September 4, 2005 Summit AM

Enough Is Enough

Introduction

A. Text – 1 Sam.16:1-13

B. Physically Saul is king over Israel

            1. Will be for several years – 40 in all

            2. However, as far as God is concerned Saul is not king

            3. Saul has shown himself unfit to serve God & His people

            4. David is to be anointed as king

C. To accomplish this God’s servant needs a change in attitude

            1. Samuel has been grieving for some time concerning Saul

                        a. Saul had so much potential

                                    1) Charismatic personality – people accepted his leadership

                                    2) At 1st he was humble & respectful – became arrogant

                                    3) Chosen & equipped by God – heart changed

                        b. However, Saul allowed his position to go to his head

                                    1) Assumed roles was not to be part of - priests

                                    2) Felt above law – he decide what to obey & what not to obey

                                    3) Put his will before God’s will – finally God had enough

                        c. Saul was rejected as king – what was to happen to Israel?

                                    1) Had rejected Samuel & his sons

                                    2) Where would the guidance & leadership come from?

            2. God says to Samuel – enough is enough – stop the grieving

                        a. Saul has been rejected – it’s time to move on

                        b. Things are not as you hoped – get over it – must move on

D. Valuable lesson her for us today

            1. Things will not always work out as we hoped

            2. Yet life goes on – get over it & move on

            3. Question is how?

E. Pray

 

I. Life Moves In Cycles

            A. Ever see a graph of the stock market?

                        1. Things never move in a straight line

                        2. Stocks are up & down almost on a daily basis

                        3. Able see cycles – periods when expect them be changing

            B. Same is true of weather patterns

                        1. Never the same year after year – yet graph & see patterns

                        2. Cycles when are more storms & dry periods etc.

            C. Eccles.3:1-8

                        1. For everything there is a season

                        2. Nothing is ever going to stay the same – must learn to adapt

            D. For Samuel it was time to stop the grieving & move forward

                        1. No need to keep wallowing in self pity

                        2. What’s done is done – stop crying over spilt milk

                        3. Saul has made his choice – but all is not lost - God was still in control

II. Lessons We Need To Learn

            A. No need for us to continue wallowing in self pity

                        1. Is a time to grieve – when sorrow seems to overwhelm us

                        2. Recent storm & tragedy that has followed

                                    a. People overwhelmed – have to start all over

                                    b. Greatest natural disaster nation faced

                                    c. As watch video – we grieve along with them

                        3. Are times when life does this to all of us

                                    a. Christians are not immune from life’s tragedies          

                        b. In this world we have tribulation – all kinds of them

4. God says to us – enough – let’s move on

                                    a. Rom.8:31-39 – we are more than conquerors

                                                (with God on our side – how live in depression?)

                                    b. 1 Cor.10:13 – God already has a way of escape waiting

                                    c. 2 Tim.4:16-18 – see Paul’s confidence = needs be ours too

            B. Realize the truth about life’s difficulties

                        1. Are there to strengthen us – not defeat us

                                    a. James 1:2-4 – see them as a joyful thing

                                    b. Heb.12:7 – endure hardship as discipline

                                    c. 1 Pet.1:6,7 – our faith is being tested

                        2. God will never leave you alone & helpless

                                    a. Acts 17:27 – not far from each one of us (believer or not)

                                    b. God grieves over the Muslims that were trampled to death

                                                as well as the Christians that died in Katrina

                                    c. Heb.13:5,6 – never will I leave or forsake you (not His nature)

            C. What do when difficulties come?

                        1. Reaffirm who you are

                                    a. Children of God – given all the spiritual blessings

                                    b. Chosen – coheirs with Jesus

                        2. Recommit yourself to God

                                    a. Consciously recommit – reaffirm your faith & commitment

                                    b. I live for Him regardless – like Job (Lord gives & Lord takes)

                        3. Deal with the bitterness & anger

                                    a. Eph.4:26,27 – be angry & not sin – deal with immediately

                                    b. Festering anger only allows Satan to control

                                    c. Wants us to blame God – become disillusioned & overwhelmed

                        4. Focus on the positive

                                    a. Always light at end of tunnel

                                    b. Things may never be same – but will work out

                                    c. Promises

                                                Rom.8:28 – will work out for good

                                                Phil.4:4-7 – God’s peace will guard heart & mind

                                    d. Become involved with serving others

                                                Phil.4:10-13 – learned be content - Concern was others

                                                Lived for, taught & encouraged others

Focused on serving God – 2 Cor.4:14-16