Message Through Word
Title: Grow In Faithfulness
Bible Verse: 1 Samuel 12:20-25
20 "Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.
21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.
22 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.
23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
24 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish."
Introduction:
God chose the people of Israel, He would not abandon them; but because they were His special nation, He would punish them for their disobedience in order to make them back to the right relationship with Him.
I. Fear Not and Turn Not From The Lord (vv. 20-22)
20 "Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.
21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.
22 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.
God wants us to follow Him out of love rather than fear. Don't let your guilt feeling keep you away from the Lord.
To overcome fear we must think more about His love (Exodus 20:20)
20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."
Sometimes we think that struggles caused by our sin and foolishness are not God's concern.
(1 Peter 5:7)
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Turning aside to other gods provoke the wrath of God, good things would be turned away, and evil things would come. (Deuteronomy 11:16-17)
16 Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them.
17 Then the Lord's anger will burn against you, and he will shut up the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the Lord is giving you.
II. Fear the Lord and Serve Him Faithfully (vv.23-25)
23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
24 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish."
The foundation of knowledge is to fear the Lord, to honor and respect God, to live in awe of His power and to obey His word. (Proverbs 1:7)
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Those who lack purpose and direction in life should fear God and keep His commandments, and commit your life to God, both present and future (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
Serving God and others is not about doing great things but about doing small things with great love.
Remember that nothing is too small that God will not use it (1 Peter 4:10-11)
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Conclusion:
- Faithfulness to the Lord is trusting Him even when life is difficult, to try and obey His commandments in hard times. "When faithfulness is most difficult, It is most necessary."