Bad Decisions and Consequences

Theme: The Importance of Obedience

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 13:1-23

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: King Saul impatiently offered a burnt offering to God, breaking the command of the Lord.

Think: Have the mindset that obedience is always the best choice.

Do: Commit to obey the Lord in every area of life, no matter the circumstances.

Notes and questions:

B1 Background: Israel was having problems with the Philistines. The Philistines were lording it over Israel and stealing from them. There was a garrison of soldiers at Gibeah.

C1 1 Samuel 7:7 NRSV  When the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it they were afraid of the Philistines.

C2 1 Samuel 13:3-4 NRSV  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  When all Israel heard that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become odious to the Philistines, the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.

C3 The actions of Jonathan infuriated the Philistines, who gathered their soldiers to fight Israel. 1 Samuel 13:5 GW  The Philistines assembled to fight against Israel. They had 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and as many soldiers as the sand on the seashore. They camped at Michmash, east of Beth Aven.

C4 The Hebrews were terrified and most ran and hid. 1 Samuel 13:6-7 GW  When the Israelites saw they were in trouble because the army was hard-pressed, they hid in caves, in thorny thickets, among rocks, in pits, and in cisterns.  7  Some Hebrews crossed the Jordan River into the territory of Gad and Gilead. But Saul remained in Gilgal, and all the people who followed him trembled in fear.

B2 Obedience-disobedience

C1 Defined

D1 What is the difference? Give an example.

D2 When is disobedience required for the Christian?

D3 When is obedience required for the Christian?

D4 What or who makes the difference?

C2 What is the difference between obedience and disobedience in the following?

D1 Romans 5:19 NKJV  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.

D2 John 14:15 NKJV  If you love Me, keep My commandments.

D3 1 John 3:4-7 WEL  Everyone doing sin also is doing lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you are aware that he appeared to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. 6 Everyone remaining in him does not keep on sinning. Everyone who keeps on sinning has not seen or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you; he who is doing what is right is righteous just as he is righteous.

C3 What did the Apostles do differently than Saul?

D1 1 Samuel 15:23 NKJV  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.

D2 Acts 4:18-19 GNB  So they called them back in and told them that under no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus.  19  But Peter and John answered them, "You yourselves judge which is right in God's sight—to obey you or to obey God?”

B3 1 Samuel 13:8-9,

C1 Seven days: 1 Samuel 10:8 NKJV  You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do.

C2 Did King Saul not understand what Samuel say?

B4 1 Samuel 13:10-12,

C1 Why did King Saul not wait? Was his excuse acceptable?

C2 What does waiting have to do with obedience to God? How does impatience cause difficulties in our lives?

C3 When King Saul states, “You did not come within the days appointed,” what is Saul doing? (He is making excuses).

D1 By making excuses, Saul was NOT facing reality. He was NOT acknowledging the truth. The truth was that he was to wait.

D2 How do making choices affect our Christian life?

D3 Choices have consequences.

D4 We use a compass to help us with directions. How can you apply this to Saul’s situation?

B5 1 Samuel 13:13-14,

C1 What can we learn and apply to our life when Samuel tells King Saul, “You have done foolishly?”

C2 When are we to rebuke someone? What standard are we to use?

C3 How does this verse apply to King Saul’s actions: Proverbs 12:15 NKJV  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise? How does it apply to us?

C4 Have you ever made a foolish decision? How did it turn out? (You don’t have to response, just think about it). How would you advise another person facing the same situation?

C5 What did King Saul lose? Was there any repentance? Could this judgment be reversed?

C6 Do Christians today lose blessings like King Saul did?

C7 Can you think of examples of Christians forfeiting God’s blessings?

C8 Now God is going to seek a man after his own heart, that is, loyal. Samuel is referring to David, whom he has not met—yet. What is the difference between King Saul and King David? A few translations render this: 1 Samuel 13:14 NET But now your kingdom will not continue! The LORD has sought out for himself a man who is loyal to him and the LORD has appointed him to be leader over his people, for you have not obeyed what the LORD commanded you.

B6 1 Samuel 13:15-18,

C1 The Philistines are trying to surround King Saul and his small army of 600.

