Serving the Lord Faithfully
The Lord empowers those who know Him and faithfully serve Him.
1 Samuel Chapter 3: 1-10, 15-4:1
Introduction:
The next book in the Bible we will be studying is in 1 Samuel. 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel were originally one volume in the Hebrew Bible and then later divided into two books by the translators of the Greek version. They provide the history of Israel from the end of the Judges period to the last years of King David (1075-975BC). The writings are essentially religious history: the story of God and the nation – particularly God the nation leaders. Faithfulness to God is seen as the key to success: to disobey God spells disaster. The human author is unknown.
As 1 Samuel begins, Israel was at a very low point spiritually. Some things we will see as we begin our study in 1st and 2nd Samuel are: the priesthood was corrupt, the Ark of the Covenant was taken from the tabernacle, idolatry was practiced, and most judges were dishonest.
Since our missionary John last week taught when we were supposed to be looking at 1 Samuel 1 and 2 lets take a quick look before we dig into chapter 3. Chapter one really talks about a woman named Hannah and how she was disgraced because God had closed her womb and she could not bare children. Chapter 1:10 says, “Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.” Hannah made a vow that she would give her son back to God for his entire lifetime if God would just look down on her sorrow. Verse 19 tells us how the Lord remembered her request and she became pregnant and had little Samuel. Hannah was obedient.
Now Eli was the priest at the Tabernacle were the Ark of the Covenant was in Shiloh and this is who Hannah gave her child to. We see in Chapter 2 that Eli had some sons who were corrupt and had no respect for the Lord or their priestly duties. In verse 27 of Chapter 2 we see an unknown prophet come to Eli and give a message from the Lord. Basically the message to Eli was that due to his failure being a parent and with his sons being wicked, his entire family would die before their time.
Now let’s pick up in Chapter 3 and see how Samuel served the Lord faithfully.
The Lord empowers those who know Him and faithfully serve Him.
1 Samuel Chapter 3: 1-10, 15-4:1
Introduction:
The next book in the Bible we will be studying is in 1 Samuel. 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel were originally one volume in the Hebrew Bible and then later divided into two books by the translators of the Greek version. They provide the history of Israel from the end of the Judges period to the last years of King David (1075-975BC). The writings are essentially religious history: the story of God and the nation – particularly God the nation leaders. Faithfulness to God is seen as the key to success: to disobey God spells disaster. The human author is unknown.
As 1 Samuel begins, Israel was at a very low point spiritually. Some things we will see as we begin our study in 1st and 2nd Samuel are: the priesthood was corrupt, the Ark of the Covenant was taken from the tabernacle, idolatry was practiced, and most judges were dishonest.
Since our missionary John last week taught when we were supposed to be looking at 1 Samuel 1 and 2 lets take a quick look before we dig into chapter 3. Chapter one really talks about a woman named Hannah and how she was disgraced because God had closed her womb and she could not bare children. Chapter 1:10 says, “Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.” Hannah made a vow that she would give her son back to God for his entire lifetime if God would just look down on her sorrow. Verse 19 tells us how the Lord remembered her request and she became pregnant and had little Samuel. Hannah was obedient.
Now Eli was the priest at the Tabernacle were the Ark of the Covenant was in Shiloh and this is who Hannah gave her child to. We see in Chapter 2 that Eli had some sons who were corrupt and had no respect for the Lord or their priestly duties. In verse 27 of Chapter 2 we see an unknown prophet come to Eli and give a message from the Lord. Basically the message to Eli was that due to his failure being a parent and with his sons being wicked, his entire family would die before their time.
Now let’s pick up in Chapter 3 and see how Samuel served the Lord faithfully.
Eagerness to Serve (1Sam. 3:1-6)
Historian’s suggested Samuel was about twelve (teenager). The Hebrew word for boy here in the same one used for David when he slew Goliath. (No matter our age God can use us).
The word serving here in the Hebrew was a common term in the OT for performing various duties at the tabernacle. Samuel most likely had three main specific tasks: Tending to Eli the priest, kept night watch in the temple and opening the doors in the morning to the temple.
In verse 3 the lamp of God was the golden lamp stand, located in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. It was to be keep burning from evening until morning.
It is interesting to note that as soon as Samuel heard the voice he jumped and ran to Eli (Eager to Serve).
