Speak Lord: Hearing God’s Call in 1 Samuel 3

1 Samuel 3

1 And the child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

3 And before the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

5 And he ran to Eli, and said, Here am I; for you called me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for you did call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.

8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for you did call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call you, that you shall say, Speak, LORD; for your servant hears. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for your servant hears.

11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that hears it shall tingle.

12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knows; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

14 And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision.

16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.

17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD has said to you? I pray you hide it not from me: God do so to you, and more also, if you hide any thing from me of all the things that he said to you.

18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seems him good.

19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

I would be honored to help you prepare; I will craft both a comprehensive outline and a full sermon based on 1 Samuel 3 and your title, "Speak Lord."

🗣️ Speak, Lord!

🧒 The Boy Who Listened: A Story for the Children

Once there was a little boy named Samuel who lived in a big, beautiful templePP 581.1. His mother, Hannah, had given him to God because she loved the Lord so muchRH June 17, 1890, par. 15. One night, while Samuel was sleeping, he heard a voice calling his name: "Samuel! Samuel!"KJV — 1Samuel 3:9. He thought it was his teacher, the old priest Eli, so he ran to him and said, "Here am I!"PP 581.2. But Eli said, "I didn't call you; go back to sleep"ST December 15, 1881, par. 3. This happened three timesPP 581.2. Finally, Eli realized it was the Lord calling the boyST December 15, 1881, par. 3. He told Samuel, "If He calls again, say, 'Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth'"KJV — 1Samuel 3:9. Samuel went back to bed, and when the Lord called again, he listened and became a great prophetPP 581.1. Just like Samuel, God knows your name and wants to talk to your heart todayARSH July 2, 1861, page 43.27.

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🕊️ The Science of Salvation: Hearing the Divine Voice

The most important lesson any soul can learn is to seek God with all the heart and obey Him implicitly1MCP 358.2. To know God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent, is life eternal John 17:31MCP 358.2. In the days of Samuel, the word of the Lord was precious because there was no open visionPP 581.2. The atmosphere was clouded by the sins of the high priest's house, which shut out the Holy SpiritPP 581.1. Yet, in the midst of this spiritual darkness, the Lord chose a child to be His messengerPP 581.1.

This reminds us that God does not always choose the aged or the honored if they have neglected His counselST May 26, 1890, par. 5. He passes by those who have separated their souls from Him and finds a humble, willing heartPH152 51.3+1. The cross of Calvary is the life-healing balm that enables us to hear this voice again, breaking the silence of sin and connecting earth with heavenGC 18.2+1.

📜 The Failure of Eli and the Call of Samuel

Eli was the high priest, but he failed in the most sacred duty: the training of his own household 1 Samuel 2:12-36RH January 29, 1901, par. 4.

• Parental Neglect: Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, made themselves vile, and he restrained them not 1 Samuel 3:13PP 581.1.

• Dishonoring God: By honoring his sons above the Lord, Eli brought a curse upon his house that could not be purged by sacrificeRH April 6, 1897, par. 4+1.

• The Silent Spirit: Because of this unfaithfulness, the Lord stopped communicating with Eli and spoke instead to the youthful SamuelST February 18, 1897, par. 15+1.

When the Lord finally called Samuel, the boy was so awed that he could not even remember the exact words Eli told him to sayST December 15, 1881, par. 4. Yet, his simple response—"Speak; for Thy servant heareth"—marked the beginning of a life dedicated to bearing the word of the Lord to a rebellious nationKJV — 1Samuel 3:9+1.

🛡️ Obedience: The Highest Education

To obey God according to the letter of His Word is the highest education obtainable in this world25LtMs, Ms 84, 1910, par. 38.

1. A Submissive Spirit: Our prayers must not take the form of commands, but of submissive intercessionGW 218.2.

2. Faithful Stewardship: Every person is called to action, and if we do not obey the voice of the Lord, "unfaithful, slothful servant" will be written against our names1SM 266.1+1.

3. The Royal Law: The Ten Commandments are the expression of God's will and are binding in all ages15LtMs, Ms 36, 1900, par. 12. Obedience to these commands is better than any sacrifice we could offer 1 Samuel 15:22DA 590.2.

We are told that when it is in the heart to obey, Jesus accepts our best efforts and makes up for our deficiencies with His own divine merit1SM 382.2. However, He will not accept those who claim faith while remaining disloyal to His Father’s commandments1SM 382.2.

📢 The Messenger's Responsibility

Samuel was filled with fear at the message he had to deliver to EliPP 582.2. It was a fearful denunciation of judgmentPP 581.1. Yet, when Eli charged him to reveal the truth, Samuel hid nothingPP 582.2+1.

