Hearing God
1 Samuel 3:1 – 11
INTRODUCTION
A. In the past few lesson, we have learned a great deal in the book of 1 Samuel.
1. We have focused upon Saul’s disobedience toward the Lord and the penalty he faced for it.
2. We have focused upon David’s anointing as king and the establishing of his kingship.
3. We have seen David’s attitude toward the lackadaisical attitude of the Israelite army and the outright obscene attitude of Goliath toward the Lord.
4. We have looked at Samuel’s obedience toward the Lord and we have talked about how he even went and did what the Lord told him to, when he didn’t want too.
B. All of these have been based on the attitudes of men toward God and we have focused upon our attitudes toward Him also.
C. Today, I want us to look at Samuel just a little closer and see how this particular time in his life can apply to us
D. Samuel history up to the point of our text is a great story in itself.
1. Samuel was the son of Elkanah and Hannah. 1:1 – 3
2. We know his father was married to two women and we are going to focus upon Hannah.
3. Hannah prayed for a man – child, and told the Lord that if He would let her have one she would dedicate him to the Lord.
4. The Lord heard her prayer and when Samuel had become the age of 3 – 5 years old he was taken to Eli, the High Priest and dedicated to the Lord as Hannah had promised.
E. APPLICATION – WE SHOULD ALWAYS DO FOR THE LORD WHAT WE PROMISE HIM WE ARE GOING TO DO.
F. Samuel meets the Lord, and does it in a special way. (READ TEXT)
G. There are some questions that you need to answer to yourself concerning hearing God.
1. When you hear God speak, how do you react?
2. When you hear God speak, how do you answer?
3. When you hear God speak, how do you know it is Him?
4. When God speaks to you, do you listen and obey?
H. Let us see how Samuel answers these questions in the text today?
REACTING TO GOD’S VOICE. Vs. 3, 4
A. In verse 1, I want us to focus upon a part of it that should bring things to light in our lives.
1. The child, Samuel, ministered to the Lord.
a. Verse 7 tells us, “Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.”
b. How could this child minister to the Lord if Samuel did not know Him yet?
c. The answer is simple; His mother dedicated him to the Lord to be raised up to serve him.
d. This action pleases the Lord.
e. Revelation 4:11 – “Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
2. When the Lord created us, we were created to minister to Him
B. Our reaction to God’s voice should be quick. Vs. 5
1. Samuel’s reaction to God’s voice was quick.
2. Granted, he did run to Eli, but it was quickly.
3. Sometimes when the Lord speaks to us we may not understand who it is at first.
4. 1 Kings 19:12 tells us that He speaks in a still, small voice.
C. There are all kinds of reactions to God’s voice.
1. In Genesis 3:8, we see that when the Lord spoke to Adam and Eve that they were afraid, because they hid themselves from Him.
2. His voice strikes terror in the hearts of sinners.
3. He voice speaks things into and out of existence.
4. He voice will raise the dead and bring them to life. (Lazarus; When the dead in Christ will rise first, then them which remain.)
5. His voice will cause a sinner’s heart to ache for Him.
6. His voice will call out to His children and they will hear. John 10:34
D. Samuel heard His voice and reacted four times.
1. Three times he went to Eli
2. On the third time, Eli told him who it may be and told him how to answer.
3. Christians, when someone comes to you under conviction you must lead them to HIM.
ANSWERING GOD’S VOICE. Vs. 8 – 10
A. After the third time of going to Eli, Eli told him, “Samuel go lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak Lord for thy servant heareth.”
1. When the Lord speaks to a Christian, we must answer that we hear Him.
2. We must acknowledge Him for who He is.
3. We must acknowledge to Him that we are His servant.
B. We must be still to hear and know God.
1. Eli told Samuel to lie down, which means he would be still.
2. Moses told the children of Israel, in Exodus 14:13, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today.”
3. The Psalmist said, in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
4. To hear God you must be still, to answer God you must hear Him.
C. Answering God’s voice is a must for obedience.
1. Samuel at this time answered, “Here am I.”
2. Samuel at a later time always answered “Here am I.”
3. Ezekiel answered the Lord, “Here am I.”
4. When He calls you do you run and hide or do you say, Here am I?
HOW TO KNOW IT IS GOD SPEAKING
A. A great deal of that has been answered in some detail.
B. Most of the time, lost people don’t know that it is God that is speaking when He speaks.
1. They run to family.
2. They run to friends.
3. They run to preachers and other Christians who may can help.
C. We must always be willing to help lead them to God.
1. You must realize, Christian, that you cannot save a lost person.
2. The power of salvation is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
3. You must show them God’s Word and teach them.
4. But, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.
5. Samuel was told by Eli who was speaking to him, and Eli told him what to do.
6. Because he was led right, he answered the Lord right.
D. Christian, the Lord speaks to you also.
1. Through His Word.
2. Through actions in your life.
3. Are you to busy to listen to the Lord?
E. A saved person knows the Lord’s voice. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27.
F. Are you one of the sheep that hears God’s voice?
LISTENING TO AND OBEYING GOD.
A. Revival comes with a desire by the saved to hear and obey God’s Word.
1. In two weeks we start revival services.
2. Revival starts before the services.
3. Revival comes by listening and hearing the Lord when He speaks to us and reveals to us what we need to do to get back in His will.
4. Praying to the Lord is supposed to be a two way conversation.
a. You tell Him what is wrong with you and repent to Him.
b. He tells you what you need to do.
c. You do it!
B. Appeal to the lost.
1. Lost person the Lord may be speaking to you today, will you answer Him the same way Samuel did?
2. Will you acknowledge Him for who He is, repent of your sins and ask Him to become the Lord of your life today?
C. Appeal to the wayward Christian.
1. When the Lord speaks to your heart how will you react and answer?
a. Will you run and hide like Adam and Eve? Who by the way still answered the Lord when He called.
b. Will you answer the same way Samuel did, “Speak Lord for thy servant heareth.?”
c. When you hear Him listen. Stand still and listen and answer His request.
