Faith Baptist Church
06/29/25 Worship Service

      • Revelation 19.11-12ESV

      • Revelation 19.13-14ESV

      • Revelation 19.15-16ESV

  • 43 Rejoice, the Lord Is King
  • 599 Before the Throne of God Above

      • Romans 8.18-20ESV

      • Romans 8.21-22ESV

      • Romans 8.23ESV

  • 589 Jesus is Coming Again
  • 513 Speak, O Lord

      • 1 Samuel 4.1-2NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.3NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.4NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.5-6NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.7-8NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.9-10NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.11-12NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.13-14NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.15-16NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.17NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.18NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.19NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.20-21NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4.22NASB95

  • Illustration: “Wow, what a woman!” That was unexpected!
    Do we ever think that way about God?
    Sometimes we are tempted to think that way about God when it comes to judging sin.
    Unbeliever- I just can’t imagine a God that would send people to hell.
    Christian- God hates the sin, but loves the sinner. Is that accurate? Does God send the sin or the sinner to hell?
    What about when God disciplines us for sin? Do we ever think that God treats us too harshly?
    “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” —A.W. Tozer
    Tozer also prayed that we would not worship a god who is nothing more than a creature of our own fancy.
    What we need is for our minds to be enlightened so that we might know God as He is, and thus we will be more able to perfectly love God and worthily praise Him.
    Review: (small group discussions)
    Three consequences of failing to remember the God that we serve.
    Syncretism (1-4)
    Syncretism is defined as the incorporation or blending of practices, teachings, or beliefs from different religious traditions into a single system. In the context of Christianity, it refers to the conscious or unconscious reshaping of Christian beliefs and practices through cultural accommodation, which can potentially lead to a loss of Christianity's distinctiveness.
    a. What thought patterns revealed their syncretism in v. 3?
    1 Samuel 4:3 ESV
    3 And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.”
    b. Discuss the significance of the name used for the ark of the covenant in v. 4.
    1 Samuel 4:4 ESV
    4 So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
    c. Read Hebrews 9:3-14 and discuss the picture of the mercy seat.
    Mercy seat was a perpetual reminder of God’s gracious provision.
    d. Discuss the implication of Hophni and Phinehas being “there with the ark of the covenant of God” in 1 Samuel 4:4.
    1 Samuel 4:4 ESV
    4 So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
    This was like spitting in God’s face.
    How could they expect God to give them victory over their enemies by bringing the ark of the covenant to the battlefield and the two sons of Eli at the same time? How could they participate in high handed sin and also expect God’s blessing? They forgot the God that they served! They were not serving the God of the prophets, they were serving a creature of their own fancy. They had blended the God of the Bible with the pagan religions.
    e. How are we syncretistic in our worship?
    f. How do we treat spiritual disciplines like fetishes, talismans, or charms? (e.g., prayer)
    2. Slander (5-9)
    a. How was God’s name profaned by the Philistines (cf. 1 Sam. 4:7-9)?
    1 Samuel 4:7 ESV
    7 the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “A god has come into the camp.” And they said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before.
    1 Samuel 4:8 ESV
    8 Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness.
    3. Slaughter (10-11)
    1 Samuel 4:10–11 ESV
    10 So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. 11 And the ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
    Do you think the severity of God’s judgment for Israel’s sin was too harsh?
    I think Samuel wanted the future nation of Israel to understand that God is stern in his response to deliberate sin.
    I want to argue that God is as stern today in his response to deliberate sin and that His response is just.
    To make my argument we are going to evaluate four different test cases to understand both the sternness and the justice of God’s judgment for sin.

    Test Case #1: Eli’s Sin (I Samuel 4:12-22)

