5/31/26 Sunday School - Pastor Charlie Branch - Meadows Baptist Church

Amen. Good morning everybody. Good to

see you in the house of the Lord today.

Appreciate you being here um for Sunday

school this morning and uh thank the

Lord for another beautiful day he's

given us and allowing us to be here. And

Lord is good. We'll give everybody a

minute to get in here and get my

announcements pulled up this morning. A

few things I'll make mention of, then

we'll get right to our prayer request

time this morning.

But I trust you've had a good week this

week. Hope you've come praying for the

service today and praying that God would

help us and meet with us. And uh we need

his help. That's one thing I'm sure of.

And we can't do it without him. and uh

get this up here in just a second.

I like using the online calendar cuz

half the stuff that I've wrote and

mine's wrong. So, [snorts]

all right.

did want to let you know um we we took

up the offering there for the Tabernacle

Children's Home and uh in all of our

mail there last week, they've sent us a

a plan, a little schematic of what it

looks like. And so I'm going to have

that out front. You can go by and look

at that. Um but they're they've got

their goal, how much money they're

wanting to raise, kind of what the

building looks like, what the plan is,

and so you can go by and check that out.

And um I'm sure there's a there's a code

there's a QR code on here um you can

scan uh to get a message from their

pastor, brother Doug Benton, and the

children's home director as well. You

can watch a video on that. And so let's

continue to pray about that and pray

that God would continue to bless the

money that comes in for that. But I'll

have that out in the foyer um for you um

there at after Sunday school this

morning. But announcements, by way of

announcements, do remember a Youth

Sunday has been postponed for the time

being. I'll let you know when we get

that rescheduled. Um, and uh, I was

going to tell them this last week, but

I'll tell them this morning. You young

people, there's ever anything you want

to do to serve God, you just know it

ain't got to be on Youth Sunday. Um, you

can serve God anytime you want to, and

we'll give you a job. There's plenty of

things to do. Somebody say amen right

there. Um, but do remember that they're

going to be kicking off uh junior camps

next week uh the 8th uh through the

11th. So remember that. Be much in

prayer about that. I will don't forget

this uh ladies and men's fellowships are

this week and

see who we got this week.

All right,

brother Chris has got it this week. So

all right, is he in here? Is he outside?

I'm sure he knows that, but I'll remind

him anyway. So, anyway, looking forward

to it. Be a great time uh this week. Of

course, tomorrow night will be ladies

fellowship and then men's will be on

Thursday. And so, remember that this

week be praying about that and be

handing out our Bible school

invitations. And we should be getting

some more of those here just directly,

shouldn't we? So, that'll be Are they

here already? Are we

okay? All right. Um, we'll have some

more directly, all right, to hand out. I

think there is some still some out

there. So, um, if you want to hand some

of those out, be inviting folk to our

Bible school and, uh, have those of you

that are here, make sure your children,

grandchildren, all that are already

registered. Make sure if they haven't

done that, go ahead and register for

that. Um, as that'll be coming up as

well. That'll be the 14th through the

17th. And uh we'll have another meeting

about that on next Sunday just to kind

of give you some uh final notes about

that. So remember that if you would

please. And then uh the father's day

outing on the 20th. Um I had a lot of

response out of that um what we did last

time. We're kind of going to do the same

thing. I don't know if we're going to go

to the same place, but um we are going

to try to have a little nicer meal and

things of that nature um that day. And

so if you want to go to that, please let

me know. It'll be on the 20th and I'll

let you know the location. We may do the

same thing we did last time. Um but if

not, we'll do we'll we'll do that

activity somewhere else. So anyway, on

the 20th, so if you're interested in

that, let me know about that. And then

the 21st will be homecoming and Father's

Day. And so that'll be here before we

know it. And we'll have a meal after

morning service that day and then no

evening service on that night. So

remember that if you would please. And

then power two youth camp coming up

there the 6th through the 9th. Do

remember that. If you've not registered

for that, you need to let Miss Brookke

know about that. They're traveling this

week. Um but do just send them a text,

let her know about that. She can get you

registered for that for your team and uh

be praying about that as it gets closer.

All right. All right. Let's get to our

uh prayer requests this morning.

And does anybody have a spoken request

of prayer and update like to make

mention of this morning?

Yes, sir.

>> Amen.

>> Praise the Lord for that.

Let's continue to remember brother Mike

in prayer. Miss Carolyn as well.

Remember them. Someone else. Yes, ma'am.

>> All right, let's remember this someone

else.

>> Amen. Let's remember Miss Haley in

prayer.

Blackwood. I remembered it. Just

kidding. I didn't. It's wrote right

here. Amen.

Amen. Let's remember that

could be any time. Amen. Someone else.

Yes, sir.

Amen. Amen. Let's continue to remember

uh brother Todd, Miss Maryl in prayer.

Someone else.

