Category: 1 Samuel

1 Samuel, Preaching

Renewing the Kingdom (1 Samuel #12)

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Renewing the Kingdom

Text: 1 Samuel 12

In 1 Samuel 11:14, after the Israelites defeat the Ammonites, Samuel says let’s go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there. This chapter – 12 – is the sermon Samuel preaches to renew the kingdom. He doesn’t laud Saul though, or lift Saul up. Samuel instead reminds Israel that God was their king when they demanded that Saul be their king. This sermon serves as a fork in the road for Israel after a very bad political decision. The application comes at the very end of the chapter so we’ll move through the chapter quickly to get to the applied verses.

Unbiased messenger (vss 1-5)

  • Samuel says this in verse 5.
  • Samuel is blameless and therefore objective in his judgment of the nation’s predicament.

Unalterable mess (vss 6-15)

  • God was your king when you demanded He give you a king as Samuel says in verse 12.

Undeniable manifestation (vss 16-19)

  • Samuel calls the LORD to confirm his sermon with the weather.

Underlying mandate (vss 20-25)

  • Renew your life by staying the course
    • Stay the course, don’t turn aside.
    • You’ve introduced a layer of authority into the nation before God was ready for you to have it, but the situation isn’t hopeless. Serve God. Continue doing what scripture prescribes.
    • Many here could look at your life and say I picked up some bad habits along the way or I’ve added something in my life that really hurts me when it wants to.
    • BUT remember, this is the renewing of the kingdom that Samuel talked about. It isn’t hopeless. It’s a reset. This year has probably been a RESET to most of you. Times like this give you a clearer picture of what’s actually important and what’s vain.
    • Don’t follow vanity. That has no profit and will not save (vs 21).
  • Renew your life by defending what God defends (vs 22).
    • The LORD will defend His name, His promises, and His ordinances
    • LORD help us for your name’s sake! Help us so Jesus Christ gets glory!
  • Renew your life by a personal commitment to prayer and sound doctrine (vs 23)
    • Sin to stop seeking the LORD
    • When did we get in our minds that serving God was the problem in our lives? When did we get in our minds that quitting on God was the solution to anything?
    • Where do you think an idea like that comes from?
    • Samuel shares his own resolve to prayer and sound doctrine from the scriptures.
  • Renew your life by considering what great things Jesus Christ has done for you (vs 24).
    • When I consider what Jesus Christ has done for me, that may mean there are some wrongs that need to be made right between you and someone else.
    • When I consider what Jesus Christ has done for me, that may mean there are some attitudes I need to get in check. Maybe it’s the way you treat your wife. Maybe it’s the way you treat your husband. Maybe it’s the way you treat a church member.
  • Renew your life so you aren’t consumed in sin (vs 25)
    • The LORD says Israel will be consumed and the thing they thought would save them will be consumed as well.
    • Let’s make this a time of renewal. Get the things right that need to be got right.
1 Samuel, Preaching

Anointing By God’s Spirit (1 Samuel #13)

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Anointing by God’s Spirit

Text: 1 Samuel 11

Intimidation by the enemy (vss 1-3)

  • Coiling serpent
    • Nahash means serpent which is appropriate since this general is characteristic of the devil. Enemy hisses at Israel.
    • The enemy finds his prey. The men of Jabeshgilead failed to show up to battle previously. It was during a civil war in Israel 250 years before this time when the men of Jabeshgilead were characterized as cowardly because they failed to put down national social unrest caused by sex perverts and sodomites.
    • The enemy knew the this group of people didn’t have the stomach to fight so he planned his attack here.
  • Compromise with the devil
    • These weak Israelites try to compromise with this devil. Nahash, the wicked general, says the condition is that I put all your eyes out. In other words, how about I make you all blind for the rest of your miserable lives. For fear of their lives, these Israelites bargain for time.
    • Compromise with the devil is the path to bondage and the inability to serve God.

Indwelling by God’s Spirit (vss 4-11)

  • Crisis is broadcast
    • Messengers come return to tell what’s going on in Jabesh.
    • The people are horrified to hear it.
  • Character of God imparted to Saul
    • The LORD is furious at this enemy and He’s equally frustrated with His own people who are cowering in the presence of the enemy. What the LORD does is unique; Saul gets a taste of God’s perspective on this situation. When the Bible says the Spirit of God came upon Saul it means Saul began to see things the way God sees them, He begins to feel the way God feels about the situation. This happens because God gives His Spirit to Saul so Saul will get a taste of His perspective on this.
    • Why doesn’t God just rain down fire on His enemies? He could, but here’s why He doesn’t. The LORD just answered Israel’s demand for a king. The LORD is not going back on that decision. Israel has the leadership they want and God will now work through that throne in Israel.
      • Leadership matters. If 2020 taught you nothing else it should teach you that leadership actually matters.
      • This week I heard Christians say I’m going to keep serving God no matter who is president. That sounds real noble, but tell that to the Israelites under Pharaoh in Egypt. GOD had to tell Pharaoh, Let my people go so that they may serve me. Pharaoh said, Nah. Don’t pretend like leadership doesn’t make a difference. We have a very hypocritical way of pretending leadership doesn’t affect us when we don’t like it, but relying heavily on it when we do like it. Paul said you need to pray for those in authority for the express purpose that you might have religious liberty where you live. He said that in 1 Timothy 2:1-4. 
  • Command is given
    • With wisdom from God, Saul now leads Israel. By God’s Spirit Saul does three things:
    • He RALLIES the Israelites with a reasonable argument. If you don’t fight for your brethren now, the enemy will eventually take what you have too.
    • He ENCOURAGES those in the fight with help from those he’s assembled.
    • He ORGANIZES the troops into fighting units.
    • Make no mistake about this, it is the Spirit of God that gets credit for the victory here. BUT, Israel will not see it that way.

