WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.700 I warned you at the beginning of 1 Samuel 19 that it's a difficult chapter and it keeps getting more difficult and confusing. 00:00:08.700 --> 00:00:11.640 ! Well, we're at the end of it now, so be prepared. 00:00:12.419 --> 00:00:16.260 Our passage will begin at verse 18 and go to the end, verse 24. 00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:24.780 We read this and receive it, trusting that it's God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, sufficient, holy word for you, his people. 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:28.300 When you receive it that way, please respond at the end. Thanks be to God. 00:00:28.300 --> 00:00:32.219 1 Samuel 19, starting at verse 18. 00:00:58.299 --> 00:01:28.299 00:01:28.299 --> 00:01:58.299 00:01:58.299 --> 00:02:04.019 Therefore, they say, is Saul also among the prophets? 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:08.079 The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. 00:02:08.460 --> 00:02:09.180 Please be seated. 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:15.340 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord stands forever. 00:02:15.340 --> 00:02:28.900 We have a few kids with us, and so let me ask this question, but it could be equally true for some of the toughest men in our group. 00:02:30.280 --> 00:02:32.400 Are you afraid of moths? 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:36.460 You know, the moths, it's the bad guys of the insects. 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:41.680 They're like the ugly, nocturnal, bad, evil uncle of the butterflies. 00:02:43.099 --> 00:02:45.900 The thing about moths, though, is that they're not very smart. 00:02:46.780 --> 00:02:52.920 One moth can see another moth fly straight into a campfire and get burned. 00:02:52.919 --> 00:02:57.399 And then the very next moment, that moth will go and do the exact same thing. 00:02:58.280 --> 00:02:59.459 They're not very smart. 00:03:00.379 --> 00:03:06.539 A moth doesn't learn the destructive power of fire through observation or warning. 00:03:07.519 --> 00:03:11.539 A moth has to learn through direct, painful contact. 00:03:12.219 --> 00:03:18.560 It has to go get singed or burned or even consumed entirely by the fire itself to learn the lesson. 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:24.379 Brothers and sisters, we need to be wiser than moths. 00:03:24.680 --> 00:03:26.080 That's the application for today. 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:34.860 You and I don't need to suffer the misery of resisting the Holy Spirit of God like Saul did. 00:03:35.980 --> 00:03:41.939 Instead, we need to behold in this story the power of God's spirit and believe. 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:48.879 One commentator made a bold claim about this passage we just read, difficult as it is. 00:03:48.879 --> 00:03:59.840 Quote, this passage is the definitive Old Testament testimony to the absolute sovereignty of the Holy Spirit. 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:15.560 The Holy Spirit, he is the unpredictable, irresistible wind of God who subordinates all human malice, political power and wicked intent to his immediate divine will. 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:17.660 That's the end of the quote. 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:20.680 That's what we see in this passage. 00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:24.740 The all powerful spirit of God. 00:04:24.740 --> 00:04:26.780 And that's the title of today's sermon. 00:04:26.939 --> 00:04:29.840 The all powerful spirit of God. 00:04:30.660 --> 00:04:35.180 I'd love to study this passage with you by asking three questions. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:37.439 I'll tell you what those are up front. 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:42.439 The first one is where is the all powerful spirit of God pleased to dwell? 00:04:42.980 --> 00:04:43.259 Where? 00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:48.379 The second one is what response does the all powerful spirit of God demand? 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:49.460 What response? 00:04:49.459 --> 00:04:55.459 And finally, to what end does the all powerful spirit of God act? 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:57.519 What is his action all for? 00:04:58.620 --> 00:05:00.180 Well, let's begin with the first one. 00:05:00.339 --> 00:05:04.299 Where is the all powerful spirit of God pleased to dwell? 00:05:04.779 --> 00:05:07.039 Would you please look again with me at verse 18? 00:05:07.679 --> 00:05:08.939 So David fled. 00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:15.879 Remember, he's fleeing from the courts of Saul and he escaped and he went away. 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:19.680 So here's David being exiled from the kingdom. 00:05:19.839 --> 00:05:24.800 He was promised a courtly life to be close to the king and he's having to go away in exile. 00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:26.480 And where does he go? 00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:31.620 Verse 18 says he went to Samuel at Ramah. 00:05:32.019 --> 00:05:38.279 Now, remember, Ramah were those mountaintops, those two big mountains where Samuel lived his whole life. 00:05:38.399 --> 00:05:40.420 That was like the hub of Samuel's ministry. 00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:43.079 And Samuel's been out of the picture for a long time now. 00:05:43.079 --> 00:05:45.680 It's all been Saul's foolishness. 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:52.579 And when David got there, verse 18 says he told Samuel all that Saul had done to him. 00:05:53.659 --> 00:05:55.459 That's all that we're given in this verse. 00:05:55.939 --> 00:05:59.659 But in our our minds, we can only empathize with David. 00:06:00.219 --> 00:06:01.779 Why was he going back to Samuel? 00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:05.839 Remember, Samuel is the one through whom God gave David this promise. 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:07.120 You will be king. 