The Call of Samuel...How Is The Word Of The Lord Necessary for today??

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (KJV)
1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
The Word of the Lord was precious in those days: or it was rare; seldom... It was this event that mad the revelation of God's Will to Samuel an event so memorable both for the Jewish nation and for the church. Why is this? He was called by the providence of God..
At the end of this verse we see where it says there was no open vision. : this literally means that “no vision broke forth” as found in 2 chronicles”.
This means that though prophecy was an essential condition of the spiritual life of Israel, but it had not yet been established as a fact.
The gift had not been absolutely withheld...but it hadn't been permanently granted as a settled ordinance..


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;
Eli could not see! :
his sight was quickly growing dim...
both were sleeping in the temple: Samuel was sleeping in the temple of God, where the ark of God was..
Eli nor Samuel were in the holy place, but 1 Sam 1:9, the word temple is used in the sense of the whole palace of Israel's spiritual king.

3 And ere 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 unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst 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 thou didst 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 unto him.
The reason why Samuel was confused is simply because Samuel did not yet know Jehovah, neither was the word of God revealed to him.
He knew God in the way of his conscience and spiritual life, but did not know him as one who reveals his will to men.
Let me explain that prophecy had been a rare thing for a long time... and Samuel had often heard God's voice in his heart, speaking to him of right and wrong....
but he did not know of God as a living person, such as giving commandments for men and women to obey...and giving knowledge to guide them in doing his will!!

8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Notice that Eli told Samuel to go lay down again... Eli knew this was God, definitely a time to get excited but he told Samuel to go lay down because he knew that if Samuel was calm it would be the best way for him to receive the Word of God!
The best preparation for hearing God's voice is through obedience and trustful submission!

10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
Here there was more than a voice there was an objective presence!
But instead of hurrying to Eli, Samuel obediently waited for the revelation of the Divine Will, saying, “Speak, for thy servant heareth”
We find where 258 times the Word of God has come unto an individual on either one or multiple occasions
Here with Samuel we see where it took God three different times to get Samuel's attention...
What does this show about God, or the Word of the LORD?
It shows me that God will never ever give up on an individual...
I read this passage of scripture for the purpose of setting a picture in your head.
I don't believe I am doing any injustice to the Word of God when I do this, but lets set a seen of a sinner...an individual bound down by the power an darkness of sin...
this individual is a porn addict, has a terrible cussing problem...this guy will cuss you out in a heart beat. This person has felt God speak to their heart about what is right and wrong, just as young Samuel did!
There is only one hope for this person...the Word of the Lord has to come unto him...

we find many verses where it reveals the power that the Word of God packs!
John 1:1 says in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God!
So here in this bible records many miracles,healing and teachings of Jesus...
but since the word was God...or is God..it is revealing that the word of God is not just pages bound in this book but it is indeed alive and well!
2 Timothy 3:16 says:
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Can I say to you that the word of God is not just something bound in a leather casing, something that many people put on their back shelf or I n their closet!
But the Word of God dwells here among us!
The Word of God is here with us this morning, his name is Jesus!
Yes he hung on a cross, yes nails were driven through his hand, yes a crown of thorns were placed on his head!
Yes he did die on that cross...but he was buried...
an I am proud to report that the grave couldn't hold him!
The stone wasn't to heavy!
When God moved on the situation God resurrected that body of Jesus!
This shows that the Word of the LORD is all powerful
this shows that God is in control
this shows that nothing is impossible with God!
Yes Jesus did die but he rose again...he conquered the grave! That's the resurrecting power of Jesus!
So the word of the lord is not dead! The word of the Lord is not shut up somewhere!
But the Word of the Lord is alive and it dwells here among us today!
1 peter 1:24-25 says
1 Peter 1:24-25 (KJV)
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Friend we are going to die one day...you will meet eternity whether you like it or not!
There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother!
You can turn to your drugs
you can turn to the things and the people of this world
but at the end of the joint you find emptiness
at the bottom of the pill bottle there is nothing
at the bottom of the whiskey bottle there is emptiness!
When your friends seemingly turn away from you who are you going to turn too?
Yes you may get a good feeling from the alcohol and the drugs, but when it wares off you will be left with emptiness all over again!
But let me introduce you to a feeling that never goes away!
Let me introduce you to someone who you will never find emptiness in!
Let me introduce you to someone that will never turn his back on you!
His name is Jesus!
Open you heart and let him come in!
He is the WORD OF THE LORD!!
friend has he tried to get your attention?
Has he tried to come in your heart?
Has he spoke to you about what you are involved in is wrong?
Maybe you think he cant save you!
Maybe you think you are involved in something that is “To Much” for him to handle, but can I tell you that:
Hebrews 4:12 tells us that Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
What does this mean??
Jesus is in the healing business!
HE IS IN THE SAVING BUSINESS!
Don't worry about what your involved in!
Don't worry about the perversion, the addiction, or the disobedience...
you lay it at the foot of the cross and let Jesus take care of it! Why because he is powerful and he is sharper than any two edged sword!

