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We hold lawmakers up as moral examples – we should be able to, but we’re constantly disappointed.  Successful careers and moral jobs don’t mean that they are successful.  Look at Governor Sanford who had lost his wife and kids two weeks earlier – but no one knew because he moved out quietly.

If it’s not broke don’t fix it.  Don’t mess with a winner.  We can’t rely on these statements because sometimes success is not a marker of health.  Sometimes spiritual health is not readily apparent.  Sometimes we fool ourselves as we look at our own veneer and ignore the dilapidated spiritual core inside.

Being transformed by the Spirit – is not enough for cynics. (1 Samuel 10:1-13)

• If you make a change in your life – the cynics will be there.  You might stop with some jokes at work.  You might get control on your language.  You might stop a habit.  All of these are the work of the Spirit transforming you.
• Yet, be prepared.  The world will doubt and often it’s those closest to us.  Friends and family will wonder – what’s gotten into you?
• Saul experienced a radical transformation.  1 Samuel 10:9, tells us that God gave Saul a new heart.  He proves it through the work of the Spirit and Saul joining up with the local band of prophets.
• Samuel displays God’s election through divine means (1 Samuel 10:19-23), but this is not enough for the cynical in the crowd (1 Samuel 10:27).  Starting a new spiritual life is difficult or following through with a new spiritual commitment can be challenging.
• Saul is chosen to lead a fickle people and the people prove true to their character.  They want a king, then reject him (1 Samuel 10:27).

Being timid in the Spirit – does not display faith. (1 Samuel 10:14-25)

• Just because there are doubters and cynics doesn’t mean the change isn’t real.  We really need to be bold in the display of the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
• Saul misses the chance for boldness and it doesn’t help him.  I think this is what leads up to their cynicism – Saul’s lack of boldness.  This is where Saul makes his first mistake.  He cowers from his divine call.
• Do we?  Do we cower from our call to be godly parents?  Do we shrug off our call to walk in integrity?  Are we hiding from God’s call to work honestly and diligently?

Success from the Spirit – is a sign and a snare. (1 Samuel 11:1-15)

• We have Saul the reluctant King – reluctant and fickle people.  But, God will not let his choice be invalidated – he provides a sign.
• The people question and the choice for Saul to be made King is validated by his military conquest. God vindicates his choice by granting Saul success.  The people see this sign and fall in love with Saul.  Yet, they remain fickle.  Saul has military success but it’s only a matter of time before their new allegiance changes to a love for David (1 Samuel 18:7).
• The people want signs of power, but they don’t want to submit to it.  We’re the same way.  We love seeing God work here in the church – but don’t ask us to participate.  We love seeing God preserve a family but don’t want to put ours first.  We love seeing God bless a marriage, but don’t want to prepare for one by remaining sexually pure.  We love seeing God change a life and a man’s priorities, but don’t want to give sacrificially and allow the same change in us.  We love seeing our kids learn about Christ in Sunday school, but don’t want to get real about our faith so that we could teach them.
• The challenge in all of this is to have a faith based on the Spirit and not the signs.  We can tell a good tree by its fruit, but what makes good fruit is a good tree.

Today you are invited to become followers, not fans.  To not have a veneer that looks good, but a solid spirituality that is good.  To submit to God’s work and not just see God’s work.-
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