Choosing Grace: The Call to Obedience and Transformation

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound themes of grace and truth as they are presented in the biblical narrative of 1 Samuel 15, where we see the downfall of King Saul due to his disobedience to God's command. This story serves as a poignant reminder that our actions and choices have significant consequences, both in this life and in eternity.

We began by examining the interaction between Samuel and Saul, where Saul's partial obedience to God's command to destroy the Amalekites was exposed. Saul's attempt to justify his actions by claiming the spared livestock were for sacrifice did not align with God's desire for complete obedience. This narrative illustrates that obedience to God is paramount and that it is more pleasing to Him than any form of sacrifice. The stark reality is that rebellion against God's commands is equated with witchcraft and idolatry, and it carries a heavy price.

As we delved deeper into the concept of grace, we recognized it as the unmerited favor of God. Grace is the divine love that reaches out to us even before we seek it and persists even when we reject it. This grace is vividly displayed in the New Testament, where God's love for humanity is manifested through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. The grace of God is not only comforting but also transformative, challenging us to change our lives and align them with His will.

We also discussed the current state of the church and the challenges we face as a community of believers. The decline in church attendance and the departure of younger generations from the faith are alarming trends that call us to action. We must prioritize the spiritual nurturing of our children and demonstrate the love of Christ in our own lives to influence them positively.

The sermon emphasized the importance of making a choice. Like Joshua challenged the Israelites, we too must decide whom we will serve. This decision is not one to be taken lightly, as it has eternal implications. We are reminded that while God's grace is abundant and available to all, it requires a response from us—a response of surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

In closing, we were invited to make a personal decision in favor of God. This decision is not about public declaration but an intimate and sincere commitment to follow Christ. It is a choice that we must make individually, and it is a choice that defines our destiny.

Key Takeaways:

- Obedience to God is not a matter of convenience or partial compliance; it is an all-encompassing commitment that reflects our trust and reverence for Him. Just as Saul's incomplete obedience led to his downfall, our own selective adherence to God's commands can have dire consequences. True obedience is a reflection of our love for God and our desire to honor Him in all aspects of our lives. [40:33]

- Grace is not a passive or weak concept; it is the active and powerful presence of God in our lives that brings salvation and teaches us to reject ungodliness. Grace is both a comfort and a disruptor—it comforts us in our failings and disrupts our complacency, calling us to a higher standard of living that reflects the righteousness of Christ. [47:20]

- The decline of church engagement, especially among younger generations, is a clarion call for introspection and action within the Christian community. We must recommit to living out our faith authentically and to being examples of Christ's love to those around us, particularly to our children and youth, who are navigating a world filled with competing ideologies. [56:53]

- The choice to follow Christ is a pivotal decision that each person must make. It is not a decision to be coerced or taken lightly, but one that requires a conscious and deliberate act of the will. Choosing Christ means embracing both His grace and His truth, and it sets us on a path toward eternal life. [54:04]

- The love of God is both inclusive and demanding. While Jesus welcomed all who came to Him, He also called them to a life of transformation. As followers of Christ, we are to carry the redemptive love of God wherever we go, engaging with those who are different from us and embodying the grace and truth of the gospel in our daily interactions. [01:01:44]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Samuel 15:10-23 - The story of Saul's disobedience and Samuel's confrontation.
2. John 3:16-17 - The manifestation of God's grace through Jesus Christ.
3. Joshua 24:14-15 - Joshua's challenge to the Israelites to choose whom they will serve.

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific command did God give to Saul regarding the Amalekites, and how did Saul fail to fully obey it? ([38:45])
2. How does Samuel describe the consequences of Saul's disobedience? ([41:16])
3. According to the sermon, how is grace described in both the Old and New Testaments? ([44:02])
4. What challenge did Joshua present to the Israelites, and how does it relate to the sermon's message about making a choice? ([54:04])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is partial obedience to God considered as serious as complete disobedience, according to the sermon? ([41:16])
2. How does the concept of grace challenge and transform our lives, as discussed in the sermon? ([49:55])
3. What are the implications of the decline in church engagement, especially among younger generations, as mentioned in the sermon? ([56:53])
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between grace and truth, and why is it important to balance both in our understanding of God? ([51:02])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you partially obeyed God's command. What were the consequences, and how can you strive for complete obedience in the future? ([41:16])
2. How can you actively demonstrate God's grace in your daily interactions, especially with those who may not share your beliefs? ([01:01:58])
3. What steps can you take to nurture the spiritual growth of the younger generation in your community or family? ([56:53])
4. How can you make a conscious and deliberate choice to follow Christ in your daily life? What specific actions will you take to reaffirm this commitment? ([54:04])
5. Identify an area in your life where you have been complacent. How can the transformative power of grace help you overcome this complacency? ([49:55])
6. How can you balance showing grace and upholding truth in your relationships and interactions with others? ([51:02])
7. Think of someone in your life who is struggling with their faith. How can you be a source of encouragement and support for them this week? ([01:01:58])

Devotional

Day 1: True Obedience Reflects Love for God
Obedience to God is a fundamental aspect of a believer's life, reflecting a deep trust and reverence for the Almighty. It is not about convenience or partial compliance but an all-encompassing commitment that mirrors the love one has for God. Just as King Saul's incomplete obedience led to his downfall, believers today are reminded that selective adherence to God's commands can have dire consequences. True obedience is not just about following rules; it's about aligning one's heart and actions with God's will, demonstrating a genuine desire to honor Him in every aspect of life. This kind of obedience is a testament to the relationship between a believer and their Creator, showcasing a love that goes beyond mere words or rituals. [40:33]

"Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22 ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you've been offering 'sacrifices' instead of the obedience God desires, and how can you begin to correct this starting today?


