EbenEzer: Till now the Lord has helped us

1 Samuel 7:12

Important city

1. MIZPA- city of Benjamin

2. Place where Samuel pre-established the first king, Saul

History

The story starts in chapter 4

When there is a war against the Philistines

1. They went to war

2. The Philistines won (wounded 4000)

3. The Israelites ask? Because?

"Let us bring the Ark of the covenant."

? What did the Ark of the Covenant symbolize?

1. The presence of God!

2. Hophni and Phinehas sons of Eli brought the ark of the Lord

What was the result of bringing the Ark?

1. DEFEAT!

*Let's stop for a moment

2. What did the ark symbolize? God's Presence

3. Israel wanted God to protect them in battle

4. They used the ark to force God to protect them

5. But they weren't obeying him

6. THIS USE OF THE ARK WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE JOSHUA GAVE HIM

*In the end, Israel was defeated (30,000 died), and Hophni and Phinehas were killed. Also, Eli

*The prophecy given to Samuel in 1 Sam 3:14 was fulfilled on that day

ALTHOUGH SAMUEL WAS A PROPHET OVER HIS PEOPLE

1. The nation was going through a spiritual drought

CHAPTER 5:HE TELLS US ABOUT THE ARK IN ASHDOD AND EKRON

2. The Philistines Did Badly with the Ark of the Covenant

CHAPTER 6:THE ARK RETURNS TO ISRAEL

3. 1 Sam 6:1 - The Philistines could no longer endure God's judgment. The ark lasted 7 months in its territory.

4. 1 Sam 6:4- They returned the ark with payment of atonement. Five golden tumors and five golden mice.

5. The Ark Arrived in a Miraculous Way

6. 1 Sam 6:7- Two cows that have just given birth

7. 1 Sam 6:14 - The cows went on the road to Beth-shemesh to a field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh

8. They glorified God. They made a feast, and they offered sacrifice to the Lord

*WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS JOY?

1. 1 Sam 6:19- 50,000 men died when they saw inside the Ark

2. BECAUSE?

3. The town was in spiritual decline. They were idolatrous people and their hearts were far from God.

CHAPTER 7

1. 1 Sam 7:2 It has been 20 years since the ark of the Lord returned to Kiriath-jearim to the house of Abinadab.

2. His son Eleazar (God is my helper) was sanctified to guard the Ark

SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

( we have to recognize)

1. 1 Sam 7:3 "Direct your heart to the Lord."

? How did this year go?

What goals did you achieve?

How are family relationships?

Success?

Economy?

How is your relationship with God?

MAYBE THIS YEAR DIDN’T GO SO WELR, BUT TODAY IS THE TIME TO RECONCILE WITH GOD!

AN AWAKENING!

1. Samuel seeks to turn the people away from their idols

1. What is an idol? Something that takes God's place in our lives

1. They had to give up their idols

1 Sam 7:3 " then put away the foreign gods”

2. Ashtaroth was the people's favorite god. Philistine goddess of fertility. Baal's partner.

3. True repentance hits us where it hurts most!

4. Work/success

5. Addictions

6. Friends

7. Family

8. We are confronted with Our favorite sin. Hebrews 12:1

9. Heb 12:1

2. 1 Sam 7:3"prepare your hearts"

It implies taking seriously the Return to God

Do it with dedication and a firm heart

We have to direct, set, and set Our hearts towards God

3. V3, " and serve him only"

1. We must be entirely for God

2. Samuel's call affected the hearts of the people

1 Sam 7: 4, They put away the Baals

IT IS TIME TO RENOUNCE WHAT THIS WORLD OFFERS (IDOLS)

1. TIME TO RENOUNCE THE IDOLS

2. TIME TO PREPARE OUR HEARTS

3. TIME TO SERVE GOD

1 Sam 3: 6. THEY SPILLED WATER

1. Can you collect spilled water on land?

2. It symbolizes your repentance

3. They poured out their hearts

4. Fasted

5. They made their confection public

40 Years of Spiritual Trial, Struggle, and Defeat

1. But at last, they were where God wanted them

2. The nation returned to communion with God

CHAPTER 7

V7. Being in revival, the Philistines attack

1. What happens when you consecrate yourself? Trials and suffering comes

2. Satan attacks the one who is reformed by the blood of Christ

3. Sometimes, good is an occasion for evil

4. But the test came when everyone was together, praying and fasting

5. But they were still afraid

V8. Samuel was rejected

1. They were unarmed

2. They weren't ready for war

3. But they had the weapon of prayer and tears shed before God

1 Sam 7:9 Samuel Intercedes and Offers Burnt Offering to Jehovah

1. His sacrifice was accompanied by prayer. Prayer and sacrifice go hand in hand

2. The Milk Lamb was young, about 7 days old. (God does not look at quantity. God looks at the sincerity of the heart)

1 Sam 7: 10-11 The Philistines were defeated

1. God Honored Samuel's Prayer

2. God fought for His people

3. This meeting was different from the one they had 20 years ago. (Where they trusted in the ark that went over the men of two wicked priests)

4. Now his confidence is in the prayer of faith that went forth from Samuel

Conclusion

God worked in a miraculous way.

1 Sam 7: 12. "Ebenezer: “Till now the Lord has helped us”

I WAS ASKING YOU

How did this year go?

Ebenezer = Supporting Stone, Relief Rock

1. Believe it or not! EBENEZER

2. Till now the Lord has helped us

God's hand will always be ready to help you

It doesn't matter how far astray you are.

Look at Christ!

God understands your past and doesn’t hold it against you; instead, He lovingly brings you to a better place future

Rom. 6:23

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Recognize that you are a sinner, put your trust in Christ, and accept Him as your Savior and Lord, and your name will be written in the Book of Life

EbenEzer: Till now the Lord has helped us