Identifying the source of strength

  • Credit given to Saul – Israel credits Saul for victory. But Saul credits the LORD, and rightly so.
  • Credit given to God
    • Early on the LORD will sometimes give the victory so you know it’s Him doing the work. Then there comes the day when He wants you to make the decision to rely on Him.
    • Zecheriah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
    • You and I need the Spirit of God and the blessing of God.
  • Coronation of the king… again
    • Samuel does something interesting in verse 14. Let’s renew the kingdom under victorious circumstances since the first time Saul was announced he was hiding. Here’s a second chance.
    • Saul was anointed with oil the first time and presented to the people. Now he’s been anointed by the Spirit of God, and that’s the one that will make the difference.
1 Samuel, Preaching

Equipping Saul for Service (1 Samuel #12)

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Equipping Saul for Service

Text: 1 Samuel 10

Calling (vs 1)

  • Saul will be given an influential and admirable job by the LORD. He’ll be set apart by the LORD to serve on the throne of Israel. That throne is reserved for the LORD Jesus Christ, but Saul will put on it nonetheless.
  • Saul’s anointing doesn’t make Saul right. It doesn’t even make Saul God’s choice. But because of Israel’s demands, and because God’s name is on the nation of Israel, God is going to put His blessings on a man that has no business with them. 
  • (If you want to know the difference between Israel and America, Brazil, Germany, Peru, and every other nation is this, God’s name is on the nation of Israel, but His name is not on any other nation. And He’ll treat Israel in a way that He won’t treat any other nation.)

Confidence (vss 2-8)

  • Samuel tells Saul:
    • At Rachel’s grave you’ll find two men who will confirm that the donkeys are found and your dad is looking for you.
    • In the plain of Tabor you’ll see three men who will give you two loaves of bread.
    • In the hill of God you’ll find people worshipping. You’ll take part in their worship service and the Spirit of the Lord will move you to preach.
    • Then you’ll go to Gilgal and I’ll meet you there in a week.
  • The Lord does these things for Saul to dissolve his doubts about being king and give him courage knowing the LORD is in this and willing to help him. When the LORD speaks about future events in order to provide confidence in His word He is detailed. This isn’t the psychic hotline or horoscope vague generalities.

Changed heart (vss 9-16)

  • Change of heart comes as a result of the events happening that Samuel said would happen. That gave Saul reassurance that the LORD was in it and his heart goes from fearful to encouraged. But it won’t last.
  • Mountain top experience quickly turns into real life.
  • Saul will suffer chronic discouragement. After the Lord encourages his heart, he just doesn’t desire the things of God and worries more about his perception among the people.

Crown to oversee God’s inheritance (vss 17-25)

  • As I’ve said God never intended Israel to have any other king but the LORD Jesus Christ. The fact that the LORD is willing to put a throne in Israel at this time doesn’t make it a good thing and the LORD says that in verse 19 (God protested this in 8:6-9, see also 12:12, 19).
  • It would be funny if it weren’t so sad. The Lord gives Saul a crown to oversee the flock of God. But Saul is hiding in verse 22.

Companions in the face of opposition (vss 26-27)

  • Notice that there were some supporters there because they wanted to help Saul.
  • There were some detractors who were on the wrong side of God, but correct in their assessment of Saul.

Conclusions

  • The LORD will take up a cause for His name’s sake.
  • Blessings don’t mean you’re right with God.
1 Samuel, Preaching

The People’s King (1 Samuel #11)

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The People’s King

Text: 1 Samuel 9

The day begins as everyday in Saul’s house. Saul wakes up and has a list of farm chores to do. Maybe breakfast, maybe not? Saul is starting his day when his dad, Kish, says some of the donkeys are loose. Kish tells Saul to take someone with him to herd the donkeys. Now, I’m going to stop here and point out the irony the LORD provides. Israel has become stubborn as a mule. They demand a king because they reject the LORD. So the LORD makes sure the man Israel is looking to rule them, Saul, is trying to herd a bunch of stubborn donkeys. Much like he will try to herd a stubborn nation. He will be unsuccessful at both.

Saul has no leadership qualifications, just physical attributes to go off of (vss 1-10)

  • His family is very wealthy as noted in verse 1.
  • His physical appearance is better than any other man in Israel according to verse 2. He is also the tallest man in Israel. Apart from those qualities, Saul doesn’t have any leadership or spiritual qualities.
  • Saul’s wealthy family and physical appearance are enough to make him the candidate of the people.
  • Saul’s servant leads Saul to Samuel because otherwise Saul has no dealings and no idea who Samuel is. Saul’s personal life is far removed from the work of God. When the servant brings up getting help from Samuel, Saul’s concern is that Samuel’s services will cost too much (vs 7). In a family like Saul’s, money is the main thing.

Saul is not familiar with serving God (vss 11-14)

  • Saul and his servant run into some women and ask them where the prophet is. Saul doesn’t seem to know who Samuel is or what Samuel does. It is a feast day, one of the one’s prescribed by Moses, but Saul is unfamiliar with the entire thing.
  • Saul has been making money working on his dad’s farm, but hasn’t a single spiritual inclination toward God in his life.

Saul is not familiar with the man of God (vss 15-24)

  • When Saul finally meets Samuel he doesn’t know who Samuel is. He is oblivious to God’s work. That seems pretty oblivious considering Samuel is the man responsible for delivering Israel out of the hands of the Philistines and guiding Israel for years now.
  • The LORD never intended Israel to have any king but the Lord Jesus Christ. The only reason Israel is being given a king now because they have rejected their heavenly king and have demanded a visible head over them (see 1 Samuel 10:19, 24, 12:19).
  • The LORD accommodates Israel by giving them what they want. According to verse 20 Israel apparently already had someone in mind to be their king. Verse 20 says just as your dad’s heart was on his lost animals so Israel’s heart is on a king.
  • Government shall be upon his shoulders… Samuel gives the shoulder for Saul at the feast (vss 23-24).

