Thanksgiving an exercise in Gratefulness. Our religion is relational and what we get is what we got.

    As we look around we see in this culture: founded on the principles of Christ; a society who is consumed with themselves and so as a matter of course they; living consistently with this world view: say I am thankful for me. I am thankful that I am free that I have food, that my team has won the game and my family is safe. A great number of parents say that "they just want their children to be happy"- who here would trade righteousness for happiness? 
Yes at thanksgiving many Americans are happy for a day off and to be able to watch football. The ones who do try and consider the concept of thankfulness will be concerned about themselves first and believing if they could just get what is that they desire then they will be happy. This is why it is so fitting in a narcissistic culture for the day after thanksgiving to be the biggest sales event of the year. AKA- Black Friday.

But we conservative Christian folks with our eye on heavenly things are so proper we have no joy at all. We are the righteous elect and they are the wicked; you can tell because there having all the fun.. Right

àWrong we have hope, life, the truth and everlasting joy!

Don't get me wrong; do's and don'ts are very important.
    Do catechize –        Deuteronomy 6
    Do be honest-         Exodus 20
    Do be moral-        Exodus 20
    Do honor your parents-Exodus 20
    Do be serious-        1 Tim 3:8
    Don't be foolish –    Ephesians 5:17
    Don't reject Gods word- John 12:48
These are good; these are right, I can give you scripture for these things and you should never forget them
Our temptation is to be mechanistic systematic and pragmatic; we want a 3 step program to make everything ok. We want to parent externals for performance and our comfort. If the outside looks good then we are satisfied. In the end if we don't get what we expect we can shake our fist at God and say "why have you done this to me?"

We have all seen this àbut we are the recipients of (so great a salvation)? (Can I have an amen)Hebrews 2:3

Remember (the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field) Genesis 3:1. The whole of humanity fell in the garden on the hinge of a subtle lie; at its heart it was discontentment.

• What's my message today? Thanksgiving is an exercise in Gratefulness
  Our religion is relational and what we get is what we got. God is sovereign, be content.

1. Discontent kills Gratefulness!

DISCONTENT, n. [dis and content.] Want of content; uneasiness or inquietude of mind; dissatisfaction at any present state of things. Webster's 1828

• We the created saying to God what hath thou rott?

    Discontent is the seedbed of disobedience.
Genesis 3:2And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.

• Eve misquotes God- Pietism(adding to Gods word) Genesis2:16-17
• Original sin =act of ungratefulness/discontentedness

Genesis 3: 4But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."    

• Having all the other trees to eat and walking with God in the garden they were tempted to reach for something different – pride.
  • First a lie- you will not surly die
  • Second – you will preside over; decide for yourself good and evil.

What could possibly motivate Adam and Eve to do this – discontent had stood on the foundation of doubt and directed their path.

1. Pietism(self righteousness) kills Gratefulness
   Pietism= Following the standards of man in order to be righteous
       (Extremely strict devotion, or affectation of piety -Webster 1828)

• How did the children of Israel fail Gods call? They made standards God did not make becoming proud and critical as a result.
• Created the pharisaic codes
• Secondly they despised their neighbors for not following them and in the end hated and crucified Jesus for it.
• Israel is discontented with Gods purpose, word and forgiveness.
• What was Gods purpose for Israel?
  • Isaiah 49:6 he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
• They created for themselves a 6200 page volume of extra rules and interpretations for following God- in The Talmud
• Why did Jonah get angry? Jonah 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly and he was angry.
  • Jonah is a prophet who speaks for God and is mad about repentance? Yes; because he wanted vengeance! 

1. Gratefulness is the key! 

• Remember we are to tell our children and celebrate the truth. To instill in them Grateful contentment.
• Teach them what to do—Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
• The feasts of Israel were commanded by God as an institution for the remembering the goodness of God. Special events for punctuating the greatness of God.
• Passover- remember Gods deliverance in Egypt Leviticus 23:5
• The feast of unleavened bread- Remember the speedy departure from Egypt – Exodus 12:34,39
• The feast of first fruits – celebrate the early harvest and rite relationship with God. Leviticus 23:10-14
• The feast of Pentecost – harvest celebration Leviticus 23:15-21
• The feast of trumpets- Remember gods judgments Leviticus 23:24-25
• The Day of Atonement –Forgiveness of sins. Leviticus 16:31
• The feast of Tabernacles- celebrate harvest Leviticus 23:34-44
• Can you imagine the conversations as they did these things and the effect on their children?
   

