To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

1 Sam 15:22

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

1) God’s Expectation (v.1): Hearken to the words of Jehovah

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

1) God’s Expectation (v.1): - Hearken to the words of Jehovah

2) God’s Command (v.3):- Utterly destroy all - Spare not

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

1) God’s Expectation (v.1): - Hearken to the words of Jehovah

2) God’s Command (v.3):- Utterly destroy all - Spare not

3) Command Understood (v.4-6):- Saul’s preparation – 200,000 footmen, 10,000 of

Judah

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

4) Saul / People’s Actions (v.7-9):- Spared Agag and best of livestock - Would not utterly destroy all- Destroyed only the vile and refuse

- Kept what they deemed good (human reasoning)- Exercised freewill in partial obedience

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

5) Self Perception (v.13, 20):- I have performed the commandment of Jehovah- I have obeyed the voice of Jehovah- I have gone the way Jehovah sent me

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

5) Self Perception (v.13, 20):- I have performed the commandment of Jehovah- I have obeyed the voice of Jehovah- I have gone the way Jehovah sent me

6) God’s Perspective (v.10-11, 18-19):- Turned back from following me- Have NOT performed my commandments- Did NOT OBEY voice of Jehovah- Did that which was EVIL

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

7) Good Intentions (v.14-15, 21):- Spared the best to sacrifice to Jehovah in Gilgal- Certainly God would be pleased ???

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

7) Good Intentions (v.14-15, 21):- Spared the best to sacrifice to Jehovah in Gilgal- Certainly God would be pleased ???

8) Source of the Problem (v.23,26; v.24):- Rejected God’s word- Feared the people and obeyed their voice

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

7) Good Intentions (v.14-15, 21):- Spared the best to sacrifice to Jehovah in Gilgal- Certainly God would be pleased ???

8) Source of the Problem (v.23,26; v.24):- Rejected God’s word- Feared the people and obeyed their voice

9) Point of Emphasis (v.22):- To OBEY is better than sacrifice- God delights in those who will obey His voice

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

God’s Expectations Remain Consistent:- In Jeremiah’s Day (Jer 6:19-20)

-Sacrifices not accepted because:- Did not hearken to God’s word- Rejected God’s law

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

God’s Expectations Remain Consistent:- In Jeremiah’s Day (Jer 6:19-20)

-Sacrifices not accepted because:- Did not hearken to God’s word- Rejected God’s law

- Reinforced by David (Psalm 40:6-8)- Image of a willing servant who obeys- Ex 21:2-6- Christ is ultimate example (Heb 10)

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

1) God’s Word can be Understood:- Eph 3:1-5

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

1) God’s Word can be Understood:- Eph 3:1-5

2) God’s Expectation - Obedience:- James 1:22

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

1) God’s Word can be Understood:- Eph 3:1-5

2) God’s Expectation - Obedience:- James 1:22

3) Man’s Freewill:- Jn 7:17

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

1) God’s Word can be Understood:- Eph 3:1-5

2) God’s Expectation - Obedience:- James 1:22

3) Man’s Freewill:- Jn 7:17

4) Good Intentions Don’t Justify My Actions:- Example: Paul – Acts 26:9-10; 23:1

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

5) God’s Word is the Standard, not Mine:- Jn 12:48

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

5) God’s Word is the Standard, not Mine:- Jn 12:48

6) My Perception of My Righteousness can be Wrong:- Lk 18:9-14

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

5) God’s Word is the Standard, not Mine:- Jn 12:48

6) My Perception of My Righteousness can be Wrong:- Lk 18:9-14

7) Must Have God’s Authority for All that I Practice:- Lk 20:1-8

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Jesus’ Sobering Comments:

- Matt 15:6-9: In vain do they worship me:- Honor with lips / heart is far from me- Teach the precepts of men instead of God

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Jesus’ Sobering Comments:

- Matt 15:6-9: “In vain do they worship me”- Honor with lips / heart is far from me- Teach the precepts of men instead of God

- Matt 7:21-23: “I never knew you, depart from me”

- Must DO the will of the Father- Many “religious” folks will be mistaken