SpringhillGNV's Presentation Group
Sunday, January 25th 2026 - 4th Sunday

      • Psalm 150KJV1900

  • Hold To God's Unchanging Hand - Hymn
  • 1 Samuel 3:1–10 KJV 1900
    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. 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 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. 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. 10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
    Main Idea
    This study of 1 Samuel 3:1–10 calls believers to recognize that God still speaks in seasons when His Word seems rare and spiritual vision is dim. As the Lord calls Samuel by name, the passage reveals how God patiently trains willing hearts to discern His voice above every other voice. When we respond in humble surrender, “Speak; for thy servant heareth,” God shapes our obedience into a life that impacts generations.
    Introduction
    In the middle of an obscure night, I heard a voice repeatedly calling my name, "Adrian, Adrian, Adrian..." Thinking it was my mother calling out for help I jumped up out of a deep sleep, ran in the hall and answered. "Yes mother, what's wrong?" It was then that I realized it was a detective show named Monk, whose leading character was named Adrian Monk. There was something jarring about hearing my name called repeatedly that stireed me from a complete sleep. We all know what it feels like to be called by name. I am talking about that moment when your phone rings with a number you do not recognize, but something in you says, "Answer it." It might be the school calling about your child. It might be the bank calling about your account. It might be your supervisor calling about a new assignment. It might be a family member calling because something just happened. And when you pick up, you do not just hear a voice, you hear urgency. You hear responsibility. You hear direction. When your name is on the line, you do not treat that call like background noise. You stop what you are doing, you shift your attention, and you try to make sense of what you are hearing.
    Now let me make it plain. Some of us have become experts at answering everybody except God. We answer the call of deadlines, but we delay the call of devotion. We answer the call of money, but we mute the call of ministry. We answer the call of notifications, but we ignore the call of consecration. We answer the call of opinions, but we overlook the call of obedience. And if we are honest, we are living in a generation where there is so much noise in our ears that we cannot tell the difference between what is loud and what is Lord. We have become busy, but not better. We have become connected, but not consecrated. We have become informed, but not transformed.
    As Scott Pace and Shane Pruitt remind the church in Calling Out the Called, “we must renew our commitment to passionately and persistently ‘call out the called’!”
    That is why this text is so timely. Because 1 Samuel 3 opens up in a season when the Bible says, “the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” In other words, God’s Word felt rare, and spiritual direction felt scarce. The lamps were low. The leadership was weak. The atmosphere was dim. Yet in the middle of a silent season, God starts calling a name. Not the name of a celebrity. Not the name of a politician. Not the name of a popular preacher. God calls a young servant, lying down in the house of God. And the Lord calls him again, and again, and again, until Samuel finally learns how to answer the call the right way.
    Church, that is what this message is about. When God calls your name, it is not a casual call, it is a consecrating call. It is not a random voice, it is a redeeming voice. It is not noise in the night, it is direction for your life. And by the time we finish this passage, the prayer on our lips and the posture in our spirit will be the same as Samuel’s: Speak Lord, I am listening. Speak Lord, I am ready. Speak Lord, I will obey.

    I. A Silent Season (1 Samuel 3:1–3)

    A. Rare Word (1 Samuel 3:1)

    Text: “And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” "And the word of the Lord was precious in those days (1 Samuel 3:1a)" In Samuel’s day, God’s Word was “precious” not because it was celebrated, but because it was scarce. The problem was not that God had lost His power to speak. The problem was that the people had lost their appetite to hear. When sin is tolerated, when worship becomes routine, when leadership becomes compromised, the ears of a nation grow dull. And when the ears grow dull, the Word begins to feel distant. Not because God moved, but because the people drifted. As Proverbs 29:18 warns, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
    When word of the Lord is compromised, the people perish."
    When the word of the Lord is cut off, the people perish."
    When the word of the Lord is cancelled, the people perish.
    This is a sobering reminder that spiritual dryness is often connected to spiritual disregard. When the Word is treated lightly, the Lord may permit a famine of hearing. Not because He is cruel, but because He is holy. God will not compete with idols for attention. He will not be reduced to background noise. The scarcity of revelation is a form of judgment and mercy at the same time. Judgment, because it exposes how far we have wandered. Mercy, because it awakens hunger in those who know they cannot live without His voice. Believers must fight for spiritual hunger in a distracted world. We must restore Reverence for Scripture, rebuild daily Rhythms around Scripture, and respond with ready Responsiveness to Scripture. If the Word feels rare, do not blame the Word. Re-open the Bible, re-order your schedule, and re-align your heart. God still speaks through His Word, and He will revive the soul that returns to it.
    KJV Cross-References
    Amos 8:11 “11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, That I will send a famine in the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord:”
    Psalm 119:103 “103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
    Hosea 4:6 “6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
    Proverbs 29:18 “18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
    Illustration / Analogy A radio station may be broadcasting the signal all day long, but if the dial is off, you will swear there is no music. The problem is not the broadcast; it is the tuning. Many believers are living with the dial set on anxiety, entertainment, and activity, then wondering why they cannot hear God. The Word is still broadcasting. The question is whether your heart is tuned.
    "Are you listening for God's call?"

