Your kids will be like the person you display to them. Your family will either cringe or smile when you pass on
- Will God be absent from your story? Will he be a footnote, or will people be unable to talk about you without talking about Jesus? What will I say about you at your funeral?
- Now I understand the tension- Jesus said “woe to you when all men speak well of you” Lk 6:26
- Paul Said “Do I seek to please men or God” Gal 1:10
- But Peter said 1 Peter 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
- Every day you make decision on how people will remember you- You shouldn’t care what people think about you spiritually before God, but you should care how they view God because of you- Are you advancing the kingdom or destroying it from the inside out?
- You can live demonstratively for God and still be ridiculed- I don’t agree with homosexuality, abortion, transgenderism, divorce, drunkenness, drugs, and Islam. I believe in Speaking in tongues. I believe that God can heal the sick and raise the dead. I believe people should tithe and that people who don’t follow Jesus will spend eternity in Hell. I believe God can forgive anyone- use anyone and set anyone free to become a new creation.
- You don’t make friends when you have those views- but you become a friend of God.
- Your Job 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
- The truth is- people are talking about you now! Your family and your friends !! Let them think you’re a bible thumping believing Christian who loves the God of the Bible.
MORE IMPORTANTLY-
- How will God remember you?
- How Saul is described in the Bible is how he is remembered- He was a king who didn’t live for YHWH. He didn’t uphold the standards of God. There was good to Sauls life and lots of destruction
- Scholars debate on the eternal status of Saul based on a myriad of different scriptures
- They argue his calling v his sin. His righteous acts v his destructive ones
- But honestly- wouldn’t it have been better if There wasn’t any question?
- WOuldn’t a better outcome have been that we’d be sitting here today regaling in the fact that Saul was a righteous king that did righteous things- God would have made it clear in the Bible
- We may question the salvation of Saul and wonder if he made it to heaven- but God knows
- There are people who do not make it to heaven- There are people whom God does not accept
- Daniel 5:27 You have been weighed in the balances, and been found wanting
- I know I don’t want to be found wanting! I don’t want there to be a question
- Rev 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
- You can live how ever you chose on this side of heaven- but there is no escaping the watchful eye of God- he knows who is doing what to whom and knows your heart
- 1 Corinthians 4:4-5 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
- God will reveal the truth of our hearts before him-
- What does it mean to you!
- You gotta get your life right with God- Again- I realize that we’ve been in this mode for awhile then it must be for a reason- God must be doing something in all of us during this time
- Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
- But you just cant confess it- you have to LIVE IT- You have to LIVE for Jesus
- Jesus said- Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
- I’m in a good place- I’m growing- but As a soul-winning church- we want to see people saved!
- You don’t want your name blotted out from the book of Life- You want to be found in it!
- The thief on the cross said Luke 23:42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
- How will God view you?
- Will you be seen as a devoted follower of Jesus- or a half hearted simple follower who couldn’t be counted on in the day of adversity- You will only get to heaven on the grace of God
- Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3: 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
- Some would say that I preach a Gospel of works and not of Grace- but its quite the opposite- You cant do anything to save yourself- It is only through Jesus Christ you can be saved
- But IF you’re saved- the Bible says you’ll have fruit- and if you DON’T have fruit, why is that?
- What are you building your life on?- How will God will remember you?
- Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Rom 2:6, Psa 62:12, jer 32:19, Rev 22:12
- God is paying attention. There is a record being written in heaven God is remembering you
- Choose today to live a life worthy of the life that you have been called to.
- I have never been in a cop car- never been to jail- didn’t want to embarrass my family
- How much more should we not want to embarrass God?
