Qualities of the Minister God uses to Communicate His Word

TEXT: 1 Samuel 3v1-11, v19-21

The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

The Minister of God ,Desertpreacher Emmanuel

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple a of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel.

Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."

But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.

6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."

"My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."

Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"

Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

11 And the LORD said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family — from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, b and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.'"

19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

SUBJECT: The Minister of God

THEME: Qualities of the Minister God uses to Communicate His Word

INTRODUCTION

The desire of most ministers whether young or old is to be used by God to impart their generation, especially in this last days, where religion has only become a form, and the focus of most churches on the gifting’s not the word of God. Church history has it, how God used John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther, Charles Finney and the rest so mightily that till today we still feel the rippling effect of their impart.

I look at their generation and ours and am burdened with two questions is, 1. What were the qualities, mindset of these men, that enabled God to use them so mightily? 2.Can God use us the way He used them? I recall many years ago, a man of the name J Oswald smith burdened with the same questions wrote a book, and the title of the book is, “The man God uses”, this morning am borrowing that expression, that phrase coined. “The qualities of the minister God uses”,

Our churches are dying, our members are not maturing, the word of God is relegated to the background, but in the midst of all this, there is hope, God is still searching for ministers in this last days who will communicate His word to His people, who will direct the church back to Bible…so then

SERMONIC EXPLANATION

So then God expects us to know the qualities of the minister He uses to communicate His Word

PROPOSITION

In the light of this, I submit to you that every minister should know the qualities of the man God uses to communicate His word.

SERMONIC PURPOSE:

Am trusting God will visit us this morning, so that burden to be used by God will spark up in our spirits

LITERARY CONTEXT

The continuous growth of a character, from a child serving God, and to old age walking in the same path, is the great lesson which the story of Samuel teaches us. The first three chapters of 1Samuel give us the account of the birth of Samuel, His dedicated service and how he became the prophet of God, Chapter 3 presents to us how God raised Samuel as a Prophet for the Nation. Samuel's peaceful service is contrasted, in the second half of the first verse, with the sad cessation of Divine revelation in dark and stormy time of national laxity. A demoralised priesthood, an alienated people, a silent God, were the features of that period.

There was no prophet who could communicate God's message to His people. The High Priest Eli was judge of Israel, He was indeed, a man of God, but his utter failure to rule his own house discredited him. The channel of communication was choked up in that quarter, simply owing to the weakness of the man of God and the desecrated priesthood office. The nation had lost its faith, these had to be rekindled. Where was the new kindling to begin? Where was the Divine spirit to touch the nation Israel once more? In the heart of the sage? No. In the breast of the old man? No. In the leaders of the Jewish armies? No. It was to begin in the soul of a little child Samuel.

TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE

Now, let’s delve into the passage and acquaint ourselves with two qualities of the minister uses to bring revival.

GOD USES THE MINISTER WHO IS READY TO SERVE TO COMMUNICATE HIS WORD VV 1-8a

The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual 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.

Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."

But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.

6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."

"My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."

The word Ministered in Hebrew is “Sharath” which means to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to or to serve: The expression Samuel ministered before the lord connotes the idea of Samuel service in the house of the Lord, here Samuel ministered before the Lord under the guidance of Eli at a time when God wasn't speaking to His people very often.

The phrase “In those days the word of the Lord was rare,” implies a contrast between the scarcity of that period and the fullness of revelation at other times, in chapter 2:27; A man of God was employed as a messenger to bring Gods message, there were no settled prophets in Israel, to whom the people might have recourse for counsel, nor from whom they might expect the discoveries of the divine will of God.

There were not many vision, that is, there were none that were publicly known to have visions. Perhaps the impiety and impurity that prevailed in the tabernacle by the sons of Eli, corrupted the whole nation, had provoked God, as a token of his displeasure, to withdraw the Spirit of prophecy, till the decree had gone forth for the raising up of a more faithful priest who will be always available to the Lord

Therefore,

God uses the minister who is ready to serve Him Vv1a.

How industrious Samuel was in serving God, according as his place and capacity were. The child Samuel, though a child, ministered unto the Lord before Eli. By serving Eli the priest, he was serving God.

