Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-5:5, The Ark of the Covenant was moved inappropriately by the Israelites and the Philistines took possession. Eli and his family die during and just after this event. We can learn by these consequences to not manipulate God's gracious presence for our own sinful benefit. Listen to the lecture to find out what happens to the Ark and the Philistine cities.

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-16, In this study, we see Satan, in the form of a Serpent, sneak into the Church as the first False Teacher. He asks Eve, "Did God really say?" The Serpent follows up this question with, "Isn't it possible that God is holding back and not giving you everything He could?" By believing the Serpent, Eve no longer lives by hearing, but now lives by sight -- a delight to her eyes! This pleasure-seeking way to live, "if it feels good, do it", is calledEpicureanism. This form of sin is still present in the world today. When Adam sees Eve eat of the fruit and NOT instantly die, he willfully eats of the fruit also. God talks to Adam and Eve, who both blame for their sin on someone else. In Genesis 3:15, the first Gospel message to mankind is given by God. It is called the Protoevangelium and promises the seed of the woman (i.e. Christ) will defeat sin, death and Satan.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:35-3:21 Hebrews 7:26-28 Psalm 110 Deuteronomy 18:22 Titus 2:14, 1 Samuel 2:35 is a promise of God: "I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever."This promise is fulfilled perfectly in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 7:26"28). See also Psalm 110. Christ Jesus is that red thread woven through both the Old and New Testaments and is shown here in this promise. See Deuteronomy 18:22 where God says "You will know that the prophet is from God if the prophesy comes true." The death of Eli's sons is the sign that the priesthood of Aaron is at an end. Christ does for us what we cannot do for ourselves, see Titus 2:14.

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-6, The beginnings of the Church, Home and Civil Government by God are discussed in the context of the Garden and creation to summarize Chapter 2. Chapter 3 introduces the crafty serpent. The serpent was a convenient tool through which fallen angel Satan tempted Eve. Satan holds out the promise "you will be like God." Adan and Eve knew "good" already. Now they both were offered the ability to know "evil". They ate of the forbidden fruit and sin entered creation.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:21-2:26, Hannah returns to the Lord what He had first given her (1:21-28); Hannah exults that God has fulfilled His word in her prayer (2:1-11) as well as offering thanksgiving, praise and confession; Eli's sons in the Lord's house are contrasted with Samuel in the Lord's house (2:12-26).

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:9-23, The Lord shows His mercy to Hannah and demonstrates that His power is stronger than human weakness by giving Hannah a son. Samuel, dedicated to God even before conception, is a living sign of God's grace. Hannah's trusting openness to God's Word, and the blessing she received, encourages us to trust that God will deal with us according to His compassionate love in Christ Jesus. In this lesson, Pastor Hodel delves into the deeper insights of Hannah's answer to prayer.

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-2:25, Chapter 2 presents a more focused series of narrative facts regarding the creation of man and woman compared with that presented in Chapter 1.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-8, The "four" King books are introduced and contrasted with the "two" Chronicle books in the Old Testament. The setting at the beginning of 1 Samuel is in the area of Shiloh. The conception of Samuel by Elkanah and Hannah begin this book.

Scripture: Genesis 1:9-25, God fills the heaven and earth He has created (1:1) with classes of vegetation and animals (1:11-25). God states that it all conformed to His intentions in the best possible way (1:31). God declares that all He has made is good.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:10-25, 1 Peter 4:14, Following Jesus is going to make you an outsider in the world. This is a very insecure place to be. But we are citizens of a different city, pilgrims on earth who are on a journey to our heavenly home. 1 Peter 4:14 says, when we are insulted for the name of Christ, we are blessed.Luther has this comment: "God permits Christians to remain alive in the flesh and lets our bodies walk the earth in order that we may help others and also bring them to heaven too." Our spiritual offerings are acceptable to God only through faith, for Christ's sake.Hebrews sets forth God's grace in Christ, earned on the cross, ratified in the new covenant, and distributed in Word and Sacrament. By holding fast to the teaching of this sermon by the preacher to the Hebrews and by receiving God's grace through faith, we have fellowship with all the saints and look forward to our inheritance with them in heaven.