One of the most perplexing and often misunderstood questions that Christians (and non-Christians alike) wrestle with is this: What is God’s will for my life? Pastor Ron answers these questions in today's sermon.

In which Israel demands a king to rule over them and be like the pagan nations around them; thus, they reject Yahweh's as their King.

In which we study Samuel's role as a prophet, priest, and judge. He calls the nation to repentance and to put away the false gods from among them.

In which we study the Ark of God among the Philistines. When the Ark is brought into their pagan temple, the Lord destroys their god and He afflicts the Philistines with tumors and causes great suffering. Finally, the Philistines decide to send the Ark of God back to Israel.

Jesus teaches us not only how to pray, but how NOT to pray. He also teaches us whom to pray to and what to pray for. No better teacher of prayer than Jesus. After all, He is God. It behooves us to follow and apply His instructions on prayer. His first instructed shows us that we are to "hallow" His name when we pray. Pastor Ron explains this first …

In which we study the fulfillment of God's judgment against the house of Eli and the capturing of the Ark of the Lord by the Philistines.

The Laodicean church was indifferent to the things of God, They were lukewarm. Therefore, God was disgusted with them. He had no commendations for this church. He calls them to be zealous and repent.

In which Samuel issues his first prophecy, where God calls him to prophesy against Eli's household.

THe Church in Philadelphis was a faithful church because they held to the truths of Jesus despite the paganism surrounding them.

In which we study the corruption of Eli's sons contrasted with the faithfulness of the young Samuel. God announces judgment on Eli and his descendants. God is faithful to raise up a faithful high priest, who is ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

The Church in Sardis received the harshest reprimand from Christ because they were a dead church, though they appeared alive. They appeared to have it together, yet they were not. Christ has no commendations for them at all. Jesus had nothing good to say about this church!

In which we study Hannah's prayer, where she praises God for His sovereignty, provision, and answer to her prayer.

The Church in Thyatira, like the others, especially the church in Ephesus, had a lot going for it. They were growing spiritually, which is more important than growing numerically. However, they were tolerant, which is not a virtue. They tolerated sexual immorality and false teaching.

In which we study the plight of Hannah, the mother of Samuel. She is barren and in her anguish and bitterness, she cries out to God from her soul. The LORD hears and answers her prayer, and Samuel is born. She fulfills her vow to the LORD by giving Samuel to the LORD all the days of his life.

The Church in Pergamum was one who was faithful to the Truth of Christ, but also compromised the truth of Christ. This church was faithful, but worldly. If the Ephesian church was guilty of elevating truth above love, the church at Pergamum had elevated love above truth.

Ruth and Boaz marry.

Faithfulness and enduring hardship are one of the hallmarks of a Biblical church. The Church in Smyrna was one who endured tribulation and hardship. They persevered. We must do the same.

Ruth's redemption is assured by Boaz. Boaz essentially chooses her as his wife.

The Church in Ephesus had a lot going for it. They were strong in defending the church against false teaching and false apostles. They did not tolerate sin. They worked hard and persevered, enduring hardships. They were strong and busy. However, they were cold in the worst way: toward God.

In this chapter, Ruth works to provide food for herself and Naomi, her mother-in-law, by gleaning wheat in Boaz's field. Providentially, she meets Boaz for the first time.

It is a good practice for Christians to commend other believers who are co-laborers with them in doing Christian work.

Christians are called to live in the watching world in a way that brings glory to Christ.

Elimelech's family goes to Moab to escape famine. He and his two sons die, leaving his wife Naomi and her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah as widows. THis is the setting for the first chapter, where Ruth, a Moabitess, will confess faith in the God of Israel.

Christian employees are called to a higher standard in the workplace. All Christian work is to be done from the heart to the Lord. We do this because we are in Christ and He is Supreme over our lives.

The book of Judges ends tragically, with a war between Benjamin and the other eleven tribes of Israel. The moral degradation of Israel is on full display because God was not honored as King and they did not have an authority over them.

Christ's supremacy should be evident in the Christian family, and it is exemplified in the relationship between children and parents.

The effectual work of Christ in the life of the believer governs the way we live in the home, beginning with biblical marriage.

In which the Levite took for himself a concubine, and she is subsequently men of the city of Gibeah violate her. She subsequently dies. The Levite and the concubine's father are complicit in her rape and death.

In which we study the sin of idolatry involving Micah, the Levite, and the Danites.

In the Church, Prioritize the Peace of Christ, Prioritize Gratitude to Christ, Prioritize the Word of Christ, and Prioritize the Reputation of Christ.

As Christ's special people, we are to put on Christlike characteristics. The greatest of these characteristics is love.

Mortification of sinful desires and sinful actions is a lifelong endeavor for the Christian. God, through the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit's indwelling, empower us to put sin to death.

Through Samson, God destroys the Philistines.

One of the implications of the supremacy of Christ in the life of the believer is actively putting sinful desires to death.

In this chapter, Samson's lust continues to draw him into conflict with the Philistines. He visits a prostitute and then begins his relationship with Delilah, a Philistine. The consequences of his actions place him in captivity to the Philistines.

The antidote to carnal Christianity is to live in light of and be empowered by the work of Christ.

In this chapter, God uses Samson's desire for a Philistine woman, which violated God's command and his Nazarite vow, to bring judgment on the Philistines.

In Part 2 of this passage, we look at five principles that are highlighted as it relates to the believers' completeness in Christ. Because we are complete in Him, we are spiritually circumcised and spiritually alive. Because of this reality, we are not to let anyone judge and condemn us or lead us into legalism. Our sufficiency is in Christ.…

Samson, now a grown man, asks his parents to arrange for him to marry a Philistine girl he saw in a nearby town. Also, Samson slays a lion with his bare hands and devised a riddle. The passage then turns to his wedding celebration.

Believers are made spiritually alive by God, not by following man-made regulations.

The Angel of the Lord, the pre-Incarnate Christ, appears to Samson's parents. He was chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from bondage to the Philistines.

Man’s philosophy and human traditions are no match for knowledge of God through Christ.

The elders of Gilead seek out Jephthah to lead them against the Ammonites. After the victory, the Ephraimites are upset because they were not included in the battle. A conflict arises between Gilead and Ephraim, which ends tragically.

Gospel ministry is not one of ease and comfort, but one of sacrificial service.

In this Bible study, Israel falls into apostasy once again, this time for 18 years. They call out to the Lord, but they did not receive immediate deliverance. However, Israel put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord, and the Lord had mercy on Israel.

In this sermon, we will answer four questions from this passage: 1) Who is the agent in our reconciliation? 2) What was man’s estate before receiving Christ? 3) How can man be reconciled to God? 4) What does reconciliation do for the Christian? 5) Application: How is reconciled man to live?

In this Bible study, Abimelech assumes power after the death of his father, Gideon. The results are disastrous. He was the anti-deliverer and oppressor of the people, unlike Christ, who delivers those who are oppressed by sin and its misery and condemnation.

Christ is supreme over all and worthy of our worship.

After the victory of his 300-man army, Gideon subdues the Midianites, dishonors the priestly office with his ephod, which leads Israel back into idolatry, and after he dies, Israel Israel committed apostasy.

Paul’s prayer in this passage demonstrates what a person who has faith in Christ looks like. Faith in Christ is at the root of a thankful heart. Those with faith in Christ give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 3). That thanksgiving is shown in many areas by Paul in vv. 3-8.