    B. Rising Darkness (1 Samuel 3:2–3)

    “And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place… and ere the lamp of God went out… Samuel was laid down to sleep.” (1 Samuel 3:2-3) The Holy Ghost paints a picture of spiritual dimness through physical details. Eli is old, his eyesight is growing dim, and he is lying down. Samuel is lying down too, but he is positioned near the ark of God. The lamp is about to go out. These are more than bedtime notes. They reflect a nation where the Spiritual light is flickering. Yet even in that dim environment, God is preparing a servant close to His presence.
    Here is the encouragement: God does His best work in the dark. He specializes in speaking when the lamp is low. He calls in the night because night silences competing voices. He calls in the quiet because quiet reveals what is real. The darkness of the moment does not cancel the destiny of the servant. In fact, the darkness becomes the backdrop that makes God’s calling unmistakable. When the lamp is low in the culture, God raises up light-bearers in the church. When you recognize spiritual darkness around you, do not despair. Instead, pursue Closeness to God, practice Consistency with God, and maintain Courage for God. You cannot control the darkness, but you can carry the light. Get near the presence of God, stay faithful in small assignments, and believe that God can ignite a fresh flame in a dim season.
    KJV Cross-References
    Isaiah 60:1 “1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”
    Matthew 5:14–16 “14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
    Psalm 27:1 “1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
    John 1:5 “5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
    Illustration / Analogy Streetlights are most noticeable at night. In the daytime, you hardly pay attention to them. But when it gets dark, you thank God for every working light. In the same way, God does not need you to be famous; He needs you to be faithful. When the world gets darker, faithful believers shine brighter.\
    "Are you listening for God's call?"

    II. A Summoning Voice (1 Samuel 3:4–7)

    A. Repeated Calling (1 Samuel 3:4–5)

    “Then the LORD called Samuel, and he answered, 'Here am I'… And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me.”
    The first thing to notice is that the call did not start with Samuel. “The LORD called Samuel.” God is the Initiator. God is the Pursuer. God is the One who breaks the silence in a silent season. Samuel was uncertain and unsure, but God was sure about His purpose and calling. The Lord called him by name, because calling is personal. God does not speak in vague generalities when He is shaping destiny. He addresses the servant specifically because He intends to use the servant significantly.
    And watch the grace of God in the repetition. The Lord calls, Samuel responds, but Samuel misdirects his response. Yet God does not quit on him. God calls again. That is mercy, patience, and persistence. The Lord keeps calling until the servant perceives. This teaches us that God’s calling is not fragile. God is not easily offended when we are early in our understanding. He trains us as we obey the light we have, and He clarifies His voice as we keep showing up with a willing spirit. God is not looking for perfect understanding. God is looking for a surrendered heart.
    When God calls, the faithful response is not delay; it is devotion. Practice Promptness when God nudges your heart, maintain the right Posture when God is shaping your life, and show Perseverance when you do not have all the details yet. Samuel ran. He did not have it all figured out, but he was available. God can correct your direction, but you must first offer Him your availability.
    KJV Cross-References
    John 10:3–4 “3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”
    Philippians 1:6 “6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
    2 Peter 3:9 “9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
    Isaiah 30:21 “21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, When ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”
    Illustration / Analogy Many phones will keep ringing until somebody answers. The call does not stop just because you are busy. It keeps pressing through, because it matters. In the same way, God’s call keeps coming back around. Not to bother you, but to bless you. Not to shame you, but to shape you. Not to confuse you, but to commission you.\
    "Are you listening for God's call?"

