Change Is Necessary

Change Is Necessary
I Samuel 2:12, 17, 22-25
Pastor Terry Wilcox

The leaders of Israel would not change; therefore, God changed the leaders.
The people would not change; therefore, the story of chapters 4-6.

Observations from I Samuel 4

1. Philistines attacked because of Israel’s apostasy.
2. Israelites knew they needed God. I Samuel 4:3
3. Doing the right thing with the wrong people doesn’t solve the problem.
4. Winning requires more than shouting.

How Can We Change?

1. Let God in.
   Philippians 2:13
   John 16:7
2. Knowing the Word of God.
   Psalm 19:7
   Keep in mind, God and His Word work in harmony.
   Romans 15:4
   A few sentences later Paul asks God to change us.
   Romans 15:13
3. Wise people change us.
   Proverbs 13:20
   I Corinthians 15:33
4. Struggle and suffering change us.
   Hebrews 5:7-9
   James 1:2-4
   James 1:12
   I Peter 1:3-7
5. You change you.
   In his first letter to the Thessalonian Christians, Paul commends their faith and in verse 9 says, “They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”
   The verbs “turned and served” are continuous.
   The paradox is that we are 100% responsible and 100% dependent.

   Without change, we will perish.

Personal Notes