Introduction

• I Samuel 14:52 - Saul was continually at war because of the disobedience of Israel in the past (not removing people from the land of Canaan and continually straying from God’s commands).

I Samuel 15

• I Samuel 15:6 - Kenitess were the family of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law.
• I Samuel 15:8 - Saul likely kept Agag alive as a kind of trophy.
• I Samuel 15:12 - Saul was so proud of himself that he set up a monument to himself.
• I Samuel 15:15 - Saul refers to “the LORD your God” - not as “his God” or “our God.”
• I Samuel 15:21 - Saul always had an excuse for disobedience.

I Samuel 16

• I Samuel 16:4 - What a beautiful phrase - “So Samuel did what the LORD told him.”
• I Samuel 16:7 - Don’t judge based on appearance!
• I Samuel 16:14 - Did God make Saul sin by terrorizing him? No. God tempts no man. It’s possible Saul was overcome by the consequences and guilt from his own decisions that resulted in the kingdom being removed.

Introduction

• Acts 16:11-13 - Paul and Silas thrown into prison due to the the riot after they cast a spirit out of a girl.
• Acts 16:25-40 - What a change for this jailer. His whole life was changed.

When the world shakes, find people who are standing firm.

• The jailer went straight to Paul and Silas to ask about salvation.
• The jailer had a difficult job with a lot of rough people. The behavior of Paul and Silas clearly stood out to him.
• Philippians 3:17-21 - Find good people and follow their example.
• We need to take special note of people that are calm and serene despite the troubles of life because of their faith.

Amid unknowns, trust God as your foundation.

• II Corinthians 5:6-8 - We walk by faith - not by sight.
• What did Noah know about life after the flood?
• What did Abraham know about what life would be like after sacrificing Isaac?
• What did Job know about how his suffering would end?
• God expects us to just carry on. We must plunge ahead in faith.
• Acts 12:19; 16:27 - Normally, escaping prisoners meant the death of the jailer.
• Acts 16:32-34 - Would the jailer have a job tomorrow or even be accepted in town after the town had rioted against Paul and Silas? He was not worried about that!
• James 4:14

Let Christ build a whole new life!

• II Corinthians 5:14-17 - Nowhere does the Bible speak of becoming a Christian as a small adjustment. See John 3:7; Romans 6:4.
• Acts 16:13-15 - Now Lydia and the jailer were brothers and sisters in Christ!
• Acts 16:26, 34 - Think of the swing in emotions he had that night!
• Philippians 1:1; 4:4

Local churches are authorized to provide for worship and edification

The local church is a group designed for mutual encouragement as we serve God together

• I Corinthians 14:3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 17, 26, 31

The benefit of a group

• Weight Watchers
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Atheist “mega-churches” - Sunday Assembly
• All these groups have a common interest. For us, that is Jesus.

Lord’s Supper

• I Corinthians 11:26
• Acts 20:7

Studying / preaching

• I Corinthians 14:26 - All things should be done for edification.
• I Timothy 4:6, 16
• II Timothy 4:1-5
• We can study our Bible alone, but there is benefit to studying together.

Giving

• I Corinthians 16:1
• II Corinthians 8:1-7; 9:1-2 - Giving encourages others also. Paul used both groups to encourage each other.

Praying

• John 11:41-42
• Acts 12:12

Singing

• Colossians 3:16

Assembling

• Hebrews 10:24-25

Questions for thought: If we didn’t meet together, do you suppose you …

• would sing quite as much on your own each week?
• would give as much, or know about and send support to preachers in other places?
• would study as much?
• would know about and have as many opportunities to encourage others?

Introduction

• Matthew 7:13-14
• Being on the narrow way requires constant effort.

The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:3 - “Blessed are the poor in spirit”

• “Poor” here means totally destitute and unable to provide for yourself.
• The first stop to serving God is truly realizing your situation.

Matthew 5:4 - “Blessed are those who mourn”

• The biggest thing for us to mourn is loss of connection to God. We must grieve over sin.

Matthew 5:5 - “Blessed are the meek”

• Meekness is strength under control. In this case, your strength is under God’s control.
• In John 2, Jesus drove people out of the temple to make a point. He had unlimited power but was under control.

Matthew 5:6 - “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”

• If you are truly pursuing and under God’s control, why would our highest priority not be seeking God?

Matthew 5:7 - “Blessed are the merciful”

• It’s hard to let go of perceived wrongs against us.
• See Luke 17.
• James 1:20 - Being angry does not achieve the righteousness of God.
• Mercy is unwarranted, which is what makes it powerful.
• See Matthew 18.
• How can I expect mercy from God and not give mercy myself?

Matthew 5:8 - “Blessed are the pure in heart”

• See Matthew 5:21-24, 27. You can’t have a pure heart if you are full of anger or lust.

Matthew 5:9 - “Blessed are the peacemakers”

• There is peace vertically (with God) and horizontally (with our brethren).
• I Peter 3:8-9

I Samuel 13

• I Samuel 13:1
  • Different translations have different numbers here. See Acts 13:21. A few late manuscripts of the Septuagint say Saul was 30 years old when he began to reign, so some translations use that number.
  • The assumption is that the numbers in Hebrew dropped out at some point, but we have other references we can use to reconcile the chronology.
  • Even the most literal of translations don’t agree on the rendering of this verse.
  • It is estimated that Saul became king in roughly 1051 B.C., but estimates here can differ greatly depending on how you interpret the verse.
• I Samuel 13:8-9 - We must learn patience!
• I Samuel 13:11-12 - Saul tried to make excuses, but this made no difference with God.
• I Samuel 13:14 - This is clearly referring to David, but David may not have even been born at this point.

I Samuel 14