God's Word, go to 1 Samuel chapter 3. 1 Samuel 3, we'll be reading from verse 1 through chapter 4, verse 1. 1 Samuel 3, 1 through 4, 1. Here now, the Word of God. 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. At that time, Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out. Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel and he said, Here I am 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. And the Lord called again, Samuel. Samuel rose 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. Now, Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 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. And Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 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. And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day, I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever for the iniquity that he knew because of his sons. Because his sons were blaspheming God and he did not restrain them. Therefore, I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever. Samuel lay until morning, then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, Samuel, my son. And he said, Here I am. And Eli said, What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you. So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him. And Samuel grew and the Lord was with him. And let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord. And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Would you pray with me? Father in heaven. Take your word, use it in our lives. It is the inerrant, infallible, authoritative and sufficient word that you have blessed us with. Bless it to our hearts tonight. We ask it in Jesus name. Amen. The passage we just read tells us about how the Lord spoke to Samuel. He had probably been ministering at the tabernacle for A decade or more, maybe he was a teenager or a young man by this point. But when God spoke to him, what did Samuel say? Speak, Lord, your servant hears. Those are important words. Speak, Lord, your servant hears. Every Sunday when we gather for worship. When we do family devotions. When we participate in Bible or book studies, when we read scripture personally, God is speaking through his words. What is our response? Is it with Samuel? Speak, Lord, your servant hears. Why should we have such a receptive attitude to God's words? Why should our posture to the scriptures be like this? Our text tells us by describing four things about God's word. Which encourages a listening ear from each one of us. We start with how scripture can be a rare word. Go back to how the chapter began. Look at verse one. 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. What does it mean the word of the Lord was rare? By this point, the Israelites had Moses's writings, probably Joshua, maybe more. They had the word of God as it had been given to them up to this point. The rarity comes in. With God not revealing himself through new visions or prophets. It's not that it never happens. Just not often. Why? It was a judgment against Israel. Remember, these events took place as the days of the judges was coming to an end. And that time was not known for its godliness. And we saw it last week with Eli's boys. They were a sinful wreck. And others were following behind them. God's overall silence was an indictment against the people. And other passages of Scripture support this conclusion. Amos chapter 8, verse 11. The Lord said he would send a famine, not of bread. But of his word. Psalm 74 verse 9, the people declares, there is no longer a prophet among us. That was a lot like Samuel's day. The word was rare. And the fact that it was shows how God had removed his presence and blessing from the people. How does this apply to us? I mean, we have Bibles galore. From one perspective, Scripture is not rare in our day at all. We have more access to the word of God than at any other point in human history. But personal Bible reading is increasingly rare. Growing Bible knowledge is becoming rare. Overall, faithful preaching is rare. Commitment to receiving the word in worship services is rare. How do we know? Just look at the decline in church attendance in the American church. Just look at the paltry dedication to An evening service in the evangelical church, even in the PCA. The word of God is rare. Because people neglect it. They don't listen to it and receive it. As one commentator put it. We may have the scriptures, but we can suffer from deafness. Starvation may not come from the absence of food. But from the lack of appetite. The rarity of God's word. May come in us not being hungry for it. That is a sign of God's displeasure and perhaps even judgments. What did Jesus say to the seven churches in the book of Revelation? If they did not listen to his words, he would remove their lampstands. He would take away their want for the word. And eventually he would close their doors. Now, not every time a church dissolves is because of God's judgments. But sometimes it is. For those very reasons. All you have to do is see church history. And the many congregations whose doors were closed because they did not listen to