Pastors: Be Careful.

There is a sobering layer to the story of Eli and Hannah that often gets overlooked.

When Hannah entered the house of the Lord broken and praying silently before God, Eli completely misread the moment. He saw her moving lips, her emotional distress, and her unusual behavior, and immediately assumed the worst. He accused her of being drunk rather than discerning that she was spiritually burdened.

That misunderstanding was not merely a personal mistake—it revealed something deeper happening within Eli himself.

By the time we encounter Eli in 1 Samuel, there are already signs of spiritual dullness around his leadership and household. His sons were living in rebellion against God, abusing their priestly position, dishonoring worship, and taking advantage of people. Eli knew about their behavior, yet he failed to deal with it decisively.

In many ways, Eli had become accustomed to outward religion while slowly losing spiritual sensitivity.

And that is one of the dangers for spiritual leaders.

It is possible to work around holy things and yet stop truly discerning what God is doing.

A pastor can become:

• busy but not spiritually attentive,

• active but not discerning,

• religious but not sensitive to the Spirit,

• surrounded by ministry yet disconnected from the deeper movement of God.

Eli looked at Hannah through the lens of assumption rather than discernment.

Instead of asking:

“Could this woman be crying out to God?”

he concluded:“She must be drunk.”

How tragic that a priest standing near the altar could not recognize genuine desperation before God.

And yet, if we are honest, that danger still exists today.

Sometimes churches misread broken people.

Sometimes spiritual leaders become more skilled at managing appearances than discerning hearts.

Sometimes hurting people are judged before they are understood.

Hannah teaches us that true spiritual hunger does not always look polished.

Sometimes prayer looks like tears.

Sometimes worship sounds like silence.

Sometimes faith appears as a broken person barely holding on while still crying out to God.

And what Eli initially missed, God immediately recognized.

God saw:

• Hannah’s anguish,

• her sincerity,

• her surrender,

• and her faith.

There is also a warning here for pastors, church leaders, and believers alike:

If we are not spiritually attentive, we may completely miss what God is doing right in front of us.

Eli almost dismissed the very woman through whom God would raise up Samuel—the prophet who would

eventually speak to a spiritually drifting nation.

Ironically, while Eli’s own sons were spiritually corrupt, Hannah’s future son would become one of Israel’s

greatest spiritual leaders.That contrast is powerful.

One household had religious position without spiritual depth.

The other had brokenness that led to surrender before God.

And perhaps that is one of the greatest lessons in this story:

God is often at work in the hearts of humble, praying, broken people long before religious systems recognize it.

The spiritually tuned heart sees what others overlook.

Blessed To Be A Blessing: Gifts From God

This message is based on a sermon series. I am preaching at Lancaster Wesleyan Church.

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Scripture: Ephesians 4:11–16; 1 Corinthians 12:12–26

Theme: We are blessed as empowerment through spiritual gifts

Theme Verse:
“To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…” — Ephesians 4:12

We Are Blessed to Give

We continue in the series “Blessed to Be a Blessing,” and this week we focus on a powerful truth:

God has gifted you—not just to receive—but to give.

These gifts are not random. They are intentionally given by the Holy Spirit and empowered by God’s grace. Every believer has been entrusted with something meaningful—something designed to build up the body of Christ.

More Than Buildings—God Is Building People

Recently, we gathered for our Local Church Conference. Like many annual meetings, it included reports, decisions, and elections. But something stood out this year—God has been at work among us.

We’ve seen:

• Renovations
• Safety improvements
• Heating and air repairs
• Lighting upgrades
• Parsonage updates
• Technology improvements

These are important. They reflect stewardship and care for God’s house.

But we must remember this:

Buildings matter… but people matter more.

God is not just concerned with what we build—He is deeply invested in who we are becoming.

God Equips Every Believer for a Purpose

In Ephesians 4, we are reminded that God gives gifts not for performance, but for purpose—not for applause, but for assignment.

You are not saved to sit. You are saved to serve.

God equips His people so that they can actively participate in His work. He empowers us so that we can engage in ministry that makes an eternal difference.

Gifts Are Meant to Grow

Spiritual gifts are like seeds.

You don’t admire seeds—you plant them.
You don’t store seeds—you sow them.

And when they are planted, they produce life.

That means your gifts are not meant to stay hidden or unused. They are meant to be shared, cultivated, and multiplied for God’s glory.

You Are Uniquely Designed

You are unique.
You are special.
You are the only you.

And only you can accomplish what God has specifically called you to do.

There is no replacement for your role in the body of Christ.

The Urgency of Life

Scripture reminds us of something we often avoid:

Life is short. Life is fragile. Life moves quickly toward death.

James writes, “What is your life? It is a vapor…”

Here for a moment—and then gone.

The Psalms echo the same truth: life is like grass or flowers that fade quickly.

This reality became very personal to me recently with the passing of my father. In those moments, gifts were given—flowers, wind chimes—beautiful expressions of love and care.

But they also pointed to something deeper:

Life does not last forever.
Death is not theoretical—it is certain.

What Will Last?

There is an old saying:

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

That truth invites a deeper question:

Am I using what God has given me… before it’s too late?

Every Believer Matters

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul describes the church as a body. It’s a powerful image—because every part matters.

Even the parts that seem small.
Even the parts that go unnoticed.

Consider something simple: your pinky finger. It may seem insignificant, but it contributes greatly to your grip strength. Without it, your hand is weaker.

Or try holding something without your thumb—you quickly realize how essential it is.

The same is true in the church.

You may feel small… but you are not insignificant.

Your role matters.
Your presence matters.
Your gift matters.

God Uses Available People

Actress Patricia Heaton once reflected humbly:

“I’m an idiot too… but God can use me.”

That statement captures a powerful truth:
God does not use perfect people—He uses available people.

Empowered by the Spirit

The New Testament uses the word dýnamis for power—the same root from which we get the word dynamite.

That’s the kind of power God places within believers.

Not destructive power—but transformational power.

Power to serve.
Power to love.
Power to build His kingdom.

Why Wait?

We often hear the question: “Are you an organ donor?”

Because even after death, a person can still give life to others.

But that raises a deeper question:

Why wait until death to make an impact?
Why not give life while you are still living?

Use What God Has Given You

When spiritual gifts go unused, they don’t disappear—but they do become:

• Dormant
• Weak
• Ineffective

Like muscles, they must be exercised to grow stronger.

We are not called to sit on the sidelines.
We are called to step into the game.

You Were Made to Go

Scripture says:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”

Even your feet carry purpose.

Every step you take can carry the message of hope.

Interestingly, nearly a quarter of the bones in your body are in your feet—designed for movement, for balance, for going.

That’s not accidental.

You were designed to move—to go—to carry the Gospel.

A Clear Call

So here is the challenge:

• Discover your gift
• Develop your gift
• Deploy your gift

Because the truth remains:

You are blessed… to be a blessing.

Benediction

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make His face shine on you
and be gracious to you.”
— Numbers 6:24–26