Saul’s Shortly after Saul began to reign as king over Israel the Philistines were provoked to war. Samuel, set a time for offering sacrifice unto Jehovah, and evoking His blessings, but Saul did not wait for Samuel. (1 Samuel 13:8-15), READ Although Saul was a Benjamite with no authority to serve at the altar, he took it upon himself to make the burnt offering. Note: as indicated (verse 13) what Saul did was foolish and sinful. For this he would be punished. When Samuel asked for an explanation, Saul offered a myriad of rationalizations and excuses 1 Samuel 13:8-15

“I saw that the people were scattered from me…” Anything to keep the people together! Moral equivalent: Social Gospel A lack of reliance upon God’s power Such arguments from practical necessity are not valid If God has given a command, there is no valid reason to disobey or disregard His will If Saul (and the people) had trusted in God, He would have faithfully protected and cared for them! (Isaiah 41:10) [God’s words to Israel], “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. ‘” Today, Social gospel… (Do not trust in the power of the gospel) the people are scattered! We need youth groups and entertainment for the children, or we will lose them to the world! We need instruments of music in worship, or the next generation will lost interest and leave! We need a change in our preaching with less emphasis on doctrine, or admonition! Such shows the same lack of trust in the power of God as was being shown by the Israelites and King Saul The apostle Paul trusted in the power of the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16), “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

“you [Samuel] did not come within the days appointed…” Blaming another for your own error! Another example: Adam Refusing to be accountable for self Apparently, for whatever reason, Samuel did not make it by the appointed day Saul used this truth illegitimately, as an excuse for his own sin. Note: Even if Samuel was at fault, two wrongs do not make a right! Adam blamed Eve and God for his sin: (Genesis 3:12), “Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.“ (Ezekiel 18:1-4), “The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, 2 "What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? 3 " As I live," says the Lord God, "you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. 4 "Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die.”

“the Philistines gathered together at Michmash,…” The enemy is too strong and close Moral equivalent: Compromise! Again, a lack of trust in God Saul sought to justify his wrongdoing on the basis of the enemy’s strength and proximity Similar to the social gospel, some feel we must compromise to compete with the Denominations… They are too large, we must develop brotherhood “organizations” to compete… The pressures of the Lord require a compromise in doctrine, practice, morals, etc. We must trust in God’s power and care for us! (Psalm 31:24), “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

“I have not made supplication to the Lord…”' A false claim of piety The ‘pious in error’ are not justified! Only those who obey God are justified in His sight Some claim that piety in itself is sufficient to please God! Carl Ketcherside (led brethren astray) “the pious unimmersed.” The idea is that God is pleased when the sincere offer worship or service, even if it is not in keeping with His will (James 1:25), “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” (Isaiah 59:1-2), “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” If the “pious” is in sin, God will NOT hear him!

“Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering" Hypocrisy Revealed! In noting he was going against his own will, he acknowledged it was wrong! (KJV), “I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.” Also, this was an indication that he was following his own heart, rather than the commands of God… (Romans 14:22-23), “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Proverbs 14:12), “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

My Matthew 25:28-30 Samuel told Saul: “"You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you.” (1 Samuel 13:13) Saul lost his kingdom for his sin WE TOO can lose all regardless of how legitimate we may consider our excuses to be … Remember the unprofitable servant, who offered excuses to his master… (Matthew 25:28-30), “So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ' For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ' Matthew 25:28-30