Hearing God's Voice: Embracing Divine Communication
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound truth that God is actively speaking to each one of us, and it is our privilege and responsibility to listen and discern His voice. We delved into the reality that God does not reserve His communication for a select few; rather, He reaches out to all, regardless of our status, background, or the length of our walk with Him. We are all given a blank slate, new beginnings, and the opportunity to venture into the wide open spaces that God has prepared for us.
We began by addressing the lie that only certain "spiritual elites" can hear God's voice. This is a deception that Satan uses to keep us from the abundant life that Jesus promises. We were reminded that Jesus is speaking to us now, offering freedom from this lie. Satan's goal is to kill, separate, and destroy, but we have the victory through Christ who speaks life and truth into our existence.
We discussed the importance of recognizing God's voice, which is essential for stepping into the freedom and fullness of life that He offers. We looked at biblical examples of God speaking to people from all walks of life, including Abraham, Moses, and Gideon, as well as the New Testament accounts of Jesus reaching out to both believers and non-believers.
We emphasized the significance of scripture as the primary way God speaks to us. The Bible is God-breathed and is our guide for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. We were encouraged to confirm any personal revelation with scripture to ensure it aligns with God's Word.
We also highlighted the importance of community in learning to discern God's voice. Being part of a church and small groups provides a context for mutual encouragement, prayer, and biblical discussion, which helps us grow in our understanding of God's voice.
Lastly, we were reminded of the power of prayer. Prayer is our direct line of communication with God, and through it, we can both speak to and hear from Him. We were encouraged to pray with expectation, knowing that God is eager to respond to us.
Key Takeaways:
1. God is speaking to you now, not in the past or future, but in this very moment. His voice is not reserved for a select few but is accessible to all who seek Him. The voice of God brings life, hope, and direction, and it is our privilege to listen and respond. [49:33]
2. The lie that we cannot hear God's voice is a tool used by the enemy to keep us from the abundant life Christ offers. Recognizing this lie and embracing the truth of God's ongoing communication is key to living in the freedom Jesus died to give us. [36:37]
3. Scripture is the living Word of God and the primary means by which He speaks to us. Engaging with the Bible is engaging with the voice of God. It is through scripture that we can test and confirm the authenticity of what we believe God is saying to us. [47:11]
4. Community is vital in learning to discern God's voice. Surrounding yourself with fellow believers in a church or small group setting provides a support system for encouragement, prayer, and biblical insight, which are invaluable in the journey of faith. [58:03]
5. Prayer is not a monologue but a dialogue with the divine. When we pray, we must do so with the expectation that God hears us and responds. Our prayers are precious to Him, and through prayer, we cultivate a deeper intimacy with our Creator. [01:07:04]
May these insights deepen your walk with the Lord and enhance your ability to hear His voice in every aspect of your life.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 10:1-10 (ESV)
> "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
> "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
3. 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."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 10:1-10, what are the characteristics of the shepherd and the sheep? How do the sheep respond to the shepherd's voice?
2. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the purposes of Scripture as outlined by Paul?
3. What does Proverbs 3:5-6 instruct us to do in our relationship with God?
4. In the sermon, what lie does Satan use to keep us from the abundant life Jesus offers? ([36:37])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of the shepherd and the sheep in John 10:1-10 help us understand our relationship with Jesus and His voice?
2. Why is it important to confirm personal revelations with Scripture, as mentioned in the sermon? ([47:11])
3. How can being part of a community help us discern God's voice more effectively? ([58:03])
4. What does it mean to pray with expectation, and how does this affect our communication with God? ([01:07:04])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was speaking to you. How did you discern that it was His voice? What steps can you take to better recognize His voice in the future? ([49:33])
2. Identify a lie that you have believed about your ability to hear God's voice. How can you replace that lie with the truth of God's ongoing communication? ([36:37])
3. How can you incorporate more regular Bible reading into your daily routine to better hear God's voice? What specific plan or method will you use? ([47:11])
4. Think about your current involvement in your church or small group. How can you deepen your relationships within this community to help you grow in discerning God's voice? ([58:03])
5. Describe your current prayer life. How can you begin to pray with more expectation, believing that God hears and responds to your prayers? ([01:07:04])
6. What practical steps can you take this week to create a "blank slate" in your life, allowing God to speak new beginnings and opportunities into your journey? ([49:33])
7. How can you support someone else in your community who is struggling to hear God's voice? What specific actions can you take to encourage and pray for them? ([58:03])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Present Voice
God is not silent; He speaks to us here and now, inviting us into a living relationship with Him. This truth dismantles the misconception that divine communication is reserved for a select few. Instead, it affirms that every individual has the capacity to hear from God. The voice of God is not a distant echo from the past nor a deferred whisper waiting in the future; it is a clear and present call that beckons in the current moment. This voice carries with it the power to impart life, instill hope, and provide guidance. It is a voice that speaks directly to the heart, offering personal and relevant messages that resonate with the individual's circumstances and needs. To hear God's voice is to experience the intimacy of His presence and the assurance of His love.
