A Man For Times Like These

1 Samuel 3:1-21

1 Samuel 3:1–21 NLT

1 Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon. 2 One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. 4 Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” 5 He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did. 6 Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!” Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.” 7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. 8 So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. 9 So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went back to bed. 10 And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel. 12 I am going to carry out all my threats against Eli and his family, from beginning to end. 13 I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God and he hasn’t disciplined them. 14 So I have vowed that the sins of Eli and his sons will never be forgiven by sacrifices or offerings.” 15 Samuel stayed in bed until morning, then got up and opened the doors of the Tabernacle as usual. He was afraid to tell Eli what the Lord had said to him. 16 But Eli called out to him, “Samuel, my son.” “Here I am,” Samuel replied. 17 “What did the Lord say to you? Tell me everything. And may God strike you and even kill you if you hide anything from me!” 18 So Samuel told Eli everything; he didn’t hold anything back. “It is the Lord’s will,” Eli replied. “Let him do what he thinks best.” 19 As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. 20 And all Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle.

INTRODUCTION:

A- At critical times, the world needs for leaders to arise who can make a difference.

1- During World War II, the world was in a critical situation.

a. The axis powers of Germany, Itally and Japan were devastatingly pursuing conquest on three fronts at the same time.

b. The German and Italian armies were over-running Europe.

c. For the United Kingdom and much of the free world, Winston Churchill was a unique leader. He spoke words that encouraged and galvanized the Allied countries to resist the aggressors.

d. He was noted as being an man for the times.

e. He found, however, that being so is not always popular.

On one occasion, he was taken to task by a British noble woman:

Lady Astor: “Winston, if I were your wife I’d put poison in your coffee.” Churchill: “Nancy, if I were your husband I’d drink it.”

2- We are living in a day when the world seems upside-down.

a. Morals are considered unfashionable.

b. Biblical convictions are considered almost criminal.

c. People call right wrong and wrong, right.

d. Many times, believers have adopted the priorities and views of the world.

B- We are in need for men of God to arise and choose to become “men for times like these.”

1- In our text, we see one such man who made the choice to become “A Man For Times Like These.”

I- ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEED. (1 Samuel 3:1-3)

1 Samuel 3:1–3 NLT

1 Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon. 2 One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God.

A- The need for God’s Word to be shared. (1 Samuel 3:1-2)

1 Samuel 3:1–2 NLT

1 Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon. 2 One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed.

1- Because of the wickedness of those who claim to be spiritual leaders. (1 Samuel 2:13-17, 22)

1 Samuel 2:13–17 NLT

13 or for their duties as priests. Whenever anyone offered a sacrifice, Eli’s sons would send over a servant with a three-pronged fork. While the meat of the sacrificed animal was still boiling, 14 the servant would stick the fork into the pot and demand that whatever it brought up be given to Eli’s sons. All the Israelites who came to worship at Shiloh were treated this way. 15 Sometimes the servant would come even before the animal’s fat had been burned on the altar. He would demand raw meat before it had been boiled so that it could be used for roasting. 16 The man offering the sacrifice might reply, “Take as much as you want, but the fat must be burned first.” Then the servant would demand, “No, give it to me now, or I’ll take it by force.” 17 So the sin of these young men was very serious in the Lord’s sight, for they treated the Lord’s offerings with contempt.

1 Samuel 2:22 NLT

22 Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

2- Because of the waywardness of people who would seek to only hear what they want to hear.

(Judges 21:25)

Judges 21:25 NLT

25 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

a. We live in a day when people don’t seek God’s Word, but only what they want to hear.

(2 Tim 4:3–4)

2 Timothy 4:3–4 NLT

3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

B- The need for God’s presence to be promoted. (1 Samuel 3:3)

1 Samuel 3:3 NLT

3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God.

1- The lamp was still burning, indicating it was in the night before the night’s oil ran out.

a. The lamps were to be kept lit in recognition of God’s presence.

(Exodus 27:20-21)

Exodus 27:20–21 NLT

20 “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. 21 The lampstand will stand in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant. Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the Lord’s presence all night. This is a permanent law for the people of Israel, and it must be observed from generation to generation.

(Leviticus 24:3-4)

Leviticus 24:3–4 NLT

3 This is the lampstand that stands in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant. Aaron must keep the lamps burning in the Lord’s presence all night. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation. 4 Aaron and the priests must tend the lamps on the pure gold lampstand continually in the Lord’s presence.

2- Samuel was sleeping near the Ark of God.

a. In Tabernacle, near the place of God’s special presence.

b. In the place of God’s presence, He spoke to the child, Samuel.

c. It was at a time of great need in Israel that God spoke to and called Samuel.

3- As men of God, we must acknowledge the need present in our time to point others to their need of Christ.

