More Important than Sacrifice

What God values more than sacrifice.

Tell you story a story of two couples they both married and both of the men had to leave word war two was going on. As The men left they said do not forget you are married be faithful and write me often. They The both fought and survived when they came back one man had this big diamond he got in overseas set in a beautiful gold setting. As he gave it to her he said so sorry I did not write to you. I also need to go to the doctor because I got and std. But I hope you like this diamond I spent all my money on it because I want you to be pleased with me.

The other man came and said Honey I am so happy to see you I hope you got all my letters. I missed you so much I thought about you and prayed for you every day. While i was over there I got you a big ring I just want every one to know how much I care about you.

Which couple do you think lived happily ever after ?

Which couple do you think lived happily ever after

Both women just wanted they husbands to follow their wishes of faithfulness and not forget they were married be faithful. Both women Loved jewelry But they valued some things more than sacrifice.

The woman had a different value system than her husband

I do not know what you are planning on getting for your wife but I do know she will not like it . Do not go off what you think or what is practical. They picky creatures they do not like water heaters or concrete or roofing.

Have you ever had some one try to give you a great gift ? and you did not even like what they got you ? and if they would have asked you what you actually wanted would have been a lot simper than what they got you and you both would have been happy? what God values It is not always what we think matter fact it is contrary a lot of times to what we think .

We want to study what God values What he wants from us. It is not always what we think matter fact it is contrary a lot of times to what we think .

I do not know what you are planning on getting for your wife but I do know she will not like it . Do not go off what you think or what is practical. They picky creatures they do not like water heaters or concrete or roofing.

One think I love about my relationship with my wife can say what do you want and she will just tell me what she wants. That is how the Lord is he will just tell you.

That is how the Lord is he will just tell you.

I know there are a lot of people here tonight that want to please the Lord. Or you would not be here on a Wednesday night after being tired at work. I want you to know I appreciate you being here. What a blessing I pray the Lord helps you learn tonight what he wants.

I was

The reason it is important to know is because the Lord has a different value system. You cant go off of what you think is right. Or it will turn out like last valentines day did for you sir. Not good!

Ecclesiastes 7:2 KJV 1900

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

Eccl 7:2

Is 55:8-9

Isaiah 55:8–9 KJV 1900

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

There are verses like that all through the bible.

Neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are my ways higher than your ways,

And my thoughts than your thoughts.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are my ways higher than your ways,

And my thoughts than your thoughts.

He has different value system. When you get to know what some one values you get to know them differently.

Lets see what is valuable to the Lord

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams.

22 And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

King James Version Chapter 15

22 And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

As in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

And to hearken than the fat of rams.

As in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

And to hearken than the fat of rams.

look at 15: 1-3 clear instructions

look at 15:7-10 clear violation

They attempted to stop the Israelites when they marched through their territory (), attacking them at Rephidim (; comp. ; ). They afterwards attacked the Israelites at Hormah (). We read of them subsequently as in league with the Moabites () and the Midianites (). Saul finally desolated their territory and destroyed their power (; ), and David recovered booty from them (). In the Babylonian inscriptions they are called Sute, in those of Egypt Sittiu, and the Amarna tablets include them under the general name of Khabbati, or “plunderers.”

Easton’s Bible Dictionary Amalekite

They attempted to stop the Israelites when they marched through their territory (Deut. 25:18), attacking them at Rephidim (Ex. 17:8–13; comp. Deut. 25:17; 1 Sam. 15:2). They afterwards attacked the Israelites at Hormah (Num. 14:45). We read of them subsequently as in league with the Moabites (Judg. 3:13) and the Midianites (Judg. 6:3). Saul finally desolated their territory and destroyed their power (1 Sam. 14:48; 15:3), and David recovered booty from them (1 Sam. 30:18–20). In the Babylonian inscriptions they are called Sute, in those of Egypt Sittiu, and the Amarna tablets include them under the general name of Khabbati, or “plunderers.”

remember that this was not a war of conquest, where Saul could enrich himself and expand his empire; this was a war of justice. for what Amalek did to Isreal So Saul was to touch nothing for himself.

J. D. Greear Sermon Archive Setting up a Revival Kingdom: 1 Samuel 15:1–33

In fact, conquering people and enriching yourself off of their wealth was the very thing the Amalekites were being punished for. God was not telling Saul to go and do the very thing he was punishing the Amalekites for. Saul, this is not about you.

