Hearing God's Voice: The Good Shepherd's Promise
Summary
### Summary
Today's sermon focused on the profound promise that we can hear God's voice. We explored the concept of hearing from God, emphasizing that Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, assures us that His sheep—us—can recognize His voice. The sermon began with a humorous anecdote about the Magic 8 ball, illustrating our desire for clear answers from God. It then transitioned into the biblical story of Samuel, who learned to discern God's voice through the guidance of Eli. This story highlighted the importance of being open and ready to hear God's voice, even when the message might be challenging.
We discussed practical steps to hear God's voice: asking God to speak, listening attentively, and being prepared to act on His instructions. The sermon underscored that hearing from God requires a relationship with Him, not just religious rituals. It also emphasized that God speaks in various ways—through His Word, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, and even through other people. The importance of being still and quiet to truly listen was stressed, using the analogy of a pilot learning to recognize their call sign amidst the noise of air traffic control.
The sermon concluded with a powerful reminder that God is always speaking, but we must be intentional in listening. It encouraged us to slow down, focus, and be receptive to God's voice in our daily lives. The promise of Jesus as the Good Shepherd assures us that we can know and follow His voice, leading us to live out His will with faith and obedience.
### Key Takeaways
1. Ask God to Speak: Before seeking God's guidance, be prepared for the possibility that His answer may challenge your desires or expectations. Asking God to speak is a bold and potentially life-altering request. Be ready to embrace His will, even if it diverges from your own plans. [39:43]
2. Listen Attentively: Just as a pilot learns to recognize their call sign amidst the noise, we must train ourselves to discern God's voice. This requires intentional quietness and focus, tuning out the distractions of the world to hear His gentle whisper. [47:49]
3. Act on God's Instructions: Hearing God's voice is only the beginning; true faith is demonstrated through obedience. When God speaks, it often requires us to step out in faith and take actions that align with His will, even if they are difficult or counterintuitive. [58:31]
4. God Speaks in Various Ways: God communicates through His Word, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, and other people. Being open to these different channels helps us recognize His guidance in our lives. His messages will always align with the truths found in Scripture. [52:20]
5. Be Still and Know: In our fast-paced world, it's crucial to slow down and be still to hear God's voice. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to "Be still and know that I am God." This stillness allows us to tune into the subtle ways God speaks to us daily. [01:05:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:01] - Introduction
[29:41] - The Magic 8 Ball Analogy
[30:17] - The Promise of Hearing God's Voice
[31:40] - The Story of Samuel
[33:40] - The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
[35:39] - Discerning God's Voice
[37:39] - Practical Steps to Hear God's Voice
[39:43] - Ask God to Speak
[41:40] - The Story of Samuel Continued
[43:45] - Speak, Lord, Your Servant is Listening
[45:45] - The Importance of Obedience
[47:49] - Learning to Recognize God's Voice
[49:40] - The Pilot Analogy
[50:54] - God Speaks Through His Word
[52:20] - Various Ways God Speaks
[53:31] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[54:31] - Promptings and Peace
[55:28] - The Gentle Whisper
[56:27] - The TV Interview Analogy
[57:38] - Isaiah 30:21 - This is the Way
[58:31] - Listen and Obey
[59:18] - Why God Might Not Be Speaking
[01:00:37] - Educated Beyond Obedience
[01:01:57] - Turn Down the World's Volume
[01:03:29] - The Listening Exercise
[01:05:01] - Be Still and Know
[01:05:28] - Elijah's Story
[01:07:16] - Earth, Wind, and Fire
[01:08:20] - The Gentle Whisper
[01:09:14] - God Whispers to Draw Us Closer
[01:10:25] - Ask, Listen, and Do
[01:11:28] - Prayer for Guidance
[01:12:33] - Humble Yourself and Seek God
[01:13:33] - Relationship Over Ritual
[01:14:33] - Jesus Knocks on Our Hearts
[01:15:31] - Let Jesus In
[01:16:41] - Call on the Name of Jesus
[01:17:18] - Surrender to Jesus
[01:18:30] - Celebrate New Life
[01:18:53] - Announcements
[01:19:34] - Youth Sunday
[01:20:05] - Closing Prayer
[01:21:01] - Confess and Listen
[01:22:05] - Final Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 10:3-4, 27 - "The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice... My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
2. 1 Samuel 3:8-10 - "A third time the Lord called, 'Samuel!' And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, 'Here I am; you called me.' Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, 'Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."' So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.'"
3. Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 10:3-4, 27, what is the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep? How do the sheep respond to the shepherd's voice?
