Podcast Summary: The Ebenezer Principle | Jentezen Franklin at Free Chapel (September 8, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this passionate sermon, Pastor Jentezen Franklin explores "The Ebenezer Principle," drawing lessons from the biblical account in 1 Samuel where Israel experiences both devastating defeat and miraculous victory at a place called Ebenezer. Using the symbolism of memorial stones, Franklin encourages listeners to recognize, remember, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, especially in the face of past failures and current uncertainties. The episode is rich with biblical insights, personal anecdotes, and encouragement for building faith amid life's battles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Setting & Story of Ebenezer

• Israel’s Defeat at Ebenezer ([01:05–11:18])
  • Pastor Franklin recounts Israel's grave defeat by the Philistines at Ebenezer, where 34,000 soldiers die, the Ark is captured, and the high priest’s family is decimated. The naming of a child "Ichabod" signifies the departure of God’s glory.
  • “This child has lost everything. It’s the worst defeat. It's terrible. The glory has departed.” ([09:14] – Franklin)
• God’s Self-sufficiency & Defense of Israel
  • Even as the Ark is taken, God displays His sovereignty by defeating the Philistine gods—demonstrating that He needs no human defense:
    • “Israel’s God is more than capable of defending himself.” ([11:20])
    • “You will not beat God. He knows how to defend Israel every time. God will win.” ([12:05])

2. The Return & Redemption at Ebenezer

• The Ark Returns, Prayer & Repentance ([12:21–13:56])
  • Samuel calls Israel to repentance; as they pray, God moves and the Ark is returned. Samuel marks the moment by erecting a stone—Ebenezer—as a memorial to God’s help.
• The Ebenezer Principle Explained ([13:59–16:40])
  • The word “Ebenezer” means “stone of help.” It marks both Israel’s deepest defeat and, later, their stunning victory, showing how God redeems even the worst places of our lives.
    • “The exit of God's presence... was marked by one word, Ichabod. But the reentry... was memorialized by one word, Ebenezer. Up to this point, the Lord has helped me.” ([15:28–15:46])
    • “God turned the same place that had been their greatest defeat into their greatest victory.” ([16:19])

3. The Power of Testimony & Remembrance

• Setting Up Memorials of God’s Faithfulness ([13:59–18:23])
  • Franklin likens the biblical memorial stones to the testimonies and memory markers in our own lives and churches.
    • “If those walls could talk... they would have to say, truly, God has done everything he promised he would do.” ([06:05])
• The Testimony of Hitherto
  • “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” becomes the refrain—recognizing God’s help up to “this moment.”
    • “All I can tell you is this... hitherto, which means up to this point... the Lord has helped me.” ([14:42–15:07])
  • Emphasis on living in gratitude for how far God’s brought us, instead of anxiety over the future.

4. Jesus as Our Ultimate Stone of Help

• Connecting Old & New Testaments ([21:01–22:19])
  • Franklin connects Ebenezer to Jesus as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19–20; Acts 4:11) in the New Testament.
    • “I have Jesus and He is my Ebenezer under the new covenant.” ([22:14])
    • “We too have a place where our sins had caused us to see the glory of God depart... but when we prayed and repented... the glory came back and Jesus Christ became our Ebenezer stone.” ([22:54])

5. God’s Blessing upon House & Legacy

• David’s Humility & God’s Generosity ([24:14–26:45])
  • Franklin recalls David’s desire to build God a house, and God’s greater blessing in establishing David’s lineage—reminding listeners that God honors both our desires and obedience.
    • “When you build my house, I'll build your house. When you bless my house, I'll bless your house.” ([25:10])
    • “Who am I, Lord God... that you have brought me to this place?” ([26:29])
    • Encourages humility and appreciation for God’s favor: “Who am I to get to praise the Lord? Who am I to get to sit at Free Chapel on Sunday morning in God’s presence?” ([27:18])

6. Personal Application & Encouragement

• Facing Obstacles & Remembering Help ([28:32–30:55])
  • Listeners are reminded to focus on God’s past faithfulness instead of worrying about tomorrow.
    • “All I know is I've got strength for the day... and I'm going to let God be God tomorrow.” ([29:01])
• “Up to This Point...” as a Mantra for Faith
  • “All I had to do was just say, Lord, up to this point... every phase, you have helped me.” ([32:18])
  • Even amid personal and family struggles, Franklin testifies to God’s faithfulness:
    • “Now they all love the Lord... I should have said during the middle of all that, hitherto the Lord has helped us.” ([33:54])
• A Prophetic Word for Listeners ([37:02–38:19])
  • Shares 1 Samuel 11:9: "Tomorrow, by the time the sun be hot, you shall have help." Encourages faith that God brings deliverance at just the right time:
    • “God sometimes lets stuff get hot. But He said, I won’t put more on you than you’re able to bear. And by the time it gets hot... you shall have help.” ([37:45–38:19])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Unchanging Jesus:
  “The one constant in my life is Jesus. Jesus never changes. He’s good. He was good yesterday. He’s good today, and He’ll be faithful and good tomorrow.” ([00:37])
• On God’s Sovereignty in Defeat & Victory:
  “God turned the same place that had been their greatest defeat into their greatest place of victory.” ([16:19])
• On Testimony:
  “We are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.” ([14:21]) “Encourage yourself. The Lord has helped me.” ([16:32])
• On Generational Legacy:
  “You don’t know what God’s doing even in generations from now. You just need to set up a memorial.” ([29:36])
• Personal Humility:
  “Who am I that a king would bleed and die for? Who am I, and who is my family that God would call my family and use my family?” ([28:13])

Major Timestamps for Reference

• [00:37–01:05] - The unchanging nature of Jesus
• [03:00–07:00] - The biblical context of Ebenezer and memorial stones
• [09:14] - The loss at Ebenezer, the child Ichabod, and the sense of utter defeat
• [11:18–12:19] - God defeats the Philistines' idols; Israel's unique relationship to God
• [13:59–14:55] - Establishing the stone called Ebenezer and its significance
• [15:28–16:32] - Transformation of defeat to victory; hitherto the Lord has helped
• [21:01–22:19] - Transition to the New Testament: Jesus as the chief cornerstone
• [24:14–27:18] - David’s heart for God’s house, God’s generational blessings
• [32:18–34:28] - Franklin’s personal testimony on family and faithfulness
• [37:33–38:19] - Prophetic encouragement: “Tomorrow… you shall have help.”

Overall Takeaway

Jentezen Franklin’s message on the Ebenezer Principle invites listeners to look back and recognize God’s help “up to this very moment” and to anchor their faith for the future on His demonstrated faithfulness. The sermon weaves together biblical history, personal story, and practical encouragement, culminating in the challenge to make remembrance, gratitude, and memorializing God’s help a regular practice—no matter what tomorrow may bring.

Key Action for Listeners:
Reflect on the “stones of help” in your life—moments when God brought you through—and declare in faith, “Up to this point, the Lord has helped me.”