Bible Text: 1 Samuel 7:3-17 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship | “Return to God!” 1 Samuel 7
Intro: I would like to ask you a question this morning which demands an honest answer. As Christ followers, have we ever been guilty of ignoring God? Let me ask a followup question. Have we been guilty of living a sloppy life at times as Christ followers? Can we admit before God that when we fall into a season of ignoring Him, we find ourselves getting deeper and deeper into trouble spiritually?

As we look at the history of Israel in the Old Testament, we see this pattern over and over again from God’s people. In the New Testament, we also see this pattern in the Apostle Peter, and certainly in some of the churches. I would like to suggest, that if you and I are honest, we have experienced this pattern at times in our lives. So, I invite you this morning to investigate this passage in 1 Samuel 7. This passage gives us valuable insights as to the only way to get out of spiritual trouble.

This passage reveals to us the actions which should be present in our lives in order to get out of spiritual trouble and return to God.

1. We Should Actively Prayer and Fasting
2. We Should Be Confessing and Repenting
1. Illust:
I Surrender
1.
In his book I Surrender, Patrick Morley writes that the church’s integrity problem is in the misconception “that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior.” He goes on to say, “It is revival without reformation, without repentance.”
Quoted in John The Baptizer, Bible Study Guide by C. Swindoll, p. 16
3. We Should Willing Deal With Idols
4. We Should Stand On Our Rock (Jesus Christ)

Closing: I would like to suggest to you that this is the way you and I can prepare our hearts for personal revival and renewal. I would also like to suggest that this is the way to prepare ourselves corporately for revival, renewal, and intimacy with God.