1 Samuel 3:1-19
God Desires to Communicate with Us (1 Samuel 3:1-10)
Ways God Speaks to us:
The Holy Spirit– John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” How did you know you needed a relationship with Jesus Christ? You heard the Word of God and the Holy Spirit convicted you of your need for Christ! The Holy Spirit is guide.
His Word– Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Word directs us. God has shown every Christian that they should follow Him in the Great Commission, making disciples, in the Great Commandment, loving God and people.
His Church– God uses His people as a month piece for His glory. He uses accountability of fellowship, teachers, elders, pastors, and Christ-Centered friendships to mold and shape our maturity in Christ. We hear from God through God’s people. Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
His World– Romans 1:20 “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
God Delivers Consequences to Those Who Do Not Listen (1 Samuel 3:11-14)
Barriers to Hearing God:
Inexperience– 1 Samuel 3:7, as we mature in our relationship with Christ, we hear Him more.
Sin– 1 Samuel 2:29-30, Eli was honoring his sons over God! Eli’s two sons were taking the meat that was offered as a sacrifice and they literally got fat from it. God basically said in these verses that He will not use them as instruments for His glory! What do we do? We repent! Acts 3:19-20 “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” May we be refreshed and renewed by the presence of Christ!
Unwillingness– Ezekiel 12:2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.
Lack of Discipline– 1 Timothy 4:7 “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;” Billy Graham notes his longevity in ministry to a devoted quiet time with God through scripture and prayer. He disciplined himself to hear and speak to God!
God Deploys His People to Convey His Message (1 Samuel 3:15-18)
What happens if we are not obedient him God calls us to move? Peoples’ eternity is at stake isn’t it? Romans 10:14 “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”
God Delights in His Creation When We Communicate His Glory (1 Samuel 3:19-21)
Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Paul basically restates this in Romans chapter 10.
Steps to Hear from God
- Renew Your Mind– Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” What do you watch? What music do you listen to? What are the books you read? You feed what grows, you starve what needs to die.
- Read the Manual– (God’s Word)- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
- Reproduce the Message– Listen to a sermon or devotion with eagerness to reproduce it to someone else. Take notes. God speaks through His people. Satan hopes that you not hear any of this. He hopes that you are so busy on Saturdays that you do not get enough rest to eagerly listen to the sermon on Sundays. Satan wants you to be so busy that you feel you don’t have time to listen attentively. A pastor spends a lot of time in preparation study and prayer in order for you to be nourished, to hear from God! Seminary taught us that we should study one hour for every minute of our message. 2 Timothy 2:2 “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
- Resolve to Mature– Our number one goal in life should be to grow in our love and devotion to Christ, that when we hear Him, we respond with gratitude. We long to communion in our relationship with Christ! We long to mature in Him! John 10:27-28 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”