1 Samuel Chapter 28:1-25

He realized a lot of trust in our ability to follow God, you should ask him to give you the strength to follow. Never trust in your ability to follow him trust in his ability to lead. There's a huge difference. If you trust in your ability to follow God's cemetery was can happen to live a Christian life is disillusionment as you fall time and time and time again until finally, your trust is so shattered in yourself. You won't even try to be Christian welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee Senior Pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina today. David McGee continues teaching through first Samuel chapter 28 and we have Mr. go with this point of his assisting pastors. The program Pastor Neal. Well Bob were closing out this chapter today and will really getting into the heart of the matter.

If you where pastors go to be talking about trusting God's ability and not necessarily our ability to follow it's not about is our righteousness or holiness about this holy and righteous God wants to lead us throughout the day. We depend on him, recognize him being a good leader helps us to be great so here's David McGee continuing sharing verse by verse as he finishes up first Samuel chapter 20 chapter 20 were those days of the Philistines gathered their office together for the fight with Israel. Ignatius said the David, you surely know that you will go out with me to battle you and your men look at David's words. Verse two so David said they surely know what your servant can do in Asia said the David.

Therefore, I will make you one of my chief guardians forever. David is making his enemy.

His friend, and in doing that he's making his friends his enemies. The Bible tells us of faith for the wounds of a friend what it's saying and that is that a friend is somebody that will tell you something, maybe you really didn't want to hear but you needed to hear enough friend is maybe had a huge garlic pasta lunch and your friend is the guy Anderson TicTac in a return to need a guesstimate is not something necessarily want to hear but because are your friend say that they care enough to say that and oftentimes we can think was always always given us warm and fuzzy.

There are friend and not necessarily in fact, that's a good indicator that they're not really your true friend because they're unwilling to say the difficult, be careful what you listen to the other. Some guys on television. I can watch them always feel good about me after watching that's so weird it is unthinking only to feel good about me. I need to get convicted about this or that.

The other person now sadly and all Israel had lamented for him and bury them in room in his own city and Saul had put the mediums in the spiritist out of the land and the Philistines gathered together and came in camp that should Saul gathered all Israel together and the encampment go well, now it's also all the Army of the Philistines.

He was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly and Saul said to his servants find me a woman who is a medium that I may go to her inquire of and the servant said them. In fact, there is a woman who is a medium in indoor Saul disguised himself and put another close and he went into man with them and they came to the woman by night and he said please conduct the séance for me and bring up the one that I bring up for me. The one I shall name the first nine, then the woman said him lick you know what Saul is done. How is cut off the mediums and the spiritist from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life to cause me to die and Saul supported her by the Lord, saying, as the Lord lives. No punishment shall come upon you for this. Saul is promising a winch that it would be okay. Things have gone downhill. Not only does he promise that but he says as the Lord lives. You understand that just because somebody invokes the name of the Lord doesn't mean they're telling you the truth are doing the right thing hopefully are old enough to realize that just because somebody uses name of God on radio or television or the Internet. Done mean they're solid just because my stark appraisal, thus saith the Lord doesn't mean that what they're about to say is from God member there is lady prophesy and said that saith the Lord the day of Moses and the flood and the ark gave the Lord hath made a mistake. It was Noah being in God that make mistake, or any just because my uses the name of God doesn't mean that what they're doing or how they're doing it is the right Saul as the Lord lives. No punishment shall come upon verse 11 then woman said whom shall I bring up for you and he said bring up Samuel for me. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice and the woman spoke to Saul St. why have you deceived me, for you are Saul and interesting passage.

Still a couple issues.

Saul asked to bring up salmon we bargain pointed out twice and Sam is dead now for some people to say this whole thing was a farce. I don't think it was with this woman was shocked when she Saul saying I don't know it you know it could be that there were some type of don't talk to dead people.

