An Open Heart

Introduction:

Here Am I. “4 Attributes of a Person who Hears from God”

Jesus said:

John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

As followers, sheep, of Jesus we should be listening for HIS voice. And then follow Him… do what He says.

S‘times, that means discernment - knowing what narr. is right and wrong.

Our lives are lived based on narratives that we’ve been sold or that we convince ‘self are true!

Discer’nt helps us sus out what’s REALLY true.

S‘times that means example - practically living LIKE Jesus to guide our attitudes/behav.

I believe we should also take Jesus’ words lit. here (not disregarding the other shades of meaning).

We, today, in 2025, can actually listen for the voice of Jesus Christ & He still speaks to us.

I’ve been using Psalm 131 as a framework to [guide] >>

Psalm 131 Guides us to postures by which we can hear from God.

I believe are essential things that open us up to hear His voice:

Week I: vv.1a

Psalm 131a “My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty”

Humility, putting God’s prior. FIRST!

When we put foot down in a sit. or in day-to-day life and make diff. choices, God responds to our obed.!

Week II: vv.1b

Psalm 131:1b-2a “…I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed & quieted myself”

Subdue thoughts (internal) & (external) stimuli in my life

We are transformed by renewing our thoughts. Sometimes, getting help to change thot patterns important step!

Other times, phys’ly removing ‘self from distraction helps focus on God.

If missed past two wks… fb or yt! @CrossRoadAoG

TODAY, Week III: vv.2

Psalm 131:2 “…I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.”

My main point for today is a call back to authentic devotion >>

I Need to Depend on Jesus (An Open Heart)

Perhaps this is a new concept to you.

By the % of time spent, perhaps you find that your love of — a) cinema, b) reels, c) ‘fun’, d) Amazon cart — is what you live for… things nowhere in realm of Jesus.

We all need to depend on Jesus more!

REMINDER: This call is for me, too

Ps.131 Psalmist depicts ‘self as a contented child who recently ate; reminds me of an enc. Jesus had…

Mark 10:14–15 “When Jesus saw [his disciples refusing children to get close to Jesus], he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.””

Great little narr. showing Jesus’ care for least in soc.; honoring children — need for strong targeted Kidsmin.

Main point is closing stat’t —

“Faith like a Child” means consistent dependance on God to get me through.

Accepting Jesus’ rule in your heart starts with saying: >>

“I Want to Follow Jesus”

Great ex. (Acts) of someone who realized God’s truth supreme & grabb’d hold of it,

A.P., Silas, Luke kick-start church in Philippi; free demon-possessed girl, arrested!

Singing hymns, praying… G. sends equake; FREE! What happens next…

Acts 16:27–30 “The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?””

May or may not know: Jailer’s head would roll if any prisoners escaped. Rather than bring shame to his fam, lay on own sword & take own life…

However, confronted w/ some very good news:

The Jailer realized that the law of land wanted Him dead, but the law of Christ was dedicated to LIFE!

There must come a time when we make a choice— to reject the god of this world, temporary pleasure & say ‘yes’ to REAL eternal peace & everl’ng joy!

No decision U make will be as consequential.

We need to say, mean: “I WANT to follow Jesus. I WANT to live like Him, according to His rule in my life.”

Salvation Offer

Maybe U like jailer "What must… do to be saved!? ”

Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Remiss didn’t take opp. to say YES to Jesus’ offer of new life & relat'p

So right now, speak it out — declare! && trust him… saved!

You have to WANT to follow JC.; Try… a little.

Also thing that’s important when seeking to hear Jesus >>

“I Believe that Jesus Still Speaks”

Auth. Heb mentions two beliefs we must maintain:

Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

In the Bible, "reward [μισθος]” is more closely tied to the idea of ‘wages’; just corresponding payment. (Hebrews 11:6, James 4:8)

IoW, as James says:

James 4:8 “Come near to God and he will come near to you…”

When we seek God, our foremost reward (just payment) is His presence; His voice, His help!

We must first believe that God does speak to us

The generation of disciples that followed Jesus’ life certainly did…

Acts 1:24 “Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two [apostles] you have chosen”

This was a group of ppl praying to their teacher who, maybe not quite a wk ago, they saw floating toward heaven!

And they believed— and Jesus answered by His Spirit.

Go on to pray for: pwr 2 heal lame man, BOLDness, believers to be Baptized by HS, for freedom from jail, forgiveness, resources, etc. etc. etc…

You have to: WANT to hear from Jesus, believe that he still does, & finally >>

“I Make Time for Jesus Daily”

A.P., in >13 var. letters contained in NT, gives many commands to put Jesus 1st & to pray.

Could’ve selected any number of them; Php 4:6 came to mind.

**UNDERLINE, highlight, post on wall, hang on fridge, get a good sign…

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Worship Team Return!

This is not a wishy-washy “pretend everything’s good” or “think positive”

No! AP says for us to present them to God… lay them down @ throne.

img of peasant or cit. coming b4 king/proconsul — expect it to be done!

Apostle Paul challenges his readers to consistently ask God to meet our needs & help us!

In return, AP says, less anxiety (don’t have divided mind)!

NOT a switch; takes a daily time of giving our problems to Him and not trying to carry them ourselves— be our own god!

Do you expect the King to come through on your behalf?!

Spend time in His presence.

God’s presence goes WITH you, so you can make time/space for Him anywhere!

Revering your heart; focusing on His Word/character; shifting your mindset; reading scripture; breathing.

A goal can be: better hearing/knowing voice of HS

All-in-all, altering our posture toward one of devotion, we should >>

Expect Jesus to Speak!

Excellent Psalm that showcases the intimacy God desires to have with us.

Could be sermon in itself! But… my closing.

Sidenote: if recently took myCRA classes, will sound very familiar… >

READ SLOWLY

Psalm 5:1–3 ESV “Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.”

Listen to my words— Consider groans— Give me your attn.

David pleads for God to really closely hear from Him.

“Consider my groans” is particularly intimate… spouse knows your sigh, groan!

“In morning… I prepare a sacrifice & watch.”

We can/should expect God to answer our prayer: “yes”, “no”, or “wait”.

God wants us to want to hear from him; to make time for it, and to expect it!

Altar Time!

Present your requests

Wait on Him