A Miserable End

A Miserable End

December 11, 2011 Evening Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: No matter the course of our life, we don’t have to end up a failure if we trust Jesus.

Focus Passage: I Samuel 31:1-13

Supplemental Passage: But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:54-58 NASB)

Introduction:

I. A Sketchy Beginning

a. God didn’t want a king for Israel

b. Samuel didn’t want a king for Israel

c. Saul didn’t want to be king of Israel

II. A Poor Middle

a. He did not wait on Samuel and made the sacrifice himself (Ch 13)

b. He did not obey God by destroying Amelek, but kept some spoil for himself (Ch 15)

c. God withdrew His Spirit and sent an evil spirit to torment him (Ch 16)

d. He did not fight the Philistines but put the battle in the hands of a boy (Ch 17)

e. He became jealous of David and pursued him (rest of the book of I Samuel)

III. A Miserable End

a. Losing his battle

b. Lost his sons

c. His own body guard wouldn’t even perform a mercy killing to prevent torture and ridicule

d. Ended up in suicide

Invitation: We don’t have to end up a failure like Saul. If our hope is in Christ, we will put on the eternal weight of glory and prevail, because of Jesus’ success in overcoming the world and overcoming death.