J. D. Greear Sermon Archive Setting up a Revival Kingdom: 1 Samuel 15:1–33

In fact, conquering people and enriching yourself off of their wealth was the very thing the Amalekites were being punished for. God was not telling Saul to go and do the very thing he was punishing the Amalekites for. Saul, this is not about you.

The main point to remember here, as it relates to the story, is that this was not a war of conquest, where Saul could enrich himself and expand his empire; this was a war of justice. So Saul was to touch nothing for himself.

J. D. Greear Sermon Archive Setting up a Revival Kingdom: 1 Samuel 15:1–33

The main point to remember here, as it relates to the story, is that this was not a war of conquest, where Saul could enrich himself and expand his empire; this was a war of justice. So Saul was to touch nothing for himself.

Makes the Lord look bad.

SO now the story headlines is Sual got rich off the Amleikites instead Justice was served

15:11 look at what God thought about partial obedience turned back , repenteth me , hath not preformed 15:19 evil

15: 13- 16 look at his justification

We want to give God more

God does not want more or you treasures or your talent he wants more of You.

Taxes not pay them give it to you I will cheat on my taxes and than give it to you .

Work more give more have to miss church to do it.

Feel guilty try to make up for it in the plate

Or by soul winning

Christianity is not about what you give it is about who you are.

He may have lied about his motive or really believed it.

here is what God said about his motive 15:23

ways I have seen this violated. I will not give now or go to church now I will devote all my time to baseball and when I make the big leagues. I will give a big check.

If you will not give your dollar to God now You will not give your millions to him later obey him in the small things and you will obey him in the big things it does not work the other way.

By the way he said he was going to sacrifice them but there is no evidence he did.

15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

You see, the reason Saul spared King Agag and kept him prisoner was in the ancient world, having an enemy king in your prison was a status symbol. Once a year they’d have a parade in which they’d cart out all these conquered kings … emaciated, in chains … and that would be like, “See, I’m the conquering king. I’m the king of kings.”

He was celebrating in verse 12 set him up a place he was not under conviction Saul rocks

Samuel comes and hears the mooing and the bleating

Do you see how ridiculous that is? The evidences of disobedience are all around him, and he still carries himself like, “Yeah, I’m doing what God wants.”

How about the fact that some of you are sitting in church this tonight… like everything is right with God … singing songs, telling everyone, “Yeah, I’m right with God,” evidences of disobedience all around you. Your spouse is sitting beside you … they know … Yet you still put on the God-face and say, “Blessed be you of the Lord; I have obeyed the commandment of the Lord.”

stop trying to look spiritual in front of people and save your image and just obey God

people that are overly worried about their image never end up serving God because that would take tearing down their image and replacing it with the image of God

:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

1 Samuel 15:23 KJV 1900

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king.

1 samuel 15:23

Halfway obedience, 98% obedience is like worshipping Satan.

○ Say, you come over to my house for dinner, and I say, “Hey, before you go, I’d like to invite you to come upstairs with me. I have a pentagram and some candles spread out on the floor, and I thought we could sacrifice some kittens and offer ourselves to Satan tonight before you go, and then tomorrow, we’ll go to church, and act like everything is cool. How about that?”

○ Would you react with revulsion to that? Of course.

Yet, there are all kinds of you in this room who are giving half-way obedience, 90% obedience, like Saul; and it doesn’t bother you at all.

● Some of you are dating somebody you shouldn’t be dating.

● Sleeping with your girlfriend … we love each other.

● Cheating in a small way on your schoolwork, on your taxes.

● Something God has told you to do and you’re just not doing it … maybe you’re not tithing. Or maybe God has told you go and serve overseas but you don’t want to be far from your family.

● You haven’t forgiven someone you know you should forgive … you say, “I’m too bitter! But you don’t know what they did.”

● You willing to put that in the same category with Satan-worship?

● I told you that you don’t believe this verse.

● God puts it in that category.

Satan’s sin was telling God, “I want to do my own thing, God.” When you follow in Satan’s footsteps, you are essentially worshipping him.

Sin is not wicked (not only because of what you do), but because of whose authority you reject.

Picking the right leader is the most important task of any commander. I line up the candidates and say, “Men, I want a trench dug behind warehouse ten. Make this trench eight feet long, three feet wide and six inches deep.”

