Sunday Recap from 1/28 Big Picture Question: How do trials make us greater worshipers?

Sunday Recap from 1/28 Big Picture Question: How do trials make us greater worshipers?

Sunday, January 28, 2018, Evident Grace Fellowship looked at 1 Samuel 13:1-7:

1 Saul was . . . years old when he began to reign, and he reigned . . . and two years over Israel. 2 Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home, every man to his tent. 3 Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.” 4 And all Israel heard it said that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become a stench to the Philistines. And the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.

5 And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven. 6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns, 7 and some Hebrews crossed the fords of the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

We looked at this Big Picture Question:

How do trials create greater worshipers? 

And we found these three answers to our Big Picture Question:

  • Trials Make You Thankful for Peace
  • Trials Protect Your Heart from Pride
  • Trials Make Your Fearless

Trials Make You Thankful for Peace

1 Samuel 13:1 Saul was . . . years old when he began to reign, and he reigned . . . and two years over Israel.  2 Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home, every man to his tent.

Saul fully steps in asking now that Samuel is retired, and Israel enjoys a time of peace as Saul and his son, Jonathan, lead their armies.  Peace from trials is a gift.  In fact, if we worship and renew ourselves to God as Israel did in chapter twelve, we will have a much deeper appreciation, a heart of thanks, and posture of worship than if we complain during trials.

Trials Protect Your Heart from Pride

1 Samuel 13:3 Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.” 4 And all Israel heard it said that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become a stench to the Philistines. And the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.

Saul and Jonathan lead Israel into victory, but there is a complete lack of thanks to God in these verses.  Instead, Saul blows trumpets of victory, and Israel becomes a stench in the noses of the Philistines.  Just in reading that, you know that times are about to get worse.  When we worship amid the trials, we don’t take credit for the good times.  In fact, our hearts are protected from pride because we understand our dependence on God more.

Trials Make Your Fearless

1 Samuel 13:5 And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven. 6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns, 7 and some Hebrews crossed the fords of the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

Israel gets so scared at the oncoming battle with the Philistines, they retreat to caves and even cross BACK over the Jordan.  They literally leave Israel, and crossing the Jordan back is like walking away from God and His protection.

If we worship God in trials, we will greater understand His care and protection.  Our fear will be replaced with trust.

This is best illustrated by the promises of 1 Peter in light of Jesus’ work on behalf.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Samuel 13:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

We found these truths, applications, and actions from our sermon.

Big Picture Question:  How do trials create greater worshipers?

Truth:  The trials of life are intended to create a worshipful thankfulness that protects our hearts from pride and to bolster us to greater faith.

Application:  Live knowing that our moments of peace should prepare us to worship vibrantly, with no pride, and no retreat.

Action:  In peace?  Thank God, and ask Him to protect you from pride.  In trials?  Ask God to enable you to stand firm.

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