Sermon Central
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Hearing The Shepherd Series
Contributed by Brady Boyd on Mar 19, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: Sheep do not instinctively follow a shepherd; they need constant training.
John 10 – Hearing the Shepherd
March 24, 2024
How does God speak to us? This is one of the most asked questions I get as a Pastor.
‘That God speaks is the basic reality of biblical Faith.’ - Eugene Peterson
Genesis 1 – God creates the world by speaking.
Revelation 22 – God reminds us, “I am coming soon.”
John 10:3-5, 27 NIV
"The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Sheep do not instinctively follow a shepherd; they need constant training.
Show video of sheep jumping back into ditch. Edit to 20 seconds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-Wc8vluyp0
John 16:12-15 NIV
"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.”
1. He speaks through Scripture.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Thoughts and attitudes are exactly what I want to be judged by Scripture.
2. He speaks through counsel.
Proverbs 12:15 NKJV
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.”
Proverbs 15:22 NKJV
“Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.”
The word of the Lord is always personal.
The word of the Lord is heard by listeners.
God’s voice will work through your unique personality and will be personal to you.