To serve the Lord faithfully we need to be (eager) (Eagerness to Serve). Eagerness can be defined as: marked by enthusiastic or impatient desire or interest.
Illustration:
Ray Comfort right after he became a Christian on the bus.
Application:
As Christians we should not need the Church to ask us to serve, we should be enthusiastic and looking for opportunities to serve faithfully right where we are. 2 Chronicles 16:9 “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him….”
Readiness to Serve (1Sam.3:7-10)
Samuel did not yet know the Lord. Know or experienced in the Hebrew verb means from the senses. Literally Samuel had not heard (ears) or seen (vision) from God.
Taking 3 times for Eli to figure out God was calling Samuel just indicates Eli’s spiritual perception was not what it should have been. (We need to be Reading our Bible Daily and Praying Daily)
Vs.9-10 Eli tells Samuel if someone calls again say Yes (would invite God to continue speaking), Lord (indicates Samuel knew who he was speaking to) and your servant is listening (affirm his willingness to obey).
To serve the Lord faithfully we not only need to be (eager), but we need to be (ready). We need (Readiness to Serve). Readiness can be defined as: prepared mentally or physically for some experience or action. prepared for immediate use.
Application:
How do you get ready to serve the Lord? The same way the Military or Sports teams get ready for war or a game, they train. Then they train and then train more. We need to be praying and reading our Bibles daily without fail to be ready to serve God faithfully.
Humbleness to Serve (1Sam.3:15-18)
It is normal to be afraid if we fill God calling us, but it is not acceptable to ignore His calling. We see Samuel is afraid, but as Vs. 18 notes, he did not hold anything back. (Complete Obedience)
Although we see that the Lord is speaking to Samuel and not Eli, the fact that Samuel was afraid to tell him indicates how much he respected Eli the priest. Samuel was humble even after the Lord spoke to him and not Eli.
It is interesting that Eli although in a bad spiritual state, still resigned himself to divine sovereignty of God, without reluctance.
So to serve the Lord faithfully we need to be (eager), (ready) and (humble). We need (Humbleness to Serve). Humbleness can be defined as: not proud or haughty: not arrogant or assertive.
Illustration:
Lincoln once got caught up in a situation where he wanted to please a politician, so he issued a command to transfer certain regiments. When the secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, received the order, he refused to carry it out. He said that the President was a fool. Lincoln was told what Stanton had said, and he replied, "If Stanton said I'm a fool, then I must be, for he is nearly always right. I'll see for myself." As the two men talked, the President quickly realized that his decision was a serious mistake, and without hesitation he withdrew it.
Application:
Another definition of being humble is (submission). We have to let go of our proud hearts. James 4:6 “…(b) “God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble.”
Willingness to Serve (1Sam.3:19-4:1a)
Everything Samuel said as a prophet was wise and helpful. The King James translation says that the Lord did not allow “none of his words to fall to the ground.” This means all Samuel said as a prophet proved true.
All of Israel knew God had confirmed Samuel as a prophet and the Lord continued to speak and guide him. Samuel continued to willing serve the Lord for all of Israel.
So to faithfully serve God we need to be (eager), (ready), (humble) and (willing). We need (Willingness to Serve). Willingness can be defined as: acting or ready to act gladly; eagerly compliant.
Conclusion:
Serving the Lord faithfully: trusting in His promises and being willing to go wherever He might ask you. A great example of serving the Lord faithfully was our missionaries last week. They were faithfully serving the Lord in South Asia. John and Stephanie were eager to serve (you could see their enthusiastic spirits), they were ready to serve (they both had the training and were mentally and physically prepared), they were humble (they both were very down to earth and not proud at heart) and they were willing to serve (they were actively doing something). What are we doing here in the United States to faithfully serve the Lord? Are we dying to ourselves everyday and living for Christ? Are we being obedient right were we are?
If you are feeling led to start serving the Lord and do not where to serve then please come to our team meeting tonight. Everyone is welcome and we can get you plugged in. Maybe the Lord is calling on your heart about something else; please don’t let that calling pass without talking to someone. Trent and I are always available. My information is on the top of the outline and I would be glad to speak with any of you anytime.
Life is short. The things we are serving for this world will not last. They will pass away like everything else, but the things of God will last forever. Will we start today faithfully serving God right where we are at?
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