
March 10, 2024 Service
1 Samuel 4:1-11
Samuel is beginning to assume leadership as God begins to speak through him to Israel. God’s judgement comes as he told Eli. The Philistines draw up against Israel and in the first attack, Israel loses four thousand men on the field of battle. Israel’s defeat causes some crisis and questions, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines?” There response is to trust in the ark of the covenant as their security, not one of repentance and calling on the name of the LORD. The Philistines attack again and take the ark of the covenant, perhaps thinking that if they possessed it, they would have the same good luck Israel has had by possessing it. In this attack they also slaughter thirty thousand soldiers of Israel. As the ark was captured, “the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas died.”
Pastor Don highlighted 4 themes in the text.
1. Israel has a crisis of belief
A crisis of belief is characterized by a painful event or series of circumstances that causes us to doubt our beliefs, experience grief, confusion, questions, and a sense of disconnection from God. Such times are God’s invitation to turn to Him in humble submission, acknowledgement and dependence.
Think about a time where you had a crisis of belief. What did God do in you through this?
If you are in one now, what is God inviting you to find in Him?
2. Israel questions where their God has gone and why they have been defeated
It is right and natural to question where God is when a crisis occurs. The moment when begin our questioning is when we should check our hearts and see where our dependence and trust rests.
Where do you tend to put your trust when something hard, painful, or difficult happens?
What would it look like for you to turn to God in humility and reliance?
3. Israel looks for religious solutions rather than reliance on their God
Religion is focused on doing the “right” things to get God on our side. God is not interested in religious practice or religious hearts. He seeks relationship based on faith, hope, and love. Pride is always a core characteristic within religion. Humility is always core virtue within the gospel which moves us into God’s grace and an authentic relationship with Jesus.
Where is religion, attempts to get God on your side showing up in you and through your actions?
4. Great disaster occurs because repentance never occurred
Eli and his two sons were religious, not repentant. God has given them plenty of time and warning to repent, but they haven’t. Judgement comes upon them and also all of Israel because they are in positions of spiritual leadership over Israel.
Where is repentance, humble submission and dependance on God’s grace, your action to get on God’s side, happening?
What would a regular spiritual practice of repentance look like?
Take some time in prayer now to do this good work of repentance and expressing desire to humbly walk within God’s loving commands, trusting His ways.
Share what God has done in your heart this week with your community group and/or friends.
Grace and peace on this journey together,
Chad Hollowell
Executive Pastor
COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION
Don Logan
1) Please read 1 Samuel 4:1-11. What stand 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 questions, how do I get God on my side, or how do I get on God’s die? 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