WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:07.900 Well, thank you so much, Drew and Margo and Gary for leading us thus far. 00:00:08.179 --> 00:00:11.160 Friends, if you've got your Bibles, then please turn back to 1 Samuel 15. 00:00:11.900 --> 00:00:13.660 This is where we're going to be this evening. 00:00:14.740 --> 00:00:23.920 Continuing in our series, looking at the life of, well, I guess Saul and Samuel have been the two big players in what we've seen so far in this book. 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:30.040 And God has so much to teach us tonight about what a life of obedience, loving obedience to him looks like. 00:00:30.160 --> 00:00:33.780 So why don't we pray and then we'll get to work in this passage together. 00:00:34.020 --> 00:00:39.380 Father, we pray that you would help us now as we turn to your precious word. 00:00:40.560 --> 00:00:47.400 We ask that we would know the leading of your spirit, that he would help us see something more of your greatness. 00:00:47.399 --> 00:00:54.560 And of the greatness of your son, Jesus Christ, whom we just sang about there, who is at the right hand of the father interceding for us. 00:00:54.600 --> 00:00:56.519 What a wonderful, amazing thought that is. 00:00:57.159 --> 00:01:01.700 And so we pray tonight would be for his glory and it would be for our upbuilding as your people here. 00:01:01.839 --> 00:01:06.019 Father, thank you that you hear us because we pray confidently in Jesus's name. 00:01:06.340 --> 00:01:06.739 Amen. 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:14.799 Well, let me begin by asking you a question, a question I want you to keep in your minds as we travel through this chapter tonight. 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:15.700 And here's the question. 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:21.080 What truly delights the God of the universe? 00:01:23.100 --> 00:01:24.640 What truly delights the Lord? 00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:33.400 Can I suggest at the outset that whoever you are this evening, whatever is going on in your life, whatever is going on in your heart, whatever you think about this God, 00:01:34.260 --> 00:01:40.740 that if there is an answer to that question, and what I'm going to suggest is there is an answer to that question embedded in this chapter. 00:01:40.739 --> 00:01:47.919 If there is an answer to that question, then it is worthwhile our every thought trying to get to grips with it. 00:01:48.419 --> 00:01:50.099 What truly delights the Lord? 00:01:51.379 --> 00:01:52.419 Second question. 00:01:52.420 --> 00:02:00.480 What did 162,000 people in the UK pay to go and watch last year? 00:02:01.420 --> 00:02:02.219 Any takers? 00:02:03.799 --> 00:02:07.379 162,000 people go, paid to go and watch last year. 00:02:07.579 --> 00:02:07.900 Anybody? 00:02:07.900 --> 00:02:20.680 162,000 people paid to go and watch the biggest dog show and competition apparently on earth, which happens annually down in Birmingham, that we know as Crufts. 00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:21.879 Anyone's going to see Crufts? 00:02:22.719 --> 00:02:24.840 Nope, nobody's paid to go and see that one. 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:25.599 Nope, I haven't either. 00:02:25.700 --> 00:02:27.599 Maybe watch a little bit of it in Channel 4. 00:02:27.599 --> 00:02:29.620 Watched a little dog jump over a thing. 00:02:29.780 --> 00:02:30.900 That's about as far as I got. 00:02:31.099 --> 00:02:38.199 But Crufts, now if you're up in your Crufts, you'll know that one of the most sought after titles at Crufts is the Obedience Championship. 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:41.299 That is the one that everybody wants to win, apart from best in show. 00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:43.180 That is the one that everybody wants to win. 00:02:43.979 --> 00:02:47.180 Indeed, and I googled it this week, okay, I loved googling about Crufts. 00:02:47.379 --> 00:02:49.879 One dog lover's website called the Kennel Club. 00:02:51.240 --> 00:02:55.939 It said this, to become the Crufts Obedience Champion is the ultimate accolade in obedience. 00:02:55.939 --> 00:02:57.539 This is the one that you want to win. 00:02:58.599 --> 00:03:03.299 And if you're interested, it was won this year by Dot Watt and her sheepdog Zigdan. 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:09.539 And there they are, looking very happy, and there indeed is proof that every dog has his day. 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:12.259 Now why do I tell you that? 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:13.759 Confession time, I don't even like dogs. 00:03:13.819 --> 00:03:14.680 Why do I tell you that? 00:03:15.959 --> 00:03:19.900 Because obedience is right at the heart of this chapter tonight. 00:03:21.900 --> 00:03:25.479 We've watched this man Saul, the king of Israel, in action over the past few weeks. 00:03:25.479 --> 00:03:33.500 And tonight, if you like, we're going to see how he gets on at this whole being obedient to God thing. 00:03:33.500 --> 00:03:36.840 Obedience is right at the heart of this chapter tonight. 00:03:38.300 --> 00:03:44.020 Remember, this is the whole very thing that God had said in Deuteronomy 17, that his king was to be marked by. 00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:50.020 And so to anchor us in tonight, let me just show you how this theme of obedience, it weaves its way all the way through this chapter. 00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:51.300 Here's a few of them tonight. 00:03:51.300 --> 00:03:54.920 Verse 1, Samuel says to Saul, follow with me. 00:03:55.780 --> 00:03:56.240 Listen. 00:03:57.260 --> 00:03:57.960 See the words? 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:00.180 Listen now to the message of the Lord. 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:03.840 Verse 11, God says to Samuel, 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:09.840 Saul has not carried out my instructions. 00:04:10.020 --> 00:04:11.260 In other words, he didn't listen. 00:04:12.760 --> 00:04:14.780 Verse 19, Samuel asks Saul, 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:17.680 Why did you not obey the Lord? 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:21.780 Verse 26, Samuel says to Saul, 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:24.879 You have rejected the word of the Lord. 00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:29.660 And finally, verse 22, which I think is the key verse for us tonight to see, 00:04:29.740 --> 00:04:31.280 that gets us right to the heart of this chapter. 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:32.439 Samuel says to Saul, 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:38.899 Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? 00:04:39.840 --> 00:04:42.399 To obey is better than sacrifice, 00:04:43.139 --> 00:04:47.620 and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:50.300 So, what truly delights the God of the universe? 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:52.579 What truly delights this covenant God? 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:57.800 Answer, wholehearted obedience to his word. 00:04:59.240 --> 00:05:04.480 You see, the heart is the heart of the challenge that's going to come to us tonight. 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:08.980 The heart is what God is going to go after in each of us this evening as we look at Saul in this chapter. 00:05:08.980 --> 00:05:13.800 This God that we're dealing with here, this God is a jealous God. 00:05:15.620 --> 00:05:18.900 He's jealous not of, he's jealous for his people. 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:23.840 The Lord is a jealous God, meaning that he wants the whole hearts of his people. 00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:25.960 He wants their total devotion. 00:05:26.100 --> 00:05:27.520 He wants all of their eyes. 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:28.720 He wants all of their minds. 00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:29.780 He wants all of them. 00:05:30.020 --> 00:05:31.939 He wants their undivided loyalty. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:38.579 Because as our creator, not only is he the only one who can satisfy our souls, 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:46.839 but he loves us too much to see our wayward hearts try and satisfy themselves with pretenders that won't satisfy. 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:52.079 You see, this God tonight in this chapter is going to go after our hearts. 00:05:52.159 --> 00:05:54.199 He wants the whole hearts of his people. 00:05:54.199 --> 00:06:00.000 And in particular, he wants the whole heart of the king of his people. 00:06:02.039 --> 00:06:05.699 God's king is supposed to be marked by a resolute, all out. 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:07.180 You have all of me. 00:06:07.339 --> 00:06:09.300 You have my whole heart. 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:11.279 You have all of my obedience. 00:06:11.459 --> 00:06:12.959 Covenant commitment to Yahweh. 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:15.060 That's my translation of obedience, by the way. 00:06:15.459 --> 00:06:16.539 He wants all of him. 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:20.860 Obedience is right at the heart of this chapter tonight. 00:06:21.419 --> 00:06:22.579 Right at the heart of the chapter. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:25.079 So we pick it up at verse 1. 00:06:25.159 --> 00:06:25.759 He was Saul. 00:06:27.919 --> 00:06:33.019 Now, I think it's not stretching it too far to say about him, as we've tracked him over the last few weeks, 00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:36.699 that he's on the downward slide as king. 00:06:37.339 --> 00:06:38.699 He's a gifted politician. 00:06:38.839 --> 00:06:39.459 We'll give him that. 00:06:39.539 --> 00:06:40.360 He's an able fighter. 00:06:40.479 --> 00:06:41.079 We'll give him that. 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:47.099 But he's a confused man because his heart is not wholly the Lord's. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:50.699 Now, if you flick back, God has already pronounced, 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:54.000 back at verse 14 of chapter 13, 00:06:55.000 --> 00:07:00.459 that he will take the kingdom from Saul and give it to somebody else. 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:00.959 Why? 00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:04.759 Because of Saul's disobedience. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:08.819 And God has his man in mind for this job. 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:10.339 And what marks out this man? 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:18.319 Well, unlike Saul, he will be a man who will be a man after God's own heart. 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:19.439 And I wonder if you read that. 00:07:19.699 --> 00:07:21.360 We kind of... 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:23.639 If you've been in church long enough, you know how the story goes, right? 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:27.519 But if you read that chapter and you hear that, that's thrilling. 00:07:28.419 --> 00:07:33.800 That God's king, he's going to appoint somebody who's going to follow him with his whole heart. 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:38.159 See, crucially, that's the kind of king that God wants. 00:07:38.259 --> 00:07:42.339 And crucially, that is the kind of king that God's people truly need. 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:44.300 That's the king that we need. 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:50.579 And so in this chapter, we see the Lord, he will finally reject Saul as king. 00:07:50.840 --> 00:07:55.199 And so of our question tonight is, what truly delights the Lord? 00:07:56.360 --> 00:08:02.379 The author, as it were, in this chapter, he presents it to us here in the negative, if you like. 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:05.740 So in other words, as he shows us Saul in action, he's saying to us, 00:08:06.100 --> 00:08:09.639 here is what a life that doesn't please the Lord looks like. 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:19.319 The first thing for us to see, verses 1 to 23, is that the Lord loathes partial compliance. 00:08:20.979 --> 00:08:22.199 Pick it up at verse 1. 00:08:22.319 --> 00:08:24.099 Samuel goes to Saul with a message. 00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:26.579 In the heart of the message, you'll see it at verse 3. 00:08:27.539 --> 00:08:28.319 It's right there. 00:08:28.419 --> 00:08:31.439 And if truth be told, it's quite shocking, is it not? 00:08:33.559 --> 00:08:39.279 Saul has to totally destroy the Amalekites and everything that belongs to them. 00:08:40.059 --> 00:08:45.240 And we have to pause there and admit that that is difficult for our modern minds to process. 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:50.539 In fact, many skeptics of the Bible point to this kind of verse, 00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:55.179 and they point to it in disgust, as if to say, how could you believe in this God? 00:08:55.279 --> 00:08:58.220 I mean, Richard Dawkins, I looked him up this week, for example, says, 00:08:58.899 --> 00:09:02.519 episodes like this only go to show that the God of the Old Testament 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:06.559 is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction. 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:13.199 And if we're honest, these kind of verses can embarrass even the most mature of Christians. 00:09:13.459 --> 00:09:15.879 So I think it's worth pausing and asking ourselves, 00:09:16.339 --> 00:09:18.539 so we can train ourselves how to answer that question, 00:09:18.579 --> 00:09:20.299 but also so we can get our hearts around it. 00:09:20.339 --> 00:09:21.399 What is going on there? 00:09:22.459 --> 00:09:23.519 What is going on there? 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:31.639 Well, the Amalekites are the people who attacked Israel after they'd crossed the Red Sea 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:33.639 and they were heading for the Promised Land. 00:09:35.079 --> 00:09:38.960 And God had declared in Exodus 17, and apologies, I haven't got this on the screen, 00:09:39.079 --> 00:09:39.600 it would have been helpful. 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:41.259 Exodus 17, God says, 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:56.759 So that's Exodus 17. 00:09:57.980 --> 00:10:01.240 And here we are many, many, many years later, 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:06.139 God having given these people plenty of time to change their ways, 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:07.560 and have they changed their ways? 00:10:08.560 --> 00:10:10.039 Well, it would appear that they haven't. 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:13.700 I mean, if you glance your eye to the end of the chapter and to verse 33, 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:19.399 Samuel says to Agag, the king of the Amalekites, 00:10:20.039 --> 00:10:22.200 who's the figurehead of this people, if you like, 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:25.960 as your sword has made woman childless, 00:10:26.640 --> 00:10:27.400 here's what he's done, 00:10:28.180 --> 00:10:30.080 as your sword has made woman childless, 00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:33.259 so will your mother be childless among women. 00:10:33.580 --> 00:10:35.360 So these people, as led by this king, 00:10:35.420 --> 00:10:37.920 are still marked by a hideous savagery. 00:10:38.040 --> 00:10:39.259 They have not learned their lesson. 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:40.740 They have not changed their ways. 00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:45.600 As the first readers of this, I'm sure, as they read this, 00:10:46.640 --> 00:10:49.300 and they heard that God finally brought judgment on these people 00:10:49.300 --> 00:10:50.340 for how they were living, 00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:53.460 I'm sure that would have been a massive source of comfort to them, 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:54.480 not of confusion. 00:10:56.040 --> 00:10:59.620 So here is God commanding Saul in this one-off act in history 00:10:59.620 --> 00:11:03.340 to bring justice to bear upon the Amalekites, 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:05.220 the enemies of his people. 00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:07.620 Of course, friends, 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:10.259 any time you read of a judgment of God in history, 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:14.200 it's always pointing us to the final judgment of God 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:15.680 at the end of history. 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:18.759 When every wrong will be put to right, 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:22.000 when accounts will be settled, 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:24.840 and when God will have the final say. 00:11:26.059 --> 00:11:30.379 And I think that longing thing really struck me this week 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:31.220 as I read the news. 00:11:31.319 --> 00:11:32.679 I don't know if you felt this 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:35.100 when you read about those mothers in Venezuela. 00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:36.500 It was on the BBC News. 00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:39.899 Forced to give up their children at birth 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:43.240 because so bad is the economic crisis in Venezuela 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:44.720 that they've got very little option 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:46.840 because they don't think they can keep that child alive. 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:49.060 And the reason that that country, 00:11:49.300 --> 00:11:52.120 one of the reasons that it is in such economic crisis 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:56.379 is largely down to the economic policies of their president. 00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:59.620 And it's trickling all the way down to the poorest of people, 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:01.879 so much so that people are having to make that choice 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:04.379 between keeping my baby or staying alive. 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:07.700 And you read it and you think, 00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:08.580 come Lord Jesus. 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:10.899 Come Lord Jesus. 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:14.519 What a glorious thought to think 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:18.059 that one day God will put all wrongs to right. 00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:19.039 And the question is, 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:20.899 where will we be as we stand before him? 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:24.759 So that's the command God gives to Saul. 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:27.460 And Saul gathers, if you do the maths here, 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:31.600 he gathers a vast army of some 210,000 men. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:33.259 That's a big, big army. 00:12:34.920 --> 00:12:38.440 The Kenites, one of whom was Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, 00:12:38.560 --> 00:12:41.000 they are spared because, the text tells us, 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:43.159 they were kind to Israel on their journey to Canaan. 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:47.420 And here's where we see Saul's partial obedience kick in. 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:48.680 Come with me to verse 7. 00:12:51.180 --> 00:12:53.440 King Agag is kept alive. 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:55.360 Now, why? 00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:56.259 Why? 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:56.759 We don't know. 00:12:56.820 --> 00:12:57.580 The text is silent. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:13:01.300 But it may well be that Saul fancies a little political manoeuvre 00:13:01.300 --> 00:13:02.820 if he's keeping this king alive. 00:13:03.540 --> 00:13:06.560 He's kept him alive, along with the best of. 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:08.620 The best of. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:10.520 That's the hits we're playing here, right? 00:13:10.560 --> 00:13:11.320 The best of. