Samuel Series

Samuel

Never seen before in 2024!

Maybe today we could say never heard before in 2024 – which is about hearing the voice of God in a day when few hear it or even listen to it! Our time is no different than in Samuels young years.

Thesis: Samuel tuned in to God at age 12! When everyone else tuned Him out because in those days everyone was doing was right in their own eyes! We need to make sure our heart and mind are tuned in to God. Samuel tuned into God at a young age while Eli and his sons tuned God! Sadly, most of the nation of Israel had tuned God out and tuned into idol worship.

Samuel who tuned into God at a young age teaches us what could happen if in our lives we tune into God’s Word and voice.

Samuel is known for the following:

His miraculous birth.

His dedication to the Temple and to God at a young age by his mother Hannah. Eli recognizes God’s call on Samuel.

His hearing the voice of God at 12 years old.

His speaking the Word of the Lord to Eli at 12 declaring the judgment of God on Eli’s family and losing their designated role in the temple.

He was the last judge of Israel.

He was the first prophet of Israel.

He replaced Eli as priest and the representative of God in the temple.

He is known for starting the school of the prophets in his time.

He called Israel to forsake sin and return to God.

He was a historian of Israel.

He anointed the first two kings of Israel.

Today I want to focus on tuning into God and the Holy Spirit. Let me express tuning into the call of God and the voice of God!

Scripture Texts: 1 Samuel 1-4

1 Samuel 1 – Highlight

1 Samuel 2:12

“Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord.”

1 Samuel 2:29-30

29Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’ 30“Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and your father’s house would minister before me forever.’ But now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.

1 Samuel 3:1-10:

1The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. 2One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

I would like you to learn this phrase “Speak, for your servant is listening!” Everyone please repeat this phrase for me! “Speak, your servant is listening!”

1 Samuel 3:19-21

“The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.”

1 Samuel 4: 12-18

12That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh, his clothes torn and dust on his head. 13When he arrived, there was Eli sitting on his chair by the side of the road, watching, because his heart feared for the ark of God. When the man entered the town and told what had happened, the whole town sent up a cry. 14Eli heard the outcry and asked, “What is the meaning of this uproar?” The man hurried over to Eli, 15who was ninety-eight years old and whose eyes were set so that he could not see. 16He told Eli, “I have just come from the battle line; I fled from it this very day.” Eli asked, “What happened, my son?” 17The man who brought the news replied, “Israel fled before the Philistines, and the army has suffered heavy losses. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” 18When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken, and he died, for he was an old man and heavy. He had led Israel forty years.”