September 24, 2023
I Need God to Speak
1 Samuel 3
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
If you want to
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.
How does God speak?
1. God speaks through His
God’s
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.
The only way to drown out the
If you aren’t hearing from God, check how much time you’re in His Word.
2. God speaks through His
Colossians 3
6 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
3. God speaks through His
Romans 1:19-20
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
4. God speaks through His
John 16:12-13
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
The more you listen for God’s
We spend too much time
Matthew 6:9
Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done…
We assume
Prayer isn’t aligning
Barriers to hearing God’s voice.
1. Inexperience
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
2. Expectation
James 1:6-7 “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord”.
3. Sin
13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them.
Many people don’t hear God’s voice because they decided they
Don’t just be willing to
Our new Bible Reading Plan Starts Monday https://bible.com/p/60793989/af433bf826f6a12ff14edcd2557f58d4
Connect With Us
Welcome! We’re so glad you’re here! Our mission is to Love Jesus, Love People, and Live Your Purpose. If it’s your first time joining us, please stop by our connect counter in the lobby. If you’re joining us online for the first time, let us know in the online chat. We’d love to connect with you.
Download the Vision App! It’s free on all platforms https://www.visionchurchnc.com/vision-app
Be sure to turn on your app notifications
Got Questions? Ask your questions about latest message and we will do our best to answer them later in the week. All questions are private and confidential and we will NEVER use your name or information. https://visionbaptistchurchnc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/441682
Set Vision as your church on YouVersion and connect with our featured Bible Reading Plan
https://www.bible.com/organizations/66b00944-b1a4-4f77-b141-ac1a4539b31e
Stay connected on our website: www.visionchurchnc.com
Subscribe to our weekly email - The weekly email, What’s Happening, goes out every Wednesday. Head over to www.visionchurchnc.com to subscribe!
Life is better together! LifeGroups start back this week! Join a LifeGroup! Let’s connect at https://www.visionchurchnc.com/groups.
Join the DreamTeam! YOU are gifted and your matter. Join the team at https://www.visionchurchnc.com/dreamteam.
🚗 New Dream Team! Register to join the Parking Team! Kick-off on September 23rd, 2023 from 9:00 to 12:00 pm. 🚗 https://subsplash.com/visionbaptistchurch/lb/ev/+s96dk82
Vision Women Going Beyond Simulcast Event - September 30th https://subspla.sh/2fzq3r3
Senior Adult Lunch - October 4 https://subspla.sh/kp4jgjp
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Visionaries for the Dream Team is October 7th! Invitations have been sent via email **🌟🌟🌟🌟
CANDYPALOOZA is coming up on Sunday, October 29th! http://subspla.sh/fb9zgtt
Serve Saturday is October 14! Serve with us >> https://subspla.sh/vm2c4pn
**Vision Men Rise Up Cornhole Tournament is October 20 - https://subspla.sh/f63fnwz/
Vision Kids Dream Team Rally is October 22 - https://subspla.sh/bkpn54d/
Foster Families Connect! RSVP today! >>> https://subspla.sh/83yyfcb
We’ve got church merch! Head over to https://visionchurch.mlswebstores.com/ to get the latest!
We give so that others may live Thank you for your generosity! https://www.visionchurchnc.com/give