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After the Ark of the Covenant remains at Kiriath-Jearim for twenty years, Samuel calls the people to turn from their foreign gods, direct their hearts toward the Lord, and serve Him alone.

Israel gathers at Mizpah, confesses its sin, and asks Samuel to continue praying. When the Philistines move against them, Samuel offers a sacrifice and cries out to God. The Lord answers with a mighty thunder, throws the enemy into confusion, and gives Israel the victory. Samuel then raises a memorial stone called Ebenezer, declaring, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

God has helped us, saved us, sustained us, and brought us into His presence. We must not forget what He has done.

Sermon Notes

1 Samuel 7:1 & 2 The Ark was placed in the house of Abinadab and Eleazer was tasked to care for the Ark and it remained there 20 years

1 Samuel 7:3 - 6 Samuel spoke and prayed and the people repented

1 Samuel 7:7 & 8 After hearing that Israel had gathered the Philistines moved to fight them and Israel was afraid

1 Samuel 7:9 & 10 Samuel offered a sacrifice and prayed for the people and the Lord answered

1 Samuel 7:11 Israel defeats the Philistines

1 Samuel 7:12 - 14 Samuel places a memorial stone and Israel’s borders are restored and they have peace

1 Corinthians 11:23 – 26 Our act of remembrance of what the Lord has done

Who is able to stand before a holy God?

The Ark of the Covenant as the Philistines finally decide to send it back to Israel. They prepare a guilt offering, place the Ark on a cart, and return it according to the instructions they have been given. When the Ark arrives, Israel initially responds with sacrifice and rejoicing.

But the story quickly becomes a warning. Some of the men fail to treat the Lord as holy and look inside the Ark. God judges them, leading to the sobering question: Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God?

God’s holiness should never be treated casually. Hebrews 4:14–16 points us to Jesus, our great High Priest, through whom we are invited to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.

We do not approach God because we have made ourselves worthy. We approach because Jesus has made the way.

Sermon Notes

1 Samuel 6:1 & 2 Philistines ask how to get rid of the Ark

1 Samuel 6:3 They were told how to send it away

1 Samuel 6:4 – 9 They were also to prepare a guilt offering and how to send the Ark to where it belonged

1 Samuel 6:10 – 12 They did as instructed

1 Samuel 6:13 – 16 The Ark and the offerings arrived back to the people of Israel and the priests handled them

1 Samuel 6:17 & 18 Memorial stones were set

1 Samuel 6:19 – 21 The men there did not take the Lord seriously and looked inside the Ark and God struck them and a great number died. So they sent to have the Ark sent elsewhere

Hebrews 4:14 – 16 We can draw near to the throne with confidence because of Jesus

What happens when people believe they have defeated God?

The Ark of the Covenant after it is captured by the Philistines and placed in the temple of their god, Dagon. The Philistines assume their god has defeated the God of Israel, but the next morning Dagon is found facedown before the Ark. After they restore the idol, it falls again, this time with its head and hands cut off.

God then brings judgment on the Philistine cities. Wherever the Ark is moved, suffering and confusion follow until the Philistines finally recognize that they cannot stand against the God of Israel and decide to send the Ark back where it belongs.

God does not need us to defend His power or secure His victory. Even when circumstances appear hopeless and no one seems able to help. The battle still belongs to the Lord.

Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The question is not whether we will acknowledge Him, but whether we will willingly worship Him now.

Proclamation of the Word

Message by Pastor Joe

“Even Idols Bow”

Sermon Notes

1 Samuel 5:1 – 5 The Philistines took the Ark of God and placed it in their idol’s house, but it fell on its face twice and the second time its head and hands broke off

1 Samuel 5:6 & 7 God ravaged the Philistines with a plague

1 Samuel 5:8 - 12 The Philistines kept moving the Ark to different places, but the plague came to wherever they moved the Ark

Philippians 2:9 – 11 Every knee shall bow

Malachi 4:1 - 3

Israel’s disastrous decision to treat the Ark of the Covenant like a lucky charm. After losing a battle to the Philistines, Israel never asks God why they were defeated or whether they should fight again. Instead, they bring the Ark into the camp, assuming that possessing the symbol of God’s presence will guarantee victory.

The people celebrate, and even the Philistines become afraid—but the Ark is not God. Israel suffers a devastating defeat, the Ark is captured, Eli’s sons die, and Eli dies after hearing the news. Phinehas’s wife then names her child Ichabod, declaring that the glory has departed from Israel.