C2 Before King Saul sinned, he had 2,000 soldiers, and General Jonathan, his son, had 1,000.

B7 1 Samuel 13:19-21,

C1 Why did the Israelites have so few swords and no blacksmith? (The Philistines had oppressed Israel to the extent that there was so little).

C2 What were the reasons the Philistines did not allow blacksmiths in Israel?

B8 1 Samuel 13:22-23,

C1 Does the situation look bleak?

C2 What are we to do when our life, as a Christian, looks bleak?

C3 How do we have hope in a hopeless world?

C4 How do we have hope when we have sinned?

B9 Hope

C1 Psalms 42:5 GNB  Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise him, my savior and my God.

C2 Psalms 119:114 NKJV  You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

C3 Titus 2:13 NKJV  Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

B10 Next week:

C1 The Harder They Fall

C2 Theme: Courageous Faith

C3 Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Christian Doctrine: The Trinity

Doctrine: Trinity

B2 Theology proper

C1 Trinity

D1 One God = essence

E1 Essence is the stuff God is made of. God is a spirit, not flesh.

E2 Essence is explained by the example of water in a pitcher poured in separate glasses or the 3 petal leaf of a clover.

D2 Persons

E1 God the Father

E2 God the Son (See Jesus Christ below)

E3 God the Holy Spirit (See Holy Spirit below)

D3 Relationships

E1 God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have one essence. It is the nature of what a being is. God’s nature is not human nature, or dog nature, or sparrow nature. God has one nature. God is life, aseity, self-existence. God is not created by another being or created by Himself.

E2 The same have the fullness of God. Each is fully God. One person is not lacking or inferior to another. They have both equality and unity.

E3 Each person of the one God has roles. These rolls are Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The role of the Father is He is not begotten or proceeds from anyone. The role of the Son is He is eternally begotten of the Father. This does not mean that the Son had a beginning, for it refers to a role the Son fulfills. The Holy Spirit eternally proceeds (is sent) from the Father and the Son. This does not mean that He is less God. He is fully God. It describes His role in the Trinity.

E4 Each person is equally authoritative and equally supreme. The Son is not in eternal subordination to the Father. The Son has equal authority and supremacy. The word begotten refers to His taking humanity in the womb of the Virgin from the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, the Son has always been God. It refers to His role, not His origin. He is unique, the one and only (Genesis 22:2, 12, 16, John 3:16). The term firstborn refers to His position of authority, not referring that He came into being (Exodus 4:22, Jeremiah 31:9, Colossians 1:18 (pre-eminence), Hebrews 1:6, Psalm 89:27).

D4 Decrees

E1 This refers to His sovereign commands, decisions, and judgments.

E2 There is a difference how Calvinists and Arminians define and apply this term. You can search for decrees in the Westminster Confession and Monergism website. You can also search the Arminian view on the Society of Evangelical Arminians.

D5 Errors

E1 Tri-theism

F1 This is the idea that there are 3 gods who work with each other.

F2 The truth is there are 3 persons in one god.

F3 John 14:7-9 NKJV  "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."  (8)  Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."  (9)  Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

F4 John 10:30 NKJV  I and My Father are one."

F5 Isaiah 45:18 NKJV  For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.

F6 Deuteronomy 6:4 NKJV  "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

F7 If there were more than one god, there would no unity.

F8 There would be 3 totally sovereign gods with all the same attributes.

F9 If they disagreed, there would be no unity, for who would win?

F10 One God is in His essence. The 3 persons are roles that one essence has chosen.

E2 Sabellianism (Modalism, Oneness theology)

F1 There is only one god. This one god takes the office of Father sometimes, Son sometimes, and Holy Spirit sometimes.

F2 Matthew 3:16-17 NKJV  When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.  (17)  And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." How could this be, if Modalism were true? Whose voice was this?

F3 Matthew 28:19 NKJV  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

F4 John 8:18 NKJV  I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me." Jesus refers to two witnesses—himself and the Father. He also states that the Father sent Him. It would make no sense for Jesus to refer to being sent by the Father, when it is really him.

