Brian's Sermons

1 Samuel 1:12-18 I have grown up in an achievement-oriented society. We are known by what we accomplish. We want to be known as competent and strong.   Last week we looked at the story of Hannah, and we met Eli, the high priest of Israel, who loved to sit in his chair at the entrance to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. We saw Eli in direct contrast to Hannah — she was a nobody, yet she knelt in the presence of Yahweh. Eli was the high priest, yet he had no real relationship with Yahweh! Eli would have been the competent and strong man; he was the high priest.   But the contrast does not end here. Hannah dedicated her child to God, quite literally; he was raised in the Tabernacle. But look at Eli’s own sons — 1 Samuel 2:12 describes them this way: Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord. Worthless. Can you imagine? In 1 Samuel 1:16, Hannah pleads, “please don’t think I’m a worthless woman.” We remember that it was she who was in positio...

1 Samuel 1:9-20 We have been looking at some characters from the Old Testament. Some are true heroes of the faith. Others have demonstrated how flawed and sinful humans are. In today’s text, we begin a new chapter in the story of God’s people. They have lived through the times of the judges, times where Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. But the book of 1 Samuel provides a transition to the times of the kings. The immediate context of what we read this morning is this: There was a man named Elkanah who had two wives. Hannah and Peninnah. Hannah was barren. In those days, it was customary for a husband to take a second wife if his first wife could not give him a son/heir. The second wife, Peninnah, had sons, and she tormented Hannah day and night. Hannah was greatly grieved. So at the point of this scripture, the entire family went to the Tabernacle in Shiloh for worship.   Hannah goes to pray. When she goes, we meet Eli, the high priest. Here he sits,...

1 Samuel 1:1-28 Have you ever made a deal with God? It’s a pretty funny scene, really, making a deal with God. What makes us think that we, God’s creation, can deal with the Almighty? Yet we do it all the time. I remember making deals with God when I was in junior high, specifically when I was running long distance races. I would ask God to get me through the race and there were all sorts of things I would do for Him once I got finished (secretly I think that me being in ministry now is part of the payback). Sometimes we can be tempted to make deals with God over little, insignificant things. Then we generally sound like a toddler trying to extend bedtime with a “one more book, please, and I promise I’ll go right to sleep!” But usually the “let’s make a deal” mentality doesn’t set in until the stakes are huge. God, if I get this job, then I’ll… God, if you can get me through this, I’ll… God, if only you’ll spare his life, then I’ll… Have you ever bargained with God like that? ...