Recognizing The Shepherd’s Call Series

John 15:4-5 illustrates the importance of this intimacy: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." Abiding in Christ means living in close, continual fellowship with Him. It means spending time in prayer, worship, and meditation on His Word. As we abide in Him, we grow in our ability to hear His voice and discern His leading.

Intimacy with Jesus is not something that happens overnight. It requires commitment, time, and intentionality. Just as a relationship with a close friend or spouse deepens over time through shared experiences, our relationship with Jesus deepens as we walk with Him daily. The more we spend time with Him, the more familiar His voice becomes, and the easier it is to recognize when He is speaking.

One of the most powerful ways to cultivate intimacy with Jesus is through prayer. Prayer is not just about bringing our requests to God—it’s about listening to His voice and spending time in His presence. When we make time for prayer, we create space for the Holy Spirit to speak to us and guide us. In those quiet moments of prayer, we become more attuned to the voice of the Shepherd, and we learn to recognize His call more clearly.

Worship is another powerful tool for deepening our intimacy with Jesus. When we worship, we shift our focus away from ourselves and onto God. Worship allows us to experience the presence of God in a profound way, and it helps us cultivate a heart that is sensitive to His voice. Psalm 100:4 says, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." As we enter into God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise, we draw closer to Him and become more receptive to His leading.

In addition to prayer and worship, spending time in the Word of God is essential for growing in intimacy with Jesus. The Bible is not just a book of rules or stories—it is the living, active Word of God that reveals His heart and character. As we read and meditate on Scripture, we come to know Jesus more deeply, and we become more familiar with His voice. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword." The more we immerse ourselves in the Word, the more we will recognize the voice of the Shepherd when He speaks.

Intimacy with Jesus is the key to recognizing His call. It’s not just about knowing about Him—it’s about knowing Him personally. When we draw near to Jesus, we will hear His voice with greater clarity and respond to His call with greater confidence.

Close:

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is always speaking to us. His voice is personal, it is consistent with Scripture, it is gentle yet firm, it brings peace, and it is recognized through intimacy. But the question is, are we listening? In the midst of the noise and distractions of life, are we tuning our hearts to recognize the Shepherd’s call?