Emotionally Health ChurchAKA How to be an Emotionally Healthy ChristianToo much individualismImprove personal = EH Church

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I used to think GENUINE conversion = all problems vanishNO inner strugglesOLDER Christians DID struggle but COVER UPRepression = unhealthy emotions = stunted spiritual growthAuthors: John Powell, Rick Warren, Henri Nouwen, Gary Thomas challenged meSeminary: Peter Scazzero The Emotionally Healthy Church

Whiz kid dynamic difficult Queens NY multi cultural church 60 nationalities

State of the Art CORPORATE MANAGEMENT SKILLS = Rapid Church growth popular speaker Wife Geri stopped and WANTED OUT OF THE MARRIAGE

SPIRITUALLY EMPTY, Emotionally drained and unhealthy

Husband, leader of the church also SPIRITUALLY EMPTY, Emotionally drained and unhealthyPulled back, saved marriage and most of his church looked deep inside

BOMBARDED by religious data from OUTSIDE

Totally UNAWARE of what was going on INSIDE HIS SOUL, beneath the surface

God was trying to speak to him INTERNALLY but he was ignoring it

Allowed HOLY SPIRIT to illuminate Scripture and apply it personally

Wrote the book The Emotionally Healthy Church and other sequels

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Contrast King Saul, King David 2 Books of the Bible: 1 & 2 Samuel Fasicnating story

Start New Year and congregation search for NEW DIRECTION and LEADERSHIPI commend study of SAMUEL

Modern Church goers like SAUL Effective administrator, -- his own way and in his own strengthbut EPITOME of religious man who was EMOTIONALLY UNHEALTHY

God Frustrated: 1 Samuel 15 v35 “And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel” .

As crime fiction novelist Catherine Aird said: “If you can’t be a good example, then you’ll just have to serve as a horrible warning.”

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GIBEAH high plateau 8 kms Jebus

Mostly foreigners. David later drove out and established Jerusalem as the Capital

80 yrs prior to SAUL, no centralized governmentJUDGES, like Samuel handled disputes The Lord YAHWEH was the rulerLAWLESSNESS RAMPANT

Book of Judges repeatedly EVERY ONE DID WHAT THEY WANTED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO KING IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL

Elderly Levite near Bethel Argument with wife over another man She ran home to parents in BethlehemHe went after her. Inlaws were hospitable - stayed five daysHeaded home: wife “Lets stop in Jebus”Husband: too many foreigners there, lets keep driving

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Arrived Gibeah near dark . All motels had no vacancy signsParked in Wal-Mart parking lot OOPS too modern! Actually town square.Farmer said this isn’t safe. Hospitality, bunk with meHorrible event! Worse than Sodom and Gomorrah Judges 19

SHAME OF GIBEAH for centuries Hosea 9:9 They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity. He will punish them for their sins.

Gruesome message. Israelites of other 11 tribes OUTRAGED

In Judges 20:12-14 (TNIV) 12 The tribes of Israel sent messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What about this awful crime that was committed among you? 13 Now turn those wicked men of Gibeah over to us so that we may put them to death and purge the evil from Israel.” But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites. 14 From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites.

Gang mentality – bullies – protect the criminals.First Civil war of Israel 200,000 Israelites slew 25,000 men of the tribe of Benjamin, and their wives and children -- Burned Cities

Tribe of Benjamin THE SMALLEST OF TRIBES

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Turning point in the call for a King to protect the safety of citizens from internal and external threats. PLEADED WITH SAMUEL TO ANOINT A KING

ASTOUNDING: Samuel anoints a man from tribe of Benjamin, direct descendant of the wicked rapists of Gibeah

ARK OF COVENANT stored nearby BECAME CAPITAL OF ALL ISRAEL

SAUL built his palace and fortress there. Ruins still there.

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SAMUEL ANOINTED SAULSAUL Started off well – slipped back into bullying, force manipulation instead of depending on the Lord

Not self aware of family of origin influences

No inner life never pondered reflected JUST GOT UP AND DID THINGS

No empathy Compassion

Why did God choose? Why no objection? (there were some)

Poor memory of history1 Samuel 9 father Kish a MIGHTY MAN OF POWER

Like Kennedy family in USA: Wealth and Power conceals bad character traits.