>> Amen.

continue to remember them that family in

prayer.

God's able, ain't he?

>> Amen. If y'all would please remember uh

my wife's pastor, brother Jamie, his

wife, Miss Angie, she had a fall this

past week and uh I guess she broke a

vertebrae in her back and

a couple places in her foot. They

thought she'd broke her hip. Um, but uh

she's not well at all. Bad, very bad

shape. So, if y'all would please

remember Miss Angie, Miss Angie Milsaps

is her name.

Someone else.

>> Amen. Let's remember that.

Let's remember that this morning.

[clears throat]

Someone else.

[snorts]

Amen. Let's remember all those

traveling. Got a lot of folk out

traveling today. Vacation, things of

that nature. Let's pray for them. And uh

let's pray uh for our young people. Pray

for them. Pray God will help them. And I

got a summer full of stuff for them. And

thankful for that. thankful um for them

being willing to go and the adults that

want to work with them. So remember that

uh this summer be praying about that and

be praying as well for our missionaries

and coming up on missions conference

will be here before you know it. And I

just pray God will continue to bless and

as the Lord leads one. I would love to

take on all three of those missionaries

we'll have in that week. We'll just see

how God leads us and what happens coming

up to that. But do continue to remember

member uh the children's home and uh

I'll have this out there in the forer

and don't let me forget to do that Abby

if you would please and I'll have this

out there in the for you for you to look

at that and uh I don't know why it's

just been a heavy burden on my heart for

them over the last several weeks. Ain't

really many days goes by that I don't

think about it. And uh let's remember

that. You know I I think you know I'll

say this that ain't just me that's

scriptural. [clears throat] Um James

said this. He said uh um if any among

you seem to be religious and rileth not

his tongue. He said but deceiveth

himself this man's religion is in vain.

James 1:26. But in verse 27 he says

James 1:26

this. He says pure religion and

undefiled before God and the fathers is

to visit the fatherless and the widows

and their affliction and to keep himself

unspotted from the world. and uh the

purest of religion visiting the

fatherless and the widows and uh that's

a big deal for the Bible to say that

that's under inspiration the spirit of

God and so let's let's do indeed pray

about that and pray that God would bless

uh in those areas. Let's pray for those

be here in Sunday morning. We'll have

more than double what we've got here for

Sunday school. Let's pray God to deal

with their heart. Amen. And uh to show

them there's a need to be faithful. We

do this for a reason and come and pray.

It ain't just so y'all can come hear me

talk for another 30 or 45 minutes. Um

it's so we can come and learn the word

of God. And so let's pray. God will

bless that. And help me pray as well as

we have help step up. I really want to

break this down. And um I it's been a

burden of my heart here of late

specifically um that we really need to

break this up and have classes, but I

need teachers. And so um just pray God

will provide that. All right. Pray that

God will work meet that need. And I've

got a desire for a young married

couple's college class um that I want to

teach for a period of time. And then I'd

love to have a berean class uh as well.

And just just different things that

visions that I know and God wants all

this. This ain't just me. This is stuff

that he wants done as well. I mean he um

you got to break up and have groups cuz

you know if we're always all in this

setting, we'll miss one another. This

building is big and people that sit over

here will never talk to those that sit

over here. And uh sometimes I know

that's not the case always, but um I

want to break this thing up and get a

little more intimate setting. So you

help me pray about that and God will

just provide the needs for that and uh

we'll do that as the Lord leads us. But

let's remember I I haven't said much

about it here in recent days, but our

verse for this year and let's continue

to remember that and keep that in mind.

required in stewards that a man be found

faithful. And uh that's the that's the

only thing that we're going to be judged

by. You realize that it ain't got it

ain't got nothing to do with the

quantity of our works, but it has

everything to do with the quality of

what we do um for Jesus, our motive, and

the reason that we do. And we may not

have as many souls saved as the church

down the road, but you know what? We're

not to look at them,

>> right?

>> Amen. We're not to judge ourselves by

them. We're to do what we're called to

do and stay faithful and obedient to

what God has commanded us to do. Amen.

And so, let's remember that. Let's

remember those that'll be here lost

today. Pray that God will deal with

their heart and save them by his grace.

So, is there any other requests of

prayer before we pray?

All right. Let's all that can and will

come gather in the altar and pray and

ask the Lord to help us. Do remember the

lost each time that you pray and our

missionaries. pray for each of them and

uh some needs that I've been seeing here

of late. I'll make mention of uh certain

uh mission organizations and I'll bring

that to your attention in the coming

weeks. Different things that we can do

to be a blessing. And uh so we're going

to God's reached into us. We ought to be

reaching out to others. Amen. And so

let's pray that God would help us today

uh as we've met to worship. I love each

and every one of you. Thank you so much

for being here. And I pray that God

blesses you this morning.

