Summary: To show that GOD made us in His image, in the image of grace, not a kingdom of works and performances but of power.

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you a self-made man?

No. I'm made by grace.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (Amplified Bible)

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers/unbelievers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that GOD made us in His image, in the image of grace, not a kingdom of works and performances but of power.

Romans 14:17 (Amplified Bible)

[After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

IV. TEXT:

1 Samuel 13:14 (Amplified Bible)

But now your kingdom shall not continue; the Lord has sought out [David] a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince and ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship, glorify, adore, bless, honor, acknowledge and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You have made me into Your image to receive from Your Grace though I don't deserve it, but You made it available for me to enjoy it here on earth.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (Amplified Bible)

So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ’s personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.

VI. TITLE:

Kingdom will not continue

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: unknown

B. Date written: After 1011 B.C.

C. Purpose: To record the founding of the Hebrew monarchy

D. To whom written: The nation of Israel

E. Keyword: king

F. Key verses:

1 Samuel 8:7-8 (Amplified Bible)

And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken to the voice of the people in all they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not be King over them.

According to all the works which they have done since I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they also do to you.

1 Samuel 15:22 (Amplified Bible)

Samuel said, Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

1 Samuel 13:14 (Amplified Bible)

But now your kingdom shall not continue; the Lord has sought out [David] a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince and ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.

1 Samuel 13:14 (New King James Version)

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."

A. Saul's kingdom will not continue: kingdom of works and performances of men

1. The LORD JESUS have sought a man of grace

2. Grace will be commander over His people

"But now your kingdom shall not continue; the Lord has sought out [David] a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince and ruler over His people,"

If I were to be asked when did Old covenant or old testament ended I will say it ended on this verse, instead of the entrance of new testament. GOD proved time and time again, even if we placed ourselves in the foot of Adam and swear GOD that we will never do the same, but here look King Saul did it again, he wanted to please GOD with his works and performances, while there's a better way, the LORD'S WAY - the LORD JESUS CHRIST, He Perfectly and Infinitely pleased GOD through His Works and Performances, that GOD is so pleased that He made available His Grace from eternity past as He was, He showed it to us, even in this verse, that we have to rely on JESUS CHRIST's finished work and performances not on our works and performances.

Sad to say, it's a sad story indeed, you will see mankind doing his best just to reach out to GOD, doing his "personal religion" even if you teach 'em he will still continue to cling in his ways of destruction.

DESCRIPTION OF MAN'S WAY ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE:

1. They, themselves, will "enjoy" the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices.

Proverbs 1:31 (Amplified Bible)

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices.

2. Evil and they are called evil men, they speak perverse things and they lie.

Proverbs 2:12 (Amplified Bible)

To deliver you from the way of evil and the evil men, from men who speak perverse things and are liars,

3. Wickedness and those that do it are called evil men

Proverbs 4:14 (Amplified Bible)

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

4. Deep darkness, they do not know where did they stumbled.

Proverbs 4:19 (Amplified Bible)

The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.

5. They don't know where they are going.

John 12:35 (Amplified Bible)

So Jesus said to them, You will have the Light only a little while longer. Walk while you have the Light [keep on living by it], so that darkness may not overtake and overcome you. He who walks about in the dark does not know where he goes [he is drifting].

ILLUSTRATION: I'm sitting next to a woman who prays the repetitius prayer and holds it in her hand, she's counting her prayers, and I gaver her a gospel tract, told her to read it, don't throw it away, but while still seated by her side, she tossed the gospel tract on her back, I pity her, darkness is all around her, she's destined for destruction. Can you teach a woman like that? They need first to come to the light, but in their mind's eyes which are blinded by the god of this world, her works are right in her own eyes.

6. It's right in his own eyes and the WORD OF GOD called him a fool already.

Proverbs 12:15 (Amplified Bible)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.

7. It appears straight before him, but at the end of it is way of death.

Proverbs 14:12 (Amplified Bible)

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.

There's no turning back at the end of the way, it will still look straight and right for him, but he/she's going to hell and second death.

JESUS CHRIST is the ONLY WAY, no other way, other way are men's way which will lead to destruction and death.

John 14:6 (Amplified Bible)

Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

Proverbs 10:29 (Amplified Bible)

The way of the Lord is strength and a stronghold to the upright, but it is destruction to the workers of iniquity.

There are people to whom I've shared the one-verse evangelism, that is Romans 6:23, yes they accepted the LORD JESUS, prayed with me, but when I'm inviting them to come with me and study further who saved 'em, the answer is a blunt "no", no meaning they will continue in their way, common sense will tell you that they're heading for destruction but you can't stop them, you can't force them to come, it needed to come from their willingness, from their free will, while others are mocking GOD'S WAYS.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (Amplified Bible)

For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God.

1. The LORD JESUS have sought a man of grace

2. Grace will be commander over His people

DISCUSSION:

1. THE LORD JESUS HAVE SOUGHT A MAN OF GRACE

The LORD JESUS in His Gentleness, sought out a man, just for formality sake, to show the benefit of the doubt, but He can't find any, of course, He's the Only ONE who is worthy.

Romans 3:11-12 (Amplified Bible)

No one understands [no one intelligently discerns or comprehends]; no one seeks out God.

All have turned aside; together they have gone wrong and have become unprofitable and worthless; no one does right, not even one!

The LORD JESUS CHRIST to further continue the kingdom of King David, a man after His own heart, became the Son of David in the flesh.