The Bible assures us that God's sheep recognize His voice and follow Him (John 10:27). This implies an ongoing relationship, a familiarity born out of time spent in His presence. It is in the quiet moments of reflection, in the stillness of the heart, that one can best attune to the divine frequency. The challenge lies not in God's willingness to speak, but in our readiness to listen and our openness to receive what He has to say.
[49:33]
Reflection: What distractions or preconceptions might be hindering you from hearing God's voice today, and how can you actively remove or address them to better listen?
Day 2: Victory Over the Enemy's Deception
The enemy employs deceit to prevent believers from accessing the fullness of life that Christ has secured for them. One of his tactics is the lie that hearing from God is an extraordinary event, limited to a spiritually elite class. This falsehood can lead to feelings of inadequacy and spiritual isolation. However, the truth is that Jesus has triumphed over these lies, offering freedom and direct communication with God to all. By recognizing and rejecting the enemy's deception, believers can step into the abundant life that Jesus promises—a life marked by God's presence, guidance, and peace.
The victory over the enemy's lies is not a one-time event but a continual process of affirming the truth of God's Word in one's life. It involves daily choosing to believe that God is speaking and that His voice is accessible. It is a conscious decision to align one's thoughts and actions with the reality of God's ongoing conversation with humanity.
[36:37]
Reflection: How can you actively combat the lie that you are unable to hear God's voice, and what practical step can you take today to affirm the truth of His communication with you?
Day 3: Scripture as the Living Voice of God
Scripture is not merely a historical record or a collection of religious teachings; it is the living and active voice of God (Hebrews 4:12). It serves as the primary means through which God communicates His will, character, and promises. Engaging with the Bible is akin to engaging in a dialogue with the Creator. It is through the pages of scripture that believers can discern God's voice, test personal revelations, and ensure that their understanding aligns with the divine narrative. The Bible stands as the ultimate authority, providing guidance for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
To engage with scripture is to allow it to read the believer as much as the believer reads it. It is an invitation to let God's Word challenge, inspire, and transform. The practice of confirming personal revelations with scripture is not a mere formality but a safeguard against deception and a pathway to deeper truth.
[47:11]
Reflection: What is one passage of scripture that has spoken to you recently, and how can you apply its truth to a specific situation you are facing today?
Day 4: Community as a Catalyst for Discernment
The journey of faith is not meant to be walked alone. Community plays a crucial role in helping believers discern God's voice. Within the context of a church or small group, individuals find support, encouragement, and wisdom. These gatherings become a space where experiences can be shared, prayers can be lifted, and biblical insights can be gleaned. It is often through the reflections and perspectives of fellow believers that one can gain clarity on what God is communicating.
The value of community extends beyond mere social interaction; it is a spiritual lifeline that connects believers to the larger body of Christ. It is in the midst of community that the gifts of the Spirit are manifested, providing guidance and edification for all.
[58:03]
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to this week for spiritual support or guidance, and how can you also be a source of encouragement to others in discerning God's voice?
Day 5: Prayer as Dialogue with the Divine
Prayer is the breath of the soul, a two-way conversation with God that is as natural and essential as breathing. It is not a monologue but a dialogue, where both speaking and listening are integral. Through prayer, believers express their hearts to God and, in turn, attune their hearts to hear His response. God delights in this exchange and is eager to engage with His children. Prayer is the means by which intimacy with God is cultivated, and through it, believers can experience the reality of His presence and the assurance of His care.
Approaching prayer with expectation is key. It is the belief that God is not only listening but also responding that transforms prayer from a religious ritual into a dynamic interaction with the divine. It is in the place of prayer that burdens are lifted, wisdom is imparted, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, is experienced.
[01:07:04]
Reflection: What specific concern or decision can you bring to God in prayer today, and how can you create space to listen for His guidance in response?
Quotes
1) "Jesus is talking to you and you can have freedom from the lie so notice I said he is talking to you not that he was not that he will be but that he is right now." [36:37](Download | Download)
2) "Satan wishes to kill, separate and destroy; he wishes for everyone to experience eternal death. But if we believe in Jesus, Satan loses." [38:43](Download | Download)
3) "God is speaking to you just sit with that for a second. The god of the universe sees you, he hears you, and he is speaking to you." [43:00](Download | Download)
4) "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, training in righteousness." [47:11](Download | Download)
5) "If you want to hear Jesus's voice, read his scripture. This is also called The Living Word, which is Jesus." [49:16](Download | Download)
6) "Your prayers are like incense to Him that He can breathe in and it becomes a part of who He is. People, pray, your words are precious to God." [01:07:04](Download | Download)
7) "Jesus's arms were wide and they were laden with stuff, and He is waiting for us to say yes, please give those things to me." [01:03:24](Download | Download)
8) "Make sure that what you're hearing is from the word of God. Now if you don't have a great working knowledge of the Bible, who are you going to talk to?" [01:04:04](Download | Download)
9) "The intimacy that some of us have with the Lord isn't meant for just an exclusive group of people, it is meant for every single person who chooses to believe in Jesus." [01:01:26](Download | Download)
10) "God is all-knowing, so before He created the world, He knew that we would fail Him... yet He created you anyway. You are chosen, and He loved you while you were yet sinners." [43:39](Download | Download)
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