A Tender Heart

Weekly Update – January 26th, 2023

As we have been in 1 Samuel for the last few weeks, we have begun to see this contrast between those who are prideful verses those who are humble.  On the one hand, you have the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, who were treating their role as God’s priests with contempt (1 Sam. 2:17).  They were taking advantage of the sacrifices offered by the faithful in Israel (1 Sam. 2:16) as well as taking advantage of those who were seeking to serve the Lord at the entrance of His place (1 Sam. 2:22).  On the other hand, you had Samuel.  Samuel was quietly serving the Lord and consistently fulfilling his calling (1 Sam. 2:11, 2:21, 2:26, 3:1, 3:19).  As a result, the Lord says, “…those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed” (1 Sam. 2:30). 

What is it that separates Samuel from the sons of Eli?  Yes, their actions were completely different.  Hophni and Phinehas were bold and blatant in their disobedience, testifying to their pride.  Whereas Samuel was obedient and faithful, testifying to his humility.  I submit to you that the difference between them was not merely shown in their actions though, but that their actions ultimately stemmed from the heart.  As scripture is clear, “out of the heart of man come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:21-22), for from the heart “flow springs of life” (Prov. 4:23).  That means that the question for us is not, how can I make sure my actions display humility over pride, but instead we should ask, how can I seek to have a tender heart?  Let me suggest three ways.

First, Set your mind on things above (Col. 3:1).  Jesus is clear throughout the gospels that we cannot serve two masters, for we will inevitably end up loving one and hating the other (Matt. 6:24).  That is why Peter tells us to prepare our minds and remain sober minded (1 Pet. 1:13).  For if we find ourselves consumed with the ways of the world, pursuing the pleasures of this life, we run the risk of falling into spiritual drunkenness.  Then, “When the heart is filled with the pleasures of this life” as Richard Sibbes says, “it is not sensible of any judgment that hangs over the head.”  This was clear with Hophni and Phinehas, as they were ultimately killed by God in their pride (1 Sam. 2:34, 4:11).  Therefore, seek the Lord, be faithful in prayer and in His word, study the attributes of God, and do not find your heart set on the things of this world.  

Second, Remember Jesus Christ.  Though you may gain the whole world, it will not profit your soul (Mark 8:36).  To often the temptation that comes to us, is similar to the one that came to the author of Ecclesiastes.  That temptation is to find fulfillment in wisdom (1:13), pleasure and self-indulgence (2:2), wealth (2:7), and work (2:20), but ultimately all of these pursuits leave us unfulfilled.  Hophni and Phinehas show us this in the progression of their pride, as their sin against God progresses in their attempt to fulfill their unfulfilled heart desires (1 Sam. 2:13-14, 2:16, 2:22).  The solution, remember Jesus Christ!  He is the point of this life.  He is the one who satisfies the hopes and desires of the heart.  For as George Whitfield preached, “He (Jesus) is the glory of heaven, the darling of eternity, admired by angels, dreaded by devils and adored by saints.”  In the moments when you find your heart drifting, remember Jesus Christ.

Third, Flee from sin.  James 1:14-15 says, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”  Sin is never one random act.  It either builds upon a previous thought or leads to a greater action.  That means that one sin may not harden a tender heart, but it will begin to slowly deaden it.  From there, a heart that continues to deaden will eventually turn hard. Then, before you know it, to quote Sibbes again, our “hearts are so hardened, that (we) go on from sin to sin.”  Therefore “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22).

When considering the fate of Hophni and Phinehas, a hardened heart should be a scary thing.  What is worse is that their hearts were so hard that, in their blindness, they were kept from seeing the destruction that lay right before them.  Therefore, seek the things above, remember Jesus Christ, and flee from your sin, as you strive to have a heart that is tender before the Lord. 

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—"
- Philippians 3:9

Announcements:

Leadership Nominations: This Sunday, there will be an insert in the bulletin, as well as extra inserts available in the welcome center, for you to fill out to recommend men to serve as elders and deacons in the church. You can return these inserts to the church office or by placing them in the offering boxes in the welcome center or front foyer. The final Sunday to turn in nominations is January 29th.

Membership Matters Class: Beginning Wednesday, January 18th at 6:30pm, there will be a Membership Matters class for those interested in joining FBC. This 4 week class (1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8) will be held in the sanctuary. You can find out more about our membership process HERE. 

Ladies’ Brunch and Crafting: Ladies of the church are invited to the Diaz home for a potluck brunch and crafting at 10am on Saturday, January 28th. More information can be found HERE.

Home Groups: New home groups will be forming on Sunday, February 5th. Sign up in the hallway to be a part of a group. The sign up sheet is to express interest in home groups. We will then talk to you about what group you would like to be in. There will be at least 4 groups this spring. You can find more information about home groups HERE.

Bible Study: The Women’s Bible Study will be held in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30pm on Tuesdays, beginning February 21st. Sheryl Nelson will lead Jen Wilkin’s study “Abide.”

Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are still needed during the 10:30am nursery time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over the world who are serving with the International Mission Board (IMB). Our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $10,000. So far, we have raised $8,687.41. If you haven’t already, will you consider partnering with us by giving, as we seek to support international missions? You can give on Sunday mornings through one of our offering boxes located in the foyer or the welcome center. Just mark your envelop as “missions” or “Lottie Moon.” Or you can give online HERE. Choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.

Awana

Join us for Awana Bible Clubs on Wednesday nights. Dinner is at 6:00pm and Awana Clubs are from 6:30-8:00pm.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. War of Words will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of Joel, Amos, and Obadiah will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the Old Testament will meet in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups will start back up in February. They typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE.