Sermons
- 1 Samuel 1:1-20 Filled with Good Things (Butler)
They packed up for a time of celebration. Expressions of thanksgiving were expected, just like ours at Thanksgiving. Tough, then, for Hannah. All she could hear were the heart-breaking words that God “had shut up her womb.”
- John 1:43-51 & 1 Samuel 3:1-20 God Keeps Knocking (Hoffacker)
People follow a calling because they believe it is right for them to do so. The work may be hard and not particularly successful, but they find it rich with meaning and significance.
- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 What’er the Gift May Be (Kegel)
It is festival time, like our Christmas. Hannah has made a robe for her little boy. Loving parents want to make sure their children are warm and safe. We can see the love of this mother for her first child: Hannah had made Samuel a new robe.
- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 When God Speaks (Wagner)
Two people in the midst of a crowd. One says, “My broker is E.F. Hutton and E.F. Hutton says….” At that point the crowd hushes. The ad concludes, “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.” What about when God speaks? Is anyone listening?
- 1 Samuel 3:1-20 Avoiding Absurd Living (Anders)
Henri Nouwen says, “We live absurd lives.” Surd, Nouwen says, is from the Latin word for “deaf.” He says: “A spiritual discipline is necessary to move from an absurd to an obedient life--a life in which there is some space where we can listen to our God.”
- 1 Samuel 3:1-20 God’s Transforming Call (Donovan)
I like this story. A faithful woman has a problem. She prays, and God answers her prayers. God not only blesses her, but blesses her son as well. This story speaks of the potential that lies within each of us when we put God first in our lives.
- John 1:43-51 & 1 Samuel 3:1-20 God Keeps Knocking (Hoffacker)
People follow a calling because they believe it is right for them to do so. The work may be hard and not particularly successful, but they find it rich with meaning and significance.
- 1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11:14-15 Not Like the Other Nations (Hoffacker)
The people tell Samuel they want to have a king “like other nations.” They do not want to stand out. They want to be normal. This is their great temptation as a people.
- 1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11.14-15, Mark 3:20-35, The Truth Shall Make You Odd (Hoffacker)
A person of deep Christian faith, Flannery O'Connor built upon John 8:32 when she famously wrote, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you odd."
- 1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:13 Attentiveness to God’s Kingdom (Hoffacker)
Changes––from winter to summer, from infancy to adulthood––are wondrous. Because they occur so gradually, and are outside our control, it seems that they happen secretly, with a power of their own. Jesus talks about this sort of development.
- 1 Samuel 17:1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49 and Mark 4:35-41 Stories of Crisis (Hoffacker)
The First Samuel reading tells us of David and Goliath. Let's consider the story from the perspective of the soldiers of Saul before David vanquishes his opponent. We know how the story will turn out, but they do not.
- 1 Samuel 17:32-49 Set People Free from Fear (Hoffacker)
There are many Goliaths abroad in our land––diverse Goliaths––institutions, corporations, organizations, movements, popular attitudes, persistent prejudices. What all of them have in common is that they endeavor to defy the living God.
- 1 Samuel 17:32-49 David vs. Goliath (Wagner)
We all love stories when the little guy overpowers the big guy. For most of our lives we feel small in comparison to government, large corporations and systems which seem to dominate us.
- 1 Samuel 17:32-49 Just a Little Bit (Wagner)
All of us face obstacles, and life can become overwhelming. Pursuing a career, raising a family, paying the bills, or health problems are tremendous obstacles to overcome. David faced the giant, Goliath.
- Mark 4:35-41 and 1 Samuel 17:1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49 Stories of Crisis (Hoffacker)
All Jesus says to his companions are two short questions: "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" These questions are not addressed only to the disciples on the boat. They are directed to us as well. "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?"