Worship Preparation - July 9, 2023

Sunday, July 9, 2023

Read the sermon text: 1 Samuel 7

Read the sermon summary: The ark, having returned to Israel, is settled in Kiriath-jearim. Twenty years pass before the people are moved to cry out after Yahweh. In response to this first evidence of real repentance, Samuel calls the people to a full surrender to Yahweh ("all your heart...serve Him only"). The people gather, put away their idols, and confess their sin. There, at Mizpah, Samuel judges the people. This whole project of grace grabs the attention of the Philistines, who respond by launching an offensive. Samuel intercedes on behalf of the people, and Yahweh answers. The Philistines are pushed back and land is restored. To mark Yahweh's victory, a stone is set up, called "Ebenezer," because "Yahweh has helped us." And there was peace all the days of Samuel.

Read the following song lyrics in relation to the sermon: 

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing (Nettleton)

Come Thou fount of ev'ry blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace

Streams of mercy never ceasing

Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet

Sung by flaming tongues above

Praise the mount I'm fixed upon it

Mount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise mine Ebenezer

Hither by Thy help I'm come

And I hope by Thy good pleasure

Safely to arrive at home

Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wand'ring from the fold of God

He to rescue me from danger

Interposed His precious blood

O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be

Let Thy grace Lord like a fetter

Bind my wand'ring heart to Thee

Prone to wander Lord I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart Lord take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above

CCLI Song # 108389

John Wyeth | Robert Robinson

Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 11078052