The God of Second Chances - 1 Samuel 12:19-25
October 18, 2023

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The God of Second Chances

1 Samuel 12:19-25
Darrin Mariott, Lead Pastor

Big Idea: We all fall short, but through Messiah Jesus we can all go home to God and find a second chance.

I. Our Part: Turn to the Lord (vv. 19-21, 23-25)
1 Samuel 12:19-25
19 And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” 20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

A. As Samuel steps down from political leadership, he admonishes Israel to be faithful to the Lord and warns them of the consequences of not doing so. A visible confirmation from God leaves the people in awe and they cry out to Samuel to pray for them. Samuel’s response is instructive for them and us.

B. Samuel’s admonition calls us to:

1. Turn to the Lord in repentance and faith (vv. 20, 24) – Don’t give in to hopelessness, but trust God in all things.

2. Serve the Lord with all your heart (vv. 20, 24; cf. Col. 3:17) – This reflects a choice to honor and serve God joyfully.
Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

3. Don’t turn away to useless idols (v. 21) – Keep your eyes fixed on Messiah Jesus and don’t be beholden to the values, philosophies, or figures of the surrounding culture.

4. Keep prayer a priority (v. 23).

5. Fear the Lord (vv. 24-25; cf. Lk. 12:4-7) – This is a reverence and awe for God above all else.
Luke 12:4-7
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

6. Remember God’s faithfulness (v. 24) – God’s past faithfulness reminds us we have a hope and a future.

II. God’s Part: His Grace is Sufficient (v. 22)

A. We see here the beauty of God’s grace and how through His grace God can take our failures and turn them into something redemptive that serves His purposes.

B. We learn that God’s grace:

1. Is unmerited – God initiates it (v. 22; cf. Deut. 7:6-8; Eph. 1:3-8).
Deuteronomy 7:6-8
6 “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples8 but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Ephesians 1:3-8
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.

2. Is sufficient – Our part is to respond to God’s grace with faith (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9).
2 Corintians 12:9
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

3. Is redemptive (cf. Jn. 21:15-19).
John 21:15-19
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”