October 18, 2026
Passage: 1 Samuel 3:1-4:1a
Speaker: Pastor Rodney DeJager
Main Idea: God speaks to those who listen, and He uses them to declare His word.

I. When God’s Word is rare, Spiritual Darkness follows (v. 1-3).
      A. God’s silence reveals His displeasure.
      B. Religious activity is not the same as knowing God.
      C. Even in the darkness, God has not abandoned His people.

II. God takes the initiative and declares His Word (v. 4-14).
      A. God speaks before we are ready.
      B. When God speaks, we should listen.
      C. God’s Word will be fulfilled.

III. Once we have heard God’s Word, we must faithfully declare it (v. 15-18).
      A. We must faithfully declare God’s word, even if it costs us.
      B. The proper response to God’s Word is humble submission.

IV. God establishes those who faithfully declare His Word (v. 19-4:1a).
      A. God fulfills the words of a faithful messenger.
      B. God continues to work through faithful servants.

Application:
      God’s Word is a good and gracious gift.
      We cannot truly know God apart from His Word.
      We must listen to God’s Word and obey it.