Hearing God's Voice: A Journey of Transformation
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated Operation Christmas Child Sunday, a day dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus with children worldwide through the generous act of filling and sending shoeboxes. This initiative is a testament to our community's generosity and commitment to spreading the gospel. We also had the privilege of hearing from the Greenwoods, our mission partners in Calgary, who are planting a church and working bivocationally to impact their community. Their dedication reminds us of the importance of supporting and praying for those who are on the front lines of ministry.
Our focus today was on the essential spiritual discipline of hearing and distinguishing God's voice amidst the many voices in our lives. We explored the doctrine of cessationism and non-cessationism, affirming that God still speaks and moves today. The story of Saul's conversion in Acts 9 served as a powerful illustration of how God can transform lives when we are attuned to His voice. Saul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus highlights the necessity of hearing God's voice for forgiveness and transformation.
We discussed the importance of being in tune with God, which requires intentional effort to distinguish His voice from the voices of the flesh, the world, and the enemy. This involves practicing silence and solitude, confession and repentance, and living out God's Word daily. By doing so, we clear away the clutter that hinders our ability to hear God. The Christian life is about knowing God, hearing His voice, and obeying His leading. It is not merely a religion but a relationship with the living God.
Key Takeaways:
- God Still Speaks: God continues to speak and perform miracles today, and it is crucial for us to be attuned to His voice. This requires us to clear away the clutter and noise in our lives that can drown out His voice. By practicing spiritual disciplines, we can better hear and respond to God's guidance. [36:13]
- Hearing God for Forgiveness: Just as Saul needed to hear God's voice for his conversion, we too must hear God to be forgiven and transformed. Our salvation is initiated by God's grace, and our role is to respond in faith. This transformation is as miraculous as Saul's conversion. [43:35]
- Daily Hearing and Following: Beyond salvation, we must continue to hear God daily to live the Christian life. This involves cultivating a listening ear and being responsive to God's direction. The Christian life is led by the Spirit, not by our own understanding. [50:08]
- Practicing Spiritual Disciplines: To hear God, we must practice silence and solitude, confession and repentance, and engage with God's Word. These practices help us tune into God's frequency and clear away the distractions that impede our ability to hear Him. [01:01:02]
- God's Consistent Voice: The same voice that calls us to salvation is the one that guides us daily. God does not play games with His voice; He desires clear communication with us. By staying tuned to His voice, we can confidently follow His leading in our lives. [01:07:19]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[13:03] - Operation Christmas Child
[22:08] - Mission Update: The Greenwoods
[33:59] - Hearing God's Voice
[36:13] - Cessationism vs. Non-Cessationism
[38:46] - Saul's Conversion
[40:28] - Distinguishing God's Voice
[41:49] - Spiritual Disciplines
[43:35] - Hearing for Forgiveness
[46:48] - Transformation through Grace
[48:57] - Daily Hearing and Following
[50:08] - Spirit-Led Living
[51:05] - Knowing, Hearing, Obeying
[52:19] - The Shepherd's Voice
[54:15] - Communication with God
[55:34] - Logos, Rhema, Hupakou
[59:26] - How to Hear God
[01:01:02] - Silence and Solitude
[01:03:14] - Confession and Repentance
[01:04:47] - Living God's Word
[01:07:19] - God's Consistent Voice
[01:09:07] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 9:1-19
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Saul's initial purpose for traveling to Damascus, and how did his encounter with Jesus change that purpose? [36:13]
2. How did Ananias respond to God's instruction to visit Saul, and what does this reveal about his relationship with God? [38:46]
3. What were the physical and spiritual transformations that Saul experienced after his encounter with Jesus? [46:48]
4. How does the sermon describe the different voices that compete for our attention, and what are they? [40:28]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Saul's conversion illustrate the necessity of hearing God's voice for forgiveness and transformation? [43:35]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God still speaks to us today, and how can we discern His voice from others? [36:13]
3. What role do spiritual disciplines play in helping believers hear God's voice, according to the sermon? [41:49]
4. How does the sermon differentiate between knowing God, hearing His voice, and obeying His leading? [51:05]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was speaking to you. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [50:08]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of practicing silence and solitude. What steps can you take this week to incorporate these practices into your daily routine? [01:01:02]
3. Consider the voices of the flesh, the world, and the enemy in your life. How can you actively work to distinguish God's voice from these competing voices? [40:28]
4. How can you support and pray for those in ministry, like the Greenwoods, who are on the front lines of spreading the gospel? [22:08]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of confession and repentance. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness and realign with His will? [01:03:14]
6. How can you cultivate a listening ear to hear God's daily guidance in your life, and what specific actions will you take to obey His leading? [51:05]
7. Reflect on the idea that Christianity is a relationship, not a religion. How does this perspective change the way you live out your faith? [48:57]
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Voice Amidst the Noise
In a world filled with countless distractions and competing voices, it is essential to recognize that God still speaks to us today. The challenge lies in discerning His voice amidst the noise of our daily lives. By practicing spiritual disciplines such as silence, solitude, and engaging with Scripture, we can clear away the clutter that hinders our ability to hear God. These practices help us attune our hearts to His guidance and respond to His call. God desires a relationship with us, and by being intentional in our spiritual practices, we can cultivate a deeper connection with Him. [36:13]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: What specific noise or distraction in your life is currently drowning out God’s voice? How can you create space today to listen more intently to Him?