Father, thank you for this day, for your

grace and mercy towards us, for your

kindness, allowing us to be here. God,

we know, Father, Lord, that we do not

deserve to be here today. And God, if we

one were to account iniquities, Lord,

today we know that none of us could

stand. But God, we're thankful that by

your grace and Lord, through uh the

forgiveness, Lord, that's offered in

faith, Lord, we are cleansed this

morning. And God, I pray Lord, if there

be any sin, Father, in our midst today,

I pray, Lord, that it would be laid upon

this altar, God, I trust, Father, that

Lord, each soul, Father, would have

nothing between themselves and you

today, God, that there would be clear uh

connection, clear communication uh

between them and you today, God. I ask

you, Lord, that all your will would be

accomplished. I pray, Lord, as it is

revealed to each heart, I pray they

would be obedient and submissive to do

what you've asked them to do. And God,

we pray for the many needs in our

sanctuary today. Lord, there were many

requests of prayer that were not

mentioned, many families that are

hurting, God, that have heavy burdens,

Father, that maybe they feel like they

cannot share, Father, in a public

setting. God, I pray, Lord, that you

would be with them and help them uh in

this day. Lord, we know, God, that

you're able to give strength and help

and and Lord, I'm looking forward to

what you have for us today in the Sunday

school hour and as well in the preaching

hour. God, I just pray that you would

speak to us, God, and just uh God, I

just pray you'd have your way in every

heart and life today and get glory unto

yourself. God, we pray for those that'll

be here lost today that you'd deal with

their heart and draw them to a place of

conviction and repentance, God, so that

they might be saved and forgiven of

their sin. Lord, we know, Lord, that

you're not slack concerning your

promise, Lord, as some men would count

slackness, but you're longsuffering. To

us, we're not willing that any should

perish. And God, I know, Father, there's

no sinner, Lord, that you did not die to

save. And we're thankful that your

sacrifice this morning, Lord, is enough

to save every sinner and any sinner that

would call upon you, Lord. And God, I'm

thankful, Father, Lord, that I myself,

Lord, that Paul, Apostle Paul said he

was the chief of sinners. And Lord, I

know that I feel that way this morning.

But God, you have been so good, Lord,

and you saved me by your grace. And you

gave me new life. And Lord, you've been

long-suffering with me since I've been

saved. Lord, I know that you didn't get

much when you saved me. But Lord, I'm

thankful, Father, that you entrusted me

with all the riches of heaven and of the

gospel. And Lord, I thank you for

counting me faithful and put me in the

ministry. And God, I pray, Father, for

maybe that young man or young lady here

this morning, God, that you're dealing

with their heart about the ministry,

God, I pray, Lord, that they would be

submissive to the will of God for their

life. And God, do whatever you call them

to do, Father, and just be obedient,

God. We know Lord that these days on

this earth are short and our life is

fleeting and but a vapor. But God, would

you help us Lord to do what you've asked

us to do Lord with the time that you've

allotted for us. God, I thank you,

Father, for being so kind to us today.

And please bless this church. God, I

thank you for each one of them. Lord,

for the ones that been so faithful to

come to Sunday school, Lord, since we

was able to start that back, God, I

know, Lord, that they've received a

blessing because I've received a

blessing. Father, just allowing you to

teach me, Father, through the word of

God. And Lord, I pray that you would

continue to bless them for their

faithfulness to you and to the house of

God. And Lord, I ask you, God, today,

Father, you would help us do all the

will of God and get all glory to

yourself. Lord, we love you. Thank you

so much for loving us. Have your way

today. We ask it all in Jesus name.

>> Amen.

All right.

All right. If you have a Bible, if you

would turn with me to the book of 1st

Samuel.

1st Samuel 28.

been sort of jumping around in our

preaching and our study. I'd love to get

back in a series, but just had a lot of

uh response out of the type of teaching

preaching I've been doing here of late

and I don't really feel led to stop it.

So, I'm going to follow it as long as

the Lord lets me

and uh just kind of keep giving you some

introductions here. these two-part

lesson and sermon or sermon and lesson,

whatever you want to call it. We're just

trying to do what God tells us to. But I

want to deal in this text this morning,

1st Samuel 28. If you're a Bible

student, you're probably familiar with

this chapter. And uh I hope that you

are, hope all of us should be. Um but

this is a very interesting

uh circumstance situation uh in the

history of Israel. Of course, this has

to do uh with King Saul. And if you know

your Bible, his demise is going to

transpire just less than four chapters

later. Saul is going to die and really

is going to commit suicide there. Uh in

the text, and this is leading up to

those days, we know that um the presence

of the Lord has departed from Saul and

God is no longer speaking to him. And in

this text, we're going to look at just a

couple of things concerning that. Um,

but this passage refers to the instance

uh of Saul and the witch at indoor. How

many of you's heard of the witch at

indoor? Um, Saul in this text is got to

his wit's end. And like many people in

the world do in this day and time, when

they get to their wits end, they go to

try to doing things they know they got

no business doing. And uh so we're going

to look in this text concerning of this

subject here. Um I I don't know if you

want to call it the familiar spirits or

what, but we're just going to examine

this chapter for just a little while.

