Ordinary Men; Extraordinary God!

Today's Best Illustrations, Volumes 1-4 “Something” Happened

“Something” Happened

Many treatments of Jesus get bogged down in a discussion of the possibility of miracles; properly speaking, that is a philosophical rather than a historical or even a theological problem … [A]ll that need be noted is that ancient Christian, Jewish and pagan sources all agreed that Jesus did extraordinary things not easily explained by human means. While Jesus’ disciples pointed to the Spirit of God as the source of His power, Jewish and pagan adversaries spoke of demonic or magical forces. It never occurred to any of the ancient polemicists to claim that nothing happened.

Samuel is an ordinary man with an extraordinary God!

What Does Samuel do as judge?

Points to the Lord. 3-6

He tells them “How to Return to the Lord.”

Some Christians need to come back to God.

Put Away the Idols = turn away, cause a new direction.

Judges 10:16 KJV 1900

And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

Prepare your Hearts = be firm to arrange and direct your heart.

Give your Hearts to the Lord = “into” = motion/direction.

Purpose to Serve God Only and Do It =

Deuteronomy 6:13 KJV 1900

Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.

Prays to the Lord. 7-11

Be Successful (1. Seeking the Lord (1 Sam. 7:3–17))

When the Philistines learned about this large gathering of Jews, they became suspicious that Israel was planning to attack, so the five Philistine lords summoned their troops and prepared to invade. Israel had no standing army and no one ruler to organize one, so they felt helpless. But their greatest weapon was their faith in Jehovah God, a faith that was expressed in prayer. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Ps. 20:7, KJV). As we have seen, Samuel was a man of prayer (99:6), and God answered him that day. As he sacrificed the evening burnt offering, the Lord thundered against the Philistine soldiers and so confused them that it was easy for Israel to attack and defeat them. When we remember that Baal was the Canaanite storm god, it makes the power of God’s thunder even more significant.

Thunder is “the sound that results from the rapid expansion of air along a lightning strike.”

Can our prayers affect the weather? Sure.

Hope Bible Club on a Rainy Saturday. “Men, let’s pray for the weather to clear long enough to go share the Gospel.”

Can our prayers affect an outcome of battle? Sure.

Ephesians 6:18 KJV 1900

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

My Favorite Illustrations Wait and Trust

A woman testified in a prayer meeting, “My son was in the war. I prayed for his safe return. God answered my prayer, and I praise Him for it.”

In that same service was another mother who also had prayed for her son’s safe return. However, he was killed in battle. Did this mother not have as much faith as the other mother? Not necessarily. For the full answer we may have to look beyond the moment. Perhaps this mother may find that God is working for her an experience that will deepen her spiritual life in such a way that she will receive a greater blessing.

Do not question God’s goodness, but wait and trust. In time He makes all things plain.

Praises the Lord. 12-17

Today's Best Illustrations, Volumes 1-4 Missing the Miracles

Too many times we miss so much because we live on the low level of the natural, the ordinary, the explainable. We leave no room for God to do the exceeding abundant thing above all that we can ask or think.

—Vance Havner

This stone was to remind people of God’s victory.

God provided and protected all the days of Sam.

God restored all the lost cities.

Samuel judge Isreal for the rest of his life.

Mizpeh is the home of Samuel, He judges from there and also offers sacrifices to the Lord there.

Samuel is a terrific “Type” of Christ, serving as prophet, priest, and Judge… Jesus is the prophet, priest, and King. As King, Jesus also serves as the judge.

Samuel is an ordinary man with an extraordinary God!

We are ordinary people with an extraordinary God.

1001 Quotations that Connect: Timeless Wisdom for Preaching, Teaching, and Writing John Knox

If Satan fume and roar against you, whether it be against your bodies by persecution, or inwardly in your consciences by a spiritual battle, do not be discouraged, as though you were less acceptable in God’s presence, or that Satan might at any time prevail against you.… I have good hope, and my prayer will likewise be, that you may be so strengthened, that the world and Satan himself may understand and perceive, that God is fighting your battle.

6,000 Plus Illustrations for Communicating Biblical Truths Quote: The Death of God

“The most extraordinary thing about the 20th century was the failure of God to die. The collapse of mass religious belief, especially among the educated and prosperous, had been widely and confidently predicted. It did not take place. Somehow, God survived, flourished even.”

Even if we do not fill an “office or role” Ordinary men can be like Samuel...

Points to the Lord.

Prays to the Lord.

Praises the Lord.

D and A

How can a Christian point people to Jesus?

What are some prayers, God has answered for you?

Discuss other Bible Stories when God affected the weather.

Share some praises that God has provided.

List some extraordinary things about the God of the Bible.

List some people to pray for that you can share the Gospel with.