the word. See the PCA's mother denomination. And numerous others who have already vanished. Or are rapidly declining. May we all cry out with the English reformer Thomas Cramner and beg God to help us mark, learn and inwardly digest the scriptures. In all the ways that it comes to us. May we plead with God to give us a greater appetite for the word. lest it become a rare word for us. Now, it would be a rather depressing sermon if we stopped right here. I recognize that. But we can be encouraged because scripture is also a persistent word. Our text continues by telling us about Eli. and his bad eyesight. He was lying down. The sun hadn't quite come up yet, which meant it was even harder for him to see. But verse 3, the lamp of God, which was outside the veil of the most holy place in the tabernacle, was still lit. That tells us dawn hadn't quite come. The point really is. Most people were still sawing logs. They were asleep. During that time, verses 4 and 5, the Lord called to Samuel and Samuel heard it. Now, was this an audible call? Did Samuel have a vision of some sort? And that's how he heard a voice? We do not know. We're not given all those details. But whatever it was, Samuel heard it. He heard God's voice and he said, here I am. And he ran to Eli thinking that he was the one calling Samuel. But Eli told him, I didn't call you. Go back to sleep. Parents, maybe you've had something similar happen with your kids. You know, it's 4 a.m. and they tried to wake you up in the middle of the night and you hurried them back off to bed. That's what Eli did. And Samuel appeared to go back to sleep. But then in verse 6, the Lord called him again. And once more, Samuel got up and he went to Eli, who had maybe just dozed off. And he said, Here I am, for you called me. And Eli replied, I did not call my son. Lie down again. And notice that Eli did not fly off the handle at him. Would have been easy to do, especially when you're tired, you know, and you're half asleep. But then in verse 7, we're given this curious statement. Look at what it says. Samuel did not yet know the Lord and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. What does that mean? It can't be that Samuel did not know God like Hophni and Phinehas in chapter 2, verse 12. We have already been told how chapter 2, verse 26, Samuel grew in favor with God. He knew the Lord. He loved the Lord. But he had never had God reveal himself in a manner like this. Samuel didn't understand what was happening. He never experienced God speaking to him in this way. And so he went back to bed. But the Lord was persistent with him. He called to Samuel a third time, even stood in his presence. Once more, Samuel went to Eli. But this time, Eli perceived that it was the Lord who was calling Samuel. Eli may not have recognized Hannah pouring out her soul to God, but he did put things together here. Might that say something about Eli's spiritual state? Perhaps so. We'll dive into that in just a moment. But he told Samuel to go back and to lie down again, except this time, if the Lord called to him once more, he should answer. Verse 9. Speak, Lord, for your servant hears. And the Lord did call Samuel once more. In verse 10, he answered just as Eli said, Speak, Lord, for your servant hears. What do we learn? Hebrews chapter 1, verses 1 through 4. God does not speak to us in this same way today. 2 Peter chapter 1, verses 19 through 21, he has given us something more sure than the religious experiences outlined here. We have scripture. So how does God's calling to Samuel apply to you and me? We could say something about the importance of listening to scripture. Because in the Bible, what do we have? God calling to us, just in a different way. 11 times the Hebrew word for call is used in verses 4 through 10 to stress how God calls to his people and for us is through the Bible. Are we paying attention? Do our lives show that we believe the word? Are we listening? Are we receiving it? What does our day to day say? These are important questions for us to meditate on. But they are not at the heart of the main application here. Instead, it's the doggedness of God to keep speaking to his people. Scripture is a persistent word from God. Repeatedly, the Lord called to Samuel and he didn't get frustrated and give up. Samuel was not listening to me, so I'm out of here. I'm done talking to him. God wasn't exasperated. God didn't give Samuel the cold shoulder. He was persistent. His word was persistent. As one commentator put it, God gave Samuel time to understand his word. Are we encouraged that he gives us time to grasp the scriptures? Some of us here, it took years for us to understand the doctrines of grace. Some of us here, it took years for us to come to grips with certain truths in the Bible. And yet God was patient with us. He was patient. He kept speaking to us in the scriptures. And brothers and sisters, he continues to do that today. Maybe he's speaking to you. Through the Bible. About a particular sin issue in your life. He's been doing it for years. Should encourage you. That the Lord works along with our wrongs. He is gentle with us. And patient with us. He