Listening To The Voice Of God

LISTENING TO THE VOICE OF GOD

John 10 & 1 Samuel 3

#hearingGod

INTRODUCTION… colinwbates.com/chinese-character-for-listening/ [adapted]

The Chinese language calligraphy character for the word and concept of “listening” is made up of different elements of good listening:

Across the top of the character there are the elements of ears to hear and eyes to see. We use our ears to hear by paying attention not just to the words spoken but also to the tone, pace and emphasis of the words. If a person starts talking more quickly, a little louder, or with more emphasis, we know that they are engaged and interested in the topic. Alternatively, if they’re more monotone, slower, or with less emphasis, we know they’re less interested in what they share.

We use our eyes to connect with the person with whom we are listening and reassure them that they have our attention. We also use our eyes to check the body language of the person to gain insights into their thoughts because of nonverbal communication. Are they open, animated, and expressive with their body language or are they closed; using smaller or no gestures and more rigid? Nonverbal communication tells us a lot actually.

Across the bottom of the character are the elements of the mind to think and the heart to feel. We use our mind as we are listening to consider the words and ideas shared. We may choose to take an ‘open-minded’ approach or we may choose to be more critical in how we listen, but either of those take our mind being engaged.

We also use our heart to hear as we empathize and sympathize as we are listening. Hopefully we experience the emotions being shared and we feel compassion for the person sharing. Using our heart allows us to listen more deeply and be connected with the other person.

At the center of the calligraphic character, holding this all together, is a single stroke. This represents the need for undivided attention and focus as we listen. We usually think much quicker than a person can talk and as a result we tend to fill in the gaps; sometimes with unnecessary chatter from our mouths or silently in our minds and hearts. To listen most effectively, we need to calm this chatter and completely focus our attention.

TRANSITION

* I bring this up because we are talking all about listening this morning.

* I bring this up because we are talking all about hearing and listening to God this morning.

LISTENING TO GOD IN JOHN 10

In John 10, Jesus is speaking to His followers and some of the crowds that follow Him after a kerfuffle about healing a man who had been blind from birth (John 9:1-41). It seems that the Pharisees and the other religious leaders did not appreciate when, where, and how Jesus did His miracle. It was mostly “when” if we are honest, and Jesus is addressing the fact that the religious leaders are not recognizing God’s work among them. They don’t see it. They don’t want to listen. They didn’t want to be part of what Jesus was doing.

Let’s read two passages from John 10:

READ John 10:14-16 (ESV)

“I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, 15 just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So, there will be one flock, one Shepherd.”

READ John 10:25-30 (ESV)

“Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's Name bear witness about Me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

We notice in these verses that the disagreement between Jesus and the other religious leaders is a sharp one. He mentions in the beginning part of the chapter that perhaps the religious leaders who are not listening to Him are not part of God’s flock and He confirms that is what He is saying in the latter part of the chapter. They aren’t seeing God at work and are rejecting the message of Jesus because they do not belong to God and they aren’t listening. They are standing outside the will of God. They are living outside of the Kingdom of God.