Importance

one thing that is so important is that the Word of God is the foundation for a real relationship with Jesus
often times as a minister of this Gospel I want to spend my time doing message preparation... and yes God does speak to my heart... don't get me wrong
That is good but without a relationship with Jesus it is no good...WHAT DO I MEAN??
we should not only study this Bible, the Word of God, for just message preparation!
We should study this word to get into a deep relationship with Jesus Christ
without a strong and true relationship with Jesus you will crumble...
It is said in the Bible in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The Amplified Version says 2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP)
15 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
So to be able to preach this Word we have to have a relationship with Jesus!
Thats why the Word of the Lord is so important to us in the world that we live in!
When we pray we are talking to our father Mighty God!
But when you read the Word of God that's how God talks back to you!
Friend this blessed Holy Book is the ingredient to a strong foundation! So that when the winds and the storms come you can stand flat footed and say “I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED IN AND I AM PERSUADED HE IS ABLE TO KEEP THAT WHICH I HAVE COMMITED UNTO HIM AGAINST THAT DAY!
We need a strong relationship with Jesus!
Why is it so important? The Word of the Lord can humble you!
2 Kings 22:19 (KJV)
19 Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord.
Why is it important?
Josiah pleased God because he humbled himself and submitted to God's plan.
This kind of humility and Godly surrender is a primary condition for personal spiritual renewal and recevieng God's grace.
This invovles recognition of our own flaws and our own failures compared to God's perfect standards.
This involves sincerely respecting, following and taking God's Word Seriously IN ALL THINGS!!
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit! What Does This mean?
What God really desires is for men and women to recognize their own inability and surrender their situations to him!
God will never ever ever turn away a broken and humble heart!!
notice it says since thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, I also have heard thee!!!!
When we put our selfish and prideful attitudes and cry out to our creator, cry out to Mighty God for his help, for his forgiveness, we can be rest assured God will hear us!!
That's what God desires of us! Set away our seflishness and pride...and get real with God!
Get humble, get broken before God!
This is important because when we are humble and listen to the Word of the Lord, He also listens to us!!

The Word of the Lord is our Sword...our only offensive weapon!
Just as Jesus was tempted in the desert by Satan....we will also be tempted... but when Satan tempted Jesus he was able to rebuke the devil with what....the Word of the Lord!
Its this Word that is infallible! Its this Word that will never fail!
Jesus will never fail you, neither will the Words in this Bible!
I'm tired of people trying to put Jesus behind the scenes....trying to say he is dead and is gone forever!
He might not be here in physical form but he is here in the form of the Holy Spirit! The Holy spirit is just like Jesus!
It will comfort you in time of trouble, it will lift the burden!
Turn to this word! And turn to God!
Revelation 19:11-17 (KJV)
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF Lords.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
God is still in the business of making the Word become flesh...this is necessary but we have to be in a relationship with God!
My God Give us a hunger

Remember I painted a picture in your mind of a young man that was addicted to porn, addicted to the things of this world, had a terrible cussing problem...
the Word of God spoke to his heart many times saying “this is wrong, you can change”
many times this individual layed in bed at night thinking about how he wanted to change...he just thought he was involved in too much...
many times after he went to church, how many know u can still go to church and not be saved??
but after church he would often line pillows up on his bed and pretend he was preaching to them
he always thought the Lord had called him to be a preacher...
but when God would speak to him he would get up and go get involved in something to deny the voice of God!
But after he left his room, pretending to preach, he would always be heart broken!
Because he had no joy...no peace was in him...nowhere to be found inside this young individual!
On a Sunday morning the Word of the Lord come unto this guy...and he had made his mind up he wanted to change!
He stood up out of the piew and walked down to the front, and asked Jesus in his heart...
it was a life changing experience..
that's what happens when the Word of the Lord comes unto you...
it can break the feters of sin...and break the chains and the pain of your past...
shortly after that morning..that glorious morning,when a sinner was saved....
this individual excepted the call of God in his life...Around three months after being saved
reminds me of ole Samuel.. he wasn't involved in sin but it took three times for the Lord to get his attention...
after this born again christian excepted the call of God, of course excepting Jesus and turning from his old ways
his life truly began...
on March 2nd of 2008 he accepted Jesus in his heart

I will never forget I was laying in my bed one night
I was consumed in sin, I was laying there just mad at the world..
I was laying there and I was listening to Gothic music....
I had decided I was going to live for Satan...
I was so close to praying to the Devil...how scary is that..
something told me not to! IT WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD!!! To this day I wonder where I would have ended up if I would have done something as foolish as that...
but I'm so thankful for the grace and love of God!
Friend what we need in this world is a move of God!
We need the Word of God to come unto people...how will that happen...lets pray and make our selves humble...God is listening!
Every since that Glorious day I was saved! Every time I have went back to something of this world...there is bitterness and anger
WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL HAS A TASTE OF GOD, NOTING WILL BE ABLE TO SATISFY THAT CRAVE,ONLY JESUS CAN!