“ Discerning Word ” Many things to ponder in Mr Patterson's message. That the battle is the Lord's is a great cause for jubilation and rejoicing. Also, more solemnly, the outworking of Saul's vainglorious motives and extrabiblical vows and shows of religion not required nor demanded by God. The consequences can be seen in many modern day churches. Dear sinner, turn away from such powerless and vain outward shows and personalities unto the One who alone is able to save you.
“ Great Sermon! ” Amen !! to the title and content of this sermon, as one saved by the great and undeserved grace of God out of all the dangers, toils and snares of the evil one.
Mr Patterson contrasts Saul and his son Jonathan as types of today's Christian, and reminds me of the battle day by day against God's enemies. A strong call against idleness has encouraged me, as was Jonathan who ascended with faith upon slippery and thorny places on hands and knees to defeat and dismay the enemy.
An encouragement and exhortation for God's children in this day.
“ Great Sermon! ” In hearing this message I felt a parallel to current events in Ulster, and indeed to once mighty nations and strong Christian churches and denominations that are now as were the Israelites in the day of Saul their king when threatened by their old enemy the Philistines. As Mr Patterson shows them here to be distressed, fearful, disarmed and deserting the camp. And all due to ineffectual leadership, and reliance on it rather than on God as formerly was the case with this nation.
Christian, this sermon reminds me of many things like separation, prayer, and gives me information on the meaning on the name of Hebrew. Mr Patterson also spoke to me in these dark days of the enemy seeming to come in like a flood of the words of 1st John 4 v 4 -- "greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world." And if you are not yet saved, my friend, why will you delay longer?
“ Great Sermon! ” Our family worship reading was James 4 and particularly verses 13-15. It was most providential that this sermon was then listed on sermonaudio. A gospel warning that sinners must heed today!
“ Stirring Warning To The Lost ” In the final part of Samuel's sermon, the Lord intervenes in a dramatic fashion, and Israel recognises its sin at last.
Mr Patterson message from this passage is a needful one in our day, as it was for the Israelites of old. I was reminded yet again that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom". The challenges to the believer of faithfulness in prayer and reverential service to God in integrity is always good for me to be reminded of. As is the reminder of the Lord's faithfulness and the reason He saves. The sermon ends with a dire message to those who yet will persist in sin, and this makes this sermon a good one to send to any you may know who are still in that dangerous and awful position.
“ Insightful Sermon! ” With the Israelites gathered at Gilgal, that place of the memorial stones and the first Passover in the looked-for Promised Land, Samuel addresses a sermon to them.
Mr Patterson's own sermon caused me to rehearse in my heart the great and mighty deliverance given freely to a worthless sinner and sealed with His own assurance. And further, to search my life to see to what extent I now am relying on human and not divine help.
May these words be a blessing to all that hear them, a renewal to the backslider, a means of salvation to the lost, and a further cause of rejoicing in those that yet fear God.
“ A Call For Today ” Christian, does it grieve you to see in this perverse age the multiple onslaught on God's church and His name by the devil? Are you moved by the actions of the serpent (translation of the name of Nahash) in striving to turn God's kingdom into "a land that is withered" with people who have lost their vision?
Or are you indifferent and even complacent and comfortable with self?
Mr Patterson may challenge your own standing in this evil day and generation. May it be to all of us an effective call to plead for revival at the throne of grace.
“ Great Sermon! ” In the present situation in Ulster, the role of the people in rejecting the God who delivered them in favour of a flawed human is especially poignant.
A continued blessing to hear God's word expounded in this series, wherein are many lessons drawn by the preacher. This "episode" touches on humility, faithful preaching and the insistence of the people in pursuing their desire, though rebuked by Samuel.
Mr Patterson again uses this passage to enquire of his hearer, "What will you do with Christ?" Sinner, this is the all-important question.
May the Lord use this preaching for the salvation of many, for His own glory and name's sake.