Saul is unfamiliar with God’s word (vss 25-27)

  • The best leadership is godly leadership. Godly leadership comes from knowing God, which Saul doesn’t at this time.
  • The LORD still tries to help Israel’s king so he can in turn help the nation. But that will prove to be futile. The Lord tries time and again to help Saul. He will put His Spirit on Saul for a time, but that won’t last.
  • When you read 1 Samuel chapters 8-12, you can see the LORD’s frustration with the nation of Israel and His attempts to guide the nation through a man that has no qualifications to be God’s king. This chapter is not about God’s sovereignty in having Saul meet up with Samuel because of lost donkeys. This chapter is God’s frustration and making sure some donkeys are lost until Saul meets Samuel.
1 Samuel, Preaching

Israel’s Rejected King (1 Samuel #10)

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Israel’s rejected king

Text: 1 Samuel 8

In our text, we are 1,100 years before the King of the Jews, the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ will become a man. At this time the Word, Jesus Christ, is ruling the nation of Israel as a heavenly king. Israel has been birthed, guided, protected, and helped from her king in heaven. The heavenly king, Jesus Christ, has sent prophets and laws and mighty works to shepherd his nation. But Israel’s king has not yet appeared in person to His nation.

This chapter serves as a pivot point in Israel’s history that forever changes her course. This chapter in the Bible is one of the most significant chapters in human history because the LORD changes His dealings with the nation of Israel.

Excuse to reject their heavenly king (vss 1-5)

  • Rejecting the current system of government
  • Samuel’s boys take advantage of the position they’ve inherited from their dad. Good parents don’t always make for good children. And bad parents don’t always make for bad children. People make their own decisions. Samuel seems to be in a different position than Eli was. God doesn’t hold him responsible for his boys’ greed like he held Eli responsible.
  • Peoples’ solutions to problems are often out of the frying pan and into the fire so to speak. Their solutions make things worse when people won’t turn to the Lord for help.
  • Israel’s leadership proposes a completely different style of government that reflects that of other nations. They wanted an earthly head, not a heavenly one. God’s plan is for their king to eventually appear, just not yet.

Explanation of Israel rejecting their heavenly king (vss 6-9)

  • The king of the Jews resides in Heaven at this time, awaiting the proper time to become a man – Jesus Christ. The king of the Jews – Jesus Christ – gave Moses the law, has fought for Israel, and led the nation as her heavenly shepherd.
  • Warn the people so they’ll realize what they’re asking for. But they’ll still ask for an earthly king because want to see with their eyes.

Earthly king to replace their heavenly king (vss 10-18)

  • Israel wants someone besides God until they don’t
  • Notice all the “he will take” statements

Endangered through conformity (vss 19-22)

  • Empowered through conformity
  • Israel will get what they think will empower them. They think conforming themselves to other nations will make them a stronger nation. The more we are like other nations the better off we’ll be is what they think. But it’s dead wrong.
  • Prayer answered and a nation forever changed
1 Samuel, Preaching

Who’s Your Who (1 Samuel #8)

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Who’s Your Who

Text: 1 Samuel 6

Let’s look at 1 Samuel 6:20 to begin. There are two questions that get to the heart of man’s trouble before a holy God.

  • Eternal life is a who
  • Righteousness is a who
  • Salvation is a who
  • Redemption is a who

Philistines couldn’t stand (vss 1-12)

  • The ark of God has been a hot potato with the Philistines. It’s been passed around to the major cities and left a wake of destruction in each city. Now the Philistines want to get rid of it. They recognize their nation suffers because of the heavy hand of a personal mighty God.
  • The Philistine CDC – Dr. Fauci goes on PNN – Philistine News Network – tells the people 15 days to slow the spread. The Philistines put together their brightest medical experts and religious leaders who come up with a ridiculous plan. The Philistine Center for Disease Control recommend making golden images of the emerods and mice that have plagued them. Then put them in a box with the ark. Build a new cart to put the ark and the coffer on. Then take two milking cows, tie them to the cart, take away their calves, and send the cows and cart away to see which way it goes.
  • Blood is required for a trespass offering (vs 4).
  • Verse 6 sounds real good but remember these Philistines are trying to get rid of God. They’re not trying to submit to God.

Israelites couldn’t stand (vss 13-21)

  • Not even the nation of Israel who were the ones who received the instructions and built the ark. None was able to stand.

The real question is who

  • The Philistines and the Israelites at this point understand none of them have a mediator that can stand before God, nor do they have any place for God to reside.
  • Eternal life is a who
  • Righteousness is a who
  • Salvation is a who
  • Redemption is a who
  • Maybe you thought a relationship, it’s the boyfriend or the girlfriend that you’re looking to for rest and peace and comfort. Don’t get me wrong, even God said people need people. But instead of trusting the LORD to provide the one He said you needed, you’re just grabbing at the one who showed interest.
  • Maybe you think a baby will solve your discontent. The baby will break your heart one day and babies without moms and dads are brokenhearted. Quit being selfish. Yes, the LORD said it’s good for people to have children when they have children in the context of a committed marriage.
  • Not why, but who.
    • I know whom I have believed in and am persuaded that HE is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto HIM against that day.
    • Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.
1 Samuel, Preaching

Holy vs Unholy (1 Samuel #6)

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Holy vs Unholy

Text: 1 Samuel 5

The Philistines capture the ark of the covenant. It was the piece of furniture in the tabernacle that represented the presence of God to Israel. It contained an area on top of it called the mercy seat where God would meet with the high priest in Israel in a fire. But now the Philistines have captured the ark. But they won’t want it very long. The Lord is going to fight for Himself among the Philistines. And the ark will be passed like a hot potato to five major cities of the Philistines as the Lord leaves a path of destruction in each city the ark passes through. In this chapter, the holy vessel, sanctified by God, the ark of the covenant, will be set among an unholy and unsanctified people.