Kind of give you an overview. We'll be

in chapter 29 uh in the worship hour

today. And so let's look here in chapter

28. And uh we'll kindly preface the

chapter. I'm not going to read the whole

chapter. Um, but I'll preface it with

the first three verses. The Bible says

in 1st Samuel 28 and verse one, "And it

came to pass in those days that the

Philistines gathered their armies

together for warfare to fight with

Israel. And Akish said unto David, know

thou assuredly that thou shalt go out

with me to battle thou and thy men." And

David said to Akish, "Surely thou shalt

know what thy servant can do." And Akish

said to David, "Therefore will I make

thee keeper of mine head forever." Now

Samuel was dead, and all Israel had

lamented him and buried him in Rama,

even in his own city. And Saul had put

away those that had familiar spirits and

the wizards out of the land. Father, I

ask you for just a minute that you would

help us this morning. And God, you know

what's on my heart to share. Lord, I

believe you've put it there. And so God,

I ask you that you would help me. And uh

Lord, I pray that you would hide the

ignorance of my youth and allow me to

speak with the tongue of the learn this

morning. Get glory to yourself. And

we'll thank you for it because we ask it

in Jesus' name. Amen. This text here in

chapter 28 is really a I guess you would

say it's a crossroads, but there's three

individuals that I want you to note in

this text that are mentioned. For first,

there is David that is mentioned in

verses one and two. We will be talking

about him in the sermon today. But in

verse number three, there's two

individuals that are mentioned. In verse

three, the Bible says, "Now Samuel was

dead." And so I don't want you to miss

that because Samuel is is dead in the

text, but this is not the last time that

Samuel is going to peer appear in this

chapter and has much to do with this

witch at Endor. But we notice also in

verse three, the Bible says, "And Saul

had put away those that had familiar

spirits uh and the wizards out of the

land." Now, in by the instruction of the

Old Testament Mosaic law, according to

Leviticus 19 and verse number 31, there

was to be no relationship or no

fellowship with people that dealt with

the spirit realm, wizards, witches, um

whatever you want to call them.

Leviticus 20 and verse number 27.

further says that if you find one,

they're to be put to death. The Mosaic

law did not tolerate this kind of

behavior. And I want to say this to you

today, you parents, grandparents, you

need to watch your children in this day

and time because they're being opened up

to all types of this kind of uh

psychological, spiritual uh warfare by

these people who do not proclaim to be

this. There are some that still do. If

you go up north, you talk to

missionaries that are in the northern

part of especially the northeastern part

of the United States, you'll discover

that this is still a huge thing up

there. Witches and and all of that

sorcery types of things. But the Bible

blatantly condemns that. Condemns it in

the Old Testament, condemns it in the

New Testament. And the reason why I want

to bring these three people to your

attention in this text is because it's

highlighted to us that David is has made

a league with the king of Gath in the

text verses 1 and two. And so David is

out of the will of God. Verse number

three, um Samuel is dead. Samuel is the

one that anointed Saul king. He is the

one who anointed David king. And we're

going to find in this chapter that Saul

is still out of the will of God. And so

God's both of his men. Saul was the man,

the king from the past who had now lost

the touch of God, had lost the presence

of God. He is now at his wits end trying

to get an answer because the Philistines

are coming against him according to

verse number four. And not only that,

but David, the man, the Bible says,

after God's own heart is leaked up with

the Philistines.

And so what we find is is these two men

that are completely and totally out of

the will of God. We're going to look at

David later, but let's look at Saul this

morning and see what the Bible has to

say to us about him. Now the Philistines

according to verse number four have

gathered themselves together in verse

four. They says they came and pitched in

Shunum and Saul gathered all Israel

together and they pitched in Gilboa. And

I think it interests me about the life

of Saul that Saul spent his entire

period as king fighting the Philistines.

But he was never able to offer any

victory. He was never able to defeat the

Philistines. Matter of fact, it was the

Philistines that brought him to his

death in verse number 31 or chapter 31

of 1 Samuel. And the Bible says in verse

5, "When Saul saw the host of the

Philistines, he was afraid and his heart

greatly trembled." To summarize what

happens in the next few verses to get us

up to speed, Saul in the text, he

inquires of the Lord. The Bible says in

verse 6, "The Lord answered him not,

neither by dreams, nor by urum, nor by

prophets." And so Saul has expended

every method that was in the Old

Testament for getting a hold of God in

the text. He has went to the prophets.