The warning for us is not to confuse religious objects, routines, traditions, or church attendance with genuine trust in God. Faith seeks God, listens to Him, and obeys Him. Superstition tries to control outcomes through symbols and rituals.

The battle belongs to the Lord. Our confidence must rest in Him, not in anything we treat as a spiritual good luck charm.

Sermon Notes

1 Samuel 4:1 & 2 Israel loses a battle to the Philistines

1 Samuel 4:3 & 4 Israel decides to get the Ark of the Covenant because it will defeat the Philistines

1 Samuel 4:5 – 8 Israel shouts when the Ark arrives and the shout causes the Philistines to become fearful

1 Samuel 4:9 – 11 The Philistines regain their courage, fight and defeat Israel. They capture the Ark and both Eli’s sons die

1 Samuel 4:12 – 18 Eli hears the report of the capture of the Ark and the death of his sons, he falls back and dies of a broken neck

How does God call someone, and how is that calling confirmed?

Although Samuel had faithfully served in the sanctuary, he did not yet recognize the Lord’s voice. Three times he went to Eli before Eli understood that God was calling the boy and instructed him to answer, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

God then gave Samuel a difficult message concerning Eli’s household. Samuel was afraid to deliver it, but he faithfully spoke everything God had revealed. As Samuel continued to grow, the Lord remained with him and allowed none of his words to fail. Eventually, all Israel recognized that Samuel had been confirmed as a prophet.

God’s calling is not limited by age, natural talent, status, or human importance. God calls servants, gives them the ability to accomplish His purpose, and asks them to remain faithful; whether the results appear successful or not. Every believer is called to serve and to bear witness to what God has done.

Sermon Notes

1 Samuel 3:1 Samuel as a boy ministered to the Lord. The word and visions from the Lord was rare in those days

1 Samuel 3:2 & 3 Eli’s eyesight was decreasing. Samuel sleeps in the temple

1 Samuel 3:4 – 9 The Lord calls Samuel, but not knowing it’s God, goes to Eli in response to the call. After the third time Eli tells him it is the Lord calling and tells him what to say

1 Samuel 3:10 – 14 The Lord stans and tells Samuel what He is going to do with Eli and his household

1 Samuel 3:15 – 18 Samuel doesn’t want to tell Eli what the Lord said, but Eli compels him to

1 Samuel 3:19 - 21 Samuel continued to grow, the Lord was with him and all Israel knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet

Samuel was still a boy, yet he faithfully ministered before the Lord under Eli’s guidance. His mother, Hannah, continued supporting his calling by making him a linen garment each year. Samuel grew in stature and in favor with both God and people.

Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were the opposite. Though they inherited positions of priestly service, they did not know the Lord. They abused the sacrifices, exploited the people, dishonored the Tabernacle, and used their ministry for personal gain. Eli confronted them verbally but failed to remove them from service or take decisive action.

This sermon examines the difference between inherited position and genuine faithfulness. It challenges parents, church leaders, and believers to help young people serve God, honor the Lord above family loyalty, take ministry seriously, and respond to correction with repentance.

God offers forgiveness through Jesus Christ. The question is whether we will follow Samuel’s example of faithful service or harden our hearts like Eli and his sons.

Sermon Notes

1 Samuel 2:11 Samuel as a boy ministered to the Lord

1 Samuel 2:12 The sons of Eli were worthless and did not know the Lord

1 Samuel 2:13 – 17 Examples of their conduct as priests

1 Samuel 2:18 &19 Samuel ministered before the Lord in linen clothing made by his mother

1 Sameul 2:20 Eli blessed Samuel’s parents because of their dedication to the Lord

1 Samuel 2:21 Hannah has 5 more children

1 Samuel 2:22 – 25 Eli hearing his sons misconduct tells them to stop but does not act

1 Samuel 2:26 Samuel grows in stature and in favor with the Lord and men

1 Samuel 2:27 – 36 The Lord judges Eli and his house and gives him a sign when the judgment will take place

Two prayers from Hannah’s life: one prayed in deep distress, and one prayed in joyful praise.

Hannah was barren, provoked, misunderstood, and grieved. In her pain, she poured out her soul before the Lord and made a vow that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him back to the Lord. Eli the priest misunderstood her at first, but after hearing her heart, he blessed her prayer, and Hannah left no longer sad.