Also,

God uses the minister who is ready to serve the Lord’s servants. vv 4-8a

Eli kept him also as his immediate attendant and he resided not in the sanctuary, but in one of the tents or apartments around it, assigned for the accommodation of the priests and Levites.

The Lord spoke to Samuel four times, and the first three times, Samuel thought it was Eli calling him and he hastened out of his warm bed and ran to him three times, here we see Samuel's industry, and readiness to serve Eli supposing it was he that called him, "Here am I," he said—a good example of a servants, who is ready to respond and do the biddings of his master anytime.

The expression “Samuel did not yet know the Lord” does not suggest he was living in sin as the author said concerning the sons of Eli but rather tell us how the boy Samuel though He knew the written word, and was acquainted with the mind of God, but he did not yet apprehend the way in which God reveals himself to his servants the prophets. He knew and worshipped the God of Israel; but he did not know him as communicating special revelation of His will.

ILLUSTRATION:

Phil 2:20-22

20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

APPLICATION

Paul mention about 23 people in his letter to the Romans, could it be that among all these men there was none like Timothy, for Timothy has proved Himself, He has proved himself that in my absence he can take care of you, he can manage church the because he is a servant like me. Can our senior pastors give such testimony about us, that as for Kojo, Quame, I have none like Him, who can serve faithfully and selflessly like He does?

One of the main reason why God anoint His ministers is for them to serve, Gods children. We pray and fast Lord use me, that’s good, for what, God uses men to serve his purpose for humanity so if we don’t have the heart of a servant it becomes difficult. There are levels of power, levels of grace we can never walk in if we are not ready to serve.

The craving desire of most young ministers “Lord use me” is passive not active, we have the desire and ability but lacks the heart of a servant, one can naturally lack ability and talents but to serve is a choice, servanthood is a mindset, you decide to be servant. Fortunately, talents and abilities that’s not come into play when God wants to use a man, all he requires is a man ready to serve

It seems to me, God selection of people He uses to communicate his word in every generation and time, is not hinged on their background, skills and certificate but rather their readiness to serve, He called Moses from nowhere, He called David nowhere, He called Gideon, He called Peter from nowhere, He called Paul from nowhere, He called Timothy from nowhere and He used them mightily because they were ready to serve. God does not call rulers, God does not call Dictators, God does not monarchs, God does not call Kingpins but God calls servants,

Who told you God can’t use you? Martin Luther King Jr said, “Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve, you don’t need to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by Love”.. But I say to you this morning everybody can be use by God because anybody can serve, you don’t need fame to serve, you don’t need to be ordained to serve, you don’t need 4*4 to serve or you need is a heart ready to serve and a soul generated by love, Oh preacher pray for the members, visit their home and at the Hospital, care for their needs, feed them with the word, for service to man is service to God…

I read the text again and again, I didn’t understand why God should by passed Eli the high priest and Hophni and Phinehas the priest and give such a weighty message to a 12year old boy Samuel, not only that also raised him as His prophet. I then agreed with Peter in Acts 10:34 (Of a truth I perceive that God is no of respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him), (2 chronicle 16v9),

In the land of Israel, there were grown up, more matured, more intelligent, people of high class than Samuel, why him? again I agree with Paul (2 timothy 2v20-21). Oh preacher ministry is about service, lets serve not with the motivation buying a car, becoming famous, not because we want to be senior pastor but with the motivation to serve,

Young preacher it does not matter if you wash your senior pastor’s car, wash his cloth, polish his shoes, it does not matter whether you only lead open prayer, it does matter if among the associates you are the errand boy, sometimes you may be ridiculed, sometimes insulted but continue serving do it faithfully and your time come for he that is faithful in the little much will be given to him. Somethings are not taught but caught and as we serve our senior pastors it automatically falls on us.

TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE

Not only does God use the minister who is available to bring revival but also

GOD USES THE MINISTER WHO DEMONSTRATES READINESS TO LISTEN TO HIS VOICE TO COMMUNICATE HIS WORD – vv. 8b – 14

8 Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"

Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

11 And the LORD said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family — from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, b and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.'"

