Sovereign

1 Samuel 7:1-17
John Pallanes, Associate Pastor

Big Idea: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
1 Samuel 7:1-17
1 And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the LORD and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to have charge of the ark of the LORD.2 From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.11 And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.”13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.14 The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.15 Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.16 And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places.17 Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the LORD.3 And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”4 So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only.5 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you.”6 So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the LORD and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah.7 Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines.8 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”9 So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. And Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him.10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel.

I. The result of Apostasy (v. 1-2)

Acknowledge God in all our ways.

a. Time is a factor

b. Mourning our choices (Matthew 5:4)
Matthew 5:4
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

c. Return to the Lord (Isaiah 55:7)
Isaiah 55:7
7 let the wicked forsake his way,and the unrighteous man his thoughts;let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

II. Repentance (v. 3-7)

A response to judgement.

a. Confession and repentance (Exodus 20:3)
Exodus 20:3
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

b. Worship the Lord your God (Luke 4:8, Deuteronomy 6:14)
Luke 4:8
8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

Deuteronomy 6:14
14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you—

c. Attacks increase as we get right with God (John 16:33)
John 16:33
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

III. Sacrifice and Worship (v. 8-13)

God covers His people.

a. Prayer (Proverbs 15:29, John 17:9)
Proverbs 15:29
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

John 17:9
9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

b. Sacrifice to God (1 Peter 2:5)
1 Peter 2:5
5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

c. God’s victory (Psalm 44:7, 1John 5:4)
Psalm 44:7
7 But you have saved us from our foesand have put to shame those who hate us.

1 John 5:4
4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

IV. Accountability (v. 14-17)

There is nothing hidden.

a. God delivers His people (Psalm 107:6)
Psalm 107:6
6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,and he delivered them from their distress.

b. God knows us (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
1 Corinthians 3:11-15
11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Takeaway: ”For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:14)