Hearing From God

Opening Story/Illustration: This evening I want to take a moment and sort of teach on a topic that I believe is of utmost importance to us as Christians.

It is a topic which has challenged the best of us. It’s a topic that’s misunderstood and over-spiritualized and under-spiritualized to the point that we often just want to throw our hands up.

It is a topic which has challenged the best of us.

It’s a topic that’s misunderstood and over-spiritualized and under-spiritualized to the point that we often just want to throw our hands up or give up on it.

Illustration: My grandmother is in her 80’s and she is a fantastic lady. She was a Pastor’s wife and she loves Jesus and she used to teach Sunday School and her classes would fill up because she was just an excellent bible teacher. She loved people. She loved being around them and she loved ministering to them. About 25yrs ago all that started to change. She started having trouble hearing. At first it was slight and then she went to the dr. to try and find out what the problem was and they couldn’t seem to figure it out. Over time it got worse and within a few years she was completely, totally, deaf. She would often cry and be upset because she knew she would never hear the voice of her new grand-daughter or great-grandson. She learned to read lips, but trying to keep up in a church service or teach a class became extremely difficult. She would get disoriented and confused trying to keep up with everything going on in a crowded room. She tried to continue driving, but eventually she had to give that up as well - It was just too much frustration for her and too much energy to try and compensate for the loss of her hearing.

This evening I want to teach us about hearing the voice of God.

I believe there are many Christians who live life frustrated and they expend massive amounts of energy trying to compensate for the fact that they don’t think they can hear God’s voice.

In this day and age, perhaps more than ever before, we need to be a church that can hear God’s voice. We need to discern what God is doing in our own live AND we need to discern what God is doing in the lives of those around us. We need to watch and listen and be ready to obey what he’s saying.

How do you Hear God speak to you?

But we often have a lot of questions:

How do you Hear God speak to you?

Is God speaking to you?

Is God Actually speaking?

How do you know he spoke to you?

How do I know he spoke?

Was it really just me? Was it the devil?

Tonight, I hope we can answer some of these and then take some time to listen and hear what the Spirit might be saying

Transition to the text: In the book of John Jesus tells us something about hearing God's voice.

In this context, Jesus is having a little showdown with the Pharisees.

They are refusing to believe even though Jesus is right in front of them performing miracles and doing great things.

Jesus is telling them - if you belonged to me you would know my voice and respond to me.

As Christians, God is not trying to Hide himself from us. We can hear his voice because we belong to Him!

All throughout the Bible God speaks to people. God is a God who speaks.

What’s do you feel is your greatest hang-up with hearing from God? (For me it’s knowing that it’s him and not just me!)

We can have peace knowing that God will and does speak to us!

Text: Let’s take a moment and look at

John 10:27 ESV

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

Transition to Points: As Christians, We recognize when God is working and speaking - and we respond to his Voice.

So How Can we Better Hear and Know God's Voice?

Some of you are trying to make decisions.

Some of you are trying to make decisions and you need to hear the voice of God

For others here, there are people in your path that God wants to use you to reach - and you need to hear the voice of God and discern what He is doing.

Maybe you're thinking about marriage or college or a career or a career change - How do you hear from God on these issues of your life?

Realize that God is already speaking

God is constantly speaking into your life

God is constantly speaking into your life What are some ways or places God is speaking and you may be missing Him?

What are some ways or places God is speaking and you may be missing Him?

If you’re not right with God or haven’t committed your life to Him - God is speaking to you trying to pull you towards Him. He’s using your circumstances, people in your life, etc. to try and draw you close to Him.

If you do know God, He’s speaking to you trying to get you to move one step closer to Him. He’s directing your life. He’s trying to show you choices you should make and things you should or should not do.

The Bible Tells us that Nature is speaking and telling us who God is.

Psalm 19:1–6 NLT

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. 5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. 6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.

God creates the world by speaking.

All throughout the Bible God uses famine, war, and more to speak to his people.

The Bible itself is God’s way of speaking - Are you reading your Bible?

I believe that all around you, every single day, God is constantly speaking to us.