Day 2: Hearing God for Transformation
The story of Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus is a powerful reminder of how hearing God’s voice can lead to profound transformation. Just as Saul needed to hear God for his conversion, we too must be open to hearing God for our own forgiveness and transformation. Our salvation is initiated by God’s grace, and our role is to respond in faith. This transformation is as miraculous as Saul’s conversion, and it requires us to be attuned to God’s voice, ready to respond to His call for change in our lives. [43:35]
Acts 26:14-15 (ESV): "And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant change in your life. How did God’s voice play a role in that transformation, and what is He calling you to change today?
Day 3: Daily Guidance from God
Beyond the initial experience of salvation, the Christian life involves a daily journey of hearing and following God’s voice. This requires cultivating a listening ear and being responsive to God’s direction. The Christian life is led by the Spirit, not by our own understanding. By seeking God’s guidance each day, we can live a life that is aligned with His will and purpose. This daily practice of listening and obeying is crucial for spiritual growth and maturity. [50:08]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one decision you are facing today where you need God’s guidance? How can you actively seek His direction and trust in His leading?
Day 4: Spiritual Disciplines for Hearing God
To hear God’s voice clearly, we must engage in spiritual disciplines that help us tune into His frequency. Practices such as silence and solitude, confession and repentance, and engaging with God’s Word are essential for clearing away the distractions that impede our ability to hear Him. These disciplines are not just religious rituals but are vital for nurturing a vibrant relationship with God. By committing to these practices, we can better discern God’s voice and respond to His guidance in our lives. [01:01:02]
Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Reflection: Which spiritual discipline do you find most challenging to practice regularly? How can you incorporate it into your routine this week to better hear God’s voice?
Day 5: God’s Consistent Voice
The same voice that calls us to salvation is the one that guides us daily. God does not play games with His voice; He desires clear communication with us. By staying tuned to His voice, we can confidently follow His leading in our lives. God’s voice is consistent and trustworthy, and He longs for us to walk in step with Him. As we cultivate a relationship with Him, we can experience the peace and assurance that comes from knowing we are following His will. [01:07:19]
John 10:27-28 (ESV): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God’s consistent voice in your life? How can you ensure that you remain attuned to His guidance in the days ahead?
Quotes
"To be in tune and on the frequency with God, requires intentional effort to be able to distinguish his voice from all the other voices in the world. And the other voices are always about us." [00:41:30] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Do you realize that not one of us can be saved, not one of us can have our sins forgiven unless we hear the voice of God in our lives. That requires to reveal to us that we are sinners in need of a Savior." [00:43:35] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God is the one who seeks after us. God is the one who speaks into our lives. In fact, what we learn in this passage is that for what's required for a person to be forgiven and born again is they must respond to God's invitation of grace." [00:45:37] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God has created us for a relationship. And he wants us to know him. I love this. He wants us to know him as well as he knows us. Think about that. God wants you to know him as well as he knows you." [00:53:34] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"To be, to get on the correct frequency with God, you must be frequent with God. So with that said, let me kind of go back and teach something I taught a long time ago." [00:55:34] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Practicing silence and solitude is the first thing that you must do in order to hear God. Rick Warren said it this way. An inner calm gives us an inter-calm with God. That's pretty good." [01:01:02] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"While God can speak to us through anyone or anything, we have in the scripture, he spoke through a donkey. And there's such a great joke with that, but I'm not going to spend it here, okay?" [01:04:26] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"You can have great confidence that God is not going to play around with you with his voice. I love at times just to have some fun. I'll call people up and I'll change my voice. I'll talk with a British accent." [01:07:19] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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