I Samuel 1

I Samuel 1:1-18

• I Samuel 1:1 - I Chronicles seems to indicate that Samuel was a Levite.
• I Samuel 1:6-8 - Favoritism is very destructive in a family! This also shows how God’s original plan for one man and one woman in marriage is the best.

I Samuel 1:19-28

• Hannah had promised she would give the boy to Him and God granted her request. Hannah kept her promise! She also named her son Samuel, meaning “heard by God.”

I Samuel 2

I Samuel 2:1-11 - Hannah’s prayer

I Samuel 2:12-36

• Eli was both a priest and a judge in Israel (I Samuel 4:18). Eli’s sons were also priests, but did evil.
• Eli ended up raising Samuel and Samuel would later make the same mistake with his own sons in I Samuel 8, which is part of the reason Israel cried out for a king.

Introduction

• Hebrews 13:1 - “Let love of the brethren continue”
• Ephesians 4:3, 13-15

The right authority

• Matthew 21:23 - They were not sincere, but this is a legitimate question.
• I Corinthians 20:10-13
• Isaiah 8:19-20

Commands

• Matthew 28:18-20
• Luke 17:7-10
• I Corinthians 7:19
• I Thessalonians 4:1-2, 11
• II Thessalonians 3:4-6, 10-12
• II Peter 2:21-3:2
• I John 2:3-4; 3:22-24; 4:21-5:3
• II John 1:4-6

Examples

• John 15:12
• Acts 20:35
• I Corinthians 4:16; 10:6-11; 11:1
• Philippians 3:17; 4:9
• I Thessalonians 1:6
• II Thessalonians 3:7-9
• Hebrews 4:11
• III John 1:9-11

Implications

• Genesis 2:24 ➡️ Matthew 19:3-6
• Exodus 3:6 ➡️ Mark 12:26-27
• Psalms 16:10 ➡️ Acts 2:24-32
• Psalms 110:1 ➡️ Matthew 22:41-46; Acts 2:33-36
• Matthew 9:6 ➡️ Matthew 9:2
• Acts 10:10-16 ➡️ Acts 10:28 - The gospel is for all.
• Acts 16:9 ➡️ Acts 16:10

When we’re trying to understand God’s will on a particular matter, we take all of the information that’s available in the Bible (in whatever for it’s in) and bring it all into a harmonious conclusion - “So this is what God wants!”

Pitfalls we want to avoid

Let’s avoid appeals to human tradition

• “But we’ve always done it this way.”
• Matthew 15:1-9
• II Thessalonians 2:15

Let’s avoid appeals to human authorities

• “Well, ol’ brother so-and-so always said …”
• Matthew 15:7-9
• Acts 17:11

Instead of assuming, let’s ask sincere questions.

• “What do you mean by that?” “Which verses teach that?”
• John 7:24

Let’s love God and each other enough to eagerly get into the text!

• Hebrews 13:1

Introduction

Christ is the head of His church.

• Matthew 16:18
• Acts 11:20-26
• Acts 20:28
• Ephesians 5:23-30

Let’s be precise and kind with our words.

• Proverbs 15:1-4
• “Legalist” - Romans 3:20; Matthew 15:9; II Thessalonians 1:8
• “Anti-”
• “Conservative” / “Liberal”
• “Institutional” / “Non-institutional”

We’re not interested in trying to prove points based on tradition or bias.

• John 12:48

We’re interested in Biblical truth.

It’s important to continually study this topic.

What does “church” mean?

The word “ekklesia”

• Matthew 16:18
• “the ‘called-out ones’ of God” (Mounce)
• “properly, ‘a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly’” (Thayer)
• “a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)” (Strong)
• The word “group” is a good parallel to ekklesia.

The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”: secular group

• Israel in wilderness - Acts 7:38
• Riotous mob - Acts 19:32, 41
• Legal court - Acts 19:39

The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”:

• Singular: Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4 (Ephesians 1:22-23)
• Plural: Acts 15:41; Romans 16:16

The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”: universal spiritual group

• Ephesians 5:23-29
• Hebrews 12:18-24
• Matthew 16:13-20

Luke 24, continued

Luke 24:13-35 - The road to Emmaus

• ” … Two of them …”
  • It is suspected that one of the two men was Luke himself, but we don’t know for sure.
• Discussion with Jesus
• Jesus’ sermon to them
• Overnight stay
• Back to Jerusalem

Luke 24:36-49 - Jesus appears again

• To the entire group
  • Surprised beyond belief
  • Shows His wounds
  • Takes food
• Reminds them: law, prophets, psalms
• “You are witnesses”
• Stay here

Luke 24:50-53

• Jesus leads them to Bethany
• Blessed disciples
• Carried up into Heaven
• They worshipped Him
  • Deuteronomy 6:13 - Jesus was deity!
• Joyful return to Jerusalem
• Continually praised God

Luke final words

• Why four gospel accounts?
• Why did Luke write it?
• What were some of the differences?
• What is unique about the book of Luke?
  • Matthew - Jesus the King
  • Mark - Jesus the servant
    • Written more for Gentiles; explains Jewish traditions.
    • Emphasis was on Jesus’ actions more than His words
  • John - Jesus the Son of God
    • Emphasis was on the deity of Christ. John 20:30-31
  • Luke
    • An “orderly” account, designed for a Gentile audience.
    • Theophilus was likely a Roman Gentile
    • Gives most complete record fo young Jesus.

Introduction

• Romans 1:5; 16:26

Why do we obey God?

Because we love Him!

• I John 4:7-11, 19-21; 5:1-3 - Loving God means loving our brethren and vice versa. Loving God also means obeying Him.
• John 4:31-34; 8:28-29
• John 14:29-31 - Jesus was submitting to crucifixion because of His love for the Father.
• John 17:4

Because His laws are good for us.

• Deuteronomy 6:24
• Proverbs 6:27-35 - God’s marriage law points us away from trouble.
• Proverbs 23:30-35 - Stay away from alcohol.
• Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
• These are the only laws you can follow without hesitation. They are for our good!

Because we want to be saved.

• Ecclesiastes 12:14
• Ecclesiastes 11:9
• Hebrews 5:8
• James 2:20-24 - Belief here clearly includes obedience.
• James 1:26, 21, 25 - We must obey to be blessed.
• Matthew 7:21