Lessons from the life of Samuel - Zac Poonen

Zac PoonenApril 18, 202317mWatch on YouTube

Video excerpt from 1 Samuel - Through The Bible with Zac Poonen series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeUiCH7ooZ3nhCmWTt2WIcHoEMGaNWSwM • Through The Bible... For more studies: http://www.cfcindia.com/studies About Zac Poonen: Zac Poonen was formerly an Indian Naval Officer who has been serving the Lord in India for nearly 50 years as a Bible-teacher. He has responsibility for a number of churches in India and abroad. He has written more than 25 books and numerous articles in English - which have been translated into many Indian and foreign languages. His messages are available on audio CDs and video DVDs. Like the other elders in CFC, Zac Poonen also supports himself and his family through "tent-making" and does not receive any salary for his services. He does not receive any royalty for any of his books, CDs or DVDs, that are published by Christian Fellowship Centre, Bangalore. © 2018 Christian Fellowship Church, Bangalore, India. All Rights Reserved.

Summary

The sermon uses the life of Samuel to teach that one must remain steadfast in devotion to the Lord, regardless of surrounding godlessness. Key lessons include maintaining an attitude of constant readiness to hear God's voice—'Speak, for thy servant is listening'—and ensuring that every word spoken, both in ministry and private life, is intentional and directed toward the heart. Furthermore, the speaker warns against neglecting family life while serving God, citing Samuel's later failure to guide his sons properly.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Those who honor me I will honorThe Lord declares a principle to live by through Eli's failure: those who honor God will be honored by him, while those who despise him will be lightly esteemed.

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listeningSamuel maintains an attitude of constant alertness in the middle of the night, responding to God with a readiness that all believers should cultivate.

Telling Eli the complete truthSamuel does not hesitate to report the bad news of God's coming judgment to Eli, showing the true courage of a servant of God.

Words that do not fall to the groundGod is with Samuel and ensures that none of his spoken words are wasted, challenging believers to seek a ministry where every word hits home.

Serving God from a young ageSamuel starts serving the Lord as a young boy under ten, proving that youth is no barrier to being raised up by God.

Appointing his sons as judgesSamuel makes a major mistake when he is old by appointing his own sons as judges over Israel, even though they do not walk in his ways and take bribes.

Controlling your home before leading othersWhile leaders should not be judged if adult children go astray after leaving home, 1 Timothy 3 requires elders to control their children while they are still young.

Sinning by failing to pray for othersSamuel views failing to pray for the people God has given him to lead as a direct sin against the Lord.

Remembered as a mighty man of prayerGod specifically singles out Moses and Samuel centuries later in Jeremiah as two monumental figures who had power with him in prayer.Jeremiah 15:1

Learning from the mistakes of othersA wise person learns from the missteps of biblical heroes like Samuel regarding family partiality, while a foolish person repeats them.

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Lessons from the life of Samuel - Zac Poonen

Zac Poonen · April 18, 2023 · 17m

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