Second Sunday after the Epiphany - Do You Hear What I Hear? Hearing and Heeding God's Call.

Introduction:

Friends, today we delve into an Old Testament reading found in 1 Samuel 3:1-20, a passage that unveils a pivotal moment in the life of the young prophet Samuel. In the hallowed halls of the temple, where the flickering light of the lampstand revealed both shadows and truths, Samuel, in the quiet of the night, heard a voice calling him. This passage is a profound reminder of the rarity of hearing God's voice during a time of spiritual drought.

Perceptive Listening

In verses 1-3, we witness young Samuel's journey from ignorance to enlightenment. Initially, he couldn't discern the voice of God. In a world filled with noise and distractions, how often do we find ourselves in a similar predicament? The call to perceptive listening is urgent. We must attune our hearts to the subtle whispers of God in the midst of the clamor of our daily lives.Application: Brothers and sisters, let us be vigilant in recognizing God's voice in the gentle breeze, the stillness of prayer, or the wisdom shared by a fellow believer. Our perceptive listening opens the door to a deeper relationship with the Almighty.

Persistent Learning

Moving on to verses 4-9, we see Samuel's persistent encounters with the divine voice. Eli, the old priest, eventually comprehends that it is the Lord calling the boy. Samuel's journey of persistent learning teaches us the importance of perseverance in discerning God's will. I’d suggest we all could benefit from a lifetime of learning. Let us commit to persistent learning, seeking guidance from spiritual mentors and family and friends. Remember, our journey is not solitary, and the guidance of those we trust and love can help us navigate the sometimes challenging path of understanding God's voice. Prophetic Leaning

In verses 10-18, Samuel receives a weighty message from God—a prophecy that demands courage and conviction. The call to prophetic leaning is an invitation for us to speak the truth, even when it may be uncomfortable or challenging. As bearers of God's truth, let us not shy away from delivering difficult messages. The world needs courageous voices that echo the divine truth in love and compassion. May we be vessels of God's prophetic message to a world in need of His redemptive grace.

Purposeful Leading

Concluding with verses 19-20, we witness Samuel's growth into a respected prophet of the Lord. His purposeful leading serves as an inspiration for us to embrace our roles as leaders in our families, communities, and workplaces.Application: Brothers and sisters, let us lead with purpose, guided by the wisdom of God. In our various spheres of influence, may our actions reflect the transformative power of a life surrendered to God's guidance.

Conclusion

The narrative of Samuel's call serves as a timeless beacon for us today. Let us heed the lessons of perceptive listening, persistent learning, prophetic leaning, and purposeful leading. May we, like Samuel, respond with the words, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:10). As we embrace our individual and collective journeys, may the grace of God be our guide and strength. Amen.

Call to Worship (based on John 1:43-51)

Leader: "Come, let us follow Christ, just as He called His first disciples."

People: "We come, seeking to see where He leads, eager to follow His path."

Leader: "Jesus said, 'Come and see.' He invites us into a journey of faith and discovery."

People: "We come with open hearts, ready to be transformed by His grace."

Leader: "Like Nathanael, who found faith under the fig tree, may we too be surprised by Jesus' knowledge of our deepest selves."

People: "In His light, we see ourselves clearly, called and known by our Savior."

Leader: "Jesus promises us greater things than these."

People: "We gather in worship, anticipating the wonders He will reveal, the bridges He will build between heaven and earth."

All: "Let us worship God in spirit and in truth, for He has called us by name, and we have answered, 'Here we are, Lord!'"

Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 139:1-6;13-18)

Gracious and Almighty God, who knows us better than we know ourselves, we come before You in awe of Your deep knowledge and understanding. As the Psalmist proclaims in Psalm 139, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.”

Lord, we marvel at how intimately You know us – our actions, our thoughts, our feelings. You are acquainted with all our ways. Before a word is even on our tongues, behold, O Lord, You know it completely. Such knowledge is too wonderful for us, so high that we cannot attain it.

You are the One who knit us together in our mothers’ wombs. We praise You, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and our souls know it very well. Our frames were not hidden from You when we were being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld our unformed substance.

In Your book were written all the days that were formed for us, when none of them as yet existed. How precious to us are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If we were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.

As we gather today in Your presence, we are humbled and comforted by Your all-encompassing knowledge and care for us. In moments of doubt or loneliness, remind us that we are never out of Your sight or care. In times of joy and celebration, let us recognize Your hand in every good gift we receive.

Guide us in this time of worship. May our hearts be open to Your Spirit, our minds receptive to Your word, and our actions reflective of Your boundless love. Help us to live in the light of Your presence, to cherish the life You have given us, and to use each day for Your glory.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.