Closer to your calling

Closer to your Calling
Below is the outline of the talk at the last night of Hillsborough Bible Week 2010.

Let me take you back just over 3000 years... to a time when China began flying kites, the Greeks discovered Yo Yo’s and the world population is the same as the population of England today – approx 50 million.
(Just a thought – if the world population 3000 years ago were all English they still would not have won the World Cup!)

Its 1000B.C and Israel is in a mess; a moral snake pit of corruption across its political and religious status. The word of the Lord is rare in those days and out of this context Samuel is born to Hannah.

Read/ Paraphrase following verses:
1 Sam 2: 18 -21 and 1 Sam 3 v 1 -11
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‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ That’s a good question to ask ourselves! By growing up I am referring not so much to age but more to do with our maturity in God.
Samuel was just three years old when he began to minister before the Lord and it’s about ten years after this that God calls to him.

I believe that there are three occasions when the Lord calls us:

1, The bible says that God desires all men to be saved (1 Tim 2:4) – this is the first calling. A call to Salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus.

2, Then there is the calling to ministry. The bible says that the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the prophet of all.(1 Cor 12: 7) God has not called us to be just a bum on a pew. My Pastor often says – 'every member is to be a minister!'
3, Then there is the calling home – (Revelations 20) the names of those who will enter heaven are recorded in the book of life. As the old song declares 'When the role is called up yonder I’ll be there.'

This talk will focus primarily on that second calling. The call to serve God.
Three points I want to draw out from the Text:

1, Samuel prepared
2, Samuel Heard
3, Samuel Shared

1, Samuel prepared:

How do we prepare for the calling upon our lives?
Samuel prepared by committing himself to the ministry within Gods house. We need to be a people committed to the local Church. Thirty years ago it was a big deal for someone to switch from one church to another – but today it happens all too often. People no longer commit to the local church. They ‘hover’ until the buzz goes or the preacher has a bad day and they are off. They move because the worship band is better down the road or there is a bigger youth fellowship.
People date church; they go until they are bored and then move on. God is looking for people who will commit to the Local church and love the family of God.
Samuel showed obedience to leadership.
For ten years he serves Eli the priest faithfully. That is evident by the text and also the bond that developed between them.
Let’s be a people who offer our time and energy to the local church leadership.

Samuel dreamed big dreams.
Samuel would eventually become the Prophet over Israel, Judge and director of affairs and Chief advisor to the King. But as a boy I have no doubt he dreamed of God using him in a special way. From three years of age he wore the clothing of a priest, very cute but very poignant. He knew what he want to become and God did more than the lad could ever imagine!

2, Samuel heard:
How d you hear God? First you need to be in close proximity! The place of prayer is the place to surrender to his presence; it’s a place to talk to God, listen to God but also just to surrender and sit.
You need to block out the distractions. There are many things that will call upon a man’s heart but only one is worth giving you life to. Don’t become distracted by other things. Most people miss Gods calling because they are easily distracted.
When you feel you have heard from God; check it with the Bible and with those who you serve in leadership. God will never call us to a work they contradicts scripture. Also the wisdom and council of Godly men and women can help steer us in the right direction and advise us. Samuel was directed by Eli to say ‘Speak Lord, your servant hears!’ that’s a good position to take before God - That of a servant.

Also note that the voice of God to Samuel is like that of a father and a priest, that’s why Samuel thought it was Eli calling him.

3, Samuel shared:

Matt 28:19 say for us to go and make disciples. Luke 24:49 says to wait in Jerusalem?
One says go the other says wait!
Why?
There is a difference in being ‘sent’ and ‘went.’
In the bible;
Some people went but were never sent.
Some people are sent but never went.
God want us to do both. To wait until He calls us and then to GO.
Samuel brought a hard message for much of his life but he never shrank back from his prophetic ministry and calling and when to time was right he was willing to pass on the baton.

Conclusion:
God has called every Christian to some means of service, that’s a great honour and I pray we can all take a few lessons from Samuel to find out what that is. These lessons will also help us to remain in Gods calling.

Mitch.