Hearing God's Call: Humility, Holiness, and Service
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded that God reveals Himself to the humble, the broken, and the eager. He speaks to those who are willing to listen and obey His word. The sermon emphasized the importance of not just hearing God's word, but truly listening and acting upon it. It was highlighted that disobedience to God's word leads to consequences, as whatever we sow, we will reap. The sermon also touched on the importance of intercession, of crying out to God for others, and the significance of being a servant who is more concerned about helping others.
The sermon also discussed how God will disturb us and wake us up from our spiritual slumber to get our attention. It was emphasized that God is not concerned about our comfort, but about our holiness. The sermon also highlighted that God will sometimes bring trials and tribulations into our lives to get our attention because He loves us too much to leave us where we are. The sermon concluded by reminding us that God is still speaking today and the question is whether we have ears to hear His word.
Key takeaways:
- God reveals Himself to the humble, the broken, and the eager. He speaks to those who are willing to listen and obey His word. ([01:04:49])
- Disobedience to God's word leads to consequences, as whatever we sow, we will reap. ([01:05:48])
- The importance of intercession, of crying out to God for others, and the significance of being a servant who is more concerned about helping others. ([01:06:43])
- God will disturb us and wake us up from our spiritual slumber to get our attention. He is not concerned about our comfort, but about our holiness. ([01:08:31])
- God is still speaking today and the question is whether we have ears to hear His word. ([01:09:20])
Study Guide
Bible Passages:
1. 1 Samuel 3:1-21
2. Philippians 1:6
3. Proverbs 13:12
Key Points from the sermon:
1. God's voice can sometimes sound like our first spiritual teacher or mentor.
2. We often turn to human wisdom or solutions when God is trying to speak to us.
3. God is patient and persistent in His pursuit of us, even when we are inconsistent or "flickering."
Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Samuel 3:1-21, how does Samuel initially respond to God's voice?
2. What does Philippians 1:6 say about the work God has started in us?
3. According to Proverbs 13:12, what is the effect of deferred hope?
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Samuel initially mistake God's voice for Eli's in 1 Samuel 3:1-21?
2. What does Philippians 1:6 imply about God's commitment to us, even when we are inconsistent?
3. How does Proverbs 13:12 relate to the sermon's point about the dangers of placing our hope in human solutions?
Application Questions:
1. How can we better discern God's voice in our lives, especially when it might sound like the voices of others?
2. In what areas of our lives do we need to trust that God will complete the work He has started, even when we are inconsistent?
3. How can we shift our hope from human solutions to God's promises?
Devotional
Day 1: Stepping into the Unfamiliar
God often calls us to step out of our comfort zones and into unfamiliar territory. This can be a daunting prospect, but it is in these moments that we truly learn to trust in God's guidance and provision.
Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone and experienced God's guidance in a new way? If not, what is one unfamiliar situation or task you could step into this week to exercise your faith and trust in God?
Day 2: The Blessings of Serving the Lord
Serving the Lord is not only a duty but also a privilege that comes with blessings. When we serve God, we experience His strength, guidance, and provision in unique ways.
Matthew 20:28 - "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you actively served God and experienced His strength and guidance. If you can't recall such a time, what is one way you could serve God this week and potentially experience His blessings?
Day 3: Awakening from Spiritual Slumber
God often uses trials and hardships to awaken us from spiritual complacency. These moments can be challenging, but they are also opportunities for spiritual growth and renewal.
Ephesians 5:14 - "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Reflection: Can you identify a time when God used a trial or hardship to awaken you from spiritual complacency? If not, what are some ways you could stay spiritually awake and responsive to God's call in your life?
Day 4: The Power of Humility and Eagerness
Humility and eagerness are powerful tools in our spiritual journey. They open our hearts to God's voice and guide us in our walk with Him.
James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when your humility and eagerness allowed you to hear from God. If you can't recall such a time, how could you cultivate more humility and eagerness in your relationship with God?
Day 5: The Power of Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory prayer is a powerful tool in our spiritual arsenal. When we pray for others, we invite God's power and presence into their situations.
James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you interceded in prayer for someone else and saw God move in their situation? If not, who is one person you could commit to praying for regularly?
Quotes
1. "Sometimes we need to launch out into the deep. There are times God will ask us to get out of that boat, step out into the water from the familiar to the unfamiliar. But in order to get from the familiar to the unfamiliar, you've got to let go of that shoreline and step into the deep. That's where revelation comes, faith, trust. God will show you things, guide you." - 01:11:20
2. "Jesus washed his disciples feet. What an example to follow. We wonder why things aren't happening, maybe we're not washing each other's feet so to speak. Maybe we're not involved in caring for each other and sacrificing for each other and blessing each other. He gave us an example to follow." - 24:20
3. "You might be flickering this morning, but God isn't finished with you yet. Because he that's begun a good work in you, he's gonna complete it. You're flickering, you're on and off, but you're in the temple and by being in the temple you're saying god I'm here and I need you to help me." - 16:22
4. "God's getting our attention but we're not responding and we press the snooze button and we just want that voice to go away. We're not a servant, we're too comfortable. Why do you think Jesus has a problem with comfort? We're so consumed by being comfortable all the time. But Jesus said woe unto him who is full, who doesn't need anything." - 33:26
5. "Sometimes God will speak in your life through a storm, through some heartache, something that seems to be unbearable. But God's got something if you just have ears to hear, if you just have eyes to see. If you can stop looking in the natural realm and start looking beyond your feelings and your emotions and start listening with the spirit." - 35:53
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