TITLE: How to Get the Glory Back
TEXT: 1 Samuel 7:1-12
PROPOSITION: Like Israel, sometimes we get the ark back
but not the glory of God.
QUESTION: How?
KEY WORD: Requirements
SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Samuel 7:1-3
INTRODUCTION:
- The
Ark of the Covenant was taken (stolen).
- It
had been gone for 20 years.
- Now,
the Ark of the Covenant was back but not the glory of God.
- We
wander away from God – We return but it is not the same.
- There
are some requirements for getting the glory back.
Real Returning (Desire)
- "If
you do return unto the Lord with all your hearts"
- More
than words
- Conditional
- Many
claim to want revival – not from the heart.
Real Repentance
- "Then
put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you"
- Baal
– all the foreign gods – occupation, agriculture, harvest, prosperity
- Ashtaroth
– Female – Fertility, sensual pleasure
- Jobs,
money, material gain – sex and pleasure – Sound familiar?
Real Commitment
- "Prepare
your heats unto the Lord" (NIV – "commit yourselves to the Lord")
- We
live in a non-committal society
- No
commitment to marriage, family, home
- No
commitment to local church
- No
commitment to job, loyalty, extra effort
- No
commitment to friends, relationships
- "If
it doesn't work out, move on to greener pastures."
- If
you cannot commit to human relationships – you will not commit to God.
Real Service (Work)
- "And
serve Him only"
- Get
involved – find a place to work. Listen to announcement, bulletin.
- There
is much to do – little time to get it done.
- Not
just include God in our activity – serve Him ONLY!
Real Deliverance
- "And
He will deliver you"
- You
must look honestly inside yourself
- Let
go – Allow God to change you and set you free.
Results
- They
put away the idols – vs. 4
- They
confessed their sin – vs. 6
- The
Lord delivered them – vs. 10
- Ebenezer
– Lord Helped us – vs. 12
Conclusion:
With desire, repentance, commitment and service – you can be
delivered.
Then the Glory of the Lord returns