Rejecting God
January 2, 2011 Evening Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: Sometimes, we think it is about us. It is always, “all about God”.
Focus Passage: I Sam 7:15-17, 8:1-9
Supplemental Passage: "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16 NASB)
I. Samuel was an upstanding leader and judge
a. He accomplished many great things in his life.
b. He rode a circuit, going from town to town doing his job.
II. Samuel appointed his sons to judge, since he was no longer able to do it
a. The sons were corrupt
i. We can speculate about the sons: Most likely, he appointed them as judges because: he knew he could trust them and/or they were imputed respected for being his sons and/or there were none other who was worthy of judging. He most likely had in mind the sons of Eli, in whose home he was raised and dismissed the thought because his sons weren’t like them and he was not like Eli.
ii. As there was more than one, they probably settled away in the region away from their father. They didn’t “walk in his ways” that is, they didn’t fear God, pursue, righteousness, holiness and justice; and had no regard for man. Without his guidance, they began a slippery slope to corruption. We can infer that they weren’t as vile as the sons of Eli, but corrupt nonetheless.
b. This led to discontentment among the people
III. The people rejected Samuel as judged and asked for a king
a. The people wanted to be like “the other nations”, not realizing their special place in God’s eyes.
b. God told Samuel that it wasn’t about him; they had rejected God.
Invitation: How do we make people reject God because of our corrupt behavior (sin)? People are watching; we must practice righteousness and holiness so that people may WANT God, not reject Him
