The nation of Israel in the time of Eli was in spiritual darkness. They have judge and priest but corruption was scant from God. Their religious leader, Eli was the head and a priest, living with his sons within the perimeter of God's house. His sons made them vile & corrupt but he restrained them not therefore losing his spiritual discernment. Because of his tolerance and leniency, he failed to spearhead a spiritual reform & awakening. He was walking in spiritual darkness, powerless to cleanse corruption, & purge the iniquity which his sons were involved.
A. The word of the Lord was precious in those days. The word precious means the Word of God was scarce in Israel of those days.
1. No spirit of prophecy - God withdraw the spirit of prophecy, that revelations, prophesies, visions & personal contact with God was rare, hence, the people are not receiving a constant flow of godly instruction and guidance.
2. Boring preaching - this verse is so applicable for much of today's church (not all) as we see everything being preached boring and no conviction except the plain Gospel of Christ.
a. Greed Gospel - here is a short list of what is being preached in too many churches today. Social justice, psychology, Community, self esteem, prosperity, good deeds, denominational rules and regulations. You might have this question. What is my pastor preaching?
b. Gospel of Christ. What are we to preach? The word of God with conviction for salvation. However, we must stress for one to truly preach the Bible, one must preach Christ crucified and resurrected.
c. What Paul said? In 1 Cor. 1:23-24, Paul stated but we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness. But unto them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God
d. Foundational Truth. The cross must be the pivotal point of conversion in preaching. If not, the people can't grow or not truly converted due to lack of understanding of God's Word.
3. What is our responsibility? From the pastor to the members, our messages and witnessing will ultimately point people to find the centrality of their salvation, their healing, their rest, and their confidence in Jesus. Who died to forgive our sins and rose to lead us our King.
B. There was no open vision. The impurity that prevailed in the tabernacle, is no doubt corrupted the whole nation, had provoked God as a token of his displeasure, to withdraw the Spirit of Prophecy. Afterward, spiritual darkness overrule. Therefore, there is no open vision.
1. When we condone or tolerate sin in our lives. What is the sin of Eli?
A. Permissiveness. Eli allows sin to get inside his own household. As a priest, and judge, he knew what was right and wrong. Or good and evil.
a-1) as a judge. He must execute judgment over Wil and must expose the sin of Israel.
a-2) Compromised. Eli and his sons were involved. Dealing with our own is oftentimes hard to correct and to death with. Compromise follows because of repeated mistake and continuous negligence.
b) servant of sin. Like Eli and his sons, we will be captured by satan if we tolerate sins. In john 8:34 "He that commits sin is a servant of sin"
a) Wrong spirit. We go to church with bitterness. Not a good neighbor, neither friendly not kind.
b) Rebellious to our parents. Yielding into temptations and going to places not well pleasing to God.
c) Itching Ear. Leaders teaching and preaching while people listening but all not a doer of the Word.
d) Ingratitude Giving. We are so selfish, giving grudgingly, and complaining. Forcing self in giving.
c) reverse process is what happening. Instead of serving God that will make them more faithful and continual in growth, many become rebellious, vicious and worldly. They are marching backward as an old dirty man, blind and deaf because they no longer hear from God.
d) back to basic, the truth. We should live by the word. It is our life. The bible will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the bible.
3. When we no longer pray to God for guidance. Chapter 2&3 never mention that Eli prayer unto God resulted to spiritual black out in Israel. No vision, no revelation, no prophesy, no victory, and no revival. A prayerless Man Eli, therefore become a godless man, or dirty old man.
a) lifestyle. Spiritual leaders should come to the house of God daily to pray.
b) Enquire of the Lord. 2 Sam 5:19
c) Family devotion. Parent should organize morning devotion daily. Should attend prayer meeting and fellowship, to praise and worship God.
d) Apostasy. Backsliding. Without prayer, we will not defeat our enemy and we won't be able to save the lost and heal the sick, therefore bring us to the exit door turning our back onto God.
4. When we no longer have a contact with the Spirit of God. Eli and his sons have a sin that could not be purged with sacrifice or a sin offering. This is unpardonable sin. This is blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.
a) the household of Eli. His own family indeed lost their vision. Why? Only a man that lost his contact of God's Spirit will commit such a terrible sin.
b) The believers of God. Here is what we supposed to do. David prayed "take not Thy Holy Spirit from me." And paid said, "grieve not the Spirit of God"
c.) Grieve God's Spirit. When the Spirit of God departed, then we will be captured by the enemy.
d) captives by the enemy. What happens to Samson? What happen when Israel lost the ark of the covenant? It's the same think will happen to the believers, without God's presence, we don't have the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
Sad to say that many Christian today, they are not able to recognize their highest calling from God to be a king and priest. They are believer, baptized in Jesus Name, singing in the choir, a musician, a leader teaching the word of God, a pastor leading the flock, but blind leaders like Eli and his sons. This lesson will challenge our faith to become a visionary. God can use you mightily to reveal, to prophesy, to inspire and to share the vision God had given you.
To God be the glory!