God answered her prayer, and Hannah gave birth to Samuel. But the story does not end with answered prayer. Hannah fulfilled her vow and returned Samuel to the Lord. Then she prayed again, not in sorrow, but in praise, exalting God for His holiness, strength, justice, and faithfulness.

Hannah's reminds us that prayer should not only be passionate when we are asking God for help. Our praise and thanksgiving should be just as passionate when He answers. Whether God says yes, no, or wait, we are called to trust Him, rejoice in Him, and give Him the glory.

Sermon Notes

1 Samuel 1:1 – 8 A man had 2 wives, one had children and the other was barren because of the Lord

1 Samuel 1:9 – 11 Hannah prayed, wept in distress and made a vow to the Lord

1 Samuel 1:12 – 16 Eli, the priest misinterpreted Hannah’s prayer and condition

1 Samuel 1:17 & 18 Eli says may the Lord grant your prayer and Hannah leaves no longer sad

1 Samuel 1:19 – 23 God grants Hannah’s prayer and has a son

1 Samuel 1:24 – 28 Hannah fulfills her vow

1 Samuel 2:1 – 5 Hannah prayer is full of praise to God

What decision will you make before the pressure comes?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego face a life-or-death test. King Nebuchadnezzar commands everyone to bow before his golden image, but these three men had already made their commitment: they would worship God alone.

When given one final chance to compromise, they refuse. They declare that God is able to deliver them. But even if He does not, they will not bow. Their faith is not based on whether God gives them the outcome they want. Their faith is rooted in who God is.

The challenge is clear: don’t wait until the fire is in front of you to decide where you stand. Make your commitment now, before the circumstance comes.

Sermon Notes

Daniel 3:1 – 7 King’s golden image created and law issued to worship it

Daniel 3:8 – 12 Certain Jews were made known to the king they were not worshipping it

Daniel 3:13 – 15 3 Jewish men were given a chance to change their minds and worship the image, but if they don’t immediately, they would be cast into the fire

Daniel 3:16 – 18 Instead of accepting the king’s offer they say they won’t worship and that God is able to deliver them, but if He does not they still won’t worship the image

Exodus 20:1 – 5 Commandments against what king is demanding

Daniel 3:19 – 30 God delivers them and the king blesses God

Matthew 5:11 & 12 Rejoice at persecution

Hebrews 11:35 – 38 People the world is not worthy of

Love is not merely a feeling, preference, or sentimental idea. Biblical love is an action rooted in the love God has already shown us. Scripture calls believers to love in several distinct ways: to love the Lord completely, to love our neighbor as ourselves, to love our enemies, to love one another as Christ loved us, and for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church.

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not seek its own. Love covers a multitude of sins. Most importantly, love comes from God. Because we are secure in His love, we can risk loving others. Even when they do not love us back.

The challenge is clear: love is not only something we receive from God. It is something we are commanded to live out.

Sermon Notes

Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God completely

Leviticus 19:18 Love your neighbor as yourself

Matthew 5:43 & 44 Love your enemy

John 15:12 Love other believers as Christ did

Ephesians 5:25 & 26 Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church

1 John 4:7 Love is from God

1 Peter 4:8 Love covers a multitude of sins

1 Corinthians 13: 1 – 13 Love defined

Biblical faith is not assumption, wishful thinking, or simply believing hard enough for something we want. True faith is believing what God has said and trusting that He will do what He has promised.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Abraham becomes a key example: he obeyed when God called him, journeyed without knowing the full destination, and trusted God even when the promise seemed impossible.

Explore saving faith, justified faith, walking by faith, living by faith in Christ, and the honest prayer, “I believe; help my unbelief.” Faith is essential to the Christian life, and Scripture tells us how it grows: faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

If you want stronger faith, the answer is not assumption or emotion, it is hearing God’s Word, trusting what He says, and walking in obedience.

Sermon Notes

Hebrews 11:1 What faith is

Hebrews 11:6 Without faith impossible to please God

Hebrews 11:8 –10 & 17 – 19 Abram an example of faith

Matthew 17:19 & 20 What the size of a mustard seed can faith do

Luke 7:40 – 50 Saving faith

Romans 5:1 Justified by faith

2 Corinthians 5:6– 9 We walk by faith

Galatians 2:20 We live by faith in Christ

Habakkuk 2:4 The righteous lives by his faith

Mark 9:14 – 24 Help by unbelief

Romans 10:17 Faith comes by hearing the word of God

Jude (1) 17 – 21 Build up your most holy faith