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:14.340 The sheep, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs. 00:13:14.400 --> 00:13:16.400 And just in case we hadn't picked up the hint, 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:19.800 the author lets us know that everything that was weak was destroyed. 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:22.759 But everything that was good was kept. 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:26.060 Everything that was good was kept. 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:28.579 And so we need to ask, where is Saul's heart in all of this? 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:29.839 Where's his heart in all of this? 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:30.959 What's going on in his mind? 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:35.739 Answer, it's not set towards being obedient to the Lord. 00:13:36.239 --> 00:13:38.199 It's set towards delighting himself. 00:13:41.199 --> 00:13:44.139 And so verse 11, the God who knows all hearts. 00:13:45.319 --> 00:13:47.039 Verse 11, God regrets. 00:13:48.079 --> 00:13:49.439 Feel the force of that word. 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:52.239 He regrets that he made Saul king. 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:54.239 Not that God is saying that, 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:55.940 oh, he realizes he's made a mistake here. 00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:56.960 That's not what's going on. 00:13:57.039 --> 00:13:59.759 More that God's heart breaks, it grieves. 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:03.580 As he watches Saul's downward sin slide. 00:14:03.680 --> 00:14:09.379 He grieves the fact that Saul's sin has hardened Saul's heart towards the Lord. 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:13.019 And it's interesting, isn't it, to read there, 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:14.320 Samuel's reaction. 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:16.200 What does he do? 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:19.439 Does he rejoice? 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.220 No, what does he do? 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:22.120 He cries out. 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.679 He cries out. 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:27.179 Now the text, again, is silent as to why he does that. 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:29.200 But is that not interesting as you read that through? 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:34.000 Why is Samuel crying out to the Lord? 00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:38.320 Could it be, could it be that something of God's heart, 00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:42.720 as God grieves over what sin is doing in this man's heart, 00:14:42.900 --> 00:14:46.759 could it be that something of God's heart is showing itself in Samuel? 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:48.820 How does Samuel feel? 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:50.740 Remember Samuel, the man who anointed this king. 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:55.960 Heartbroken, distraught, lamenting over what sin has done. 00:14:57.259 --> 00:15:01.019 The chaos that it is caused in someone else's life. 00:15:01.060 --> 00:15:02.299 I think that's what's going on here. 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:07.500 And indeed, if you need a proof of where Saul's heart is, 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:08.500 look at verse 12. 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:10.580 What has he been doing this whole time? 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:12.440 Has he been serving? 00:15:13.180 --> 00:15:14.379 Has he been sacrificing? 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:15.299 What's he been doing? 00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:18.240 He's been setting up a monument in whose honor? 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:19.840 His own. 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.860 His own. 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:26.200 So he's given himself the Grammy Award for Best Actor 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:28.960 and that whole piece that's just gone. 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:31.820 How self-obsessed is this man at this point? 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:36.360 That he set up a monument in his own honor. 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:39.840 And you see, when Samuel eventually gets to him, 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:42.460 it's not Samuel that gets in the first word, it's Saul. 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:45.259 I carried out the Lord's instructions. 00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:47.620 He screams in his face like an excited child 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:49.139 trying to tell their parent what's happened. 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:51.100 I carried out the Lord's instructions. 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:54.819 He's clearly expecting a high five and a fist bump here, 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.720 isn't he, from Samuel? 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:59.740 But did you carry out the Lord's instructions, Saul? 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:01.039 Did you carry it out fully? 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:06.519 Or is this a bit like the child who's cleaned their room? 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:12.279 Only for mum to walk in and it becomes clear that we have very different understandings 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:14.339 of what cleaning means. 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:18.420 Because Samuel hears a baba there and a muumuu there. 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.320 Do you see it in the text? 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:21.560 Who do you think you are fooling, Saul? 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.800 Who do you think you are fooling? 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:26.340 And here's the tragedy, I think, of this text. 00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:28.200 I think Saul's convinced himself 00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:30.280 that what he's actually doing 00:16:30.280 --> 00:16:32.720 is fully obeying the Lord. 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:36.820 You get that impression as you read about him here, don't you? 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:39.440 I mean, he offers an excuse, doesn't he, 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:42.480 that it was his soldiers that spared those things, not him? 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:45.279 That they are the ones responsible, not him? 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.500 He couldn't help himself. 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:47.920 He couldn't do anything about it. 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:52.920 Interestingly, Saul's shifting the focus and the blame, 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:56.120 just like Adam did in the Garden of Eden, didn't he? 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.740 He shifted the blame. 00:16:58.060 --> 00:16:59.519 Didn't take responsibility for it. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.200 He shifted it. 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:03.780 And they did so, he says, 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:06.000 so that they could sacrifice to the Lord. 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:08.840 But I don't think that's the case at all, do you? 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:12.100 And verse 16, Samuel quite says, 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:14.100 Samuel quite simply says, enough. 00:17:15.340 --> 00:17:15.759 Enough. 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:20.519 And he reminds Saul of the grace and the favor 00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:21.700 that God has shown him. 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:26.220 And simply asks, why? 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:26.340 Why? 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:29.259 Why did you not obey? 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:33.819 But Saul disputes Samuel's claim and he says, 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:34.400 I did obey. 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:36.539 Again, do you see the deceitfulness of sin 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:39.519 that work in this man's heart is totally clouded his judgment. 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:42.000 He thinks that he's done a good thing. 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:45.580 But notice Samuel's stinging lesson, 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.319 not just for Saul, 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:50.279 but for anyone who would pick this up in the years to come 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:52.759 and read about Saul's life. 00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:54.500 What is it that truly delights the Lord? 00:17:54.580 --> 00:17:56.880 Well, here's what doesn't truly delight the Lord. 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.280 Verse 22 and 23. 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.720 Here's the question. 00:18:02.820 --> 00:18:05.240 Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:07.700 as much as in obeying the Lord? 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:10.200 Here's the lesson. 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:12.820 To obey is better than sacrifice 00:18:12.820 --> 00:18:16.080 and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 00:18:17.340 --> 00:18:18.420 Here's the comparison. 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:22.360 For rebellion is like the sin of divination 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:24.619 and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. 00:18:24.699 --> 00:18:25.659 And here's the summation. 00:18:26.979 --> 00:18:29.219 Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.659 he has rejected you as king. 