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:08.939 Samuel anointed David. 00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:12.839 And it seems like this promise of God is not going to be realized. 00:06:13.420 --> 00:06:15.339 This is not going well for David. 00:06:15.339 --> 00:06:19.699 Yes, the Lord made Goliath fall at his feet and slayed the Philistines. 00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:23.019 But within the house of Saul, it's a mess. 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:25.359 How is God going to give him the throne? 00:06:25.719 --> 00:06:28.620 Because we've got a mad king that won't let go of it. 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:32.559 Makes logical sense that David would flee back to Samuel. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:38.819 I imagine this dialogue as David arrives up these mountains and there's old Samuel. 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:42.060 Where's your wife, David? 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:45.599 She helped me flee in the middle of the night. 00:06:46.279 --> 00:06:46.599 Why? 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:49.500 Well, because King Saul tried to kill me. 00:06:50.159 --> 00:06:51.060 When did this happen? 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:51.740 When? 00:06:51.879 --> 00:06:52.500 Which time? 00:06:53.100 --> 00:06:54.120 More than once? 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:55.480 Three times. 00:06:55.480 --> 00:06:58.360 But Michal, your wife is helping you. 00:06:58.400 --> 00:06:59.240 His daughter, yes. 00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:00.680 And Jonathan, yes. 00:07:00.840 --> 00:07:01.580 He's helping too. 00:07:03.400 --> 00:07:10.420 Samuel, simply, we're reading the rest of the verse, says that David stayed with him. 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:14.540 And then he and Samuel went and stayed in Naoth. 00:07:14.540 --> 00:07:19.939 I don't know if Samuel had many words at this point yet. 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:23.600 But what Samuel is providing David is refuge. 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:27.620 He's providing him a safe place to retreat. 00:07:28.660 --> 00:07:29.660 And he's not alone. 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:30.860 He's not in isolation. 00:07:31.980 --> 00:07:33.980 He's safest when he's with God's people. 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:36.820 Because that's what Naoth tells us. 00:07:37.740 --> 00:07:42.100 Naoth means dwelling or habitation or a commune. 00:07:42.100 --> 00:07:46.879 It was a residential theological boarding school. 00:07:47.160 --> 00:07:49.080 We could even say almost like a seminary. 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:51.480 Students would learn God's law. 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:54.620 They would learn the history of God's faithfulness to his people. 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:57.680 They would pray, sing, and listen to God's word. 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:03.700 And they would prophesy, which means they would declare God's truth to God's people. 00:08:06.080 --> 00:08:09.500 What would this have looked like as David watched? 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:12.959 So he gets up to the mountaintops with Samuel up at Ramah. 00:08:13.060 --> 00:08:19.939 Then he follows him to the dwelling where all these men are gathered to study God's law and declare God's word. 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:22.220 Well, look at verse 20. 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:29.439 Samuel stood as leader over the group of prophets, prophesying. 00:08:30.139 --> 00:08:33.299 And the spirit of God was upon them. 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:35.139 Can you imagine that sight? 00:08:35.139 --> 00:08:41.120 Now, verse 20 says there was a group of them. 00:08:41.539 --> 00:08:41.980 The group. 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:44.779 We're not told how many or how few. 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:46.000 It doesn't matter. 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:50.460 The power of God does not depend on numbers. 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:50.879 Amen. 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:56.840 It depends on whether or not the almighty spirit of God is upon a people. 00:08:57.819 --> 00:09:00.340 And the spirit of God was upon this group. 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:07.500 Now, this word, the group of prophets in verse 20, is that how yours is translated in English? 00:09:08.300 --> 00:09:08.759 A group? 00:09:09.800 --> 00:09:14.600 The term in Hebrew specifically refers to an assembly. 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:24.759 One commentator pointed out its use here emphasizes that the prophets were functioning as a corporate, organized body under the leadership of Samuel. 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:28.820 Here's a gathered, organized assembly with Samuel leading them. 00:09:28.820 --> 00:09:34.720 It's a structured community dedicated to spiritual instruction. 00:09:35.640 --> 00:09:38.200 This is where God is pleased to dwell. 00:09:38.760 --> 00:09:44.160 A site where the spirit of God is now demonstrably active among them. 00:09:45.580 --> 00:09:46.660 Wouldn't you love to be there? 00:09:47.560 --> 00:09:49.100 Like David, taking all this in. 00:09:49.100 --> 00:10:01.680 You just go from almost being killed in your own bed, under your own roof, to now being on the mountains with Samuel and seeing the spirit of God move as his word and his truth is being declared. 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:03.639 It'd be amazing. 00:10:05.940 --> 00:10:12.220 God had driven David to a place where his spirit was pleased to dwell. 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:16.820 This is the safest place for David or for any soul. 00:10:17.040 --> 00:10:18.740 It's where the presence of God is. