Lesson 6: What To Do When You Hit The Bottom

A. YOU KNOW YOU ARE ON THE BOTTOM:

1. When everything turns against you. “The Philistines gathered their armies” (I Sam. 28:1).

2. When spiritual help is not available. “Now Samuel had died” (I Sam. 28:3).

3. When you are terrified by circumstances, people, or things. “When Saul saw the army . . . he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly” (I Sam. 28:5).

4. When you can’t get through to God. “When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him” (I Sam. 28:6).

5. When you seek answers that are not Christian, they are anti-Christian. “Saul said . . . find me a woman who can communicate with the dead” (I Sam. 28:7, ELT).

Saul Ignored the Following Facts

- Only God knows the future

- God had a plan for his life

- God has prohibited witches

- God had already told him what would happen

6. When you don’t want anyone knowing what you are doing. “Saul disguised himself” (I Sam. 28:8).

7. When you ask for something God prohibits and condemns. “Saul said . . . please conduct a seance for me” (28:8).

8. When you are warned, but do it anyway. “The witch said to him . . . you are setting a trap” (28:9, LB).

9. When you promise that which you can’t deliver. “No punishment shall come upon you” (28:10).

Did Samuel Come Back From the Grave?

- Saul perceived it was Samuel, (28:14) appearance.

- Samuel asked, “Why have you brought me back” (28:15)?

- Told what Samuel knew. “The Lord has departed from you.”

- Predicted his death the next day.

10. Could Saul have repented and turned?

a. Fear. “Saul was . . . paralyzed with fright” (28:20, LB).

b. Food breaks, guilt. “Please . . . eat” (28:22).

c. People break, guilt. “The servants . . . with the women urged him” (28:23).

B. HOW TO PREVENT BACKSLIDING

1. Compare your faith-relationship to the Bible. “Examine yourselves . . . whether you are in the faith” (II Cor. 13:5).

2. Examine yourself for symptoms of spiritual sickness. “Watch closely your life and commitment to doctrine” (I Tim. 4:15, ELT).

3. Daily confess daily sin. “If we confess . . . He is faithful . . . to forgive” (I John 1:9).

4. Stay in the Word. “Hold on to instruction” (Prov. 4:13).

5. Continue to seek God’s presence. “If you seek Him He will be found of you” (I Chron. 28:9).

6. Be horrified if you see yourself drifting. “See . . . that none of you has a sinful heart that turns away from the living God” (Heb. 3:12, ELT).

7. Expect trials that you know will come. “Do not be surprised at trials which try you” (I Tim. 5:12, ELT).

8. Fight temptation that will trip you. “Blessed is the one who stands up to temptation” (James 1:12, ELT).

9. Stand firm in difficulties. “Stand firm” (Matt. 10:22, Gal. 5:1).

10. Stand up to evil pressure from people. “Do not do as the wicked do, or follow their path” (Prov. 4:19, LB).

11. Run to win. “Run . . . to get the prize” (I Cor. 9:24).

12. Let memory guide you. “Remember those early days when you were first saved and you overcame problems . . . keep doing the same thing constantly” (Heb. 10:32, 35).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord,

I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.