Peter Barnes | 1 Samuel 7:2-17
SERMON NOTES
GOD, THE ARK, AND THE PHILISTINES
1 Samuel 7:2-17; 1 Peter 5:1-11
1. We are to be serious in seeking the Lord.
– 7:1-4
– conviction of sin (as in Acts 2:37-38) and only the worship of the true God.
2. Signs of true repentance.
– 7:5-9 – poured out water (Lam.2:19?); fasted (Matt.6:16-18); confession of sin; need of prayer; sacrifice for sin. All in Old Testament context.
– Israel helpless does better than Israel superstitious.
3. God’s victory.
– 7:7, 10-14; contrast Ebenezer in 1 Sam.7 with Ichabod in 1 Sam.4.
4. We need to work to maintain God’s work.
– 7:15-17; we can easily lose ground; note Robert Robinson’s hymn, yet he died in 1790 as a Unitarian.
Here I raise my Ebenezer,
Hither by Thy help I’m come,
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home.