Place of exclusion versus a place of inclusion (vss 1-2)

  • The attitude of unbelievers is idols share space and it’s no big deal.
  • Unprepared people
  • The Lord Jesus Christ is exclusive; I am THE way, THE truth, THE life.
  • The Lord would never allow idols to sit in His tabernacle.
  • Isaiah 42:8 God will not share His glory
  • What fellowship hath light with darkness?
  • Ye cannot serve two masters

Powerful God versus impotent idol (vss 3-5)

  • One god needs to be set up while the true God fights for Himself. God Almighty doesn’t NEED human hands.
  • Plant a saint Christopher in the yard to sell the house. Patron saint of you name it. And it’s just this piece of plastic or wood.
  • Is your god wobbly? 
  • On the other hand; I can’t defend God’s word, I need it to defend me. I can’t protect God’s word, I need it to protect me. I don’t help faith that comes from God’s word, I need the faith of God to help me.

Heavy hand of God (vss 6-9)

  • Philistines are struck with hemorrhoids. 
  • Three times in these verses it’s noted that the hand of the Lord was heavy on the Philistines (6, 7, 9)
  • Heathen will come to hate the presence of God.
  • Not endure sound doctrine means they won’t put up with holiness. Paul’s advice to Timothy is to then do the work of an evangelist. Find other people when a congregation becomes overrun with “Christians” who won’t put up with holiness.

God will be magnified among the heathen no matter what (vss 10-12)

  • Ark goes to Ekron which is sort of the major capital where the chief God of the Philistines is. His name is Baalzebub. Baal for short. The same Beelzebub the folks accused Jesus Christ of promoting when He cast out devils since Beelzebub was the prince of devils.
  • God has no place among us! Says the unholy in verse 11.
  • Revelation 9:20-21 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
  • Christian, you tired of this evil world? Take heart, Jesus Christ will be magnified in this earth one day.
  • But that means to all, the LORD wins in the end. If you’re not serving Him in righteousness it’s time to get on the winning side.
1 Samuel, Preaching

Ichabod Nation (1 Samuel #6)

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Ichabod Nation

Text: 1 Samuel 4

Twelve times in this chapter the ark of God is mentioned. The ark is significant in that it was where God met with the high priest. The chapter starts off with God’s word coming to Samuel, but the people seem to have their own ideas.

Glory of God gone from the battle (vss 1-2)

  • The title comes from 1 Samuel 4:21. The name Ichabod means the glory of God is gone. The glory of God is fully departed from Israel in this chapter. Israel is a nation of God’s people in name only. They have no resemblance to God’s people and haven’t for many years. When Samuel is called in chapter 3 it’s as if the Lord calls Samuel and promotes him right before the lights go out on the nation.
  • Maybe you keep getting beat up by your sin and God’s strength is no where to be found in your fight?
  • Endure hardness as a good soldier. Fight the good fight. Be not weary in well doing. Exhort one another daily. 

Glory of God gone from leadership (vss 3-9)

  • Panic sets in because there was great loss. People become superstitious, misguided, and cowardly. They can’t stomach another fight.
  • A sanctified joke in verse 4.
  • An emotional outpouring without any power in verses 5-7.
  • Maybe you’ve lost your stomach to fight sin in your life? Like these Israelites you’re looking for a good luck charm to ward off evil. You just want to take the pill and make it go away. You just want to smoke your troubles away.
  • God’s people won’t fight, but the devil’s people fight like their lives depend on it. Don’t let the devil have more fight in him than you do.

Glory of God gone from the priesthood (vss 10-11)

  • These priests who were sanctified jokes let the enemy in spiritually and disregarded God for years. Now the enemy has showed up physically to remove them.
  • The Lord was actively using an enemy to destroy those that made a mess of His house.
    • 1 Corinthians 5
    • 1 Corinthians 11:27-31 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

Glory of God gone from all things dedicated to God (vss 12-18)

  • How telling it is that Eli and his family are the ones responsible for the ark. But when it comes to spiritual matters Eli and his boys have become irrelevant. The messenger doesn’t even bother telling Eli what’s happened to the ark.
  • Spiritual life of Israel has gone to the wayside (vs 13). Anyone remember a parable Jesus told about seed falling by the wayside? Here is what that looks like in all its tragedy

Glory of God gone from the nation (vss 19-22)

  • So Phineah’s is not only fornicating with women who come into the tabernacle, but Phineahs, this priest of God so called, has a  wife and a child. What a mess!
  • It’s got to be really bad when a child is named after the hopeless estate the nation has come to find itself.
  • We are in the midst of the gasping convulsions of a nation that talks about God, but whose heart is far from God. We love our sin. We love our pleasure. We don’t want to be bothered by God unless we’re desperate.
  • God’s looking for a Samuel. Everyone in the priesthood died at the hands of the Philistines except one, Samuel. Where was Samuel when this happened? How come the Philistines didn’t take his life? He’s an easy prey as a boy. You know why he doesn’t die? Because God had plans for Samuel because Samuel has been faithful. But He no longer had plans for Eli or his boys.
1 Samuel, Preaching

Precious Words of the Lord (1 Samuel #5)

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Precious Words of the Lord

Text: 1 Samuel 3

The ark of the covenant is the most important object in Israel’s life. The ark is where God met with Israel. The ark led Israel to the promised land. The ark was the platform for the voice of the Lord to lead Israel. After a couple hundred years in the promised land, Israel has gone after all kinds of other gods while holding the ark up as important. The priest Eli and his family were the ones responsible for the ark. But now Eli can’t see, he’s in terrible health. His children are unruly and profaning the sacred things of God. And the light in the tabernacle is about to go out. In that case Israel will be completely left to herself among enemies that hate her. But just before that happens, God calls Samuel.

Samuel is called three times and three times he thinks it is Eli calling for him. But on the third time Eli perceives that the Lord is calling Samuel. He tells Samuel to listen to the Lord. The word of the Lord and Samuel’s relationship to the word of the Lord is the theme in this chapter. The first verse describes the words of God as precious. This chapter shows why they were precious and shows that Samuel treated the words of God as precious.