He has went to the Levites. It's that

urum there represents the garment of the

priest. It was there placed upon the

front of his garment. You can read about

that uh over in the book of Leviticus

and or Exodus. And it tells us there

what that urum represents. And so dreams

have not not brought him any revelation

from God. The Urum, the Levites, the

prophets, uh the priesthood, the

prophets, there's been no revelation

from the precepts to him. And the Bible

says in verse 7, "Then said Saul unto

his servants, seek me a woman that hath

a familiar spirit, that I may go to her

and inquire of her." And his servant

said to him, "Behold, there is a woman

that hath a familiar spirit at Endor."

So Saul makes this journey here, leaving

the place there where he was encamped uh

in Shunam there or encamped by Gilboa in

the text and he makes the journey to

indoor where this woman that hath a

familiar spirit is. And I want to say

this to you on the outset of this text.

What you're going to discover is is a

supernatural event takes place. Now,

there's two different schools of thought

on this text. There's some people that

say that what happens in this text that

where it said that it is Samuel, it's

not really Samuel, but it's just a demon

portraying himself as Samuel. But the

Bible says it was Samuel. And so, I

personally go with the school of thought

that it is Samuel that's speaking in

this text. But nevertheless, whatever

happens, this woman with the familiar

spirit is able to bring Samuel back from

the dead to speak.

And so whether or not you believe it was

a demon or whether it was Samuel, the

truth is this woman was able to bring

somebody back to speak to Saul in this

text. Now, what I personally believe in

this text is this, that it is really

Samuel and that this woman has

absolutely nothing to do with this

event. That's what I believe personally.

I'm going to pro try to prove that from

the text. You say, why is that

necessary? Well, I want to describe to

you the difference, all right, between

the power of God and the power of that

spirit realm. When you look through the

word of God, when we think about the

most prevalent instance that comes to my

mind is when Elijah is on Mount Carmel

with those prophets of Baal and they're

crying, they're cutting themselves all

the day long. They've got the altar.

They've got the wood. They've got the

sacrifice. And they're crying out,

praying that Baal would come down and

receive the sacrifice. But all day long,

nothing happens. And so out of that,

what happens? Elijah then prays. And God

immediately brings fire down from heaven

and takes the sacrifice, the altar, the

water, and the rocks and receives it

all. And regardless of what you see in

scripture, yes, there are instances

where uh the the spirit realm, the evil

spirit realm, the prince of the power of

the air manifest himself on the face of

the earth. But what you find every time

is that the power of God triumphs over

that.

>> Right. Right.

>> And in this text, what we discover is

that when Samuel is brought back to

being here in this text, I believe God

has gotten Saul's attention in this

text. So much so that he allows him to

think that this wicked indor has brought

Samuel back. I don't believe that at

all. I believe God brought Samuel back

in this text. And I'll tell you why.

Notice the verse. The Bible says in

verse eight, what's that first phrase?

And Saul disguised himself. All right.

So Saul has put on some reign and of

course he's king. He has the kingly

garments, all of that. But in this text,

he disguised himself more than likely

probably as a servant. just says that he

put on other raignment. He went two men

with him and the Bible says they came to

the woman by night. He makes his request

unto her in verse number eight. And then

notice verse number nine. Saul has

disguised himself. But notice verse

number nine. He is successful in

deceiving this woman. Look what the

Bible said. And the woman said unto him,

Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath

done. Notice that. Thou knowest what

Saul had done. how he hath cut off those

that have familiar spirits and the

wizards out of the land. Wherefore then

layst thou a snare from my life to cause

me to die. If this woman had such great

power in the spirit world, she would

have been able to know that this was

Saul.

>> You're right.

>> Amen. She would have been able to

perceive that this really was Saul when

he appeared unto her in the text. But

notice what happens here. The Bible says

in verse 10, Saul swear to her at by the

Lord, saying, "As the Lord liveth, there

shall no punishment happen to thee for

this thing." Then notice verse 11, it

goes further than even this. There's a

lot I could say here, but I want to move

on. I got a point I want to make and

we'll be done. Then said the woman,

"Whom shall I bring up unto thee?" And

he said, "Bring me up Samuel." So he

tells her Samuel in this text, but she

doesn't know who this Samuel is. All

right? She he he says a name, but she

does not know that it's the prophet

Samuel because notice what happens in

the next verse. And when the woman saw

Samuel, she cried with a loud voice and

the woman spake to Saul saying, "Why

hast thou deceived me?" Notice that. For

thou art Saul. You know how she knew

that he was Saul? You know how she found

that out? Was when God allowed Samuel to

appear to her.

>> You're right. What happens in this text

is is her power gets overrote. You're

>> right.

>> Amen. And she gets a scare like she

ain't used to. You see these these

women, they they are they they did have

power to some extent. But you realize

most of their operation was a ruse.

>> You're right.

>> Everything they did was founded upon

deception. And so when something really

happened, you know what? She was

surprised.