This is important to understand the volume of value that is placed on this concept of Gratefulness.
Gratefulness is an act of Thanksgiving and thanksgiving is an act of praise! Is it any wonder that the world does so much else, they simply don't get it and we have been distracted.

• Gratefulness is the engine of the Christian religion. Look at the story in
  • Matt 18:23-35 23"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.' 29So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' 34And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
  • Ten thousand Talents is about 160,000 years wages or 60,000,000 denarii
  • 100 Denarii is 100 days labor.

This warning is for those who love Christ and name His name. It fits hand in glove with the Lord's Prayer and has a pointed point.
    The question is, are you willing to be a forgiving person? Right;
NO the question is can you be forgiving? But not completely, if you look deeper there is another concept waiting to be revealed. The first servant is unable to forgive his friend because he himself is ungrateful to the king! Having understood the magnitude of what the king had done he would have been compelled to forgive everyone who owed him anything at all. If he had really received this forgiveness from the king; than he must be grateful and forgive others!

    Just listen. This is it the secret to the Christian life. We are to respond to the risen savior with a Total and complete rapture of Gratitude for what, not simply salvation but a relationship with the King of Kings!
THANKSGIV'ING, ppr. Rendering thanks for good received.
     n. The act of rendering thanks or expressing gratitude for favors or mercies.
Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if received with thanksgiving. 1 Tim.4.—Webster's 1828
GRA'TEFUL, a. [from L. gratus. See Grace.](God has poured his Grace on us)
   

1. Having a due sense of benefits; kindly disposed towards one from whom a favor has been received; willing to acknowledge and repay benefits; as a grateful heart.
1. Benefits= regeneration-propitiation-imputation-redemption-reconciliation-justification-adoption-sanctification-glorification – Holy Spirit

àGratefulness runs on the wheels of contentment which is peace with God.
àContentment= Recognizing the Sovereignty of God and being happy with it.

• God has given you a holy and heavenly gift of such magnitude as to be unsearchable. Paul in Ephesians 3:8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Let's see how this looks, -

James 2: 14-26
14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God. 24You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

We are compelled to action by an overwhelming awe of the God of creation who in his holiness is also the author of the cross. That's what motivates the Christian faith to stand before the world and oblivion
Conclusion—
I exhort you Give thanks--

1. In all Circumstance
   1Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
 

2. as a matter of course

                      Ephesians 5:14-21
                for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

"Awake, O sleeper,and arise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you."15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

 

3. This is reality

Psalms 100

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!2 Serve the LORD with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

4. Because Jesus Christ is Lord

 

Revelation 11:17

saying: " We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned ..

 

 

1. Discontentment kills Gratefulness, turning everything in your life sour.
   
2. Pietism (self-righteousness) kills Gratefulness. It is Idolatry
   
3. Gratefulness is the key (the engine) of Christianity. It drives us were we should go and we must pass on a taste for it to our posterity.

After all I've said I hope you are doing that one thing that is necessary, to sit at the Lords feet and listen to His teaching.
God the creator and sustainer of all things, not bound by time sent his son to die for you while you were yet in your sin. He knew every transgression and saved you anyhow. Commanding the stars on one hand and our very molecules on the other; suffered a brutal humiliation to enter into covenant with us. He brings his justice and holiness into our presence and there is peace! What else can we say but HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY who was and is and is to come. Revelation 4:8
 

Word of Life and emotions

     God’s word is pregnant with life and its many applications into our lives are not usually seen at the outset.

It’s only afterward that we reflect and gain knowledge from what we have gone through. God’s precious gift of

His word is light and life to us.

