Text: 1 Samuel 7:1-14 KJV
And the men of Kirjath–jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord. And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath–jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtoreth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtoreth, and served the Lord only. And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you unto the Lord. And they gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah. And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth–car. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Eben–ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
INTRODUCTION:-
Church we have course to appreciate God this morning. Weight every challenge you are facing it is only the GRACE and the MERCY of God upon us, your country, family, work, business, church, that kept us alive today and if satan has not taken over our senses we will know that we should thank God and appreciate Him.
Anyone not grateful is a great fool. Opposite of grateful is great fool
BODY
An interesting story here. Samuel was in charge, the children of Israel had sinned and moved away from God. Know this today that a good sign of moving far away from God is when you stop appreciating His mercy upon your life.
I am sorry for those who grumble because they are only affecting themselves.
The Philistines were upon them. Samuel offered a burnt offering to God so that God can deliver them from the mess they brought upon their lives, due to idolatry. Called on God and God answered them. On that spot of deliverance, being saved, all was not perfect yet, but they could say thank God saying
"Therein and thus far has God helped us", This place is our Ebenezer.
The Lord will continue to help you henceforth through out this month and beyond.
When we celebrate we show gratitude to God that even in our current situation, without Him we cannot get this far. Someone that give thanks for yesterday will receive more grace.
Five years we have been with u here, this is also the fifth month of the year, we are bold to say thank u Jesus "therein have You helped us". Before another year go by if we find Grace. Six is abundant Grace. Get ready to double your speed of five years in just one year. But show appreciation first, for thus far
Act of gratitude determines your altitude. Your height in life
When Samuel was given victory, he did not stay there, he moved forward. We must keep moving as a church and personally. From hence we must continue to move forward.
TWO THINGS YOU MUST KNOW OR ACT UPON IN OTHER TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
1. DO NOT DESPISE YOUR SMALL BEGINNING. In all we have said, some will still say what improvement have i seen in five years or the first four months of the year.
(Zechariah 4:10 KJV). For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
God Himself telling you this morning.
Isaiah 53 tells us of how Jesus was despised, but see what that small but significant beginning has done if you do not despise it. one life and today raking in billions.
Job 8:7 tells us that though your beginnings maybe small your latter end shall be great.
( Matthew 17:20 KJV). And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Jesus said all I need from you is a little faith. Anything that will be big in life must start small, like the mustard seed.
John 3:16 God gave one Son but billions became sons of God.
Get ready to move forward this month even as you appreciate the little God has done in your life.
2. KEEP MOVING. When you are moving you will stand out. To excel in life you need to stand out. As a church or parish standout. God looking for a church and children that will stand out.
( Acts 13:22 KJV). And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
No one knew God was searching for somebody after His heart. Said now found a man David.
Various Areas Of Moving Forward Include:-
- HOLINESS. ( Exodus 23:2 KJV). Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
Do not follow the multitude to do evil. Do not follow. Be different.
(2 Timothy 2:19 KJV). Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
God knows those serving Him and they should keep themselves.
Do not compromise your faith. Be yourself, standout. This month standout.
- MINISTRATION. ( 1 Kings 18:22 KJV). Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
though there were 450 prophets he stood out. Others were serving Baal. But Elijah stood his ground ministering before God he prepared the sacrifice.
Be useful for God.
Attending church maybe look small and insignificant, but it is a form of ministration.
You can take it a step further by bringing someone to church, or two etc. if you are singing this month sing well. If praying then pray well, if an usher, then usher well, if you are giving, oh make sure you give well. Your ministration must move forward. Giving is ministration.
In ( 2 Kings 2:3 KJV). And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth–el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
Elisha was determined in service. What God wants of us is to be determined. The sons of the prophet going nowhere but not so Elisha..... Forget about those going nowhere. They may say your own is too much.
- DILIGENCE. ( Genesis 26:12-14 KJV). Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.
When everything was so difficult and there was famine, Isaac was diligent . Within one year nations were envying him.
When you are making waves people will envy you. Isaac was diligent.
This is not only about being hard working. Working hard may not be enough.
Not all who are working hard are successful. It is an act of developing strategies, ideas, adding value to what you are doing. This needs wisdom because in.
Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. (Proverbs 22:29 KJV)
- NO DISCOURAGEMENT this month. tell your neighbour. ( 1 Samuel 30:6 KJV). And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. (1 Samuel 30:6 KJV)
Zigzag David encouraged himself. Encourage yourself.
- GRATEFULNESS. It is tradition in every RCCG that every 1st Sunday is thanksgiving.
In ( Luke 17:10-17 KJV). So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
Ten lepers came to Jesus and He healed them all, but only one came to show appreciation. Don't ever be among the nine. Others may not show gratitude, but not you.
( Luke 12:20 KJV). But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
This ungrateful man received instant judgement. Did not give glory to God. Anyone not grateful is a great fool.