>> Amen. She wasn't expecting to see

anything. But Samuel appears in this

text. Notice what the Bible said. And

the king said unto her, "Be not afraid,

for what sawest thou?" And the woman

said unto Saul, "I saw God's ascending

out of the earth." That backs up the

idea that paradise is in the heart of

the earth. Amen. Until the day that

Jesus Christ came and he led captivity

captive, not what I'm talking about. But

notice what he says in verse 14. And he

said unto her, "What form is he up?" And

she said, "An old man cometh up, and he

is covered with a mantle." And Saul

perceived that it was Samuel and he

stooped with his face to the ground and

bowed himself. So in this text, what you

discover is is this woman is seeing a

man in this vision. She don't even know

who he is. She doesn't know who Saul.

She didn't know who Saul was. And she

also didn't know who Samuel was.

>> See, God was the one orchestrating this

thing.

>> God's going to give her a wakeup call,

but he's also going to give Saul a

wakeup call in this text. Notice what

the Bible says. He stooped with his face

to the ground and bowed himself. And

this is the reason. All right. This is

the reason why I believe it's Samuel.

You don't have to believe that, but I

believe it's Samuel because of verse 15.

What's them first three words say?

>> And Samuel said. Now, do we believe this

Bible's inspired?

>> Amen. So, I personally believe that this

is Samuel in the text. Now, there is a

few things that happen in this verse. He

he he speaks to Saul. Why is thou

disquited me to bring me up? Saul

answered. I'm sore distressed. He tells

him the story. Hey, God's not answering

me. He's not listening when I call unto

him. Um hasn't worked. The prophets

haven't had an answer. There's no answer

at the priest's house. And he says, "God

is departed from me." Of course, we know

the Bible says that the spirit of the

Lord departed from Saul. And then what

did it say? An evil spirit from the Lord

troubled him. And so Saul is still

dealing with that evil spirit. He has no

answer. He's trying to get instruction

about how he is to deal with the

Philistines. But remember who is

rightfully king at this time. David is.

Saul's not king. He's fighting a battle

that he's not even supposed to be

fighting.

David is supposed to be king. If Saul

had done what Saul should have done, he

would have stepped down when God took

the spirit of God off of him. And when

Samuel looked at him and said, "The

kingdom is rent from your hand and is

given to David." If Saul had done what

he should have, he would have turned it

over to David. And then maybe then God

could have brought a repentance, brought

another opportunity for restoration in

his life. And so we know that Saul is

out of the will of God. And he mentions

in verse 16, Samuel says, "Look what the

Bible says. Wherefore then dust thou ask

of me, seeing the Lord is departed from

thee, and is become thine enemy. The

presence of God had departed from Saul

in this text. He no longer had the

influence that God had endued of him.

And you understand it's it's still the

same way in this day and time. Just

because kings and and princes and

presidents do not acknowledge the power

of God and setting them in the places

that they are, God sets up and takes

down who he will.

>> He's in perfect control of all of that.

Okay? He's not lost his grip on this

world. He's not lost his grip on this

country. It's because we have chosen to

walk away from him. He is always in

control. And he reminds Saul in this

text, yes, the presence of the Lord has

departed from you. But he also reminds

him that the power of God had been

deputed to another in verse 17. Look

what he says. And the Lord hath done to

him as he spake by me. For the Lord hath

rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and

give it to thy neighbor, even to David.

So Samuel has come up again to tell Saul

one more time what he had been telling

him the whole time that he was alive.

Now he's telling him as he is dead here

speaking to him from the spirit realm

that his power had been deputed or been

given to another. And it's all because

of his disobedience. In verse 18, look

what he says. Because they obeyed not

the voice of the Lord, nor executed his

fierce wrath upon Amalecch, therefore

hath the Lord done this thing unto thee

this day. Now, I need to make a simple

application to this this morning. If you

refuse to do what God has told you to

do, God will take that burden from you

and place it on somebody else. That's

>> right.

>> If God has led you to do something, all

right, there's going to be people that

will die and go to hell. There's going

to be people that never get right with

God because you refuse to do what you

were supposed to do. But God does not

have to use you.

>> You're right.

>> He can take somebody else and fill your

shoes. It's It's not a problem with him.

Okay? And he will do that. He's going to

have his will done one way or another.

Amen. And so in this text, he reminds

him of his disobedience, of course,

because when he went to the Amalachites

there and and the text, the Bible says

that when they he Samuel told him to

destroy all, but Samuel, the people

brought back some of the goodliest of

the the sheep. He said to offer

sacrifices unto the Lord. And what is

it? He suffered King Aag to live. He

allowed him to live. When Samuel told

him, you're to kill all, to take all, to

destroy all, and go and Samuel's

reminded him here, you are disobedient

to God. And so, you have now lost the

presence of God. And this is where it

begins to get deeper. You say, "What do

you mean?" Well, see, all of this is

stuff that Saul already knew.