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.479 Now what's going on there 00:18:35.479 --> 00:18:37.859 is that the Lord is saying 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:40.339 that he doesn't want Samuel's stuff. 00:18:41.179 --> 00:18:43.500 He doesn't want Saul's stuff 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:46.179 as much as he wants Saul's heart. 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:48.620 There's a difference, isn't there, 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:51.759 between a cold, robotic, distant kind of obedience 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:53.960 and a loving one. 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:57.380 Husbands will know there's a difference 00:18:57.380 --> 00:19:00.980 between giving your wife a card on Valentine's Day 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:03.039 because you feel like it's what you should do, 00:19:03.120 --> 00:19:06.160 because you think it's what everyone else in the world is doing. 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.700 There's a difference between that 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:12.140 and giving a Valentine's Day card 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:13.840 that says this is just a piece of paper, 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:15.720 but behind it is a heart that says, 00:19:15.939 --> 00:19:17.899 I have eyes for you and you alone. 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:19.439 There's a difference. 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:23.519 What truly delights the Lord 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:28.639 is a wholehearted, loving obedience 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:29.879 that wants to say, 00:19:30.439 --> 00:19:31.319 Father, I love you. 00:19:31.459 --> 00:19:32.559 Here is all of me. 00:19:32.939 --> 00:19:33.980 Obedience to his word. 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:37.299 Old Testament commentator Dale Ralph Davis 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.699 puts it simply like this, 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:42.039 external devotion is no substitute 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:43.559 for internal submission. 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:43.799 It's not a difference. 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:48.659 You see, God is going after the hearts of his people. 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:51.379 He's going after the heart of his king 00:19:51.379 --> 00:19:53.519 and he's going after our hearts tonight as well. 00:19:55.220 --> 00:20:00.119 Saul is being partially obedient to God's word 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:02.740 and the Lord loathes it. 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.799 And the second thing for us to see, 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:07.399 verses 24 to 35, 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:10.339 is that the Lord loathes superficial repentance. 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:15.759 So, this case for the prosecution has been made 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:20.019 and it would appear on the surface 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.059 as we read about it here 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:24.699 that Saul offers a hands up, 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:25.899 you've got me, 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:26.839 I'm guilty, 00:20:27.159 --> 00:20:28.819 here's the white flag kind of plea, 00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:29.339 doesn't it? 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:31.299 Verse 24, 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.039 he declares, 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:33.199 I have sinned. 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.539 I have sinned. 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:35.639 This is what he says. 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.500 I gave in to the men, 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:38.159 he says. 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.299 And right there we see, 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:40.720 don't we, 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:43.599 that Saul has a real fear of man problem. 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.679 He lives for the pleasure, 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:49.220 for the well-dones of man 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:51.819 rather than the well-dones of God. 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:54.379 He's concerned with his reputation. 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.720 In his mind, 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:58.379 God is small 00:20:58.379 --> 00:21:00.639 and man is big. 00:21:00.919 --> 00:21:02.759 And that's where his people pleasing comes from. 00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:04.899 That's where all of our people pleasing comes from. 00:21:04.939 --> 00:21:06.480 And we have a small view of God 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.539 and a high view of man. 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.559 Forgive my sin, 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.059 he says. 00:21:11.419 --> 00:21:12.740 Isn't it interesting that 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:15.700 he asked Samuel to forgive him 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:18.519 rather than realizing that his sin 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:20.419 is first and foremost against the Lord? 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.980 But again, 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:24.079 Samuel reiterates 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:26.099 that it's Saul's rejection of the Lord 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:29.000 that's led to the Lord's rejection of Saul. 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:32.980 And the game's up at this point, 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.319 isn't it? 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:36.480 And as if things couldn't get any worse for him, 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:38.619 in this act of desperation, 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:41.559 as he grabs and rips Samuel's robe, 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.139 Samuel says, 00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:45.740 that is but a visible parable for you 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:47.200 about what will happen to you 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.919 and your kingdom. 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.259 I mean, 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.679 when it's not going for you, 00:21:49.679 --> 00:21:51.079 it's really not going for you, 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:51.379 isn't it? 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:55.899 And see verse 28. 00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:57.720 The Lord, 00:21:57.859 --> 00:21:59.039 who never changes, 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:01.879 his cast iron promise, 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:02.939 guarantee, 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:05.579 that he will now move to install 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.919 this man, 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.639 the man after his own heart, 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:11.559 the better man 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:13.019 as king. 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:16.960 And you have to say, 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.879 Saul's reaction to that is very telling. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:20.920 Really worth noticing this in the text 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:22.680 and we'll maybe slow down just a little bit here. 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:26.379 There appears to be a little hint of repentance, 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:26.920 doesn't there, 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.819 in Saul's actions? 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:31.879 But if you look closely at what the text is telling us, 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:35.220 Saul seems to be more concerned with his standing 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:37.519 in the eyes of the elders of his people 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:40.339 than he does on being right with God. 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:43.440 That's really what seems to be going on 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.859 in the depths of his heart. 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:46.619 That's really what he seems to be after. 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:49.960 And it shows by what he says to Samuel 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:51.460 at the end of verse 30. 00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:53.559 And look at it if you've got it there 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.639 because I think it's so important 00:22:54.639 --> 00:22:56.139 to what's going on in the text here. 00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:59.580 He says to Samuel, 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:01.920 come back with me so that I may worship 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:03.600 my God? 00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:05.320 No. 00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:07.540 Our God? 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.400 No. 00:23:09.860 --> 00:23:11.080 Your God. 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.780 That is so revealing, isn't it, 00:23:13.780 --> 00:23:15.880 of the true state of this man's heart. 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.500 Your God. 