• Speaking Plain Truth: Like Samuel, we are commanded to "cry aloud, spare not" and show the people their transgressions Isaiah 58:11MR 18.3+1.

• Reflecting the Character of Christ: The servant of the Lord must be gentle, patient, and meek in instructing those who oppose themselves 2 Timothy 2:24-25RH April 29, 1902, par. 1.

• Standing for Right: In times of peril, God calls for men and women who are not afraid to take a firm stand for the right, even if it means standing alonePK 142.2.

🕯️ Practical Godliness in the Home

The family is the greatest of all educational agenciesCT 107.1. Parents, the lessons your children learn in the first seven years form their character for eternity1MCP 149.3+1.

• The Altar in the Home: Like Abraham, heads of families should erect an altar to the Lord in their homesST February 10, 1888, par. 9.

• The Power of Example: Children often do not obey God because they see their parents neglecting prayer and training18LtMs, Ms 15, 1903, par. 10.

• A Sacred Trust: No higher trust is committed to mortals than the care of children, who are the property of GodPK 245.1.

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🛐 The Appeal: What Will You Do?

The Lord is standing at the door of your heart right now, knocking and entreating Revelation 3:201NL 99.7+1. He says, "Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts" Hebrews 3:7-8MMM 29.2+1.

Are your ears open to the Savior’s call, or is the door held fast by the rubbish of this worldDAR1909 408.1? Will you choose today whom you will serve2TT 419.2? Will you be like Samuel and say, "Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth"KJV — 1Samuel 3:9+1?

The standard of character is the royal law, and by it, we shall be judged13LtMs, Ms 67, 1898, par. 16+1. Do not wait until it is too late to realize your mistake2MR 91.2. Jesus has purchased your salvation at an infinite price, and He longs to bestow His gifts of grace upon you2MR 91.2+1. Yield your will to Him this very hour, for now is the day of salvationMMM 29.2. Turn from your own ways and find delight in the LordST February 28, 1884, par. 8+1. What are you going to do25LtMs, Ms 84, 1910, par. 38?

Here is the sermon outline:

Sermon Outline: Speak, Lord!

I. The Story of Samuel’s Call

• The Setting: Young Samuel lived in the temple, dedicated to God by his mother, Hannah.
• The Call: While sleeping, Samuel heard God’s voice three times but mistook it for the priest Eli.
• The Instruction: Eli realized God was calling and told Samuel to respond: "Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth."
• The Result: Samuel listened and was established as a prophet, illustrating that God speaks to humble hearts today.

II. The Science of Salvation

• Hearing the Voice: The most vital lesson is to seek God and obey Him implicitly; knowing Him is eternal life John 17:3.
• Spiritual Darkness: In Samuel’s time, sin clouded the spiritual atmosphere, yet God bypassed the "honored" to find a willing heart.
• The Restoration: The Cross of Calvary acts as the balm that restores our ability to hear God’s voice despite the silence of sin.

III. The Failure of Eli vs. The Call of Samuel

• Parental Neglect: Eli failed to restrain his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who dishonored God.
• Divine Judgment: By honoring family above God, Eli brought a curse upon his house that sacrifice could not purge.
• Transition of Authority: Because of Eli's unfaithfulness, the Lord stopped communicating with him and chose the youthful, submissive Samuel.

IV. Obedience: The Highest Education

• The Royal Law: The Ten Commandments are God's binding will; obedience is better than sacrifice 1 Samuel 15:22.
• Submissive Spirit: Prayer should be a submissive intercession rather than a list of commands.
• Divine Merit: When we have a heart to obey, Jesus accepts our efforts and covers our deficiencies with His merit.

V. The Messenger’s Responsibility

• Upholding Truth: Like Samuel, believers must deliver God's word faithfully, even when it contains "plain truths" or denunciations of sin Isaiah 58:1.
• Christlike Character: Truth must be spoken with the gentleness, patience, and meekness of Christ.
• Standing Firm: God requires people who will stand for the right even if they must stand alone.

VI. Practical Godliness in the Home

• The Family Altar: Parents are the primary educators; they must establish a home "altar" of prayer and worship.
• The Power of Example: Children’s characters are largely formed in the first seven years; parental neglect of God often leads to child disobedience.
• A Sacred Trust: Children are God’s property, and raising them is the highest trust committed to mortals.

VII. The Appeal: A Call to Decision

• The Invitation: Christ is knocking at the door of the heart Revelation 3:20.
• The Choice: Do not harden your heart; choose today whom you will serve.
• The Urgency: salvation is available now; yield your will to Him before the "rubbish of the world" makes the heart too hard to hear His call.