Place yourself in a position to hear him.

- Both Peter and Cornelius were men of prayer and men who were focusing their lives on God - as best they knew how. Both men heard from God.

Initiate conversation

- Both Peter and Cornelius were men of prayer and men who were focusing their lives on God - as best they knew how. Both men heard from God.

Acts 10:1–32 ESV

1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. 17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” 30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’

Why did God speak to these men?

They were praying and had place themselves in a position to hear God!

If you want God to talk to you, you might start by talking to Him!

Illustration: It’s the age old complaint - A little boy comes home from School and complains to momma - “No one spoke to me today at school.” To which mom replied, “Well did you speak to anyone?” If we want to hear from God, it’s a good idea to start with talking to him in prayer!

What distractions should we remove? If you want God to talk to you, you should try talking to Him!

Remove distractions

What distractions should we remove?

If you want God to talk to you, you should try talking to Him!

Acts 13:1–3 ESV

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

NLTAmong the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

Notice in this passage: God speaks as they worship and fast! Fasting is a way of removing distractions.

What are some distractions that keep you from hearing from God?

What are some distractions that keep you from hearing from God? What would happen in your life if you removed some of them for a little while? How many of you have ever fasted? What did that do for removing the distractions? Did you feel as though you heard from God? How I got this Job - I Fasted and heard from God. Illustration - Headphones - They make these really cool headphones for people on airplanes - they are called “Noise canceling head phones. When you put them on, you can’t hear the roar of the plan or the people around you. You only hear the music that you are listening to. We need these when it comes to hearing from God - We need to put on some “Noise canceling” headphones spiritually and learn to tune out all the distractions so we can hear God!

What would happen in your life if you removed some of them for a little while?

How many of you have ever fasted?

What did that do for removing the distractions?

Did you feel as though you heard from God?

Illustration: How I got this Job - I Fasted and heard from God.

Illustration - Headphones - They make these really cool headphones for people on airplanes - they are called “Noise canceling head phones. When you put them on, you can’t hear the roar of the plan or the people around you. You only hear the music that you are listening to. We need these when it comes to hearing from God - We need to put on some “Noise canceling” headphones spiritually and learn to tune out all the distractions so we can hear God!

Repent of known sin

Often we struggle to hear God because we know there are areas of our lives he is not pleased with.

Illustration: I remember hearing of a church some time ago that got tired for people using their cellphones during church, so they got a signal jammer. They jammed the signal so when you came into church your phone got no reception. Sounded like a great idea, but I believe they were sued by the businesses next to them - They couldn’t get any signal there either. Sin is like this. It jams the signal between us and God. It moves our frequency so that we can no longer hear what he is saying.

Sin keeps us from hearing God’s voice.

Illustration - Headphones - They make these really cool headphones for people on airplanes - they are called “Noise canceling head phones. When you put them on, you can’t hear the roar of the plan or the people around you. You only hear the music that you are listening to. We need these when it comes to hearing from God - We need to put on some “Noise canceling” headphones spiritually and learn to tune out all the distractions and let go of sin so we can hear God!

Obey what God has already said

The Word of God is where we start If you want to hear God’s voice, Obey what he has already said in his word.

The Word of God is where we start If you want to hear God’s voice.

James tell us not to merely listen to the word, but to do what it says!

James 1:22 ESV

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Obey what he has already said in his word.

Don’t complain that you Can’t hear God when you won’t open up your Bible!

Don’t complain that you can’t hear God when you’ve spent so much time refusing to listen.

Illustration: You ever been in an argument with someone who just won’t listen. You keep trying to tell them something and they are just stubborn about it? You reach a point finally where you just say, “Hang it” and you let them be. You quit speaking because obviously, they aren’t listening. I wonder sometimes if God feels this way about us. “I’ve tried over and over to tell you not to do that or go that direction or mess with that thing…But you won’t listen. Go ahead, have it your way..”

Confirmation: Trust the way God created you

Look at the Apostle Paul - God used his sharp brain and intellect to write half the New testament!

