Sermon on Samuel – Lessons from the Life of Samuel

1. Samuel’s call to be a prophet. (1 Samuel 3:1-21)

2. Samuel recognized he was merely a servant, “Speak, Lord, thy servant hears.” (10).

1) We are called to hear God’s word (Romans 10:17).

2) We must hear with an obedient heart (James 1:22-25).

3. Samuel recognized that he had to speak God’s word without fail. (11-18).

1) We cannot allow any external pressure to keep us from speaking God’s word.

2) Samuel had an unpopular message for Eli.

3) We must preach the word of God when it is popular or not (1 Timothy 4:1,2).

4. Samuel recognized that he had to speak all of God’s words. He didn’t let any of God’s word fall to the ground. (vs.19).

1) We must live by every word of God (Matthew 4:4).

2) We must speak the whole counsel of God. Acts 20:27.

1. Read 1 Samuel 8:4-6

2. Samuel recognized the false standard of the world – he was displeased.

1) The world beckons us to accept it as the standard for right and wrong. Isaiah 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

2) We must not let the world set the standard for what is right, but God must set that standard. Jeremiah 6:16 “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

3. Samuel recognized the true source of righteousness – he prayed.

1) When Samuel was confronted with a difficult situation he took it to God.

2) The early church confronted problems with prayer. Acts 12:5.

1. Read 1 Samuel 15:13-23.

2. We must be an obedient people before God.

1) Jesus was obedient. Hebrews 5:8, 9.

2) We are contrasted with the disobedient. 1 Peter 2:7-10

3. Just as to obey was better than to sacrifice, so today, God defines our love for Him in terms of keeping his commandments.

1) Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

2) 1 John 5:2, 3 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”