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HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD

INTRODUCTION

In our text we see an illustration of God calling his children into service.

The Scripture says that the LORD called Samuel into service to keep the lamp of God from going out in the temple of the LORD.

Eli was the priest of God at this time in Israel, but his house had done wickedly before the LORD and he was called on the carpet for not doing something about it. (3:13)

Eli’s sons had at least three marks against them according to the Scripture:

            1.         They knew not the LORD. (2:12)

            2.         They stole part of the sacrifice that belonged to God and took it for themselves and caused the people of God to abhor the offering of the LORD. (2:13-17; 29)

            3.         They committed immorality at the very door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

                        (2:22)

Now understand that the LORD expected Eli to do something more than just talk to his sons, because Eli had talked with them. (2:23-25)

Eli failed to properly bring his sons up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD!

Fathers (and mothers!) we have a responsibility to bring our children up to know the LORD!

We have a responsibility to teach them the difference between right and wrong and to cleave to that which is right and to abhor that which is wrong!

We have a responsibility to teach them to give God what belongs to Him and not to take what is his!

We have a responsibility to teach them not to live their lives after the desires of the flesh!

We have a responsibility to restrain them from doing wickedly!

But Eli failed to do any of this and God was now going to hold him accountable for his failure to carry out his God given responsibilities as parent and priest! (2:27-36)

So God’s call went out to Samuel, not only to fulfill the priests office, but to be a prophet of the LORD!

We see that Samuel did not recognize the voice of God at first.

Many today are much like Samuel. There are many of God’s children who do not recognize God’s voice at first. This often leads to the circumstance of missing the blessings that come from being in the center of God’s will.

I want us to look at the Scriptures and see how to recognize the voice of God as He calls us to follow Him.

I.         IN WHAT WAYS HAS GOD SPOKEN TO MAN THROUGH THE AGES?

            A.        How Has God Spoken To Mankind In General?

                        1.         God Speaks To Men Through The Creation!

Romans 1:20–“For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

Psalm 19:1-3--“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”

                                    That is why the Bible can truthfully say:

                                    Psalm 14:1–“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.”

                        2.         God Speaks To Men Through The Conscience!

Romans 1:19–“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.”

                                    That again is why the Bible can truthfully say:

                                    Psalm 14:1– “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.”

                        3.         God Speaks To Men Through The Clergy!                        

I don't like that word, but it was the only one I could find that started with a "C".

God raised up his prophets at times to speak to or against even the wicked Gentile nations.

They spoke with authority from God, "Thus saith the LORD. . ."

(exp. Jonah to Ninevah)

                        4.         God Speaks To Men Through The Circumstances (of life)!

(exp.--The Centurion soldier at the foot of the cross of Christ!)

                        5.         God Speaks To Men Through Chastenings!

(exp.--The 10 plagues against Pharaoh and the Egyptians.)

                        6.         God Speaks To Men Through The Christ!            

John 1:18–“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared Him.”

                        7.         God Speaks To Men Through The Comforter (The Holy Ghost)!

John 16:7-13–“7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.”

                        8.         God Speaks To Men Through The Canon (of Scripture)!

2 Peter 1:18–“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

                        So, we see how God has spoken to Mankind in General.

            B.        How Has God Spoken To His People?

                        1.         Before The Fall, God Spoke To Man Face To Face.         (Genesis 1-3)

Praise God when Redemption is fully consummated, we will speak to God face to face again!

                        2.         After the Fall, God Spoke In An Audible Voice With His Glory Veiled.

Exodus 33:18-23– “And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. 19And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.”

                        3.         During the Age of The Law, God Spoke Through His Prophets And Priests.

2 Kings 17:13a– “Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets ... "

                                    Men of God of God came speaking, “Thus saith the LORD God. . .”

                        4.         During the Incarnation, God became flesh and dwelt among us.

                                    God spoke to His people in the person of Christ!

John 1:14– “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

Hebrews 1:1-2a--“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. . .”

1 John 1:1-2--“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

                        5.         In the Early Church, God spoke by the apostles which was confirmed by outward manifestations of the gifts of His Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 2:3–“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

                        6.         After the completion of the Canon of Scripture, God now speaks through His completed Revelation, the written Word of God.

II Tim. 3:15-17–“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

                                    a.         The Bible is the written manifestation of the Living Word, Jesus Christ.

                                    b.        The Bible is the revelation of the will of God the Father to man.

                                    c.         The Bible is illuminated by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

So, We have seen how God spoken to man through the ages–both mankind in general and to His people.

II.       WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO PEOPLE TODAY?

            A.        There Is The Call to Salvation.

                        1.         The Call To See Ourselves As Sinners.

Romans 3:9-12–“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

                        2.         The Call To Consider Christ.

John 5:39-40–“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

Romans 10:9-10–“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

                        3.         The Call To Repentance.

Acts 3:19–“19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. . .”

Acts 17:30–“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Acts 20:21–“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

                        4.         The Call To Rest.

Matthew 11:28–“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

            So, there is the call to Salvation. Have you answered that call?  

            B.        There Is The Call To Sanctification (Holiness).

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4--“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;”

                        1.         It is a call to be set apart from self and sin unto God for His purposes.

He calls for purity and holiness and provides both the power and the path for that to be accomplished in our lives.

1 Peter 1:15-16–“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

2 Peter 1:3–“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

                        2.         It is a call to be conformed to the image of Christ.

Romans 8:29– “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Romans 12:2--“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Galatians 2:20–“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

            C.        There Is The Call To Service.

Ephesians 6:5-8--“5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”

                        Colossians 3:22-25– “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice,

                        as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to

                        the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for

                        ye serve the Lord Christ. 25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and

                        there is no respect of persons.”

                        Every Christian is to be in full-time service to the Lord 24/ 7 /365.

                        1.         God has equipped us and called us to serve others in Jesus’ name.

                        2.         There is no Christian that God has not called to serve.

                        3.         There is no Christian to whom God has not given the spiritual gifts and abilities needed to accomplish God’s will for their lives.

                        4.         Understand that God’s call can be general or specific.

                                    a.         What Is A General Call?

                                                Exp. Every Christian has a call to reach the world with the Gospel.

Acts 1:8– “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

                                                1)        The Great Commission was given to the local Church–but we are the local church!

                                                2)        Every Christian has been called by God to be a missionary.

                                                3)        Whether it is across the street or around the world, our mission is still the same, to live and spread the truth in Jesus’ name.

                                    b.        What Is A Specific Call?

It is a call to serve God in a special capacity in a certain place!

Acts 13:2-7--“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.4So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.”

                                                1)        We need to be honest with God as to whether He is calling us to serve Him in a special capacity or in a certain place and respond in surrender.

                                                2)        If not, it is certain that He has called us to minister where we are at and to give so that others can go to the ends of the earth.

                                                3)        God wants us to put ourselves in the offering plate first.

                                                            a.         He wants our willingness to go anywhere that He leads or do anything He tells us to do!

                                                            b.         When He has that, He will show us where to go!

                                                4)        The key is surrender of our will to His will.

                                                5)        The question is, “Who is Lord of our life?”

            D.        There Is The Call to Sacrifice.

Every child of God has been called to sacrifice his desires, his wants, his wishes, and his plans and replace it with what God would have for him!

Mark 8:34–“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”

Conclusion

The voice of God is not silent. He speaks to the heart of His people and calls them to follow in His steps.

How have you responded to God’s call to Salvation, to Sanctification, to Service, and to Sacrifice. God is speaking. Are you listening?

As Eli advised Samuel so long ago, I encourage you to respond to His voice today with, "Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth.”

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!