Triumph In The Days Of Apostasy

1 Samuel 3-4

Introduction: We are blessed today by the Lord to live in a day where the light of the glorious gospel shines brighter because of all the darkness we see about us.

A wonderful evangelist by the name of Dr. John Geostch said this, “All of the darkness in this world cannot extinguish one light. You may be the only reflection of Light in your family or workplace or even in your community, but let your light shine. One light can expel a lot of darkness so long as it is shining.”

And I think about the instruction the Lord gives us, how good He is to us to teach us.

We find when we come to the pages of Scripture examples that are recorded for our learning…

We see situations and people that mirror what we see around us.

I want you to turn in your Bible to such a passage.

In this passage, we will see how similar situation to our day. And I would like you to consider, Living in triumph in the days of apostasy!

How do I live triumphantly in the days of apostasy?

How could I possibly live for the Lord, when everywhere around me there is difficulty and derision?

Look with me for one moment in 1 Samuel 3:1–4

“1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; 3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.”

Let’s Pray.

Sometimes it is that we wake up and look at the headlines of what is going on in this world in despair.

We look out and think about how terrible shape the world is in.

We desire to see a great work done for the Lord Jesus Christ, for folks to turn to the Lord, for folks to be saved.

But it seems that we are beating against the air…

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:26 the opposite of that He stated, “26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:”

Of course, He is talking about the Christian race where Christ is the goal.

Paul lived in a time of great wickedness.

Paul lived in a perilous time.

Sometimes we think that the first Century Christians lived in a day of light being so close to life, death, and resurrection, but my friend that was not the case.

Paul lived in a time when gross immorality was the norm. Paul lived in a time when idolatrous polytheistic worship was the norm for most households.

Paul lived in a time, much like today where wealth and power ruled….

Paul lived under foreign oppression.

And yet He said, “So fight I, not as one that beateth the air....”

He told those in Corinth, I am no shadow boxer, He states, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Cor. 9:27)

But it does seem like things are getting darker and darker in this world.

Is it possible to live a life shining the light of Christ in a world of apostasy…?

I am reminded of an illustration entitled, A LIGHT NAMED AL

On the morning of September 11, Jeannie Braca switched on the television to check the weather report, only to hear that a plane had just hit the World Trade Center.

Jeannie’s husband, Al, worked as a corporate bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald. His office was on the 105th floor of Tower One.

Al had survived the World Trade Center bombing in 1993 and had even helped a woman with asthma escape from the building.

Jeannie knew that Al would do the same thing this time, “I knew he would stop to help and minister to people,” she said, “but I never thought for a minute that he wouldn’t be coming home!”

A week later, like so many others who were in that building, Al’s body was found in the rubble. Al’s wife, Jeannie, and his son Christopher were devastated!

Then the reports began to trickle in from friends and acquaintances. Some people on the 105th floor had made a last call or sent a final e-mail to loved ones saying that a man was leading people in prayer.

A few referred to Al by name.

Al’s family learned that Al had indeed been ministering to people during the attack! When Al realized that they were all trapped in the building and would not be able to escape, Al shared the gospel with a group of 50 co-workers and led them in prayer.

This news came as no surprise to Al’s wife, Jeannie.

For years, she and Al had been praying for the salvation of these men and women. According to Jeannie, Al hated his job and couldn’t stand the environment. It was a world so out of touch with his Christian values, but he wouldn’t quit.

Al was convinced that God wanted him to stay there, to be a light in the darkness, and although Al would not have put it this way, to be a hero!

Al was not ashamed of Christ and Christ’s words…and he paid the price of taking up his cross daily. Al shared his faith with his co-workers….many of whom sarcastically nicknamed him “The Rev.”

