12-22-24 Setlist: Great Things I'm Listening It Is Well Silent Night Tremble Sermon Notes: Reasons we can’t turn off the noise: 1. We aren’t comfortable with silence. 2. We have trained ourselves to function with the noise. 3. It’s becoming harder to find quiet space. How do we silence the noise? 1. Make a plan. Key Verse: One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. Luke 6:12 Key Verse: Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 Key Passage: But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 15:15-16 How do we silence the noise? 2. Learn to hear God’s voice. Key Passage: One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did. Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!” Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.” Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed. And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:2-10 How do we silence the noise? 3. Make our time with God conversational. How do we silence the noise? 4. Don’t quit even though it may be difficult or uncomfortable. How do we silence the noise? 5. Don’t let the noise of this season distract you from the true meaning. Key Verse: Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Proverbs 4:25 (MSG) Discussion Questions 1. What do you feel like God is saying to you through this message? 2. What spoke to you during this message? Why? How can you apply it to your life?