Sam's Lightbulb Moment

Background to passage: This chapter is a transitional chapter moving into the ministry of Samuel, one of the three main characters of 1-2 Samuel. We’ve known that there was a special calling upon Samuel’s life even before he was born, but now this is the fruition and the transformation of a temple servant boy to a prophet that will serve the Lord’s purpose among the people of Israel. Today he hears from the Lord during a time when the word of the Lord was rare. The Spirit did not live in his people but came for specific circumstances, but we see the ministry of the Spirit began to operate in the form of prophets. Previously God spoke through, direct revelation, angels, the Patriarchs, Moses and Joshua, then people did what was right in their own eyes.

1 Samuel 3:1–21 ESV

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.” And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

Opening illustration: My calling to preach

Main thought: talk about hearing from the Lord

1) Samuel Hears from the Lord (v. 1-10)

1 Samuel 3:1 ESV

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.

1) Samuel Hears from the Lord (v. 1-10)

Explanation: Note that the text begins with the Word was rare and visions were few. This is the next step in Samuel’s life. This is his calling to be a prophet. Of course, it took Eli a few times to figure out God was calling Samuel (because at that time Samuel didn’t know the Lord, and Eli was out of touch with him), but once he did, his obedience was immediate. Also, interesting note, never saw this until this week, the fourth time, the Lord came and stood at the door - full on theophany.

Argumentation: many other prophets had powerful experiences calling them to ministry, but some just said the word of the Lord came to me. Of course OT prophecy was different from NT prophesy, but don’t have time to get into that either.

Illustration: Ask Kinsley or Braeden or Christopher if they come stand ready for their parents if they call them in the middle of the night/in the morning for school?

Application: What if our obedience was immediate. Immediately obedience demonstrates priority, value, commitment. Often we demonstrate loyalty to ourselves, our priorities, and our commitment to the Lord comes late. We are not likely to hear an audible voice, but we have several ways to hear from the Lord everyday. Some big decisions, sometimes small actions or words, but the Lord cares about them all.

Don’t really have time to talk about “callings.”

Would it be scary to invite the Lord to speak into your life every day? We are told exactly how to begin. “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.” This shows that we believe God speaks to us in a living relationship; that he is Lord of our lives; and that we are his servants. Say it with me. “Speak, Lord, your servants hears.”

2) How We Hear from the Lord

Explanation: I believe a question we all ask from time to time in our lives is what does God want me to do in this situation. I do think that there are ways that we have our own lightbulb moments. Just want to be practical, although we could spend much more time on it. I am relying on several authors and commentators heavily for these, but I think they are helpful. This list is not exhaustive, and don’t have time to go into much depth because I want to get the last point in. Going to move pretty fast, so listen well.

Argumentation:

Illustration:

Application: Ways we hear from God

The Scripture

Psalm 119:105 ESV

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

His Son

Hebrews 1:1–4 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The Holy Spirit

John 16:12–13 ESV

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Acts 16:6–7 ESV

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

The Church

Colossians 3:16 ESV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Acts 15:2 ESV

And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.

Experience/circumstances

Romans 15:22–24 ESV

This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.

Conscience/peace

Wisdom

3) Barriers to Hearing from the Lord

Explanation: Can’t spend a lot of time here, although it incredibly important. Sometimes the question we ask is: “I am trying to listen to God or I need to make an important decision. I want to do what God desires, but I am not hearing/getting guidance.” So, again, not exhaustive, just hopefully practical and helpful.

Argumentation:

Illustration:

Application:

Sin - areas of known rebellion or struggle

Inexperience - Samuel had never heard the voice the the Lord

Expectation - Samuel didn’t expect to hear the voice of the Lord

Unwillingness - God desires for us to have the blank check mentality

Closing illustration:

Recap