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:22.879 Yes, David was exiled out of his own home. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:29.920 But God was already accomplishing his redeeming purposes in David right here at this place. 00:10:31.040 --> 00:10:32.600 God never forgets his promise. 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:35.360 David would still become the king. 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:45.340 And this exile was an intentional part of how God would prepare David for the great office of king, especially pointing to Jesus Christ. 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:52.379 This school of prophets at Ramah, it existed for the purpose that pleased God. 00:10:52.899 --> 00:10:54.399 To declare God's truth. 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:56.600 To speak God's word. 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:59.940 It's an assembly gathered under the word of God. 00:10:59.940 --> 00:11:02.560 And he taught David the history of Israel. 00:11:03.260 --> 00:11:06.520 Most likely, here's where he got spiritual and theological instruction. 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:15.280 From schools like this is also how the Lord raised up other psalmists and others who would the Lord would inspire to breathe out portions of scripture. 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:24.520 This is work that God was superintending and using to preserve a remnant of his people, even in the darkest time in Israel. 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:36.819 Wherever you and I can see the purpose that pleases the Lord, there we can see a place where the spirit of God is pleased to dwell. 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:46.819 To put it another way, if a church loses sight of what is pleasing to God, we should not be so arrogant as expect the spirit of God to dwell with us. 00:11:46.820 --> 00:11:51.980 Every true church is like the school at Ramah. 00:11:52.660 --> 00:11:55.580 God is pleased to dwell in local churches. 00:11:55.780 --> 00:12:00.300 In the New Testament, the church is called the household of God. 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:01.800 What do you do in a household? 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:03.080 You live there. 00:12:03.560 --> 00:12:04.379 You rest there. 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:06.940 You dwell and you commune there. 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:12.420 Ephesians 2.22 also calls the church the temple of God. 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:15.819 This is the place where he fills with his glory. 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:24.299 We need to make sure that our purpose as a local church is always pleasing to God, that this is a place where he will dwell. 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:30.539 Our Constitution has a beautiful statement of purpose, and it's fivefold. 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:31.879 What is our purpose? 00:12:32.779 --> 00:12:33.899 It's under God's word. 00:12:33.979 --> 00:12:35.459 He's given us our purpose. 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:36.400 Here it is. 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:46.800 Number one, to glorify and enjoy God by providing a place for corporate worship of God in praise, prayer, and in proclaiming his law and gospel. 00:12:46.800 --> 00:13:00.519 Number two, to glorify and enjoy God by proclaiming the holy triune God of the Bible as eternal, immutable, infinite, all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing creator, and sovereign Lord. 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:12.960 Number three, our purpose is to glorify and enjoy God by building up, strengthening, confirming, and equipping in the faith all those who are saved that God has brought to us at this church. 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:28.779 Number four, it's to glorify and enjoy God by earnestly endeavoring to win others to Christ through biblical evangelism, mission, and church planting, bidding, come ye sinner, come and welcome to Jesus Christ. 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:38.600 And number five, our purpose is to glorify and enjoy God by upholding both sound doctrine and holy living by God's help. 00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:41.600 That's a purpose that pleases God. 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:42.419 How do we know that? 00:13:42.699 --> 00:13:45.759 Because God is the one who has told us that in his word. 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:50.620 We need to be a church under the word of God, and we can count on that blessing. 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:54.019 He will be pleased to dwell with his church. 00:13:54.019 --> 00:14:07.179 God was teaching David to rely not what on his eyes could see, but on the invisible Holy Spirit whose presence was powerfully known and experienced. 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:10.799 We have that same call from God. 00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:17.299 In Romans 8, 31, we don't need to fear man, what we can see in this world. 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:20.519 What then shall we say to these things? 00:14:20.699 --> 00:14:24.500 If God is for us, who can be against us? 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:27.279 And church, God is for us. 00:14:27.959 --> 00:14:36.219 He is pleased to dwell with us, and he has more interest than anyone else in seeing his purposes go forth in this congregation. 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:40.099 So as a church, let's remember this same lesson. 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:43.419 We must rely on the invisible spirit of God. 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:46.379 We must not rely on our own defenses. 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:51.019 We don't flee behind fortified walls or human plans. 00:14:52.059 --> 00:14:58.059 In our greatest conflicts, we learn, like David, to rely entirely on the Holy Spirit. 