    1 Samuel 4:12–22 ESV
    12 A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. 13 When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told the news, all the city cried out. 14 When Eli heard the sound of the outcry, he said, “What is this uproar?” Then the man hurried and came and told Eli. 15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were set so that he could not see. 16 And the man said to Eli, “I am he who has come from the battle; I fled from the battle today.” And he said, “How did it go, my son?” 17 He who brought the news answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great defeat among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” 18 As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years. 19 Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to give birth. And when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed and gave birth, for her pains came upon her. 20 And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son.” But she did not answer or pay attention. 21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”
    Let’s think about the severity of God’s judgement on the house of Eli…
    Israel was defeated, they fled, they were slaughtered (30,000 foot soldiers fell), the ark of God was captured, Hophni and Phinehas were killed (10-11)
    Sorrow/mourning and shame, “clothes torn and with dirt on his head.” (12)
    Sitting on his seat by the road watching (Eli couldn’t see- anxiety), Heart trembled (anxiety) (13)
    “all the city cried out.” (13) shock, sorrow, mourning, shame
    Retelling of the disaster- Israel has fled, great defeat, Hophni and Phinehas are dead, ark of God captured (17)
    Eli falls over backward and breaks his neck (18)
    Eli’s daughter-in-law hear news (author explains news: ark captured, Eli and Phinehas are dead) she enters premature labor and dies (19-20)
    She names her son Ichabod “The glory has departed from Israel!” (21-22)
    This son is born into a world where his family name is disgraced and cursed by God. His grandfather is dead. His father is dead. His mother is dead. His uncle is dead. The sin of Eli and his son’s, Hophni and Phinehas, had far reaching consequences. (Your sin doesn’t just effect you!)
    All of this is exactly as God prophesied.
    What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.
    Does the way we think about God include a place for such a stern response to deliberate sin?
    Do we love God for His stern response to deliberate sin?
    Is God just as stern today in His response for deliberate sin?
    Specifics about Eli’s sin:
    He functioned as a high priest and as a judge of Israel.
    1 Samuel 4:18 ESV
    18 As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.
    2. His sin had national consequences.
    1 Samuel 2:16–17 ESV
    16 And if the man said to him, “Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish,” he would say, “No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force.” 17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord, for the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt.
    3. His sin despised God (2:30).
    1 Samuel 2:30 ESV
    30 Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
    4. His sin blasphemed God (3:13).
    1 Samuel 3:13 ESV
    13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them.
    5. His sin was deliberate (3:13).
    1 Samuel 3:13 ESV
    13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them.
    Numbers 15:30 ESV
    30 But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the Lord, and that person shall be cut off from among his people.
    6. God was long suffering (4:15).
    1 Samuel 4:15 ESV
    15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were set so that he could not see.
    (He judged Israel 40 years)
    7. His sin crossed a line (3:14).
    1 Samuel 3:14 ESV
    14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
    Eli was guilty of treating the offering of the Lord with contempt.
    Eli was guilty of treating the sacrifices and the offerings of God with contempt.
    He honored his sons about the Lord.
    He fattened himself on the choicest parts of every offering of the people of Israel.
    He despised the Lord.
    He knew about his sin and the sins of his sons and he did nothing.
    When the nation of Israel brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim to the battlefield, Eli was complicit in that horrific sin.
    Because Eli persisted in high handed, deliberate, prolonged sin against the Lord eventually he crossed a line. For that kind of person all that remains is judgement.
    Difference between wrath and discipline. Will we see Eli in heaven one day? I think we will. Not so sure about Hophni and Phinehas.
    Therefore, everything that happened to Eli was God’s discipline.
    Does God really discipline believers in this way?
    Was it too harsh?
    God is not going to allow his children to continue to treat Him with contempt or to despise His name. When every other attempt failed God took Eli home. That was one sure way to get Eli to stop despising God’s name.
    2. What was the result of God’s judgement on Eli and the nation of Israel? God raised up for Himself a faithful priest- Samuel. God brought the nation of Israel back to Himself. The result of God’s judgment was repentance of sin, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
    Does the way we think about God include a place for such a stern response to deliberate sin?
    Do we love God for His stern response to deliberate sin?
    Is God just as stern today in His response for deliberate sin?

    Test Case #2: The Book of Hebrews (Heb. 10:19-39)

    I want to argue that God is as stern today in his response to deliberate sin and that His response is just.
    Context of the book of Hebrews- Jewish Christians who were tempted to turn away from following Christ and turn back to Judaism.
    Heb 10:1-18 context: Jesus is a better sacrifice that the day of atonement sacrifices.
    Hebrews 10:4 ESV
    4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
    Hebrews 10:10 ESV
    10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
    Because Jesus is a far better sacrifice, what should be our response?
    Hebrews 10:19–25 ESV
    19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
    What were the Jewish Christians tempted to do? Turn away from Christ! What would be God’s response if they did such a thing?
    Hebrews 10:26 ESV
    26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
    Does that verse sound familiar?
    1 Samuel 3:13–14 ESV
    13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
    Hebrews 10:26 ESV
    26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
    If the Hebrew Christians deliberately, with a high hand, turned away from following Christ and instead when back to Judaism they would be crossing a line. At that point there would no longer remain a sacrifice for sins. If they continued to sin willfully all they could look forward to was God’s discipline for their sin.
    Hebrews 10:27–29 ESV
    27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
    What does v. 29 remind you of?
    1 Samuel 4:4 ESV
    4 So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
    It reminds me of the people of Israel trampling underfoot the one who is enthroned on the cherubim. It reminds me of the people of Israel profaning the blood of the mercy seat. It reminds me of the people of Israel outraging the perpetual reminder of God’s gracious provision.
    This is exactly what the Hebrew Christians were considering by turning their backs on Christ.
    Hebrews 10:29 ESV
    29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
    Hebrews 10:30–31 ESV
    30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
    Hebrews 10:32–36 ESV
    32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
    Does the way we think about God include a place for such a stern response to deliberate sin?
    Do we love God for His stern response to deliberate sin?
    Is God just as stern today in His response for deliberate sin?
    God had not disciplined the Hebrew Christians yet. This was a warning. What was the warning for? To keep these believers faithful to Christ! Is this a good use of God’s discipline? Is God being too harsh or severe? Is God actually being loving and kind in disciplining his children? Do we think about God that way?

