RCCG LOWER JUNIOR ZEAL FOR AGE 13-19 SUNDAY 10TH OF DECEMBER, 2023

[4]And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

[5]And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

[6]When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

[7]And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

[8]And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

[9]And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.

[10]And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.

[11]And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;

[12]Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.

[13]And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

[14]But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

[15]And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.

CENTRAL TRUTH: Vain worship is done to glorify self, not God.

INTRODUCTION: Vain means futile, without result, without yield,unfruitful., unproductive. Vain worship is the act of worshipping God in an unacceptable manner.

– Vain worship is offering to God an unacceptable sacrifice or worship – Genesis 4:1-7.

– Vain worship is any worship not offered unto God in Spirit and truth – John 4:23-24.

– Vain worship is anything offered unto God grudgingly, unwillingly, out of compulsion – 2 Corinthians 9:7.

– …………………………..

– Vain worship is worship offered unto God halfheartedly with partial obedience – 1 Samuel 15:19-22.

– ……………………….. Isaiah 29:13.

– Reverencing human traditions – Mark 7:8-9.

1. King Saul – 1 Samuel 13:7-13.

2. ……………………….. – Leviticus 10:1-3.

3. Cain – Genesis 4:1-7.

4. Eli’s sons – 1 Samuel 2:29-30.

5. Ananias and Sapphira – Acts 5:1-11.

1. Be born again; anyone who is not born again can only offer vain worship to God because he or she is not of God – John 3:3.

2. Offer unto God only your best; don’t give substandard things, don’t give money that is torn, faded, squeezed or stolen as an offering to God – 2 Samuel 24:24.

3. ……………………….. – John 4:24.

4. Turn away from sinful habits. Don’t use the same mouth with which you lie and insult people to worship God. Run away from sinful habits – Ps. 66:18.

5. ……………………….. – John 4:24.

6. Don’t hold back or use God’s offering for personal things – 1 Sam. 2:29-30.

DISCUSSION: Why are people worshipping God in vain?

LIFE APPLICATION: Whatever we give to God, the intent of the heart matters and He judges by it. Be it worship, dance offering, or whatever it is we offer to Him, He looks at the heart behind the action, hence, vain worship to God for whatever reason is unacceptable to Him.

CONCLUSION: An unbeliever can only offer vain worship to God. Become a child of God today by accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, then you can ensure that any worship you offer unto God is done in Spirit and in truth.

What truth have you learnt in today’s lesson?

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Write down one way in which you are going to apply what you now know.

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