Revelation from God is necessary (vs 3)

  • There is a need to hear from the Lord.
  • Is it necessary for God to reveal Himself to man?
  • Need God to tell me what He likes because otherwise I think if I like it, God is OK with it.
  • Need God to tell me what He means
    • Love as Christ loved
  • Need God to tell me what I’m doing otherwise I’ll deceive myself about myself.
  • Need God to tell me who I am
  • Need God to tell me who He is
  • Thou art the Christ…flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto you
  • Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path…

God’s word is the basis for fellowship (vss 7, 10)

  • A relationship with God is based on His words
  • My sheep hear my voice and I know them
  • Eli isn’t hearing from God. He’s going to hear what God is saying through other men. There was a nameless preacher in chapter 2 that told Eli what was going to happen. And now Samuel will be told what’s going to happen.
  • Speak Lord for thy servant heareth
  • Let’s do an experiment. Look at Acts 8:37 in your Bible. 

First message is negative (vss 11-14)

  • A prophecy is given to Samuel about Eli’s family future.
  • The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
  • Samuel has been obeying instructions in the tabernacle and now God is going to give him information and light for upcoming events.
    • Did you notice Samuel responded when he was called? Children would do well to pay attention. And if your mom and dad don’t care whether you listen to them or not, God cares. And that rebellious spirit isn’t going anywhere with the Lord.
    • Adults would also do well to pay attention. Samuel is all about taking care of his business even as a child. And the Lord is about to dump something in his lap that will require a faithful man to handle.
  • The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and God will build on Samuel’s fear of the Lord. It doesn’t mean he’s not afraid of the message God gives him, it just means he’s not going to make his decisions based on that fear. Samuel will make his decisions based on the fear of the Lord.
  • There will be no sacrifice or offering that will change God’s mind on this matter in verse 14.

No matter how you feel, don’t change the message (vss 15-18)

  • Samuel stays up all night struggling with what God has said.
  • He’s afraid to carry the message. Sound familiar?
  • Samuel faithful with what God said in verse 18.

Faithful with the word of the LORD is a blessing to the LORD (vss 19-21)

  • Samuel didn’t let any of God’s words fall to the ground.
  • Because of Samuel’s relationship to the words of God the LORD was with him.
  • So the Lord continued to appear to Samuel.
1 Samuel, Preaching

Honor for Honor (1 Samuel #4)

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Honor for Honor

Text: 1 Samuel 2:27-36

Squandered honor (vss 27-29)

  • God reminds Eli of his presence in verse 27
  • God reminds Eli of his position in verse 28
  • God reminds Eli of his provision in verse 28
  • God’s indictment of Eli that he’s honored his kids above God in verse 29. The things of God that were entrusted to Eli’s family have all suffered because Eli would not correct his children.

Sentenced to dishonor (vss 30-33)

  • God’s principle at work in verse 30
    • Honor for honor
    • Your lineage, your first birth isn’t going to cut it
  • God will cut off the children from Eli’s house since they’re lives are spent dishonoring God in verse 31. It will cost Eli “an arm and a leg” we would say.
  • Eli had already let the enemy into God’s house spiritually, and now God would allow the enemy to come in physically. (You see cities in the US burning, that is a physical product of the spiritual seeds that have been sown for years and years. The wicked shall be turned into hell and all nations that forget God.)
  • God will remove Eli’s children as judgment on a family tasked with taking care of the things of God, but abandoning that call in verse 33.

Sign of God’s honor (vss 34-36)

  • God will remove the dishonorable ones in one day according to verse 34.
  • God will raise up a faithful priest. The faithful priest that Eli will see is Samuel just to make it clear that the Lord will honor those who honor Him.
  • But Samuel is a type of the great High Priest to come which is Jesus Christ.
    • Just like Samuel is to represent Jesus Christ, so Christians are to represent Jesus Christ.
  • Jesus Christ is the great High Priest who will ultimately honor God the Father in all things and the Father will in turn honor him.
    • Build him a house
    • He will walk before God the Father forever.
    • People will beg to be in Christ’s priesthood.
1 Samuel, Preaching

Samuel’s Faithful Childhood (1 Samuel #3)

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Samuel’s faithful childhood

Text: 1 Samuel 2:12-26

We could also call this chapter consecration versus corruption. Samuel is faithful as a child and stands in contrast to the vile priesthood of Eli and his sons; see verses 11 and 12. From a young boy Samuel served and was obedient even before he knew the Lord. There are three descriptions of the sin in the priesthood punctuated by statements of Samuel’s faithfulness. Notice verses 18, 21, 26 and even 3:1, 19. Samuel will restore honor to the priesthood in his time. Samuel will serve as a sign to Eli and his family that God will have a faithful priest. Ultimately Samuel is a type of Jesus Christ’s priesthood. And there are four descriptions of faithfulness in the service of God that apply.

God’s faithful priest is consecrated to the things of God (vss 12-19)

A boy clothed in righteousness (vss 12-19)