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:20.860 It's often the case I find in 00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:23.500 not just pastoral ministry 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.940 but in just life in general, 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:25.980 it's often the case that 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.940 the comments that people make 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.960 when their guard is down, 00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:30.559 the comments that people make 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:33.259 in their everyday conversations with me 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:36.340 is those that give me a little glimpse 00:23:36.340 --> 00:23:38.220 into what is really going on in their heart. 00:23:40.080 --> 00:23:41.840 And I think this is the real tragedy 00:23:41.840 --> 00:23:42.620 in this chapter. 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:44.580 The passion in Saul's heart, 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.980 the fire in his belly, 00:23:46.080 --> 00:23:47.019 the love for, 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.880 the adoration for, 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:51.420 the relationship with and devotion to Yahweh 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:54.840 seems to have well and truly gone out. 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:57.160 In fact, some commentators, 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:57.720 if you read them, 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:58.900 would go as far as to say 00:23:58.900 --> 00:24:00.880 if there was ever a fire 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:02.539 in Saul's belly in the first place. 00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:04.019 Do you see? 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:05.860 He's just lost his love for the Lord. 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.980 Let me ask you in passing, 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:10.480 can you see yourself 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:13.720 in Saul's revealing words here? 00:24:15.100 --> 00:24:16.000 Are you here tonight 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:18.259 and you sense that fire in your heart, 00:24:18.340 --> 00:24:20.000 not getting stronger, 00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:22.180 but growing weaker? 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.440 And I've shared this before, 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:27.480 but I think it's so telling 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.940 and so insightful 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:30.160 to something like this. 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:31.299 The late Anglican minister 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.420 and lecturer John Stott 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.099 was once asked 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:35.119 what his biggest fear was 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:35.720 for the students 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:37.019 who came to study under him. 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.779 And he always said 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.660 that his biggest fear 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:40.180 was that in the eyes of many, 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.339 God would move 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:42.819 from being a source of delight 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:44.200 to be enjoyed, 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:46.740 to be being a thing, 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:48.579 to be simply studied. 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.220 Friends, I wonder 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:52.120 if that's you tonight. 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.400 Can I urge you 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:58.500 to speak to somebody, 00:24:58.599 --> 00:25:00.059 to pray to somebody if it is? 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.700 Maybe you can think of somebody 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.519 in your own life 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.099 who you know 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:04.240 this might be the case for. 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:05.000 Can I urge you maybe 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.819 to speak to them 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:07.620 and to pray for them 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:10.740 and to ask how you can help them 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:13.000 and to pray that tonight 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.019 might be the night 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:15.420 when something changes 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.320 in your life. 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.100 Think about it. 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:19.480 I mean, what a waste of time 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.519 this is on a Sunday. 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:22.360 What a waste of time this is 00:25:22.360 --> 00:25:24.420 if we can't really be honest 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.080 with one another 00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:25.960 about the thing 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:27.259 that matters most in life 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:30.019 and about what's really 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:31.720 going on in our hearts. 00:25:32.360 --> 00:25:33.080 Because otherwise, 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.380 we're just playing at this. 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.700 Just like Saul, 00:25:35.800 --> 00:25:36.940 we're just playing at this. 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.600 But what a call this is 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.240 from our God 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.640 to get serious with him 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:43.440 and to come home. 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:45.460 to come home. 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.539 We love 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:48.500 because he first loved us. 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:52.160 I remember growing up in church 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:52.940 there was that song 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.759 that we used to sing 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.500 written by a man, 00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:55.759 I think his name was 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.720 Brian Dorkskin. 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.820 And the chorus, 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.920 it was really just a prayer 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.940 and it simply went, 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:02.840 don't let my love grow cold. 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:04.259 I'm calling out, 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.880 light the fire again. 00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:07.299 Don't let my vision die. 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:08.279 I'm calling out, 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.720 light the fire again. 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:11.220 It was a prayer 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:12.360 that said, 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:12.779 God, 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:13.440 help, 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.480 ignite 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.900 by your spirit 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:17.140 the fire in my heart, 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:18.059 the love for you 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:20.100 that exists in me. 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.620 It was interesting, 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.299 I was sitting around, 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.779 sitting in class this week 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:27.200 and one guy piped up 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:28.100 that he was a non-Christian 00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:28.680 for years 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.519 and he sat in church 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.940 a lot of his life 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:32.140 and it was one song 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:32.960 that did it for him 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.660 and the Holy Spirit 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.900 just moved into his life 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:35.759 and it was a song, 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.040 oh, 00:26:37.080 --> 00:26:37.960 I've totally forgotten, 00:26:38.060 --> 00:26:38.840 I should have written it down. 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.200 It was a song, 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.900 I'm giving you my all 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:44.780 and I surrender all to you. 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:45.320 That's the one, 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.680 I surrender all to you 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.759 and he said at that moment, 00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:48.800 years of just not 00:26:48.800 --> 00:26:49.700 understanding anything 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.600 and God just moved in 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:51.300 and broke his heart. 00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.660 I'm giving you my all, 00:26:53.780 --> 00:26:55.480 all that is within. 