00:14:58.679 --> 00:15:04.240 He alone can silently and sovereignly restrain our strongest foes. 00:15:05.319 --> 00:15:07.559 And we are being hunted down, each one of us. 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:10.359 We need to retreat to church. 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:19.239 Just as David fled to the presence of God, we need to retreat as often as the church doors are open, so to speak, out of love for your soul. 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:21.859 Come to the presence of God with his people. 00:15:22.839 --> 00:15:26.719 This is where the all-powerful spirit of God is pleased to dwell. 00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:29.239 Second question. 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:33.659 What response does the all-powerful spirit of God demand? 00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:38.000 What response does the all-powerful spirit of God demand? 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:42.519 As you enter his presence, you know he is real and active and working. 00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:45.340 And he doesn't let you remain neutral. 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:47.360 He demands a response. 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:48.919 Look at verse 19. 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:51.399 Now it was told Saul, saying, 00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:54.580 Take note, David is at Naoth in Ramah. 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.620 Verse 20. 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:57.940 Then Saul sent messengers to take David. 00:15:58.580 --> 00:16:04.240 And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying and Samuel standing as leader over them, 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:09.139 the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul. 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:11.240 And they also prophesied. 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:16.720 Now they're called messengers here, but their mission was to take David. 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:21.720 And these are the same servants most likely who do all of Saul's bidding. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:30.240 These are the same servants most likely who had been ordered to stand outside of the house of David and slay him in the morning. 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:36.680 These are messengers on a mission to prove to their king now, King Saul, 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:42.100 they are not failures because their own heads could be on the chopping block for failing to kill him the first time. 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:51.240 I believe these are the same assassins coming now to either bring him back dead or alive so that Saul's misery can be over or so he thinks. 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:57.220 And what happens as they approach the presence of the Holy God? 00:16:57.220 --> 00:17:04.180 The Spirit came upon them and they also prophesied. 00:17:04.600 --> 00:17:17.039 The term for prophesy signifies that they were being moved or being caused to prophesy rather than simply uttering a calculating message of their own. 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:24.259 It was God stirring them and overriding their own faculties, making them say these things. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:28.240 God doing that to them against their will. 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:34.359 God powerfully confirming his presence. 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:38.279 You see how God comes to defend David. 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:43.859 And in this case, the way God defends David is completely supernatural. 00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:55.559 The spirit acts as an invisible, impenetrable barrier, neutralizing human evil simply by seizing these these messengers. 00:17:57.859 --> 00:18:02.579 What we have here are these assassins coming to kill God's man. 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:07.859 And instead, they become worshipers of the one true God. 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:22.159 Now here, after this powerful report comes back to King Saul, you would expect him to be caught off guard, be amazed and possibly even learn his lesson. 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:26.339 You know, don't be like that stupid moth that keeps flying into the fire. 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:31.899 But it seems like Saul's logic says, OK, that could have been a coincidence. 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:34.659 Maybe those were the weakest among all of my messengers. 00:18:35.199 --> 00:18:36.179 Let me send some more. 00:18:36.699 --> 00:18:38.799 He's basically doing a scientific experiment. 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:41.879 Let's test and see if it will reproduce now. 00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:43.819 Look at verse 21. 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:48.980 When Saul was told what happened, he sent other messengers and they prophesied likewise. 00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:54.959 Then Saul sent messengers again the third time and they prophesied also. 00:18:54.960 --> 00:19:01.279 These messengers were sent to seize David, to grab him. 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:04.799 But instead, they were seized by the Holy Spirit. 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:14.039 The Spirit turned their hostile intent into a public display of divine power. 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:22.100 Matthew Henry commented, God's servants are sometimes protected by the spirit of prophecy coming upon their enemies. 00:19:22.099 --> 00:19:30.099 And they are struck with an awe that restrains their violence and makes them unable to prosecute their malicious designs. 