Sermon Central
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Saul's Tragic Downfall
Contributed by Jose Cabajar on Jun 15, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Saul’s foolishness and indifferent attitude toward God’s Word contributed a great deal to his tragic downfall.
The rise and downfall of Saul convey both practical and spiritual lesson to every man especially to believers who want to glorify God continually through their God-given lives.
King Saul’s spiritual blunder led him to a place he deserved. He pleased other people but overlooked to please God. There is always the danger of pleasing men because there is a great tendency to ignore the Lord in many ways. It derails believers from their God-given course of service. In Romans 8:1, it is written, So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
God raised up Saul and made him King to rule over Israel, but Saul himself was not careful concerning God’s statutes. Saul’s foolishness and indifferent attitude toward God’s Word contributed a great deal to his tragic downfall.
The Lord really wants His people to be sensitive and obedient to His commandments so they may experience His continual blessings. He expects every believer to serve Him in sincerity and truth.
The life of Saul is a heartbreaking story with a serious warning not to be ignored, but important lesson to be looked unto.
(I) Led The Unbelievers To Put Their Trust In Idols
-Idols were magnified
-Unbelievers were exalted
-Believers became inferior
It is the duty of every believer to shine for the Lord and lead other people to put their trust in Him. In the case of Saul, it was reversed and God was not magnified. Dagon was lifted up and the unbelievers’ false belief was strengthened. Their pride progressed unto more wickedness. Worst of all, believers seemed inferior and great opportunity to blaspheme God was given to the wicked. What a shameful position on the part of God-chosen people.
(II) Sin Played A great Role In Saul’s Tragic Downfall
Saul died for his transgression
-Disobedience to the Word of God
-For asking counsel from a medium
-For not inquiring from God
We strongly believe that the blessings of the Lord are prepared to be poured to all believers, but because of sin, many blessings are withheld. Disobedience to the Word of God robs our blessings from above. Obedience to the Word of God opens heaven’s windows of blessings.
In I Samuel 15:22-23, it is written, And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great 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. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Bear in mind that God wants His children to become victorious so they may display His power valiantly. Saul’s sad downfall, when carefully studied and greatly understood, leads us to fear God extensively. Surely, it offers us spiritual wisdom so we may experience God’s wonderful working for His honor and glory.