“Hearing God” Intro

Luke 10:38-42

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.

40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

What did Jesus mean when He said, “Only one thing is necessary?

Different translations word it this way…

(Message) “One thing only is essential.”

(NKJV) “But one thing is needed.”

(Good News Translation) “But just one is needed.)

(NIV) “But only one thing is needed.)

(New Living Translation) “There is only one thing worth being concerned about.)

A-lot of things can be proven by the bible. People use scripture out of context all the time to prove their personal points or convictions on all kinds of subjects or issues.

Some christians won't even associate with other christians if they cannot agree on every doctrine or teaching.

God did not write His book to divide His family though!

Many who claim to believe every word of the bible, interpret it the way that suits them or supports their viewpoints.

It is easy to add our own ideas to what God reveals or what we think God wants.

Some well-meaning believers tell us MANY things are necessary for us to do…

But… That One thing is an active relationship with Jesus that involves hearing what He has to say to us!!

Even Jesus lived this…

John 5:19

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

Even the early church believers lived this way…

The christian walk is allowing the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, to guide us to the truth.

John 16:13

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet listening…

What does that look like for us today?

It is setting our attention completely on the Lord and listening…

*Prayer is more about listening than it is telling.

If we will be quiet, and still, and listen with an open heart, God will reveal His will to us and other truths.

Remember also though, that God desires more than just leading and guiding.

God desires fellowship with us…

I John 1:3

that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

God wants to commune, and fellowship, and love, and communicate, and love us.

Hearing God and praying is not about us “getting” more from God.

It is about us getting to know God in a more personal way.

*Does scripture teach that we can hear God speak today?

There has been a lot of damage done in statements like “God said…”

We do have to be cautious.

Preparing to see how scripture teaches that we can hear from God… think about these questions…

What is more important; the author or the book he writes?

Who is better able to explain or interpret a book than its author?

What should we worship? The bible or the God the bible proclaims?

How can we find God’s will for most things in life unless He tells us?

Why is so much division caused by the bible-which teaches that christians ought to be unified?

How did christians from earlier centuries make it?

What about christians before the printing press and never owned a bible?

Like many in third world countries who can’t even read, so how did they manage to live a christian life?

Purpose of Scripture

**Wife’s love letters

They told of her love for me then, and they tell me of her love now…

Imagine if I decided to frame all her letters…

What if I wrote commentaries explaining every detail…

If I did all that but never had time to spend with her… because I was too busy framing and writing etc.

Then I would have missed the whole purpose of her letters!

**In a similar way, scripture is not an end in itself.

It points the way to meaningful relationship, it brings us into fellowship as it demonstrates God’s love.

Our response is to love Him with all that we have and all that we are… and to show that love through obedience.

John 5:39-40

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

*Scripture is a collection of letters to us from God.

Letters urging us to come into fellowship with God.

Illus.

Picture… a picture is just that, a picture… It is not the actual person.

It is a reminder of the person and what they loo like.

A picture is a substitute for the people we love for when they are absent…

They are not enough for the people themselves…

**Scripture is similar, It is a photo album of Jesus.

But with the pictures of Jesus, also come with Him saying “Come unto me, so I can be to you as I have been to others in the past.”

Jesus’ most repeated statement in the NT (15 times), was He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

The last 7 times He said it (in Rev.2 and 3) He added, “what the Spirit is saying”, because Jesus was in heaven.

John 10:27

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Luke 8:21

But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Jesus told us that we are to live as He lived and minister as He ministered…

John 12:49

For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.

*Jesus told Martha that only one thing was necessary–listening to His words– and He was not about to stop Mary from doing that…

What Can We Expect to Hear?

If we do the One necessary thing, we can expect…

Words- John 6:63, It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Peace- John 14:27, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Joy- John 15:11, These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Faith- Romans 10:17, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Love- Romans 5:5, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Guidance- John 16:12-13, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Wisdom- James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Mercy- Hebrews 4:15-16, For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Assurance of Forgiveness- I John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Your Needs Met- Philippians 4:19, And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Instructions- Psalm 32:8, I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Protection from evil- I Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

God’s Love for you- John 14:21, Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Revelation from God- John 16:14-15, He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Correction- Hebrews 12:6, For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Assurance of Salvation- Romans 8:16, The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Comfort- II Corinthians 1:3-4, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

-PRAY