Day 2: Grace: Comfort and Call to Righteousness
Grace is the unmerited favor of God that brings salvation and teaches believers to live righteously. It is not a passive concept but an active and powerful presence in one's life. Grace provides comfort in times of failure and also serves as a disruptor to complacency, challenging individuals to live up to a higher standard that reflects the righteousness of Christ. This transformative power of grace is a gift that requires a response from the recipient—a response that involves rejecting ungodliness and worldly passions in favor of a life dedicated to God's glory. The grace of God is both a refuge in times of need and a catalyst for spiritual growth and change. [47:20]

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12 ESV)

Reflection: How has God's grace been a disruptor in your life, and what is one tangible step you can take to respond to that grace with a change in your behavior?


Day 3: Engaging the Next Generation in Faith
The decline in church engagement, particularly among younger generations, is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and action from the Christian community. It is a call to introspect and recommit to living out faith authentically, to be genuine examples of Christ's love. This involves not only teaching but also embodying the principles of the gospel in everyday interactions. The nurturing of children and youth in the faith is crucial, as they navigate a world filled with competing ideologies. Believers are called to demonstrate the transformative power of a life lived in Christ, to inspire and guide the next generation towards a lasting and meaningful relationship with God. [56:53]

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can actively engage with the younger generation in your community to demonstrate the love and truth of Christ?


Day 4: The Pivotal Choice to Follow Christ
Choosing to follow Christ is a pivotal decision that carries eternal significance. It is not to be taken lightly or coerced but requires a conscious and deliberate act of the will. Embracing Christ means accepting both His grace and His truth, embarking on a journey that leads to eternal life. This decision is deeply personal and reflects an individual's commitment to surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ. It is a choice that defines one's destiny and sets the course for a life transformed by the gospel. The call to choose Christ is an invitation to a relationship that offers both the promise of salvation and the challenge of discipleship. [54:04]

"Choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15 ESV)

Reflection: What does choosing to serve the Lord look like in your daily life, and what is one decision you can make today to reaffirm this choice?


Day 5: Love of God: Inclusive Yet Demanding
The love of God is both inclusive, welcoming all who come to Him, and demanding, calling for a life of transformation. Jesus exemplified this love by embracing all who sought Him while also challenging them to forsake their old ways and follow Him. As followers of Christ, believers are called to carry this redemptive love into the world, engaging with those who are different and embodying the grace and truth of the gospel in daily interactions. This love is not passive; it actively seeks the good of others and promotes a lifestyle that bears witness to the transformative power of the gospel. [01:01:44]

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (John 13:34 ESV)

Reflection: How can you embody the inclusive yet demanding love of God in your interactions today, especially with those who may be different from you?

Quotes

"We think of grace as the unmerited favor of God. Grace indicates that God bestowed his love on us before we ask. Even after we reject it, he continues to love. He continues to reach out. That's the kind of God we serve. Grace. The unmerited favor of God. We see it really clearly in the New Testament, but we see it in the Old Testament as well." [43:49]( | | )

"Grace is a wonderful thing. I want to get back to the story in a moment. The next thing is truth, grace and truth. Grace and truth are woven all the way through scripture from Genesis to Revelation. And you need to look for it. You need to pay attention when you're reading scripture. You need to identify when this is grace. But here's truth." [51:23]( | | )

"Jesus said in John 14, six, I am the way and the truth and the life. I'm not a truth. A lot of a lot of religions want to make Jesus one of many truths. But he is the truth. He is the only ultimate truth. He is the only way to the father. He is the only way to eternal life. Only Jesus." [53:15]( | | )

"Grace becomes a teacher. Grace becomes a disciplinarian. Grace becomes an enforcer. So it teaches us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. It teaches us that we should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ will be revealed." [47:20]( | | )

"But grace is a terrible thing as well because it disrupts our lives. And when grace enters into our lives, we will be changed and transformed. You can't do that. You'll be changed. There'll be things you're going to have to lay down and things you're going to have to take up. It's not simply a change of the mind. It may be a challenge, a change in here, but it changes your whole world." [49:32]( | | )

"Samuel replied. What is more pleasing to the Lord? Your burnt offerings and sacrifice or your obedience to his voice? Listen, obedience is better than sacrifice and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as the king of Israel." [40:33]( | | )

"But this matter of following Christ is all about making a choice. And you cannot enjoy the ultimate grace of God without choosing to surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ. So when Joshua was making his last speech to the people, he said all these years, in essence, he said, I've followed God and I've tried to put God first." [54:48]( | | )

"God's grace is more than enough for every challenge you face in your life. But you don't have to drink the cup of grace. You can deny Christ and deny the kingdom. But you cannot avoid and deny the day of judgment. I'm sorry. I wish you could. But you can't. We will all stand one day at the judgment bar of God." [01:00:40]( | | )

"God wants us to carry within our lives the redemptive love of God wherever we go. And to spend time with people we don't have a lot in common with. But spend time with them anyway. Because that's where Jesus would be. Grace and truth, you have to choose today. We say, I don't want to choose. That's a choice." [01:01:44]( | | )

"Church attendance is plummeting. Millennials, young people have turned away from truth and are finding their truth and their direction from politicians and over social issues that come and go. We are losing our sons and daughters. And you know about that as a part of your church. We lost so many of our sons and daughters." [56:53]( | | )

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Transcript
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