“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” 1 Timothy 1:19 v Charge to Timothy v Hold on to your faith v Hymenaeus and Alexander are examples of men who made shipwreck of their faith

Saul - 1 st King of Israel 1 Samuel tells about his life

Impatience under Trial 1 Samuel 13:8-14 Battle against Philistines Offered a burnt offering He was not from tribe of Levi

2. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3. knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3 NKJV “testing of your faith” - trials “Patience” – endurance, waiting

Partial Obedience 1 Samuel 15 - utterly destroy Saved the best Partial obedience is really disobedience Obedience = doing what God tells us to do

Illustration of partial obedience Father asks son to: (1) Mow grass (2) Trim shrubs (3) Water flowers (4) Take out the Trash

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” Jas.2:10 If we only obey laws with which we agree and disregard the others, then we have not really obeyed God. “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” 1 Sam. 15:22

No Appreciation for a Friend 1 Samuel 15 Did not appreciate value of Samuel Appreciate one who will point out our sins “Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? Gal. 4:16

Jealousy and Envy engulfed him 1 Samuel 18:7-9 Jealous of David “eyed” James 3:14-18  bitter envying and strife  not from above  earthly, sensual, devilish

“God has departed from me.” 1 Sam.28:15 Saul was afraid - his heart trembled Called on God but received no answer Dreadful Silence !!

Prov. 1:24 “Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, 25. Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, 26. I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 27. When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. 28. "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.

God is now his enemy - 1 Sam. 28:16 Saul turns to the witch of Endor - 1 Sam.28:8 Asked the counsel of Samuel - doom Saul is a wrecked man without God.  His strength is gone  He is without hope  He could not shed a tear over his sins He had destroyed his faith.

 A man of prayer  A man with a loving heart  A man after God’s own heart Instead of nourishing his faith He destroyed it. Saul made Shipwreck of His Faith

 Improper navigation  Getting off course  Not prepared for a storm  Lack of visibility

 Improper navigation - not following God  Getting off course - sin  Not prepared for a storm - trials  Lack of visibility

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against you.” Psalms 119:11

How will it end? Have you obeyed the gospel? Are you remaining faithful? Are you on praying terms with God? HOW IS YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE ?

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Morning Jan. 9, 2011