Hearing The Voice Of God Series

Title: Hearing the voice of God

Theme:

Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-15

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

There are two important things that we can learn from these verses that relate to us and our relationship with the Lord. The Bible often uses this shepherd and sheep illustration when talking about our relationship to the Lord. I have been reading on Psalms 23. This passage is full of vital information about how the Lord feels about us.

But notice these two things. 1) We can know the voice of God. In other words in this world where everything is clamoring for our attention we can know the voice of God.

2) He knows us. This is so important for some of you to hear. God knows you and he cares about you. He knows where you are at. He knows what you are going through. He knows where you are going. And he loves you. He knows you by name. He calls you by name.

Now let me give you Three reasons why people don’t hear the voice of God.

1. Sin Eph 4:26-27

Eph 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: (27) Neither give place to the devil.

When we sin we give a place or foothold to the devil. When we allow sin in our life we lose focus on God and Satan begins to clog the channel. We can’t hear the voice of God.

“Just as forgiveness cleans us up, sin clogs us up.”

Psa 66:18 tells us “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: “ Just as much we will also not hear God. Sin is one of the major hindrances to hearing God.

John Bunyan once wrote “Prayer will make a man cease from sin or sin will make a man cease from prayer”.

2. Neglect. Luke 10:41-42 As the Martha and Mary story in scriptures.

We know the story. Martha is in the kitchen worrying herself to death. She is busy. She looks out and sees Mary at the feet of Jesus. Animosity swells up in her heart and she says to Jesus.

Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. (Doesn’t it bother you Lord that while Mary is sitting I am working).

Luk 10:41-42 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: (42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Mary has chosen the things that are important

Busyness is not working. Working is doing what is most important at the time.

Notice the writer of Hebrews speaking of salvation says in Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;

We must be careful that we don’t miss what is important. Not spending enough time with the Lord.

We have to be careful that we are not too busy to hear his voice.

3. Inexperience. We want to hear his voice but we are not sure when he speaks.

Which leads us into our main message. We need to know how to listen to God.

Six practical steps in how to listen God.

1Sa 3:1-10 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious (rare) in those days; there was no open vision. (2) And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; (3) And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; (4) That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. (5) And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. (6) And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. (7) Now Samuel did not yet know (he did not yet interact with the Lord, not a personal relationship) the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him (young). (8) And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. (9) Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (10) And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.