I Samuel 31
Introduction:
Pass a Hurst and the conversation will stop. View a fresh dug grave and silence will rule. Attend a funeral and a hush will fall on even the youngest children when Preacher stands or the casket is closed.
Death has a way of sobering even the hardest of us. It is the single one event that reminds us that control is not ours. The single one event that reminds us of our frail bodies and numbered days.
Death like life can tell a great deal about a person. Such is the case with the death of Saul. A man who everything going for him until he turned from God; a man who was so marvelous in physical manners and so lacking in spiritual matters. A man that could have been Great but only reached mediocre.
His death stirs our mind of three thoughts that we often do not wish to consider.
1. The Hand of Judgement
2. The Far reaching influence of sin
3. The Far reaching influence of a good life
I. The Hand of Judgement
A. A man that did not heed warnings
Proverbs 26:11
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
Proverbs 15:5
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
B. A Man that did not walk with God
Man that had turned his back on God.
Nothing is sadder than to see someone that once walked God and no long is. No more miserable person is on the face of the earth than such a man.
C. A Man Trusting in his own strength
Saul's abilities had served him well. He was a good soldier -- a man with some leadership capabilities, but a man that trust to much in his own abilities and not enough in God.
II. The Wide Influence of Sin
Sin never effects a single person. It always takes as many victims as possible. Saul's sinfulness cost Israel the battle and Jonathan his life.
A. His Son
The good can fall with bad. A loyal son, a true friend to David, died with Saul that day. Nothing should shake the hearts of fathers more than to know the effect they have on their children. None would rest easy knowing you had led your child into death's jaws. Yet many take the run that risk.
B. The Cities
Homes were disrupted by the sin of one man. We don't think sin has much effect but it does.
C. Suicide
Saul's armor barer follows Saul's example
III. The Positive Influence of Good
If we are not careful we might miss the influence of a good life. Saul had started with dependence on God. He did not trust in his own strengthen and leaned heave on the arm of Samuel. Then he was noble. Then he walked with God. Then he knew the strength of God's spirit.
A. Gratitude
B. Bravery
C. Dignity
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