Psalms 78:70 (Amplified Bible)

He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;

Psalms 89:19-20 (Amplified Bible)

Once You spoke in a vision to Your devoted ones and said, I have endowed one who is mighty [a hero, giving him the power to help—to be a champion for Israel]; I have exalted one chosen from among the people.

I have found David My servant; with My holy oil have I anointed him,

Acts 13:22 (Amplified Bible)

And when He had deposed him, He raised up David to be their king; of him He bore witness and said, I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart, who will do all My will and carry out My program fully.

Imagine, King David, a man of grace living under the old covenant. Is it possible? Yes, it's more possible for us today because the LORD JESUS CHRIST made it possible for all of us who will accept Him as LORD and SAVIOR of our lives.

Romans 10:9-10 (Amplified Bible)

Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.

If King David were counting on his own work and performances that we know are not perfect because he's just human and he's able to live in grace under the old covenant, how much more we can do this, because now we are counting on the LORD JESUS CHRIST Perfection of Grace in our lives to live in grace under the new covenant of grace.

John 1:14 (Amplified Bible)

And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.

Isaiah 40:5 (Amplified Bible)

And the glory (majesty and splendor) of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

It was during this time when King Saul, a man of works, a man of the law, a man of performances and human abilities, where his own kingdom ended and will not continue, but the man of grace, King David, started a new kingdom of grace, this is what it's meant, King David, over ruled the kingdom of works and performances. Never again GOD will look on our own abilities, works and performances but will always look to the LORD JESUS CHRIST's abilities, works and performances which are all Perfect, because He is the SON OF GOD, and as human being, is the SON OF DAVID.

Psalms 25:2 (Amplified Bible)

O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 (Amplified Bible)

Thus says the Lord: Cursed [with great evil] is the strong man who trusts in and relies on frail man, making weak [human] flesh his arm, and whose mind and heart turn aside from the Lord.

For he shall be like a shrub or a person naked and destitute in the desert; and he shall not see any good come, but shall dwell in the parched places in the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.

[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit.

2. GRACE WILL BE COMMANDER OVER HIS PEOPLE

Hebrews 2:10 (Amplified Bible)

For it was an act worthy [of God] and fitting [to the divine nature] that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect [should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest] through suffering.

1 Samuel 9:16 (Amplified Bible)

Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be leader over My people Israel; and he shall save them out of the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon the distress of My people, because their cry has come to Me.

2 Samuel 5:2 (Amplified Bible)

In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord told you, You shall feed My people Israel and be prince over [them].

2 Kings 20:5 (Amplified Bible)

Turn back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of My people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your [forefather]: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.

Here are some examples of King David, under the jurisdiction of grace, King David himself never relied on his own abilities but he put his trust on GOD (Psalms 25:2) We, must, therefore under the new covenant of grace, trust, rely on , and hope in the LORD JESUS CHRIST not in ourselves, not in fate, but only on and in the LORD JESUS CHRIST Alone.

B. Men disobeyed the LORD

"because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you"

All men disobeys the LORD'S commands so they suffer, if you trust in men, then you are bound to fail as well, but if you trust in GOD, GOD will never fail you. There's a big difference when "i", "me", "mine" appears it is always bound to fail. When men are left for themselves, as godless people, they will fail, will be corrupted slowly and then revealed it's own nature, that is, sinful nature. If you are a born again CHRISTian, and you are active before in church, and now is inactive, see yourself in the mirror, are there tattoos, are you still a boy? or are you still a girl? Humans without GOD will fail and will reverse what GOD has done, while GOD without humans will still be GOD. Come to our senses and let's return back to GOD for the healing.

Disobedience - neglect or refusal to obey; violation of a command or prohibition; the omission of that which is commanded to be done, or the doing of that which is forbid; breach of duty prescribed by authority. [Source: Webster's dictionary]

Men disobeyed GOD but pretends that his life is good. (in his own eyes)

Proverbs 12:15 (Amplified Bible)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.

Proverbs 3:7 (Amplified Bible)

Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.

Proverbs 8:13 (Amplified Bible)

The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate.

Proverbs 9:9 (Amplified Bible)

Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man (one upright and in right standing with God) and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 21:2 (Amplified Bible)

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs and tries the hearts.

Proverbs 16:2 (Amplified Bible)

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart).

ILLUSTRATION: There's a young woman that lives with a live-in partner and also rents at the same time so when they quarrel, she will move to the apartment that she's renting, and let her live-in partner go in to her again to seek her and court her again, and she always tells that her life is alright with her. Pity her, she never know it until she will go to the mirror.

A question was asked of me, what am I doing the first thing in the morning, I told them, I look at the "mirror", little did they know, I was speaking in parables. The mirror I'm referring about is GOD'S WORDS.

James 1:22-23 (Amplified Bible)

But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].

For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;

Hebrews 4:12 (Amplified Bible)

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

Only the mirror or GOD'S WORDS - the LORD JESUS CHRIST knows who we really are from the inside out, go to Him every morning, to see who you really are as He sees you, and if there are sins and iniquities, declare it to Him, and He will cleanse us from all of it.

1 John 1:9 (Amplified Bible)

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].

IX. CONCLUSION:

Praise, worship, glorify, adore, bless, honor, acknowledge and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You have made me into Your image to receive from Your Grace though I don't deserve it, but You made it available for me to enjoy it here on earth.