          As we look at the command to “Love God with all our heart mind soul and strength”; then that will shape

our affections witch shapes our emotions. We find truth in Christ intellectually, spiritually and emotionally.

(It is all held in check by the word) Intellectually through the word of God, Spiritually through the Holy Spirit,

and emotionally through relationship with Jesus Christ.

          Why is this a big deal? Because we are not balanced and healthy without it and only God can supply

you with what you need. Remember the enemy goes about as a roaring lion and he is a deceiver. Popular culture

is a tool to manipulate you and disfigure your emotional makeup.        

          “The goal of brainwashing is to supplant right affections with others that will drive us to a desired outcome.

Pride plays a critical role in shielding these things from scrutiny.”

          Run to the Lord Jesus Christ, He is the everlasting fountain of life!

Eli's sons

Samuels call, are we hearing Gods voice?  I Samuel 2:12-36, 3:1-21       

Presuppositionaly I believe:

Idolatry is not something we go out with an intention of doing; it is very subtle, it’s what we will naturally do if we don’t hold ourselves in check. We know that there is idolatry in us; when we are disobeying Gods word concerning child discipleship.

                  “The heart of man is a virtual Idol factory” John Calvin

1)    The story of Eli is for us at HBC. If we like Eli make an Idol of our children they will harden their heart and God will destroy them! – Entitlement –selfishness/self-willed – ungrateful –taking for granted.

a)     Make an idol of children? How do we know? Samuel 2:29,3:13

i)       Not properly disciplining

(1) Despise not the chastening of the lord -Hebrews 12:5

(2) A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

Proverbs 13:1

b)    Elevating to high stations without the character to stand-- They are Priests of the living God – Shilo is where the Ark of the Covenant is.

i)       Luke 16:10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

ii)     He who is faithful in small things will be faithful in big things.

(1) A small thing could be an assigned chore while a big thing could be running the whole household.

(2) A small thing could be handling a knife properly, while a big thing is handling a gun properly

c)     They can become arrogant and full of selfish lust –

Hophni and Phinehas did whatever suited their flesh. –sons of Belial.

Their actions display who they serve. Romans 6

i)       2Timothy 3:2-4  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

(1) The apostle is grabbing a lot of adjectives, to help us get a feel for those who fight against God.

(2) But notice “Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God”

(3) We are a nation of “lovers of pleasure”! The thing about this “lovers of pleasure” is that it feeds on immaturity.

(a)  What’s better a high self-esteem or a low one? Neither, in either case the center (reference point) is you. It is idolatry and we move in relation to our idols. We become predictable and controllable by evil.

(b) We get

(i)    Suicide, Drug use, Immorality of all kinds, Video game addictions, Being controlling or manipulating of others (emotional payoff), Pretty much any addiction can be tied to being lovers of pleasure.

(ii)  Unmotivated to serve/ half committed

(iii)Thoughtless

(iv)                        Laziness—Education—Chores

1.     Not taking ownership of their life

(v)  Un-Forgiveness

(vi)                        Unrepentant

(vii)                      Discouraged or angry

(viii)                    Independent spirit

(c)  What do we want to see – cheerfulness- service- self-sacrifice-enthusiasm- energetic- diligent- punctual – accountable. To participate in the ways of life, and put away the paths of death. They will seek the wisdom of their parents.

(i)    When we don’t see any of this stuff going on, we are seeing rebellion.

These are the natural result of a mature right relationship with God and parents.

           

d)    Whose job is it to see that children grow up and are mature?

i)       Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Any questions?

(1) Discipline= 3809 paideía (from 3811 /paideúō, see there) – properly, instruction that trains someone to reach full development (maturity).

(a)  Self-control- wisdom –responsibility

(2) Instruction= 3559 /nouthesía ("warning through teaching") improves a person's reasoning so they can reach God's solution – i.e. by going through His thought-process.

ii)     Salvation is of the Lord but maturity is our part. It’s our job men are you on it?

(a)  Deuteronomy 29:29“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.

(2) It’s about observable maturity. Do your children need constant supervision?