While the candidates are checking their tools out at the warehouse, I watch them from a distance. They puzzle over why I want such a shallow trench. They argue over whether six inches is deep enough for a gun emplacement. Some complain that such a trench should be dug with power equipment. Others gripe that it is too hot or too cold to dig. If the men are above the rank of lieutenant, there will be complaints that they should not be doing such lowly labor. Finally, one man will order, “What difference does it make what [he] wants to do with this trench! Let’s get it dug and get out of here.”

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

That man will get the promotion. Pick the man who can get the job done!

God too is looking for people to whom he can give authority and responsibility. Like Patton, he gives people jobs and watches to see how they respond. Most of all, God is looking for obedience and faithfulness.

For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: 23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6 KJV 1900

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Illustration wife and you do not know her but every time she complains you try to throw some money at her?

How do you think God feels?

Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.

King James Version Chapter 12

And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Kids took them on a bike ride That is what they want they want your time More than anything else you could give them.

Gunner piano lessons

Get so happy when We take them by themselves to lunch or ice cream

You know why women Like gifts not because of there value but the thought and the care that goes into picking them out. And if you get the right one because you studied them listened to them and know them.

God only likes gifts and sacrifices that come from a love and an intimate knowledge of him.

He does not want you to cheat on him and think a rose will make him happy.

I go get flowers and the guy says to me you must be in trouble. I say I ma not stealing these. Hew said no getting your wife flowers I know what that is like sorry man. No No I am better her these hydrangeas because I know her that is what she likes.

How well do you know him?

before you go trying to sacrifice for him make sure he really wants what you are going to give him and you will not know that till you know him. I am going to give him my house what if he does not want your house ?

once you get to know him you know what he wants

people

My mom called me said I am thinking about getting the kids a teddy bear

William Wilberforce Wanted to be in the ministry as a preacher (1759–1833) decided that he could best serve God through a career in politics. Elected to the English Parliament in 1780, he devoted his life to the fight against slavery. Largely as a result of his efforts, the slave trade within the British Empire was abolished in 1807. Just before his death on July 29, 1833, Wilberforce was gratified to learn that a bill abolishing slavery itself in all British territories finally was assured of passage.

In 1807, British Parliament voted to abolish the slave trade—the first victory in the campaign to emancipate slaves in the British Empire. The abolitionist movement, begun in the late eighteenth century, was led by William Wilberforce (1759–1833) The abolition of slavery itself was adopted in 1833. Newton died 1807 And Wilberforce died 1833

they got to know God found out what he wanted.

David wanted to build him a house but he found out that was not what God wanted

Paul wanted to die for the Jews but that was not what God wanted

Am I trying to sacrifice to God

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Obedience is more valuable to God than sacrifice

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., . Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

King James Version Psalm 51

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it:

Thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Thou delightest not in burnt offering.

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:

David had sinned and messed up in a terrible way and there was no sacrifice for what he did but the Lord accepted a sacrifice that was greater

you see how brokenness is greater than sacrifice to the Lord

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

God values humility

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3 KJV 1900

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

mat 5:3

Psalm 34:18 KJV 1900

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

psalms 34:18

Penitence; deep sorrow for sin; grief of heart for having offended and infinitely holy and benevolent God.

I do not want your words I want you to be sorry I do not care if you do what I tell you without brokenness

Guy in the keys locked up on the outside but free on the inside. No repentance

Here is how we do it with God

We pay the fine but we are made about it

Lord I am sorry i do not know why you made me with these appetites

34:18

Mathew 5:21-24 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

King James Version Chapter 5

21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25

Matthew 5:23–24 KJV 1900

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Matthew 5:23–24 KJV 1900

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Matthew 5:1 KJV 1900

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

mat 5

KJV Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

Psalm 133:1 KJV 1900

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

Know your my disciples by the Love you have one for another

More than anything I want my kids to take up for each other and have each others back

You come to church and give and you think he is pleased with you and at the same time you despise people in here

2 sam 6:16 16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.

19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.

20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.

22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

Give this to God

Obedience Relationship

Relationship

Humility Harmony

Harmony

John 3:16 KJV 1900

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Joh

John 3:16 KJV 1900

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

More Important than Sacrifice

1. Obedience is More Valuable than Sacrifice

2. Knowing God is More Valuable than Sacrifice

3. Humility is More Valuable than Sacrifice

4. Harmony is More Valuable than Sacrifice