Why Don't We Hear God's Voice

Why Don't We Hear God's Voice

Scripture Reference: John 12:27-33 & Hebrews 1:1-2

Preached at Mount Zion Baptist Church on August 19, 2018

Delivered by Rev. John Daniel Johnson

Illustration—a few days ago, a thunderstorm passed over our area. Lightning was popping around everywhere. The lights were flickering on and off inside the house. After every lightning strike, only a second or two away we heard the thunder literally shake our house. Tiffany and Charity were sitting on the couch with me hearing this storm as it was passing by. At one time, it felt as though the thunder lasted ten solid seconds. Needless to say, it was very loud. Tiffany looked at me with one of those looks and I knew that she was a little scared. I pulled her to me and said, “Don’t be scared. I’ll hold you.” Charity (in her smart little tone) looked at us and said, “I’m not scared. It’s just God talking.”

Immediately, I was reminded of a passage that Jesus quoted in Matthew 21. He quoted Psalm 8:2 which states, “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”

Morning Truth Statement—The voice that we choose to listen to will determine our success or failure in life. If you choose to listen to the negativity in this life, you’ll be a failure. You’ll never achieve anything if you choose to only listen to those who never encourage you. A few months ago, I had a friend call me. He is in his early 20’s and asking about dating advice. He’s never really dated and he wanted to ask me (of all people…someone who’s scared of girls too) how to approach of girl. I really didn’t know what to tell him, but I just said a simple prayer and said, “You’ll never strike-out if you don’t step up to the plate. You never know; you might even hit a homerun.” You could hear the excitement in his voice. He then stated that he instantly received boldness.

Ilustration—The story is told of an American Battle ship that was fighting a storm at sea. On the radar, an unknown vessel was spotted directly in front of the battleship. Here is the transcript of the communication between the two vessels.

Battleship: Unknown Vessel, turn your vessel 10 degrees west

Unknown Vessel: Negative, turn your vessel ten degrees

Battleship: Unknown vessel, this is the USS battleship Arizona, turn your vessel around, NOW.

Unknown Vessel: USS Arizona, we are a Lighthouse, your call.

Truth Repeated—The voice that we choose to listen to will determine our success or failure in life.

Throughout human history, our Creator, our Father God, has spoke to His creation. He has spoke to mankind through the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-4), direct & audible voices (Genesis 22, Acts 8:26-29), through another person (2 Samuel 12), through a donkey (Numbers 22:21-30), through visions (Acts 10:9-16, 16:9), through dreams (Daniel 4), through trials and circumstances (Acts 16:6-8), and through prayer (Luke 6:12).

It is interesting to see how God has spoken and speaks to his people. However, it is not as important of how God speaks, but the fact that God does speak. The Bible tells us that God never changes. “He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” God spoke in the past, he speaks today and he will speak tomorrow.

Sermon Title—the message for today is “Why We Don’t We Hear God’s Voice.” Oh yes, God is always trying to speak to His Creation, but why aren’t some hearing it?

Sadly we live in a world that many don’t have a real relationship with our Lord. Without a real relationship; one will not have a real conversation.

Illustration— Our Vice President (Mike Pence) was speaking to the media about conversing with Jesus about decisions he makes for our Country. He was criticized for his faith on live TV by one of the cast members of ‘The View.” Joy Behar said, “It’s one thing to talk to Jesus. It’s another thing when Jesus talks to you… that’s called mental illness.”

This morning I boldly declare to you that if you are a true child of God, He will speak to His children. If you’re not having a conversation with Him, you first might need to check whether you have really joined His family.

Read Hebrews 1:1-2

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;” (Hebrews 1:1-2)

The unbelieving Israelites who ignored God’s voice at Mount Sinai were not allowed to enter the earthly Promised Land. Because of their unbelief in the words of our Lord, a whole unfaithful generation had to pass away before Israel was allowed to enter into the land in which God had promised. My friends, there are those today who still choose to ignore the voice of the Savior. If God prevented a whole generation to not enter an early promised land because of unbelief, what makes one think that He will not keep out unbelievers out of the heavenly Promised Land when they fail to heed His voice?