Hearing From God

1 Sam 3:7-21

-Messages from the Lord were uncommon because of their disobedience

1. (V7) Samuel did not yet know the Lord

Samuel was untrained in hearing the voice of the Lord

1 Samuel 3:7 “Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before.”

a) According to tradition, its believed Samuel is around 12 years old and so he was still learning to hear or distinguish the voice of the Lord

Hearing from the Lord:

I think where people get it wrong and say they do not hear from God is because they are waiting for an audible voice.

a. God speaks to us through His word

Maybe you are angry with someone and as you open the Bible and are reading, you stubble across a verse that commands you to forgive

Or maybe your feeling depressed and you read something encouraging. That’s God giving you a promise to hold on to

b. Praying about something and I wake up with an overwhelming feeling one way or another regarding what I prayed about

An example of this, I month ago or so, I was praying about weather I should continue to teach at another church in Jamestown.

-Many situations have changed in my life and I began to think maybe the Lord was closing the door on that opportunity

-I went to bed thinking I was going to make a call and let the pastor know that I was done, but I woke up with an overwhelming feeling to continue teaching .

c. As we pray, sometimes the Lord will give a specific word or two. Like a large puzzle, God gives a few pieces and sometimes it doesn’t make complete sense until he reveals more

I have found the Lord will speak one small step at a time

d. God can speak to you through the message of a pastor or maybe a godly parent

When I am preparing a message, I am asking God what this group needs to hear. I ask God to speak to me and I ask God to use me to speak to you

When I was praying about moving to Sonora to take this job. I was listening to a message in the Book of Joshua

-The pastor literally said “ If you have been praying to make a big jump, this is your confirmation, GO.

2. (V11-14) The Lord spoke to Samuel about the judgement on the house of Eli

a) Judgement because they blaspheme God and Eli did not discipline them

Blaspheme is to speak with contempt about God which can be a verbal or written reproach of God’s name, character, work, or attributes

I can remember a time, when I was first saved. Life wasn’t going very well and I was dwelling on it and blamed God for it.

I was surfing and as I was getting out of the water and climbing up the cliff and I cursed God. At that very moment my foot slipped and I fell and busted my knee open super bad. (That was the last time I ever blasphemed God)

3. (V15-16) Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the message from the Lord

a) First message was judgement on Eli who was like a spiritual father or a mentor

4. (V19) As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him

a) Because of Samuel’s obedience, God was with him and all of Israel knew it and they regarded him as the Lord’s Prophet