We’ve spent weeks exploring what it means to hear God’s voice. We’ve discussed how tuning out the noise of the world, recognizing the Shepherd’s call, trusting His guidance, discerning between voices, obeying His commands, and walking in divine purpose are all key elements of hearing and following the voice of God. Today, as we close out this series, we come to a simple yet profound question: What now?
Hearing God’s voice is not just a series of teachings—it is a lifestyle. It is a continual, day-by-day relationship with the living God who desires to speak to His children. As we move beyond this series, we must take what we’ve learned and apply it to every aspect of our lives. God doesn’t want us to just hear His voice on Sundays or during special moments of prayer. He wants us to live a life attuned to His voice—walking with Him, listening to Him, and responding to Him in every season.
In this final sermon, we will look at how we can live a life that is continuously attuned to God’s voice. We’ll explore how to carry the lessons we’ve learned into the future, ensuring that we remain sensitive to His leading as we move forward in our walk with Him. The Christian life is not a one-time hearing of God’s voice—it is a lifelong journey of listening, trusting, and obeying. God is still speaking, and He is inviting us to live a life fully attuned to His voice.
1. Hearing is a Daily Practice
One of the most important things we must understand about hearing God’s voice is that it is not a one-time event. It is a daily practice. Isaiah 30:21 gives us a beautiful promise: "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it." This verse reminds us that God is continually speaking, continually guiding, and continually leading us on the path He has prepared for us. But in order to hear that voice, we must cultivate the habit of listening.
Daily hearing requires intentionality. Just as we need daily nourishment for our bodies, we need daily spiritual nourishment through the voice of God. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." God’s word is our daily bread, and we must make space in our lives to hear His voice each day. This means prioritizing time in prayer, in His Word, and in quiet reflection where we can tune in to what God is saying.
Think about it this way: in any relationship, communication is key. A relationship where there is no communication quickly becomes distant. In the same way, if we are not regularly hearing from God, our relationship with Him can become distant. But when we make hearing His voice a daily practice, our relationship with Him grows stronger, deeper, and more intimate.
Consider the example of Jesus. Even though He was the Son of God, Jesus made it a priority to spend time alone with the Father, listening to His voice. Luke 5:16 tells us, "And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed." If Jesus needed to make time to hear from God, how much more do we need to do the same? A life attuned to God’s voice is a life that makes space for daily encounters with Him.
But hearing God’s voice daily doesn’t always mean hearing something new or profound. Sometimes, God speaks to remind us of what He has already said. He brings to our minds the promises of Scripture, the guidance He has already given, and the truths we need to hold on to. Our job is to keep our ears open, ready to hear what He is saying today, whether it’s a new direction or a reminder of something He has already spoken.
2. Trusting God's Voice Requires Faith and Action
Hearing God’s voice is one thing—trusting it and acting on it is another. Throughout this series, we’ve seen how trust is essential to following God’s guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Trusting God’s voice means believing that He knows what is best for us, even when we don’t understand His plan.
As we move forward, we must be people who not only hear God’s voice but trust it and act on it. Trusting God’s voice often requires us to take steps of faith—sometimes bold, sometimes small—but always rooted in the belief that His ways are higher than ours. There will be times when God calls us to step out into the unknown, to take risks, or to follow Him into new territory. In those moments, we must choose to trust that His voice is leading us toward His best.
One of the greatest examples of trusting God’s voice is Peter walking on water. In Matthew 14:28-29, Peter says to Jesus, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Jesus simply says, "Come," and Peter steps out of the boat, trusting the voice of Jesus. It wasn’t until Peter took that first step of faith that he experienced the miraculous. Trusting God’s voice often requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to do things that don’t make sense in the natural, and to rely on His supernatural provision.
But trusting God’s voice is not always about big, dramatic steps of faith. Sometimes, it’s about the daily decision to follow His leading in the small things. It’s about trusting Him with our relationships, our decisions, our finances, and our future. When we trust God’s voice, we are saying, "God, I believe that You see the bigger picture. I believe that Your plans for me are good, and I will follow wherever You lead."
Faith is not passive—it requires action. James 2:17 reminds us that "faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." True faith leads to action, and trusting God’s voice means being willing to act on what He has spoken. Whether it’s stepping into a new season, making a difficult decision, or simply continuing in the path God has already set before us, trusting His voice leads to movement. It leads to walking in the direction God has ordained for our lives.
3. Obedience is the Key to Unlocking God's Promises
Throughout this series, we have emphasized the importance of obedience to God’s voice. Obedience is not just about following rules—it is about aligning our lives with God’s will and stepping into the promises He has for us. James 1:22 reminds us, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." If we hear God’s voice but fail to obey, we miss out on the fullness of what He has in store for us.
