The times are as dark as the night that falls at the beginning of the story. Today is the third message in our life of samuel series. The biggest news in books and bibles this year has been the 400th anniversary of the publication of the king james version. The word of the lord was precious that is, the word of prophecy, or the revelation of god s will to and by the prophets, was rare or scarce, such things being most precious in mens esteem, whereas common things are generally despised. God s silence 1 3 the story actually begins not with god speaking, but with god s silence. The historical books a good introduction to and overview of the historical books of the old testament joshua, judgesruth, 1 and 2 samuel, 1 and 2 kings, 1 and 2 chronicles, ezra, nehemiah, esther other resources. Samuel, the baby born to hannah, will become a kingmakerthe one who will anoint saul 9.
Tradition suggests that this is samuels age at the time of this incident, but we have no way of knowing for certain. When were trying to determine our calling, we need to find the point where our unique gifts and genuine needs intersect. Now after the death of samson, eli the highpriest was governor of the israelites. As bible scholars know, there is another story in the new testament that could be titled the same way acts 20.
The world wide study bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons. He would rather beat his head against it because he just messed up again. Now, samuel has been born and somewhere between the age of three and four, at least in hebrew culture, at. Im ready to listen 3 1 3 the boy samuel was serving god under elis direction. Its hard not to smile if youre reading an amelia bedelia book to your favorite youngster. Then samuel said, speak, for your servant is listening. How god perfects our prayers beyond our expectations 2 samuel 7. Towards the end of his life, the corruption of his own sons will ironically mirror elis failure 1 samuel 8. The old testament brings us hope for a savior that will crush the serpents head and relinquish the shame and guilt of sin. Eventually, we see samuel as a successful prophet 1 samuel 3.
The birth of samuel and his early call by god are found in chapters 1 3. The boy samuel ministered before the lord under eli. The word from god through which the holy spirit strengthens our faith in jesus is 1 samuel 3. Eli, the priest, was training young samuel for the ministry. The apostle paul was the visiting preacher, and he did. Finally, eli tells samuel that it is the lord that is calling him. His eyes had lately grown so weak that he could not see. Emphasizes a willingness to obey and follow instructions, the subtlety of pride, and the centrality of the relationship rather than the supposed novelty of god s voice. At that time eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room. By acknowledging gods lordship, we decide beforehand that we are going to obey our unique calling, even prior to finding out whats at stake. Tozer wrote a powerful book, the pursuit of god 1948, still valuable today for. He has a bad habit of speaking before thinking, he blurts out words as a whale spurts out salt water. General because of this success in sauls family, he grew up with much pressure riding on his shoulders.
Gods silence the story actually begins not with god speaking, but with gods silence. Jan 18, 2009 indeed, 1 samuel 2 speaks of how elis sons did what was right in their own eyes in their work as priests 1 samuel 2. She then prayed a prayer that would later serve as a model for marys magnificat 2. The boy, samuel, is bedded down in the temple with the ark of. Speak lord, for your servant is listening 1 samuel 3. Now the boy samuel was ministering to the lord under eli. The boy, samuel, was ministering before the lord under the supervision of eli. Check out these helpful resources biblical commentary sermons childrens sermons hymn lists. The child samuel ministered before eli that is, under his inspection and direction. This week the lectionary brings us the story of young samuel hearing god s voice and being identifie. Through the bible 1 samuel 1 10 by chuck smith topic. Sermons on 1 samuel first presbyterian church, jackson. Convert a selected clip from one of your sermons into an animated video creatively styled with strong, visual. Preach on topics including the birth and call of samuel the prophet, the return of the ark of the covenant to israel, israels demand for an earthly king, and the rise and fall of sauls reign.
