--Realize that God has already been preparing you and others (vv. 1-8)

--Limit your expectations and submit them to the Lord's leadership
 (vv. 1-3)

--Continue to wait for God's best (vv. 9-10; Psalm 37:6-7)

2. When you don't see detours as dead ends, you focus on God's glory instead of a star
 (vv. 2, 11)

--It is radiant

--It is revealed

--It is royal

--It is recognized

3. When you don't see detours as dead ends, you give the gifts that keep on giving (Isaiah 60:1-3, 6)

--The Magi gave gold, symbolizing Jesus as Powerful King

--The Magi gave frankincense, symbolizing Jesus as Great Priest

--The Magi gave myrrh, symbolizing Jesus as Suffering Savior

4. When you don't see detours as dead ends, you become a finder as well as a seeker (vv. 1-11)

--When you seek God, He will reveal Himself, but start with what you have

--Go to the right source for answers, but remember that you will meet God in unexpected ways

--Remember that though the journey may be long, the destination is worth the diligence

--Be warned that staying hitched to the past is to possibly ditch future blessings of "the trip of a lifetime"

--For those in deep depression

--For those who are outcasts (Micah 5:2, 4, 5)

--For those who have not heard from God (Micah 3:5, 9-11)

--For those who have no direction in life (Micah 7:7-8)

2. Blessedly, it is a wonder-filled life for those who find the Christ of Christmas (vv. 9-14a)

3. Amazingly, it is a wonder-filled life when we follow the Christ of Christmas (vv. 14b-20)

--We sense God's pleasure (v. 14b)

--We seek the Lord (v. 15)

--We celebrate in community (v. 15)

--We speak the good news (vv. 17-18)

--We share the
wonder (vv. 18-20; Isaiah 9:6, 7:14)

--There was spiritual confusion. (v. 1)

--There was government oppression. (v. 2-3)

--There were travel complications. (vv. 3-4)

--There were difficult accommodations. 
(v. 7)

2. The first Christmas was marked by ignorance at best and rejection at worst. (v. 7)

--The innkeeper was not expecting the Messiah.

--The innkeeper did not recognize Jesus.

--Perhaps the innkeeper did not want Jesus

3. We must make room for Jesus. (v. 7)

4. We must "leave the light on" so that others can open the door to Jesus.

2. Joseph was surprised that his planned marriage was to be transformed by a grand miracle. (v. 18)

--
The miraculous was experienced by a chosen human. (v. 18)

--The miraculous was enhanced by the virgin conception. (v. 18)

3. We shouldn't be surprised that God chose to use Joseph. Though a "regular Joe," he had righteous character. (v. 19)

--His character demonstrated purity.
(vv. 24-25)

--His character demonstrated compassion. (v. 19)

--His character demonstrated patience. (vv. 20-23)

4. Joseph was surprised that the birth of a baby would be the first step toward the new birth of anybody. (vv. 21-23)

--Jesus is not impressed if you are an elite warrior (v. 2)

--Jesus is not impressed if you are a wealthy person (v. 5)

--Jesus is not impressed if you are a generous benefactor (v. 5)

--Jesus is not impressed if you are a respected leader (v. 4)

--Jesus is not impressed if you are a religious person (v. 5)

2. Jesus marvels at super faith

--Super faith is demonstrated in willingness to wait (v. 3)

--Super faith is demonstrated in compassion for people (vv. 2-3)

--Super faith is demonstrated in willingness to risk loss
--
Super faith is demonstrated in total reliance on Christ's power (v. 7)

--Super faith is demonstrated in submission to Christ's authority (vv. 6-8)

--We are humbly submitted (vv. 6-7)

--We are fully trusting (vv. 7-8)

--We are carefully listening and obeying (v. 8)

--We are daily thanking

2. See God's strategy beyond your sorrow (vv. 2-11)

It is practical (vv. 2-3)

It is understandable (vv. 3-4)

It is unusual (vv. 5-11)

3. See character beyond appearance (vv. 6-12)

God's standards are not based on physical attributes (vv. 6-7)

God's standards are based on spiritual qualifications (v. 7)

He sees the right character (vv. 7, 1 Sam. 13:14)

You must make the right choices (vv. 7, 11)

4. See strength beyond weakness (vv. 13-18)

Spiritual anointing (v. 13)

Natural attributes (vv. 14-18)

Don't be rebellious to God's authoritative command (v. 1)

Don't be confused about God's clear command (v. 2-3)

Don't be doubtful
of God's severe command (v. 3)

2. Hear the voice of God's grief (v. 8-11)

3. Hear the voice
of man's choice
of disobedience
(v. 13-21)

We speak from self-delusion (v. 13-14)

We make excuses
(v. 15-21)

4. Hear the voice
of God's indictment of our disobedience (v. 22-24)

5. Hear the voice
of God's verdict
about our choices
(v 25-35)

There is no escaping the consequences (v. 26)

There is no escaping God's judgment
(v. 32-33)

2. When you overcome deficit living you deal with a lack of patience and faith concerning God's ways. (13:8-13)

FAITH - 
For All He Is I Take Him

FAITH
 - For All My Needs I Trust Him

FAITH - 
For All His Blessings I Thank Him

3. When you overcome deficit living you deal with a lack of conviction of sin. (13:11-14)

4. When you overcome deficit living you deal with a lack of human resources. (13:19-22; 14)


2. When there is kingdom renewal, there are court sessions and class lessons (12:6-13)

We are in court and plead a case. (vs. 6-7)

We are in class and learn lessons. (vs. 6-11)

We learn from God’s acts. (vs. 7, 8, 11)

We learn from God’s leaders. (vs. 6, 11)

We learn from others’ sins. (vs. 9, 10, 12)

3. When there is kingdom renewal, there is a challenge and a warning. (12:14-15)

God calls us to meet His conditions.

