Impotence of Religion
1 Samuel 4:1–11 (ESV)
1. And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.
Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. 2 The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle. 3 And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” 4 So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
5 As soon as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded. 6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, “What does this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” And when they learned that the ark of the LORD had come to the camp, 7 the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “A god has come into the camp.” And they said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before. 8 Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness. 9 Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight.”
10 So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. 11 And the ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
Roadmap for the Text
I. A minor crisis of faith
II. Questions about God
III. Religious solutions activated
IV. Complete disaster and major crisis of faith
Crisis of Faith:
“A painful experience in a Christian’s life when he or she begins to doubt his or her beliefs, causing grief and confusion for the individual, as well as a sense of disconnection from God.”
Philistine Problem
1200-700 BC
Trauma = Shattered Assumptions
Asking Questions
“Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines?”
Leviticus 26:17 (ESV)
17 “I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down before your enemies.”
Deuteronomy 28:25 (ESV)
25 “The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies”
Employing Religion
“Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.”
Bad question: How do we get God on our side?
Good question: How do we get on God’s side?
Greater Crisis of Faith
We cannot shelter ourselves from God’s wrath under the cloak of performance, profession or religious duty.
B. GROUP QUESTIONS
1) Please read 1 Samuel 4:1-11. What stands out to you? Where and how would you put yourself in the story? Who do you identify with the most?
2) Have you had a small or large crisis of faith? Would you like to share that with your group? What happened, and how did you come through it?
3) Talk about the difference between asking the question, how do I get God on my side, or how do I get on God’s side? And why does it matter?
4) Explain some of the core differences between religion, and the Gospel. Go deeper than external duty vs inward devotion and experience. Why is religion more comfortable and feels more safe?
5) Prayer and praise