>> Saul already knew that the kingdom had

been written out of his his hand. Saul

already knew that David was the next in

line. saw already knew that it was

because of his disobedience. But in

verse 19, he did not know what was going

to happen here. Look what the Bible

says. Moreover, the Lord will also

deliver with thee, deliver Israel with

thee into the hand of the Philistines.

So there is a defeat that's revealed.

Notice this. Not only there's a defeat

that's revealed, look what he says. And

tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons, what's

he say? Be with me. Be with me. Now what

does that mean? All right. means they're

going to die. Amen. Means they're going

to die. Now, what is this speaking of?

Well, Samuel is prophesying of his death

while he himself is dead.

You think about this. God allowed Saul

to get to this woman

that he thought could do something for

him, but God brought brought Samuel back

to remind Saul again, "When you don't

listen to me, there's consequences."

>> You're right. Because what was what was

by the Mosaic law? What have we already

said? What was what were they supposed

to do with these people? They're

supposed to kill them, weren't they?

Who's going to die in the text?

Saul's going to die. The woman's going

to live. Notice the text. Tomorrow shalt

thou and thy sons be with me. The Lord

also shall deliver the host of Israel

into the hand of the Philistines.

So doubly he says it, he begins the

verse, the Lord will deliver Israel with

thee into the hand of the Philistines.

The end of the verse, the Lord shall

deliver the host of Israel into the hand

of Philistines. Sealed, doubly sealed,

Israel is going to be turned over to the

enemy because of Saul's negligence. Now,

a lot of things I could say about this.

We're going to say some of it in the

message this morning, but here's what I

believe. I or actually I'm not going to

say I'm dogmatic on this, but I als I

wonder this morning. I wonder if Saul

had not went and sought this witch. I

wonder if things would have been

different.

You see, Saul had wrought victory over

the Philistines at times. It was never

permanent,

>> but there was victory for periods. But

in this text, God says to Samuel, and

Samuel says to Saul, "You're done."

You know what? There is a line

>> right

>> in our li in my life and your life that

if we cross in disobedience to God he

will pull the plug.

>> I'm not saying he'll take you eternal

life but he's not going to allow his

children to stumble around in sin.

>> And uh you know I I people what really

divides this text is that statement in

verse 19. Notice it there in the text.

He says, "Tomorrow shalt thou and thy

sons be with me." Now I believe

Jonathan's in heaven. Saul I don't know

about. But if this text, if it really is

Samuel speaking here, if he's going to

be with Samuel, I believe Saul was saved

that you'll be with me. It's what he

says in the text. I mean, you could

argue, well, hell, you know, paradise is

in the heart of the earth. I I get all

of that, but the principle is the same.

You understand? His life ended

prematurely because of his decision.

Notice verse 20. Then Saul fell

straightway all along on the earth and

was so afraid because of the words of

Samuel. There was no strength in him,

for he had eaten no bread all the day

nor all the night. If you remember in in

Saul's life, this wasn't the first time

that Saul did this. Saul back several

chapters, I think it's about chapter 14,

15 of 1 Samuel, he puts out a a a

command to all his army and says, "Look,

none of y'all's going to eat or drink

anything until all the Philistines are

destroyed." And what happens, Jonathan,

he didn't he wasn't there when the

command was given. And so he goes and he

gets a little bit of that honey and

takes out of it. And and there's a whole

curse that falls on him because of what

Saul said. Saul has done nothing but

continually bring strife on him and his

family from the beginning of his

kingship.

>> Because he was so concerned about

himself,

>> so selfentered. Now he's going to die.

But not only him, look who else is dying

in the text.

>> Thy sons.

Notice this. I don't know if I can find

it, but I'm going to try to find it

here. 1st Samuel

[sighs]

1st Samuel 14, I believe it is.

Yes, 1st Samuel 14. Thank you, Lord. 1st

Samuel 14:43.

Jonathan has taken of that honey. Verse

43. Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me

what thou has done." The lot had fallen

on Jonathan in verse 41 and 42. In verse

43, Jonathan told him and said, "I did

but taste a little honey with the end of

the rod that was in mine hand, and lo, I

must die." Verse 44. And Saul answered,

"God do so and more also." Notice this.

For thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.

Saul made this up. Okay? Saul made this

vow. All right? And it's much like the

story of Jeffa in the book of Judges.

Y'all ever remember Jeff Gifa? Jeffa

makes a vow. He says, "The first thing

that comes into my house, I'm going to

offer it to the Lord." And what was the

first thing that walked into his house

was his daughter. And you know what he

did? She submitted to that and allowed

herself to be the sacrifice because of

her father's foolish vow. Saul made a

foolish vow. And because of that,

Jonathan was going to have to die in

this text. And you know what? Jonathan

didn't die right there. But it wasn't

but just a little while later in this

text, he dies with his daddy. Didn't

mean to get off on all that, but I think

you get what I'm trying to say. Death

comes because of our foolish decisions.