  • Against the backdrop of a criminal clergy
    • Earlier in 1 Samuel 1 when Hannah was praying for a son Eli thought she was drunk. Probably because that’s what he was accustomed to seeing. And Hannah specifically says, Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial. The irony of Hannah telling Eli don’t call me a daughter of Belial when God describes Eli’s own sons as sons of Belial can’t be missed.
    • The young men are taking offerings to the Lord for themselves without making any offering to the Lord. It’s total abuse of their position. It’s dishonoring to God. And it makes the people attending hate the things of God.
    • The priests don’t even steal from people themselves, they have a servant doing it. And this guy has a pitch fork in verse 13. The image is unmistakable. If you’re worshipping God in Shiloh, watch out for the guy with the pitchfork because he’s there to steal your offering.
    • The people who were sanctified and set apart for God’s purposes turned God’s place of revelation and help into a place of violence, injustice, and greed. They took a sanctuary, a place of rest, and made it a vile place of bitterness.
    • Now how about coming to church? Some people make coming to church a bitter experience. Some people make coming to church a lovely experience. The difference is one group honors the things of God and the other honors themselves.
  • A boy clothed in righteousness (vss 18-19)
    • Then the scene changes. In verse 18 we have a little boy, dressed for the job of priest, and shining as a little light in the midst of darkness. Samuel is clothed in righteousness you could say. He is certainly clothed in the priestly garments from a young age. He is dressed for the job.
    • Samuel is faithful as a child. He does the things that honor God even before he knows the Lord. This wasn’t about his relationship to the Lord. This was about his relationship to the THINGS of the Lord. If you’re not right with God’s things – His words, His people, His sanctuary – truly you aren’t right with God.
    • Hannah makes him a coat every year. That coat was something the high priest wears. 
    • Samuel’s training begins before he knows the importance of his training. Something we parents make the mistake of in spiritual matters is saying it’s not important to do until the kids understand why they’re doing it. But that’s not true in Math, military training, education.

A boy who is a blessing to his parents (vss 20-21)

A boy who is a light in a dark world (vss 22-26)

  • The contrast is again unmistakable. Samuel is a blessing while Eli’s sons are curses. Samuel’s light and influence are growing as Eli’s tenure is fading.
  • Verse 25 if a man steal from another man then a judge can declare him a thief and the thief will go to jail or pay back what he stole. But if a man steal from God or profane the things of God who will plead for him? If you take the Lord’s name in vain, who pleads for you? Who is your defense attorney?
  • The Lord is no respecter of persons, but the Lord will certainly honor those who honor Him.
1 Samuel, Preaching

Hannah’s Rejoicing (1 Samuel #2)

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Hannah’s rejoicing

Text: 1 Samuel 2:1-10

Hannah faces one of the hardest days of her life and one of the most joyful days in her life as well! She is giving up her only baby boy to be raised as a priest for the Lord and she is going to see him once a year from here on. Hannah is so thrilled to be able to give her son to the Lord after the LORD has given her this boy.

What faith Hannah has that produces such joy! On the day of the greatest sacrifice she will make in her life, she doesn’t even see it as a sacrifice. She blesses the LORD for having answered her prayer and given her the opportunity to give back to the LORD.

Here is why the Holy Spirit chose to record Hannah’s prayer. Hannah describes the work of the Lord Jesus Christ without knowing the name Jesus Christ. She describes what the work of the LORD is and will be. She attributes all this power to the Lord God. The only thing missing in Hannah’s prayer is the identity of the Lord Jesus Christ who will do all these things Hannah describes.

Salvation is cause for rejoicing (vs 1)

  • Salvation is of the LORD!
  • Thy salvation is a reference to Jesus Chist without Hannah knowing who the Christ will be, but she certainly knows salvation belongs to the LORD.
  • Hannah isn’t thanking God for how well she was able to keep the law. Hannah certainly tried to do what’s right, but she knows there is no law that that would give her the power to have a son. Life is from Almighty God.
  • You know the phrase to “toot your own horn” as it relates to magnifying yourself in front of others. Hannah says I don’t magnify myself, the LORD lifts me up!
  • If someone is defeated their mouth is shut, they have nothing else to say. But in victory there is glory and congratulations!
  • The LORD has given me something to say!

Rock of ages is cause for rejoicing (vs 2)

  • None as holy as the LORD. No one can approach the LORD.
  • He has no peers, the LORD has no equals. He alone sits atop His creation.
  • He is the Rock like no other.
    • Religions have their rocks, but the LORD is the Rock.
    • Moses spoke of the Rock in Deuteronomy 32.
    • David will speak of the Rock later in the Psalms.
    • Isaiah would say there is coming a day when God will lay a stone in Zion. He is a tried stone, a precious corner stone, and if you trust in Him you won’t be ashamed.
    • Daniel will identify the Rock as the Christ that will rule all nations and bring in the end of this present evil world.
    • Then the Lord Jesus Christ showed up 1,200 years later and said the wise man is the one that builds his house on the Rock. He followed that up with upon this Rock I will build my church. He wasn’t talking about Peter. Jesus Christ was talking about Himself.
    • Luke 20:17-18 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
    • Hannah says there is no Rock like our God! Turns out that Jesus Christ is the Rock of Ages!

Righteous judgment is cause for rejoicing (vs 3)

  • Condemnation of proud speech weighed against the reality of actions.
  • Don’t tell God what you’re going to do, show Him. Don’t tell God about your faith, show Him. He weighs actions, not proclamations. He weighs actions, not statements of faith.

Victory over evil is cause for rejoicing (vss 4-5)

  • He will turn the world upside down.
  • Matthew 5:3-6 The beatitudes as they’re called are a record of where the Lord puts his blessings and where the Lord is at home. These nine descriptions are the home address of the Spirit of God in this present evil world. It’s one thing to have a physical address, but how do you locate a spirit? How do you identify the address of a spirit?  All of these things describe the spiritual address of the Spirit of God. And the spirit is evident before the physical is manifest. Some of these things are not fully understood until after the resurrection and I’ll show you why.
    • Blessed are the poor in spirit… (vs 3) Isaiah 66:1-2, 5 – The LORD looking for a place of rest in the earth; a place to set his kingdom. And He’s looking at things He made like the earth, but He’s really asking what is the place you’ve made me? Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
    • Blessed are they that mourn… (vs 4) – Ezekiel 9:4 someone burdened by sin, Isaiah 61:1-3
    • Blessed are the meek… (vs 5) – Meek: Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries. Meekness will make a place for God Almighty and the LORD will in turn give place to the meek.  
    • Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness… (vs 6) – Appetite for God’s righteousness shall be filled. Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Eternal life is cause for rejoicing (vs 6)

  • Here is a resurrection!
  • 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
  • What Hannah knows is that God has the power of life and death. What Hannah doesn’t know is that power is the the man Christ Jesus who will appear on the earth 1,100 years later.

