“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” 1 Timothy 1:19

v. 18 - Charge to Timothy

v. 19 - Hold on to your faithv. 20 - Hymenaeus and Alexander are

examples of men who made shipwreck of their faith

Saul - 1st King of Israel

1 Samuel tells about his life

King Saul

• Handsome and tall.

• From the tribe of Benjamin.

• Anointed by Samuel.

• God warned His people.

I Sam. 8: 10 - 18

Impatience under Trial

1 Samuel 13:8-14Battle against Philistines

Offered a burnt offeringHe was not from tribe of Levi

2. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,3. knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

James 1:2-3

“testing of your faith” - trials

“Patience” – endurance, waiting

“that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious then gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise ,honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”. I Peter 1:7

Partial Obedience

1 Samuel 15 - utterly destroySaved the best

Partial obedience is really disobedience

Obedience = doing what God tells us to do

Illustration of partial obedience

Father asks son to:

(1) Mow grass(2) Trim shrubs(3) Water flowers(4) Take out the Trash

Illustration of partial obedience

We understand sports: (1) Linemen must be set for 1 second. (2) If a linemen moves before the ball is snapped…… (3) The linemen is offsides, and a penalty is assessed to the offensive team.

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” Jas.2:10

If we only obey laws with which we agree and disregard the others, then we have not really obeyed God.

“And Samuel said, 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 heed than the fat of rams.” 1 Sam. 15:22

No Appreciation for a Friend

1 Samuel 15Did not appreciate value of Samuel

Appreciate one who will point out our sins

“Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? Gal. 4:16

Jealousy and Envy engulfed him

1 Samuel 18:7-9Jealous of David“eyed”

James 3:14-18 bitter envying and strife not from above earthly, sensual, devilish

“God has departed from me.” 1 Sam.28:15

Saul was afraid - his heart trembled

Called on God but received no answer

Dreadful Silence !!

Prov. 1:24 “Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,25. Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke,26. I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes,27. When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.28. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.

God is now his enemy - 1 Sam. 28:16

Saul turns to the witch of Endor - 1 Sam.28:8

Asked the counsel of Samuel - doom

Saul is a wrecked man without God. His strength is gone He is without hope He could not shed a tear over his sins

He had destroyed his faith.

A man of prayer A man with a loving heart A man after God’s own heart

Instead of nourishing his faithHe destroyed it.

Saul made Shipwreck of His Faith

Improper navigation

Getting off course

Not prepared for a storm

Lack of visibility

Improper navigation - not following God

Getting off course - sin

Not prepared for a storm - trials

Lack of visibility

I Corinthians 16: 13

* Watch

* Stand fast in the faith

* Be brave

* Be strong

“ Happiness on this Earth comes

from contentment in Christ ”.

“ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin”. Hebrews 4:15

“ My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word”.Psalm 119:28

“ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Philippians 4:13

“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding”. Proverbs 3:5

What Can We Learn From Saul?

1. Don’t be full of pride.

2. Follow what God says.

3. Trust in God…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,and

lean not on your own understanding”

Proverbs 3:5