In a lost and lonely state (due to his sinful choices) Saul has contacted dead Samuel. But Samuel has no comfort for him. The king has sown disobedience to God and now he will reap the consequences of that: tomorrow,
Contacting the dead
Due to his sin, Saul is all alone and frightened of his enemies. David will not help him; God will not help him; he’s in a living death. So in desperation Saul does the only thing he can think of
Raised and exalted
3.2 … On the third day after He was put to death He rose again from the dead, as foretold by the Scriptures. By His resurrection He broke the power of death in order to give life to all who
Sin, God and us
2.2 However, the first man Adam rebelled against the commands of God. Because of his rebellion, he forfeited the relationship with God which he had enjoyed, and evil and death began to affect creation. Photo by Aaron Burdan on Unsplash
What did we lose?
2.2 However, the first man Adam rebelled against the commands of God. Because of his rebellion, he forfeited the relationship with God which he had enjoyed, and evil and death began to affect creation. Photo by Zach Lucero on Unsplash
Perhaps
Jonathan could have been left downhearted by his father’s sin and the trouble it’s brought to him. But he actually acts boldly, going quietly with one servant to challenge the enemies of the nation. It looks hopeless. One sword against
Don’t mess with holiness
The Philistines have learned a little about the Lord but there’s much they still get wrong. Sadly, the Israelites, despite all the information given to them, are just the same. So when the ark lands in a Levite village, things
Fantasy land
Israel has lived in a fantasy land where they imagine God is on their side but they have actually broken covenant with him. Eli’s family have lived in a fantasy land where they think they are successful but they are
A revolutionary poem
Hannah has had her prayers heard by the Lord. Now she responds with thanksgiving and sacrifice. Her response becomes a memorable Psalm of Israel, but also a subversive one because it speaks of how God reverses situations to overturn the
He has risen! He is not here.
This sermon is an alternative, more devotional look at the verses, centring on the great gospel message of repentance and faith in the risn Christ. It was preached in an evening sermon to complement the regular morning preaching as part