Promotion from the Lord is cause for rejoicing (vss 7-10)

1 Samuel, Preaching

Hannah (1 Samuel #1)

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This chapter is about the birth of the preacher Samuel, but it starts with Hannah. We’ll see what led up to Samuel’s birth and the conditions Samuel’s mother lived in prior to his birth. Samuel’s ministry is one of the greatest highlights in the history of Israel. Samuel, as a prophet is a great type of Christ, and will show what a great influence a man will be if given to the Lord from childhood.

Text: 1 Samuel 1

Hannah’s broken situation (vss 1-3)

  • Judges 21:25 describes the anarchy and culture at the time of 1 Samuel 1.
  • Hannah herself is barren.
  • The family is a mess.
  • The religion has little to do with God’s instruction.
  • The priests are adulterous crooks.

Hannah’s bitter adversary (vss 4-8)

  • Nothing will satisfy Hannah’s desire for children.
  • On top of that, her husband’s other wife ridicules her for her infertility.
  • Now notice how dysfunctional this situation is. On top of the family relationships, this lady Peninnah mocks Hannah while they are all going to church (vss 6-7).

Hannah’s burdened soul (vss 9-18)

  • Awkward meal in verse 9.
  • Now Hannah will start making some progress.
    • Hannah prays and that’s the right thing to do in verse 10.
    • She promises God that she’ll lend her son to the Lord if He’ll give her a son. She  isn’t just bargaining with God, she means to do it.
    • In verse 18 she does exactly what she needs to do. After her prayer she trusts the Lord for an answer and left her problem there. She cast her care upon the Lord and allowed Him to handle it.
  • Hannah doesn’t just want a child, but a child to raise for the Lord.

Hannah’s blessing (vss 19-23)

  • Samuel is God’s answer to Hannah’s prayer.
  • Samuel is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. The birth of Samuel will lift not only Hannah’s burden but the burden of the nation of Israel.

Hannah’s bold faith (vss 24-28)

  • We see Hannah lend Samuel to the Lord and you moms say NO WAY! I would never do that with my child. Hannah is a very rare person. She trusts the Lord. She’s willing to thank the Lord with what He’s given her. And she’s willing to sacrifice her feelings to set her son up to be used by God. Samuel’s mother is the reason Samuel is born.
  • There is no promise of more children. She is such an impressive individual.
1 Samuel, Bible Conference 2018
1 Samuel, Preaching

Hannah

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Preached by Craig Ingram

Text: 1 Samuel 1

There are several things we can learn from the motherhood of Hannah.

Hannah’s Problem (vss 1-4)

Hannah’s Provision (vss 5-8)

Hannah’s Prayer (vss 9-18)

Hannah’s Promise (vss 19-23)

Hannah’s Present (vss 24-28)

1 Samuel, Preaching

Eli: A Father’s Neglect

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Text: 1 Samuel 3:11-14

Eli did not restrain his sons because first of all, it was inconvenient to do so

1 Samuel 1:9 Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat in the temple of the Lord.

    • Accommodates his own convenience over the known will of God
    • Convenience is something you look for while travelling the wayside path.
    • Folks who are following the Lord ask the question, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do.  Folks who are in the wayside look for convenience.  1 Samuel 4:13
    • God’s will oftentimes seems inconvenient.  Lord, I’ve worked all day and just want to relax.  Well, your son would like to play basketball with you.
  • Paul before Felix.  Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.  Felix is looking for a time when convenience intersects with God’s will.  The fact of the matter is it never does.  Never judge God’s will based on the convenience of it.

Eli does not restrain his sons because he is afraid of them

1 Samuel 1:13-15 He says things to Hannah that he would never say to his boys.  The root cause of that is fear.  1 Samuel 2:27-29

  • He held his kids in honor above God.  More afraid of hurting kid’s feelings than obeying God.  More afraid of driving children away than accepting God’s solution to the sin.
  • Fear will cause you to follow your kids down a path of sin until there is no place to come back to if they do want to get right.
  • Fear affects your judgment.  You see it 1 Samuel 1:13-15.  He can’t discern good from evil. Here is Hannah praying and doing the right thing with Eli, the spiritual leader of Israel unable to differentiate between the drunkenness that’s surrounded him and the heartfelt prayer of Hannah.
  • 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  Where fear is present, there is no sound judgment.
  • 1 Samuel 2:13-17.  That turned to extortion in his sons.  Which led Israel to despise the offerings.  His actions worked unrighteousness in the people.
  • Hebrews 5:13-14 discernment comes from use.  Eli is afraid to apply scripture.  No exercise, no discernment.
  • He honors his children above the God that gave him children.

