These are my sermon notes for Sunday morning, November 2. They’re not a full manuscript—just a listening guide for our Tabernacle Church family to help you follow along. I encourage you to add your own notes as you listen each week. The service will be available on YouTube by Sunday afternoon. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, our Prayer List, and more on our church website.
1 Samuel 5:1–12
Intro
- God has fulfilled His word of judgment to Eli and Israel.
- The ark is captured, Eli’s family is gone — yet God is still on His throne.
- He defeats His enemies and judges all who oppose Him.
- God will not share His glory—He alone is sovereign and worthy of worship.
God Defeats False Gods – vv. 1–5
- The Philistines place the ark in Dagon’s temple.
- God answers without words—Dagon falls face-down.
- The next day, Dagon’s head and hands are severed.
- Every rival god—ancient or modern—will fall before Him.
God Judges False Faith – vv. 6–12
- God’s hand grows heavy on Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron.
- Plagues, panic, and death spread through the land.
- The Philistines fear His power but never repent.
- They seek relief, not relationship with the Lord.
When the idols fall and false faith fails, one truth remains—God stands alone. (the exclusivity of God; monotheism)
- God Alone Is God — all idols fall before Him. Isaiah. 45:5
- God Alone Must Be Worshiped — He demands exclusive allegiance. Exodus. 20:3
- God Alone Saves — through Jesus Christ, our true Ark and Mediator. Acts 4:12
- God Alone Is One — Father, Son, and Spirit, eternally worthy of glory. Deut. 6:4; Matthew 28:19
The What Now
- Because He alone is God, lay down every idol; give Him your full allegiance.
- Because He alone saves, turn in repentance and trust in Christ.
- All idols fall, all rivals fade, all glory belongs to Him.
- Follow Him—today.