Audio from Senior Pastor Vaughn Drawdy on Sunday morning October 22nd, 2017.
1 Samuel 4:2-22 NIV
2 The Philistines deployed their forces to meet Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand of them on the battlefield. 3 When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.” 4 So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. And Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 When the ark of the Lord’s covenant came into the camp, all Israel raised such a great shout that the ground shook. 6 Hearing the uproar, the Philistines asked, “What’s all this shouting in the Hebrew camp?”When they learned that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp, 7 the Philistines were afraid. “A god has come into the camp,” they said. “Oh no! Nothing like this has happened before. 8 We’re doomed! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? They are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. 9 Be strong, Philistines! Be men, or you will be subject to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Be men, and fight!” 10 So the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died. 12 That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh with his clothes torn and dust on his head. 13 When he arrived, there was Eli sitting on his chair by the side of the road, watching, because his heart feared for the ark of God. When the man entered the town and told what had happened, the whole town sent up a cry. 14 Eli heard the outcry and asked, “What is the meaning of this uproar?”The man hurried over to Eli, 15 who was ninety-eight years old and whose eyes had failed so that he could not see. 16 He told Eli, “I have just come from the battle line; I fled from it this very day.”Eli asked, “What happened, my son?” 17 The man who brought the news replied, “Israel fled before the Philistines, and the army has suffered heavy losses. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” 18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy. He had led Israel forty years. 19 His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. 20 As she was dying, the women attending her said, “Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond or pay any attention. 21 She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”
Summary - Tragic Story
1.Israel lost the battle-Thousands die
2.The Ark of God didn’t help
3.Eli and his sons are dead
4.The Ark of God is captured
5.The glory of God has departed
Happy Ending? What is really missing?
Why did they lose the battles?
Where’s the power of God?
Priest are dead, Ark of God is captured. Why?
Three Tragic Mistakes (they made and we can make)
1. Live anyway you feel (As you see fit)
2. Walk in to a battle without God
3. Use God as a good-luck charm
Mistake 1: Live as you see fit
Sin creates consequences
Gal. 6:7-8, James 1:14
“I got it”/ “My way” -a sin that easily entangles.
Judges 17:6, 21:25; Rom. 1:28
Effect: destruction. Prov. 14:12
Galatians 6:7-8 NIV
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
James 1:14 NIV
14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
Judges 17:6 NIV
6 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.
Judges 21:25 NIV
25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.
Romans 1:28 NIV
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.
Proverbs 14:12 NIV
12 There is a way that appears to be right,but in the end it leads to death.
Mistake 2: Walk in to a battle without God.
The battle is real
John 10:10, 16:33; Ephesians 6:12
Is Jesus, Lord of your life? if so,
The Battle is His. Rom. 8:35-39
John 10:10 NIV
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 16:33 NIV
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Romans 8:35-39 NIV
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:“For your sake we face death all day long;we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Mistake 3: Using God as a good-luck charm.
Praying for the advantage? (dilemma: self desire vs God’s will)
Test: Whose at the center of the relationship? Is God’s plans an option to yours? motives?
When trouble comes your way…God is not your rabbit’s foot.
Draw close (repent), pray, listen, obey
James 4:8, Phil. 4:6, Jn 10:27
James 4:8 NIV
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
John 10:27 NIV
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Three Right Choices
1.Live in a relationship with God
2.Battles: Walk with Him - guarded
3.Purposely pursue opportunities to share God’s love - no matter the where, when or challenge.