Consequences Of Not Hearing From God Series

I Samuel chapter three is about the importance of hearing the voice of God from the example of Samuel.

We learned that we must be sure of hearing God's voice and not the voice of the enemy because there are many voices out there trying to get our attention.

We had to reject other unfamiliar voices and only focus on God's voice to direct our lives.

When we hear God's voice clearly and without any interruptions, we allow God's wisdom to flow in our hearts and lead the way for us to follow.

Hearing God's voice is important in our everyday ministry work for God.

Not only should we hear His message, but we must be able to receive and clearly understand what God is speaking to us.

Because when God's message enters our hearts, our characters will be transformed for the better and make us fit for God's service.

Then, of course, it would not be complete without sharing God's Word to others.

We must not add or subtract anything from God's Word but be able to share with confidence and boldness.

I hope and pray that all of you are hearing God's Word right now through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In I Samuel chapter 4, we are going to look at the various negative consequences when we do not hear from God.

What would happen if we do not hear from God but instead hear other unfamiliar voices that would lead us to destruction and sin?

What would happen if we have closed our ears to God's voice and reject His guidance?

The negative consequences would be beyond measure and truly devastating.

Just look around and see how people's lives are being destroyed through immorality, useless crimes and other sinful activities when people do not listen from God.

Why are people caught in sin?

Because of not hearing from God's voice.

They would want to follow their own conscience rather than God.

That is always the case when people are in depths of sin.

And if you go to the pages of the Bible, you will find many more incidents of the negative consequences of not hearing from God particularly in this chapter.

First Samuel Chapter 4 is one of the darkest moments of Israel's history as a nation.

In this chapter, we will read the defeat of Israel as a nation, the ark of God captured, the death of the two sons of Eli, the death of Eli himself and the death of the wife of Phineas while giving birth.

The conclusion in the last verse was that the glory has departed from Israel.

A lot of deaths in one chapter of the Bible - a very depressing time for Israel.

Why did God allow us to read all these negative stuff from the Bible?

In order to warn us and to teach us a very valuable lesson on the consequences of sin and disobedience.

God wants us to learn from the horrible mistakes that people had made in the past when they do not hear and listen from God's voice.

He wants us to avoid repeating the same costly mistakes over and over again.

He wants us to take seriously these lessons from the Bible and learn them by heart.

Because we will be facing similar situations in the future and we had to know how to respond properly.

God's will for us is to remain obedient to Him by keeping His Word, so that we can joyfully enjoy all of His many blessings through Christ.

The apostle Paul warned us concerning these things.

Galatians 6:7 (NIV) 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."

Whatever seed we sow, we shall someday reap a corresponding harvest.

If we sow seeds of sin, we shall reap its deadly consequences.

But if we sow seeds of obedience to God's Word, we shall reap its many benefits and blessings.

By your fruits you shall know them.

Good seeds will always bear goof fruits.

Bad seeds will always bear bad fruits.

And so, we have to learn our lessons well for whatever we do in our lifetime will determine our state for eternity.

As always, at the end of this message, I will ask you to make a response for whatever things you have heard.

May you receive His voice clearly and begin to do something concrete for God right now.

I will be asking you to come forward, receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior and make a commitment to serve Him for the rest of your life.

Open your hearts and your minds so that you can receive God's Word.

There was defeat, death and despair that characterized this chapter.

Praying that only good things can happen as we study this chapter.