F5 1 John 4:14 NKJV  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. The same comments in F4 apply here.

F6 John 11:41-42 NKJV  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.  (42)  And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." Who is Jesus praying to?

F7 (Matthew 26:42 (NKJV) Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” Compare: (Hebrews 5:7 (NKJV) Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear. Who is Jesus praying to?

F8 John 14:16-17 NKJV  And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—  (17)  the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. Who is this other comforter given while Jesus is gone?

E3 Arianism

F1 Jesus is the first created and is god. Some believe that Jesus was begotten but not of the same substance. The Father was unbegotten, the Son begotten. They claim 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 as proof.

F2 He is not equal or of the same substance (essence) as the Father. He does not have the same nature as the Father.

F3 He is god by designation. He is god by title.

F4 He is subordinate to the Father.

F5 John 20:28 NKJV  And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus is called God, and Jesus made no correction.

F6 (John 5:23 (NKJV) “That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Same honor, not similar or less honor.

F7 John 1:1 NKJV  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

G1 The Jehovah Witnesses translate this as a god. This makes them have more than one god—polytheists.

G2 Greek rule of translation: Metzger writes, “A definite predicate nominative has the article when it follows the verb; it does not have the article when it precedes the verb.” (Bruce M. Metzger, “The Jehovah’s Witnesses and Jesus Christ: A Biblical and Theological Appraisal,” Theology Today (April, 1953): 71). Link

F8 Colossians 1:15-17. God cannot be created. The verse clearly refers to Jesus being Lord of creation—the first, the greatest, the only.

F9 John 14:28 NKJV  You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I. The word greater refers to role, not nature.

G1 Jehovah Witnesses teach that Jesus does not have the same nature or authority as God.

G2 There is only one God, not two. See Isaiah 48:15, John 5:18, and Hebrews 1.

Glory Awaits

Theme: The Promise of Resurrection

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:20-58

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: Christ was raised from the dead, and we too will be raised up when He returns.

Think: Let the assurance of my coming resurrection motivate me to live for Christ.

Do: Always live for the Lord, doing His will, knowing we will be raised to be with Him in Heaven.

Notes and questions:

B1 Basic

C1 Defined: Resurrection is not resuscitation. One is cold dead; the other is temporarily dead.

C2 The Lord Jesus really died.

D1 John 19:32-35

D2 Mark 15:44

C3 The Lord Jesus really rose from the dead—witnesses.

D1 Angels and the women: Mark 16:6-8

D2 The Roman guard: Matthew 28:11-15

D3 The eleven Apostles: Matthew 28:16-18

D4 The men on the Emmaus Road: Luke 24:13-35.

D5 His disciples: Luke 24:36-49.

D6 Mary Magdalene: John 20:11-18.

D7 To the disciples with Thomas: John 20:19-29.

D8 500 brothers and sisters; it is also a list of others including Paul: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

C4 The Lord Jesus really rose from the dead—other proofs.

D1 Empty tomb

E1 His body into the tomb:

E2 His body not there: Matthew 27:64

E3 The Romans and Jews knew where the tomb was located. If Jesus body was still there (meaning Jesus was still dead), they could have refuted the Apostles preaching Jesus’s resurrection.

D2 The linen body wrapping especially the folding of the face wrapping: John 20:6-8

D3 The change in the Apostles and disciples attitude and actions: Acts 2. Compare John 20:19.

D4 The early church meeting on Sunday for worship in honor of the Lord Jesus who had risen from the dead.

E1 John 20:1

E2 John 20:19

E3 Acts 20:7

E4 1 Corinthians 16:2

E5 Revelation 1:10

C5 The importance of the resurrection.

D1 To fulfill Scripture: Luke 24:45-47

D2 Without the resurrection, there is no forgiveness of sins: 1 Corinthians 15:17

D3 For justification: Romans 4:25

D4 So Jesus could pray for us: Romans 8:34

D5 For hope of salvation and eternity in heaven: 1 Corinthians 15:19

D6 Gives evidence of Jesus’s divinity

E1 Acts 13:32-37

E2 Romans 1:4

D7 Proves that Jesus’s death was accepted by God. Jesus’s death provides for the forgiveness of sins.

C6 Old Testament prophecies about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

D1 Acts 17:2-3

D2 Where are these Old Testament Scriptures?

E1 There are prophecies of the suffering and dying Messiah (Isaiah 53 and Daniel 9:25-26). There are also prophecies of the King Messiah who reigns forever (Revelation 11:15). If Messiah died, then reigns forever, it must mean He was resurrected.

E2 Jonah and the whale theory; Some hold that this refers to it, but Jesus uses this an illustration but does not say that the passage itself predicts His resurrection.

E3 Hosea 6:2 NKJV  After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. This is mentioned by some, since the words third day and raised are in the passage. It appears that the passage is more of a summons from the prophet to meet and have a revival.

E4 Compare Psalm 16, Isaiah 53:10-12, and Isaiah 42:1-4.

B2 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 WEL For the first thing I passed on to you was what I also received, how that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, 4 And that he was buried, then rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

C1 What did Paul teach?

C2 Did the Corinthian believers accept it?

C3 What 3 things did the Lord Jesus do that is mentioned in this passage?

C4 What significance does according to the Scriptures have?

C5 Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ so important? (1 Corinthians 15:12 WEL Now if Christ is preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection from the dead?).

C6 How does these verses apply to the previous question? 1 Corinthians 15:13-20 WEL Now if there is no resurrection from the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching [is] futile and your faith [is] also futile. 15 Yes and we are found [to be] false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that he raised Christ whom he didn't raise, if it is so that the dead don't rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ isn't risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If [it is] only in this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people the most pitiful. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead and become the first fruits of those who slept.

D1 Preaching the Gospel is useless.

D2 Faith is Jesus Christ for salvation is useless.

D3 Apostles and other early Christian evangelists will go to hell for lying.

D4 Sins are not forgiven, so they will go to hell without forgiveness.

D5 Believers who have died have no hope of eternal life.

D6 We are the saddest, most miserable people in existence.

D7 BUT all the above points are false, because Jesus Christ did truly, bodily rise from the dead as proven by the empty tomb, the over 500 witnesses, and even those who were His enemies.

B3 A thought: The first creation fails and will be destroyed. Adam willfully sinned which brought God’s curse of death. The rest of the first creation is the Sabbath. The second creation starts on the eighth day (the first day), the day of Jesus’s resurrection and will be complete when the new heavens and earth will be created. The curse is destroyed when death is destroyed in the Lake of Fire. We recognize this in part by worshipping on Sunday. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the promise of our resurrection and the new creation. 1 Corinthians 15:26 NKJV The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

B4 1 Corinthians 15:29 NKJV Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?

C1 Many interpretations

C2 Perhaps

D1 Some people became Christians.

D2 They wanted to be baptized.

D3 They died before they could be baptized.

D4 The Corinthians, even though baptized themselves, were baptized vicariously, in place of, on behalf of, those who had died.

C3 The point is, “If there is no resurrection, why be baptized?”

B5 1 Corinthians 15:30-32. Why be baptized, if we are going to die in persecution tomorrow. If there is no resurrection, what’s the point?

B6 1 Corinthians 15:35-49,

C1 What are some differences between our present body and the resurrection body?

C2 What are some differences between the first Adam and the second Adam?

B7 1 Corinthians 15:50-58,

C1 Can our present body inherit heaven?

C2 How fast will the resurrection be? How can it happen that fast?

C3 What trumpet is this? It is God’s trumpet to the church to come to Him. Trumpets are often used for notifying and gathering people as in Exodus 19:13, Judges 6:34, and Jeremiah 4:5.

C4 This trumpet is probably the one mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NKJV  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  17  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  18  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

C5 What has happened to death?

C6 What is the victory of 1 Corinthians 15:57?

C7 How did we become victorious?

B8 Is the resurrection an important doctrine? Why?

B9 How will knowing about the resurrection change our way of thinking and living?

B10 Next week:

C1 Bad Decisions and Consequences

C2 Theme: The Importance of Obedience

C3 Scriptures: 1 Samuel 13:1-23