Hearing From Heaven
Scripture Reading: I Samuel 3:1-10
Scripture Text: Rev. 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;
Rev. 2:7 [NJB] Let anyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches:
Introduction:
A nurse on the pediatric ward, before listening to the little ones’ chests would plug the
stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up with awe. But she never got a response to equal four-year-old David’s. Gently he tucked the stethoscope in his ears and placed the disk over his heart.
“Listen,” she said, "What do you suppose that is?" He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap-tap-tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin. "Is that Jesus knocking?" he asked! (SermonCentral.com)
Do you know when Jesus is “knocking”?
Do you recognize and acknowledge His voice when He speaks to you?
Are you listening for the voice of the Lord?
At least fifteen times, the phrase “...let him hear..” is repeated in the New Testament,
and there are many other references to the people of God “HEARING FROM HEAVEN”!!
God still desires to speak to His people even in these last days.
Oftentimes, we get so busy listening to the cries of our everyday duties and the
“hustle and bustle” of life, that, if we are not careful, we will miss hearing the most important
voice of all. That of our Lord!!
I. Why Does God Wish To Speak To Us?
A. He wants to bless us.
Deut. 6:3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
Jeremiah 29:11 [Living] For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 139:17 [GW] How precious are your thoughts concerning me, O God! How vast in number they are!
Psalm 40:5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
B. He wants to give direction to our lives.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
1. We can only be led by the Spirit if we are listening to Him!
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
2. Ex.= Philip/Gaza (Acts 8); Peter/Cornelius (Acts 10).
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
C. He wants to correct us and tell us how we can live to please Him.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 [Living] The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. [17] It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.
II. How Does God Speak To Us?
Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
A. He speaks to us through His Son (the Word).
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
B. He speaks to us through circumstances and experiences.
Illustration: A man was caught in a flood and ended up floating on the roof of his destroyed home. He prayed desperately for God’s help. In time a rescue team came by in a boat. “We’ve come to help you,” they shouted. “Get in our boat and you’ll be safe.” “No,” the man shouted back. “God’s going to save me.”
It grew dark and scary and the man prayed harder. The beat of a helicopter’s blades could be heard coming from the distance growing louder and louder, until they were thumping overhead. A bright light framed the house wreckage and the man. The loudspeaker boomed, “Take the rope, you’ll be safe.” “No, thanks,” the man shouted as he waved the helicopter away, “God’s going to save me.” Shortly thereafter, the roof disintegrated and the man
drowned.
He was grateful to arrive in heaven, but irritated that God hadn’t answered his prayers.
When he stood before Jesus, he complained. “Why didn’t you save me as you promised that you would?”
“Whatever do you mean?” the Lord said, “I sent a boat and a helicopter!”
Are you listening for God’s voice in your circumstances?
Quote: “Understanding the right messages that God may be sending to us through our day to day experiences requires discernment and prayer.” (copied)
C. He speaks to us by His Spirit to our spirit.
1 Kings 19:11-13 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: [12] And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. [13] And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Quote: “God still speaks to us supernaturally. It may be an audible voice. It may be an impression in our mind that won’t fade away. It may be through a dream or a vision....We ‘hear’ His voice in our inner person, in our spirit, as we live increasingly intimate lives with Him. One of the blessings of the Spirit-lived life is the closeness we can have with the Lord.” (Ibid)
III. What Are The Results Of Hearing From Heaven?
A. A closer relationship with our Heavenly Father.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
B. A happier and more fulfilled life.
Luke 12:32 [Living] "So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
C. A more fruitful life.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Conclusion:
Our Heavenly Father wants, very much, to speak to us in our day. You can hear from Heaven if you will follow these simple rules:
· Read your Bible prayerfully allowing God to speak to YOU, to inform your mind and change your heart.
· Pay attention to your experiences and ask God to help you to discern His voice in the ordinary moments of your days.
· Be open to the blessing of a supernatural visitation that will prepare you for a moment of extraordinary achievement or that will carry you through a season of tremendous testing or trial.
God is speaking. Are we listening?
