Sunday Sermon 10.28

Sermon Passage: 1 Samuel 13:12-14
Sermon Title: The Fall of Saul
Sermon By: Pastor Davy (Youth)
​Sermon Summary:
To this point in 1 Samuel, there has not been anything negative about King Saul. And this is quite interesting because to many Christians, Saul is the “bad king”. King David is the “good king”.
Chapter 13, as well starts out with a phrase that might introduce an accomplishment of the king. But the narrative suddenly take a turn and begins to show us how inadequate and unqualified a human king may be to lead God’s people.
When Saul takes matters into his own hands and offerings a sacrifice to YHWH in fear of the Philistines’ massive army, Saul’s actions show that he no longer trusts YHWH and that he is no longer operating under the commandments of God. And Samuel shows up to tell Saul of this truth. Samuel’s words in this passage shows that Saul’s reign over the nation of Israel is coming to an end after only 2 years of reign.
St. Athanasius calls human beings the “inventor of evil” with an “insatiable thirst to sin”. You see, sin has corrupted our nature. Often times, in our conversations, sinning equates to lying, disobeying our parents, not reading the bible, not praying before we eat a meal, and at worst stealing or fighting with our parents/siblings. But sin is not just the unacceptable actions. Sin is a poison that has corrupted us to the core.
And Saul is no exception. In this corrupt nature, Saul has an unquenchable thirst for power, influence, fame, self-glory and self-worth. And in light of this sin, the heart of the problem is this. “Who is your king?”. We ask Saul, “who is your king? who put you on the throne? did you earn your throne? or was it given to you by YHWH?”
The Fall of Saul could happen to any of us. But there is hope still! No matter how much we sin, Christ overcomes. God never forsakes us.
“And Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.” | 1 Samuel 12:20-22