Scripture References: 1 Samuel 3:1-21; Hebrews 11:1; John 10:27

Intro: Good morning. Today we start a mini-series called "The Feel of Faith," exploring not just what faith is (Heb 11:1) but what it feels like, using biblical stories. Today: Hearing by Faith. Do you believe God speaks personally today? Many struggle with this, feeling they don't hear Him or that it's not that important compared to the Bible. Let's explore 1 Samuel 3, the story of young Samuel learning to hear God's voice, and see its relevance for us.

Key Points:

1. Context: A Time of Rare Revelation (v. 1): The story begins when "the word of the Lord was rare." Like Samuel's time, we can feel God is distant or silent.
2. God Speaks Personally, Yet Mistakably (vv. 2-8): God calls Samuel by name repeatedly, but Samuel, unfamiliar with His voice, thinks it's his mentor, Eli. Key Insight: God's voice is often gentle, personal, and easily mistaken for something else (our own thoughts, another person). It doesn't always thunder; don't discount the quiet whisper.
3. Learning to Recognize His Voice (vv. 8-10): Eli realizes God is calling Samuel and teaches him the simple, receptive posture: "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." We often need guidance from mature believers to discern God's voice. Positioning ourselves with attentive humility is crucial.
4. Hearing Involves Receiving God's Heart (vv. 11-14): God's message to Samuel wasn't just personal encouragement but a weighty word about judgment on Eli's house. Hearing God involves receiving His heart, His truth, and His purposes, even when difficult.
5. Hearing Requires Courageous Response (vv. 15-18): Samuel was afraid but faithfully delivered the hard message when pressed by Eli. Hearing God isn't passive; it requires obedient action, even when uncomfortable or risky. Eli's humble response ("He is the Lord...") is also key.
6. Hearing Leads to Growth & Impact (vv. 19-21): As Samuel listened and obeyed, God established him as a prophet whose words didn't "fall to the ground." Consistent hearing and responding leads to intimacy, maturity, and impact.
7. You CAN Hear God: Don't disqualify yourself due to past pain, feeling "not spiritual enough," or comparing yourself to others. God spoke tenderly to Samuel amidst brokenness. He desires to speak to you.

Conclusion: God is a speaking God who desires relationship with His children. Like Samuel, we can learn to recognize His often gentle, mistakable voice. This requires positioning ourselves to listen, seeking confirmation through Scripture and community, and responding with courageous obedience. Hearing God is vital for a living faith.

Call to Action: Believe today that God wants to speak to you. Quiet yourself and adopt Samuel's posture: "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Pay attention to the gentle nudges, the recurring thoughts, the Scripture that leaps out. Test what you hear, but don't dismiss the possibility that God is speaking.

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