Start with the sovereignty of God (1 Samuel 2:1-10)

Introduce the characters (verse 11-12)

• The LORD, Samuel, Eli, sons of Eli (hophni and phineas)

Main Point-The Lord in His omniscience and omnipotence is dynamically involved in people, and events of life. Therefore swim downstream.

what?

Worthless men

Stole God’s offering

Eli not ignorant

Hardened heart

Vs 29 Man of God came and made the accusation 

Consequences and ascension of Samuel

So what? Sprinkle the Good news all up in through this heart breaking story!

1. Worthless men (vs 12)
   1. To not know the Lord is to be worthless
      1. Analogy of missing pieces
      2. You can find other uses, but it will never have its same worth
         1. Take the cpu out a computer
         2. Take the pages from a book
         3. Take the chips out the dorito bag
   2. Colossians 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 

To condone is to promote

• 29 honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choices parts of every offering of my people

• • • He condoned his sons sins
    • He even allowed them to sin agains the holy things of the Lord

• Verse 17

• • To sin is to treat as common the holy thing of the Lord, like the sons, ie you.  You are temple of the Lord, you were cleaned by Christs blood, you are not your own!

• 1 Corinthians 6:19 temple of the holy ghost

• • Hebrews 10:29 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?
• Is there sin that needs confrontation?
• Is there sin in your own life that needs confrontation?
• Are you skating by, resting on your salvific laurels?
• Are you playing w/ sin?
• James 4:17  17So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

1. God raises Rocks to do His will! / Ready to be Used! 
   1. We like Samuel are in prime position to be used by God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      1. Mention Samuel being raised as sin is going forth, God’s sovereign plan
   2. John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

1. 1. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Gospel: worthless men, avoid the penalty because Jesus took the penalty