    B. Recognized Confusion (1 Samuel 3:6–7)

    "And the LORD called yet again, Samuel… Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.” Samuel is sincere, but he is untrained. He mistakes God’s voice for Eli’s voice because Eli is the voice he knows. Samuel knew religious routine. Samuel knew sacred responsibilities. Samuel knew how to serve in the house of God. But the text says, “Samuel did not yet know the LORD.” That is a powerful statement, because it shows us that a person can be near holy things and still not know the Holy One. A person can participate in ministry and still be missing intimacy. A person can be active in service and still be unfamiliar with the voice of God.
    This is why the Word says the Word had not yet been revealed unto him. Revelation is more than information. Revelation is when God makes Himself known to the heart. It is possible to know the language of church but not know the Lord of the church. It is possible to know Eli’s voice and still not recognize God’s voice. And when we do not know the Lord personally, we will keep running to people for answers that only God can give. We will keep confusing human expectations with divine direction. But when God reveals Himself, He trains the believer to discern, to distinguish, and to follow.
    This text calls every believer to move from proximity to intimacy. Pursue a relationship with the Lord through prayer and Scripture, develop Recognition of the Lord by testing every voice by the Word of God, and practice Reorientation when God corrects your assumptions and redirects your steps. Do not settle for serving near God. Seek to know God for yourself. The Lord still calls, but the heart must be trained to hear. - My sheep know my voice, and another's voice they will not answer. (John 10:5)
    John 10:5 KJV 1900
    5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
    KJV Cross-References
    Matthew 7:21–23 “21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
    John 5:39–40 “39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”
    2 Timothy 3:5 “5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
    Philippians 3:10 “10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
    Illustration / Analogy If a number is saved in your phone, you recognize it immediately. But when the caller is unknown, you may misread it, ignore it, or assume it is somebody else. Many believers live with God as an unknown caller. They know the voices of culture, the voices of family, the voices of pressure, and the voices of fear. But God’s voice feels unfamiliar. The cure is not more noise. The cure is more nearness. When you know the Lord, you learn His voice. "Are you listening for God's call?"

    III. A Surrendered Servant (1 Samuel 3:8–10)

    A. Guided Discernment (1 Samuel 3:9)

    “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.”
    Eli finally understands what is happening. The text says, “Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child” (v. 8). In that moment, Eli does something that matters. He stops letting Samuel depend on Eli’s voice, and he points Samuel toward the Lord’s voice. That is guided discernment. Eli does not give Samuel a speech. He gives Samuel a sentence. He does not give him a lecture. He gives him language. He equips the servant with a faithful response, so the servant can move from confusion to clarity.
    Notice the wisdom in Eli’s instruction. He does not tell Samuel to negotiate. He does not tell Samuel to debate. He tells Samuel to surrender. “Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth.” This is not merely a polite reply. This is a spiritual posture. It is the posture of a servant who is ready to be taught, ready to be corrected, ready to be directed. Discernment is not just recognizing that God is speaking. Discernment is knowing how to respond when God speaks. And God often uses mentors, parents, pastors, and seasoned believers to help younger believers learn the language of surrender.
    If you want to hear God clearly, you must welcome spiritual guidance and practice spiritual humility. Seek Counsel from godly leaders, cultivate Clarity by measuring every impression by Scripture, and commit to Compliance once the Lord makes His will known. Some breakthroughs in your life will not come through more activity. They will come through a better response. When God speaks, do not just listen. Learn how to answer Him.
    KJV Cross-References
    Proverbs 11:14 “14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: But in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.”
    Psalm 25:9 “9 The meek will he guide in judgment: And the meek will he teach his way.”
    James 1:22 “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
    Psalm 85:8 “8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak: For he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: But let them not turn again to folly.”
    Illustration / Analogy When a young driver first gets behind the wheel, they need a calm voice beside them. They may have the desire to drive, but they need direction to drive safely. A good instructor does not grab the wheel every second. They teach the student what to look for, when to slow down, and how to respond. In the same way, God often places spiritual guides in our lives to teach us how to recognize His voice and respond with obedience. "Are you listening for God's call?"

