"PREACH THE WORD"
2 Tim. 4:1-5; 3:16,17; Acts 20:27-32; Titus 2:11-15.

INTRO:

1. Jesus said: "It is written, 'man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" Matt. 4:4.

2. Paul said: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'" Rom. 1:16,17.

3. With these thoughts before us, I want us to turn to an Old Testament passage as a basis for our study.

A. The passage in mind is: 1 Sam. 3:15-18. Read this.

1) Also, take time to gather some background concerning Elkanah, Hannah, Peninnah Samuel and Eli. Start reading at 1 Sam. 1:1.

I. EVERYTHING THAT GOD HAS REVEALED TO US THROUGH HIS WRITTEN WORD NEEDS TO BE TOLD WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR.

A. Let us, right now, read again: 1 Sam. 3:15-18. Also 1 Pet. 4:11; Acts 20:20,27.

II. EVEN THOSE THINGS THAT ARE UNPLEASANT TO HEAR ARE TO ALSO BE TOLD.

A. Once again let us refer to 1 Sam. 3:10-14. Also Lk. 12:20; Matt. 14:1-4.

III. EVEN GREAT DIFFERENCES IN AGES ARE NOT TO BE A DETERRENT TO TELLING ALL THAT GOD HAS SAID.

A. Now, let us look at 1 Sam. 2:22; 4:15. Also Lev. 19:32; Prov. 16:31.

IV. ONES FEELINGS, CLOSENESS, AND/OR LOVE FOR ANOTHER CAN NOT BE ALLOWED TO KEEP ONE FROM TELLING IT LIKE IT IS.

A. No doubt Samuel had become very close to and fond of Eli over the years that he had served him.

B. But true love calls upon us to do the will of God rather than to try to spare the feelings of another. Jno. 14:15; 15:9-14.

1. We need also to exhort others to do the same. Heb. 10:24. "A friend in need is a friend indeed".

V. ONES POSITION IN LIFE CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO BE A DETERRENT TO TELLING ALL THAT GOD HAS SAID.

A. Eli was high priest over all the Jews. 1 Sam. 1:9

B. David was the great king of all Israel. 2 Sam. 12:1-12.

C. Peter was a leader among the apostles. Gal. 2:11-13.

D. Elders are the overseers of the church. 1 Tim. 5:19,20.

E. Preachers are to proclaim all truth. Gal. 1:6-10.

F. Teachers have a grave responsibility to teach truth and not error. Rom. 16:17,18; Jas. 3:1.

VI. ALL THAT IS SAID MUST BE SAID PLAINLY AND CLEARLY.

A. Note the following scriptures: Deut. 27:8; Hab. 2:2; Jno. 10;24-28; Rom. 1:18-25.

CONCLUSION:

1. So, what do we wind up with in this lesson?

A. Tell EVERYTHING.

B. Even the UNPLEASANT THINGS.

C. Tell it to all AGES.

D. Even to the ones you love and respect.

E. Do not let ones position be a deterrent.

F. Tell all in a plain, forthright, clear manner.

2. If all of us will follow this rule, we will be pleasing to God and helpful to our fellow men.

By Jim Sasser

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