Learning to Hear God!

Intro:

Not a Fan = Kyle Iddleman tells the story of the cowboy that came to him after a sermon about Not a Fan who speaking of his daughter that was raise in church but rejected Jesus in college. He said, “I raised my daughter in church. I didn’t raise her in Jesus!

In your experience is that a valid statement?

1 Samuel 2: 12 - 3: 21.

This passage compares and contrast those who know and hear God with those who don’t!

The Difference Between know Him and Knowing about Him — It’s a bid difference!

Ill: Paul in Phil 3: “that I may know Him!” To know always includes experience! It means personally, specifically (normally through problems), Over time!

A. Knowing about God. That would describe Eli’s sons. They grew up in church. They experienced the benefit of their dad and his position. they learned that they could take advantage of their positions and get away with it! They didn’t know the responsibility and the judgment they would receive for not knowing God!

v. 12b They did not know the Lord!

v, 17 They dispised the offering of the Lord! Their action caused others to stumble by their rebellion of God’s ways.

How can we despise the Lord’s ways?

b. Samuel didn’t know the Lord either! He is being raised in the operation of the tabernacle but as we will see he didn’t know the Lord’s voice either!

We can know all the on goings of the religious activities without know the One!

Though Samuel was growing physically — getting a new set of clothes every year. He was also growing in spirit!

c. Eli! He knew the Lord but had become dim to hearing (obedient) the Word!

I feel for him. it is so hard for ministers to not get jaded by ministry! You see the sin of others, you deal with their failures and you get to know the excuses and the lies they tell and you just stop caring! it happens! The vast majority of ministers do not finish well!

vs. 27 - 36 gives the reason God brings judgment on Eli and his house!

Note: v. 27 says , a Man of God came to Eli — could that be a pre-incarnate Jesus? This Man declares God’s truth to Eli and what will happen: boys die on the same day, the house of Eli will lose its place in serving the Lord - but the Lord will not destroy it completely! No longer will Eli have a place of authority before the Lord!

Note 2: The Man of God said that Eli despised the Lord because he honored his sons above the Lord. Eli tried to correct but they did not listen!

So God raised up a priest/prophet that would walk before Him in truth! Samuel is a type of Jesus who is the Priest - Prophet - King that is ultimately spoken of here!

B. Knowing Gopd

Samuel’s call from God. 3 Xs God calls Samuel name and dutifully Sam goes to Eli and says here I am! Eli says I didn’t call you go back to bed! the third time Eli figures out it is God and instructs Sam to answer Speak Lord for you servant is listening! Sam goes to bed and this is amazing what happens next! The Lord came and stood before Samuel (Jesus)!

What does He tell Sam? That He is going to do A Thing! 2 parts to the Thing a. bring down Eli b. Raises up Samuel and all Israel will see it!

Then in vivid detail gives the plan to Sam - can you imagine getting that at maybe 12 years old? No wonder Sam is afraid to tell Eli!

Samuel experience the WORD! v 19

Then all Israel Knew Samuel was prophet of the Lord!

remember in 3:1 The word of the Lord was rare and visions were infrequent in that day before Samuel but after the Word came to Samuel and he spoke it and Israel knew it was from teh Lord!

C. How do we Hear the Word of the Lord? Note: To hear means to be obedient!

Or asked another way. Why don’t we Hear Him today?

How does God speak? H. Blackaby in Experiencing God gave 4 ways

His Word

Audibly

Written

2. In Prayer (Worship) both private and Corprate

3. Circumstances of life in the world.

4. Others/the church! Just remember Elkannah’s advise to Hannah do what is right in your eyes but make sure it is of the Lord!

Barriers to Hearing God’s Voice:

Inexperience! No one has taught us! Everyone needs a Paul in their life and they need a Timothy to share what God tell you!

Low expectations - just not expecting God to say anything!

Sin

Unwilling Heart!

So how did all Israel know that Samuel was the Prophet of the Lord? God was doing a Thing!

i. IN Sameul

ii. In Israel

iii. God’s Word was present

iv Change

Challenge:

What do you need to do to Hear Him?