2. Steve Petch Sunday 9 th February 2014 The Cost Of Obedience 1 Samuel 3

3. The Cost Of Obedience Samuel’s life: His life is recorded in the book of 1 Samuel He was the last ‘judge’ of Israel He was a powerful prophet He led God’s people in warfare

4. The Cost Of Obedience Samuel was CHOSEN by God 1 Samuel 1 & 2 Psalm 139 v 1-4; 13; 16 Ephesians 1 v 3-5; 11 Ephesians 2 v 10

5. “Come in! All are invited!”

6. “Chosen before the foundation of the world!”

7. The Cost Of Obedience Samuel was CALLED by God 1 Samuel 3 Romans 8 v 28-30 John 6 v 44

8. The Cost Of Obedience Samuel was TESTED by God “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests the heart” (Proverbs 17v3) 1.God’s testing is about purification 2.God’s testing can be intense “We speak not to please men, but to please God – who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2v4)

9. The Cost Of Obedience Samuel’s message to Saul: “To obey is better than sacrifice” “Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you”

10. The Cost Of Obedience God tested Samuel … … when he was young … when he was a ruler and judge … when he was old … even in his grief

11. The Cost Of Obedience Samuel, Saul and Us: CHOSEN by God CALLED by God TESTED by God How do we respond when God tests us? How is God testing you today?

12. What’s the difference between a celebrity and a hero? A celebrity aims to do what will make them popular A hero does what is right, regardless of popularity The Cost Of Obedience

13. “To obey is better than sacrifice” 1 Samuel 15 v 22

14. The Cost Of Obedience “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” Hebrews 5 v 8-9

15. The Cost Of Obedience We will be tested: Our faithfulness Our integrity Our honesty Our commitment to Christ Our willingness to serve Our faith In short: all our values will be tested

16. The Cost Of Obedience “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests the heart” Proverbs 17v3