    Test Case #3: The Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:27-34)

    I want to argue that God is as stern today in his response to deliberate sin and that His response is just.
    1 Corinthians 11:27–34 ESV
    27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
    What are the similarities between the mercy seat and the Lord’s Supper?
    Do you think that Heb 10:29 has any relevance on what the Corinthians were doing?
    Hebrews 10:29 ESV
    29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
    What was the purpose of God’s discipline?
    1 Corinthians 11:32 ESV
    32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
    Does the way we think about God include a place for such a stern response to deliberate sin?
    Do we love God for His stern response to deliberate sin?
    Is God just as stern today in His response for deliberate sin?

    Test Case #4: Church Discipline (I Corinthians 5:11-13)

    In each test case I have been moving closer and closer to our modern day.
    Ark of the covenant—Turning back to Judaism—Disregarding the body in the Lord’s Supper—Church Discipline.
    Is God just as stern today in His response for deliberate sin?
    1 Corinthians 5:11–13 ESV
    11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
    Willful, public, scandalous sin.
    Is this too harsh?
    1 Corinthians 5:5 ESV
    5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
    What is a modern-day example of a high handed sin?
    1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV
    11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
    Sexual-immorality
    Greed / greedy person n. — a person who is excessively and immoderately desirous of acquiring more and more (wealth).
    Idolater
    Reviler / verbally abusive
    Drunkard
    Swindler / extortioner / rapacious adj. — excessively greedy, grasping, and thieving.
    I want to argue that God is as stern today in his response to deliberate sin and that His response is just.
    What should our response be if we are committing high handed deliberate sin?
    James 4:6 ESV
    6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
    James 4:7–9 ESV
    7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
    James 4:10 ESV
    10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
    What are some steps we can take to avoid getting to the point where we are committing high-handed sin?
    Personal spiritual walk
    Disciple-making relationship
    Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV
    24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
    Colossians 3:16 ESV
    16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
    We need the church. God intends spiritual growth to happen within a community of people. We need to develop relationships that promote transparency so the church can do its job!
    1 John 1:5–7 ESV
    5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
    Who in this church really knows the sin struggles that you are facing right now?
    Are we the kind of church were people can be transparent about their sin struggles?
    What has kept people from this kind of honesty in the past?
    How can we change the culture in our church so that we prevent one another from high handed deliberate sins?
    What could you do this week to help bring that change?
    Do you think the Lord might want to use our small group fellowships for something like this?
    What if the next time someone asked you the question, “How can I pray for you?” You didn’t give them the expected response, but an honest one?
    Do you think that would really be helpful at heading off the kind of high handed sin we have been talking about this morning? Don’t you want to be part of that kind of church?

      • 1 Samuel 4:12–22NASB95

      • 1 Samuel 4:18ESV

      • 1 Samuel 2:16–17ESV

      • 1 Samuel 2:30ESV

      • 1 Samuel 3:13ESV

      • 1 Samuel 3:13ESV

      • Numbers 15:30ESV

      • 1 Samuel 4:15ESV

      • 1 Samuel 3:14ESV

      • Hebrews 10:4ESV

      • Hebrews 10:10ESV

      • Hebrews 10:19–25ESV

      • Hebrews 10:26ESV

      • 1 Samuel 3:13–14ESV

      • Hebrews 10:26ESV

      • Hebrews 10:27–29ESV

      • 1 Samuel 4:4ESV

      • Hebrews 10:29ESV

      • Hebrews 10:30–31ESV

      • Hebrews 10:32–36ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 11:27–34ESV

      • Hebrews 10:29ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 11:32ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 5:11–13ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 5:11ESV

      • James 4:6ESV

      • James 4:10ESV

      • Hebrews 10:24–25ESV

      • Colossians 3:16ESV

      • 1 John 1:5–7ESV

  • Come All Christians Be Committed
Faith Baptist Church
faith@fbcocon.org
262-567-0040
http://www.fbcocon.org
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