Do you remember when you accepted Jesus?  Where did you accept Him and at what age?  Did you begin to attend church and Bible study frequently?  Most people can remember being fired up for the Lord, carrying a Bible in their hand, going to church every Sunday and worshipping Him daily.  Tragically, not everyone continues the path, instead they go astray.  The Bible has many examples of people who started strong but crashed and burned later on in their life.  One such example is King Saul.

Who was King Saul

He was the son of Kish, a Benjamite.  He was a remarkable man, tall, handsome and humble.  His kingship began with bravery and strong leadership.

1 Samuel 9:1-2 and 10:20-24

1 Samuel Chapter 11 and 14:46-48

Why was a king chosen

At the time the people of Israel became tired of priests and judges and wanted a king to rule over them.  Essentially, the problem was due to corruption as the sons of Eli, the high priest were corrupt and so were Samuel’s sons.

Ingredients for Success

Being humble and dedicated yourself to the Lord

Ingredients for Failure

He disobeyed the Lord (1 Samuel chapter 15)

Became jealous and paranoid (1 Samuel chapter 18 and 19)

His life steadily deteriorated, with the culmination of committing suicide 1 Samuel chapter 31

What brought his downfall and what was the end result

Saul started strong but chose to disobey the Lord, therefore bringing calamity on him and ultimately taking his own life.

What does the Lord say about those that fall away

Jesus is clear in the Parable of the Sower when He speaks about the person who accepts the Word immediately, and carries on his Christian life like a flame, but when the trials/difficulties came about, they fizzle away.

Matthew 13:5-6 & 20-21

5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

Are you flame or an ember?  The difference between the two is that one is extravagant and quick – but it diminishes, while the ember is slow and steady.  The ember remains longer and produces longer heat than the hotter and quicker flame.

How are we supposed to live the Christian life

The Apostle Paul compares the Christian faith to a race.  He mentions several points in regard to the race, and all the parts that are necessary to be successful.  For example he speaks about endurance and perseverance.  These are the essential ingredients in order to condition yourself to continue on until the finish line.  We accomplish this through the Grace of God and asking for the Lord to help us be victorious in all of the trials and struggles we go through

Hebrews 12:1-3

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength

Give it all you got

1 Corinthians 9:24-26

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

Live your life in serving the Lord and don’t do it haphazardly.  Be careful not to start off fast and fizzle away.  Make sure you pray and commit yourself to studying the word.  Without the Grace of God we are not able to accomplish anything, therefore, rely on Him and serve him obediently.