His Obituary “There is a lot to be said about Al. He was an incredible dad, husband, and granddaddy. He had an enormous love and dedication towards his family. Al was extremely active at his church where he served as an elder, and a board member. Al’s time on earth will be remembered as a man who loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all of his heart. He lived what might be called a “Godlylifestyle”. Simply meaning that he tried his best to live his life according to the Bible. So, with all that could be said about him, we believe that Al would want us to tell the world of the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and how God came down from heaven in the form of a man to be murdered on a cross just so man can have a relationship with God. Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible says you will live forever. So you see, we believe that right now, Al is very much alive, and even in the midst of a disgusting, and inhumane act like 9-11-01, we choose to Praise God. Simply because He is worthy to be Praised. As hard as it is, God cannot get the blame for what happened on 9/11.”

Is it possible to live separated from the World and separated to Christ?

Well I believe the Bible is true and gives us a true record of folks who have done just that… against all odds, they lived their lives for the Lord… against the climate of the day… the flourished with the Lord and in the Lord’s work…

How did they do it?… Let us turn our attention to the text.

In 1 Samuel chapter 3, we are introduced to the tail end of the times of the judges. And the Word of God introduces to young years of a man by the name of Samuel.

I want to give you five points that shows us a winning prescription for living in triumph in the Christian life.

Now we are looking at an Old Testament Saint…. and I say to you that we have much advantage over those who were looking forward to the cross.

You say how so? We have the completed Word of God. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God. We have the assembling of believers, the local church…. We have a pastor, who is an under shepherd watching out for the flock..

And so, I say to you, if we see folks of times past who were able—- yea even so much more us today…

This first point is not so much something we have to do, but rather a statement of the situation in Samuel’s day and the situation in our day.

The Word was Rare vs. 3:1

1 Samuel 3:1 “1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.”

Now for you and me, we think of the word precious—- when we are looking at a young child like Julia—- or Isabella— or Weston… We look into their eyes and say they are precious…

The Bible says, “the word of the Lord was precious…”

But this is not what this word means here… the word here means rare… much like a diamond or a ruby or gold…

… its means there was a dearth of the Word of God.

There was an absence of prophets… There was no spiritual leadership in the day.

The closing words of Judges 21 tells us in verse 25, “25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

“There was decay, defeat, and disorganization everywhere. There was no authority, no spirituality, no continuity and nothing in which God could delight. The Israelites did whatever they pleased. Instead of God’s people taking the lead in the world, the world was pouring God’s people into its mold. The same conditions prevail in much of the church today. We have become so customed to defeat so acclimatized to disorganization and declension that we accept them as the norm.” (Phillips)

The Bible says, there was no open vision, “…no publicly known prophet raised up, to whom the people could apply for counsel, direction, and instruction in divine things…”

And in considering the state of the family of Eli—whose sons are called “sons of Belial” according to chapter 2:12, the Word of God was incredibly rare!!

And is this not similar to the day in which we live?

You and I know that there are many local churches without a undershepherd… You and I know that there are many false “churches” and cults…

You and I know that idolatry in all its wicked forms is prevelant…

You and I know that the world is calling evil good and good evil. Similar to what we read in Malachi 2:17 “17 Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, And he delighteth in them; Or, Where is the God of judgment?”

We see the Word was rare — or precious in these days… and for us, as we look around that is the way it seems. But it doesn't have to be like that for you and me. Even though the world is waxing worse and worse… Christian’s can still open their Bibles and spend time in the Word of God.

As we see the life of Samuel—- we will see in this chapter that the Word of God in His life is what made the difference.

Not only was the Word of God was rare, but secondly I want you to see:

The Word was Recognized vs. 3:7-8

1 Samuel 3:7–8 “7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.”

You see Samuel according to verse 1 ministered to the Lord in the Tabernacle…

Perhaps Samuel had filled the lampstand with oil; it was close to daybreak and the lamp was about to go out. Samuel was sleeping and the Lord called him. He first thought was that blind Eli needed his help, so he ran to him… (Wiersbe)

“Tradition states that Samuel was about twelve years old at this time…” Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993), 1 Sa 3.

