Discerning and Responding to God's Call Together
Summary
Today, I began by welcoming everyone to our service, acknowledging the absence of many of our ladies who were at a retreat in Gatlinburg. I expressed my anticipation for their return and shared how they've been refreshed and renewed during their time away. I then led us in prayer, thanking God for His unchanging nature and faithfulness, setting the tone for our worship and the message about discerning and responding to God's call.
We delved into the life of Samuel from 1 Samuel chapter 3, focusing on his experience of hearing God's voice for the first time. This story set the stage for our discussion on the importance of recognizing and responding to God's call, despite the interferences we face in life such as sin, busyness, and lack of spiritual maturity. I emphasized how these interferences can hinder our ability to hear God's voice clearly.
I shared insights on the necessity of community in our spiritual journey. Just as Eli helped Samuel to recognize God's voice, we too need the support and wisdom of our church family to discern and affirm God's calling in our lives. This led to a broader discussion on the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering us to live out our calling, stressing that we must not only be hearers but also doers of God's word.
Throughout the sermon, I reiterated the need for personal surrender to Christ, highlighting that knowing Jesus is essential for understanding our divine purpose. I encouraged everyone to examine their lives for sins of commission and omission, and to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in overcoming these barriers.
As we concluded, I invited anyone feeling called by God to speak with church leaders for prayer and support, ensuring they know they are not alone in their spiritual journey. I also outlined the upcoming church activities, emphasizing our continued commitment to community and service.
### Key Takeaways:
1. Recognizing God's Voice: Just as Samuel initially mistook God's voice for Eli's, we often confuse God's guidance with other influences in our lives. It's crucial to cultivate a spiritual sensitivity through regular prayer, scripture reading, and quiet reflection, ensuring our hearts are attuned to the divine frequency. This helps us discern His voice amidst the noise of everyday life. [54:01]
2. The Role of Community in Discernment: Our spiritual journey is not meant to be solitary. Engaging with a community of believers provides us with the necessary support, wisdom, and confirmation as we seek to understand God's call. This fellowship is vital for mutual encouragement and accountability, especially when facing doubts or challenges. [01:10:17]
3. The Importance of Spiritual Maturity: Spiritual growth is not automatic; it requires intentional effort and engagement with the Word of God and His people. As we mature in faith, our ability to discern God's voice improves, helping us to respond more readily to His call. This maturity is cultivated through consistent spiritual disciplines and community involvement. [45:50]
4. Surrender and Obedience to God's Call: Answering God's call requires more than just recognition; it demands obedience. This often means stepping out in faith, even when the path seems uncertain or difficult. Our willingness to obey, like Samuel's, demonstrates our trust in God's sovereignty and His perfect plan for our lives. [01:05:03]
5. Empowerment through the Holy Spirit: We are not left to fulfill God's call on our own strength. The Holy Spirit empowers and equips us to do what we cannot do by ourselves. Embracing this power allows us to operate beyond our natural capabilities and see the kingdom of God advance through our lives. [37:58]
### Chapters:
0:00 - Welcome
10:57 - Opening Prayer and Reflection
31:16 - Introduction to Samuel's Story
34:14 - The Call of Samuel: A Detailed Study
45:50 - Interferences in Hearing God's Call
54:01 - The Role of Community in Discerning God's Call
01:05:03 - Responding to God's Call with Obedience
01:10:17 - The Necessity of the Holy Spirit in Our Calling
01:27:39 - Closing Prayer and Invitation for Personal Ministry
01:30:25 - Announcements and Church Activities
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (NIV)
> The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Samuel's initial reaction when he heard God's voice, and how did Eli help him understand what was happening? ([35:59])
2. According to the sermon, what are some common interferences that can prevent us from hearing God's call? ([44:08])
3. How did the role of community, as exemplified by Eli and Samuel, help in discerning God's call? ([01:10:17])
4. What does the passage in 1 Samuel 3:1-10 reveal about the rarity of God's word and visions during Samuel's time?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to cultivate a spiritual sensitivity to recognize God's voice, as mentioned in the sermon? ([54:01])
2. How does the role of community support and confirm our understanding of God's call in our lives? ([01:10:17])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the necessity of personal surrender to Christ in understanding our divine purpose? ([01:27:39])
4. How can spiritual maturity improve our ability to discern and respond to God's call, according to the sermon? ([45:50])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was calling you to do something. How did you discern that it was truly God's voice? What steps did you take to confirm it? ([54:01])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of community in our spiritual journey. How can you actively engage with your church community to seek support and wisdom in discerning God's call? ([01:10:17])
3. Identify any interferences in your life, such as busyness or sin, that might be hindering your ability to hear God's voice. What practical steps can you take to minimize these distractions? ([44:08])
4. The sermon mentioned the necessity of personal surrender to Christ. What areas of your life do you need to surrender more fully to Jesus to better understand your divine purpose? ([01:27:39])
5. How can you cultivate a listening heart to better recognize and respond to God's call? Consider setting aside specific times for prayer, Bible study, and quiet reflection each day. ([55:42])
6. Think about a person in your church community who might be struggling to discern God's call. How can you offer support, encouragement, and wisdom to help them in their spiritual journey? ([01:10:17])
7. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering you to live out your calling. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength in your daily life? ([37:58])
Devotional
Day 1: Cultivating Spiritual Sensitivity
Recognizing God's voice amidst the cacophony of our daily lives is essential. It begins with cultivating a heart that is attuned to the divine, much like tuning an instrument to the right frequency. This process involves deliberate practices such as prayer, reading Scripture, and moments of quiet reflection. These disciplines help filter out the distractions and noise that often drown out the gentle whisper of God. By regularly engaging in these spiritual practices, individuals can develop a heightened sensitivity that makes discerning God's voice a more intuitive and frequent occurrence. This is crucial because, like Samuel who initially did not recognize God's call, we too can mistake His voice for mere background noise if we are not spiritually attuned. [54:01]
Psalm 85:8: "Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly."
