Hebrews 11: For by it the people of old received their commendation. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised… 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—

Hebrews 11:38 Samuel

He was Dedicated from His Youth 1 Samuel 2:35 35 And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. 1 Samuel 1:11 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

He was Dedicated from His Youth 1 Samuel 3: And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD. 21 And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD. He grew up with the word

Proverbs 9: Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Do we worry more about blending in than we do being different?

His Life is Summed up in 1 Sam. 8:10 “…spoke all the words of the Lord.” Not an ear tickler or crowd pleaser

Samuel was like Paul in this respect. Acts 20: Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

There ARE hard sayings in the gospel Divorce and Remarriage? Saved by faith alone? Only ONE body? What of all the good people? Christening babies? Baptism unnecessary?

His Life is Summed up in 1 Sam. 8:10 “…spoke all the words of the Lord.” Not an ear tickler or crowd pleaser Any way but the Lord’s way is futile 1 Samuel 12: And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following theL ORD, but serve the L ORD with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty

Matthew 16:26 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Proverbs 14:12 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

His Life is Summed up in 1 Sam. 8:10 “…spoke all the words of the Lord.” Not an ear tickler or crowd pleaser Any way but the Lord’s way is futile Taught repentance, not acceptance 1 Samuel 7:3-5 3 And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only. 5 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you.”

Matthew 3:7-8 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Action by itself is not enough 2 Corinthins 7:10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. Being sorry alone is not enough

His Life is Summed up in 1 Sam. 8:10 “…spoke all the words of the Lord.” Not an ear tickler or crowd pleaser Any way but the Lord’s way is futile Taught repentance, not acceptance Taught obedience above all 1 Samuel 15:22-23 And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination,and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.”

What might the teaching of obedience say to us? Control our tongue Control our anger Love husband Love wife Train up children Resist jealousy Resist gossip Resist envy Resist apathy Etc., etc.

His Life is Summed up in 1 Sam. 8:10 “…spoke all the words of the Lord.” Not an ear tickler or crowd pleaser Any way but the Lord’s way is futile Taught repentance, not acceptance Taught obedience above all Pleaded with them to take a stand 1 Samuel 12:7 7 Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous deeds of the LORD that he performed for you and for your fathers.

We also have a stand to take before the world Believing Repenting Being Baptized Live faithfully Grow Mature

His Life is Summed up in 1 Sam. 8:10 “…spoke all the words of the Lord.” Not an ear tickler or crowd pleaser Any way but the Lord’s way is futile Taught repentance, not acceptance Taught obedience above all Pleaded with them to take a stand Accepted his responsibility irrespective of other 1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Will we do the same as Samuel?