BIG IDEA:
SPIRITUAL MINISTRY CAN BE MARKED BY EITHER SELFISH EXPLOITATION OR DEDICATED SERVICE
(CONTRAST BETWEEN THE 2 EXTREMES OF THE SONS OF ELI AND SAMUEL)
INTRODUCTION: (:11-12)
A. (:11) Introduction to Samuel – Finality of His Consecration to Spiritual Ministry
1. Separation from His Family
“Now Elkanah went to his home at Ramah”
2. Single-minded Focus on Spiritual Ministry
“But the boy ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest”
B. (:12) Introduction to Sons of Eli – Spiritual Vacuum
1. Empty of Spiritual Fruit (despite privileges of heritage)
“Now the sons of Eli were worthless men”
2. Empty of Spiritual Knowledge or Relationship
“they did not know the Lord”
I. SPIRITUAL MINISTRY MARKED BY SELFISH EXPLOITATION – SONS OF ELI
A. (:13-17) Abuse of Office and Privilege – Stealing from the Lord
Lev. 7:34 – “The priest was only allowed to take the breast and right thigh as his share of the sacrifice.” Davis
1. (:13-14) Greed: Took more than their fair share
“all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself”
2. (:15) Impropriety – No Fear of God
took raw meat before the fat had been burned off as sacrifice to the Lord
3. (:16) Bullying Tactics (use of Threats and Force)
“you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force”
4. (:17) Summary of Their Sinful Behavior
“Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for the men despised the offering of the Lord”
B. (:22-25) Bad Reputation: Shame Before Country and Family
1. (:22) Shame of Gross Immorality
2. (:23-25) Shame of Despising the Counsel of Their Father = the High Priest
II. SPIRITUAL MINISTRY MARKED BY DEDICATED SERVICE — SAMUEL
A. (:18-21) Faithful Service and Family Blessing – Simplicity of Serving the Lord
1. (:18) Faithful, Unselfish Service by Samuel
“Now Samuel was ministering before the Lord, as a boy wearing a linen ephod”
2. (:19) Faithfulness and Obedient Worship of Parents
a. Provision of robe each year
b. Participation in Annual Sacrifice
3. (:20-21) Family Blessing
a. (:20) Promised by Eli
b. (:21) Fulfilled by the Lord
B. (:26) Excellent Reputation: Favor Before God and Men
“Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the Lord and with men.”