Reflection: What part of your daily routine can you adjust to include more time for prayer and Scripture reading to enhance your spiritual sensitivity?
Day 2: The Power of Community in Spiritual Discernment
The journey of faith is not meant to be navigated in isolation. Engaging with a community of believers provides not only support and wisdom but also a necessary check against our own misinterpretations or biases. Just as Eli played a crucial role in helping Samuel recognize that it was the Lord calling him, our spiritual companions can help us discern the whispers of God amidst life's storms. This fellowship within the community is vital for encouragement and accountability, especially when we encounter doubts or challenges that can cloud our spiritual perception. [01:10:17]
Proverbs 15:22: "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed."
Reflection: Who are the Eli figures in your life that help you discern God’s voice, and how can you engage with them more intentionally?
Day 3: Embracing Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual growth requires intentional effort; it is not a passive process. Engaging deeply with God's Word and His people helps us mature in our faith, enhancing our ability to discern His voice and His will for our lives. This maturity does not happen overnight but is a journey of consistent spiritual discipline and community involvement. As we grow, our spiritual ears become more attuned, and our responses to God's call become more prompt and decisive. This growth is essential for living out our calling effectively and for navigating the complexities of life with spiritual wisdom. [45:50]
Ephesians 4:14-15: "So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
Reflection: What are some specific spiritual disciplines you can practice this week to foster your spiritual growth?
Day 4: Surrender and Obedience to God's Call
Answering God's call involves more than just recognition; it demands a deep-seated obedience that often requires stepping out in faith. This obedience, exemplified by Samuel's response to God, shows our trust in His sovereignty and His perfect plan for our lives. Surrendering to God's call means setting aside our plans and desires to embrace His. This act of faith can be challenging but is crucial for living a life that is aligned with God's purposes and for experiencing the fullness of His plans for us. [01:05:03]
James 4:7: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting God's call due to fear or uncertainty, and how can you begin to surrender it to Him?
Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
We are not left to fulfill God's call on our own strength. The Holy Spirit empowers and equips us to do what we cannot do by ourselves. This divine empowerment allows us to operate beyond our natural capabilities and to effectively advance God's kingdom through our lives. Embracing the Holy Spirit's power is essential for any believer who desires to respond to God's call with boldness and confidence, ensuring that our efforts are not in vain but are divinely inspired and sustained. [37:58]
Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: In what ways can you more fully embrace the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in your daily walk with God?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We often face challenges in discerning God's call amidst all of the noise. But then how? How do we recognize that it is truly God that is speaking to us? And how can we answer if we don't know that it's him that's speaking? You see, in this passage, Samuel initially mistakes the voice of the Lord for his mentor." [54:01]
2. "We need to intentionally carve out time every day in our schedules for moments of solitude, for moments of silence, for moments to listen for God, to speak to him where we can quiet our hearts and our minds and we can be more receptive to the voice of God." [44:08]
3. "We are all called by God to salvation and service, but we have to learn to hear and answer his call amidst the interference in our lives. Y'all ready? Let's go. First thing we need to look at this morning is clearing the way for God's call." [42:21]
4. "We have to be open to God's calling. Most of the time when people don't know God's call on their life, it's because they're on cruise control. They're not seeking him. They're not looking for him. They're not pushing out all of the other stuff in life in order to hear his voice." [01:01:30]
### Quotes for Members
1. "We are not left to fulfill God's call on our own strength. The Holy Spirit empowers and equips us to do what we cannot do by ourselves. Embracing this power allows us to operate beyond our natural capabilities and see the kingdom of God advance through our lives." [38:58]
2. "Community is a place for affirmation, it's a place for confirmation, it's a place to sit back and say we've got you. As we share our sense of calling with others, we open up ourselves to the possibility of receiving confirmation from those who know us well." [01:22:29]
3. "We have to rely on one another for wisdom, for accountability, and for encouragement. And to foster a supportive spiritual community, we have to be intentional about cultivating relationships with fellow believers." [01:05:03]
4. "The enemy is constantly at work seeking to sow seeds of doubt and fear and confusion in our minds, making it difficult for us to discern God's voice amidst all of the chaos that we have. We have to be vigilant in guarding our hearts and our minds against the enemy's schemes." [47:41]
5. "We have to listen to God. We have to be quiet in his presence and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us. Through scripture, through prayer, through reflection, we must adopt an attitude of humility and humble submission and say, speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." [59:33]
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