Who will listen?

A need for someone to respond to God

A need for transformation in our world.

What can I do?

Listen to the Lord.

I.       People are in need

A.     Because of spiritual defeat

(NKJV) Judges 2 18 And when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them. 19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way.

1.      People wandered

2.      People defeated

3.      People cried out

4.      God worked

5.      People wandered

B.     Because of personal chaos

(NKJV) Judges 21 25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. 

C.     Because no one shared the truth

NKJV 1 sam 3:1  Now 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.

II.    The ‘spiritual’ ones did not listen

A.     The ‘spiritual’ leaders not active

NKJV 1 sam 3 2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place,

1.      Physical picture – also spiritual

2.      Not active but lax

3.      A big man – couldn’t control himself but became fat on God’s offerings

4.      Bad kids – did not take action

B.     The ‘spiritual’ leaders with no vision

NKJV 1 sam 3 2 … and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see,

1.      Lost sight of God’s purposes

C.     The ‘spiritual’ leaders neglecting the light of God

NKJV 1 sam 3 3 and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was,

1.      Given up on responsibilities for God

2.      Danger of losing a witness for God

III. An unexpected one listened

A.     God spoke to Samuel

NKJV 1 sam 3 3 … 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.” 

B.     God called to a personal relationship

NKJV 1 sam 3 7 (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.)

C.     A response was required

NKJV 1 sam 3 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So 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.

D.    Samuel responded

NKJV 1 sam 3 10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”

1.      Hear with an intention to obey

IV. God was real in His life

A.     Samuel lived by faith 

(NKJV) Hebrews 11 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

(NKJV) Hebrews 11 32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:

B.     Samuel’s prayers answered

(NKJV) Psalm 99 6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called upon His name; They called upon the Lord, and He answered them.

C.     Samuel interceded for people

(NKJV) Jeremiah 15 1 Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind would not be favorable toward this people.