Obedience Over Sacrifice: Lessons from King Saul’s Rise and Fall

Thank you, Holli and team. It was great. Great worship. And I love this house. I love our hearts to come and worship. We’re not satisfied to stand here and have somebody sing at you. You’re here to encounter the presence of God, and it’s something special and unique. I never want to take it for granted.

So thank you, church, for your hearts and hunger for the Lord and His presence. Pastor Jonathan mentioned Thanksgiving, and I won’t say a whole lot, but I do want to encourage us that Thanksgiving is an opportunity to express gratitude to God first. Yes, it’s a national holiday, and yes, we’re celebrating some things in our history, but it is a principle of the Word of God. I want to encourage us to take this opportunity with our family and friends to express our gratitude first to God for His salvation, the best gift we could ever receive. Take this opportunity, perhaps among family that doesn’t know Christ, to share our gratitude for what He’s done in our lives.

I also want to encourage us to recognize that Thanksgiving and the holidays are not easy for everybody. We, as the Church of God, followers of Christ, have an opportunity to bring love, life into dead situations, peace into chaos, and hope into hopelessness. That’s who we are. Christ put it inside of us. I encourage us to recognize those around us.

Sometimes we go into holidays with tunnel vision—I know I do—thinking about all the cooking, presents, family visits, and errands. But I challenge us to open our eyes and ask the Holy Spirit, “Who needs Him?” Maybe it’s a believer who needs encouragement, or an extended family member or friend who needs Jesus in their life. Take this holiday season, especially Thanksgiving, to celebrate God’s goodness and be His hands and feet. Bring the life He’s called you to bring.

Amen. It’s going to be a good week. I can’t wait to hear all the testimonies. Like Pastor Jonathan said, he got me crying before I got up here. We’re going to get to see our boys, and I’m so excited. I’ve been on the countdown. It’s a joy to watch them walk their journey. It’s fun to go and be with them. I know some of you are traveling, and it’s going to be a good week.

Today we are going to continue in our series on the Overcoming Church. It’s so important. We’ve been talking about it for many weeks now, and this isn’t a short series. We have a lot to cover and a lot of good things God has for us. These truths are for now and for when Jesus returns. It’s about living life as the Overcoming Church. Who’s the Church? We are. Who’s supposed to overcome? We are.

This message is about living an overcoming life through the power and authority of Christ. This isn’t a white-knuckle Christianity message where we just grit our teeth and push through. It’s not about mind over matter. The very power of God is inside of you. He’s given you everything you need for life and godliness. A godly life is an overcoming life. It’s in you. We don’t have to force it; we allow God to transform us from the inside out, letting out what He’s put in.

Some of these messages can feel challenging. It’s not about saying, “Oh, I have to do this and that.” No, it’s about being who God made you to be and letting His transforming life create something new in you. Recognize that He has already put it there. It’s who you are. It’s not unattainable or just for pastors or leaders; it’s for every one of us.

The foundation of an overcoming church is coming into the revelation of lordship. We’ve been talking about lordship for weeks now. The foundation of overcoming is understanding and submitting to the Lordship of Christ. We do not overcome the world without God’s authority, and we do not walk in His authority without submitting to His Lordship. This is how it all connects.

This is how lordship connects to being an overcomer. We cannot overcome without submitting to the authority and Lordship of Christ. This is the key. Today, we’ll continue exploring operating in authority. I titled this specifically as “operating in authority” because it’s not just about being under authority or leading as the world defines leadership. Walking in authority is the key.

We’ll talk about being under authority and walking in authority, but our authority comes first and foremost from Christ. This is important because we’re going to get practical today. Pastor Pat, known for his how-to messages, inspired me here. I love how-to messages because I want to know how to apply these truths in real life.

Walking in authority is about knowing who we are and what we’re called to do. As we talk about being under authority, we must recognize the why, so we can walk in power, capacity, and growth.That’s who we’re supposed to be. Last week, we started this conversation about authority, and we’re going to continue it. We spent some time talking about the centurion in Matthew 8, where Jesus connected faith and authority. Holly spoke to it today: we must believe first. First and foremost, we must know by faith who we are—that we are under authority.

We must know and demonstrate that we are under authority so we can live out authority. It’s God’s design to distribute life on the earth and bring freedom. This is how He’s doing it—distributing authority to the church. And who is the church? Us. God wants to release authority, but we must first become followers and disciples—people who know Him and understand authority so that He can distribute it to us.

Authority is always in direct correlation to submission. This is a word we do not like. As Americans, we have an aversion to it. But this is how we walk in authority. Authority is directly linked to submission. Pastor Jonathan and I have a prophetic word that says, “To the degree that you submit will be the degree of authority that I give you.” That’s pretty specific. You cannot separate submission and authority. Authority does not function without submission—not godly authority. Godly authority must be linked with submission.