(Acts 1:8)

Acts 1:8 NLT

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

II- ACCEPT THE DIVINE CALL. (1 Samuel 3:4-15)

1 Samuel 3:4–15 NLT

4 Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” 5 He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did. 6 Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!” Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.” 7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. 8 So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. 9 So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went back to bed. 10 And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel. 12 I am going to carry out all my threats against Eli and his family, from beginning to end. 13 I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God and he hasn’t disciplined them. 14 So I have vowed that the sins of Eli and his sons will never be forgiven by sacrifices or offerings.” 15 Samuel stayed in bed until morning, then got up and opened the doors of the Tabernacle as usual. He was afraid to tell Eli what the Lord had said to him.

A- The call is always certain.

1- It was a personal call.

a. God called Samuel by name. (1 Samuel 3:4-10)

1 Samuel 3:4–10 NLT

4 Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” 5 He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did. 6 Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!” Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.” 7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. 8 So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. 9 So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went back to bed. 10 And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

b. At first, Samuel did not recognize God’s voice.

c. Eli had to help him understand what was happening.

2- It was a plain call.(1 Samuel 3: 11-14)

1 Samuel 3:11–14 NLT

11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel. 12 I am going to carry out all my threats against Eli and his family, from beginning to end. 13 I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God and he hasn’t disciplined them. 14 So I have vowed that the sins of Eli and his sons will never be forgiven by sacrifices or offerings.”

a. God made his message clear to Samuel.

b. It was clear, so that everyone involved would understand.

B- The call is sometimes challenging. (1 Samuel 3:15)

1 Samuel 3:15 NLT

15 Samuel stayed in bed until morning, then got up and opened the doors of the Tabernacle as usual. He was afraid to tell Eli what the Lord had said to him.

1- The message may be challenging to understand because we are not in a position to receive it.

a. Due to our inexperience. (1 Samuel 3:7)

1 Samuel 3:7 NLT

7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before.

2- The message may be challenging to deliver because of our fear. (1 Samuel 3:15)

1 Samuel 3:15 NLT

15 Samuel stayed in bed until morning, then got up and opened the doors of the Tabernacle as usual. He was afraid to tell Eli what the Lord had said to him.

a. We need to remember that the Lord will be with us as we carry His message. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Matthew 28:18–20 NLT

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

III- ASSEMBLE A GODLY TESTIMONY. (1 Samuel 3:16-21)

1 Samuel 3:16–21 NLT

16 But Eli called out to him, “Samuel, my son.” “Here I am,” Samuel replied. 17 “What did the Lord say to you? Tell me everything. And may God strike you and even kill you if you hide anything from me!” 18 So Samuel told Eli everything; he didn’t hold anything back. “It is the Lord’s will,” Eli replied. “Let him do what he thinks best.” 19 As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. 20 And all Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle.

A- Assembling a Godly testimony is a process.

1- Samuel’s testimony was built over years.

a. It began to be built as a boy serving in the tabernacle. (1 Samuel 3:9-10)

1 Samuel 3:9–10 NLT

9 So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went back to bed. 10 And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

b. It continued as God confirmed his testimony on a continual basis. (1 Samuel 3:19-21)

1 Samuel 3:19–21 NLT

19 As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. 20 And all Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle.

c. It was rooted not only in his call, but his integrity.

(1 Samuel 12:1-5)

1 Samuel 12:1–5 NLT

1 Then Samuel addressed all Israel: “I have done as you asked and given you a king. 2 Your king is now your leader. I stand here before you—an old, gray-haired man—and my sons serve you. I have served as your leader from the time I was a boy to this very day. 3 Now testify against me in the presence of the Lord and before his anointed one. Whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong.” 4 “No,” they replied, “you have never cheated or oppressed us, and you have never taken even a single bribe.” 5 “The Lord and his anointed one are my witnesses today,” Samuel declared, “that my hands are clean.” “Yes, he is a witness,” they replied.

2- A godly testimony is not built over night.

a. It is a process that takes time.

b. It is a process that can be torn down quickly.

The example of Solomon.

B- God will empower the assembling of a Godly testimony.

1- Samuel lived his life in the power of God.

(1 Samuel 3:19-21)

1 Samuel 3:19–21 NLT

19 As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. 20 And all Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle.

2- The key to building a godly testimony is consistently walking with God.

a. Walking under the controlling influence of the Holy Spirit will lead to his power operating in your life.

C- God will use you as long as you yield to Him.

1- Because Samuel lived a life yielded to the Lord, he was powerfully used by God throughout his life.

2- The new testament is full of examples of people who were used by the Lord powerfully throughout their lives.

a. Peter

b. Paul

c. John

CONCLUSION:

To be a Man for Times Like These, You need to:

I- ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEED.

II- ACCEPT THE DIVINE CALL.

III- ASSEMBLE A GODLY TESTIMONY.

Knight’s Master Book of New Illustrations (113) What God Claims What God claims, I yield; What I yield, He accepts; What He accepts, He fills; What He fills, He uses; What He uses, He blesses. —M oody Monthly