18 January 2009
U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
Fortress Chapel
F.O.B. Sykes
Tall-afar, Iraq
BIG IDEA: The Holy Spirit is calling "Willing Listeners" to help show His people their way.
REFERENCES: Second Sunday after Epiphany; Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV): “the eye is the lamp of the body; Note about 1 Samuel: At one time, the first and second books of Samuel formed a single book. They were separated in the Greek translation for the Hebrew Scriptures known as the Septuagint (about 250 BC).; Genesis 6:5,11 (KJV) “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” … and the earth also was corrupt before God; and the earth was filled with violence
1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20); Isaiah 5:20 – “… will call good evil and evil good ;
**Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (A Wisdom Psalm); 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51 (On the previous day, Andrew and Peter, both disciples of John the Baptist, have become Jesus’ disciples. The Baptist has said to them: “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”(36); 1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV) And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”; Romans 10:14-15 (NIV) How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?; Luke 5:1-10 (ESV) The Calling of the First Disciples;
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (ESV)
II. READ THE PERICOPE: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (ESV)
III. READ THE TEXT: 1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV) And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to others that the Holy Spirit is calling Willing Listeners to help show His people their way.
V. SERMONIC THEME: “Jesus is calling”
VI. INTRODUCTION:
Good morning FOB/COS Sykes, during my sermon preparation, I came across a story about a dying preacher – and of course – it got my attention. According to the story:
An old 504th BfSB Chaplain was dying. He sent a message for his IRS agent and his JAG Officer (both chapel members), to come to his home. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the chaplain held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed. The chaplain grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything. Both the IRS agent and JAG Officer were touched and flattered that the old chaplain would ask them to be with him during his final moment.
They were also puzzled because the chaplain had never given any indication that he particularly liked either one of them.
Finally, the JAG Officer asked, "Chaplain, why did you ask the two of us to come?"
**The old chaplain mustered up some strength, then said weakly, "Jesus died between two thieves, and that’s how I want to go, too.
Just as the chaplain, in the joke was observant of signs of the times, many of us can attest to the fact that we are currently in the season of Epiphany,…
… And in the minds of non-Liturgical Christians – Epiphany is best known for falling between Christmas … and Resurrection Sunday!
The season of Epiphany is about revelation – and opening spiritual eyes and ears - to see who Jesus is, what he does, and what he says.
Neither the crib nor the cross alone can truly explain the significance of Jesus. Therefore, during the season of Epiphany, Christians everywhere discover the meaning of the “crib” and the meaning of the “cross” through Jesus’ life and mission.
For Jesus’ life gives us details of the meaning of the manger and the cross, while His resurrection reveals the significance of His life. In the readings for this Sunday we find model examples of people who listen to God
However, If we think Epiphany is a tour of discovery about Jesus ONLY - we’re missing the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (M-RAP) Vehicle.
Because the season of Epiphany is also a tour of self-discovery. For the Christian faith is about SPIRITUALLY seeing and hearing the Call of our Savior, through the Holy Spirit, and following His lead.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 1: In reference to spiritual sight – in the New Testament, Jesus often warns … when the spiritual eyes are blinded, man lies in terrible darkness.
a. For don’t you remember … Jesus said in Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV): “the eye is the lamp of the body.
b. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness”.
c. In other words, a healthy eye is the “light of the body” because the entire body depends on the eyes to function properly.
d. Because … healthy eyes … enable the body to be oriented properly to its surroundings.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 2: Likewise, if the eyes of the heart are spiritually healthy … the eyes of the heart will fill the life with good and generous works.
a. When the eyes are healthy … They help us make right decisions.
b. In contrast, to the person with healthy eyes … the person with bad eyes fumbles and stumbles in the darkness.
c. Eye trouble was very common in New Testament times. For there were many blind people.
d. Jesus touched and healed many of them, … but as long as their eyes were blind, their whole body was in darkness.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 3: As you might imagine - eyes in darkness are full of worldliness and according to Isaiah 5:20 – “… will call good evil and evil good …”
a. Eyes of darkness will cause a person to seek the praise of men instead of the praise of God ….
b. … and will eventually cause a person to become like those who lived before the Flood …
c. … where “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” …
d. … and the earth also was corrupt before God; and the earth was filled with violence” (Genesis 6:5,11).