I’d like to submit to you that the word “submission” does not need to be something we shy away from or dislike. It shouldn’t be skipped over or blacked out in our Bibles. Submission is not scary. It doesn’t have to be, but we often misunderstand what godly submission is. So, we’re going to break it down a little today. You know me—I love a good word study.

Submission means to obey or to follow. Seems simple. Submission is always linked to obedience, but not the other way around. You can have obedience without submission, but you cannot have submission without obedience. Submission is the motive; obedience is the action. While the terms overlap, they have distinct nuances, and it’s important to understand them—especially since these words have everyday contexts that may differ from their biblical meanings.

Submission refers to yielding one’s will or preferences to the authority, influence, or will of another. It often implies a voluntary, internal decision to defer to someone else’s leadership or authority. Submission is yielding our preferences—our will—to the authority or influence of another. This can involve emotional, intellectual, and spiritual alignment, and it must arise from respect, trust, and belief in the authority. This is where we often miss it: true submission arises from respect, trust, and belief.

Submission to God involves a heart attitude of yielding to His authority and trusting in His sovereignty. The Greek-English Lexicon defines submission as being placed under, subordinating oneself, yielding, being subject to, and obeying. True obedience flows from submission. A person who submits to God out of love and reverence will naturally desire to obey His commands. When submission comes first, obedience becomes less of a struggle because submission is the bowing of our will and preferences to someone else.

And contrast in English and our English language, obedience is the act of following instructions, commands or rules imposed by an authority, figure or system. That is what our American English culture defines obedience as. Following the instructions or commands are rules imposed by an authority figure. It’s like an eight even in the innate in the in like the, you can almost like feel it in the definition like that.
Yeah, the angst, right? Just me? You can feel it: “Oh, by an authority figure.” It emphasizes action and compliance regardless of internal agreement. Anyone who has raised children knows what this looks like. Anyone who has been a child knows what this looks like. It’s the action and compliance, regardless of our feelings or agreement.

Obedience can be voluntary or coerced. As parents, we know that. It doesn’t necessarily imply belief in the rules or authority.

The key difference is that submission involves the internal attitude of yielding, while obedience focuses on the external act of compliance. Submission is voluntary, arising from respect and trust, whereas obedience can be enforced or driven by fear of consequences. Submission is motivated by alignment with values or respect, while obedience may be driven by obligation.

So back to what I said: submission is always linked to obedience. You can have obedience without submission, but you cannot have submission without obedience.

Obedience in Scripture, however, is defined differently. Many scriptures that we read about submission use the word “obey” instead of “submit.” But in the Bible, the word obedience or obey, according to Baker’s Encyclopedia, actually means “the act or instance of submitting.” Our English understanding of obedience is not the same as the Greek and Hebrew meanings. When the Bible says “obey,” it is referring to submission.

This is important to understand because we often think of obedience as something we can do without our hearts being in it. But that is not what the Bible means. When it says to obey the Lord, His commands, or those in authority, it is talking about submitting—laying down your preferences and will to another. Then, the compliance (obedience) follows, motivated by submission.

Biblical obedience is not about external compliance but about a heart aligned with God’s will. It emphasizes faith-filled action—doing what God commands because of trust, love, and reverence for Him.

I knew this wasn’t going to be a fun message, but it’s vital if we’re serious about being overcomers.

There are many scriptures about submission throughout the Bible. Let’s read a couple. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” This is a key scripture for living an overcoming life. First, submit yourselves to God. Sometimes we want to resist the devil, but we haven’t actually submitted ourselves to God. It has to be both for the devil to flee. Submit to God, resist the devil, and then he will flee. We must be in proper alignment with the Lord to walk in authority. For the devil to flee from you means you are walking in authority.

In the New Testament, we see instances where the disciples struggled with deliverance until they fully understood how to stand in the authority of Christ. To have the devil flee from you, you must walk in authority. And to do that, we must submit to God and resist the devil—two very important steps.

Ephesians 5:21 says, “Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” This is where preferences come into play. One of the worst things we can do as Christians is argue over trivial matters. Talk about giving God a bad name. Is it a preference? Is it something that belongs on the table? Is it just how we like to do things? Even if it’s the better way, we have to be willing to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

This doesn’t mean we submit to one another because someone else is better or has better ideas. Often, we have to submit even when we think the other person’s idea isn’t great, or when we don’t particularly like them. Let’s be real—church is about being real. We all have our struggles.

We submit to one another because of our reverence for Christ. It goes back to lordship. Our understanding of His sovereignty and lordship, and our reverence for Him, allow us to lay down our will and agenda for someone else’s. This is how we walk victoriously and become a united church.This is where the enemy comes in—this is where he works to divide. This is why the church in America is so divided, and why people often don’t have good things to say about Christians.

We must submit ourselves to one another out of reverence for Christ. First Peter 5:5 says, “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” There’s a clear connection here between pride, humility, and submission. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submission, or subjecting ourselves under leadership, is an act of humility.

Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

Ephesians 5:24 says, “Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” Submission here is often misunderstood. To submit means to yield your preferences and will. This isn’t about men having control over everything—that’s not submission. The passage draws a parallel between the church submitting to Christ and wives submitting to their husbands. It’s important to recognize that this is a good thing.

Submission is how authority flows.

Some might think this scripture is difficult, especially for someone like me—a strong-willed person who believes in God’s calling on my life. But God’s authority is higher than mine. And His Word says, “Wives, submit to your husbands as the church submits to Christ.” While I don’t always do this perfectly, I strive to honor my husband, a man of God who leads both my home and this church with integrity and faithfulness to Christ.

It’s important for people to hear this truth, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Romans 13:1 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” This can be a hard verse, depending on who’s in office or where you live. But unless the governing authorities are acting immorally, unethically, illegally, or against God’s Word, we’re called to submit to them. They have been instituted by God and serve a purpose.

Now, let’s talk about King Saul. His story is an excellent example of authority and submission. Saul didn’t lead the people of Israel into idol worship like some kings did. He upheld rituals and avoided major moral failures. The Bible even describes him as tall, handsome, and charismatic—a natural leader by the world’s standards.

In 1 Samuel 12, the prophet Samuel tells the people, “Here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you desired. Take note, the Lord has set a king over you. If you fear the Lord, serve Him, obey His voice, and do not rebel against His commandments, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God. However, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord but rebel against His commandments, the hand of the Lord will be against you.”

The key to Saul’s authority was submission. His effectiveness as king depended on his obedience to God. Samuel warned him that disobedience would bring consequences.

But in 1 Samuel 13, we see Saul fail significantly. Facing overwhelming odds against the Philistines, he panicked when Samuel was delayed in offering a sacrifice. As his troops began to scatter, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifice himself.

In response, Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.”But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you to do. Now, this may seem a little bit silly because all Saul did was bring sacrifices to the Lord.

Saul might have thought, “Something must have happened to Samuel. I guess he’s not coming. Everyone’s freaking out and running away, so we better do this thing.” I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of this—wanting to stay on track, to rally people, to do what we think is the right thing to move forward. But we forget that obedience is really important to God.

Samuel points it out: “Whoa, whoa, whoa. I told you to wait, and there’s a significant reason for that.” The priests were the ones to bring the sacrifice, not the king. Saul stepped out of the authority he was given and stepped into someone else’s authority.

In 1 Samuel 15, God, through Samuel, commands Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions as judgment for their sins. Saul defeats them but spares King Agag and the best livestock, disobeying God’s explicit instructions to destroy everything—man, woman, child, and animal.

Saul saves the best for himself. Samuel confronts him, and Saul justifies his actions by claiming that the livestock was being spared for sacrifices to God. But Samuel rebukes him, declaring that obedience is better than sacrifice. In verse 22, it says, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, or your obedience to His voice?”

Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than the offering of fat rams. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols.

This verse teaches us that God values a heart willing to follow His commands more than ritualistic acts of worship or outward displays of devotion. He contrasts sacrifice, which represents external religious rituals, with true obedience and submission of the heart.

Sacrifice without obedience can become hollow and hypocritical if it’s done without submission to God’s will. Sacrifices can still involve an element of self-interest, but obedience reflects true devotion—it shows an active and sincere commitment to God’s will, which pleases Him more than rituals.

Sometimes, we may not think we have rituals because we don’t sacrifice animals, but we each have our own rituals. Saul lived a life more focused on pleasing those around him than on pleasing God. He brought worship to God in his own way, outside of how God had set it up, because the people were scattering and didn’t want to wait. He obeyed part of God’s instruction, but only the part that fit into the culture of the day—what would make him look good in front of the people.

Saul’s heart was not to walk in relationship with God; instead, he was checking the boxes. Sacrifice before going to battle? Done. But God is not interested in us simply doing the right things or following rules. He is interested in a relationship, in those who honor Him with obedience and submission, out of a heart to please Him.

God wants us to value pleasing Him more than pleasing the people around us.

We must understand that submission is not a bad word. It is about bringing our heart to God and being willing to say, “Whatever it is, God, I want Your will more than I want mine.” We trust that His ways are higher than ours. Even when it doesn’t make sense, we trust that He has the best for us. If we submit our will and lay down our own desires, He will work through us and bring us into a life we could never have imagined, because His thoughts are higher than ours, and He sees the big picture.

This is what it means to submit—to lay down our will. It’s not about someone trying to control us, nor is it about relinquishing our responsibility. It’s about giving our heart fully to God, so He can work through us, helping us walk in authority and live an overcoming life.

Amen.

Good word. Tough steps may lie ahead of us, but all we have to do is say, “Lord, I’m sorry,” and it changes everything.

Father, we position ourselves right now to let Your word speak to us. We want to align with Your voice, with Your authority, that You would be Lord of our lives.