Title: When God Speaks
Theme: Understanding how to hear the voice of God
Text: 1 Samuel 3:1 - 10
1 Samuel 3:1-10 Then the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. (2) And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, (3) and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle [10] of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, (4) that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, "Here I am!" (5) So he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." And he said, "I did not call; lie down again." And he went and lay down. (6) Then the Lord called yet again, "Samuel!" So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." He answered, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." (7) (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.) (8) And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. Then he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you did call me." Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. (9) Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (10) Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears."
Review
Last week as we looked at the first verse of this passage we discovered the importance of vision. Israel had had no vision (revelation) from the Lord. It was rare in those days. Probably because of the sinful condition of the nation. Judges (the book before here) gives us a glimpse in the plight of the nation:
Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Why?
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct [3] your paths.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
A king in the land would be a person of vision and direction. They would hopefully be a person who can hear from God and be directed by God. In the nation of Israel there were some who did this: like King David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah, Jeroboam, etc. There were some who did not like: Rehoboam, Ahab, Manasseh,
This usually came through the priest and the prophets of God. These men of God would be the voice of God for advice. We see this in Elijah, Nathan, Elisha, etc.
This was rare in the land. Even though there was a priest in the land. The priest name was Eli. We will talk more about him later on.
So God raised up a prophet that would listen to his voice. It all begins right here. The chosen miracle child of Hannah. Became a man of purpose who could hear the voice of God.
It is one of the toughest challenges we face today. Common question asked, “How do I hear God?” or even a deeper question, “How do I know the will of God?”
Last Sunday we talked about how getting revelation of God opens us up or bring breakthrough in our life. We see things so clearer. Now God does not give us all the answers but we now have direction and purpose.
So, “How do we hear the voice of God?” The was Samuel’s challenge. This morning I want to glean some principles when hearing the voice of God.
I. Location Location Location
It is interesting how this story plays out. Samuel was in the temple of God. He was “sleeping in the temple of God where the ark was”. The ark represented the presence of God and that is where Samuel wanted to be.
Vision Illustration
Based on an article from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “A person with 20/20 vision can see what an average individual can see on an eye chart when they are standing 20 feet away”. The term 20/20 vision, or normal vision, is the goal when using corrective lens; “however, 20/20 vision is not perfect vision”. This vision measurement, determined by an eye chart, is all based on the distance a person can see compared to the distance a person with normal vision can see. When it comes to vision, distance can make a huge difference in how one sees.
Have you ever considered how the space between you and God can affect the way you see the world?
Consider Obed-edom
Obed learned to be connected to the ark. He and his family became door keepers and musicians to stay close to the ark.
David heard that Obed-edom was being blessed.
2Sa 6:12 Now it was told King David, saying, "The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness.
So he once again picked himself up and went after the ark. This time it was God’s way. This time it was not about David but it was about God. This time with just a few priest he offered up a sacrifice every few feet that they walked. Six paces then sacrifice. Six paces then sacrifice.
James 4:8
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
II. Removing the hinderances which causes distance
As distance can be a hinderance. There was another hinderance. That is sin. Eli was a priest of God who should have been receiving the revelation of God. Yet he could not. Why? I believe he tolerated sin. The sins of his sons.
1 Samuel 2:22-29 Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, [9] and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. (23) So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. (24) No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the Lord's people transgress. (25) If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?" Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the Lord desired to kill them. (26) And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men. (27) Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, "Thus says the Lord: 'Did I not clearly reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? (28) Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire? (29) Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?'
Sin of Omission
James 4:17 declares, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
1. Sin Eph 4:26-27
Ephesians 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: (27) Neither give place to the devil.
When we sin we give a place or foothold to the devil. When we allow sin in our life we lose focus on and Satan begins to clog the channel. We can’t hear the voice of God.
“Just as forgiveness cleans us up, sin clogs us up.”
Psalms 66:18 tells us “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: “ Just as much we will also not hear God. Sin is one of the major hindrances to hearing God.
John Bunyan once wrote “Prayer will make a man cease from sin or sin will make a man cease from prayer”.
James 4:8
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
III. Speaking to God
We must speak to God. We must pray but we must ask God. This is the relationship.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 Rejoice always, (17) pray without ceasing, (18) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (19) Do not quench the Spirit.
Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
This takes a step of faith. This means that we trust the Lord to hear us. To take a moment and speak to God. Through prayer. Communication.
IV. Listening to God
Prayer is two way communication. Talking and listening to God.
“If only you carefully listen to the voice of the Lord your God…” (Deuteronomy 15:5, AMP).
Revelation 3:20 ESV / 271 helpful votes Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Romans 10:17 ESV / 262 helpful votes So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
How?
Psa_46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalms 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
Heb 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Listening is as importance as speaking. We have to learn to take moments and listen to the Lord.
As Samuel said, “Speak, your servant is listening”
Conclusion
God is calling someone hear to a “closer walk”. A deeper relationship. But what he is saying is remove the distractions or hinderances.
