Freedom Follows Following: Alignment for Assignment

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Sermon Notes

1 Samuel 3:19

19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.

Presence

God’s presence is follows desire and devotion.

Desire = Heart & Devotion = Hands

James 4:8

8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

Alignment

God didn’t do whatever Samuel said. This means Samuel was so aligned with God that whatever Samuel said fit perfectly with the heart and mind of God. 

Six Alignment Adjustments

1. Dedication Alignment

1 Samuel 1:11

11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

God can do more with our devotion
than we can by keeping our options open. 

 

2. Authority Alignment

1 Samuel 2:11

11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest.

3. Eternal Alignment

1 Samuel 2:26

26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.

4. Position Alignment

1 Samuel 3:1-4

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 house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.”

5. Hearing Alignment

1 Samuel 3:4-8

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 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” 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.

6. Yes Alignment

1 Samuel 3:9-11

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.”

19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.

Freedom isn’t just being free from something.
it is being free for something.
We find freedom from, freedom for and freedom in. 

Where do you need alignment?

• Have you given your whole self to God or are you holding something back?
• Are you flying solo? Are you resisting spiritual authority?
• Have you gotten tired and become tempted with the temporary?
• Are you camped too far away from God?
• Has it been a long time since you have heard His voice?
• Have you heard God but are stalled in fear?