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  • Searching for Donkeys but a King Is Found

    Searching for Donkeys but a King Is Found
    2026/09/06
    Saul's on what begins as an ordinary search for his father’s lost donkeys. Saul and his servant then travel from place to place without success until the servant suggests seeking Samuel; the man of God. What Saul does not know is that God has already told Samuel that Saul is coming. While Saul is looking for donkeys, God is directing every step toward a much greater appointment. Samuel tells him that the donkeys have already been found, and then reveals that Saul is the man Israel has been seeking. Saul sees himself as insignificant, coming from the smallest tribe and an unimportant family, yet God has chosen him for a new calling. God shows us that what looks like an unsuccessful search may actually be part of God’s direction. He can take care of the concerns that brought us onto the road while simultaneously leading us toward His greater purpose. And when God calls us, He does not leave us without direction. Before Saul can step into what God has appointed for him, Samuel tells him to remain and hear the Word of God. You may think you are searching for one thing while God is preparing you for something entirely different. Trust God with the journey, the unanswered questions, and the calling ahead. Sermon Notes 1 Samuel 9:1 & 2 Saul’s family and physical characteristics 1 Samuel 9:3 – 10 Unsuccessful search for the donkeys. Servant suggests asking a prophet (seer) 1 Samuel 9:11 – 14 Saul and servant find Samuel 1 Samuel 9:15 – 17 God tells Samuel about Saul a day before 1 Samuel 9:18 – 21 Samuel tells Saul donkeys have been found and he is the one the people are seeking, but Saul thinks his family is unworthy 1 Samuel 9:22 – 27 Samuel tells Saul to send the servant home, but Saul is to remain to hear the word of the Lord
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    27 分
  • God Rejected as King

    God Rejected as King
    2026/08/30
    Israel’s demand for a human king, Samuel is growing old, his sons are dishonest judges, and the people want a ruler who will make them “like all the nations.” Samuel takes their request to the Lord, and God makes the real issue clear. Israel is not rejected Samuel. They have rejected God from being King over them. God warns Israel exactly what their choice will cost. A human king will take their sons and daughters, their labor, their fields, their produce, their possessions, and eventually make the people his servants. Yet Israel still insists on having a king who will judge them and “fight our battles.” God calls His people to be holy, to seek His kingdom first, and to trust Him as provider, protector, and King. Sometimes God allows us to have what we insist upon, but that does not mean it is His best for us. Sermon Notes 1 Samuel 8:1 – 3 Samuel’s sons are dishonest judges 1 Samuel 8:4 & 5 Israel wants a king. Their reasoning is Samuel is old, his sons are dishonest and other nations have a king 1 Samuel 8:6 Samuel did not like it and prays to the Lord 1 Samule 8:7 The Lord tells Samuel that they are rejecting Him not Samuel. He also tells him to listen to the people 1 Samuel 8:8 & 9 God tells Samuel what to say and what the procedure will be for a king 1 Samuel 8:10 –18 Samuel tells them what a king will cost them 1 Samuel 8:19 & 20 Israel still wants a king like other nations and that the king will “fight for them” 1 Saamuel 8:21 & 22 Samuel repeats to God what the people said and God tells him to listen to the people
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    30 分
  • Remembering God’s Help

    Remembering God’s Help
    2026/08/23
    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
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    28 分
  • Who Is Able to Stand Before the Lord

    Who Is Able to Stand Before the Lord
    2026/08/16
    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
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    31 分
  • Even Idols Bow

    Even Idols Bow
    2026/08/09
    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
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    23 分
  • Superstition not Faith

    Superstition not Faith
    2026/08/02
    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
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    30 分
  • Samuel Confirmed as a Prophet

    Samuel Confirmed as a Prophet
    2026/07/26
    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
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    23 分
  • Different Sons

    Different Sons
    2026/07/19
    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
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    32 分