Song 1 – As the Deer

Hear God call you to worship:

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
– Psalm 13:5-6

Let us worship the Lord!

Song 2 – Lift High the Name of Jesus

Song 3 – Grace Alone

Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.

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Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen

In the song we sang earlier, we sang that we stand in faith and run the race by grace and grace alone. We don’t ever want to take the grace for granted, but rather we want to always remember the great price that was paid for our grace and freedom. As a church body we want to always take some time during our gathered worship to confess our sins, both silently and together with one voice. As we pray together the prayer on the screen, would you ask the Holy Spirit to search your own heart, and let him bring to mind unspoken things which he is calling you to repent of.

Confession of Sin
Our Father, forgive us
for thinking small thoughts of you
and for ignoring your immensity and greatness.
Lord Jesus, forgive us
when we forget that you rule
the nations and our small lives.
Holy Spirit, we offend you
in minimizing your power
and wasting your gifts.

We confess that our blindness
to your glory, O triune God,
has resulted in shallow confession,
weak conviction, and only mild repentance.
Have mercy on us, Lord.
Bring us deeper, O triune God,
into full communion with you
and into the freedom and joy of life with you.

Teach us to know the love of Christ
which surpasses knowledge,
that we may be filled with all the fullness of God
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness:
Ephesians 1:7 “In him [that is, Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

Let us pray.

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If you have children, they are welcome to join our Sunday school classes! 

Our Scripture reading today is 1 Samuel 11:1-15. Hear the Word of God:

^1:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” ² But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.” ³ The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days’ respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.” ⁴ When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, they reported the matter in the ears of the people, and all the people wept aloud.

⁵ Now, behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, “What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh. ⁶ And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. ⁷ He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of the messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the Lord fell upon the people, and they came out as one man. ⁸ When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. ⁹ And they said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have salvation.’” When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad. ¹⁰ Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.” ¹¹ And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

¹² Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” ¹³ But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.” ¹⁴ Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” ¹⁵ So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Battle Plan
-1 Samuel 11:1-15

I. A Problem Fit for a King
II. A Spirit Inspired Rescue Mission
III. A Kingdom Renewed
IV. Application

Song 4 – Before the Throne of God Above

Song 5 – Sovereign Over Us

Song 6 – O Church Arise

Our Father in heaven, 
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. 
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.

“‘The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

– Numbers 6:24-26

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Study Questions: 1 Samuel 11.

Introduction:
Today’s passage explores Saul’s reaction to a crisis. How do you usually respond in times of crisis?

Into the Text:
1. Why is it crucial to grasp the historical and cultural context of 1 Samuel 11, particularly concerning the spiritual state of Israel and the threats (internal and external division) it faces?

2. Describe the dire scene in Jabesh Gilead

3. Discuss Saul’s Spirit-inspired response to the crisis, emphasizing the role of righteous anger and zeal against the enemies of God. How does this moment reflect God’s graciousness toward His people?

4. After the Israelites gain victory over the Ammonites, what ceremony does Samuel suggest?
A. What is the significance of choosing Gilgal?
B. What is the purpose of the ceremony, and how does it contribute to the renewal of the Kingdom?

Application:
1. How can believers actively pursue and experience more of the Holy Spirit’s power in their lives? What hindrances might impede the Spirit’s working in our lives.

2. In the sermon it was said, “. Jesus says this in John 6:63, ”It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” Do you and I greatly desire the Holy Spirit? It is the great need of our generation that we as a church, that we as individual Christians, that we would have a power that is not of ourselves. We will not triumph in the battle of our generation; by any fleshly means. But if God would give us the power from heaven of His Holy Spirit, then we may have all that we need. Through prayer and faith in God’s Word we hope to be renewed with Spirit’s power to face the Ammonite challenges of our day.”

A. What are some of the Ammonite challenge of our day that we should be opposing by the power of the Spirit?

2. The passage alerts us to the reality of Spiritual warfare. Read Ephesians 6:12. Do you feel Christians today are aware of the realities of spiritual warfare? Have you yourself experienced spiritual warfare, and if so, how did it impact your faith?

3. Discuss practical steps to be vigilant and equipped in the ongoing battle against spiritual forces.

Close in prayer.