To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 1 Sam 15:22

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 1)God’s Expectation (v.1): Hearken to the words of Jehovah

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 1)God’s Expectation (v.1): - Hearken to the words of Jehovah 2)God’s Command (v.3): - Utterly destroy all - Spare not

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 1)God’s Expectation (v.1): - Hearken to the words of Jehovah 2)God’s Command (v.3): - Utterly destroy all - Spare not 3)Command Understood (v.4-6): - Saul’s preparation – 200,000 footmen, 10,000 of Judah

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 4)Saul / People’s Actions (v.7-9): - Spared Agag and best of livestock - Would not utterly destroy all - Destroyed only the vile and refuse - Kept what they deemed good (human reasoning) - Exercised freewill in partial obedience

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 5)Self Perception (v.13, 20): - I have performed the commandment of Jehovah - I have obeyed the voice of Jehovah - I have gone the way Jehovah sent me

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 5)Self Perception (v.13, 20): - I have performed the commandment of Jehovah - I have obeyed the voice of Jehovah - I have gone the way Jehovah sent me 6)God’s Perspective (v.10-11, 18-19): - Turned back from following me - Have NOT performed my commandments - Did NOT OBEY voice of Jehovah - Did that which was EVIL

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 7)Good Intentions (v.14-15, 21): - Spared the best to sacrifice to Jehovah in Gilgal - Certainly God would be pleased ???

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 7)Good Intentions (v.14-15, 21): - Spared the best to sacrifice to Jehovah in Gilgal - Certainly God would be pleased ??? 8)Source of the Problem (v.23,26; v.24): - Rejected God’s word - Feared the people and obeyed their voice

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 7)Good Intentions (v.14-15, 21): - Spared the best to sacrifice to Jehovah in Gilgal - Certainly God would be pleased ??? 8)Source of the Problem (v.23,26; v.24): - Rejected God’s word - Feared the people and obeyed their voice 9)Point of Emphasis (v.22): - To OBEY is better than sacrifice - God delights in those who will obey His voice

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice God’s Expectations Remain Consistent: - In Jeremiah’s Day (Jer 6:19-20) -Sacrifices not accepted because: - Did not hearken to God’s word - Rejected God’s law

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice God’s Expectations Remain Consistent: - In Jeremiah’s Day (Jer 6:19-20) -Sacrifices not accepted because: - Did not hearken to God’s word - Rejected God’s law - Reinforced by David (Psalm 40:6-8) - Image of a willing servant who obeys - Ex 21:2-6 - Christ is ultimate example (Heb 10)

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 1)God’s Word can be Understood: - Eph 3:1-5

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 1)God’s Word can be Understood: - Eph 3:1-5 2)God’s Expectation - Obedience: - James 1:22

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 1)God’s Word can be Understood: - Eph 3:1-5 2)God’s Expectation - Obedience: - James 1:22 3)Man’s Freewill: - Jn 7:17

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 1)God’s Word can be Understood: - Eph 3:1-5 2)God’s Expectation - Obedience: - James 1:22 3)Man’s Freewill: - Jn 7:17 4)Good Intentions Don’t Justify My Actions: - Example: Paul – Acts 26:9-10; 23:1

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 5)God’s Word is the Standard, not Mine: - Jn 12:48

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 5)God’s Word is the Standard, not Mine: - Jn 12:48 6)My Perception of My Righteousness can be Wrong: - Lk 18:9-14

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 5)God’s Word is the Standard, not Mine: - Jn 12:48 6)My Perception of My Righteousness can be Wrong: - Lk 18:9-14 7)Must Have God’s Authority for All that I Practice: - Lk 20:1-8

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice Jesus’ Sobering Comments: - Matt 15:6-9: In vain do they worship me: - Honor with lips / heart is far from me - Teach the precepts of men instead of God

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice Jesus’ Sobering Comments: - Matt 15:6-9: “In vain do they worship me” - Honor with lips / heart is far from me - Teach the precepts of men instead of God - Matt 7:21-23: “I never knew you, depart from me” - Must DO the will of the Father - Many “religious” folks will be mistaken