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A Character Study June 27, 2021

1 Sam 2:35 “Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest

Samuel 28:1-25 “A Story”

The Setting: Sermon Notes • Samuel has died (1 Sam.25:1; 28:3) • David is living among the Philistines ______I. The Crisis: ______• The Philistines have amassed a huge army ______- Valley of Jezreel (Bread basket of Israel) - The main trade route through Israel ($$$) ______- Cut Israel in half ______• What is Saul to do? Fear & terror - God is silent: No dreams; ; Ephod ______- If Samuel was here I could persuade him to ______help (see 1 Sam.15:24-31) ______- Medium (call back Samuel from the dead) *Problem: 1 Sam.28:3 ______• Involvement with the Occult ______- Have nothing to do with… Astrology; New Age; Tarot cards; Ouija ______boards; Psychics; Seances; ______(Wicca); Fortunetellers….. - Lev.19:31 says it will “defiles the Believer” ______II. The Fool’s Response: ______• Find me a Witch (Necromancer; Medium) ______- Travel to Endor: at night; disguised, passed ______the Philistine camp. - She is wary– not knowing it is King Saul ______- He promises her protection (“In God’s name) ______• Calling Samuel: - Samuel appears: the witch is terrified! ______- She describes him (only she can see him) ______- Saul and Samuel: have a conversation ______

• Is Samuel a ghost? ______- Defining a ghost: (a) a disembodied ; ______(b) trapped in this world; (c) unresolved issues; (d) able to communicate ______- He is not a ghost! But God has allowed him ______to appear (and he is not happy about it!) ______III. Tragic News: ______• Saul: What can I do? • Samuel: This is what will happen. ______(a) Israel will be defeated; (b) Saul will die; ______(c ) His sons will die. ______• Witch Feeds Saul- “Last supper; last nigh alive” ______What is the lesson? 1 Chron.10:13-14 ______“A life lived well or…” ______

Dr. Paul Spate FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Web: www.fbcponoka.org Page 6

Are Real?

1. First, one has to ask what one means by ghosts? (a) If you mean “spirit beings” the answer is yes. There are many types of spirits present in our The movies have taught us The Occult: This word world. There is the Holy Spirit, and . all types of misinformation comes from the Latin (b) If you mean- ‘disembodied spirits of dead people who about the spirit world. He “occultus” and it carries remain to a haunt buildings’ - the answer is no. No where are some of the lies... the idea of things hidden, does scripture suggest such a possibility. The Bible • Lie #1- A Disembodied secret and mysterious. says that the moment we die we are ushered into Spirit: A Ghost is a man It focuses on the super- the afterlife (see Heb.9:27; Lk.16:19-31). (woman; child; animal) that natural; the presence of has died… but his/her soul angels and demons. 2. What are the ghosts so many seem to experience? remains bound to the earth. (e.g. witchcraft, , There are actually a number of explanations... * Those who die do not stay on fortune telling; , (a) Most often it is just people’s overactive earth. Christians who die go astrology, etc..) imaginations. immediately to be with the Witchcraft: Is the practice (b) Much of what is reported as spirit phenomena Lord Jesus Christ (see 2 Cor.5:1 of the occult arts… from is fraudulent (fake; deceit; a sham). -19; Php1:21-25). Non-Christians “Wicca” (nature worship; c) A third explanation answer to the paranormal is go to Hades —a spiritual casting of spells) to the that they are demons masquerading as dwelling place for the dead use of “Sorcery” (black “disembodied spirits” (; see Job 4:15-16; until judgement (Lk.16:19-31). magic) for evil purposes 2 Cor.11:14-15). (sometimes called The • Lie #2- A Tormented Craft). All types of 3. But doesn’t the Bible talk about ghosts? In the NIV Soul: Ghosts supposedly witchcraft are translation, you will find the word ghost used in have no peace. We are considered evil in God’s one main event– when Jesus walked on the water told that they are bound to sight. (Ex.22:18; Micah (Matt.14:26, Mk.6:49, Lk.24:37,39). This is actually a place (e.g. building) 5:12; Gal.5:20). In the a very poor way to translate the original Greek where they died. They are Old Testament witches word (fa/ntasma); it is better translated “spirit.” unable to rest, so they were to be killed And, actually, Jesus wasn’t a ghost… he was “haunt” the place until a because they associated walking on the water. wrong is corrected or an with Satan and his The KJV often uses the word (109 times), but injustice is made right. demons. that is because it called the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ecc.9:5-7 says “The living at least : Is the Ghost. It also refers to ‘giving up the ghost’ - know they will die, but the dead practice of communi- which means to die or expire (Job11:20, Jer.15:9). know nothing…. Whatever they did in cating with the dead their life time—loving, hating, through a medium- 4. The Bible says to stay away from those who are envying—is all long gone. They no (1) either by summoning involved in these type of occult practices: longer play a part in anything here their ‘spirit’ as a ghost • Lev 19:31 "'Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for on earth.” (NLT) (apparition, specter), you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” * Spirits do not stay on earth (2) through a vision or • Lev 20:6"'I will set my face against the person who turns to and right wrongs– that is God’s (3) by raising them mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, job! “Vengeance is mine says the bodily – for the purpose and I will cut him off from his people.” (Deut.18:14) Lord; I will repay.” (Rom.12:19) of in order to • Gal 5:19-20 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual discover hidden immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; • Lie #3- Communicate: We knowledge, foretell the hatred…” are told that some people, future. This is a In the book of Acts (19:19-20), it tells us that one with special abilities can of the first things individuals did when they became “counterfeit” type of Christians was burn those things related to the occult. communicate with the dead. prophecy. It is God said He will reject Warning: Christians should stay away from watching condemned in Scripture horror movies or playing any occult games. anyone who has turned (Lev.19:26-31; 2 Chron. Don’t give Satan a foothold into your life. to mediums (Spiritists–

33:6; Lev 20:6,27; Isa. 1 Cor. 10:20-21 (Paul says) “….I do not want you to be Lev.20:6,27; Deut.18:10-11). 8:19; Deut.18:10-11,14; participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the * Stay away from anyone who Mal.3:5; Acts 19:19-20). Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in claims to have this ability. both the Lord's table and the table of demons.”