1. Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst £26million refitting his residence ‘The bishop of bling’

2. The Sermon on the Mount Change Things can only get better

3. Crisis of leadership in Israel In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25

4. The Tragedy of the House of Eli Dramatis Personae Eli – chief priest at Shiloh Hophni & Phinehas – his sons, priests Elkanah & Hannah –from the hill country of Ephraim Samuel – their son, given to the LORD A man of God – The LORD’s spokesman Scene: Shiloh

5. v11 Samuel v12-17 Hophni & Phinehas v18 Samuel v22-25 Eli & sons v26 Samuel The Tragedy of the House of Eli

6. Samuel v11 ministered with Eli v21 grew in the presence of the Lord v26 continued to grow Hophni & Phineas v12 did not know the Lord v13-16 exploited the people by force v17 sin great, treated Lord with contempt v22-25 sexual immorality refused to listen

7. The Tragedy of the House of Eli God is at work – Samuel Luke 2:52: Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and man Corrupt leadership is God-less The human heart is sinful

8. The LORD pronounces judgement v27-36 The Past v27+28 – Promise – Privilege – Position The Present The Future The Tragedy of the House of Eli

9. The LORD pronounces judgement v27-36 The Past v27+28 The Present v29+30 – Scorn sacrifices – Honour sons before me The Future The Tragedy of the House of Eli

10. The LORD pronounces judgement v27-36 The Past v27+28 The Present v29+30 The Future v31-36 – Death & the end of the line – Samuel – Zadok – Jesus The Tragedy of the House of Eli

11. God will provide both Priest and Messiah / Christ in Jesus Human leaders: fail to honour God their leadership is self- serving Fruitless: TEC 2.6% down in 2012 24% down in 10yrs The Tragedy of the House of Eli