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:32.500 That's the end of his quote. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:36.599 Now, Paul does this once, twice. 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.279 I'm sorry, Saul. 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:40.579 Once, twice, three times he keeps doing this. 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:44.619 And every time he gets the same supernatural intervention. 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:52.700 This repetition, though, in the narrative, it creates a rhythmic structure that builds up the tension. 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:56.880 And it really exposes the irony of this whole situation. 00:19:58.319 --> 00:20:00.779 Saul could not be more stubborn. 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:06.580 And he's trying to use his might, using all the forces of the army to accomplish his will. 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:11.400 And yet he's exposed as incredibly weak and powerless. 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:18.000 His stubborn denial, it reveals he's truly unsubmissive to God. 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:21.380 And here's where the irony comes to the climax. 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:23.840 He says, I'll have to just go do it myself. 00:20:24.340 --> 00:20:25.220 Look at verse 22. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:32.340 Then he, Saul, also went to Ramah and came to the great wall, well, that is at Seku. 00:20:32.780 --> 00:20:36.240 And he asked and said, where are Samuel and David? 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:40.740 And someone said, indeed, they are at Naoth in Ramah. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:44.480 So he went there to Naoth in Ramah. 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:57.920 The spirit directs and restricts movement according to his will. 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:04.960 Even if you're the king of a nation, you don't have the power to bend God to your will. 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:12.240 The spirit of God in this case is an uncontrollable, powerful wind. 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:15.640 We could say it's invisible, but it's undeniable. 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:23.099 And what happens in Saul's case we see is a man that's truly in bondage. 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:27.380 His rage escalates to the point where he's going to go there himself. 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:30.640 And the spirit's power proves relentless. 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:34.120 It matches him and overcomes him. 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:40.179 Saul's stubbornness and the failures of his messengers repeated three times. 00:21:40.719 --> 00:21:48.219 It demonstrates the Holy Spirit's consistent and firm restraint against the king's stubborn will. 00:21:49.399 --> 00:21:56.899 Saul thought he was acting by his own free will, but his unrepentance proved that his will was not free at all. 00:21:56.900 --> 00:22:01.940 It was completely bound like a prisoner of war wrapped in chains. 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.860 Under the curse of sin. 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:13.219 The Holy Spirit has given us all who would read this passage of 1 Samuel 19. 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:19.419 A wonderful glimpse, a wonderful foretaste of the power of God. 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:27.459 Just like Sinclair Ferguson on the Holy Spirit calls it like a thimble full of the power of the spirit in this one small episode. 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:37.519 Just a foretaste of the power of God that will be unleashed in the New Testament after the finished work of the true anointed one, Jesus Christ, the Messiah. 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:42.680 His power is efficacious. 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:48.019 You know, sometimes over church history, it's become a point of debate. 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:55.420 And the question is, is it too strong of a term to describe the work of the Holy Spirit as irresistible? 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:58.680 Well, ask Saul's messengers. 00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:00.920 Is it too strong of a term? 00:23:01.560 --> 00:23:05.320 The Holy Spirit moves in an irresistible way. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.460 And God does not change. 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:11.039 He was pleased to work that way in this Old Testament passage. 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:14.380 And he's pleased to work that way still today. 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:20.160 Think of the contrast in response. 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:23.700 What response does this powerful Holy Spirit demand? 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:35.740 Remember how Jonathan, having the grace of God liberate his will, he took off his royal garments and gave them to David, conceding the throne. 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:41.039 Jonathan didn't resist the will of God. 00:23:41.340 --> 00:23:44.519 He humbly surrendered to it and was blessed. 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:53.240 Now, Saul, even though he could not keep the throne, he's trying to with all the resources he has. 00:23:53.240 --> 00:24:07.720 These assassins were sent to kill those who were being used by God to carry out the plan of redemption. 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:10.240 And they became worshipers. 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:18.880 And Saul's stubbornness, he was opposing the Messiah, the coming redeemer of God's people. 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:23.700 And those assassins turned into worshipers. 