repeatedly speaks to us through the Bible. It shows his commitment to us. So why wouldn't we want to listen to God? When he is so determined to call to us through scripture. Why would we neglect such a persistent word that shows persistent love from God? Perhaps tonight we all need to give more attention to the Bible. Because it is a persistent word from God. Perhaps we all need to show that we receive God's word with greater consistency in our living. What does this chapter teach us about God's word? Sometimes it can be a rare word. But it is no question a persistent word from God. And yet something else that is noted very clearly in this text is that The Bible is sometimes also a hard word. What was it that God communicated to Samuel? Was it a word about deliverance from Philistine oppression? Was it a word shedding more light on the coming of Jesus Christ? Not at all. God gave the young Samuel. A tough word. And it was for Eli, his mentor. God said, look at verse 11. In other words, people will be shocked at what God was about to bring to pass. What was it? Starting in verse 12. On that day, I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house from beginning to end. 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. Therefore, I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever. What a sobering word. This is a word of judgment against Eli and his family because of the wickedness of Eli's boys and how Eli did nothing about it. God's sentence was unalterable. There is no question this was a hard word. Because think about it from Samuel's perspective. He's the one who had to communicate it to Eli, who is like a father figure to him. Verse 18, Samuel lay in bed anxious, anxious over what he had been told. He was scared to tell Eli. But Eli would not let him off the hook. Verse 17, he asked Samuel, what was it the Lord told you? Do not hide it from me. And then he uttered a curse upon Samuel. If he held anything back. It would have taken courage for Samuel to speak the truth here. But he did it. Samuel told him everything the Lord said. Sometimes. We need courage to speak a hard word. For instance, people don't like to hear scriptures teaching on judgment. They try to soften the doctrine of hell. Or they don't confront folks in sin. Preachers can do that. By neglecting the topic of sin and its eternal consequences. If a pastor rarely talks about judgment, seldomly mentions hell or fails to confront sin, he is probably compromising in his ministry. No matter who we are. Confronting sin and speaking about God's wrath are not topics to be relegated to the sidelines. Now, we shouldn't be a hellfire and brimstone people. You know, only communicating judgments. And we are to speak truth in love with hearts. Maybe some of you remember the story about Robert Murray McShane, the 19th century Scottish Presbyterian. As he was having a conversation with his friend, Andrew Bonar, Bonar was describing how he had just previously preached a sermon on hell. McShane asked him, were you able? To preach it with tears in your eyes. And yet. We do want to make sure that we speak truth. Even truth about sin and judgment. Pray that God would give me or anyone who stands in this pulpit. The courage. Courage to point out sin in our lives and when appropriate, speak about judgment. And to do it with heart. May the Lord give us all the courage to speak truth. Even though sometimes that truth is a hard word. Courage is something we need in a world where some sins are celebrated. A hard word is needed today. Which means courage is needed. Pray for it. But Samuel's word to Eli was not only hard for the one speaking it. It was especially hard for the one receiving it. It was a word of judgment against Eli's family. How did he respond to it? Did he scold Samuel? Who do you think you are in telling me this? Boy, you've got some nerve. Did he rebuke Samuel? That's unloving. Did he inappropriately reply, judge not lest you be judged. Did Eli make excuses for his sin and blame others? Verse 18. Eli's reply was. It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him. Eli humbly received the hard word. A lot can be said about Eli and his spirituality. He was insensitive to Hannah. He was tolerant of his boy's sins. He lagged backbone in dealing with wicked people. His heart for God was little. He put family over God. But when confronted with God's word. He accepted it. Perhaps Eli was a man of faith. but very weak faith. For us, shouldn't we be more receptive than Eli when confronted with hard words? It is easy to get mad at our spouses, siblings, coworkers, or friends when they confront us in sin. It is easy to have roast preacher for dinner or supper. Following a sermon where the preacher presses regarding our transgressions. It could be we need to recall what Proverbs says on this matter. Chapter 12, verse 1, the fool hates reproof. Chapter 13, verse 1, a scoffer does not listen to a rebuke. Chapter 15, verse 5, A fool despises his father's instruction, but whomever heeds reproof is prudent. The wise person receives a hard word from God. A wise person submits to right rebukes from those around them. How do you receive correction? In this case, Eli is a godly example. When given. We are to humbly receive the hard word. Do what is required. When being given a hard word from God. If it is an apology, apologize. If it's repentance, repent. If it's trust God with the consequences of sin, trust God. We have in this text a hard word that's being given. And sometimes the Lord gives us hard words. We are to humbly receive them. And yet we do so thankful that hard words are not all that we are given in scripture, we could not bear it. The last thing we learned in this text is how scripture is a blessed word. What kind of impact did the word of God have on Samuel? Did he have a heartless religion like Hophni and Phinehas? Verse 19. Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. What kind of impact did the word of God have on Samuel? He personally benefited from God's word. God drew near to him through the word. And Samuel was so affected by God's word that he told other people about God's word. And as a result, verse 20, all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord. And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. The impact of God's word was felt near and far. It was a word that brought blessing to both Samuel and to others. Forgiveness was declared. Comforts was gained. Peace was known. Sin was turned from. Holiness was sought. Direction was had. Faith was strengthened. People were matured in godliness. God's word blessed the people. There is a story about a young married lady who one day was greeted by a peddler on her way home. He asked her if she would like to buy a New Testament. The woman hesitated. She and her husband, they didn't have a lot of money. And she knew that as a result, her husband would not approve of her purchasing this book. But the New Testament was so beautiful and she was curious about the words, about his message and what it communicated. So she bought it anyway. When her husband came home, he was upset, very upset. So upset that he took it and he ripped it in half. He argued. The money you bought this book with was half yours and half mine, so we will divide it. Several days later, the husband recalled his half. Of the book. He began to read his portion. And his heart was drawn to the words. And he wanted to know what happened in the other half. But he was too prideful to ask his wife. Until one day when he could stand it no longer, he cried out, can you forgive me for tearing your book? I cannot rest until I know what the other half says. So together they began to read the whole of the New Testament. And over time, they realized the blessedness of the word of God. As God's word is read, preached, taught, sung, prayed and seen in the sacraments, we can know the blessedness of the scriptures. Do you know why? God's word is powerful. God's Word is good. Scripture changes lives. Scripture will ultimately make you happy. Because at the heart of Scripture is not just a set of propositions. But a person. The heart of Scripture is Christ himself. That's why John 1 calls him the Word. Christ's advent was an in-breaking of the enfleshed word. Jesus is the one who makes scripture so, so blessed. He is the blessed word enfleshed. He came into this world to bring us blessing. How? Jesus was condemned so that we would be set free. suffered on the tree so that we would enjoy eternal life. He took our dirty sins so that our record could be wiped clean. We know blessing because Christ took our curse. And that blessing is described on the pages of Scripture. That's what makes the word so blessed. It gives us Christ and all his benefits, his creation, redemption and consummation, his law, his gospel, his spirit, his justifying and sanctifying power. The spirit takes the word and applies all of that and more. His new heavens and new earth, his love and help for today. Every time that we come to the word, let us say with Samuel, speak Lord, your servant hears. Speak Lord, your servant hears. Make that your prayer every time you come to church. Every time you open the Bible personally. Every time you do family worship. Cry out to God, speak Lord. Your servant hears. Speak, Lord, give me more of Christ. Jesus is why we should be so receptive of the word of God. Oh, may we be good hearers and doers of the word, especially in view of Christ. Let's go to the Lord in prayer. Merciful Father, thank you, O God, that you have spoken to us on the pages of scripture. We praise you that from Genesis to Revelation. You have blessed us with your word. O God, we pray that it would not be a rare word to us. We pray that as we see that how you persistently speak to us in the scriptures, that we would gladly receive it. And Lord, when you need to speak a hard word to us, help us to humbly take it. And to do what is necessary to repent. But Lord, let us always remember that scripture is a blessed word. It's a blessed word because it teaches us about Christ. The word incarnate. Christ who brings blessing to our souls. So, oh God, we plead with you to give us hungry hearts for the word. Increase our appetite for Christ. Do it in us, do it at CPC. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.