Fear and serve the Lord. (v. 14)

Listen to His voice.
(vs. 14-15)

Do not rebel and turn aside from following the Lord. (vs. 14, 15, 20, 21)


Do not pursue futile things. (v. 21)

To not meet God’s conditions is to experience the consequences.
(vs. 15, 19, 25)


4. When there is kingdom renewal, there are powerful miracles and vital ministries.
(vs. 16-25)

God may manifest His power in unique ways. (vs. 16-18)


God’s servant faithfully ministers to the people. (vs. 19, 23)


Samuel was committed to intercession for the people. (v. 23)


Samuel was committed to instruction of the people. (v. 23)


Samuel was committed to the glorification of God. (v. 24)

a. Reject a false view of success

b. Reject a false view of age

c. Reject a false view of security

d. Reject a false view of worship


2. Refer your challenges to
 God in prayer

a. We ask

b. When we ask, 
He answers

c. When He speaks,
 we listen

3. Remain steadfast regardless of your family's choices

a. Be realistic about their sins

b. Be repentant of your choices

c. Be reliant on your Heavenly Father

4. Rebuke the false promises of government

5. Rejoice in the King of Kings


2. How desperate are you to return to the Lord? (7:3-6)


a. There must be a removal of idols (Exodus 23:22-25)


b. There must be wholehearted devotion to God


i. Private and corporate prayer 
is offered


ii. Genuine surrender and symbolism is offered


In symbolism...
In seeking God...
In sacrifice


3. How serious must your challenges be to compel you to return to God? (7:7-13)


a. God acted with a storm of powerful judgment


b. People responded with a sign of merciful help

5:1-8)

A. His glory flowed in the channel of history and revelation

B. His glory was focused in a receptacle of worship

C. His glory is now focused in the "temples" of believers

2. Where is the glory? Sinners' idolatry is judged by God (5:1-6, 12)

A. Key Questions (1 Samuel 5)

i. Where shall we put it?

ii. What can we do to fix it?

iii. How can we get rid of it?

B. Great Confusion (1 Samuel 6)

i. They confused the exodus with their experience

ii. They confused generosity with idolatry

iii. They confused redemption with reparation

iv. They confused providence with chance

3. Where is the glory? Believers' disobedience is judged by God (6:13-15, 19-21)

A. They started on the right path of revival

B. They strayed from the path by irreverence


 A. We shouldn't 
act without a 
plan from God



B. We shouldn't 
act without the 
power of God


2. Rely on God's power instead of religious symbols and slogans (vv. 3-11)



A. Beware of misplaced 
confidence



B. Beware of misguided
 emotion



 C. Be aware of the need for prayer concerning the election


3. Demonstrate wise parenting instead of lazy permissiveness (vv. 12-18)



A. We are to be godly examples before our families in the power of the Spirit



i. Speak truth to your family



ii. Give moral direction



iii. Live an
honorable life



iv. Cultivate wisdom and understanding



v. Model godly ways



B. We are to pray 
on behalf of our children



i. Surrender your children to God



ii. Live the cross-life



iii. Pray for them

A. Be the right person

B. Be in the right place

C. Do the right things

i. Serve in the small things

ii. Hope in the silent times

2. We hear God's Word even though we may not understand all the details (vv. 4-9)

A. God's voice is quiet, gentle, and loving

B. God's voice gives time to understand

C. God's voice never suggests what is unholy, unscriptural, or unethical

D. God's voice works in harmony with His providence

E. God's voice is considerate of others

F. God's voice may not be recognized at first

G. We grow in discernment of His voice

3. We surrender to the Lord as well as pray to Him (vv. 8-21)

A. Good servants encourage further communication

B. Good servants wait before the Lord

C. Good servants report for duty

i. We shine God's lamp

ii. We speak God's truth

iii. We submit to God's call

iv. We honor God's Word

A. You reflect your spiritual "father" (Satan) and not know the Lord

B. You dishonor your high calling

i. You can dishonor the office that God appointed

ii. You can dishonor the offering that God requires

iii. You can dishonor the people whom God loves

C. You harden your heart

2. You can have the role of a parent and priest but not have the integrity and authority of a parent and priest

A. You can be a mixture of attempts to do right but with wrong results

i. You may rebuke without authority

ii. You may be old but without discernment

iii. You may have knowledge but without action

B. You may have a godly heritage but not God's honor

2. We Face Defining Moments in Our Lives

3. We Must Discover the Designer's Plan for Our Lives

A. God Designed us for Growth

i. Growth Stunts

ii. Growth Spurts

B. God Designed Us to be Dedicated to Him

1. Do we embrace Accurate Doctrine?

2. Do we engage in Admirable Works?

3. Do we exhibit Absolute Love?

II. Because God's Word Demands It

III. Because Discipleship Hinges Upon It

Pursuing Greatness

I. Persisting in the Great Commission

II. Producing Great Community

III. Prevailing Over Culture