Amen. Notice this. Not only we see here,

um, death was prophesied, but notice

what the Bible says. Verse 21. And the

woman came unto Saul, and saw that he

was sore troubled, and said unto him,

Behold, thine handmade hath obeyed thy

voice, and I put my life in my hand, and

hearkened unto thy words, which thou

spakest unto me. Now therefore, I pray

thee, hearken thou also unto the voice

of thine handmade, and let me set a

morsel of bread before thee, and eat,

that thou mayest have strength when thou

goest on thy way." So, not only now has

he sought a a vision by this woman, but

now he's going to sit down and she's

offering him fellowship. She's supposed

to be dead.

>> You're right.

>> Done. What happens in the text? The

Bible says Saul refused. But ultimately,

the Bible says in verse 23, look what

the Bible says. His servants together

with the woman compelled him, and he

hearkened under their voice. So he rose

from the earth and sat upon the bed. And

the woman had a fat calf in the house,

and she hasted and killed it, and took

flour, and kneaded it, and did bake

unleven bread thereof. And she brought

it before Saul before his servants, and

they did eat. Then they rose up, and

went away that night. Now, you say,

"What's the what's the punchline of

this?" All right, I'll be honest with

you. I wasn't really sure, but I I'm

pretty sure about it now. You realize

this is probably the last meal that Saul

ever ate.

He ate in the wicked indoors house,

the place God never told him to be. But

God had to come there and give him a

message of death because it was the last

place he would sit down long enough to

have a meal.

>> Right?

>> God come and prophesied his death,

prophesied the departure of the king,

prophesied of the fact, reminded him

that David was going to be the one that

would reign after him. I mean, even

after this, he goes and has a meal with

this woman in the text. And this woman's

going to walk away alive, but Saul's

going to die the next day. So, I said

all that to say this.

David and Saul, chapter 28, 29, 30, and

31, even on into first, 2 Samuel,

they're just in a mess. David's in a

mess. Saul's in a mess. And you know

what they're doing? One's walking around

the other. We know why David was

running. He was afraid.

But here's the problem. All right? You

know who was suffering?

Who was suffering? Because of these two

men, all the nation of Israel,

>> right?

>> They're wondering who's in charge. It

looks like Saul's in charge.

We seen David over there with the king

of Gath.

Going to give you the punchline of the

sermon this morning, but there'll be

some people that will hear it later. You

know who you know who where Gath is? You

know where Gath was? You ever remember a

guy by the name Goliath?

Goliath of

David makes a league with Akish. Akish

is the king [snorts]

of Gath.

David just less than 15 chapters from

defeating Goliath of Gath. He's living

in Gath.

You know, we think a lot of times we we

man, we get shout and we'll think, man,

God gives victory over the giant.

Praise God for it. He does. But you know

what? David himself because of fear. You

know what got him there? He was afraid

Saul was going to take his life. You're

>> right.

>> And you know who suffered for it? The

people of God. You say, "Preacher, what

does that mean for me? That's really got

to do with leadership higher than me."

Well, you've got people that are looking

to you.

You got a family that you're responsible

for.

>> And don't just think that it's just your

family. Your influence affects more than

just your family.

>> Your faithfulness to this church shows

to those around you how serious you are

about God.

>> You can't afford to be in the wrong

place at the wrong time. Amen. I love

each one of you. I hope I hope that's

something maybe help you this morning. I

know it helped me. Father, thank you for

this time. God, I pray that you would

help us to remember, Lord, there are

consequences to our decisions. And uh

Lord, we ought not be tampering with

things uh Lord that we don't know

anything about. Lord, I realize Saul

pretty much ended his life. Lord,

because of those decisions he made in

that day, Lord, would you help us

remember what we were responsible for,

God? Help us remember who we're

responsible for. And Lord, I know,

Father, even now, Father, there'll be

people probably uh Lord, that they'll be

their blood will be on my hands because

of my failure. And Lord, I grieve that.

But Lord, would you help us, God, to

allow that number to be as little as

possible, God? I wouldn't want a soul,

Father, to be for their blood to be on

my hands from this day forward. And so,

God, help us to do what we can to be who

we're supposed to be. Bless the service

today. Get glory to yourself. Well,

thank you for what you do cause. We ask

it in Jesus name. Amen.

>> Thank you for joining our service

[music] today. We'd love it if you'd

join us in person the next time you are

able at Meadows Baptist Church. Our

[music] physical address is 2988 Stewart

Road in Walnut Cove, [music] North

Carolina. Our service times are Sunday

school at 10:00 a.m., Sunday morning

worship at 11:00 a.m., Sunday [music]

evening worship at 6:00 p.m., and

Wednesday evening Bible study at 700

p.m. For more [music] information, visit

us at meadowsbaptisturch.com.

Thanks again for tuning in.

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