Summary of Be ready!
Preamble
Kirk starts with a discussion on the concept of “choices.” He uses a humorous example of ordering a coffee at Starbucks. There are so many choices! Kirk points out that Starbucks has perfectly created a way to customize a product to our desire. Kirk goes on to lightheartedly complain about the menus at restaurants. He says the menus are too sensational. Too many graphics! Too many fonts! And too many choices!
Major decisions in life
Kirk shifts the message to a discussion on major life choices. Kirk provides many examples of tough life choices. One of the most dramatic choice (or doubts) was: Does Jesus really matter?
Saul, the King of Israel
Kirk provides a summary of the setting of today’s passage. Israel was on the verge of battle against their enemies. Saul was suppose to wait for the arrival of Samuel before the burnt offering was to be done. Saul didn’t wait and didn’t obey God’s instruction. Instead, Saul took action without God’s instruction and did the burnt offering without Samuel. This seemed like a small disobedience. When we disobey God in even the little things, we are still disobeying. By classifying our disobedience as “a big one” or “a little one” we are rationalizing our sin.
Is it right or is it wrong? How do we know?
Saul should have considered which of his choices would honour God. By listening and following God’s instructions Saul would have honoured God, but instead Saul wanted to proceed with the burnt offering to encourage his army (which wasn’t honouring God.) Saul turned the burnt offering into a benefit for himself. In looking at Gen 4:7 and Prob 21:3, it is explained that God wants us to do what it “right,” which is actions that honour God. This makes decisions much easier to make! If a choice leads to honouring God then it is the right choice (the right action).
Saul was once an obedient man before God
Saul had been a simple farmer from the smallest clan within the smallest tribe. Saul was so shocked when God chose him to be King over all of Israel. God said he was a humble young man who would soon receive the spirit of God and he would turn into a great leader over God’s people. (1 Sam 9:8-9 – an example of God’s blessings over Saul and how he transformed into a leader). But Saul slowly turned into a selfish and self-sufficient man. He relied less and less on God and believed he was powerful because of his own success.
About this Message Series
This is a message in a series called By faith focusing on Hebrews 11. This series looks at old testament characters, their trust in God, and the promises God made to them. This series was started in July 2017.
About the Speaker
Kirk Wood is the associate pastor at SouthRidge Church in Langley. He grew up loving hockey and even became a pro hockey ref, as well as a fire fighter, all before becoming a pastor.