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:27.280 Who does this remind you of in the New Testament? 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:32.480 Someone going around killing Christians, killing the followers of Jesus. 00:24:32.760 --> 00:24:40.980 And by the irresistible power of the Holy Spirit, he's caused to behold Jesus and become a worshiper. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:45.080 It reminds you of Saul turned Paul, doesn't it? 00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:48.199 And Paul wrote in Romans 5.10, 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:59.980 For if we were enemies of God and we were reconciled to God through the death of his son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:04.139 That's how powerfully the Holy Spirit is still at work today. 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:09.539 Our confession of faith describes the powerful work of the Spirit this way. 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:12.599 Second London Confession, chapter 7. 00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:24.000 The Lord has ordained it that those who are saved should be brought out of the state of sin and death to the state of grace and salvation through Jesus Christ. 00:25:24.379 --> 00:25:24.720 How? 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:28.659 By the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:33.240 It's a work of God to save sinners like Saul and like you and me. 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:38.579 The canons of Dort reinforce this, and I love the language used here. 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:52.139 All those in whose hearts God works in this marvelous way are, listen to this, certainly, unfailingly, and effectively born again. 00:25:53.139 --> 00:26:02.859 Actually believing, which is not something brought about by the will of man, but is the work of God's marvelous grace. 00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:06.779 As the scripture states in Romans 9, 16. 00:26:07.439 --> 00:26:14.500 So then it is not of him who wills or runs, but of God who shows mercy. 00:26:14.979 --> 00:26:15.219 Amen. 00:26:16.699 --> 00:26:20.799 Praise God for the irresistible work of the Holy Spirit. 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:25.639 Any one of us has repented and stopped being stubborn like Saul. 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:35.680 It's because of the effectual, marvelous, certain, unfailing, and effective work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:38.300 So how can you and I respond? 00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:45.080 We don't want to resist the Holy Spirit, even if we could, like King Saul did. 00:26:45.800 --> 00:26:47.120 Instead, we want to repent. 00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:53.899 If you feel the Holy Spirit's conviction, yield to him. 00:26:54.739 --> 00:27:00.559 Pray that the Spirit would come upon you with a saving, transforming power that renews your will. 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:07.919 And if you and I repent, it's because this all-powerful Spirit of God has blown life into our souls. 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:10.639 And it's a gracious mercy of God. 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:17.780 The missionary Jim Elliott, who moved to work with the tribe off the coast of Ecuador, I believe it was, 00:27:18.780 --> 00:27:19.680 he was martyred. 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:21.480 His life was taken. 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:25.420 But he had this written down that got published by his wife years later. 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:33.500 He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. 00:27:35.580 --> 00:27:38.759 Don't resist God in the weakness of your pride. 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:42.839 Repent by the power of God for his glory. 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:48.359 This is the response that the all-powerful Spirit of God demands. 00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:54.859 The third question, to what end does the all-powerful Spirit of God act? 00:27:55.519 --> 00:28:00.059 In this passage, the Spirit of God is acting powerfully for what purpose? 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:00.839 To what end? 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:03.220 Let's look at our last two verses. 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:04.299 Verse 23. 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:07.799 Then the Spirit of God was upon Saul also. 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:13.059 And he went on and prophesied until he came to Naoth and Ramah. 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:19.000 And he also stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel in like manner. 00:28:19.379 --> 00:28:23.700 And he laid down naked all that day and all that night. 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:27.980 Therefore, they say, is Saul also among the prophets? 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:35.160 So there's the king laying naked all day and all night before Samuel. 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:37.779 But he's not asleep. 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:39.559 He's prophesying. 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:42.220 His mouth is still speaking God's word. 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:44.579 What a crazy scene. 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:50.240 The Hebrew word for naked here, though, does not always imply total nudity. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:29:04.039 In biblical context, it frequently describes someone who has been stripped of their outer garments or their armor or royal robes, leaving them only in their under tunic like a linen garment. 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:11.920 It is highly probable that Saul had his royal regalia stripped off of him. 