Song Leader: Carl Ash

Theme: Faithfulness

Title: Biblical Leadership

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7-8

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

There are two Bible stories that always seemed at odds with me: Saul’s failure when he offered sacrifice (1 Samuel 15), and David’s failure with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11).

They both are wrong headed. They both are miserable. They both are born in pride.

Still the failure of Saul seems less a failure than that of David. Saul was told to kill everyone and everything in the city of Amalek. He killed almost all, but kept the king and the best of the cattle and sheep alive. This was his basic failure. On the other hand, look at the horror of David’s failure. He lusted. He became an adulterer. He tried to cover it up. He murdered. He took the wife of the man whom he murdered.

Almost any jury in America would have given Saul community service, but the best David could hope for is life without the possibility of parole. This is not how it turned out. Saul kingship was taken from his family and given to another. He was cut off from God’s counsel and finally estranged from God, he died at the hand of his enemy. Even today he is looked at scornfully by most Bible scholars.

David was punished, but he kept his kingship. His son and his son’s sons became kings. His reputation may be greater today than in his day.

All of this brings us to the title of the article, “Failure Need not Be Final.” Saul’s seemingly more minor failure was final. David’s loathsome failure was not final. I believe the difference in these two leaders was how they handled their failure.

When confronted by truth (1 Sam 12:7-12), David asked for forgiveness. It is short and sweet, “I have sinned against the LORD.” (2 Samuel 12:13).

When confronted by truth, Saul made excuses. He first claimed he obeyed God (1 Samuel 15:13). Samuel confronted him with evidence to the contrary (15:14). He then blamed the people (15:15). He next assures Samuel that they will do the right thing, eventually! (15:15). He is confronted again (15:17-19). Again he blames others. (20-21). Finally he just has to explain why he failed. “I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.” (24).

What did he expect Samuel to say? “Oh. I understand. Anyone would have done the same. These people can really put a lot of pressure on a king.” Of course Samuel never responded with such words. Real leaders mess up, but when they do, real leaders take personal responsibility for what they have done. They do not blame anyone else. It was me. I messed up and I will do better in the future. I will learn from this.

Failure need not be Final. It all depends on how you respond to it.

Lonnie

Here is the information for worship on May 15, 2011

Southwest Church of Christ, Chesterfield, VA

Theme: “Heart of a Servant”

Title: Biblical Elders

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-25

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

Song Leader – Dale Lee