Sunday, June 20th, 2010

A Sacred But Fatal Trust

In this Father’s Day message we visit the people of God deep in the Old Testament, during a dark time in their history, characterized by a demoralized priesthood, an alienated people and a silent God.
Reality shows have become so popular in recent years but God gives us reality “drama” throughout Scripture, even thousands of years back into Old Testament times. Of course there were no video cameras to record the action but the Holy Spirit had an inspired writer describe the situations going on in people’s lives and even thought processes, with divine accuracy.
With such a lense the author of 1 Samuel focuses in on the leader of God’s people for 40 years during this dismal time, Eli, the high priest. His is a dramatic story filled with suspense, excitement, paradox, highs and lows. God pronounces judgment on him and yet as we examine his life we find him to be an exceptionally godly leader in his ministry. He failed however as a Father, and that brought him and his nation untold suffering.

If you like dramatic true stories, you need to hear this biographical sermon. It comes with sobering applications and lessons for Fathers and for all of us: “A Sacred But Fatal Trust”.