“ Thoughtful Message ” Mr Patterson here considers the features and significance of Samuel's anointing of Saul as king. The signs following came to pass, and here is a useful contrast to what we may see today in "word of faith", tongue-speaking types of ministries. Finally the question of Saul's being saved is considered, and an evaluation according to Scripture is given. I look forward to the continuation of this series.
“ Great Sermon! ” The continuation of the story of Saul's being chosen to be king is used of the preacher as a type of salvation, very profitably for the edification of God's people.
Mr Patterson also refers several times in this message to the necessity of time spent with the Lord, and also the blessing it is to hear God's word faithfully expounded.
"...But stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God."
May the Lord use this series to bless His people and to bring the lost to a saving relationship with Him.
“ Providence and Sovereignty of God ” In this message in the series on 1 Samuel, an analysis of the character of Saul is followed by the comfort of the truth of God's sovereignty, then the nature of Samuel himself (how different from Saul..).
As always, these points are presented with relevency to our own day and age and the listener is directly addressed as to their standing with God, and how indeed they do (or not) relate to that great work on Calvary's cross.
This study series gives the listener many opportunities to perceive the working out of God's great love and purpose for His people.
“ The Price of Sin ” Rev Patterson again brings out from the riches of God's word topics that are very pertinent in this day and generation. The ongoing story of the defiantly rebellious people of Israel, true to their form in rejecting the God who had blessed them beyong measure, rings in the ear today.
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." (Prov 12 v 15)
Let us continue to pray that the consequences warned about in this message of the apostacy of our own evil and dark times can yet be turned away by God's own mercy.
“ Conformity to "All the Nations" ” After the blessing of revival and the witness at Eben-ezer, fast forward over a long period of Samuel's ministry to where Israel desires a change. Mr Patterson brings out why this was not in accordance with God's plan in Deut 17 for a king.
An informative, challenging sermon. Those of a "certain age" which the world may see as 'past it' (as the Israelites saw Samuel) will be encouraged herein.
“ The Power of Preaching and of Prayer ” A great account here of true repentance and God's answer of revival.
Rev Patterson does not fail to challenge the listener in the many details he brings out in this latest "episode" in the current series on 1st Samuel.
“ Challenging and Encouraging Sermon! ” This sermon treats of the inevitable consequences of an irreverent and improper approach to the things of God.
For me, this was most timely as I'm currently reading a treatise on the nature and style of worship. For any who know those yet involved in "churches" promoting worldly music, health and wealth, worship as entertainment and careless and incomplete preaching, this would be an appropriate message to send them.
Praise God He does not leave us there as we trust Him to yet revive us.
“ Compassion for the Lost ” God's power vs the dilemma of the Philistines elicits a compassion for the lost of our generation in this sermon. How true !!
As usual, Rev Patterson brings out much in this message which I had not known or had not previously seen in reading First Samuel.
“ Encouraging Message ” A message of encouragement to that person who may be saying that the glory has departed nor any hope remains (like Israel who made no attempt to recover the Ark), the message here is God is able. That the murderer and liar must bow to an omnipotent God who will do all His pleasure.
“ Deeply Significant Sermon! ” After the Lord brings revival to His people, they are defeated with great slaughter at the hand of a pagan enemy.
How can this be??
In this day of Islamic ascendancy, this sermon has deep and far-reaching significance for nation and individual alike. May God be gracious that this word be heard among the people.
“ Revival ” Rev Patterson continues this series with the glad tidings that God sends revival to his people through a true prophet, the faithful and humble Samuel, whom He had called. Hallelujah !! Here is seen plainly the nature and origin of salvation, that it cannot be something that man somehow originates.
Of great interest here is the response of Eli, his desire and even eagerness to hear the word from God even though he is sure it contains drastic news for him, and his acceptance of that message. What an example ! Here Rev Patterson contrasts the "offence of the cross" to the self-comforting tidbits of 'gospels' of works etc.
A most thought (and prayer) inspiring message as this series contains.
5/24/07 12:00 PM