It is certainly understood that Samuel is young at this time, however the Bible does not tell us how old.

He had grew up in the service of the Lord.

He had been around the ministering of the Lord…

He had known and loved Eli…the priest of the Lord…

He knew no doubt and was cautious of Eli’s sons—- Phineas and Hophni— but yet the Bible tell us something amazing….He did not yet know the Lord…

How could it be?, one who was ministering and serving, not knowing the Lord?

And herein we learn this mighty truth…

Some might have all the trappings of being religious—- Some may even follow the course for some time being in subjection to parents or leaders and still not know the Lord.

Some may even know the Word of God and yet not know the Lord.

There is no greater fear for a preacher… then to think that those who claim to be part of the church are in fact not…

John the apostle experienced some in this way when he penned the words found in 1 John 2:19 “19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

In spite of this, there still was hope for Samuel-why??Because of the call of the Lord—- the Word of the Lord —

And so it is with you and I in these days of apostasy there is still hope—- because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Word.

Eli the Bible tells us perceived that the Lord had called Him.

Though Eli had failed with His family, He gave careful instruction to Samuel on how to respond.

And I think a side lesson for us is simply this, just because you have had failures in your life does not mean you stop pointing people to the Lord.

The devil wants to whisper into your ear—- your a failure son—- you are good for nothing—- don’t bother serving the Lord — you can’t point anyone to the Lord—-

Eli to his record did not fail to instruct Samuel…

1 Samuel 3:9 “9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”

Oh how we need Christians to tell other Christians how to respond to the Lord.

We just finished up with VBS where the Evangelist was taking time to show other Christians how to witness with the Gospel…

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 1–4

How important it is for those who are raised in Christian homes to make their own personal decisions for Christ

How are we to live in the days of apostasy?— by exhorting each other to yield to God.

You know what we ought to find between brothers and sisters in Christ? We ought find us encouraging each other to respond to the clear teaching of the Word of God.

How are we to live in the days of apostasy?

By proclaiming and showing people— this is the Word of God.

Samuel’s life changed from this moment moving forward, because Eli encouraged Him to recognize and respond to the Word of God.

We understand for Samuel that this was a call to the prophetic office, but I want you to know—- whether prophet or no prophet, the Lord calls to us by His Word… What are we to do?

The Word was Received 3:10

It is interesting and also instructional that it took four times for the voice of the Lord to be recognized.

And here in this passage we have two examples thrust before us, one we see one example in Eli and another in Samuel.

Many Christians like Eli have become dull to hearing the instruction of the Lord… they hear the words of the Lord, but do not receive it.

The Lord Jesus Christ describes this very condition in Matthew 13:15 “15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

How did Eli become dull to the Word of the Lord?

Eli was dulled by disobedience…

Because of is blindness it took him time to discern what was going on—

You see He had failed in his home —- and because of His disobedience there, He was dull to hear the voice of God.

What a lesson for you and I—disobedience to the Lord brings blindness.

We do see here however that Eli does give Samuel good instruction.

And it teaches us this important truth concerning being triumphant in the days of apostasy, that the Word of the Lord demands a response… the Word of the Lord must be received.

1 Samuel 3:10 “10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.”

Samuel says, yes to the Lord. He was willing to listen and receive the word of the Lord.

Some are being called to

to accept Christ as their Savior and Lord

• to turn away from some fleshly, carnal sin

to rededicate their lives and live wholeheartedly for Christ to serve in the ministry

to serve in missions

• to enter a certain profession

• to prepare and secure education for a certain task

The Lord begins with a special call He says Samuel, Samuel…

There are many others in the Bible that received a similar call, I think about Abraham on Mt. Moriah in Gen 22, Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3 and Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus Acts 9 all recieved this twofold special call from God.

To which Samuel obediently replies.. Speak; the thy servant heareth…

This reception of the Word of God is evidenced in what is recorded for us in verse 19…

You say, how do we know Samuel received the Word of God.

