- Answering the call

A servant is often defined as one who is able to humble himself in submission to God in order to meet the needs of others.

To be called by God can be defined as a being chosen by God as a vessel to carry out an assignment or work to the in which God have given you the ability and gift to do.

Since God is a spirit and he operates in the spirit realm. He calls us and places his spirit in us and uses us to carry out his purpose and work.

I believe we all would agree that every man in this building has a purpose call and anointing on their life,who was chosen by God.

My brothers and sisters I believe we have a different and unique call on our life. No matter who you are or where you have been there is

something God see in you that is different from the person next to you. However, Although we all have a special gift, a special anointing I may not be called so things that Pastor Williams can do God called him to be who he is and no matter how I try I could not

Do it, pastors Williams is the only one I know that can read a scripture, preach the text and have everyone understanding in 5 minutes with no notes l.

My brothers and sisters just because we have special call on our lifes. It would not benefit us or others unless you activate the gift answer the call and begin to move forward in the things-

that God has placed in your life. I received new debit card in the mail; Although I had the card I could not benefit from the card until I activated

the card. It's not enough just to be called. We must make up in our mind that we are going to answer the call.

As we celebrate this Mens Day The reason we are here is today is to

Celebrate men who answered the call. Not only those who have answered the call but some of us God has called us to do more and it’s up to us to answer the call to

More As we look at the theme for today “Men

answering the call it took

Me

1st Samuel 3 1-10

Text:

As we get to the selected text we find Samuel in a similar situation. Eli was the priest and because Eli had gradually begin to age. He used Samuel to help with the responsibilities of the te pie. the second chapter of 1st Samuel records that Eli had even lost his sight. So a lot of his daily task were taken up by Samuel.

The Bible records that one evening as the day begin to come to an end the Eli and Samuel both layed down to sleep.

This happened just before the Lamp of God went out, in other words it was a dark place,

- Samuel, the servant, hears

a voice calling his name sometimes God has to put us in a dark place

and nuns to Eli and asks here I'am. Eli's response was I didnt call go lay back door. He hears a voice the second time. He runs to Eli. Eli gives him the same response However, Eli gives Samuel instructions that tf gov hear this voice again that it was the voice of God your response-should be speak Lord for thy servant heareth thee

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There three things that I believe every man can take from this particular text concerning Samuel's calling and all of our calling

1. God called Samuel while he was already working

la. The text mentions in 1st Samuel 3 and 1 that Samuel ministered unto God and was a servant of Eli.

D. He was already a minister. Although he did not have the title a we have today. Bad often times call us when we have worked our way to get what h has

Called us for.

- most people don't want to put in the work.

Look at somebody and say I had to work to get here. I know you see me now but everything I got was not given to me.

- that's why we should support each other because many times we see each other and not realize the things that we have to deal with behind the Scenes each week.

Most feel as though you get a position then you begin the work but you don’t need a position to be called by God~

You don’t need a title to be called by God~

If you get a title it’s because Somebody recognize the work that you are already doing.

He was doing the work without the title~

Bible says in 1st Samuel 3:7 that Samuel did not yet know the Lord when God called him.

This is for the men who feel like I have have it all together before I do what God had called me to do.

Let me encourage God is not looking for perfection. If we waiting to have it all together we will be waiting forever. Truth of the matter is God can use you just the way you are.

Don’t allow people to use your past or even some of things your you deal with now against you and hold you back from your call.

It was Saul who was on the road to damascus and he heard the voice of God call him by name Saul Saul why persecute thee me, and he called him and changed his name.

Do I have anyone that can say in spite of my flaws, I’m still called by God, in spite of my mistakes I’m still call by God, God often uses the imperfect people to do his perfect will.

God called Samuel by name, he knows your name——he knows your situation-

and he took it for Eli call, he ran to Eli,

We make the same mistake often because when we are called by God Thing we do is run to to men. Run and see what they say. Can I just say sometimes it’s good to get opinions of others because the Bible say there’s safety in the multitude of counsel, but don’t look for approval of others. You can value their opinion without seeking their approval. The only person you need approval from is God.

But Eli was wise enough to say, lay back down, my brothers and sisters you need someone, a pastor, a friend that’s going to tell us to lay back down.