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:57.019 I lay it all down 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.620 for the sake of you, 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:57.920 my king. 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.480 I've got it now, 00:26:58.560 --> 00:26:58.740 right? 00:26:58.880 --> 00:26:59.540 That's the one. 00:27:01.080 --> 00:27:02.360 Do you need to stop 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:03.480 and make that your prayer tonight? 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.660 Do you need to pray 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:06.680 that God by his spirit 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:08.100 would rekindle that love 00:27:08.100 --> 00:27:09.400 that you once had for him? 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:11.620 Do you see Saul's fire 00:27:11.620 --> 00:27:13.040 in his belly for the Lord 00:27:13.040 --> 00:27:14.220 would appear to have 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:15.500 well and truly gone out 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.460 and I'm sure 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:17.800 that that is the core reason 00:27:17.800 --> 00:27:19.700 behind his lackadaisical approach 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:20.759 to both his obedience 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:21.600 and his repentance 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:23.780 because it's not real to him 00:27:23.780 --> 00:27:26.840 and if Saul won't do it, 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:29.200 Samuel will. 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.360 You see at the end 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:30.940 of the chapter 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:32.500 and King Agag 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:33.480 who clearly thinks 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.200 verse 32 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.860 that he's played 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:36.660 an absolute blinder here 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:38.480 and persuading Saul 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.519 to keep him alive 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:41.299 while his luck's just run out 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:43.759 and Samuel puts him to death 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:45.519 and again notice 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.500 the bookend thoughts 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.900 that drive this little section 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:49.039 repeating the sentiments 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.799 of verse 11. 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:51.519 Samuel mourns for Saul 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:53.940 and God regrets 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:55.000 that he made Saul king 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:57.299 because the Lord 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.200 loathes partial compliance 00:27:58.200 --> 00:28:00.779 and the Lord loathes 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:02.059 superficial repentance. 00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.059 Obedience, 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.440 loving obedience 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:05.460 is right at the heart 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.440 of this chapter tonight. 00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.840 So what truly delights 00:28:07.840 --> 00:28:08.340 the Lord? 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:10.580 What truly delights him 00:28:10.580 --> 00:28:11.640 according to this chapter? 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:12.480 What does he say? 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.680 Loving, 00:28:15.080 --> 00:28:15.700 wholehearted 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.460 obedience 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:17.360 to his word. 00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:18.480 This God 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.779 is after the whole hearts 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.319 of his people. 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.720 He's after the whole hearts 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.340 of his king. 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:24.740 And as we read 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.299 about Saul here 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:25.899 you have to see 00:28:25.899 --> 00:28:27.059 it's a kind of tragic 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.379 final nail in the coffin 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:29.699 kind of chapter isn't it? 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.779 And this is the point 00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:32.639 at which we're going to leave 00:28:32.639 --> 00:28:33.720 the book of 1 Samuel 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.319 for now 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:34.720 and we're going to have 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.259 a little break 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:35.859 for Christmas 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.539 and New Year 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.359 and we're going to return 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.720 to it early next year 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:40.319 because this is quite 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:41.279 a transitional point 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.819 in the book. 00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:43.559 Because if you glance 00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:45.339 your eye to 1 Samuel 16 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:48.199 you'll see 00:28:48.199 --> 00:28:49.579 God reveals David 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:51.439 as his new choice 00:28:51.439 --> 00:28:51.919 for king. 00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:54.360 David who will be 00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:55.320 unlike Saul 00:28:55.320 --> 00:28:56.880 a man after 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:57.840 God's own heart 00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:59.019 and a king 00:28:59.019 --> 00:29:00.120 marked by covenant 00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:01.560 loyalty to Yahweh. 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.240 That's David. 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.820 But although David 00:29:06.820 --> 00:29:07.700 will be better 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.600 to use the word 00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:09.620 of this chapter 00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:10.640 he will be better. 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:13.060 He won't be perfect. 00:29:13.300 --> 00:29:13.860 We'll see him 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:14.560 make mistakes. 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.100 We'll see him 00:29:15.100 --> 00:29:16.140 make huge mistakes 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:17.519 even bigger than Saul made. 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.720 But it seems to me 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:20.320 that David knew 00:29:20.320 --> 00:29:21.300 the God he was praying to 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:21.899 and David knew 00:29:21.899 --> 00:29:22.559 what real repentance 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:23.319 looks like 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.299 where Saul didn't. 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.659 But this book 00:29:26.659 --> 00:29:27.419 points us well 00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:28.180 beyond this king. 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:29.200 It points us 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:30.180 to the king 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:31.039 who would come 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:32.440 and it points us 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:32.919 to the king 00:29:32.919 --> 00:29:33.399 friends that we 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.639 so desperately need. 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.460 Hebrews chapter 5 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.460 chapter 5 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.019 chapter 5 00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:39.140 During the days of 00:29:39.140 --> 00:29:40.440 Jesus' life on earth 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.900 he, Jesus, 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.860 offered up prayers 00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:44.500 and petitions 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.640 with fervent cries 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.240 and tears 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:46.920 to the one 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.539 who could save him 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.160 from death 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:49.519 and he was heard. 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.000 Why? 00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:52.220 Because of his 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:53.240 reverent submission. 00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:55.599 Son though he was 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.180 he learned 00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:56.619 what? 