God's Call

1 Samuel 3:1-10

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Introduction

Today as we begin a powerful 3-week series together. Called & Anointed draws upon the testimonies of Samuel the prophet and David, the king of Israel.

A.W. Tozer once said, "God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves." May we be a people who learn to listen and respond to God's call, no matter how impossible or improbable it may seem to us.

Today we need our hearts to be opened by the Holy Spirit as we unpack God's call in our lives, the interference that might be obstructing God's call, and the importance of community in discerning His call.

So, let's buckle up and invite the Spirit to enlighten our understanding!

Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10

1 Samuel 3:1–10 NKJV

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. 2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, 3 and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, 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.” 7 (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.) 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. 10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”

As we journey through this passage, let's be mindful of the spiritual strongholds that may be preventing us from hearing God's call. Let's also remember the importance of community in discerning God's heart for our lives. Together, we will experience revival and an outpouring of God's grace as we boldly answer His call, invading the enemy's territory for the glory of God.

Clearing the Way for God's Call

In our passage today, we see that Samuel, a young boy ministering under Eli, didn’t know how to recognize the voice of the Lord calling him. This was not because Samuel was unwilling to listen or respond, but because he had not yet been introduced to the voice of God. The interference in this case was a lack of familiarity with the divine voice.

In our lives, we may face various forms of interference that obstruct our ability to hear and respond to God's call. We need to clear the way!

Interference can come in the form of distractions, busyness, sin, or even a lack of spiritual maturity. We need to identify and clear away these interferences so we can be more attuned to the voice of God and be better equipped to respond to His call.

One common interference that many of us face is the busyness of life. Our days are often filled with work, family, and social obligations, leaving little time for quiet reflection and prayer. This constant state of activity can make it difficult for us to hear God's voice, as we are bombarded with noise and distractions. We need to intentionally carve out time in our schedules for moments of solitude and silence, where we can quiet our hearts and minds and be more receptive to the voice of God.

Another form of interference is sin. Sin creates a barrier between us and God, making it difficult for us to discern His voice and respond to His call. When we allow sin to take root in our lives, it can deafen our spiritual ears and blind our spiritual eyes, preventing us from recognizing God's presence and guidance. It is crucial for us to regularly examine our hearts and lives, confessing and repenting of any sin that may be hindering our relationship with God.

In addition, a lack of spiritual maturity can interfere. Just as Samuel was initially unable to recognize the voice of the Lord due to his lack of experience and knowledge, we too may struggle to discern God's voice if we are not grounded in His Word and growing in our faith. Spiritual maturity is developed through consistent prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers; all of which help to sharpen our spiritual senses and make us more attuned to the voice of God.

We must also be aware of the enemy's tactics to obstruct our ability to hear God's call. The enemy is constantly at work, seeking to sow seeds of doubt, fear, and confusion in our minds, making it difficult for us to discern God's voice amidst the chaos. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts and minds against the enemy's schemes, standing firm in our faith and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and protect us.

Answering God's Call

Answering God's call only happens when we align ourselves with the heart of God and participate in His divine plan for our lives. We see the young boy Samuel struggling to recognize the voice of the Lord. This struggle is not uncommon for believers, as we often face challenges in discerning God's call amidst the noise.

But how do we recognize that He is indeed speaking to us? And how can we answer if we don’t know it’s HIM who’s speaking?

In the passage, Samuel initially mistakes the voice of the Lord for that of Eli, his mentor. This is a common experience for many of us, as we may attribute God's voice to our own thoughts, the opinions of others, or even random coincidences. However, as we grow in our relationship with the Lord and become more familiar with His voice, we will be better equipped to discern His call. And we must discern because the loudest voices are often NOT OF GOD. Paul tells us to test the spirits- the spiritual voices and inputs we hear/receive to make sure they are OF GOD!

Read John 10:27

John 10:27 (NKJV)

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

In order to “know” God's voice, as this passage states, we must be intentional about cultivating a listening heart. This requires us to be still and quiet in God's presence, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. We must adopt an attitude of humble submission and say, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." This posture of openness and receptivity is essential for understanding and answering God's call.

We also need to learn how to distinguish between His voice and the voices of the enemy. The enemy often seeks to deceive us by planting doubts, fears, and lies in our minds. These negative thoughts can create strongholds in our lives, preventing us from hearing and responding to God's call. These strongholds interfere and restrict us from answering the call of God.

