Sermon Preview
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
This Sunday morning, we are going further in our study of one of the most important events in the history of the Biblical story of redemption. And it is one that upon first observation may not seem to be all that exciting, or connected to the theme of salvation—the rise of the monarchy, or the office of king, in Israel.
Last Lord’s Day we considered how, during the time of the judgeship of Samuel, the elders of Israel approached him out of frustration and demanded a king for the covenant nation. The leaders of Israel desired a king to do for them what the kings of other nations, the heathen nations surrounding Israel, did for their people. And we learned that the Lord instructed Samuel to listen to their voice, to give the people what they wanted, a king. Yet, what the elders had in mind was not a king after God’s own heart—a covenant–keeping king, a spiritually faithful man of the Word of the Lord, a humble servant of the people—but a powerful, impressive monarch who would be like all the other kings of the world.
Well, following that episode where Samuel was commanded by the Lord to give the people the king they demanded, the Lord revealed to Samuel that he was to anoint the man named Saul as the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 9:15ff). And, as the Scripture reveals, Samuel did exactly this.
In 1 Samuel 10 we read that Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him and said,
Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies (v. 1).
But, as we might have already suspected, king Saul did not prove to be a faithful, covenant-keeping leader or savior of God’s people. In the end he was, is so many ways, a king just like all the pagan nations had—wealthy, powerful, impressive by worldly measures, and only slightly concerned about the Lord and His will or the covenants He had made with His people through Abraham and Moses.
And that brings us to the strange and perplexing words that confront us in 1 Samuel 15:10-11–
The word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night.
What could this possibly mean, that the Lord regretted that He had installed Saul as Israel’s king? Did the Lord change His mind? Was this a mistake? Did the Lord not know in advance that Saul would make a real mess of things?
For the next two Sundays we will explore this entire scene (1 Samuel 15:1-35) and the mystifying comment the Lord made about His own decision to raise up Saul to this position of leadership (15:10-11). And as we do so, we will learn more about the awesome, sovereign, and gracious God who has saved us, and called us to His service through His Blessed Son.
Let me also remind you that this is that much-dreaded weekend when we ‘Spring Froward’ one hour on Sunday morning (speaking of kings, if I were the king I would either keep the time the same all year long, or make the change on a Saturday morning at 2 AM rather than on a Sunday!). Be sure to set your clocks ahead before falling off to sleep Saturday evening.
I love you with all my heart,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
March 11, 2:30 PM – Men’s Spring Bible Study
March 11, 3:30 PM – Alleluia Choir at Church House
March 13, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
March 14, 9:00 AM – Senior Fellows Downtown Rescue Mission painting project.
March 14, 9:30 AM – Women’s Morning Study
March 15, 6 AM – Men’s Morning Study
March 18, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
March 21, 6 PM – Diaconate Meeting
April 5, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch
April 7, 10:00 AM – Mother/Daughter Tea Party
April 21, 11:00 AM – Providence Presbytery Spring Youth Event at Westminster Pres
Order of Worship:
You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here
The songs for this week are:
By Thy Mercy
Fairest Lord Jesus Hymn 170, vs 1-3
In Need
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing Hymn 457, all 3 verses
Announcements:
Birth: Audrey Kathryn Townsley was born this afternoon (Friday) weighing 8 lbs 5 oz. Kristen and Audrey are doing great.
Youth Group: Youth Group meets again on March 18 at the church at 4:30 PM for all students in grades 6-12. Invite friends and neighbors!
Women’s Bible Studies: The Women’s weekly studies are ongoing. The Tuesday evening study is at 6 PM, while the Wednesday morning study is at 9:30 AM.
Men’s Bible Study: The Men’s Morning Bible Study is also back in action, meeting every other Thursday. The next meeting is February 15 at 6 AM.
Men’s Spring Bible Study: The Men’s Spring Bible Study of the Psalms continues Sunday at 2:30 PM. All men are encouraged to attend. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mark Cooper at cooperma777@gmail.com or 256-698-6556
Women’s Monthly Lunch: The next Women’s Monthly Lunch is April 5 at 11:30 AM.
Alleluia Choir: Alleluia Choir for students in Second through Sixth Grades has resumed, meeting from 3:30-4:20 PM upstairs in the Church House. New choristers are always welcome.
Senior Fellows: The Senior Fellows will work on a painting project at the Downtown Rescue Mission (DRM) every Wednesday of this month. The project days are March 14, 21 and 28. Carpool from the church at 8:00 AM or arrive at DRM at 9:00 AM. The DRM is located at 1400 Evangel Drive. Drive in the main gate, and park near the main entrance.
Mother/Daughter Tea: Mothers/daughters, Grandmothers/granddaughters: You are invited to “Muffins & Manners” on Saturday, April 7th, at 10 am at the church. A sweet team of ladies will present a short program on manners & table etiquette, pretty flowers, and how you were created to be a daughter of the King! Put on your favorite spring outfit and come ready for a fun morning of food and fellowship together! If you would like to help with food or decor, please see Libby Loose or Debi Walker. They’ll be in he Narthex the next few weeks before church to answer any questions. There will be a planning meeting on Friday, March 9th at 10 am at Libby’s house for those interested.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Bill Bower, Mary Lee McKee, Allison Randall, Gretchen McKee, Perry Calvert, Suzanne Nimon, Suzi Jones, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the the Stafford and Dean families, expecting in April.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).