Sermon Notes
1 Samuel 12 – “Samuel’s Forecast”
Opening Illustration: Your Own Funeral
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Story: Funeral home fight — wife vs. girlfriend arguing over which beer to bury the man with.
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Imagine attending your own funeral.
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Your spouse speaks.
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Your children speak.
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A church member speaks.
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A coworker speaks.
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Question:
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Would you be at peace?
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Or nervous about what they might say?
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Setting the Scene
In 1 Samuel 12, Samuel stands before Israel and says:
“Here I am. Testify against me.”
This chapter is:
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A farewell address
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A public integrity audit
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A covenant renewal ceremony
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A revelation of God’s greatness
Samuel places himself on trial before calling the nation to repentance.
Big Question:
Could we do the same?
I. Remain Above Reproach (1 Samuel 12:1–5)
Samuel’s Public Examination
Samuel asks:
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Whose ox have I taken?
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Whom have I defrauded?
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From whose hand have I taken a bribe?
These were the very warnings given earlier in 1 Samuel 8 about what a worldly king would do.
The result?
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No accusations.
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No hidden scandals.
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No bribery.
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No oppression.
Principle:
If the messenger lacks integrity, the message loses authority.
Samuel brings himself under conviction before bringing Israel under conviction.
What Does “Above Reproach” Mean?
Not sinless perfection (that belongs only to Christ).
But a consistent pattern of integrity.
Definition:
The godly life you live matches the godly Word you proclaim.
Heart Application
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Parents cannot call children to obedience while living carelessly.
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Pastors cannot preach holiness while living in compromise.
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Christians cannot speak about Christ while walking in hidden sin.
Before we call others to repentance, we examine ourselves.
II. Remember God’s Past Grace (1 Samuel 12:6–11)
After clearing his name, Samuel raises a spiritual Ebenezer — a stone of remembrance.
He says:
“Stand still…”
He rehearses God’s righteous acts:
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Deliverance through Moses and Aaron.
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Rescue from Egypt.
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Judges raised up to save them.
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Repeated mercy when they cried out.
Why Does Samuel Do This?
Because we are forgetful people.
When we forget:
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We panic about the present.
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We doubt God’s care.
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We demand substitutes (like Israel demanding a king).
Israel asked for a king because they forgot they already had one.
Key Command:
“Stand still.”
Slow down.
Think.
Remember.
Gratitude grows where memory is cultivated.
Heart Application
Preach to yourself.
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Remember answered prayers.
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Remember forgiven sins.
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Remember seasons He carried you through.
Do not live with spiritual amnesia.
The Lord’s Table says:
“Do this in remembrance of Me.”
Memory strengthens present faith.
III. Revere the New Covenant (1 Samuel 12:12–25)
Samuel calls Israel to covenant renewal.
The Old Covenant Pattern
If you obey… it will be well.
If you rebel… judgment will come.
This framework appears throughout the Old Testament:
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Moses in Deuteronomy.
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Joshua at Shechem.
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Judges, prophets, and kings calling for covenant faithfulness.
The repeated cycle:
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Promise
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Failure
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Suffering
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Crying out
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Renewal
But We Read This Through a New Covenant Lens
The word “Testament” means covenant.
We live under the New Covenant promised in Book of Jeremiah 31:31–34:
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God writes His law on hearts.
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He forgives iniquity.
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He remembers sin no more.
At the Last Supper, Jesus said:
“This cup… is the new covenant in my blood.”
— Gospel of Luke 22:20
The Glory of the New Covenant
The Old Covenant said:
If you obey, you live.
The New Covenant declares:
Christ obeyed — therefore all who trust Him live.
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Where Israel failed, He obeyed.
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Where they broke covenant, He fulfilled it.
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He stepped into the “If.”
Obedience is not removed — it is transformed.
We do not obey to secure blessing.
We obey because blessing has been secured.
Heart Application
The Lord’s Supper is covenant renewal.
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Revere Christ.
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Honor the cross.
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Walk in obedience as worship, not fear.
No matter the cost — we are kept in Christ.