Sermon Outline:
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The Lord sees the desires of Israel’s hearts
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The Lord gives Israel over to their own desires
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The Lord gives a Redeemer to His people
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The Lord uses the sinful intentions of man to fulfill His holy intentions to make his people into a redeemed kingdom
Family Discussion Questions:
- What was it about Saul which, according to God, was important for you to know about him?
- Which repetative sin of Israel's did the selection of Saul highlight?
- What is the purpose which God has for handing people over to their heart's desires?
- What was special about Israel that caused the Lord to elect her as His beloved people which He would redeem? How do Deuteronomy 7:7 and Ezekiel 16:8-15 help to answer this question?
- Does God choose His people because she is beautiful and holy or does He make them holy and beautiful because He chose them? How does Ephesians 5:22-33 help to answer this question?
- Why is it harmful to the Gospel to suggest that God elects people based upon something good which He sees in them, even something which He sees in the future?
- Israel would have thought Saul perfectly represented them as he was lifted up to the thone. How is Christ, as he is being lifted up on the cross a better representative of His people? How does 2 Corinthians 5:21 help you answer that question?
- Israel had been promised redemption, and now she is seeing that her redemption would be through being given to a king. How does this shape our understanding of what it means to be saved by Christ?
