Be a Godly Influence - 1 Samuel 4-7 | City Harvest AG Church | Shine Thomas 

Be a Godly Influence - 1 Samuel 4-7 | City Harvest AG Church | Shine Thomas
Sermon Transcript : cityharvestag....
In today’s world of social media, where the quest for influence is paramount, we as God’s children are called to be godly influencers. By examining the biblical narrative of 1 Samuel 4-7, we can draw lessons from the contrasting leadership of Eli and Samuel. These chapters reveal the principles of impactful leadership and influence, particularly in a spiritual context.
Key Themes in 1 Samuel 4-7
Battle A: Israel under Eli's Leadership (1 Samuel 4)
Intermission: The Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 5-6)
Battle B: Israel under Samuel's Leadership (1 Samuel 7)
Battle A: The Defeat under Eli's Influence (1 Samuel 4)
1 Samuel 4:1-2
Israel is in a state of defeat, losing 4000 men to the Philistines. Their response is to bring the ark of the covenant, hoping it will save them, revealing misplaced faith in the object rather than in God (1 Samuel 4:3).
1 Samuel 4:4-11
The ark is brought into the camp, causing great excitement, but this does not lead to victory. Instead, Israel suffers a devastating defeat, losing 30,000 men, the ark is captured, and Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, die.
1 Samuel 4:12-22
Eli dies upon hearing the news, marking the end of his leadership. Phinehas’s wife names her child Ichabod, meaning "The Glory has departed from Israel," signifying the spiritual decline under Eli’s leadership.
Application:
Eli's leadership lacked spiritual integrity and proper management of his own household, which reflected in the nation’s spiritual health. Leaders need to be blameless and manage their households well to influence positively (Titus 1:6-9).
Intermission: The Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 5-6)
1 Samuel 5
The Philistines capture the ark and place it in the temple of Dagon. God demonstrates His power by causing Dagon to fall and inflicting the Philistines with tumors, showing that the ark cannot be treated as a mere trophy.
1 Samuel 6
The Philistines, suffering under God’s hand, decide to return the ark with offerings. They use cows to transport the ark, and it miraculously arrives in Beth Shemesh. However, some Israelites disrespect the ark and are struck down by God.
Application:
The ark’s journey shows God’s sovereignty and the necessity of respecting His holiness. It serves as a reminder that God's presence demands reverence and obedience.
Battle B: The Victory under Samuel's Influence (1 Samuel 7)
1 Samuel 7:1-2
The ark is taken to Kiriath Jearim, where it stays for 20 years. The people of Israel lament after the Lord, indicating a longing for spiritual renewal.
1 Samuel 7:3-4
Samuel calls Israel to return to the Lord with all their hearts, put away foreign gods, and serve Him only. The people obey, showing their commitment to genuine repentance and spiritual renewal.
1 Samuel 7:5-12
Samuel leads Israel in repentance and prayer, and the Lord grants them victory over the Philistines. This victory is marked by the setting up of a stone named Ebenezer, signifying God’s help.
Application:
Samuel’s leadership contrasts sharply with Eli’s. He calls for wholehearted devotion to God, removal of idols, and exclusive service to the Lord. This results in spiritual health and victory for the nation.
Conclusion
The contrasting outcomes of Israel’s battles under Eli and Samuel highlight the critical role of godly leadership and spiritual health. As godly influencers, we are called to:
Seek God's Guidance: Unlike Israel under Eli, who acted without seeking God’s direction, we must listen for God's guidance through His Word.
Live with Integrity: Like Samuel, we must live blameless lives, managing our own households well to positively influence others.
Commit Fully to God: We must return to the Lord with all our hearts, remove idols from our lives, and serve Him only.
In our modern context, where influence is often sought for personal gain, these principles remind us that true and lasting influence comes from reflecting God’s character and leading others toward spiritual health and victory.
Be a Godly Influence - 1 Samuel 4-7 | City Harvest AG Church | Shine Thomas
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