Oct. 30, 2009
Here I Am
Expect Satanic attack. How? I don’t know, but we know from scripture and experience how Satan generally attacks. He uses rumors, gossip, slander, and false accusations. We don’t see the spiritual world around us. We do see the effects of the spiritual world on the physical world around us, though. I imagine he tells people, “Nothing is going on” at our church, since the calendar is not overloaded with special events.
I. Here Am I
A. I Sam. 3:1-10
1 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." Then Eli realised 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."
1. Samuel did not hide, like Adam and Eve after the Fall.
2. He was ready to listen.
B. Gen. 22:11
But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.
1. When God spoke to Abraham in this passage, it was to stop him from sacrificing Isaac. Abraham listened to God’s voice and obeyed.
C. Gen. 31:11, 13
The angel of God said to me in the dream, `Jacob.' I answered, `Here I am.'
I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.'"
1. God spoke to Jacob, called him by name. Jacob said, “Here am I.” Jacob was ready to listen and obey.
D. Gen. 46:2
And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!"
"Here I am," he replied.
1. In this instance, God was encouraging Jacob to continue traveling to Egypt, to not be afraid. If I were in Jacob’s shoes, I would have been afraid. I would have needed the extra encouragement, encouragement that only God could offer.
E. Acts 9:10ff
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.
11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.
16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised,
1. God spoke to Ananias. Ananias’ response was “Here am I,” or “Yes, Lord. What can I do for You?” Ananias was ready to listen and obey.
2. Ananias told God what he heard about Saul. God did not deny that it was true. God gave Ananias more information. Saul was going to preach salvation through Jesus.
3. If I was Ananias, I might have worried that I did not hear correctly from God. If Ananias heard wrong, he would be arrested. He would have been bound in chains and taken to Jerusalem to stand trial for believing that Jesus is the Messiah. Can’t you imagine Ananias’ friends discouraging him from going? “No. Saul is a bad guy. If he is blind, he deserves it.”
4. So what did Ananias do? He obeyed God. He went to the house of Judas on Straight Street, found Saul, and called him “Brother.”
II. Volunteer
A. Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
1. More than obeying what God commanded, Isaiah volunteered to preach. His message would be hard for people to receive, but Isaiah volunteered. He wanted to serve God.
III. What do you need?
A. Isaiah 58:9a
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I.
1. In this passage, we are commanded to care for the poor and stand up for the oppressed. If we do these things that God has asked of us, God will hear us when we call. God will say to us, “Here am I. What do you need? What can I do for you?”
Conclusion
“To Boldly Stay” sketch