Going Against the Flow / Жити проти течії

1 Sam. 2:26 

By contrast, the boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men. - HCSB

А отрок Самуїл усе ріс, та здобував ласку як у Господа, так і в людей.

Intro: 

Introduce the story 

Elkanah and Hannah (Елкана та Анна)  did not have children 

Eli and his sons Hophi and Phinehas (Хофній і Пінхас) were priests 

Eli’s sons were wicked (they were corrupted) 

The took the best parts of sacrifice for themselves 

Those who opposed they threatened with violence 

Committed adultery with woman who served at the temple 

Eli did very little to stop his boys 

In the midst of all this, Samuel was different, he lived differently, he went against the flow - V.26 

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) -  By contrast, (НАВПАКИ) the boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men. 

Purpose of this Message  

We drift into compromise, comfort, and conformity./Ми природно дрейфуємо до компромісу, комфорту і пристосування.

Challenges we face today: 

Theology shaped by culture instead of Scripture / Богослов’я, сформоване культурою, а не Писанням

Faith adjusted to fit popular opinions / Віра, підлаштована під популярні думки

Christianity reduced to comfort and convenience / Християнство, зведене до комфорту і зручності

Materialism disguised as “blessing” / Матеріалізм, замаскований під «благословення»

Casual attitudes toward holiness / Легковажне ставлення до святості

A softer stance on self-denial and discipline / Пом’якшене ставлення до самозречення і дисципліни

The story of Samuel is not just a Bible story—it’s a picture of what it means to live differently in a corrupt generation.

Історія Самуїла — це не просто біблійна розповідь, це образ того, як жити інакше серед зіпсованого покоління.

This Message is a call:

To live intentionally / Жити усвідомлено

To resist cultural drift / Протистояти культурному дрейфу

To pursue spiritual and social maturity / Прагнути духовної та соціальної зрілості

Spiritual Maturity - Growing Up in God / Духовна зрілість — зростання в Бозі

Samuel was growing in his relationship with God 

What are some practical ways we can spiritually mature? 

Quiet Time - Тихий час з Богом

how many of us can actually sit in silence? 

We are overstimulated (перевантажені стимуляцією) and addicted to noise 

Ruthless elimination of hurry book 

EX. Elliot’s hearing test  

Daily Devotions- Щоденні духовні практики

Reading Bible 

Prayer 

Fasting - very unpopular thing now

Serving in the church - Служіння в церкві

Usually the same people serve, most are just consumers 

Regularly attending service- Вірне відвідування церкви

We need to discipline ourselves

All this requires sacrifice 

Example: Ruslan Teper 

When we all went to Applebee’s he went home to pray and seek God 

Some will say, this is religion. Is it? I challenge you to do the same 

Social Maturity - Living Wisely in the World / Соціальна зрілість — мудре життя у світі

Samuel was growing not only spiritually but also in “regular” everyday life

What can we do to be socially mature?

Educate yourself - Навчайся

Does Not have to be college 

Read More. Scroll Less. 

Media doesn’t just inform—it forms / Медіа не лише інформує — воно формує.

A big mac doesn’t cost 3.99, it costs your health 

Netflix does not cost 17.99 - it cost your time 

Social media isn't free, it cost your focus 

There is ALWAYS a hidden cost

From businessgroowthmentor (Instagram) 

Steward your body - Дбай про своє тіло

Exercise 

Healthy eating 

Be plugged in into local community- Будь залучений у спільноту

Work, college

People are more closed now, but you go against the flow 

Conclusion

God likes to use discipled and mature people 

This year, my challenge is simple—but demanding: Цього року мій виклик простий, але вимогливий:

Go against the flow Іди проти течії

Resist trends that weaken your faith Протистій трендам, які послаблюють віру

Grow spiritually Зростай духовно

Grow socially Зростай соціально

Choose discipline over comfort Обирай дисципліну, а не комфорт

Choose depth over popularity Обирай глибину, а не популярність

Because when God finds someone who is ready, Бо коли Бог знаходить готову людину, one life can influence many. одне життя може вплинути на багатьох.

Going Back to the Story with Elliot - Technician sounded differently 

When  we block “other” noise, we will hear God’s word differently, perhaps like Samual did. 

When the word of the Lord was rare, God spoke to Samuel and through the chaos he heard his voice and responded, “Speak for your servant is listening” 3:10

The rest is an amazing story of how God took one person and used him greatly to influence many people.