SERMON SUMMARY
The only way to survive in a world that constantly pulls us away from God, the only way to stay connected to the source of life, is to immerse yourself in the story of the Scriptures.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 9-11
SERMON SCREENSHOTS & KEY POINTS
What is this passage about? This story is about how Saul became the first king of Israel. The rise of King Saul takes place in three movements:
First, Samuel privately anoints Saul as King. Samuel wants Saul to know for certain that YAHWEH has chosen him to be King (9:1-10:16). In the second movement, Samuel wants the people to see that YAHWEH has chosen Saul to be their King and this was done through a public ceremony (10:17-27). Third, after a great victory in battle with Saul leading the way, Samuel leads the people in a time of worship and renewal, and all the people acknowledge before the Lord that Saul is King—it’s a kind of formal inauguration (11:1-15). So, the rise of the King comes in three movements.
- A private anointing—9:1-10:16.
- A public ceremony—10:17-27.
- A formal inauguration—11:1-15.
And running through all of this, there is one, very definite, big idea, and that idea is, God’s king will rule and save God’s people under the authority of God’s Word.
What does this passage teach us about God? It teaches us that His Word is to govern our lives. We are to live under the authority of His Word. Immersing ourselves in God’s Word is the only way to survive the pull of our “do whatever seems right to you” culture. The key verse here is 10:25 which points back to Deuteronomy 17:14-20.
How does this passage point us to Jesus? Jesus—the Living Word of God—came to “rule” and “to save” through His death on the Cross and His rising from the dead, and His ascension back to His rightful place as King of heaven and earth. His teaching in John 15:5,7,10 is very much like the text of Deuteronomy 17. It teaches us that abiding in Jesus and His Word is the way we are to walk with Jesus all the days of our lives. Immersing ourselves in the Gospel of Jesus is the way we experience the love of God, the grace of God, the forgiveness of God, and the very life of God.
*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.
COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS
- How have you experienced the pull of our modern culture since the last time you met together?
- What stood out to you in the story of how Saul became King?
- How does learning about how Saul became King encourage your walk with God today?
- Have someone read Deuteronomy 17:14-24. How does what God says about the “rights and duties” of kingship translate into how we live our lives today? What is Deuteronomy 17 trying to prevent from happening in the King’s life? —in our lives?
- Talk about your personal time in God’s Word. What is your rhythm or pattern of being in God’s Word? What do you do with God’s Word that you hear taught on Sundays or that you hear taught at other times during the week?
- It’s easy to read and hear the Word but not necessarily bow to its authority over your life. What things get in the way of God’s Word being the supreme authority—the main voice—in your life?
- How does John 15:5,7,10 line up with what we learn about the “rights and duties” of kingship.
- What else?