Eli taught Samuel the right way to respond, “Speak Lord for your servant listens.” The term “LORD” here is JEHOVAH. Thus, he taught Samuel that it was the God of their fathers, who was speaking to him. To say that “your servant is listening” is to say that your servant is hearing to obey and put into practice what you will communicate to him.

So then,

The minister God uses demonstrates readiness to listen to the Lord’s voice by being obedient to godly counsel vv8b-9

The three successive calls addressed to the boy convinced Eli, the divine character God was the speaker; and he therefore exhorted the child to give a reverential attention to the message.

Samuel obeyed the godly counsel of Eli, went back to his sleeping place, and waited for the voice to come again. Samuel’s absolute obedience to Eli, reveals the obedient will of the twelve-year-old boy, he heard the message from the Lord and learned what God planned to do. This was certainly a weighty message to give to a young boy, but when God can't find an obedient adult, He sometimes uses a child.

The minister God uses demonstrates readiness to listen to His voice by giving the Lord his total attention c. vv10

To pay attention according to Encarta is to be mentally focus, give serious consideration or full concentration to someone or something, this time God called the boy's name twice, it seems to me that the repetition of his name was intended to arrest the boy's attention.

Not only that, the Lord came and stood near Samuel as He spoke to him. This experience wasn't a dream or a vision but a manifestation of the presence of the Lord geared towards winning, Samuel’s attention. Samuel's response was, "Speak, for your servant is listening" and he left out the word, "Lord". Why? Could it be, Samuel didn't yet have a personal knowledge of the Lord, so he couldn't know whose voice it was that had spoken to him. Perhaps he was being careful not to accept it as the voice of Jehovah when he had no way to be sure or he was being careful. Nonetheless the undergirding truth is that Samuel gave his total attention to the Lord by his response

ILLUSTRATION:

John 10v27

27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

APPLICATION:

Fellow preacher, do you listen to God when He speaks. Do you discern the voice of God when He calls, one of the major challenges young preachers today are facing is how we can discern and obey the voice of God, we are not so sensitive to the Holy Ghost, so when He speaks we cannot hear, Some shave become so familiar with the Holy Ghost, that sometimes we think and assume for the Him.

Jesus ministry was characterised by the leading of the Holy spirit, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to fast, He said that what I see my father doing that’s was I also do (John5v19) meaning everything He did was strictly based on direction from the father, until we come to a place where we listens and obey the leading of the Spirit we can never experience greater power in our ministry…For they that are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God. (Romans 8v14)

The church right now has more fashion than passion, is more pathetic than prophetic, is more superficial than supernatural, the voice of the Holy Ghost is silent because when He speaks we do not hear, when we hear we do not obey. Alas oh what a hair feeling generation not a voice discerning, Isaac said for the voice is that of Jacob but the body is Esau but oh what mistake he followed his feeling. Preacher when was the last time what you were doing was instructed by the Spirit of God? The falcon cannot hear the falconer so things fall apart.

Many things are competing for our attention. What do you listen to, do you listen your feeling or the voice of God, am so much in love with this lady, she is the perfect match for my ministry, he says but fellow preacher is that the voice of God or your feeling.

He blames God why did let me enter into this marriage or relationship, why this ministry, Lord you should have told but come on preacher, when the senior pastor was advising you not to enter, that was God speaking, when mama, that friend warn you about that man or that lady that was God speaking but you were so much in love you missed God you know our desires and anxieties in life can hinder us from hearing form the spirit, Balam the prophet desire and passion for gold prevented him from hearing and obeying the voice of God

In these last days God is looking for ministers who will listen to him and obey Him so that He can use for, Jesus said my sheep knows my voice, they hear my voice and they follow me, A. What moves you, preacher, is it feeling or

Some great ministries have come to an end because of the woman the man of God married, some decision they took, some are blaming God, God why didn’t you tell me not to enter this relationship or married but when your father, pastor, friend was advising you, that

You are thinking of moving from A/G in the future to establish your own ministry, that’s good but did you hear from God, is that the will of God. Jesus said my meat is to do the will of God and to accomplish it.

CONCLUSION:

To bring my message to a close, the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few. God is still searching for ministerss to use, not just any minister but rather ministers who are available and are ready to listen to Him.