When you are faithful to your work, God calls you in the night, With a special message, To give you meaning and direction.
A. WHEN YOU ARE FAITHFUL TO YOUR WORK
1.What was Samuel’s work? A minister in the Tabernacle. “Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child” (I Sam. 2:18). Samuel was responsible to keep the candlesticks lit.
2.How is God first seen in Scriptures? God is a worker/maker. “In the beginning God created” (Gen. 1:1).
3.How must the Christian work? As God worked. “Let US make man in our image” (Gen. 1:26).
WHAT WORK DOES TO YOU
Work defines us. What do you do?
Work is the context for spirituality. We work because of God.
Work begins to grow you spiritually. When you get a job.
4.Having a good job does not mean you do a good job.
a.Samuel was committed to his work. “Where the ark of God was . . . Samuel laid down to sleep” (3:3).
b. Samuel was responsive to his work. “Here am I” (3:4).
B. GOD CALLS YOU IN THE NIGHT
1.Conditions were spiritually dark. “Meanwhile, the boy Samuel was serving the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon” (I Sam. 3:1).
2.Samuel’s spiritual night. “Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before” (3:7).
3.Leadership was blinded. Physically blinded. “Eli . . . his eyes began to wax dim, he could not see” (3:2). Spiritually blinded, “I will perform against Eli” (3:12).
4.Why did God speak in the night? “Samuel was laid down to sleep” (3:3).
a.Privately. No one else is awake.
b.No interruption. Nothing else is happening.
c.Focus. You give attention to what awakens you.
d.Intimate. The darkness blocks everything out.
C. WITH A SPECIAL MESSAGE
How does God call?
1.By name, “Samuel” (3:4, 6, 8).
2.With words.
3.Loud enough to get our attention.
4.Not to others.
Why do we miss the call of God?
1.Did not expect.
2.Do not know Him (3:7).
3.Not spiritually tuned to God (3:7).
4.Busy.
What happens when you miss God’s call?
1.God calls again (3:4, 6, 8).
2.Others help us recognize God’s call. “Eli perceived that the Lord called the child” (3:8).
3.Others help us interrupt God’s call. “Go lie down, if He call thee, thou shalt say, ‘Speak Lord’” (3:9).
4.Go back to where God called the first time. “So Samuel went and lay in his place, and the Lord came to him” (3:9-10).
How to get God’s call or message?
1.Anticipate. The child recognized who was talking to him, “Speak Lord” (3:9).
2.Wait. “Go lie down” (3:8).
3.Listen. “If He call thee” (3:9).
HOW TO GET SPIRITUAL EARS
Block out worldly noise.
Go beyond other’s instructions.
Silence.
Practice waiting before God.
4.Ask for His message.
5.Yielded to God’s will. “Lord here am I.”
6.Ready to do. “Speak Lord for thy servant heareth” (3:10).
HOW TO KNOW IT’S GOD’S VOICE
God speaks clearly, Satan confuses.
God’s voice is consistent with Scripture,Satan opposes it.God does not contradict Himself or His principles.
God’s voice gives you confidence.
D. TO GIVE YOU MEANING AND DIRECTION
1.God called. What is the key to successful living?
God importance, because He wants you.
Self-importance, you are special.
Task importance, you are serving God.
2.It is not about getting the right job; it is about being the right kind of person in your job.
Being a good worker is obeying God.
Working good is serving God.
You must be good and do good.
3.Just giving energy is not enough. Like God in whose image you are made. “God saw that it was good” (Gen. 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at Jonathan@trbc.org and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