As we close out this series, we must carry forward the understanding that obedience is the key to unlocking God’s promises. There are blessings, breakthroughs, and opportunities that are waiting on the other side of our obedience. When we obey God’s voice, we position ourselves to receive the good things He has prepared for us.
Consider the story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho. In Joshua 6, God gave Joshua specific instructions on how to conquer the city of Jericho. The instructions didn’t make sense from a military standpoint—march around the city for seven days, and the walls will fall. But Joshua and the Israelites obeyed God’s voice, even though it didn’t make sense in the natural. And on the seventh day, the walls of Jericho fell, and the Israelites claimed the victory.
Obedience often requires us to trust God’s timing and His methods. There will be times when God asks us to do things that seem illogical, inconvenient, or even impossible. But when we obey, we experience His power at work in ways we never could have imagined. The walls in our lives—the obstacles, challenges, and barriers—begin to fall when we walk in obedience to God’s voice.
Obedience also brings freedom. When we walk in obedience, we are free from the burden of trying to figure things out on our own. We are free from the pressure of relying on our own wisdom, strength, or understanding. Instead, we walk in the confidence that God is leading us, and His ways are perfect. Psalm 119:105 reminds us, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." As we obey God’s voice, His Word illuminates the path before us, guiding us step by step.
4. Discerning God's Voice in Every Season
As we continue to grow in our relationship with God, we must also grow in our ability to discern His voice in every season of life. There will be times when God’s voice is clear, and we know exactly what He is calling us to do. But there will also be seasons of uncertainty, waiting, or testing when God’s voice may seem distant or unclear. In those times, we must remain steadfast in our pursuit of Him, trusting that He is still speaking and guiding us.
Discerning God’s voice requires us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. John 16:13 tells us that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. The Holy Spirit is our helper, our counselor, and our guide. He speaks to our hearts, leading us in the way we should go. But we must be willing to listen, to wait, and to follow His leading.
There will be times when discerning God’s voice requires patience. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." Waiting on God is not a passive activity—it is an active posture of trust and expectation. When we wait on God, we are trusting that He will speak, and we are positioning ourselves to hear His voice when the time is right.
Discerning God’s voice also requires humility. There may be times when God’s voice challenges us, corrects us, or calls us to change direction. We must be humble enough to receive His correction and willing to adjust our plans according to His will. Proverbs 3:7 warns us, "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil." When we humble ourselves before God, we open ourselves up to His guidance and His wisdom.
No matter the season—whether it’s a season of clarity, a season of waiting, or a season of challenge—we must be committed to discerning God’s voice and following His leading. As we do, we will find that God is faithful to guide us through every season, bringing us closer to His purpose for our lives.
5. Walking in Divine Purpose Daily
As we close out this series, we come back to the ultimate goal of hearing God’s voice—walking in divine purpose. God didn’t create us to live aimless, directionless lives. He created us for a purpose, and He desires to lead us into the fullness of that purpose. But walking in divine purpose is not a one-time event—it is a daily journey.
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Every day, we have the opportunity to walk in the good works that God has prepared for us. But in order to do so, we must be attuned to His voice, trusting Him to lead us, and willing to obey His commands.
Walking in divine purpose requires daily dependence on God. It requires us to seek Him in prayer, to listen for His voice, and to follow where He leads. It means surrendering our plans, our desires, and our fears to Him, trusting that He knows what is best. When we walk in divine purpose, we experience the joy, peace, and fulfillment that come from living the life God created us to live.
But walking in divine purpose is not just about us—it’s about impacting the world around us. God’s purpose for our lives is tied to His greater plan of redemption. As we walk in His purpose, we become vessels of His love, grace, and truth to the world. We become ambassadors for Christ, shining His light in the darkness and pointing others to Him.
Close:
As we close out this series, the question remains: Will you continue to live a life attuned to God’s voice? God is still speaking, and He is inviting you to walk in His purpose daily. But it requires listening, trusting, and obeying. It requires a heart that is sensitive to His leading and a spirit that is willing to follow.
If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Savior, this is your opportunity to hear His voice and respond to His call. Jesus is inviting you into a relationship with Him, to walk in the purpose He created you for. Will you respond to His voice today?
Or maybe you’ve been following Jesus for some time, but you’ve struggled to hear His voice or trust His leading. Today, God is inviting you to come closer, to tune your heart to His voice, and to walk in the fullness of His purpose.
If you’re searching for a church home, a place where you can grow in faith and walk in God’s purpose alongside others, the doors of this church are open wide. We are ready to walk with you as you continue to hear God’s voice and follow His leading.
And if you need prayer today—if you’re facing challenges, if you need guidance, or if you simply want to hear God’s voice more clearly—come forward and let us pray with you. God is ready to meet you, to speak to you, and to lead you into the next step of His purpose for your life.
Will you live a life attuned to His voice? The Good Shepherd is calling. Will you come?