Tall and handsome 1 Samuel 9: 2 says Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.

He looked like a King! (on the outside)

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latest technologybronze agePhilistines Troy marauding pirates King of Egypt's navy discovered iron Saul had managed to befriend or trick them into making his an iron tipped spear which became his “SIGNATURE WEAPON.”

Compromise with the enemy

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King Arthur had his Excaliber,James Bond had his Walther P99, Indiana Jones had his bullwhip, Luke Skywalker had his...Light saber.Saul defined by his Iron tipped spear and iron swordMore pride in possessions than dependence upon the Lord

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Saul urged David to use armor David chose humble slingshot and the strength of the Lord of HOSTSThe women sang:Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands.” (1 Sam 18:7)SAUL very jealousLethal weapon dangerous--- Saul depressed; tried to pin David to the wall.

SAUL’s Pathetic death: suicide by falling on his own sword (1 Samuel 31:4-5)

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Ruled like GODFATHER OF A MOB

Like modern GODFATHER used cloak of religion to hide is insecurities and inner rage.Religious to a point of fanaticism

1 Samuel 19:23 “So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. 24 He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

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Before the crisis, compare David with Saul

My childhood - klutz – not athletic – 100lb weaklingDREADED Phys Ed. Two captains: Pick teams: BASEBALL – SOCCER – HOCKEYI was always last! And my team usually lost because of my screw-ups

God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to interview the sons of JESSE

Samuel liked ELIAB, the eldest tall and handsome

1 Samuel 16:7 “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things human beings look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” A better way of assessing leadership

GOD SAID No to all seven sonsIs there anymore?Yes, but ONLY a boy tending sheepParents underestimate the leadership qualities of some of their childrenDAVID came

Samuel 16:12 “He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.” Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

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Anointed secretly successor to throne of Israel – not Saul’s son JonathanLast one to be picked - had to wait 40 years -- running from a jealous and vindictive King SAULTime to smooth of his ROUGH EDGES: With a band of 400 transient followers Like Hell’s Angels – protection racketNo vindictiveness or treachery

Unashamed of his feelings: When Saul ordered his son Jonathan to kill David, the young men wept together, but the Bible says that “David wept the most.” (1 Sam 20:41) When David’s wife was taken captive in 1 Samuel 30:4 “David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.”

Despite opportunities to assassinate Saul in his Sleep, David was compassionate would not “touch the Lord's anointed.”

David a dreamer and a poet. He captured his feelings in his Psalms. He wrote Psalm 51 after being caught in a terrible sin.

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1-3 Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.

Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry.

I know how bad I've been; my sins are staring me down.

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4-6 You're the One I've violated, and you've seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil.

You have all the facts before you; whatever you decide about me is fair.

I've been out of step with you for a long time, in the wrong since before I was born.

What you're after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.

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7-15 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.

Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing.

Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health.

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.

Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me.

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Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!

Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home.

Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.

Unbutton my lips, dear God; I'll let loose with your praise.

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16-17 Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you.

I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered.

Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice.

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18-19 Make Zion the place you delight in, repair Jerusalem's broken-down walls.

Then you'll get real worship from us, acts of worship small and large,

Including all the bulls they can heave onto your altar!

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Samuels’ job: Chief Judge and Prophet voice of God to people -- especially the King.

Remember dedicated to God temple as a little boy (1 Samuel 1) and God had regularly spoken to him?

Transition Nation of Israel from a Theocracy to a Monarchy.

SAUL INCREASINGLY difficult to work with

Assumed leader had to be impressive and charismatic -- impressed by ELIAB God had other plans

Didn’t live to see David on throne.

AT GREAT PERSONAL RISK OBEYED GOD

Samuel wanted to be politically correct and culturally sensitive but he was more concerned about obeying the voice of God.

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SAMUEL SAW TROUBLE COMINGStrict instructions to SAULAmalekites in 1 Samuel 15. They had caused no end of grief for the Israelites and Samuel told Saul to completely wipe them out: men women children Completely destroy animals burn all their possessions.