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 4: In our text, this morning, we are reminded of the Story of Hannah – the childless woman who pleaded with God for a child …
a. For don’t you remember, Samuel’s mother, who was barren for many years … and was accused of being drunk by ELI … whose spiritual vision …was dimmed ….
b. At this point, in Scriptures, Hannah has been blessed with a child;
c. She has dedicated her child to the service of the Lord … in thanksgiving to God allowing her to give birth to SAMUEL.
d. Research shows that Samuel was assisting Chaplain Eli, in the Chapel, at FOB Shiloh because FOB Jerusalem is not yet an Israelite base.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 5: Now, we find ourselves – during the time of the judges - when Revelation from God was rare.
a. For Man hardly ever received a “vision” or a “Word” from God.
b. The lamp of God burned throughout the night, near the Ark, so it was not yet morning.
c. God’s Word is said to be like a lamp to the psalmist’s feet (Ps. 119:105);
d. For don’t you recall, the Old Testament Lamp stand is the menorah, a seven-branched holder of lamps that was placed in the temple.
e. The lamp stand symbolically represents the Holy Spirit …
f. … and God’s complete leadership in showing his people their way
.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 6: Still, Man hardly ever received a “vision” or a “Word from God”.
a. For the Scripture paints a Word Picture of a young chaplain assistant named Samuel.
b. He is sleeping in the chapel, as he was allowed to do.
c. He wakes up instantly when he hears his name spoken.
d. He cries out, “Here I am!” and runs to his chaplain, Eli, who is sleeping in his CHU – Consolidated Housing Unit.
e. You called me, what do you want?
f. “I did not call you, rasps Chaplain Eli. Go back to sleep.”
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 7: Now, we are told that Samuel did not know God very well, … so of course he made no assumption that it could be a divine call.
a. Therefore, the same thing happens again and … Samuel scurry to wake up Chaplain Eli.
b. The old chaplain at last understands.
c. And wisely, and perhaps annoyed by being awakened, he says, “Samuel, if it happens again, say these words: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”
d. Samuel goes back to the chapel.
e. God calls out his name one more time. And Samuel follows Chaplain Eli’s suggestion:
f. “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening!”
g. This was the first time Samuel had been in contact with the Lord, and this incident turned him into a Chaplain – or prophet.
d. For God had seen into the boy’s heart and called out the name that would bring his true self into being: Samuel.
e. The Holy Spirit calls him by name. This is “translated heard of God.”
f. The Holy Spirit is calling forth that innermost ability that He knows that Samuel has the skill-set to do: Samuel can “Hear” God speak into his life.
g. For his experiences – tonight – has taught him “What God’s voice”, in his life, sounds like.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 9: His experiences have reminded him that God has known him personally… because God called him by name.
a. For you see – my brothers and sisters - God knew Samuel’s Character before he was conceived in his mother’s womb.
b. God knew what the length of Samuel’s life would be … before he was born.
c. Samuel experiences also taught him to “Respond” when God calls.
d. And to show forth signs … that he’s trying to do what the Holy Spirit want him to do.
e. His life experiences taught him that when he asks God to Speak into his life … it doesn’t mean that God will request for him to do easy things or … things that he wants to do.
f. But, when there is a request for God to speak into our lives – God Speaks into our lives.
g. For when we pray, God moves; and if we’re prayed, God has already moved.
h. God prepares to way for us to do what He wants done in our lives.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 10: Like Samuel, we just have to be obedient to the Call, of the Lord, in our lives.
a. … Realizing that God knows our deepest desires; and only God can satisfy the desire in us that is most precious of all.
b. For don’t your remember what the Psalmist said in Psalm 139:1-8 (GNB):
c. … Lord, you have examined me and you know me. You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts. You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions.
d. Even before I speak, you already know what I will say.
e. You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power. Your knowledge of me is too deep; … it is beyond my understanding.
f. Where could I go to escape from you?
g. Where could I get away from your presence?
h. If I went up to heaven, you would be there; If I lay down in the world of the dead; you would be there.
i. We should never forget Samuel’s willingness to listen … turned things around for his entire Country.
k. A great theologian – by the name of Henri Nouwen once said – One doesn’t fulfill his vocation …
l. … just by doing the things God sent him to do; but also by letting things be done to him that God allows to be done to him.
m. LET GO AND LET GOD!
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
CELEBRATION:
Each believer must hear God for himself or herself, wrestle with the obstacles,…
… and respond in faith.
Just as the Holy Spirit called Samuel;
and Just as Jesus called the first disciples, new disciples are being called daily.
In Fact, Jesus is calling right now. Are you listening?
Because the Christian faith is about hearing the Call of our Savior, …
through the Holy Spirit, and following His lead.
