SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 10112019 RECAP OF OUR LAST STUDY The great white throne Judgement At the end of time God will sit on His White Throne and judge all sinners according to their works God has always justified the innocent and condemned the guilty as sin must be judged either in Chr ID: 768611
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SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 10-11-2019
RECAP OF OUR LAST STUDY “ The great white throne Judgement ”: At the end of time, God will sit on His White Throne and judge all sinners according to their works. God has always justified the innocent and condemned the guilty as sin must be judged either in Christ, the sinner’s Substitute or the sinner himself. All those who reject God and side with Satan by committing sin will end up in the lake of fire. However, those who receive genuine salvation through repentance and faith in Christ will escape this great judgement . .
TODAY’S STUDY: LESSON 768: SAUL CONSULTS A WITCH AT ENDOR MEMORY VERSE: …… “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead?” (1 Isaiah 8:19). TEXT: 1 Samuel 28:1-25
INTRODUCTION David’s journey to the camp of the Philistines showed he was losing confidence in God’s ability to protect him. That opened the door to more temptations, sin and embarrassments. He lied to Achish about his invasion and he would have joined the enemy’s army if not for his rejection. For Saul, his deep misery and hopelessness in his last days shows that those who continually refuse the call of God to repentance will one day certainly come to a painful end (Proverbs 29:1). QUESTION 1: From the text, what can saints and sinners learn from the experience of David and Saul? – 1Samuel 27:8-12 Romans 2:4-5
DESOLATION AND MISERY OF DIVINE DISCONNECTION 1 Samuel 28:1-6; 16:14; Judges 16:19-21; When Saul was anointed king, “ God gave him another heart ” and “ the Spirit of God came upon him ”. Unfortunately, his disobedience to God cut him away from God, the Source of power, courage and victory. The result was fear, uncertainty and a miserable end. This clearly refutes the doctrine of eternal security. The spiritual security of the believer lies in his continuity in the faith (Heb 3:14). Believers should be careful and prayerful to avoid backsliding. QUESTION 2: Why is the decision to repent and reconcile with God a wise one for everyone? – Hebrews 12:14 Ezekiel 18:30; Deut. 20:4
THE DANGER OF SEEKING HELP OUTSIDE GOD 1 Samuel 28:7-18; Deuteronomy 18:10-12 When God did not answer Saul, he decided to consult a witch contrary to the word of God. All practices of witchcraft and idolatry are sin against God (Deut. 18:10-12). Perhaps he thought there were other ways to sustain his reign and favour with God. However, only true repentance and obedience can guarantee true prosperity and peace with God. Any other alternative like consulting a false prophet, prayer and fasting, church attendance etc., cannot avert God’s punishment and judgement on a sinner who refuses to repent.
QUESTION 3: How can a sinner avoid a fate as tortuous and miserable as that of Saul? – Proverbs 28:13, 2 Chronicles 7:14 QUESTION 4: Mention some alternatives sought by sinners in their search for joy, security and hope instead of turning to God through repentance. – 1 Samuel 28:7,8 Isaiah 1:13-14, 16 Mathew 23:14,23 THE DANGER OF SEEKING HELP OUTSIDE GOD 1 Samuel 28:7-18; Deuteronomy 18:10-12
THE DOOM AND APATHY OF THE UNREPENTANT SINNER 1 Samuel 28:19-25; Isaiah 58:5; Saul lost his life, his sons and the nation was defeated because of his sin. His condition was akin to a natural man contending with satanic forces without Christ on his side; he is bound to fall. Saul’s disguise failed as he was identified; people who cover up their evil deeds in the garment of pretence will one day be found out as all things are naked and open before God. There is still hope for the sinner today. The word of God still pleads, “ Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn and he will heal us, he hath smitten and he will bind us up ” ( Hosea 6:1).
CONCLUSION Saul’s disobedience to God cut him off from God, the source of power, courage and victory. In desperation, he resorted to a witch. All forms of witchcraft are sinful. Nothing can avert God’s judgement on a sinner except true repentance. The believer’s spiritual security is conditional and not eternal; therefore, believers must be watchful and prayerful to avoid backsliding