Sunday Sermon Summary – Jan 14 2024

Listening from God 

1 Samuel 3: 1-10

John 1: 43-51

1. Why

There are a number of reasons why we must listen from God. Only Christianity teaches that we must listen from God.  All other religions teach us only to pray to God.  We are created to have communion with God.  Genesis 3:8 reminds us that God met with Adam and Eve every day during the cool of the day.  Humans are created in the image and likeness of God. God wants to have a communion with us. 

1 Corinthians 1:9 says that God is faithful who has brought us in communion with His Son Jesus Christ.  In John 15:15 Jesus told His disciples that he called them friends.  The express reason for creation is to have fellowship with humans.  So, we must listen from God. 

2. When 

God will speak to us in various ways. There are no restrictions.  God spoke with a little boy, Samuel. We must teach our children to listen from God. God will speak when we are discouraged.  He will speak when we are lonely.  God will speak with us every day.  Because he wants to have a relationship with us.  Jesus is the bridegroom, and the Church is His bride.  So He wants to have a close relationship with us. This life is a preparation time until we see him face to face and have eternal joy of communion. 

3. ⁠How

God usually speaks to us through His Holy Word and through His Holy Spirit.  The prophet Joel has revealed to us that in the period of grace. God will pour His Holy Spirit on all flesh.  Sons and daughters will see visions and the elderly will see dreams. We need to silence ourselves to be able to hear God’s voice because God’s voice will be gentle. He speaks through His still, small voice. 

We need to spend personal time with God. The Lord delights in having fellowship with His people.  May we grow in close fellowship with God.  May the Lord who spoke to little Samuel speak to us and reveal His purpose for us.  Amen