I mean, let's just go ahead and throw that out. Don't talk to dead people don't watch television shows where the people talk to dead people that there's good there's bad that's bad because here's the thing went when you start that in and you know what these guys a con artist. Well there somebody name you know John, my husband's name was Joe. His name is Joe. He was a tall man know was sure it was tall or short sword away beehive mustache know he had no mustache E yeah I mean but I think sometimes I think there's something to so how does that work at somebody's dead. Here's the problem. Somebody is saying, okay, I want some information.

Is there anything out there that can give me information whom he thinks can answer that. Like reading this thing about people who strongly believe in aliens together around a circle to join hands and their sick and they say there's anything out there that wants to speak through us are channeled through us.

You can use our bodies to speak through you think your answer prayer like I think there's something to the supernatural world and I think sadly the Bible talks about people who deny the power thereof, and I think when the church is there's nothing supernatural to our faith. I think that forces some people in the looking into the supernatural, bad places, enable places that well.

I want power. I've been been built to receive supernatural power you're telling me is a church. I can't get power can't receive supernatural power to look at Fort in the dark corners. There is a supernatural power on both sides. God wants to give supernatural power. Verse 13 and now watch verse 13 and the king said to her, do not be afraid. What did you see in the woman said the Saul I saw spirit ascending other parentless audit fees. Samuel the woman, something in the woman is probably demon possessed. We got a problem demon possession got from the New Testament, you promise not with me is with about verse 14 so he said to her, what is this for she said, an old man is coming up and is covered with a metal and Saul perceive that it was Samuel and he stooped down with a space the ground about that now. Samuel said to Saul, why have you disturbed me by bringing me up and in the concept there is everybody was in before Jesus before the Messiah, and this could take a half-hour but obviously visual quick. There was a place where the people who believe in God. When and when Jesus died for our sins, he was able to go that place and release them so that they are in heaven, you no longer go to hold in place.

The whole concept of purgatory is not a biblical concept in the Bible the New Testament tells us to be absent with the bodies to be present will. This is the Hebrew Scriptures there had not been a perfect atonement, through Jesus Christ for sins for shifting the sum Samuel said to Saul live, you disturbed me by bringing me up and Saul answered. I am deeply distressed for the Philistines make war against me and God has departed for me and does not answer me anymore neither by profits nor my dreams. Therefore, of called you that you may reveal to me what I should do this whole thing is going on. You think this is from God. You think Saul brought me think God brought Samuel out no. How do we know that what Salter said God has departed from me and does not answer meaning this is not God. There's a very real demonic power out there that you need to be aware.

You don't need to focus on only to read all sorts of dark books about what all people of God. This need to be aware and you also need to understand was three for six and then same as it so why do you ask me seen the Lord is important for me is become your enemy on Chaska really what he saying Saul was unwilling to ask God don't go to mediums don't go to fortunetellers don't collect psychic hotlines. Don't look at astrology charts to see what's about to happen in your life. There is something about us and wants to know what's can happen around the corner bar that can be good, but I can be bad. It depends on how to express God has faithfully told us some of the stuff that's around the corner in this book fascinating. I love the stuff that the study of prophecy, but not all the blanks really fill in and I'm okay with that because of you begin to feel like you got to have the answers you're going to go to other people that will provide those answers sometimes right sometime drop.

Here's the thing once you trust in God what he need those answers. If you have to have those answers, you are really trusting God trust the Lord trust God were 17 and Lord is done for himself as he spoke by me for the Lord is touring the kingdom out of your hand and giving it to your neighbor, David, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord, nor execute his fierce wrath upon Amalek. Therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day.

Moreover, the Lord will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and the more you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel to the hand of Phyllis the prophecies that all that doesn't mean it's from God. Again, I think is demonic but is accurate in these these things are very real.

Saul was trying to approach God for what he needed without really have a relationship with the Lord. He wanted the blessings of God. They didn't want the relationship. You realize we do that God has promised us in this book all kinds of blessings as we asking the forgiveness all kinds of blessings as we give financially to work in the ministry all kinds of blessings for serving his people all kinds of blessings for all kinds of things, but often don't go to God blessed me to understand it and maybe cynical.