(i)    1peter 5:8 be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

(3) It’s about the mind. Is your child’s thinking biblical?  (Put on the mind of Christ) expressed through attitudes. PRIDE ISSUE

(i)    Philippians2:5 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, a 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.

iii)   Bad actions come from bad thoughts (James 1:14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire). A correct “mind will and emotion” will cause us to shun pride and embrace humility.

2)    We lose God’s guidance/protection turning to sin

a)     Deuteronomy 9:17 (Moses)So I took hold of the two tablets and threw them out of my two hands and broke them before your eyes.

b)    No judges/prophets (did evil in the sight of the Lord.) 7 times in the book of Judges ->Bondage

c)     Losing the law -2 Kings 22:8-10 (King Josiah)

i)       Sin in the temple

ii)     Prostitution m/f

iii)   Child sacrifice

iv)   Ashera poles

v)     There are terrible things going on in the temple of the living God and their ignorance has made them proud and wise. You are either obeying God or doing what’s right in your own eyes.

d)    In America this looks like

i)       Turning to places like Harvard or Yale for wisdom and not to God.

ii)     Children not listening to parents about marriage

iii)   Immaturity in anyone over 13

iv)   Being led by a worldly spirit of music rather than the spirit of God

3)    Drought of the word – Samuel 3:1 

a)     God raises up prophets

i)       Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen  - God raises up prophets

b)     God withholds prophets

i)       Psalms 74:9 we do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is none among us who knows how long

ii)     Amos 8:12 'They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but shall not find it'

iii)   Lamentations 2;9 Her gates have sunk into the ground; he has ruined and broken her bars; her king and princes are among the nations; the law is know more , and her prophets find no vision from the Lord.

iv)   Ezekiel 7:26 the king mourns, the prince is wrapped in despair, and the hand of the people of the land are paralyzed by terror. According to their way I will do to them, and according to their judgments I will judge them, and they shall know that I am the Lord.

4)    Why this rejection of Eli?   -Eli is no Abraham

i)       Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

b)    Eli rebukes his grown sons but does act. V2:22

(1) It’s important to note that verbal railing or apathy will both cast our children’s heart away from us through mistrust; both rest on a selfish idolatry. God demands clear action with a view on restoration. Mistrust destroys relationship.

->How does God parent - God’s voice is gentle, sounds like the Bible, is peaceful, steadfast, reliable, single minded, personal, glorifying to Jesus which leads me to be more like Him, and convicting rather than condemning.

(2) Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart. à Delight to your heart is not a sobbing child locked away; it is a restored relationship.

(3) All too often discipline becomes about us, “I’m tired, mad and out of patience”

(i)    If you say that inside then run to the cross with that idol, it is sin.

(b) Discipline is about

(i)    Unity & relationship (proverbs 29:17)

(ii)   love(proverbs 13:24) Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

(iii)The cross (Ephesians 2:8). For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast.

c)     Eli’s sons are out of control

(1) Stealing from God – cut off/death- Leviticus 7:25  - They took meat (Eli ate it also)  vv2:29

(2) Adultery – death penalty - Deuteronomy 22:22 –Samuel 2:22

(3) Rebellious son – Death penalty –Deuteronomy 21:18 – Samuel 2:25

ii)     We believe culturally that when our children are grown and gone that we can wash our hands of them and let sleeping dogs lie. That’s not wisdom from God.

(a)  Deuteronomy 21:18 “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives,

d)    Abraham commands his children after him  (Faithfulness of Elkanah & Hannah)

i)       Genesis 18:19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”

(1) Command= (6680) Tsavah =Imperfect3masculine singular àImperfect =It’s a work in progress(We are Commanding, not once, ongoing state of motion)  à Masculine= It’s a man. à Singular= There is only one leader.

(a)  Used 3 times and each time it is general, not specific

(i)    Genesis 2:16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely;

(ii)  Deuteronomy 28:8 "The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

(2) How is he commanding? In reference to God. Keep= (8104) Shamar = it’s about observing and remembering who God is. Loving the creator.

(a)  This is 400 years before the law is written by Moses!

(i)    Its relational and a life shared with your children, Good and bad.

1.     Hey kids remember where uncle Lott lives in that big city? Well they don’t follow the ways of God and are consumed with pleasing themselves and taking advantage of one another for unjust gain. God burned them with fire ---every man, woman, child, dog, cat, mouse, donkey, ox, and bird. We can’t even find were the city was; there is just a great big area of desolation. Uncle Lott made it out with your cousins but he lost auntie on the way.

(ii)  This “Keep” is not in observance of the minimum standard. That is our modern day mechanistic life. What’s a cog? Well it has these specifications and we can measure the tolerances to see if it passes.

1.     No! A thousand times no! We have killed education with this thinking.  Life is not about these minimum standards it’s about running as hard as you can fighting as hard as you can; working as hard as you can; loving God as hard as you can ------->is HE not worthy!!!

Visiting a house – just inside the door

                                    Or

            Meal -worship -fellowship – relationship.

>Go all in –We don’t just stand at the door happy to be in, no we run to the arms of the Father.

Matthew 18:3 and He said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”

A stubborn one will stand and stare at the line in self-righteous approval.

            The little child will run to the father with reckless abandon!

5)    God rejects two and selects one >Samuel 2:12-36

a)     Pride = Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others. Webster

Key-Bondage

b)    Humility = In ethics, freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth. In theology, humility consists in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will. Key-Repentant           

i)       Sons of Eli  -- Worthless men (sons of Belial=wicked men) Samuel 2:12 

(1) Self-righteous pride and arrogance (no fear)

(a)  Sons of the high priest

(b) Born of the tribe of Levi

(c)  They are in power and have authority

(d) They use it for personal gain

ii)     Samuel --  grew in stature and in favor  --Samuel 2:26

(1) Humble – servant –keyword is

(a)  Faithful = Firm in adherence to the truth and to the duties of religion.

(i)    Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Rev. 2.

(2) Set apart from birth as a servant of God

(3) His Mother is a woman of faith,  raised him as a small child

(a)  her prayer is even mimicked by Mary with Jesus

(4) 2:21 and the young man grew in the presence of God

(5) 2:26 and the young boy grew both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with man.

(6) 3:19 and Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him

The opposite of hardening your heart is seen here; humbling his heart, not growing bitter because of the opportunities of others or the work he must do. Comparison game of defeat

6)    Called of God/character displayed

a)     Samuel first call –Second call and third call “ here I am for thou did call me”  Samuel 3

i)       patient

ii)     Faithfully serving Eli – apprenticeship

iii)   Lived with Eli-In the evening

b)    No emotional manipulation- straight forward.

i)       Following God is the only sane thing to do.

c)     Eli gives good counsel –

i)       Remember that “the word was rare” Samuel 3:1

ii)     Samuel did not yet know the Lord –Samuel 3:7

7)    And the Lord came and stood. Samuel 3:10

a)     After Samuel had been faithful 3 times going and coming again- God came to him. Called Samuel by name  and he obeys “Speak Lord for your servant hears”

8)    God gave a hard prophesy against the very people who had cared for Samuel.

a)     Compassion in the face of judgment.

i)       Samuel does not say – “you get what you deserve”

(1) Samuel 3:15 –

(a)  He lay until morning (sleepless)

(b) And Samuel was afraid to tell Eli

b)    Samuel is faithful and tells Eli the truth—(passed the trial)

i)       Eli is unrepentant (heart is hard)

9)    Just faithful no matter the cost

a)     Not one word shall fall to the ground. Samuel 3:19

i)       The epitome of faithfulness

(1) People don’t want to hear it

(2) God upheld the words of Samuel that he received from God

10)           Samuel 3:21

What’s the heart of it? Will you parents, will you children;

 Harden your heart or humble yourself? We have no righteousness of our own.

Ezekiel 13:19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of  bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?


Col 3:1-11Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 

NO

Will you be found faithful?

John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”

1 Corinthians 4:2 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

2Timothy 2:11  This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless He remains faithful- For He cannot deny Himself.

“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation2:10)