Sermons on Elis:

God's Ring Tone

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jan 18, 2015

Like Samuel and Eli, we don't always initially recognize God's Ring Tone, but God is calling to us, and our job is to listen.

As most of you know, I had planned to be at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, completing an intense Mini-MBA course this past week. But last Sunday afternoon, I had a strong sense that I wasn’t supposed to go. As I told that to (my husband) Gary and then to Wanda (our congregational ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Hearing God When He Speaks

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 17, 2002

People tend to listen only to what they want to hear. Why do we do that to God and how can we learn to listen when He speaks?

People have a tendency to listen only to what they want to listen to… Keith Downing shared a story about his Uncle Dick. Apparently his uncle noticed that every time he ate his favorite food, chitlins, his foot pained him immensely that evening. The family physician confirmed his suspicion of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-8, 1 Samuel 3:1-3, 1 Samuel 3:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Leadership Fails Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 3, 2025

The story of Eli and his sons is a solemn warning to every spiritual leader and authority figure. Leadership is a sacred trust, and failure in that trust carries great consequences.

WHEN LEADERSHIP FAILS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 2:12-36 Supporting Texts: Ezekiel 34:1–10, Malachi 2:7–9, Matthew 23:1–4, James 3:1, 1 Peter 5:2–4 INTRODUCTION: Leadership is one of the most powerful and influential positions in both the spiritual and secular realms. When ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12-36

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Focus On Discipline Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jun 6, 2003

Discipline is an important part of raising a child. Let us see the problem a lack of discipline caused Eli and his sons

INTRODUCTION • -- John Maxwell, in "What Children Owe Their Parents (and Themselves)," Preaching Today, Tape No. 140. Says the following: Do you read the cartoon Nancy? She says, "Things will be different when I’m an adult. When I have kids of my own, I’m going to let them do whatever they want, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Overcoming Spiritual Apathy

Contributed by Tim Gibson on Aug 11, 2001

Looking at the differences between Eli and Samuel we shall see how to break free from spiritual apathy and live a life of destiny as Samuel did.

Title : Overcoming Spiritual Apathy. Text : 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (1) INTRODUCTION: The boy Samuel lived at a crucial time for God’s people as we do today. It was a time of a famine of God’s word and revelation and a time when the enemy was about to strike. A time of crisis. But it was also ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, Judges 21:25

Denomination: *other

Lamps Without Light

Contributed by James May on Sep 8, 2001

Christians are to be the light set on a hill that show forth the love of God to the lost. We must learn from Eli, Hophni and Phineas how not to lose that light.

Disclaimer: Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-3, Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Persevere In Faith Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 12, 2014

Whatever happens do what God says!

Before we read Chapter 4 of 1 Samuel, open your Bibles for a moment to Exodus 13…. Page…. Remember that God saved His people Israel from Egypt; now look at Exodus 13:17….. From the very beginning, God allowed a people called the Philistines to go against Israel, God’s ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Surprising Work Through Mothers

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 24, 2021

Things are so bad and prayer is so rare that the spiritually dull Eli, the priest, couldn’t identify when Hannah was praying. When the Bible says she “wept bitterly,” you should see Hannah in the worship center where her body convulses in tears.

Today is Mother’s Day when one-fifth of all floral purchases are made for holidays. In a day where over-programmed kids and hectic family schedules dominate, mothers are incredibly powerful not in the weightlifting sense of that word, but in the areas of trust, encouragement, hope, and courage. You ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Tending The Lamp

Contributed by Clint Shrum on Nov 25, 2007

Eli nor his sons watched after the lamp in the temple that provided a light and it went out. This is a brief outline of what happens when the light of the local church goes out

WHO IS TENDING THE LAMP? I Samuel 2:12, 22 & I Samuel 3: 3 Intro: In the reading of the text we see a few things. First, we have read about Eli’s sons Hophni and Phineas and how wicked they were. In The final verse of scripture we read how the lamp of God has gone out in the temple. I want to ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is Calling?

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Jan 12, 2003

Who are the Elis and Philips in our lives? Do we realise that God calls us often through the least likely of people and circumstances?

Sermon for 2 Epiphany, Yr B 19/01/2003 Based on I Sam 3:1-10 & Jn 1:43-51 “Who is Calling?” By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson This Sunday I want to begin by complimenting the international ecumenical committee for their wisdom and inspiration in selecting the biblical passages that they did—since ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, John 1:43-51

Denomination: Lutheran

The Intentionality Of A Father

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Jun 15, 2004

Using the priest Eli as an example of what not to do with his sons this message explores some basic suggestions, grounded in the word imploring a man to take a house and make a home.

PEOPLE OF PURPOSE FATHER’S DAY – 2004 INTENTIONALITY OF PURPOSE: TAKE A HOUSE & BUILD A HOME 1 SAMUEL 3:1-10 ©DR. LARRY L. THOMPSON (2004) “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. [2] One night Eli, whose eyes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Story Of A Dishonest Man Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

Have You Ever Been Fired? Don’t raise your hand, but have you ever been fired from a job? Did you know it was coming, that feeling in your stomach?

Jesus tells a most peculiar parable in His day, the Story of a Dishonest Man. It’s is widely considered one of the most difficult parables – if not the most difficult – to understand. And it’s not hard to see why. Jesus’ story got me thinking about a pastor I read about who misled a church out in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Prayers And Promises

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 8, 2011

God will answer us in His time for His glory.

Prayers and Promises August 15, 2010 Evening Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: God will answer us in His time for His glory. Focus Passage: I Samuel 1:9-20 (pew Bible page 311) Supplemental Passage: Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:9-20

Denomination: Baptist

"Greatest Question Ever”

Contributed by Bubot Parago on Oct 9, 2018

And when Jesus was on the Cross, He cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is to say, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” GOD HAD FORSAKEN JESUS!THAT WE MIGHT BE FORGIVEN!!! Where are you now? Are you hiding from God? Listen, not once did He left us.

“But the Lord God called to Adam, and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 AMP I- QUESTION OF CONDITION: “Where Art Thou?” The first question of God in the Bible, not asking as if He doesn’t know what’s happening but one that He’s asking for reconciliation.... an unsatisfactory condition ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Learning From A Father’s Failures

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 22, 2010

Eli failed to have a positive influence on his sons Hophni & Phinehas. Fathers have the responsibility of being positive influences on their children. But what responsibilities can be undertaken to accomplish this? To have a positive influence on your

LEARNING from a FATHER’s FAILURES—1Samuel 2:12-36 Father & son/Open cockpit ride thrill ride/Bartered price/Not 1 word or high price/Loop-Dive-Turn-Climb/ “You almost won!....‘Cause I sure felt like hollerin’ when my boy fell out!” A Father’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12-36

Denomination: Baptist