Introduction

Good morning, beloved congregation. I am thrilled to see each one of you here today, gathered in fellowship and unity, ready to open your hearts to the Word of God. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. We are here because our Lord has something to say to us, something to teach us, and something to reveal to us.

As we come together today, I am reminded of a profound statement by the great preacher and theologian, Charles Spurgeon. He once said, "To be a Christian is to be a hearer of the Word." How true, and how timely, is this reminder for us today? Are we not here to listen, to learn, and to live out the Word of God?

Our focus today is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel. Allow me to read the passage to you:

"Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for Your servant is listening.' The Lord said to Samuel, 'Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.'" - 1 Samuel 3:10-11

In this passage, we see a young Samuel, hearing the voice of God for the first time. He was listening, ready, and willing to receive the message from the Lord. This divine dialogue, this heavenly herald, this holy hymn, is not just a story of the past, but a lesson for us today.

Are we, like Samuel, ready to say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening"? Are we ready to hear the divine dialogue that God wants to have with us? Are we ready to heed the heavenly herald that He sends our way? Are we ready to harmonize our lives with His holy hymn?

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we come before You today, ready and willing to hear Your Word. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to Your divine dialogue. Help us to heed Your heavenly herald and to harmonize our lives with Your holy hymn. May Your Word resonate within us, transforming us from the inside out. We thank You for Your love, Your grace, and Your Word. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Hearing the Divine Dialogue

In the sacred text, we find young Samuel, a servant in the temple, hearing the voice of God. This was not a common occurrence. It was not an everyday event. It was a divine dialogue, a conversation between the Creator and His creation. This dialogue was not just for Samuel, but for all of us. It is a reminder that God desires to speak to us, to communicate with us, to have a relationship with us.

The first aspect of this divine dialogue is its personal nature. God calls Samuel by name, not once, but twice. This is significant. In the Bible, when God calls someone by name, it is an indication of His personal interest and involvement in their life. It is a sign of His love and care. It is a mark of His divine favor. This personal call is not just for Samuel, but for all of us. God knows us by name. He cares for us. He is interested in us. He wants to have a personal relationship with us.

The second aspect of this divine dialogue is its clarity. God's voice was not a vague impression or a fleeting thought. It was clear and unmistakable. It was a voice that Samuel could hear and understand. This clarity is not just for Samuel, but for all of us. God's voice is not a mystery. It is not a riddle. It is clear and understandable. He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. He speaks to us through His Spirit. He speaks to us through circumstances and events. His voice is clear and unmistakable.

The third aspect of this divine dialogue is its authority. God's voice was not a suggestion or a proposal. It was a command. It was a decree. It was an order. This authority is not just for Samuel, but for all of us. God's voice is not a suggestion. It is not a proposal. It is a command. It is a decree. It is an order. His voice carries authority and power. It demands obedience and submission.

The fourth aspect of this divine dialogue is its purpose. God's voice was not just for information or entertainment. It was for transformation. It was for change. It was for growth. This purpose is not just for Samuel, but for all of us. God's voice is not just for information. It is not just for entertainment. It is for transformation. It is for change. It is for growth. His voice is meant to shape us, to mold us, to make us into the people He wants us to be.

Heeding the Heavenly Herald

As we immerse ourselves in the sacred narrative of Samuel, we are drawn to the moment when he responds to God's call ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO