The Clarion Call Of The Voice Of God

January 26, 1997

Scripture: John 10:1-21

Prayer:

Introduction:

Does anyone know what the word “clarion” means? Let us try to define it.

“The City” the sky

“The Make-up” translucent beauty

“The Rookery” among the din of the crowd (sheep pen)

“The Church Bell” in the cold winter air

“The Trumpet” clear and sharp

Definition of “clarion” as not just a “clear” call but as a “crystal” clear call. That is one that is unmistakable and overwhelmingly clear. But it is so only to those who are listening for it. What voice are you listening to? What is the source on your voice mail? Is it God?

To hear God is to see God. This equates with knowing God.

The voice is a second face.

Gerard Bauer (1888–1967)

The voice of God stirs within all of us if we will just tune to the right channel.

There is hardly ever a complete silence in our soul. God is whispering to us well nigh incessantly. Whenever the sounds of the world die out in the soul, or sink low, then we hear these whisperings of God. He is always whispering to us, only we do not always hear because of the noise, hurry, and distraction which life causes as it rushes on.

Frederick William Faber (1814–1863)

To hear God near at hand, we must be still and listen.

God the Father is both far away and near at hand; his voice is, at once, deafening in its thunderousness, and too still and small to be easily audible.

Malcolm Muggeridge (1903–1990)

Our hearing of God must be especially acute in times that demand application.

Some of us can only hear God in the thunder of revivals or in public worship; we have to learn to listen to God's voice in the ordinary circumstances of life.

Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)

What are some ways in which God speaks to us?

God draws us in three ways: first, by his creatures; secondly, by his voice in the soul when an eternal truth mysteriously suggests itself, as happens not infrequently in morning sleep; thirdly, without resistance or means, when the will is quite subdued.

Johann Tauler (C. 1300–1361)

One cannot truly listen to God without obedience.

To be brought within the zone of God's voice is to be profoundly altered.

Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)

In John 9, we recall from last weeks message, “On A Blind Date With God,” that there were several groups of people trying to sort out the truth of who Jesus was because of his miracle in healing the man born blind. The neighbors, the Pharisees, the man’s parents, and even the man himself were on a course with divine destiny regarding their ultimate decision whether they would believe who Jesus was or not. The evidence was before them. The man born blind could now see. Who was it who could do such a thing? The Pharisees called him a sinner. The former blind man called him a prophet. The Pharisees repeated their accusation that only a sinner would heal on the Sabbath. The man reasserted that his healer was a man from God. The stage was set for saving faith. Jesus appeared to the man and the man called him Lord, he said he believed, and he worshipped him. He could not deny his experience with the Son of Man and he made a right judgment. The Pharisees did not.

Even though the man was born blind physically (and the implication is that we all are born blind spiritually) he came to faith in Jesus because he could see spiritually from the truth given to him. Jesus recaps the whole situation by commenting that his presence and work in the world causes people to make judgments concerning him. We see this also in Luke.

Lk. 12:51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.

53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

And there would be some, like this man born blind, who would come to see, but that there would be many, like the Pharisees, who could see but would still remain blind. Then Jesus equates blindness with guilt. It is this guilt that Jesus came to erase. But some, even many, would refuse to believe it.

But now we go on with the story as Jesus continues. He goes on to say that not only will some people choose to remain blind, but that they also will choose not to hear. God has made us with these two primary senses. We are able to see and hear his truth but many will turn their backs and refuse to see, or cover their ears and refuse to hear even the clarion call of the voice of God.

Mt. 13:13 This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

15 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'

So Jesus taught in parables to bring opportunity for people to make a right judgment. The kingdom of God is for those who want to see and hear and be healed. In this parable about himself as the Good Shepherd, he gives the Pharisees a further opportunity to realize who he is through the spoken word of God and not just by seeing the miracles he does. He provides another opportunity for them to show good sense by experiencing him in another sense. Will they now listen to his voice? Jesus tells them how they can tell the voice of God.

I. The voice of truth is verified by action. (vv. 1-2)

A. Jesus proclaims that he is the one who proclaims truth.

B. The voice of truth does not belong to the one who exhibits wrong action.

C. The voice of truth does belong to the one who exhibits right action.

II. The voice of truth is verified by higher authority [God]. (v. 3a)

A. God opens the way for truth to come to us.

B. God opens the way for us to come to the truth.

III. The voice of truth is heeded by those who belong to the truth. (v. 3b)

A. The call of truth has been spoken in the hearing of all.

B. God knows those who belong to the truth.

C. Those who belong to the truth will follow the truth.

D. Following the truth leads to freedom.

IV. The voice of truth provides right direction. (vv. 4-5)

A. The voice of truth unites.

B. The voice of truth confirms.

C. The voice of truth provides the way.

D. The voice of truth comforts.

E. The voice of truth is unmistakable.

F. The voice of truth separates.

G. The voice of truth protects.

V. The Pharisees did not understand the parable because they did not understand the voice of truth. (v. 6)

VI. Jesus reveals himself as the voice of truth. (vv. 7-10)

A. He is the gate or the way for those who would follow truth.

Mt. 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

B. He is different from others who have come with false motives.

Mt. 7:15 ¶ "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

C. He is the gate or the way for those who would be saved.

1. Those who are saved find free access to God.

2. Those who are saved find abundance in God.

3. Those who are saved find fullness of spiritual life in God.

VII. Jesus reveals himself as the Good Shepherd. (v. 11-18)

A. The good shepherd has a vested interest in the sheep.

B. The good shepherd protects the sheep even with his own life.

1. A hired hand has no vested interest in the sheep.

2. A hired hand will abandon the sheep in case of danger.

C. The good shepherd has an intimate relationship with his sheep.

D. The good shepherd has an intimate relationship with God.

E. The good shepherd seeks to build his flock.

F. The good shepherd is loved by God.

G. The good shepherd is willing.

H. The good shepherd is indestructible.

I. The good shepherd has authority from God.

J. The good shepherd receives instructions from God.

VIII. Our opinion about Jesus as the Good Shepherd is based on our opinion of the truth. (vv. 19-21)

A. Either he is a demon or he is God.

B. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?

(Satan desires that we remain blind.)

Mk. 3:23 So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan?

24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.

27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.

28 I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them.

29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin."

30 He said this because they were saying, "He has an evil spirit."

Conclusion:

The Pharisees received a clear call to God through Jesus, but most of them became guilty of the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, calling Jesus a demon. Others began to see glimpses of the truth that was before them, Jesus Christ the Messiah, the King Eternal, God Himself in human form, the Good Shepherd.

Is God calling you to believe in Jesus, to place your trust in him for the forgiveness of sins? It is a clear call to you today (2Cor. 6:2). Will you receive him as your Good Shepherd? He said in Mt. 10:32 that, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Will you come forward before his throne and confess his Name? Perhaps you have already received Jesus by faith but you have strayed from the fold. If so, will you come and renew your allegiance to him?

Let truth, light of my heart, and not the shadows within me speak to me! I slid down into that state and was in darkness, but even from there I loved you. I strayed and yet I remembered you. I heard your voice behind me, telling me to return, but I heard only faintly because of the uproar of the restless. And now I am returning, sweaty and out of breath, to your fountain. Let no one get in my way. I will drink this and I will live it. May I not be my life; I have lived badly on my own. I was my own death. I revive in you. Speak to me; discuss with me. I have believed your books and their words are full of mystery. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430)

Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a divine center, a speaking voice, to which we may continuously return. Eternity is at our hearts, pressing upon our time-torn lives, warming us with intimations of an astounding destiny, calling us home unto itself. . . . It is a seed stirring to life if we do not choke it. . . . Here is the slumbering Christ, stirring to be awakened, to become the soul we clothe in earthly form and action. Thomas R. Kelly (1893–1941)

The voice of God is a friendly voice. No one need fear to listen to it unless he has already made up his mind to resist it. A. W. Tozer (1897–1963)

The voice of the subconscious argues with you, tries to convince you; but the inner voice of God does not argue, does not try to convince you. It just speaks and it is self-authenticating. E. Stanley Jones (1884–1973)

The Clarion Call Of The Voice Of God

John 10:1-21 January 26, 1997

I. The voice of truth is verified by ______. (vv. 1-2)

II. The voice of truth is verified by ______ _________. (v. 3a)

III. The voice of truth is heeded by those who ______ to the truth. (v. 3b)

IV. The voice of truth provides _____ _________. (vv. 4-5)

V. The Pharisees did not understand the parable because they

did not understand the voice of truth. (v. 6)

VI. Jesus reveals himself as the _____ of _____. (vv. 7-10)

VII. Jesus reveals himself as the ____ ________. (v. 11-18)

VIII. Our opinion about Jesus as the Good Shepherd is based on our opinion of the _____. (vv. 19-21)

The Clarion Call Of The Voice Of God

John 10:1-21 January 26, 1997

I. The voice of truth is verified by a _ _ _ _ _ . (vv. 1-2)

II. The voice of truth is verified by h _ _ _ _ _ a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . (v. 3a)

III. The voice of truth is heeded by those who belong to the t _ _ _ _ . (v. 3b)

A. The call of truth has been spoken in the h _ _ _ _ _ _ of all.

B. God knows those who b _ _ _ _ _ to the truth.

C. Those who belong to the truth will f _ _ _ _ _ the truth.

D. Following the truth leads to f _ _ _ _ _ _ .

IV. The voice of truth provides r _ _ _ _ d _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . (vv. 4-5)

A. The voice of truth u _ _ _ _ _ .

B. The voice of truth c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

C. The voice of truth p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the way.

D. The voice of truth c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

E. The voice of truth is u _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

F. The voice of truth s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

G. The voice of truth p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

V. The P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ did not understand the parable because they did not understand the voice of truth. (v. 6)

VI. J _ _ _ _ reveals himself as the voice of truth. (vv. 7-10)

A. He is the g _ _ _ or the way for those who would follow truth.

B. He is different from others who have come with f _ _ _ _ m _ _ _ _ _ _ .

C. He is the gate or the way for those who would be s _ _ _ _ .

1. Those who are saved find f _ _ _ a _ _ _ _ _ to God.

2. Those who are saved find a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in God.

3. Those who are saved find fullness of s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ l _ _ _ in God.

VII. Jesus reveals himself as the G _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . (v. 11-18)

A. The Good Shepherd has a v _ _ _ _ _ i _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in the sheep.

B. The Good Shepherd p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the sheep even with his own life.

1. A h _ _ _ _ h _ _ _ has no vested interest in the sheep.

2. A hired hand will abandon the sheep in case of d _ _ _ _ _ .

C. The Good Shepherd has an i _ _ _ _ _ _ _ r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ with his sheep.

D. The Good Shepherd has an intimate relationship with G _ _ .

E. The Good Shepherd seeks to b _ _ _ _ his flock.

F. The Good Shepherd is l _ _ _ _ by God.

G. The Good Shepherd is w _ _ _ _ _ _ .

H. The Good Shepherd is i _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

I. The Good Shepherd has a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ from God.

J. The Good Shepherd receives i _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ from God.

VIII. Our o _ _ _ _ _ _ about Jesus as the Good Shepherd is based on our o _ _ _ _ _ _

of the truth. (vv. 19-21)