KNOWING GOD #2 – HEARING GOD’S VOICE
OPENING TRIVIA QUESTION:
What’s greater than God, worse than the devil, dead people eat it, and if you ate it, you would be dead too?
ANSWER: What’s greater than God? NOTHING
What’s worse than the devil? NOTHING
What do dead people eat? NOTHING
And if you ate NOTHING, you would be dead, too!
OPENING TEXT:
“[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him].” (Phil. 3:10, Amplified).
• First message I shared this year was “One Thing – Knowing God.”
• I talked about one of the ways we get to know God better – through His Word.
• This message = part #2: How to get to know God by learning to hear His voice.
INTRODUCTION TO TOPIC:
Have you see the cell phone commercial - "Can you hear me now?" Have you heard God’s voice?
“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders. The Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.” (Psalm 29:4-5).
• If God’s voice is so loud and powerful, why do so few Christians recognize it?
TEXT: “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27).
I. Why must we learn to hear God’s voice? Jesus gives us 3 reasons:
1. My sheep hear my voice. ALL Christians are His sheep.
2. I know them. This speaks of personal intimate relationship. You can’t have a relationship with someone you don’t communicate with.
3. They follow me. Obedience is discipleship. “And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.” (John 10:4). We are following the Shepherd!
THE STORY OF SAMUEL: (1 Samuel 3:1-10).
“Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare (precious) in those days; there was no widespread revelation (open visions). And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow dim, that he could not see, and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down. Then the Lord called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son, lie down again.” (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to Him). And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me!” Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, “Speak Lord, for Your servant hears.” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times. “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
II. How do we learn to recognize God’s voice?
(7 helpful keys)
1. Learn the language of the Holy Spirit – He speaks BIBLE. The more familiar we become with the written Word of God, the more we will learn to recognize the spoken Word of God.
2. ASK God to speak to you. “Call to me and I will answer you.” (Jeremiah 33:3).
3. Learn to be quiet and LISTEN in prayer. “Be still and know…” (Psalm 46:10).
4. Allow God to speak however He chooses:
(a) The written Word. Psalm 119:105. Primary way He speaks to us.
(b) The still small voice.
(c) Circumstances (open & closed doors, provision, etc.)
(d) Human messengers (prophets or gift of prophecy)
(e) The audible voice.
(f) Dreams & Visions – discuss two prophetic dreams I’ve had
(g) Angels & Heavenly Encounters – one angelic encounter (aware!)
5. Confess any known sin. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” (Psalm 66:18). To start hearing His voice again, go back and obey the last thing God told you to do. (Remember – my sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me – they obey me!).
6. Practice hearing God’s voice. Spend time ‘on the phone’ with Him. The more time you spend in prayer, the more familiar you become with His voice.
7. Cultivate an intimate relationship. The most important reason for hearing God’s voice is to know Him. Spend time abiding in Jesus every day!
CLOSING CHALLENGE:
• Jesus says, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.” (Rev. 3:20).
• Jesus wants YOU to hear His voice today!
