DANGER OF DISOBEDIENCE

Introduction:

Last night we have pondered the caution of laziness. Laziness will result into poverty. Poverty is serious
problem in life. We have learned that God created us to be productive and fruitful. He wants us to be a
blessing.

Tonight, we are going to ponder the danger or caution of disobedience. Many passages we can learn
from the Bible but let us focus to King Saul the first king of Israel.

The first King of Israel faced disastrous consequences because he failed to obey God. The hardening of
his heart and his casual attitude to the sin of partial obedience caused him to be rejected as King. He lost
his kingdom and eventually lost his life. As we analyze the reasons for Saul’s disobedience, we look at
our own lives to consider our own walk and obedience to God.

I How Saul disobeyed?

i) By partial obedience:
ii) He obeyed only part of the Lord’s command to destroy all the people and livestock. He
spared Agag the king and the best of the livestock. Saul’s obedience was not 100%, 95
maybe but not complete. In v 20 he protests but I did obey! This is not good enough in God’s
economy.

ii) This was further compounded by denial: In v 13 when Samuel caught up with Saul the latter boldly
says I have obeyed. Num 32:23 says that your sin will find you out. The bleating sheep and lowing cattle
gave Saul away. The Holy Spirit exposed Annanias and Saphira.

iii) By blaming other people. When caught he tried to pass the buck: v 15 he says that his soldiers did it.
This is the oldest trick. Adam tried to do it to Eve who tried to do it to the serpent.

II The Reason: Why Saul disobeyed?

i) He turned away from the Lord:

ii) v 11 the Lord himself testifies to this. The same Saul, who was among the prophets
prophesying, anointed King of Israel and head and shoulders above his brothers has now
turned away from God.

ii) Pride came into his heart: v 17 he was once small in his own eyes, now he was going to build a
monument for himself (v 12). The Lord had lifted him up but now his pride was becoming his downfall.
Pro 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

iii) He was afraid of the people: v 24, and so gave into them. The people were leading him
instead of he leading the people.
iv) Pro 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

iv) He prioritized religion over obedience: v 15, he thought that the Lord would be very happy to receive
all the sacrifices over the slight disobedience of sparing the animals. Perhaps these trophies of war
including Agag would have added to his stature.
III The Result: What happened as Saul disobeyed?

i) He acknowledged his sin:

v24 this only happened when he was confronted with the seriousness of it.
 He asked Samuel for forgiveness: v25 but he does not seek it from God.
2Co 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but
worldly sorrow brings death. He was more interested in restoring his honour before the
people, v 30.
ii) God rejected him: v26-29 the kingdom was torn from him and given to David. Even though
he continued to be king till his death

There was no God’s blessing in his life.

He became unhappy and failure until he died.

iii) (Rom 11:29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable). Samuel too was separated from him
till his death (v 35)

Conclusion:

When Adam and Eve sinned, they received the penalty.

Those Israelites who disobeyed the Lord in the wilderness never allowed to enter the Promised Land.

When prophet Jonah disobeyed the Lord, he faced the consequences.

Disobedience resulted into painful consequences.