Deep Dive: Stop Talking
August 27, 2023
Pastor Ricky Smith
Sermon Notes
1 Samuel 3:1-10
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 Lordwas 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.”
A. God speaks, and we are not ready to listen due to our position of selfishness or posture of sin
Jeremiah 23:16-17
Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”
B. God speaks and we are not able to recognize because of the noise
1. Trust His Word
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 1:1
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.
2. Seek Wise counsel that aligns with His Word
Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 19:20-21
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
3. Pray for Eyes to See Him at Work
1 John 4:1
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
4. Messages on Loop
It Is the Relationship, not the Voice that We Seek
Hosea 6:3
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.
Next Steps
- I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
- I confess I need to turn off some noise that is distracting me.
- I choose to trust God even when it seems He is silent.
Deep Dive
- Read 1 John 4:1. How can you test what you are hearing with what God wants?
- What are examples of noisy distractions in your life that compete with the voice of God?
- How can you better listen patiently and wait for God’s voice?
Springboard
- Who in your life is far from God and are you praying for their salvation?
- Read Romans 10:14-15. How can God use you to speak the truth in love to this person?
- Why are we afraid to share Jesus where we live, work, learn, and play?
