The Flame Went Out
Scripture Reference: Exodus 27:20-21 & 1 Samuel 3:1-4
Preached at Mount Zion Baptist Church on February 6, 2022
Delivered by John Daniel Johnson
“And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. 21 In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.
(Exodus 27:20-21)
Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. 2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, 3 and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, 4 that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!”
(1 Samuel 3:1-4)
Background
1. Elkanah (Elk-A-Nah) had two wives: Peninnah (Pa-Nin-Ah) and Hannah. With Peninnah he had sons and daughters, but Hannah was barren.
2. Year after year they went to Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was, to offer sacrifices to the LORD.
3. Year after year, Peninnah would ridicule and bully Hannah because she had no children. When Elkanah would give food to his family, Hannah would refuse to eat because she was so depressed. She was literally in tears every year.
4. On one of these visits to the Tabernacle, she went to the Tabernacle alone and there poured her heart out to God. She wept bitterly. She lifted up to the LORD one of those “LORD, I’m in need prayers.”
5. Eli, the high priest, was sitting in a chair at the entrance of the Tabernacle and sees her and immediately thinks that she is drunk.
6. There she made a vow to the LORD. If He would give her a son, she would give the son to the LORD’s service…and the LORD heard her cry.
7. She conceived and bore a son and called him Samuel (God Hears). Once the child was weaned, around the age of 2, she took Samuel and gave him to Eli the priest to serve in the House of the LORD.
The Spirit Condition of Israel
1. The sins of the sons of Eli (Hophni and Phinehas). They would commit sexual acts on the women who came to the Tabernacle to worship. (1 Sam. 2:22-24)
2. The Word of the Lord was precious (rare) in those days.
3. A careless and complacent attitude prevailed.
A. The flame of God was to burn always. (Exodus 27:20-21)
B. But the flame went out. There was no light!
The Flame Symbolism in Scripture
1. The Flame Proclaims Preparation (Pillar of fire led the Israelites by night)
2. The Flame Proclaims Purity (burning away the impurities)
3. The Flame Proclaims Presence (Consuming Fire)
4. The Flame Proclaims Protection (creates safety and lights the path)
5. The Flame Proclaims Power (John the Baptist said that there was ONE coming after him that would baptize not with just water, but with water and fire. Acts 2.
Notice, the flame went out in the Temple!!! His presence left. His power left. His protection left.
Illustration—
Testimony about preaching and people telling me that they haven’t seen a move of God like that since they were kids.
What Caused the Flame to Go Out?
Truth- When the things of God are not important to the people of God the flame burns out.
a. Worship
b. Prayer
c. Fellowship
The Church Should Be the Lighthouse
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 3:16
What will happen if our Light goes out?
Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the light of the world.” We are the flame that shows the world the LORD.
1. We Won’t Witness the Movement of God
2. People Will Not Hear the Message
3. Sinners Will Perish.
How to Keep the Flame Going Out
1. Return to Your First Love
2. Remember the Joy of Your Salvation
3. Remain in the Fellowship With God & His Children