This passage has its roots in the book of judgesin the chaotic time when there was no king in israel. Explores heart preparation for listening for god, beginning with the boy samuel 1 samuel 3. It is significant that this book depicting the origins of the monarchy in ancient israel. While this is all well and good, what we have so far is largely a moralistic character study of saul. Prevenient grace lectionary starters second sunday after epiphany, year a january 19, 2003 1 samuel 3. Martin luther in his gentler moments dwelt with great tenderness on the boyhood of samuel. God gave israel victory over the philistines in answer to samuel s prayer 1 samuel 7. Jan 18, 2015 eventually, we see samuel as a successful prophet 1 samuel 3. God needed a man that would speak to the people for him and hear from god. There was really no mans ears that were open to god. Then eli realized that the lord was calling the boy. When i began this series on 1 samuel i knew that i would have to preach a message on this very well known passage of the calling of samuel. The old testament lesson from 1 samuel is set early in the life of the nation. Pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario oregon teaches through the bible from the book of 1 samuel.
So far we have looked at samuel s birth and dedication. Nicholas ridley was sentenced to be burned at the stake in england because of his witness for christ. So far we have looked at samuels birth and dedication. Hi jo anne, thank you for your sermon on hannahs song.
On the night before his execution, ridleys brother offered to remain with him in the prison chamber to be of assistance and comfort. The bible says that the eyes of the lord go out to and fro the earth till he finds someone that is seeking him. The setting for our story takes place in the temple. The preciousness of the word of the lord in the day of evil.
I am sure that everyone has seen the television commercial about e. The first part of 1 samuel overlaps historically with the end of the judges period that we find in the book of judges. One night eli was sound asleep his eyesight was very badhe could hardly see. The two hebrew words that describe his father indicate that he was a mighty warrior with much valor and he also was a very wealthy man. We find hope in the word of god of a son that will bring complete fulfillment and sufficiency. In fact, as the book of judges comes to an end, tribal wars threaten to tear the people. Whether the office had been specially assigned him, or it arose from the interest inspired by the story of his. Constables notes on 1 samuel 3 the book of samuel covers about 1121971 b. Sermons from i samuel the end of the beginning i samuel 31 ii samuel 1 god unchanging 1 samuel 15. Already the name of samuel signifies heard of god or asked for of god. This was at a time when the revelation of god was rarely heard or seen.
Click here to return to the sermons page 1 samuel 2. So god replaces eli with samuel, and god uses samuel to a speak prophetically to israel and to lead them victory over the philistines and samuel anoints israels first kings, saul and david. Eli, perceiving that it was the voice of god that samuel heard, instructed him what to say. Reed, dean feldmeyer epiphany 2 ordinary time 2 b 2018. The boy, samuel, is bedded down in the temple with the ark of the covenant while eli slept in another room. Someone has suggested that the title for a sermon about this incident in the life of samuel should be the danger of sleeping in church. Young eutychus of troas was at worship one sunday evening, seated on the windowsill. The next time samuel hears god calling he says, speak lord, for your servant is. Many today fail to recognize the pervasive, worldwide impact this one translation has had as it became the book of the english empire just as that empire spread to the ends of the earth, taking with it the kjv. As bible scholars know, there is another story in the new testament that could be titled the same way. Emphasizes a willingness to obey and follow instructions, the subtlety of pride, and the centrality of the relationship rather than the supposed novelty of gods voice. When we empower children by ensuring that they have healthcare and housing, quality education and safe environments, then they will hear a word from the lord and heal our land.
Jan 22, 2012 samuel answered, speak, for your servant is listening. Making a vow, she pleaded, lord of hosts, if you will take notice of your servants affliction, remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, i will give him to the. Find top church sermons, illustrations, and powerpoints for preaching on 1 samuel 3. Im preaching on hannah this sunday, and i was very blessed by your message. Many today fail to recognize the pervasive, worldwide impact this one translation has had as it became the book of the english empire just as that. Click here for more messages from the book of 1 samuel. General the days in which israel was invaded by the philistines and the ark of the covenant stolen and placed in the temple of dagon, their fish god, occurred when eli was high priest, when the boy samuel was dedicated to god and lent to him by his mother hannah. Thats the big picture of samuel s life, but we are going to start at the beginning, when samuel first hears god s voice. One of my favorite books for children is green eggs and ham by dr. Book 1 samuel immanuel christian school located in springfield, va, and serving families across fairfax county and northern virginia, our private christian school offers challenging and engaging educational opportunities for students in grades khigh school. The reason is that nothing under the sun is more beautiful than piety in childhood. Deeply hurt, hannah prayed to the lord and wept with many tears.