West Side Church of Christ - Elkton Ky

• Begins by appreciating song leaders for their challenging role.
• Introduces the idea of chemistry—mixing elements to achieve desired results.
• Transitions to the theme of power and danger, using chlorine trifluoride (ClF₃) as an illustration.

• Describes ClF₃ as a hypergolic oxidizer—ignites on contact with almost anything, even asbestos.
• Story: A 2,000-lb cylinder ruptured in Shreveport, LA; it burned through 12" of concrete and 36" of gravel.
• Only controllable by removing oxygen—impossible during a fire.
• Though dangerous, it’s essential in semiconductor manufacturing where nothing else works better.
• Lesson: Used properly, it’s safe and useful; used wrongly, it’s catastrophic.
• Analogy: Power equals potential danger (e.g., guns vs. Nerf guns).

• Raises the central question:

• “Is God powerful? Yes. But is God dangerous?”

• Answer: It depends on how you treat Him.
• Misusing God—treating Him as a tool or token—can be deadly.

• Israel loses to the Philistines, then decides to bring the Ark of the Covenant into battle as a good-luck charm.
• God does not bless their superstition—Israel is defeated again, 30,000 die, the Ark is captured, and Eli’s sons die.
• Lesson: You can’t use God for your own purposes.
• Modern example: People who only pray “when they need a favor” (Jelly Roll’s song lyric).
• Emotional appeal: How do you feel when someone uses you? God feels indignation too (Psalm 7:11 ESV — “God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.”)

• The Philistines put the Ark in the temple of Dagon.
  • Next morning, Dagon’s statue falls face-down.
  • Next day, its head and hands are cut off.
• God demonstrates His supremacy over idols.
• Insight: God becomes a “stumbling block” to those who reject Him (1 Peter 2:8).
• Application: The wicked destroy themselves on God’s truth—“The wicked flee when no one pursues” (Proverbs 28:1 ESV).

• When the Ark is returned, the men of Beth-shemesh look inside and 70 die.
• Even curiosity and carelessness toward God’s holiness are judged.
• Reminder: God’s grace allows mistakes, but not flippancy.
• Reference: Romans 6:1 ESV — “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!”

• The Ark sits unused in Kiriath-jearim for 20 years.
• During that time Israel falls into idolatry and chaos.
• Finally, Samuel calls them to repent and serve God only.
• They obey, fast, and pray.
• God thunders against the Philistines and gives victory.
• Samuel sets up a stone of remembrance called Ebenezer, meaning “Till now the LORD has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12 ESV).

• Encourages everyone to take a physical stone home as a reminder:

• “Till now the LORD has helped us.”

• Place it where you struggle most—car, desk, home—as a visible sign of God’s help.
• Reminder: If God has helped us till now, He will continue to do so if we remain faithful.

• God is powerful, and misused power is dangerous.
• But when we honor Him rightly, His power protects, delivers, and comforts.
• 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 ESV — “Blessed be the God... of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction.”
• Invitation to respond—receive comfort, repent, or renew faith.

Power becomes danger when misused. God’s power is life-giving only when we approach Him with obedience, reverence, and humility.