Well the Bible tells us,

1 Samuel 3:19 “19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.”

Do you see this—— Samuel began living the triumphant victorious life at a young age… it began with that first yes to the Lord…

The Bible tells us that the Lord was with him… We do not read this about Eli sons—- though they were the sons of the priest… they were the successors of his house…that God was with them??? And why? Because they transgressed against the Word of God.

In fact just in the previous chapter a man of God comes and delivers a terrible message to Eli concerning His house.

All that is revealed to Samuel by the Lord is just the fulfillment of what was already told to Eli in chapter 2… You see Eli let the Word of God fall to the ground.

We see the Word of God was rare, the Word was Recognized, the Word was Received, but I want you to see something else— in verse 21.

The Word was Revealing 3:21

1 Samuel 3:21 “21 And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.”

How did the Lord reveal Himself to Samuel? The answer is the same for you and I today, By His Word.

Folks may say—-boy I want to know the Lord, I want to know God—- my friend you will not know the Lord the way God wants you to without His Word.

For you and me, again, we have no excuse. In Samuel’s day, all that they had were the writings of Moses (the first five books of the Bible). They had to reply on the ministry of the Levites, the visions and speech of the prophets, but you and I we have the entire revelation of God’s Word.

God’s Word is a light— it is quick and powerful—

The Word of God reveals… truth from error.

Psalm 119:130 “130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.”

The Word of God helps us to discern direction.

Psalm 119:105 “105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.”

Proverbs 6:23 “23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”

“The person who surrenders to the Lord and is willing to listen will always learn God’s will.” (Wiersbe)

The Word of God makes us wise unto Salvation.

2 Timothy 3:15 “15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

The Word of God is the sustenance that we need.

The Lord Jesus Christ in quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, in Luke 4:4 stated, “…It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”

1 Peter 2:2 “2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

All of those things are true… God’s Word reveals to us truth from error…God’s Word helps us to discern direction… God’s Word makes us wise unto Salvation… God’s Word gives us sustenance that we need.

But I think most importantly, —-and perhaps what we fail to realize is that the Word of God reveals the Lord Himself to us.

Let’s read again verse 1 of our text, 1 Samuel 3:1 “1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.”

Now look at verse 7 (1 Samuel 3:7) “7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.”

And finally look with me at verse 21.

1 Samuel 3:21 “21 And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.”

Do you see it in our text?

The Bible says the Lord revealed himself to Samuel…how? by the Word of the Lord.

The Word was Repeated 4:1

1 Samuel 4:1 “1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel…”

I want you to understand rightly—what it is that we are doing here today…

What would God have us to do? Where is our purpose in all of this…

Are we to just heap up knowledge to ourselves…?

Every prophet of God that there ever was— first received a Word from the Lord before they Had a Word for the people…

Moses went up to the Mountain, met with God, came down again and spake the words that the Lord gave Him… He went back up the mountain —- communed with Almighty God—- came down and delivered a message to the people.

You meet with God—- you open up the Word of God— you find direction, you find discernment—- you find discipline— you find delight—- and then my friend—You tell what you find to others.

Samuel was famous in all Israel —- A leader of the blind —- A help to the simple —- a faithful witness for the Lord!!

He exemplified what we find in:

2 Timothy 2:2 “2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

1 Peter 4:11 “11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

In this passage, we see against all odds, a young man —who became a godly giant living in triumph in the days of apostasy…

For the Word of God was Rare in those days— everyman did that which was right in His own eyes…

What was the path to triumph for young Samuel?

Well first the Word was recognized —- Do you really believe this is the very Word of God? And if so, does your life reflect that belief?

Secondly, the Word was received—- Are you exercised by the Word of God or are you just hearing it?

Thirdly, the Word was revealing— perhaps tonight you say pastor james I have treating the Word of God simply as a manual to all my problems and have missed meeting with the Savior the God of the Word.

Lastly, the Word was repeated— Are you taking all that the Lord is teaching you and giving it to others…