To overcome these strongholds, we must be vigilant in guarding our hearts and minds, continually renewing them with the truth of God's Word. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our thinking, we will be better equipped to discern God's voice and resist the enemy's tactics.

We also need to be willing to obey God's call, even when it seems difficult or impossible. Samuel was called to deliver a difficult message to Eli, one that would have significant consequences for Eli and his family. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, Samuel obeys God's call and faithfully delivers the message. This willingness to obey, even in the face of adversity, is a hallmark of those who truly understand and answer God's call.

But remember, we don’t do any of this in isolation.

Our spiritual journey is meant to be shared with others, as we are all part of the Body of Christ. Eli helps Samuel discern God's call. He provides guidance, support, and encouragement, enabling Samuel to recognize and respond to the Lord's voice. We must rely on one another for wisdom, accountability, and encouragement.

To foster a supportive spiritual community, we must be intentional about cultivating relationships with fellow believers. This may involve participating in small groups, attending church services, or seeking out mentors and accountability partners. As we engage in these communal activities, we will be better equipped to discern God's call and encourage one another in our spiritual growth.

Finally, we must prepare ourselves for seasons of waiting and uncertainty. Samuel's call comes at a time when "the word of the Lord was rare" and "there were not many visions." This suggests that Samuel's experience of hearing God's voice was not a common occurrence. Similarly, we may face periods in our spiritual journey where God's call seems unclear, distant, or even absent.

During these times, it is important to remain faithful and patient, trusting that God is still at work in our lives, even when we cannot see it. We continue to seek His face, immerse ourselves in His Word, and engage in prayer and worship. As we do so, we will be better positioned to recognize and respond to God's call when it comes.

Answering God's call is a multifaceted process that involves many things, including;

recognizing God's voice cultivating a listening heart distinguishing between the voice of the Lord and the enemy obeying God's call engaging in community remaining faithful during seasons of waiting.

As we commit ourselves to this journey, we experience the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the outpouring of God's grace, empowering us to fulfill our divine purpose and advance the Kingdom of God.

Discerning God's Call

Let’s revisit the role of community in discerning God’s Call. Our passage today shows us an example of how the wisdom and guidance of Eli, a spiritual mentor, played a crucial role in helping Samuel recognize and respond to the voice of the Lord. We must be surrounded by a community of believers who can help us discern God's call and encourage us to walk in obedience to His will.

Community provides us with a wealth of wisdom and experience. As we journey through life, we encounter various situations and challenges that require us to make decisions and choices. In many cases, these decisions have a significant impact on our spiritual growth and our ability to fulfill God's call on our lives. By engaging in fellowship with other believers, we can draw upon their experiences and insights to help us navigate these critical moments.

Just as Eli's wisdom and discernment helped Samuel recognize the voice of the Lord, so too can the collective wisdom of our community help us discern God's call in our lives.

Community provides us with accountability and support. The Christian walk is not meant to be a solitary journey. Instead, we are called to live in communion with one another, bearing each other's burdens and spurring one another on towards love and good deeds (cf. Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 10:24).

When we surround ourselves with a community of believers, we create an environment where we can be held accountable for our actions and decisions. This accountability helps us stay on the path of obedience to God's call. A supportive community can provide us with the encouragement and strength we need to persevere in our calling, even in the face of trials and opposition.

Healthy community fosters spiritual growth and maturity. As we engage in fellowship with other believers, we expose ourselves to a variety of spiritual gifts and perspectives that can help us grow in our understanding of God and His will for our lives. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, emphasizes the importance of the diverse gifts of the Spirit within the body of Christ, stating that "to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7) Working together is good, community is good, fellowship is good.

It is all too easy for us to become consumed by our own desires and ambitions, losing sight of the greater purpose that God has for our lives. Community is a place for affirmation and confirmation. As we share our sense of calling with others, we open ourselves up to the possibility of receiving confirmation from those who know us well and can attest to the ways in which God has been at work in our lives. This affirmation can provide us with the confidence and assurance we need to step out in faith and pursue the calling that God has placed on our hearts.

Just as Samuel needed the guidance of Eli to discern the voice of the Lord, so too do we need the support and encouragement of our community to help us navigate the complexities of discerning and fulfilling God's call.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my friends, let's not be discouraged by the noise and distractions of this world. Instead, let's lean on each other and be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we discern God's call in our lives.

Remember, we are anointed and equipped with spiritual gifts, and together, we can bring about a powerful revival to impact our city and the world for Christ.

And now, as we go forth from this place, may the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Now, go forth in the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit, and may the heart of God be your guiding light. God bless you all!