I don't do that women have you ever asked God to bless you financially when you were given financially, then you've done this in essence what you're doing at that point you're asking God to bless your disobedience. What you don't statistics, a 54% of most people in the church don't haven't given anything last 30 days is an amazing statistic and yet those folks get a financial crunch, God blessed me does not know what I'm trying to teach you something, try to teach yourself and Saul in this place is trying to receive the blessings of God without following the Lord in North going out. I got blessings I want to bless you as a blessing God is not the question.

Will God bless you I will bless you beyond what you're able to imagine questions are you following me because his blessings are through grace, but as you follow him. The blessings bound.

If you don't follow him or herself. Your choice. Your choice. Part of my role part of my job, pastor, teacher present that to blessings cursing squarely will life, death, your decision but here's the thing, you can go to guns they will got I chose cursing shows that but I will. Blessings to you know what you get your free well that's what you chose why you surprise Wireshark one the verses I get really uncomfortable. I really don't like on Sundays. You know what you know so what you reap what you sow.

Why some days you look at every school who everything hopefully not, but some of it. Some of you will and some of it I will gracefully not all of, but some of it so you can file because if you choose to follow your own way while your wobble to wind up talking to which you fall, God and be blessed. The choice is yours. God wants us to be put to each and every person. Deuteronomy chapter 30 versus 15 to 20 sissy. I have set before you today life and good, death and evil in that I command you today, to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways and keep his commandments, his statutes and his judgments, that you may live and multiply in the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them. I now see today that you will sure you shall surely perish.

You shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you that I've set before you life and death, blessing and cursing.

Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendents may live. Choose life is just that easy. Choose life. The life lesson.

Choose life. Choose God choose his way.

While there, choose God, but I'm choosing my way to work like that you choose God you follow God and God will bless you and if you don't do that friend that is your decision.

I can't force you in the into following the Lord God is not to force you in the following him were told in the book of Revelation is a gentleman doesn't kick the door doubt God stands at the door and not and says don't do it.

Don't go to the wedge turnaround don't go to Gath many times we do those things and we go God, what did you do to me why men this place in God's original sin to so many more I told you so many times and you never listen and you Verse 20 immediately. Saul saw full-length on the ground and was dread truly afraid because the words of Samuel and there was no strength in inferring eating. No food all day or all night and a woman came the saw and saw that he was severely troubled said then let your maidservant is a major voice and I put my life in my hands, and even the words which you spoke to me now therefore please see also the voice of your maidservant and let Mrs. a piece of bread before you and eat that you may have strength when you go on your own way. What a sad place realizing which is minister in the fall that he's gotten to the place that he so desperate for somebody loving somebody care for them. That is a which the choices we make man and here's the thing. I know this.

I know that some time and I know maybe even the night. I'm saying difficult and sometimes you may think that sounds a little harsh. Sounds a little heavy pastor David try to be very gracious.

But here's what I know when I was back in my life. Some of the best teachers, Bible teachers and teachers. Some of the best coaches are the people who pushed me a little bit nudged me a little bit somehow through that nudging, I was able to dig a little deeper goal before and if so, through an encouragement RN nudging I can help you along the way. Praise God. I want to do that. I'm willing for us both to be a little uncomfortable in Jesus's will. Jesus is willing to push a little bit and understand that he's going to pull you along a little bit and to draw you along the path and that's what he's going to do with people here this evening.

Whether you do that or not is up to you.

You can drag your heels. You can exercise your free website got absolutely not. I'm not going your way to Do It Your Way, Molly, that's your choice. Just don't go to God with that kind of attitudes I got fixed me now fixed mama situation doesn't know I'm trying to do a deeper work in the install here seems to be refusing to look at the spiritual imbalance that is in his life and how out of whack as life is. He refuses to look at that and if you're refusing to look at your life right now. That's a warning so while my peer teaching your you're not going she it. Is there something in my life. It's like that if you're not asking that question friend that's a warning sign verse 23 but he refuses that I will not eat so service together with a woman urged him and he did the voice. Then he arose from the ground and sat on the bed now woman had a fatted calf in the house and she hastened to Kayla Kellett and she took flower needed it and baked unleavened bread from so she brought it before Saul and his servants in the eight then they rose and went away that night. Your attention please.

You have a free will. God has a way of getting you to a place where you list, but you still have a free will.

What you decide.

Tonight is it's up to you. I can lay it all out for you. I cannot make the decision for you and understand and luck on Sunday mornings. At this point we okay here. If you if you don't know the Lord entering relationship with the Lord was talk about that. If you're here tonight you don't know the Lord never asked you to forgive you of your sins. Given that opportunity in a moment. You have to ask him to forgive you of your sins.

That's only way you can be forgiven. Jesus died on the cross in your place so that you could be forgiven, but you have to ask for that. That's an act of your will give instead of focusing on that tonight. I just described that so that describes you, there is the opportunity, but there's many in here who have asked Jesus to forgive the mother sent you still try to run your own life is what Saul got intended.

It's almost like we look to the Lord Jesus, thank you for forgiven me. I can take it from here in God's vision of what you have problems you have problems. What happens we try to lead our life do the drive and we wind up in a ditch and then we will end up in a ditch with a guy, Woody, Dylan, a minute – what's going on.you can look after me. Got vision what I wanted to let me drive about now, though I know what I'm doing go a mile down the road at the ditch again, never to leave me. I never got over segment I'm sitting here watching your run in the ditches still in which you let me drive another quarter-mile another niche. I thought you said you were able to keep me from falling can yell at me drive all I can do tonight is show you this. I wish you don't know how often, how much I wish that I can make a decision for that I could come out individually and say hey hey come on man, take the step when you think of it is really not that difficult of a decision. Blessings car 6 Life Death His Way your way, your choice.

Your free will. Final life lesson trust in God's ability to lead, not your ability to follow then follow him realize a lot of times we trust in our ability to follow God.

God folly.

All my life should ask him to give you the strength to follow. Never trust in your ability to follow him trust in his ability to lead. There's a huge difference. It's a huge difference. If you trust in your ability to follow God, let me tell you what happened, you're going to live a Christian life of disillusionment as you fall time and time and time again until finally, your trust is so shattered in yourself. You won't even try to be a Christian you can trust in his ability to lead and even in those times when you find yourself in Philistine territory hanging out with enemies, you will realize a godsend is still out stretch to you and send life, death, man heaven help. Blessings, cursing my way or your way to understand Jesus in the garden said to Judas in that last moment when Judas came up to betray his friend what had become. He gave him one last chance and Judas blew past that chance. Don't do don't do the awesome thing is you here tonight and here you've heard this message. Guess what you got no chance whether it's your second chance, 80th chance 490th chance is your chance to realize that perhaps in your life you haven't been trust in God you haven't been following God haven't been choosing him all anybody all that doesn't mean the matter anymore in a couple moments for some of you it won't 15 minutes from now, your pastor, some the people in their gall. The race washed away. That's what's before it. Some of you. Sadly enough, will decide you don't want.

You don't need it. You want to choose hope you get another shot, but I can't promise you that this was Saul's last shot intake now forever as life record in this book is a failure. I want to know friend, I don't want you to go down like that the decision is yours friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven.

You can know right now own Legion. A short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you.

All of my days in Jesus name, amen it friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again, so congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make.

God bless you, if you prayed that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you.

You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. You can also write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life before we go.

Have you been listening to the teachings to the book of first Samuel we can pick some of these teachings, it will encourage your prayer life pastor Neil, can you tell us more about we all hunger for a deeper connection with the Lord and pastor David shares through past living examples how to have that deeper connection. So when you give a gift today we are going to send you for your generosity praying through first Samuel.

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And it's easy. It's free to sign up today on cross the bridge.com folks. Thanks for listening into the next time. As David McKee continues teaching verse by verse. First Samuel