Waiting For An Important Call Series

And God spoke to the Prophets… and the prophets passed that along to others

God usually did His talking to just a few people – who were expected to share what He’d said with others.

In our day we have the record of what God said to a whole bunch of people down through the ages. God shared His wisdom and His will for our lives with prophets, and apostles and all kinds of folks. And that wisdom has been written down for us in a huge book called “The Bible.”

This (hold up Bible) is where you’re going to get the bulk of what you need to hear from God.

But what if what I need to know isn’t listed the Bible?

What if I want to know if I should marry Susie… and I look all thru the Bible and I can’t find Susie’s name anywhere?

How do I know what God’s will is for me in situations like that?

Well, the story we’ve just read here about Samuel has some basic things that will help us to learn God’s will for our lives.

1st look with me to I Samuel 3:3-4

"The 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. Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, ’Here I am.’"

Where was Samuel when God 1st called his name?

He was lying down in the Tabernacle of the Lord where the Ark was.

Now, I believe that every word of Scripture is there for a reason.

For example, in this passage, God could simply have said: “Samuel was sleeping”

BUT instead, God goes into detail.

It’s as if God is saying: "I want you to know WHERE Samuel was sleeping."

If I’m right - why would God give us these details?

I believe it was because God wanted us to see that, when Samuel heard God’s voice,

he was sleeping NEXT to God.

In Other Words: Proximity was critical.

If you’re gonna hear – you’ve gotta be near. (I made that one up myself)

James 4:8 tells us "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you."

ILLUS: My wife and I will be in the Dining room and she’ll be sharing something she feels is important. I, however, don’t like to just sit around and listen. I’ve got to be doing something – straightening the furniture, straightening the desk. I’ll even drift into the kitchen and begin putting away dishes in the dishwasher, etc. Then it might occur to me that I need to do something in the back room, or in the den - about 4 rooms away - and she’s still talking.

And she gets frustrated (pause) – go figure!

Now, why does my wife get frustrated?

Because she knows - if I’m not in the same room - I’m probably not listening to her anymore.

ILLUS: This last week I was talking with a very nice woman who I’ve been working with and talking to her about coming to church. She said “Jeff can I ask you a question?”

I said “Of course.”

So she said “I’ve been praying and praying to God… but it doesn’t seem answering me.”

I responded “Honey, I can tell you one of your problems right now – you’re not in church”

Jesus said: "Wherever two or more are gathered in my name - there I am in the midst of you."

If you’re going to hear God’s voice - if you’re going to know His will for your life – you’ve got to be in the same room as He is.