He took all of his schooling and his learning and put it to use! Nothing was wasted.

What are your passions? What are your desires? As you pray and seek God, he will often use these to direct you!

He didn’t lead me to be a rocket scientist! I have no desire to study that much math! But he leads some to be teach Math teachers. God didn’t create you by mistake!

He didn’t lead me to be a rocket scientist! I have no desire to study that much math! But he led Nathan to be a Math teacher. God didn’t create you by mistake!

Many times your passions, desires, interests, and personality can be a key to what God wants to do.

You use this in conjunction with God’s word

You use this in conjunction with wise counsel.

Illustration:

God created you the way he created you for a reason. This is not an excuse for bad behavior or lack of personal development of Change BUT it is to say that you shouldn’t overlook the things that you enjoy and the particular ways in which God has designed you.

Some of you are really good at teaching - Maybe God wants to use you to teach a Class

Some of you aren’t so good at teaching and maybe you shouldn’t teach a class. Maybe you’re really good at cooking and you’re better suited to make snacks for the class.

All are needed - and when you’re trying to discern God’s direction don’t forget to take into account the way he designed you

Now - One side not to this - You don’t know what you can do until you do it. Sometimes God speaks to us about things we don’t feel like we’re able to do or passionate about doing or equipped for. God knows you better than you know yourself and perhaps he’s pushing you in a direction because he wants to develop you in some way or knows there’s something inside you that you don’t see.

Confirmation: Don't underestimate God's ability to work and speak to you through situations and people

You don't have control over everything that happens to you

Maybe, just maybe, God is bringing opportunities to you and speaking to you through situations - These must be prayed about - but don't neglect or ignore them

Maybe, just maybe, God is bringing opportunities to you and speaking to you through situations - These must be prayed about, talked about with wise counselors, and filtered through God’s word - but don't neglect or ignore them.

God has a way of placing us in the right place at the right time and opening up doors for us.

Illustration: I remember growing up in a Pastors home and my parents made a few moves from one church to another - and God always had a way of speaking and opening a door and bringing situations together and speaking through people in order to confirm what God was already doing.

How to you know that it’s God?

The Bible and your experience and the experience of other believers.

We need three things in order to grow properly as a Christian

The Bible

The Spirit

The Church

If you only have one or two of these you end up unhealthy.

Who keeps our interpretation of the Bible in Check? The Church and the Spirit.

Who keeps us from simply Saying, “This is what the spirit says?” The Church and the Bible

Who keeps us from being led astray by false doctrine within the Church? The Spirit and the word of God.

We always test what we “Think” God is saying through the filter of the Bible, the Spirit, the Church.

Seek godly counsel and wisdom

You talk with him, read his word and obey it, and allow Him to talk to you. Over time you develop and learn how to hear God speak to you - and know that it is Him.

Learn from Church History

Listen to the voice of the spirit

Read the word of God and let him Speak

You talk with God, read his word and obey it, and allow Him to talk to you. Over time you develop and learn how to hear God speak to you - and know that it is Him.

This is much like learning a new language. You walk in to a new culture and you begin speaking what you know and listening for what you know and over time, with practice, you eventually learn to speak it fluently.

Hearing God is much the same way - You listen and obey what you know and over time the more you listen and the more you obey, the more God will speak and the more you’ll understand and see and hear.

At the end of the day - Don't be afraid. Trust. If you're praying and seeking God, if you're living your life the best you know how before him - HE WILL DIRECT YOUR STEPS.

What If I hear him wrong?

We have some great promises:

The steps of the righteous are ordered by God -

Psalm 37:23 NLT

23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

All things work together for Good for those that Love God.

Romans 8:28 NLT

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

If you need wisdom, ask.

James 1:5 NLT

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

At the end of the day - Don't be afraid. Trust. If you're praying and seeking God, if you're living your life the best you know how before him - HE WILL DIRECT YOUR STEPS.

Main Idea: God is speaking, Trust Him

Prayer: Let’s spend some time tonight around the altars and let God speak to us. If you need direction, ask. If you need

Hearing From God

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Hearing From God

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