Can You Hear God’s Voice
Intro: How many would say their lives are hectic today?
Things that make life hectic. (possesions, relationships, attitudes, jobs)
Almost everything in our lives causes interruption, confusion, sometimes depression, and heavy burdens.
What has happened? Bro Billy are you saying these things are bad.
No!
But I am saying that they have distracted us from something very important in our lives.
So, why do you think we come to Church every Sunday. (multiple reasons)
To hear God’s Voice
Deut 6.4
“Hear O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one.”
Ezekiel God told him
Throughout the Bible God says Hear O Israel
“Listen Up! Pay attention.”
Again and Again God had to remind Israel to listen to His voice.”
Ezek 12.2 “But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you will say to them, “Thus says the Lord God. He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.”
This brings light to Jesus words in Revelation.
He who has an ear let Him hear. He who refuses is part of a rebellious house.
1 Kings 19.9-12 message translation.
“The word of God came to him: “So Elijah, what are you doing here?”
“I’ve been working my heart out for the God-of-the-angel-armies, “ said Elijah. “The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destoyed the places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I’m the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me.”
Then he was told, “Go stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.”
A hurricane wind ripped through the mountatins and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle quiet whisper.”
We don’t hear God’s voice because we don’t prepare a place to listen.
Why is it important to hear God’s voice.
I. God’s Voice Has Power
a. Genesis 1
i. 9 Times it is recorded, “Then God Said.” Verses 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29.
ii. God spoke and the creation Lept into existence.
b. People look for power in many different places
i. Politics
ii. Postion
iii. Possesions
c. We must proclaim there is power in the Blood
i. Jesus is the Living Word of god (John 1)
1. And all authority and power was given to Him (Matt 28.18)
a. Power to protect from the Evil one
b. Power to over come Sin
c. Power to reach others for him
2. The world says there is power in Choice
a. The most powerful choice there is is Jesus
b. Joshua said choose this day whom you will serve
c. Only God is the rightful king whose Powerful voice we should obey. (turn your ears from the world, open them to God’s voice)
3. When Jesus spoke
a. Dead Men were raised
b. The Storms were still
c. Demons departed
d. The Lost were saved.
i. Romans 1.16
ii. Power of salvation to all who believe
Not only does the voice of God have power for resurrection, and salvation it also speaks instruction for our lives.
II. God’s Voice Has instruction
a. So much for the self-help craze
i. This is about God’s direction
ii. God knows where your going you might want His map.
b. 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, for correction, and for training (instruction) in righteousness.
c. Jerimiah 33.3 “Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things hich you do not know.”
d. Ever wondered what to do in a difficult situation?
i. Pull out God’s instruction manual and hear his voice.
ii. Ever heard history repeats itself.
1. The Bible is the most accurate history book of all time
2. Most people have already made the mistakes you are going to make. (so why not prevent instead of fixing)
Psalm 119.105
“Your word is lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
The instruction of God’s voice through His word enables us to travel through life not afraid of the snares and traps of the evil one. The light of His words reveals all the pitfalls that are laid out before us.
--- His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts
But He is a willing instructor
If we had kept God’s voice in the Schools through prayer and Bible reading we probably wouldn’t have had columbine, or many of the other shootings.
n Now if we would only listen to His voice of instruction.
God’s voice is powerful and instructs in His ways, and it also Corrects.
III. God’s Voice Has Correction
a. Heb 12.5-6 “and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, My son, do not regard lightly the Discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines (chastens, corrects)
b. Paul goes on to say it is for discipline you endure
c. There is no earthly who has not at some point disciplined his child.
d. Most importantly in Verse 10 of Heb 12
i. God corrects us so that we might share in His Holiness
ii. It yields peacful fruit of righteousness. – Heb 12.11
e. When the people of Israel disobeyed.
i. God sent a prophet
ii. One who spoke for God
iii. A mouth piece of God – To give a word of correction.
iv. God often corrected His people with other people.
1. Is God wanting to correct you today?
2. He does it for your own good.
v. God’s heart is for our best so he corrects us back towards Him.
1. He sets limits on us to save our lives (adam and eve)
2. When we step beyond those boundaries because he loves us he will discipline us. (Israel, AI Achan’s sin)
IV. God’s Voice Has Compassion
a. John 3.16
i. By God’s voice His word the greatest gift came – Salvation from sin.
ii. Romans 5.6 “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for us.”
iii. Romans 5.8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
iv. The greatest cry of Compassion came from the Cross at the center point of History.
1. “It is finished”
2. The compassion of God conqured sin and death
3. The Cross of Christ crushed satan
4. The compassion of God covered your and my sin.
v. God’s voice is constantly crying out come unto me ye who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest
b. God’s compassion is to free you from the burden of sin.
God’s voice speaks
· With power to save
· With instruction to live
· With correction to make right
· With compassion to forgive.
Can you hear God’s voice
It is around still small and silent every day. Sometimes it is a loud roar. Sometimes barely audible whisper.
Are you listening?
