Rev. David Holwick ZK King David series
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
November 5, 1995
1 Samuel 16:14-23
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I. Does God do bad stuff?
A. Last week, one person couldn't focus on sermon because of
glaring reference to "an evil spirit from God." 16:14
B. Appropriate for Halloween season.
1) Many Christians are becoming more concerned about observing
holidays which touch upon Satanism and demons.
(Holwick kids were invited to sanitized church "fall party."
I didn't tell her they prefer to run through the streets
in the dark.)
2) This passage makes it seem that God has something to do with
"things that go bump in the night."
C. God does not do evil - but he must not be trifled with.
II. Seized by the spirit.
A. God's Spirit does dramatic things to people.
1) It can seize people involuntarily.
a) Whether they believe in God or not.
b) Makes person act weird: trance, visions, gibberish.
2) It can make you into a different person. 1 Sam 10:6
a) Saul said to receive a new heart. 10:9
b) It gave him power and decisiveness. 11:6
c) Correlates with NT conversion and spiritual rebirth.
B. Evil spirits also make you different.
1) Violent, erratic behavior and trances. 19:24
a) Saul stripped his clothes off.
b) Parallels schizophrenia.
c) Music soothes emotions.
2) Evil spirits to torment people. 16:14
C. Can these spirits be distinguished?
1) Both are said to originate from God.
2) Saul's behavior has similarities in both cases.
a) Ecstatic element.
b) However, violence and nakedness are unique to evil spirit.
III. God is not the creator of evil.
A. God is creator of all things, including freedom of choice.
1) He does not create evil, but does create beings that
choose to be evil.
a) Evil spirits are those who chose to disobey.
2) God does not tempt, but allows us to be tempted. Jam 1:13
a) A key example is Job.
3) God is all-knowing and all-powerful.
a) He is not in competition with evil with outcome in
doubt.
b) Ultimately all things are rooted in God.
B. Shortcut for Old Testament is to say God sends evil spirits.
1) God may allow evil spirits to torment us.
2) For believers, it is an opportunity to realize our weakness
and need for God.
a) Paul and his "thorn in the flesh." 2 Cor 12:7
b) Evil spirits can torment believers, but not possess them.
3) For non-believers, evil spirits come in response to
disobedience.
a) Saul was given the evil spirit only AFTER he repeatedly
disobeyed God and was rejected as king. 13:13-14
b) Similar idea when God hardens Pharaoh's heart in Exodus.
1> Pharaoh hardened his own heart numerous times before
God is said to have hardened it. Exod 7:3
2> We reject God before he rejects us.
IV. Is God out to get us?
A. We often feel God has turned against us. Job 19:11 ff
1) Painful circumstances are often cause of this feeling.
2) Feelings are sometimes due to sin, sometimes not.
B. If we are in habitual sin, God may indeed turn against us.
1) He may cut us off spiritually. Jer 16:5
a) Jeremiah 15:6.
"You have rejected me," declares the LORD.
You keep on backsliding.
So I will lay hands on you and destroy you;
I can no longer show compassion."
b) Jesus was cut off spiritually from God on cross.
2) He may stop listening to our prayers. Jer 7:16
a) God told them to obey, but they went backwards. 7:23f
3) God may fight us physically. Jer 21:5
a) Jacob and Angel of Lord wrestle.
4) Ultimately, he can reject us for eternity.
V. God wants to be on our side.
A. He wants to possess us and protect us.
1) He gives us his Spirit when we believe. Rom 8:9
2) The forces of evil cannot take away his love. Rom 8:38
B. If we are open to God, and willing to be obedient, he won't
reject us.
1) Promise of Jesus - not one given to him by Father is lost
out of his hand. John 10:28-29
2) We cannot lose Spirit like Saul did.
C. God's essential nature is loving and gracious, not cruel.
1) His grace outweighs his hardness a thousand-fold.
2) Do you choose to have his good?
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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