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:19.180 Earlier in 1 Samuel 15, you remember when when Saul grabbed Samuel's robe and it tore? 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:22.120 God says, this is what's going to happen to you. 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:24.160 The kingdom will be torn out of your hands. 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:29.660 Well, most likely that's what's now coming to in full bloom. 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:50.279 Saul saw the king for Israel as a picture of their national power. 00:29:51.060 --> 00:29:56.660 And God has stripped them of all royal dignity before he can even reach his target. 00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:59.560 You know, the other one started prophesying once they got there. 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:05.420 He's already God's already got him and he's prophesying all the way to their place. 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:13.360 And then this expression at the end, therefore, they say, is Saul also among the prophets? 00:30:13.420 --> 00:30:15.100 That's not the first time you heard that. 00:30:15.800 --> 00:30:24.880 Remember at the very beginning when when Saul was hiding in the baskets and and, you know, then he got went on this roundabout journey and he got caught up with the prophets. 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:31.960 And they said that even at the beginning before he became king is Saul even among the prophets like it was something to laugh about. 00:30:32.140 --> 00:30:33.680 And here it's repeated again. 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:38.580 And these two expressions being used twice now. 00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:51.939 They serve as as as bookends highlighting the tragic trajectory of Saul's kingship, the sovereign will of God, both in his rise and in his fall. 00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:57.960 The power of God over the king from start to finish. 00:30:59.639 --> 00:31:03.199 Charles Spurgeon's comment on this difficult passage was wonderful. 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:12.100 What we see here, brothers and sisters, is that the Holy Spirit can lay a man on his back with a single word. 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:26.700 He can cast him down from his high horse of pride and make him prophesy the very same power which softens the heart of a saint can bind the hand of a sinner. 00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:29.019 That's the end of Spurgeon's quote. 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:38.019 David's life was protected because the lineage of David was leading directly to the prophesied Messiah. 00:31:39.639 --> 00:31:45.359 The Holy Spirit ensures that the prophetic timeline of redemption would remain unbroken. 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:49.160 So to what end is the Holy Spirit working and acting? 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:53.099 It's to the end of preparing a people for God the Son. 00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:55.659 Jonathan Edwards commented, 00:31:55.879 --> 00:31:59.240 The work of redemption is the greatest of all God's work. 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:02.079 It is the end of all God's other works. 00:32:02.679 --> 00:32:07.899 So here God is working for the greater end of redeeming mankind through Jesus Christ. 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:11.299 Every sinner who will repent and turn to him. 00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:14.240 Galatians 4.4 encourages us, 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:21.519 When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his son born of a woman, born under the law. 00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:27.480 And it's from this line, from this line of David, that Jesus would come in the fullness of time. 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:40.240 So the Spirit's work in Naoth that day was an essential active step in ensuring that the fullness of time would arrive exactly as God ordained it. 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:49.460 The power of the Holy Spirit is absolute and sovereign, and it will accomplish the end to which God designed it. 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:52.559 Calvin commented, 00:32:52.559 --> 00:33:01.259 There is not a drop of rain that falls on the ground, but by the express direction of God. 00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:09.299 God is the ultimate restraint over human malice, the compelling power over human authority, 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:14.000 and the purposeful protector of God's redemptive plan. 00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:17.680 That's the end to which God acts. 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:22.819 So brothers and sisters, let's rest in God's purpose. 00:33:23.419 --> 00:33:30.799 Know that the Spirit is orchestrating even the most humiliating or confusing events in your life and in mine 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:37.539 for his greater purpose, which is the advancement of his kingdom and our sanctification. 00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:43.079 His work secures our destiny in Christ. 00:33:43.899 --> 00:33:54.659 May you and I know more and more and more the active, protective, peace-filling presence of the all-powerful Spirit of God today. 00:33:55.119 --> 00:33:55.399 Amen. 00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:57.220 Let's pray. 00:33:57.220 --> 00:34:03.220 Father, we praise you for your power, your might, your purpose. 00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:06.000 It's marvelous, Lord. 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:12.900 We can only grasp you by faith, and yet it's undeniable. 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:15.880 Your Spirit has blown in our hearts. 