1. Soft on Sin
1 Samuel 3:11-14

2. Many Admirable Things About Eli
Judged Israel 40 years
No record of outward evil in his life
Handled succession well; showed no jealousy toward Samuel
Listen to God’s message through Samuel:

3. 1 Samuel 3:11-14
Then the LORD said to Samuel, "Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever."

4. 1 Samuel 2:22-25
Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death.

5. 1 Samuel 2:29-30
Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?' (30) Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

6. Despite the good things, God pronounced a curse on him
Not for what he did, but for what he neglected to do
Eli not guilty of great personal sin, his sons were
Eli’s sin was failure to restrain his sons
In the end, God punished Hophni, Phinehas, and Eli

7. Pious Softness is not the Way of God!!!
It may be well-intentioned, even motivated by love; but never love for God: Jn. 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10; 1 Jn. 5:3; 2 Jn. 6
Jesus threw money changers from the temple: Jn. 2:13-17
Jesus sternly rebuked the Pharisees: Matt. 15 & 23

8. Pious Softness Always Fails
It fails in the Home
It fails in Society
It fails in the Church
It fails in Converting the World

9. Man’s ways change – God’s way never does!
Same always: Heb. 13:8
Words will never pass away: Matt. 24:35
Jesus’ way gives life: Jn. 10:10
Jesus’ way gives peace: Jn. 14:27
But it must be Jesus’ way!