Hearing God's Voice: Cultivating Stillness in Chaos
Summary
In today's gathering, we embarked on a new series titled "Be Still," focusing on the importance of hearing God's voice amidst the chaos and noise of our daily lives. We explored the biblical truth that God desires to communicate with us, often through a still, small voice, as illustrated in 1 Kings 19:12. This series is a call to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, emphasizing that Christianity is not merely a religion but a relationship that thrives on communication.
We delved into the parable of the sower from Luke 8, where Jesus speaks about the different types of soil representing the various attitudes of our hearts. The parable teaches us that the seed of God's word can only grow and bear fruit if it lands on good soil, which signifies an open and receptive heart. We discussed the importance of tuning into God's frequency, much like adjusting a radio to eliminate static and hear clearly. This requires us to cultivate an open mind, make time to listen, eliminate distractions, and cooperate with what God says.
We also addressed common barriers that prevent us from hearing God's voice, such as pride, fear, and bitterness. These attitudes can harden our hearts and close our minds to God's word. We were reminded that pride is an enemy of God, fear can prevent us from embracing God's plans, and bitterness can lead to a wasted life. Instead, we are encouraged to humble ourselves, trust in God's goodness, and allow His word to penetrate deeply into our lives.
The message concluded with a call to action, urging us to memorize scripture and let it take root in our hearts. By doing so, we can withstand life's challenges and experience transformation. We were invited to open our hearts to God's love and grace, recognizing that we are not here by accident but by divine appointment. The invitation was extended to those who have not yet accepted Christ, encouraging them to embrace the gift of salvation and begin a new life in Him.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Desire to Communicate: God wants to speak to us, often through a still, small voice. We must cultivate an open mind and heart to hear Him amidst the noise of life. This requires humility and a willingness to listen beyond our physical ears. [51:14]
- The Parable of the Sower: The condition of our hearts determines how we receive God's word. Like the different types of soil, our attitudes can either hinder or facilitate spiritual growth. We must prepare our hearts to be good soil for God's word to take root. [58:22]
- Overcoming Barriers: Pride, fear, and bitterness can prevent us from hearing God's voice. We must confront these barriers, recognizing that God's instructions are for our benefit and that bitterness only leads to a wasted life. [07:06]
- The Importance of Deep Roots: Superficial faith won't withstand life's trials. We need to develop deep spiritual roots through consistent engagement with God's word and prayer, allowing it to transform us from the inside out. [14:38]
- Memorizing Scripture: By memorizing and internalizing God's word, we equip ourselves to face challenges with faith and confidence. Scripture becomes a source of strength and guidance, helping us to live a life aligned with God's will. [28:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [50:25] - Introduction to "Be Still" Series
- [51:14] - Hearing God's Still Small Voice
- [52:54] - Christianity: A Relationship, Not a Religion
- [53:48] - The Parable of the Sower
- [55:19] - Communication Challenges
- [57:10] - Recognizing God's Voice
- [58:22] - Tuning into God's Frequency
- [01:00:17] - The Importance of an Open Mind
- [01:02:48] - God's Presence in Our Gatherings
- [01:04:38] - The Hard Path: Pride and Fear
- [01:09:52] - Overcoming Bitterness
- [01:14:38] - Developing Deep Spiritual Roots
- [01:21:18] - Eliminating Distractions
- [01:25:31] - Cooperating with God's Word
- [01:30:24] - Prayer and Invitation to Salvation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Be Still" Series
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Kings 19:12
2. Luke 8:4-15
3. James 1:21
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Kings 19:12, how does God choose to communicate with Elijah, and what does this suggest about how we might hear God's voice today? [51:29]
2. According to the parable of the sower in Luke 8, what are the different types of soil, and what do they represent in terms of our hearts and attitudes? [01:00:17]
3. What are some of the barriers mentioned in the sermon that prevent us from hearing God's voice, and how do they affect our spiritual growth? [01:07:06]
4. How does James 1:21 describe the attitude we should have towards receiving God's word, and what is the expected outcome? [01:11:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might God choose to speak in a "still, small voice" rather than through more dramatic means, and how does this impact our approach to listening for His guidance? [51:14]
2. In the parable of the sower, why is it important for the seed to land on "good soil," and what does this imply about the condition of our hearts? [01:01:31]
3. How do pride, fear, and bitterness specifically hinder our ability to hear God's voice, and what steps can be taken to overcome these barriers? [01:07:06]
4. What does it mean to have "deep spiritual roots," and how can this help us withstand life's challenges according to the sermon? [01:14:38]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was speaking to you in a "still, small voice." How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to improve your spiritual listening? [51:14]
2. Consider the current state of your heart. Which type of soil from the parable of the sower best represents your attitude towards God's word, and what changes can you make to become "good soil"? [01:00:17]
3. Identify one area of pride, fear, or bitterness in your life that might be preventing you from hearing God's voice. What practical steps can you take this week to address this barrier? [01:07:06]
4. How can you cultivate deeper spiritual roots in your daily life? Consider specific practices such as prayer, Bible study, or community involvement that could help you grow. [01:14:38]
5. Memorizing scripture was emphasized in the sermon. Choose one verse that speaks to you and commit to memorizing it this week. How do you plan to incorporate it into your daily routine? [01:28:22]
6. Reflect on your current schedule. How can you intentionally make time to listen to God amidst the busyness of life? What specific changes can you implement this week to prioritize this time? [01:12:12]
7. Think of a distraction in your life that often takes your focus away from God. What is one practical step you can take to minimize this distraction and improve your spiritual focus? [01:21:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Cultivating an Open Heart to Hear God
God desires to communicate with us, often through a still, small voice, as illustrated in 1 Kings 19:12. To hear Him amidst the noise of life, we must cultivate an open mind and heart. This requires humility and a willingness to listen beyond our physical ears. By tuning into God's frequency, much like adjusting a radio to eliminate static, we can hear His voice clearly. This involves making time to listen, eliminating distractions, and cooperating with what God says. [51:14]
"And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper." (1 Kings 19:12, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions in your life are preventing you from hearing God's still, small voice today? How can you create space to listen to Him more intentionally?