Eli does not restrain his sons because of his career

1 Samuel 2:29

    • He extended himself too far in his “career” and failed as a parent.  There were guidelines for priests in Leviticus 8 and Numbers 8:23-26 that instructed on length of service, retirement age, and how that service was performed.
    • Dad is responsible to pastor his family
  • Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
  • Deuteronomy 6:6-7 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
    • Make God’s priorities your priorities as a parent
    • Did you ever notice that 1 Timothy 3 qualifications for pastors and deacons.  Ruleth well his own house.  This little flock is preparation for this big flock.  Home is a training ground.  The question is what are we training our kids for?  If TV has replaced the family altar, what exactly are we training our children for?
    • Abraham, Job good fathers
  • Be Instructive – You must be instructive as a father.  You must be saying something if your children are to hear something.  That may sound very simple, but it is very often neglected.  God as a Father is not dealing with children according to their sin.  He is actively pursuing the image He wants to see with instruction and revelation.  We need to do the same.
    • Discretion and wisdom are preemptive.  Don’t wait for a catastrophe to begin speaking.  Proverbs are preemptive. Your child should hear more from you than “Don’t touch the remote” or “You’re grounded.”
    • Experience is a lousy teacher.  Why?  Because of what it cost.  Proverbs is written to keep you from having to learn from experience.  Trial and error is a bad idea because trials take too long and error costs too much.
    • What are you teaching them about God?  Not what are they learning at church, but what are YOU teaching them?  The same Dad’s that are quick to kick their kids out of the house are very slow to instruct, open the Bible, pray, or spend one on one time with their kids.
  • Spend Time
    • The average dad spends 25 minutes a week in personal, one on one interaction with his children.
    • Schedule rule – make time or it won’t happen.  Dates are a good idea.
    • Magnet rule – Can I do this with my child?  Kill two birds with one stone.
  • Communicate
    • Communication is a two way street – there is a transmitter and a receiver, otherwise communication is not taking place.
    • Instruction includes why something is right and why something is wrong.  It paves a way for your children to trust you.
    • When the kids are playing and there is lots of noise it can be annoying, but I know what’s happening.  My concern is when it gets real quiet.  If it’s getting real quiet between you and your kids just be warned there is a problem coming.  It means no one is going to talk until they HAVE to and that’s not good.
  • Practice
    • The Bible says to train up a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6).   Training is practice for the real thing.  Training involves exercise (Hebrews 5:14) and muscle memory.  Military service calls preparation for  service Basic Training.
    • Joe Frazier, heavyweight boxing champion said, “You can map out a fight plan or a life plan, but when the action starts you’re down to reflexes and that’s where your road work shows.  If you cheated on that in the dark of the morning, you are getting found out now under the bright lights.”  The world doesn’t offer training to Christians, the world makes every effort to undo any training that your children had.
  • Preparation
    • Along with the first principle of training is the truth that preparation must be done while the environment is controlled.  If you fail as a parent to use the time you have now to prepare your children, there is no chance for them to learn what they need to learn, from you anyway.
    • Daniel 1:3-4 tells of Daniel, Shadrach, Mechach, and Abednego being hand selected by Nebuchadnezzar to serve in his palace.  These boys had learned in Judah what they needed to learn to face the world.
    • If you’re children cannot learn in the safe environment of the home and local church where people love them and want the best for them, they will not stand a chance in the world.  Do what you can do now.
  • Eli does not restrain his boys because he is too involved in his career.

Eli does not restrain his sons because he’s not parenting on purpose

1 Samuel 2:22-24

  • Eli’s discipline was emotional and reactive, not purposeful
  • What constrains behavior trains the heart.  If I bribe my child in order to get the behavior I want then I am training that child to respond to bribery.  To take it a step a further, I have appealed to that child’s greediness and hooked their heart to equate good behavior and greed.
  • Behavior modification rather than heart modification. My son, give me thine heart… keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.
  • One of the first things that develops in a child is their will.  The will your attitude toward authority.
  • Chastening for the will – Hebrews 12:5-7, 11 quoting Proverbs 3:11-12.  Proverbs 22:15 is the heart connection to the rod.
  • Why expecting obedience is important
    • Obedience is growth – there is no limit to what God can do with a Christian that always does what he’s told, when he’s told.  The reason Ephesians 6:2-3 is practically true is that if your children were to obey everything you said about their choice of friends, their decisions, and their lives they would avoid the trouble that shortens lives.
    • Obedience is opportunity
    • Obedience is success – Proverbs 10:17 – reproof is the way of life
  • Identifying Rebellion
    • Rebellion is not a phase, it’s a nature.
    • Rebellion is an authority issue. Psychology attempts to find some peripheral issue like the past or stress in the marriage and link that to rebellion.  We have become so backward where parents will not chasten rebellion in their children all the while congratulating them for just having a pulse.
    • Rebellion starts as experimenting.  Testing boundaries is how your child will begin.  You will both lose in the end if the rebellion is not checked early.
    • Start with a tight grip, then loosen it.  Don’t start with a loose grip and try to tighten it.
  • Obedience Requires Parent’s Expectation
    • First of all God requires obedience from your children, so don’t hinder the work of God by not expecting the same.  Children obey your parents is a command given to them by God.
    • Ministry of reconciliation – don’t take disobedience personal.  Disobedience is against God and you are to facilitate their relationship with God.  If you are going to take it personally, don’t make any decisions while you’re stewing over being offended.
    • Goal is to get them to be what God wants them to be.  You may be domineering and be able to impose your will on people, but the art of parenting is to point them in the direction of God and represent God well.
    • Don’t say things you don’t mean.
  • Obedience Requires Parent’s Enforcement
    • Don’t make rules you can’t enforce.  Don’t make rules you aren’t going to enforce.  That’s otherwise known as an idle threat.
    • “You hurt Mommy’s feelings” or “You make Dad so mad” are not reasons kids should be trained to obey.
    • Compassionate anger means corporeal punishment is not payback or punitive or parents throwing a fit because they’ve been offended.  Children don’t need to wade through hypocrisy or inconsistent discipline and emotional bullying.
    • Mom must have the ability to discipline as needed.
    • No chastening is an indication that the father has not taken responsibility for that soul.  Hebrews 12:8
    • Expect to have to discipline your children multiple times.  I’ve heard people say for instance spanking doesn’t work.  First of all, the purpose of the rod is not that you use it, the purpose of the rod is to deliver temporary pain that prevents future punishment.  Proverbs 23:14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.  Now if you had the option of sending your child to Hell or spanking them which would you choose?  How about what the Lord Jesus Christ said in Mark 9:47, pluck out eyes, cut off hand, cut off feet and avoid hell.
    • Pain is the deterrent.  Proverbs 20:30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.  A hot stove is a quick lesson you can learn.  Spanking is good because its over.  Don’t drag out punishment or drama over hours or even days.  Get it over with and move on.

 

1 Samuel, Preaching

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