    B. Graceful Declaration (1 Samuel 3:10)

    “And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” Verse 10 is one of the most tender pictures of calling in all the Bible. “The LORD came, and stood.” God is not speaking from a distance like a stranger. God draws near like a Father. God comes close like a Shepherd. God stands in the presence of the one He is calling. This reminds us that calling is not only about assignment. Calling is about relationship. Before Samuel ever delivers a message for the Lord, the Lord establishes that Samuel is known by name and met by presence.
    Then God calls, “Samuel, Samuel,” and Samuel finally answers with a graceful declaration, “Speak; for thy servant heareth.” Samuel is no longer running to Eli. He is no longer guessing. He is no longer responding out of routine. He is responding out of surrender. This is the turning point. The servant stops treating the call like a disturbance and starts treating the call like a directive. And that one response positions Samuel for a lifetime of usefulness. God does not bless talent more than He blesses obedience. God does not honor giftedness more than He honors yieldedness. The greatest evidence that God has your ear is that God can have your life.
    God is still calling names today, and the question is whether we will answer with surrender. Offer the Lord your Availability, practice daily Attentiveness to His Word, and walk in immediate Agreement with what He reveals. You do not have to know the full map to take the next step. You only have to be willing to say, “Speak, Lord.” A life that listens becomes a life that leads.
    Noah responded to the call of God
    Abram responded to the call of God
    Moses responded to call of God
    Joshua responded to the voice of God.
    Isaiah responded to the call of God, "Then said I, Here am I; send me..." (Isaiah 6:10)
    Paul responded to the call of God after being knowcked to the ground by a light on the Damascus road, asking "Lord, what will you have me do?" (Acts 9:6)
    KJV Cross-References
    Romans 12:1–2 “1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
    John 10:27 “27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
    Acts 9:6 “6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”
    Isaiah 6:8 “8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
    Illustration / Analogy When a child finally learns the sound of their parent’s voice, they respond differently. They stop asking, “Who is that?” and they start saying, “Yes, sir” or “Yes, ma’am.” Relationship changes response. And when you truly know the Lord, His Word is not just heard, it is honored. His call is not just noticed, it is obeyed. "Are you listening for God's call?"
    Sermon Close and Invitation
    Church, we have walked through the Word, and the Word has walked through us. We have seen a silent season, but God still speaks. We have heard a summoning voice, because God still calls. We have witnessed a surrendered servant, because God still shapes. And now the question is simple: when God calls your name, what will your answer be?
    Some of us have been living in the noise, but God is calling you into nearness. Some of us have been living in routine, but God is calling you into relationship. Some of us have been living in delay, but God is calling you into decision. The Lord is not asking you to be famous. The Lord is asking you to be faithful. The Lord is not asking you to know every step. The Lord is asking you to take the next step.
    Hear the Word again. “The LORD came, and stood.” He is not far from you. He is not distant from your pain. He is not removed from your questions. He comes, and He stands, and He calls, because He loves. And if He is calling, it means He is willing. If He is speaking, it means He is ready. If He is drawing, it means He is near.
    So I want to put Samuel’s words in your mouth and Samuel’s posture in your spirit. Do not say, Speak Lord, and I will think about it. Do not say, Speak Lord, and I will do it later. Do not say, Speak Lord, and I will do it when I feel like it. But say it like a servant. Say it like a worshiper. Say it like a believer who knows God holds tomorrow.
    Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening. Speak, Lord. Your servant is ready. Speak, Lord. Your servant will obey.
    And if you are here today and you have never truly known the Lord for yourself, you have been around church, but you have not been born again. You have heard preaching, but you have not heard His call to salvation. The Bible says, “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15). The same God who called Samuel is calling you, not to a title, but to a testimony. Not to a position, but to a new life. If you will come to Jesus, He will save you. If you will trust Him, He will forgive you. If you will surrender, He will make you new.
    And if you are saved, but you have been drifting, distracted, and distant, today is your day to come back to the place of surrender. You are not waiting on God. God is calling you. And your calling begins with one response. Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.
    If that is you, I want you to stand to your feet. If you need Jesus, come. If you need to return, come. If you need prayer, come. If you need to say, Lord, tune my ear and train my heart, come. Because when God calls your name, He is not calling you to a show. He is calling you to surrender.
    Invitation Hymn
    "Just As I Am" Use this hymn at the invitation to reinforce the call to respond to the Lord without delay, without pretense, and without bargaining. It fits this text because Samuel’s story moves from confusion to surrender, and this hymn calls the congregation to come to Christ and come back to Christ with the same spirit: honest, humble, and ready.
    Suggested worship leader framing: "As we sing, if the Lord is calling you to salvation, to surrender, or to a fresh yes, you come. Do not harden your heart. Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth."
    Let us pray.
    Lord, speak to us until we perceive. Speak to us until we surrender. Speak to us until we obey. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

      • 1 Samuel 3:1–10HCSB

      • 1 Samuel 3:1HCSB

      • 1 Samuel 3:2–3HCSB

      • 1 Samuel 3:4–5KJV1900

      • John 10:5KJV1900

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