When we are wrong tell us when we are wrong, when we are right tell us when we are right.

Because, men we hold stuff in, a women can get on the phone and talk for hours about what she is dealing with but

you really want to know your calling figure out what your Passion is. Because your passion is a giveaway to your purpose

As it relates to believers If you can’t think of any-other calling I would give you three.

We have have a purpose the first call to answer it the call to repentance.

if you feel like you are the one of the ones that are not good If you are still in sin. Guess what you are the one who Jesus is calling. Jesus said in Luke 5:32 I come not to call the righteous be the sinner to repentance

The call to serve-Jesus stated it like this- That even the son of man(JESUS came not to be serve but to serve. IF Jesus was called to serve we should be called to serve as well.

The higher calling- Not to be perfect because Paul statedI have not obtained it but I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward CAlL of God in christ Jesus. Not only did he inquire what God wanted him to do but He Obeyed

2. not only did Samuel work until God called him but he stayed under someone that could help him recognize the voice of God

- I beleive that this a church that has a leader that can recognize the voice of God.

- Because Samuel was young he was not able to recognize Gods voice but he had a leader that gave him direction.

- Eli told Samuel son go Lay bored down until God call you again However, the next time he call make sure you answer.

- stay under good leadership.

-because a leader can help you identify the call iron your life

3. Not only did he stay under leadership but my 3rd and final point is that once he heard the voice of God he answered and obeyed.

God called samuel as others times, however on the third time Samuel finally answered. It took two other occasions for Samuel to say speak Lord for thy servant heareth, What I love about God is that if we dont get it right the first time. He will call us again, If we dont get it right the second time, He will call us again, He will call us until we finally get it right.

- If you read the entire chapter you will read that God called him to do something that he didn’t feel. qualified to do. God called him to do something that he did not necessary want to do. God called him to be a prophet and the first he tells him is to tell Eli that that God is going to do a new thing in Israel and will bring Judgement to them because of the sins of Eli's son.

- Sometime when God calls as we have to say somethings that we may not want to say.

- It's not always easy when god call you but answer anyhow

Conclusion-

Do I have anyone in this place that can Identify with Samuel that

I. I had to work to get the place

were I 'am right now Just as Samuel. 2. I'm willing to stay under leadership that will help recognize the voice of God and

- Just as God call Samuel to be aprophelet

- It may not be to be a pastor or a prophet but he is calling you to be a servant. He calling us to better men, better husbands, better fathers.

Better men in our community.

^ Is there anyone in here that can say I will answer the call.

- I know it wont be easy but In's going to answer the call.

- There's someone here today that

'can say I. I've heard to voice of God- but today I'm going to answer. or

2. I've having a difficult

time recognizing the voice of God for the call on my life and I need to be under a leader that will Guide me to my call.

Because the enemy would sometimes put doubt in the leaders mind. But God said don’t question the call on your life. Because God will use those who others may look at as unqualified and make them to be who he wants them to be. If you don’t believe me Lets look at the characters in the bible

~ Noah was a drunk but God used him

~ Abraham was too old But God used hime

~ Isaac was a daydreamer But God used him

~ Jacob was a liar But God used him

~ Leah was ugly But God used her

~ Joseph was abused But God used him

~ Moses had a stuttering problem (Moses stuttered)But God used him

~ Gideon was afraid But God used him

~ Samson had long hair and was a womanizer But God used him

~ Rahab was a prostitute But God used her

~ Jeremiah and Timothy were too young But God used him

~ David was an adulterer and a murderer But God used him

~ Elijah was suicidal But God used him

~ Jonah ran from God But God used him

~ Naomi was a widow But God used her.

~ Job went bankrupt But God used him

~ Peter denied Christ But God used him

This Goes to prove that no matter what you’ve experienced God still knows your name and he is waiting to use you.

No matter what people may say about you answer the call

They may talk about you but answer the call.

They may scandalize your name

But answer the call

You may get tired sometimes but Answer the call

You may feel like throwing in the towel at times Bur answer the call

You haven’t seen your best days yet

The best days are ahead!!

Pray one General prayer for the sake of time.