Hall of Faith: Samuel

Intro

A reminder about the nature of our Christian faith:

Hebrews 10:39–11:3 ESV

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Where are we up to in the hall?

Hebrews 11:32–34 ESV

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Who was Samuel?

An Ephraimite. Born of Hannah - a woman who was infertile for a long time.

Samuel (or Shemuel) means “Asked of God”

Samuel was dedicated to the Lord from before birth. As a young child he was taken to the Tabernacle and served there. He was basically adopted as a priest.

Eli the high preist grew old, and his sons were scoundrels so Samuel, as he grew, grew into the position.

1 Samuel 3:19–21 ESV

And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

Samuel became a great prophet and a judge of Israel. He is the last of the judges.

Unlike the judges he did not gain his position by leading in battle, but as we shall see - he is willing to get his hands dirty if required.

Samuel had some flaws. Samuel had failures - both his sons were corrupt. But Samuel is a laudable example.

The Example of Samuel’s faith is 5-fold.

Faith in YHWH alone

Israel was double minded in their loyalty. They served other gods repeatedly.

1 Samuel 7:3–4 ESV

And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only.

All followers of God, all Christians are called to serve Him alone

Even other spiritual beings are not to be worshipped.

Faith for Blessing & Deliverance

1 Samuel 7:9–10 ESV

So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel.

Samuel looked to God for his deliverance and to God for blessing.

Christ has delivered us:

Colossians 1:13–14 ESV

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Nothing can separate us from God’s love - he will save and protect us, eve if it is through death.

Faith in the Midst of the imperfect

1 Samuel 8:5–7 ESV

and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.

It is easy to get caught up on the imperfections of situations.

This was not ideal, but God was going to work in it and through it.

Samuel mearely had to keep serving the Lord in the midst of it.

We too will be in situations that are less than ideal - in our businesses, in our community settings like schools and clubs, in the church, in the nation. Do not let the imperfect be the enemy of the good.

Have faith to obey and serve even in the midst of the difficult and the imperfect.

Faith to Defeat the enemy

The king failed, and the prophet had faith.

1 Samuel 15:32–33 ESV

Then Samuel said, “Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites.” And Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” And Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.

We too must be ruthless in our pursuit and defeat of evil. There is great reward!

Revelation 21:6–7 ESV

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

Faith to Seek the Anointed King

1 Samuel 16:12–13 ESV

And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

So What?

Have faith in YHWH alone

Have faith for deliverance from trial

Have faith in the midst of imperfect situation.

Have Faith to Defeat the enemy

Have faith to Seek the Anointed King