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:58.140 Obedience 00:29:58.140 --> 00:30:00.700 from what he suffered 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:02.920 and once made perfect 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:04.200 he became the source 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:05.579 of eternal salvation 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:07.359 for all who would 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:08.220 believe in him. 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:09.700 See, Jesus, 00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:10.279 this king, 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:10.839 God's king, 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:11.960 he didn't just obey 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:13.200 and offer a sacrifice. 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.720 He obeyed to the point 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.359 that he became 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.000 the sacrifice 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:16.720 for us. 00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:18.859 Here is the king 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.919 whose life would be marked 00:30:19.919 --> 00:30:21.039 by perfect obedience. 00:30:21.219 --> 00:30:22.019 Here is the king 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:23.019 who lived the life 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:24.179 that we could not live. 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.379 Do you know that? 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.559 The depths of sin 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.339 in your own heart? 00:30:27.619 --> 00:30:28.339 I find the more 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:29.119 I go on as a Christian 00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:30.019 I'm more aware 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:31.699 of the sin in my life 00:30:31.699 --> 00:30:33.179 than I ever was before 00:30:33.179 --> 00:30:34.199 but I am more aware 00:30:34.199 --> 00:30:34.799 of how gracious 00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:35.559 my God is. 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.699 Jesus paid the penalty 00:30:39.699 --> 00:30:40.240 on the cross 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:41.099 for my sin 00:30:41.099 --> 00:30:42.979 and he takes me 00:30:42.979 --> 00:30:43.939 into himself 00:30:43.939 --> 00:30:45.240 and he becomes 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:45.779 a source of 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.759 eternal salvation 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.740 to use those words 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:48.599 for all who would 00:30:48.599 --> 00:30:49.579 come to him 00:30:49.579 --> 00:30:52.200 and obey him. 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:54.279 Crown him 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:54.920 Lord of all. 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:56.640 The words of John Newton, 00:30:57.120 --> 00:30:57.940 slave trader 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:58.640 turned minister, 00:30:58.779 --> 00:31:00.079 he's got a wonderful story, 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:00.900 wonderful testimony. 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.079 He wrote this, 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:02.920 I didn't realise 00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:03.539 how many poems 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.279 John Newton wrote 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.220 until I discovered 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:05.920 them this week. 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:06.980 Hundreds of poems. 00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:08.680 He writes this 00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:10.059 about what Jesus Christ 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:11.000 meant to him 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.940 the first time 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.500 that he understood 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:12.980 the gospel. 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:13.740 Thus, 00:31:13.860 --> 00:31:14.680 while his death 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.880 my sin displays 00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:18.099 in all its blackest hue, 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:20.099 such is the mystery 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.779 of grace 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:22.599 it seals my pardon too. 00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:25.000 With pleasing grief 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:26.079 and mournful joy 00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:27.099 my spirit now 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:27.819 is filled 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:28.860 and get this, 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:30.620 that I should 00:31:30.620 --> 00:31:32.079 such a life destroy 00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:33.980 yet live by him 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:34.460 I killed. 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:37.500 What incredible grace. 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:40.660 And as we see 00:31:40.660 --> 00:31:41.339 in this chapter 00:31:41.339 --> 00:31:42.240 the Lord pronounce 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:42.940 over Saul 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.700 I regret 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.819 that I have made you king. 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:46.900 I wonder if you thought 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:48.160 about the pronouncement 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.880 that God the Father 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:50.660 would make over Jesus. 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.859 At his baptism 00:31:52.859 --> 00:31:53.940 Mark chapter 1 00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:54.619 and a voice came 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:54.980 from heaven 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:56.079 you are my son 00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:56.900 there's the pronouncement 00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:57.779 you are my son 00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.599 whom I love 00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:59.460 with you 00:31:59.460 --> 00:32:00.839 I am well pleased. 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.640 Again at the transfiguration 00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:04.299 Mark 9 00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:05.279 then a cloud appeared 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:06.039 and covered them 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.700 and a voice came 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.160 from the cloud 00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:08.120 this is my son 00:32:08.120 --> 00:32:08.759 whom I love. 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:11.060 This is my son 00:32:11.060 --> 00:32:11.600 whom I love. 00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:12.900 And what follows next? 00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:15.259 Listen to him. 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:18.180 Listen to him. 00:32:18.840 --> 00:32:19.640 Friends we are not 00:32:19.640 --> 00:32:20.519 made right with God 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:21.220 and pray sin 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:22.200 that this is not the case 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:22.860 because of our 00:32:22.860 --> 00:32:23.740 listening and obeying. 00:32:24.560 --> 00:32:24.720 Right? 00:32:24.860 --> 00:32:25.840 None of us would stand 00:32:25.840 --> 00:32:26.740 if that were the case. 00:32:27.340 --> 00:32:28.259 We are right with God 00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:29.360 because of Christ 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.460 and therefore 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:32.000 our heart's response 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:33.100 out of gratitude 00:32:33.100 --> 00:32:33.860 and love for him 00:32:33.860 --> 00:32:34.880 is to listen 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:36.440 and to obey him. 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:37.539 Paul writes this 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:38.539 in Romans 12. 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.539 Therefore I urge you 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:41.360 brothers and sisters 00:32:41.360 --> 00:32:42.759 in view of God's mercy 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:44.759 to offer your bodies 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:46.160 as a living sacrifice 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:48.000 holy and pleasing to God. 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:49.920 This is your true 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:52.140 and proper worship. 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:53.779 Now as we finish up tonight 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:55.299 is that not a wonderful thought 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:57.759 that you and I can please 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.980 we can delight 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.460 the almighty God in heaven 00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:01.140 our father 00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:03.500 through our everyday 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:05.300 obedience to him. 00:33:06.800 --> 00:33:08.360 Our everyday obedience 00:33:08.360 --> 00:33:09.020 to him 00:33:09.020 --> 00:33:11.120 can bring him pleasure. 