Samuel

Welcome

Thank you for coming 

Hook

Voices.

We live surrounded by them — notifications, opinions, pressure, expectations. Some voices are loud. Some are familiar. Some feel authoritative.

The hardest voice to recognize is often the one we want to hear most, the voice of God.

Subject

Walking with God requires us to learn to recognize and respond to the voice of God.

Need

Many believers want God’s guidance but struggle to discern His voice.

We confuse familiarity with intimacy — activity with attentiveness — noise with authority.

Context

As we dive deep into the book of 1 Samuel we see the same reality. Israel thought they were close to God when in reality they could not have been further from Him.

We see the creation of the universe, the patriarchs, the exodus, the promised land, and rise and fall of human pride and destruction. 

Israel is spiritually dull.

God has not been speaking frequently.

Eli, their great priest, their pastor, was aging and compromised.

His sons were corrupt.

God chooses to break through the silence, not through their power or positions, but through a child.

Text:

1 The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence. In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. 2 One day Eli, whose eyesight was failing, was lying in his usual place. 3 Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was located. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.” 5 He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “I didn’t call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Once again the Lord called, “Samuel! ” Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “I didn’t call, my son,” he replied. “Go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, because the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 Once again, for the third time, the Lord called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 He told Samuel, “Go and lie down. If he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel! ”Samuel responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 The Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel that will cause everyone who hears about it to shudder. 12 On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I said about his family, from beginning to end. 13 I told him that I am going to judge his family forever because of the iniquity he knows about: his sons are cursing God, and he has not stopped them. 14 Therefore, I have sworn to Eli’s family: The iniquity of Eli’s family will never be wiped out by either sacrifice or offering.”  15 Samuel lay down until the morning; then he opened the doors of the Lord’s house. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” “Here I am,” answered Samuel. 17 “What was the message he gave you? ” Eli asked. “Don’t hide it from me. May God punish you and do so severely if you hide anything from me that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and did not hide anything from him. Eli responded, “He is the Lord. Let him do what he thinks is good.” 19 Samuel grew. The Lord was with him, and he fulfilled everything Samuel prophesied. 20 All Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a confirmed prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, because there he revealed himself to Samuel by his word.  -- 1 Samuel 3:1-21 (CSB)

God speaks to those who listen. 

How to listen to the voice of God:

Points

1) Stay faithful in the quiet seasons

vv. 1–3

“The word of the Lord was rare.”

God wasn’t absent — just not constant. Silence does not mean abandonment.

Samuel is serving faithfully in obscurity, close to the ark, doing ordinary work. God speaks not in revival — but in routine. Don’t mistake dryness for distance.

God often speaks when life feels ordinary and unimpressive.

If you want to hear God, stay faithful when nothing feels spiritual.

Dry seasons are often where listening is learned.

2) Don’t confuse proximity to God with familiarity with His voice

vv. 4–7

God calls Samuel by name. Samuel responds — but to the wrong voice.

Key line: “Samuel did not yet know the Lord.”

You can be in God’s house. You can be serving. You can be sincere — and still not recognize His voice yet.

Spiritual involvement does not automatically produce spiritual discernment.

Listening requires formation, not just participation.

3) Learn from others how to recognize God’s voice

vv. 8–9

Eli finally understands — God is calling the boy.

Despite Eli’s failures, he gives wise instruction: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

God uses flawed mentors. God uses older believers. God uses community to help us listen rightly. Don’t reject guidance just because the guide isn’t perfect. Isolation dulls listening.

God often speaks through others before He speaks directly.

4)  Receive God’s voice even when it’s uncomfortable

vv. 10–14

God comes again. God speaks clearly. And the message is heavy.

Judgment is coming. Accountability is unavoidable.

God doesn’t begin with encouragement — He begins with truth. Hearing God is not always pleasant — but it is always right.

If you only listen for affirmation, you will miss revelation. God’s voice corrects before it comforts.

5)  Obey fully — even when it’s costly

vv. 15–18

Samuel is afraid — but obedient.

He tells Eli everything. No edits. No softening. No hiding.

God trusts Samuel because Samuel tells the truth. Faithfulness in hard obedience precedes greater responsibility.

Listening isn’t proven by what you hear — but by what you obey.

6) Keep listening — clarity grows over time

vv. 19–21

Samuel grows. God stays with him. God confirms his words.

Israel recognizes what God already knew.

Clarity did not come instantly — it came gradually. Discernment is formed through long obedience, not sudden moments.

God’s voice becomes clearer to those who keep listening long enough.

Summary

Stay faithful in quiet seasons

Learn God’s voice — don’t assume it

Listen with others

Receive truth, not just comfort

Obey fully

Stay consistent

Response

Which voice has been shaping you most?

The loudest one — or the truest one?