Critical Intersections Of Life

INTRODUCTION

This morning, were going to be looking at those intersections in our life that often affect the rest of our life.

These can be a crossroad, blind intersection, forks, Stop signs, traffic circle, or an intersection with multiple streets. Not that anyone here can relate to missing a stop sign or two.

BUT I want to ponder with you this morning - CRITICAL INTERSECTIONS OF LIFE

One such case is recorded between 1 Samuel 13:13 and I Samuel 15:22

• Well get to that in just a few minutes.

First let’s look at Characteristics of dangerous intersections:

• We'll use something we all can relate to who drive on the roads every day.

1. Every day of our lives, we are faced with crisis, decisions, or an experience’s that will affect the rest of our life.

How many have ever had a car wreck? An accident!

Often it’s that last minute split decision or perhaps indecision that make the difference.

2. Perhaps in our day-to-day life it’s a crucial time where God is dealing with us. Can anyone relate?

3. It might even be a time when - Our future is on the line.

The way we react at these dangerous intersections becomes an “indicator” of how we handle danger in other areas of our life.

At the end of life, we can usually trace the success or failure of our life back to one particular point in time.

King Solomon in his writing Ecclesiastes bounces back and forth in what life can hold and the decisions we make in it, but here is how he concludes in the 12 and last chapter

12:1 remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”—

He then wraps it up in vs. 13-14 this way:

13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,

including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil

That folks is very good advice:

NO ONE ESCAPES DANGEROUS CROSSROAD. We just all handle them differently

One type is the- Wreck—is the total loss (insurance says not worth fixing) let’s pray that’s never our lot.

1. But some people fail miserably when it comes to God. Not always in career choice but eternal.

• They deny God perhaps – Simply refuse to accept his existence. Ingmar Bergman – noted atheist, son of a Lutheran minister.

• They fight God. - Friedrich Nietzsche – Noted critic of Christianity who wrote The Antichrist (book) was the son of a pastor.

• They rebel against God. - Jay Bakker – founder of LGBT-friendly Revolution Church, he is the son of televangelist Jim Bakker and evangelist and TV personality Tammy Faye Messner.

• Malcolm X – who convert to Islam. His father is described as "an outspoken Baptist minister

• They run from God. Phil Jackson – former NBA player and current NBA coach; both parents were Assemblies of God ministers. His brothers commented that Phil threw himself into sports because it was the only thing his parents would allow him to do, besides church.

• Jonas Brother’s sons of a former Assemblies of God Worship leader.

• Angela Merkel – Chancellor of Germany, chairwoman of the Christian Democratic Union (Germany), and a Lutheran pastor's daughter.

• Jessica and Ashley Simpson children of a Baptist preacher.

Demas, Paul’s 1st Century coworker made a fatal decision.

“For Demas hath forsaken me, for having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica” (II Timothy 4:10)

Demas was originally in good favor with Paul. Paul spoke well of him. “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you” (Colossians 4:14). “There salute thee Epaphras, Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas” (Philemon 24)

But for now we will talk about the one listed in I Samuel chapters 13 through 15 King Saul

One could look and see Saul’s early advantages in serving God.

Saul prophesied with the prophets. When they looked for him, he was humble, hiding in the baggage.

1. Early in his reign, he won several battles and wanted God’s blessing before battles and wanted to worship the Lord.

But then there was - Saul’s self-will. – The RED LIGHT RUNNING King.

(I Samuel 13:13).He waited seven days for Samuel and then intruded into the priest office and sacrificed to God.

Samuel told him, “Thou hast done foolishly. Thou hast not kept the commandments of the Lord”

Then there was Saul’s incomplete obedience. RUNNING STOP – How many have ever done a rolling stop?

God told him to destroy the Amalekites, but Saul saved Agag the king and the best spoils as a reward.