00:33:12.600 --> 00:33:13.340 Friends that should 00:33:13.340 --> 00:33:14.440 change the way 00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:15.040 that you and I 00:33:15.040 --> 00:33:15.920 approach our days. 00:33:16.040 --> 00:33:16.700 That should change 00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.620 the way that you and I 00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:18.520 approach our jobs. 00:33:18.620 --> 00:33:19.200 That should change 00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:20.060 the way that you and I 00:33:20.060 --> 00:33:20.759 use our money. 00:33:21.140 --> 00:33:21.800 That should change 00:33:21.800 --> 00:33:22.740 the way you and I 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:24.320 have our everyday 00:33:24.320 --> 00:33:25.240 conversations 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:26.640 because what is it 00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.420 that truly delights 00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:27.920 the Lord? 00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:30.400 wholehearted 00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:31.660 loving obedience 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.160 to him. 00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:34.460 Now we started 00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:35.600 thinking about Crufts 00:33:35.600 --> 00:33:37.380 as we close 00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:38.300 let me just 00:33:38.300 --> 00:33:39.420 tell you a story 00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:40.200 about another dog 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:40.680 that I was reading 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.400 about this week. 00:33:41.800 --> 00:33:42.600 I read about them a lot 00:33:42.600 --> 00:33:43.560 I really don't like them 00:33:43.560 --> 00:33:45.000 but here's another dog. 00:33:45.840 --> 00:33:46.920 I didn't realise this 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:48.039 until a couple of years ago 00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:49.100 did you know HMV? 00:33:50.100 --> 00:33:50.680 It stands for 00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:51.740 his master's voice. 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.820 I did not know that 00:33:52.820 --> 00:33:53.860 until a couple of years ago. 00:33:54.060 --> 00:33:54.980 Every day is a school day 00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:55.220 right? 00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.779 I love the story 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:58.059 of Nipper the HMV dog. 00:33:59.399 --> 00:34:00.180 The story goes 00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:01.139 that when Nipper's owner 00:34:01.139 --> 00:34:01.859 Mark died 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:03.059 his brother Francis 00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:04.579 inherited three things 00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:06.500 Nipper the dog 00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:07.899 a gramophone 00:34:07.899 --> 00:34:09.800 and the records 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.739 of Mark singing 00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:12.880 and every time 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:13.759 Francis used to 00:34:13.759 --> 00:34:14.699 play the recordings 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:16.139 even though 00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:16.920 his master 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:18.460 wasn't physically present 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:20.099 what little Nipper 00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:20.559 would do 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.119 is that he would 00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:21.619 listen 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.619 he would hear 00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:23.519 and he would just 00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:24.659 come and sit 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.139 and listen 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:25.579 at the foot 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:26.759 of the gramophone 00:34:26.759 --> 00:34:29.639 and that's what he did 00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:30.259 that's what he wanted 00:34:30.259 --> 00:34:30.759 to be 00:34:30.759 --> 00:34:32.159 and friends 00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:32.859 as we close up 00:34:32.859 --> 00:34:33.359 this evening 00:34:33.359 --> 00:34:34.519 let me ask you simply 00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.219 are you listening 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:36.359 to your master's voice? 00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:39.440 Do you know his voice? 00:34:39.699 --> 00:34:40.219 Do you know 00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:41.239 the leading of his spirit? 00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:42.099 Do you rejoice 00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:42.859 that you can call him 00:34:42.859 --> 00:34:43.239 father? 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:45.119 And does the Lord 00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:46.819 have your whole heart? 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:49.119 What is it 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:50.019 that truly delights 00:34:50.019 --> 00:34:50.980 the Lord? 00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:53.000 Whole hearted 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:53.619 loving 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.299 obedience 00:34:54.299 --> 00:34:54.900 to him 00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:57.279 teach us 00:34:57.279 --> 00:34:57.559 Lord 00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.619 full obedience 00:34:58.619 --> 00:34:59.799 holy 00:34:59.799 --> 00:35:00.559 reverence 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.480 true humility 00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:02.719 test our thoughts 00:35:02.719 --> 00:35:03.679 and our attitudes 00:35:03.679 --> 00:35:05.079 in the radiance 00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:05.920 of your purity 00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:06.779 cause our faith 00:35:06.779 --> 00:35:07.460 to rise 00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:08.599 cause our eyes 00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:09.179 to see 00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:10.359 your majestic 00:35:10.359 --> 00:35:11.440 love and authority 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:13.179 words of power 00:35:13.179 --> 00:35:14.400 that can never fail 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:16.380 let their truth 00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:16.880 prevail 00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:18.719 over unbelief 00:35:18.719 --> 00:35:20.019 Amen 00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:20.759 why don't I pray 00:35:20.759 --> 00:35:21.519 and then we'll 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.179 stand to sing 00:35:22.179 --> 00:35:22.900 our closing song 00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:28.720 Heavenly Father 00:35:28.720 --> 00:35:29.340 we would worship 00:35:29.340 --> 00:35:29.940 you tonight 00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:32.000 Father we would 00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:32.700 declare that there 00:35:32.700 --> 00:35:33.480 is simply none 00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:34.079 like you 00:35:34.079 --> 00:35:35.800 Father we would 00:35:35.800 --> 00:35:36.360 think of the words 00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:36.920 of the psalmist 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:37.480 who would declare 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:38.420 who are we 00:35:38.420 --> 00:35:39.720 that you are 00:35:39.720 --> 00:35:40.840 mindful of us 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:44.579 Oh Heavenly Father 00:35:44.579 --> 00:35:45.300 we thank you for 00:35:45.300 --> 00:35:45.940 our time together 00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:46.519 this evening 00:35:46.519 --> 00:35:47.700 and we pray 00:35:47.700 --> 00:35:48.160 that you would 00:35:48.160 --> 00:35:48.940 help us by your 00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:49.579 spirit to be 00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:50.220 those who 00:35:50.219 --> 00:35:51.079 lovingly 00:35:51.079 --> 00:35:52.639 and wholeheartedly 00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:53.619 obey you 00:35:53.619 --> 00:35:54.839 who are ever 00:35:54.839 --> 00:35:55.699 attentive to the 00:35:55.699 --> 00:35:56.279 voice of our 00:35:56.279 --> 00:35:56.959 saviour Jesus 00:35:56.959 --> 00:35:57.500 Christ 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:58.480 who are ever 00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:59.599 responding to 00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:00.099 the leading of 00:36:00.099 --> 00:36:00.619 your spirit 00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:01.359 as he leads us 00:36:01.359 --> 00:36:02.000 further into 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.639 knowledge of 00:36:02.639 --> 00:36:03.439 Jesus Christ 00:36:03.439 --> 00:36:04.759 but Father we 00:36:04.759 --> 00:36:05.239 know our own 00:36:05.239 --> 00:36:05.579 hearts 00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.079 we know our 00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:06.779 proneness to 00:36:06.779 --> 00:36:07.059 wander 00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:07.679 and so Father 00:36:07.679 --> 00:36:08.159 we pray that 00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:08.619 you would take 00:36:08.619 --> 00:36:09.179 and seal our 00:36:09.179 --> 00:36:09.579 hearts 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:10.880 and seal them 00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:11.259 for your 00:36:11.259 --> 00:36:11.819 courts above 00:36:11.819 --> 00:36:12.259 Father we 00:36:12.259 --> 00:36:12.739 love you 00:36:12.739 --> 00:36:13.719 thank you for 00:36:13.719 --> 00:36:14.199 this evening 00:36:14.199 --> 00:36:14.819 in Jesus name 00:36:14.819 --> 00:36:15.199 we pray 00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:15.880 Amen