North Etowah Baptist Church

1. Reject the errors of people

a. Reject a false view of success

b. Reject a false view of age

c. Reject a false view of security

d. Reject a false view of worship


2. Refer your challenges to
 God in prayer

a. We ask

b. When we ask, 
He answers

c. When He speaks,
 we listen

3. Remain steadfast regardless of your family's choices

a. Be realistic about their sins

b. Be repentant of your choices

c. Be reliant on your Heavenly Father

4. Rebuke the false promises of government

5. Rejoice in the King of Kings

1. How convicted are you about half-hearted devotion? (6:20-7:2)


2. How desperate are you to return to the Lord? (7:3-6)


a. There must be a removal of idols (Exodus 23:22-25)


b. There must be wholehearted devotion to God


i. Private and corporate prayer 
is offered


ii. Genuine surrender and symbolism is offered


In symbolism...
In seeking God...
In sacrifice


3. How serious must your challenges be to compel you to return to God? (7:7-13)


a. God acted with a storm of powerful judgment


b. People responded with a sign of merciful help

1. Where is the glory? God's presence is manifested among His people (4:21, 22;

5:1-8)

A. His glory flowed in the channel of history and revelation

B. His glory was focused in a receptacle of worship

C. His glory is now focused in the "temples" of believers

2. Where is the glory? Sinners' idolatry is judged by God (5:1-6, 12)

A. Key Questions (1 Samuel 5)

i. Where shall we put it?

ii. What can we do to fix it?

iii. How can we get rid of it?

B. Great Confusion (1 Samuel 6)

i. They confused the exodus with their experience

ii. They confused generosity with idolatry

iii. They confused redemption with reparation

iv. They confused providence with chance

3. Where is the glory? Believers' disobedience is judged by God (6:13-15, 19-21)

A. They started on the right path of revival

B. They strayed from the path by irreverence

1. Choose divine 
direction instead 
of human rebellion
(vv. 1-3)



 A. We shouldn't 
act without a 
plan from God



B. We shouldn't 
act without the 
power of God


2. Rely on God's power instead of religious symbols and slogans (vv. 3-11)



A. Beware of misplaced 
confidence



B. Beware of misguided
 emotion



 C. Be aware of the need for prayer concerning the election


3. Demonstrate wise parenting instead of lazy permissiveness (vv. 12-18)



A. We are to be godly examples before our families in the power of the Spirit



i. Speak truth to your family



ii. Give moral direction



iii. Live an
honorable life



iv. Cultivate wisdom and understanding



v. Model godly ways



B. We are to pray 
on behalf of our children



i. Surrender your children to God



ii. Live the cross-life



iii. Pray for them

1. We engage in God's work rather than looking for a vision (vv. 1-3)

A. Be the right person

B. Be in the right place

C. Do the right things

i. Serve in the small things

ii. Hope in the silent times

2. We hear God's Word even though we may not understand all the details (vv. 4-9)

A. God's voice is quiet, gentle, and loving

B. God's voice gives time to understand

C. God's voice never suggests what is unholy, unscriptural, or unethical

D. God's voice works in harmony with His providence

E. God's voice is considerate of others

F. God's voice may not be recognized at first

G. We grow in discernment of His voice

3. We surrender to the Lord as well as pray to Him (vv. 8-21)

A. Good servants encourage further communication

B. Good servants wait before the Lord

C. Good servants report for duty

i. We shine God's lamp

ii. We speak God's truth

iii. We submit to God's call

iv. We honor God's Word

1. You can be around the things of the Lord and not know the transformation of the Lord

A. You reflect your spiritual "father" (Satan) and not know the Lord

B. You dishonor your high calling

i. You can dishonor the office that God appointed

ii. You can dishonor the offering that God requires

iii. You can dishonor the people whom God loves

C. You harden your heart

2. You can have the role of a parent and priest but not have the integrity and authority of a parent and priest

A. You can be a mixture of attempts to do right but with wrong results

i. You may rebuke without authority

ii. You may be old but without discernment

iii. You may have knowledge but without action

B. You may have a godly heritage but not God's honor

1. We Must Believe in a Divine Designer

2. We Face Defining Moments in Our Lives

3. We Must Discover the Designer's Plan for Our Lives

A. God Designed us for Growth

i. Growth Stunts

ii. Growth Spurts

B. God Designed Us to be Dedicated to Him

Three questions to help us determine individually and as a church if we have moved away from God:

1. Do we embrace Accurate Doctrine?

2. Do we engage in Admirable Works?

3. Do we exhibit Absolute Love?