Committing to Hear God’s Voice
I. How does God Speak to People…?
A. Historically, God spoke directly to many in the Old Testament, beginning with Adam.
1. Scriptures show that God spoke to others, including Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses & the prophets.
B. God has spoken to people through others…
1. In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ~ Hebrews 1:1
2. More recently: … In these last days He has spoken to us by his Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. ~ Hebrews 1:2
C. God continues to speak to us by the Holy Spirit… (Jesus speaking in John 16:13-14)
1. When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
2. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. (v.14)
3. The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ~ John 14:26
D. God speaks to us by the Holy Spirit, instructively, correctively, directively and protectively.
1. God speaks as the Holy Spirit brings alive something we are reading in scripture…
2. When we get inner promptings, divinely given intuition, insight or warning…
3. God speaks to us when the Holy Spirit prompts with prophetic words which give clarity of understanding of His will as revealed in the Word.
4. God ALWAYS speaks in accordance with the scriptures, which is the absolute & final authority.
II. The Importance of ‘Hearing’ (Mark 4:23-25)
1. Jesus said, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear...”
2. “Ears to hear” is more than hearing sounds, it refers to a person’s receiving & responding to what was heard.
3. Jesus says, ‘Take heed what you hear, only to the degree you hear (receive and respond) will you be able to experience what God has for you.”
4. The issue is that you and I must respond to truth – not simply learn it. (information/inspiration/incarnation)
5. Jesus also spoke of the consequence for those who are unresponsive to God’s Word: “Whoever does not have [whoever is capable of hearing the sounds but does not respond to the truth of the Word] will eventually lose what they originally had.”
III. Learning to Listen… Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)
1. Be still…
a. Meanings include: to be quiet, relax, back off, withdraw…
b. The next part of the verse is essential to understanding and application…
2. … and know that I am God.
a. Know (yada) – to know by observation, instruction and personal experience: to be made known, recognize, become a familiar friend, have respect.
b. The focus of this ‘knowing’ is God, and the prerequisite is ‘being still.’
3. Think about your patterns of life…are you making/taking time to hear the ‘still, small voice’ of God ?
(Elijah – 1Kings 19:12) (Stillness & solitude, reading/praying psalms)
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me ~ John 10:27
For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you will hear His voice: Do not harden your hearts… ~ Psalm 95:7-8
Listen for God’s voice… Take times to ‘be still’… Know He is God…. do what God speaks to you.
