The audio link should be up soon, and I will post it when I get it, for those who would rather listen than read, or those who want to do both. This is just a starter, some notes. We have had such wonderful talks about how to practically apply these principles, and hope that you all dive in, and see what God would have you to do, and then faithfully obey. A challenge for us all, and as we encourage and exhort one another, we have the promise that obedience pleases our Lord and King.
Wednesday November 11, 2009
Lesson: Following God in obedience, human wisdom vs. God's wisdom
Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 15
v.1-3 Saul's charge given- God commands to kill everyone and everything
v. 7-9 Saul kills MOST, but keeps "all that was good" and king Agag.
v. 10-11 The Lord speaks to Samuel about Saul's disobedience (part disobedience is insubordination and rebellion) God is grieved and decides to punish Saul by removing him as king.
v.12-15 Saul is confronted with his sin.
v.16-21 Saul's excuses begin, claiming to have obeyed, but God's work must be done God's way. We cannot use human reasoning to excuse ourselves. The Lord has spoken, we must obey!!!
v. 22 Obedience is better than sacrifice.
v.23 Partial obedience revealed for what it is- rebellion, insubordination,rejecting the word of the Lord.
v.24-25 Saul's half hearted excuse for repentance. FALSE!
v.26-28 Judgement pronounced, Saul will not be king.
v. 29- God is unchanging, just, and righteous. He must be obeyed
v.30-31 Saul gives in, we don't see repentance,but walks in the right path with Samuel
v.32-33 Samuel cleans up after Saul's sin and disobedience.
Heavenly man excerpt (Brother Yun and Paul Hattaway) - p.255 par.6
"I have learned that when the Lord tells us to do something there is no time for discussion or rationale, regardless of the situation we face. When we are sure God has told us to act, as I was on this occasion, blind obedience is called for. Not to obey God implies that we are wiser than Him, and that we know better how to run our lives than He does."
This is a man who lived in persecuted China, was in jail for preaching the Gospel, which seems silly and ill chosen as a profession, except that God told him to. Brother Yun had 3 signs given to him to act, 1) a passage of Scripture that was shared with him, 2) a vision from God, 3) another brother who told him to escape from the prison, as the Lord opened the door and commanded him to go. This was a death sentence, escapees were shot on sight. Yun had 2 broken legs, and had not stood for more than 6 weeks, yet God said "get up and walk out of the prison" all the doors opened. Think of Peter, think of the lame man who was told to get up and walk. When God speaks, you better listen.
Discussion:
Some questions that come to mind when comparing a few passages of Scripture with the tales of lives that have been radically changed by obedient servant. When we know how the Lord would have us act, to do anything less, to do it our own way, is disobedience, insubordination, and rebellion.
1) Why did Saul take God's plans and change them for his own way?
2) Was Saul repentant either time, or just sad he got caught?
3) What do we have in our lives that are semi-obedient and therefore NOT obedient?
4) Are our methods in all things matching up with Scripture?
5) If not/why not? How do we proceed from the place of recognition of sin and disobedience to full obedience?
6) Hudson Taylor said -"God's work done God's way will never lack God's supply." Our Gospel materials, our words, our approach to reaching the lost, our interaction with each other must all be done God's way, seeking His pattern and not making it up on our own.
Associated reading:
Other passages dealing with sin, obedience, and God's desire for our lives.
Romans 7:21-25- the desire to live righteously, and the battle with the flesh.
1 Corinthians 3:7-11- God's fellow laborers, but not our plans. The foundation for all things, Jesus Christ, the NT church pattern.
James 3:13-18- God's wisdom, fruit of the Spirit.