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.880 You've stirred us up to you. 00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:22.380 You've caused us who once hated you to love you. 00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:25.480 We pray that you will turn our hearts to you, Lord. 00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:26.880 Grow our faith. 00:34:28.320 --> 00:34:29.660 Please cause us to believe. 00:34:30.660 --> 00:34:31.920 Cause us to rest in you. 00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:34.240 And to know this personally. 00:34:35.180 --> 00:34:36.900 The power of your Spirit, Lord. 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:39.420 We ask this for your glory in our lives. 00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:41.220 Your purpose in your church. 00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:42.240 Amen. 00:34:42.240 --> 00:34:42.400 Amen. 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:42.400 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:42.400 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:42.400 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:57.260 The Spirit of God is invisible like the wind. 00:34:57.340 --> 00:35:00.260 It blows powerfully, but invisibly. 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:08.160 In God's grace, He's given us visible sacraments, though, to celebrate the invisible work He does. 00:35:08.159 --> 00:35:12.839 when he regenerates a person, when he adopts a son or daughter into his family. 00:35:13.279 --> 00:35:20.460 We mark that off publicly with baptism on the way in and then in an ongoing way with the Lord's Supper. 00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:27.599 The table here, the bread, the cup represent Christ and his saving benefits. 00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:30.539 They confirm our participation in him. 00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:35.039 They visibly mark off from the world those who belong to his church, 00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:40.239 expressing our bond together in covenant with God and with his local body. 00:35:41.099 --> 00:35:44.900 The Lord's Supper is an ordinance designed for the local church, 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:49.119 symbolizing the shared commitment of its members to Christ and to each other. 00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:52.679 When we eat this bread and drink this cup together, 00:35:52.679 --> 00:36:00.119 we proclaim the Lord's death and also our shared life in his body as his church until he comes again. 00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:10.779 We also welcome to Christ's table here, 00:36:11.099 --> 00:36:16.920 disciples of Jesus who are sincerely taking steps to obey all that Christ has commanded, 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:20.420 whether here or in another true gospel preaching church. 00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:24.559 So if you are a member of another church and you're visiting, 00:36:24.679 --> 00:36:26.480 you're very welcome to join the table. 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:32.480 Because the practices of different places sometimes cause confusion about these matters, 00:36:32.639 --> 00:36:36.880 we invite you to speak with one of the elders for guidance about your situation. 00:36:38.320 --> 00:36:41.619 God does give us loving instruction as we come. 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:46.539 In 1 Corinthians 5.8, we are warned to never approach the Lord's table, 00:36:47.119 --> 00:36:49.659 harboring malice or wickedness in our hearts. 00:36:49.659 --> 00:36:55.719 And in 1 Corinthians 11, we are told that anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body 00:36:55.719 --> 00:36:58.480 eats and drinks judgment on himself. 00:36:59.159 --> 00:37:03.539 To discern the body means to come without selfishness or divisiveness, 00:37:03.899 --> 00:37:09.279 after honest self-examination and in unity with the body of Christ, 00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:11.699 as it's expressed at a local church. 00:37:12.779 --> 00:37:16.379 These warnings are not for those who struggle against sin, 00:37:16.379 --> 00:37:19.039 but for those who refuse to repent. 00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:25.440 The sacraments perform their purpose in our lives to establish and increase our faith 00:37:25.440 --> 00:37:29.539 only when the Holy Spirit uses them to penetrate our hearts, 00:37:30.059 --> 00:37:31.799 stir up our affections for God, 00:37:32.219 --> 00:37:36.379 and guide our souls to receive again God's grace through his gospel, 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:39.279 pictured by the water, the bread, and the cup. 00:37:40.099 --> 00:37:45.739 So let's feast with sincere hearts together on God's grace to us, 00:37:45.739 --> 00:37:51.899 resting entirely on Christ, trusting his mercy and rejoicing in his finished work. 00:37:53.399 --> 00:37:56.319 Hear these verses from Romans 8 one last time. 00:37:56.320 --> 00:38:03.680 If you are in the Spirit, indeed, the Spirit of God dwells in you. 00:38:04.200 --> 00:38:08.900 If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, 00:38:08.980 --> 00:38:11.360 but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 00:38:12.200 --> 00:38:16.320 But if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, 00:38:16.760 --> 00:38:21.380 he who raised Christ from the dead also gives life to your mortal bodies 00:38:21.380 --> 00:38:24.180 through his Spirit who dwells in you. 00:38:26.579 --> 00:38:32.500 Jesus Christ, clothed in his gospel, is lovingly set forth before you today. 00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:33.720 Please be served. 00:38:33.719 --> 00:39:03.719 Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son, Son 00:39:03.719 --> 00:39:33.699 Thank you. 00:39:33.719 --> 00:40:03.699 Thank you. 00:40:03.719 --> 00:40:33.699 Thank you. 00:40:33.719 --> 00:41:03.699 Thank you. 00:41:03.719 --> 00:41:33.699 Thank you. 00:41:33.719 --> 00:42:03.699 Thank you. 00:42:03.719 --> 00:42:33.699 Thank you.