Listen for His Voice
Notes
Transcript
Listen for His Voice
Listen for His Voice
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.
26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir." It was not till the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she had it coming."
www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/l/listening.htm
I bet Jesus feels like this many times. He tries to tell us something. He speaks to us through so many different ways and we do not seem to listen. He even states this in the previous verse.
24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus probably would say to us, “I am constantly telling you plainly but you will not listen.”
We must not only hear, but follow.
There are many people who hear, but do not follow. These people call themselves Christians but do not live it. Being a Christian does not mean you are perfect, but you are striving for the perfection of Jesus Christ every day. It starts with listening to His voice. It does not just happen. You need to have a relationship with the Lord to recognize His voice.
2. You will have eternal life and never be destroyed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
3. You can not be snatched out of hand of Jesus Christ or the hand of the Father.
3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
Warning: You can not be pulled out of His hand, but you have free will to walk out.
20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
Elizabeth used to have sheep as a 4-H project. It was an interesting experience. She had one sheep which was her favorite named Grace. She loved this sheep. She spent time with this sheep and Grace definitely knew her voice. She would kneel down so Grace could more easily see her. Grace would look for her and cry out if she did not see Elizabeth. In fact, Grace was known to get out and come to the house to seek out Elizabeth. Do we seek out a relationship with the Lord? More than accept His gift of salvation, do we endeavor to hear His voice? Do we experience the peace that only trust in the Lord will bring?
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Conclusion:
Are you one of His sheep to begin with? Have you walked out of His hand and want to come back? Today is the day of salvation. Come back to the Great Shepherd and be redeemed.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.