March 1, 2026 SERMON NOTES

Guest Preacher: John Franklin, AMS Hopkinsville, KY

SPEAK, LORD, FOR YOUR SERVANT IS LISTENING

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (NIV 1984)

INTRODUCTION

1. Prayer is not primarily about asking and receiving.  It is about a relationship with your Father.

2. All deep relationships happen at the point of deep communication.

3. Unfortunately, many Christians do not know how to hear the Lord very well; therefore, they struggle in prayer.

4. Today we will look at the FOUNDATIONS of hearing God in prayer.

READING OF THE SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 3:1–10 (NIV84) — 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 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.” 

THE FIVE FOUNDATIONS OF HEARING GOD

1. Be in position to hear.

2. Learn to recognize when you are hearing the voice of the Lord.

3. Respond when you hear Him.

4. Start and keep removing the ear wax.

5. Learn how to spend time with your Lord.

APPLICATION

Start this afternoon:

• Write 1 Samuel 3:9b on index cards and locate them in key places for two weeks – your bathroom mirror, your rearview mirror, in your purse or wallet, phone, etc.

Then make a plan by Friday for how you will incorporate the 3 realities below into your life within the next 3 months:

1. A plan for regularly spending time with your Lord.  Include:

   a. a reading plan for the Bible
   b. how you will track your response to whatever surfaces from your reading
   c. what you wish to pray for.

2. Join or find on-fire friends.  Start studying the Bible, praying, and serving together.

3. Make a list of what doesn’t please God or is questionable in your life.  Get rid of it and replace it with what does please Him.

View all of the "Acts" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/acts.

GROWTH GROUPS

NEW Wednesday night Growth Groups as well as the Sunday night GriefShare Support Group begin in January and we’d love for you to get connected! Check out all of the new 2026 Growth Groups and sign up today at fbct.org/growthgroups.

EASTER AT FIRST BAPTIST CLARKSVILLE

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

FRIDAY, APRIL 3 | WORSHIP @ 12:00PM

Join us for the Good Friday Service and Lord’s Supper located in the Grace Worship Center.

EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE

SUNDAY, APRIL 5 | 2 WORSHIP SERVICES: 7:30AM AND 10:30AM

PRESCHOOL for Babies - Kindergarten will be available

CONNECT GROUPS: 9:00AM

Connect Groups available for ALL ages

FIRST STEPS CLASS

UPCOMING CLASS: April 15, 2026

DINNER: 4:30-5:40PM FELLOWSHIP HALL

CLASS: 6:00PM Grace BUILDING, 3rd Floor Steeple Landing

Our First Steps class is designed for new members and guests. We invite you to join our Senior Pastor, Dr. Ronny Raines, and our ministry team for our next membership class. We'll treat you to a delicious meal in the Laida Fellowship Hall, and then help you discover how God wants to use you at First Baptist Church. As you attend the class, we'll cover the following subjects:

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ

• Meaning of church membership

• Biblical baptism

• The Lord's Supper

• The church's beliefs and vision

• Opportunities to give

• Ways to serve in the church

• Ministries at First Baptist Church 

• Meet our ministry team

• Time for Q&A

• Tour our church facilities

We hope you'll join us for our next First Steps class. You can register by filling out the online form at fbct.org/firststeps or by contacting Dana in the pastor's office at 931.245.0000 or dana.abee@fbct.org.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

SAVE THE DATE: June 15-19 | 9:00am-12noon

• WHO: Entering Kindergarten to Completed 5th Grade
  Preschool VBS is available for Volunteer children who are PreK and younger.

• WHAT: A 5-day intensive Biblical learning experience for kids that is also FUN for kids & teachers alike! Our kids kick-off the day with Worship Rally, then rotate through Bible study, Rec., Missions, Snacks, Crafts & MORE!

• WHEN: June 15-19 | 9am-12noon

• COST: FREE

Get Involved: Interested in joining the team as a leader or volunteer?

Email vbs@fbct.org for more information.
Volunteer Early to reserve your VBS shirt.
Click HERE to Register to Volunteer. 

FIRST BAPTIST MUSIC

Check out all of the First Baptist Worship Team videos from our online worship services at fbct.org/music.

THE VOICE - MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Stay up to date with all that is going with our monthly newsletter, the Voice! Visit fbct.org/voice!

MEMBERSHIP AND GIVING TOOLS

Fellowship, Worship and Discipleship are fundamental to an obedient life in Christ. First Baptist Church maintains several tools to help us stay connected, share and offer the sacrifice of praise, and grow together. Scroll to the bottom of the home page at fbct.org and click on "app" to see options for adding these tools to your phone or other device. You can use these tools to stay connected to your discipleship group, contact the church, watch past worship services and sermons, as well as support the FBC financially as the Lord directs for you and your family. There are even instructions for how to access these tools using your web browser.

Using these apps, updating your profile information to share with the church is easy. When changes occur in your family life such as a move to a new home, change in email address, etc. you can update your information to be sure that our communication with you is efficient. You can even add a picture to make it easier for your church family to put a name with a face!

Information about any groups that might be of interest to you, such as Connect Groups, teams, committees, etc will be available as well.  Group Leaders can use the tools to take attendance online and access other features.  You can contact the church through the app, read messages from group members/leaders and browse the church directory.

Check out fbct.org/app  for instructions on how to get the app and reach the membership and giving website.

LOVE the time of worship through song today? You can follow us on Spotify and listen to our playlist each week! Follow us on Spotify “First Clarksville” and sing along!