Day 2: Preparing Our Hearts as Good Soil
The parable of the sower from Luke 8 teaches us that the condition of our hearts determines how we receive God's word. Like the different types of soil, our attitudes can either hinder or facilitate spiritual growth. We must prepare our hearts to be good soil for God's word to take root. This involves cultivating an open and receptive heart, free from pride, fear, and bitterness, which can harden our hearts and close our minds to God's word. [58:22]
"As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to prepare your heart as good soil for God's word? Is there a specific attitude or habit you need to change?
Day 3: Confronting Barriers to Hearing God's Voice
Pride, fear, and bitterness can prevent us from hearing God's voice. We must confront these barriers, recognizing that God's instructions are for our benefit and that bitterness only leads to a wasted life. Humbling ourselves and trusting in God's goodness allows His word to penetrate deeply into our lives. By overcoming these barriers, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's voice. [07:06]
"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." (1 Peter 2:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area of pride, fear, or bitterness in your life. How can you begin to confront and overcome this barrier with God's help today?
Day 4: Developing Deep Spiritual Roots
Superficial faith won't withstand life's trials. We need to develop deep spiritual roots through consistent engagement with God's word and prayer, allowing it to transform us from the inside out. By memorizing scripture and letting it take root in our hearts, we can withstand life's challenges and experience transformation. This deep-rooted faith equips us to face challenges with faith and confidence. [14:38]
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: What specific practice can you incorporate into your daily routine to deepen your spiritual roots? How can you ensure consistency in this practice?
Day 5: The Power of Memorizing Scripture
By memorizing and internalizing God's word, we equip ourselves to face challenges with faith and confidence. Scripture becomes a source of strength and guidance, helping us to live a life aligned with God's will. This practice not only strengthens our faith but also transforms our hearts and minds, enabling us to respond to life's challenges with wisdom and grace. [28:22]
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: Choose one verse of scripture to memorize this week. How can you incorporate this verse into your daily life to guide and strengthen you?
Quotes
In today's gathering, we embarked on a new series titled "Be Still," focusing on the importance of hearing God's voice amidst the chaos and noise of our daily lives. We explored the biblical truth that God desires to communicate with us, often through a still, small voice, as illustrated in 1 Kings 19:12. [00:50:25]
One of the basic claims of Christianity is that God does speak to people and all through the Bible you will read the phrase and God said and God said and pretty soon you get the idea is that God is wanting to speak with people. [00:52:54]
We have a problem with communication and even even me sometimes I have a problem uh listening and understanding sometimes what my wife is saying any of you guys any you men relate to that and so I want to just ask you guys and warn you guys. [00:55:19]
If I want to hear God speak I must cultivate an open mind I've got to cultivate an open mind in other words I've got to develop and prepare my heart to hear what God wants to say in fact when I was before I even preach you heard me say Lord open the hearts of people to the word of God. [01:00:17]
The reason why most people don't hear the word of God never penetrates their life it's the word called Pride say pride pride and the Bible says pride is an enemy of God the Bible says God resists the prideful but he gives grace to the humble. [01:04:38]
The second thing I think that will actually cause us to be hard is fear we're afraid that God may tell us something that we don't want to do can I tell you something when God wants you to do something because it's good for you it's for your benefit. [01:09:52]
The United States Air Force did a study and they found this that 90 to 95% of everything we hear within 72 hours you will forget I mean that is like the worst statistic that a pastor could ever hear in his life because we work a lot of these pastors here. [01:14:38]
I must eliminate all distractions the reason a lot of us miss hearing what God has to say is because our mind is crowded with all kinds of thoughts we're living with worry we're living with daily things that we're doing PL goal Ambitions all these things can get on our mind. [01:21:18]
The seed on the good soil stands for those with a noble what and good heart in other words your your heart is ready who hears the word of God and it retains it it retains it by persevering produces a good crop so not only do you hear the word of God but you allow it to penetrate your soul. [01:25:31]
I begin to memorize the Bible I begin to write scriptures all over the all the posters that I had I begin to memorize the word of God I begin to tell my friends about Christ and how God changed my life CU I let the word of God take root in me. [01:30:24]
I pray today that you'll open your heart to God's love and his grace that's reaching out to you I pray today that you won't Harden your heart to God but that you'd open your heart to him today and let him come in your soul change your life because you need him we all do. [01:35:34]
The wages of sin is death so sin will ultimately destroy your life sin will ultimately lead you to death it'll never do you any good but I love what the Bible says it said the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. [01:40:34]
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