SAUL ONLY PARTIALLY OBEYED! Samuel cried all night

1 Sam 15 verse 13: Saul lied and said he had done what the Lord said. He thot Everything hunky dory

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SAMUEL CONFRONTED SAUL WITH HIS DISOBEDIENCE TO THE LORD

Here comes our text lets read it together:

20 “But I did obey the LORD,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.”

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22 But Samuel replied:

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD?

To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”

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24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the LORD’scommand and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD.”

26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!”

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27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. 29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”

30 Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.” 31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.

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32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agagcame to him in chains. And he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” 33 But Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so will

your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel put Agag to death before the LORD at Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. 35 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. AND THE LORD REGRETTED THAT HE HAD MADE SAUL KING OVER ISRAEL.

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1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

4 SAMUEL DID WHAT THE LORD SAID.

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ISRAEL lost a leader rejected by God because of pride and insubordination.

NOTICE HOW SAUL’S CONFESSION LACKS THE PASSION AND BROKENNESS OF DAVID’S CONFESSION IN PSALM 51. HE JUST GOES BACK TO HIS SEEDY LITTLE TOWN AND NOTHING CHANGES IN HIS LIFE FOR 40 YEARS.

DIDN’T ACCEPT PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY Blamed people who wanted spoils of war.Placate God with a few extra sacrifices

the enemy King prisoner GLOAT poor man Emotionally sick people enjoy looking good at another’s expense.Samuel could see the downfall of Israel because of the confusion and corruption of its commander-in chief. Samuel mourned and mourned NO hope for the future. SAUL suggested Religious ritual -- Good optics for his eldersLord has no patience with people who a RELIGIOUS FOR MERELY SHOW.

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Closest companions thot EVERYTHING GREAT.GOOD CHURCHGOING RELIGIOUS MANCaptain of a ship knows the greatest danger in an iceberg lies beneath the surface.

God sees what lies beneath our surface. CAN WE SEE IT? ARE WE EVEN AWARE?

Integrate emotional health --contemplative spirituality. spend time in personal reflection and search his soul.

ancestors in the wilderness suffered disobeyed God. But SAUL didn't think that applied to him.

Evan Samuel hesitated at God’s command RATIONALITY AND LOGIC GOT IN THE WAY.

TREASON? HIS own neck? ASSASINATION, Civil War? There is always a rational, logical reason to disobey the Lord.

Isa 55:7-8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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different legacy King Saul and King David Both had faults:SAUL: “LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.” DAVID: Beloved King – model for Rulers -- Type of ChristNEW TESTAMENT: God considered David “a man after mine own heart.” (Acts 13:22)

KEY to Obedience to God is staying in touch with yourself and removing barriers to complete dependence on God.SILENCE – Prayer a conversation --- not gimme gimme listHow does God speak? Maybe your Inner emotions & feelings:ANGER at ex-husband or ornery colleague at work STUFFING IT FOR YEARSTime Dad broke your heart when he never showed up at your soccer tournament. …affecting your behavior today? some shameful skeleton in your family of origin that affects your behavior today?You may be unconsciously repeating the behavior or on the other hand over compensating for it.Maybe just family tradition of KEEPING YOUR MOUTH SHUT AND STUFFING YOUR FEELINGSThis CAN BE A SERIOUS OBSTACLE TO OBEYING THE VOICE OF THE LORDCan YOU live brokenness and vulnerability?Or get what you want by bullying and manipulation?

Prayer, ---tell God what is going on around us-- telling him what is going on inside of us? Jesus set us free: 10% outside, but the 90% of feeling thoughts and attitudes that lie buried on the inside. Jesus can't deal with what we are not even aware of. SAUL never poured out conflicted inner feelings like DAVIDUnaware, unreflective -- on auto pilotJESUS came that we might live more authentic lives.KJV John 10:10.I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Church emotionally healthy: == emotionally healthy members You and meMay God Help us and free us to live life more abundantly, so that the world may see a Christlike change in our lives and begin to want what we have.

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May the Lord bless and protect you.

May the Lord’s face

radiate with joy because of you.

May He be gracious to you

and show you His favor

and give you his peace.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

now and from ages to ages

Amen.

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