Dealing With Fatal Flaws (Saul) Series

• Live in such a way that people will weep when you die. In 1 Samuel 25:1, we’re told that when Samuel dies, everyone in Israel weeps. John Ortberg suggests that they weep because of all that he had become. He was courageous, obedient, loving and had a passion for God. They cry because they’re going to miss all of that. They’re thankful for what he did for them. On the other hand, when Saul dies, we’re told that David commands the people to weep (2 Samuel 1:17-18). They weep because of all that Saul had not become. He was full of promise but never accomplished what God had for him because he never dealt with his fatal flaws. He didn’t set out to be bad; he just never gave God his full devotion. How will people remember you? What kinds of tears will be shed for you after you’re gone?

It’s interesting that the Israelites want to make a man their god but God’s way is to make God a man, the Lord Jesus Christ. He came to deliver us from the dominion of darkness and to rule and reign in our hearts. The kernel of the gospel message is found in 1 Samuel 12:22: “For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.” Even though they sinned greatly, God is still gracious. For the sake of His great name, He sent His Son Jesus as Savior, Redeemer and King.

What would happen if I went around the room this morning and asked this question: Who do you place your confidence in? How would you answer? There is only one king worth following. Who is on the throne of your life? That is the great gospel invitation. Will you respond right now and submit to His reign in your life?

Every Sunday the ducks would waddle out of their house and waddle down Main Street to their church. They waddled into the auditorium and jumped into their chairs. The duck musicians waddled in and took their place and then the duck minister came forward and opened the Bible. He preached up a storm saying, “Ducks, God has given you wings! With wings you can fly! With wings you can mount up and soar like eagles. No walls can confine you! No fence can hold you! You have wings. God has given you wings and you can fly like birds.” All the ducks shouted, “AMEN!” and they all waddled home.

If you’re ready to repent and be changed so that you can soar, then please pray this prayer with me. Pray it only if you’re determined to allow God to deal with your fatal flaws: “Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I admit that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. I repent of my sins and my fatal flaws by changing my mind about the way I’ve been living. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. With all my heart I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I accept you into my life. Be my Savior and Lord, my forgiver and king. I surrender to your leadership in my life. Make me into the person you want me to be. Amen.”