2. In 1 Samuel 3:8-10, how did Samuel learn to recognize God's voice? What role did Eli play in this process?
3. What does Psalm 46:10 suggest about the posture we should take to hear God's voice?
4. In the sermon, what analogy was used to describe the difficulty of hearing God's voice amidst the noise of the world? ([47:49])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd and us as His sheep in John 10? What does this imply about our ability to hear and recognize His voice?
2. How does the story of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 illustrate the importance of being open and ready to hear God's voice, even when the message might be challenging? ([41:40])
3. What does the command to "Be still and know that I am God" in Psalm 46:10 teach us about the necessary conditions for hearing from God? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on intentional quietness and focus? ([01:05:01])
4. The sermon mentioned that God speaks in various ways, including through His Word, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, and other people. How can we discern which of these channels God is using to communicate with us? ([52:20])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you asked God to speak to you. Were you prepared for His answer, even if it challenged your desires or expectations? How can you better prepare yourself to embrace God's will in the future? ([39:43])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of listening attentively to God's voice. What practical steps can you take this week to create intentional quietness and focus in your daily routine? ([47:49])
3. Think of a recent situation where you felt prompted to act on God's instructions. Did you follow through? If not, what held you back, and how can you overcome such obstacles in the future? ([58:31])
4. Identify one way God has spoken to you through His Word, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, or other people. How did you recognize it was God speaking, and what was the outcome? ([52:20])
5. Psalm 46:10 encourages us to "Be still and know that I am God." What specific distractions in your life prevent you from being still and listening to God? How can you minimize these distractions this week? ([01:05:01])
6. The sermon mentioned the story of Samuel and Eli. Is there someone in your life who has helped you discern God's voice? How can you express gratitude to them or seek their guidance more intentionally? ([41:40])
7. Reflect on the analogy of the pilot learning to recognize their call sign amidst the noise. How can you apply this analogy to improve your ability to discern God's voice in your daily life? ([47:49])
Devotional
Day 1: Boldly Ask God to Speak
When seeking God's guidance, it's essential to be prepared for the possibility that His answer may challenge your desires or expectations. Asking God to speak is a bold and potentially life-altering request. It requires a heart ready to embrace His will, even if it diverges from your own plans. This openness to God's voice is a testament to your faith and trust in His wisdom and love for you.
In the story of Samuel, we see a young boy learning to discern God's voice through the guidance of Eli. Samuel's willingness to listen and respond to God's call, even when it was unexpected, serves as a powerful example for us. We must approach God with a similar readiness, asking Him to speak into our lives and being prepared to act on His instructions, no matter how challenging they may be. [39:43]
1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV): "And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant hears.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need God's guidance? Can you ask Him to speak to you about it today, and be open to whatever He might say?
Day 2: Listen Attentively to God's Voice
Just as a pilot learns to recognize their call sign amidst the noise, we must train ourselves to discern God's voice. This requires intentional quietness and focus, tuning out the distractions of the world to hear His gentle whisper. In our fast-paced lives, it's easy to miss God's voice if we don't make a conscious effort to listen attentively.
The analogy of a pilot learning to recognize their call sign amidst the noise of air traffic control illustrates the importance of being still and quiet to truly listen. By creating space in our daily routines for silence and reflection, we can better attune our ears to God's voice. This practice of attentive listening helps us to recognize His guidance and direction in our lives. [47:49]
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 distractions in your life are preventing you from hearing God's voice? How can you create intentional quiet time today to listen for His guidance?
Day 3: Act on God's Instructions
Hearing God's voice is only the beginning; true faith is demonstrated through obedience. When God speaks, it often requires us to step out in faith and take actions that align with His will, even if they are difficult or counterintuitive. Obedience to God's instructions is a testament to our trust in His plan and our willingness to follow His lead.
The story of Samuel continues to illustrate this point. When Samuel heard God's voice, he didn't just listen; he acted on what he heard. This obedience, even when the message was challenging, showed his commitment to following God's will. Similarly, we must be prepared to act on God's instructions, trusting that His plans are for our good and His glory. [58:31]
James 1:22 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Reflection: Is there something God has been prompting you to do that you have been hesitant to act on? What steps can you take today to obey His instructions?
Day 4: Recognize the Various Ways God Speaks
God communicates through His Word, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, and other people. Being open to these different channels helps us recognize His guidance in our lives. His messages will always align with the truths found in Scripture, providing a reliable foundation for discerning His voice.
Understanding that God speaks in various ways allows us to be more attuned to His guidance. Whether it's through a passage of Scripture, a prompting from the Holy Spirit, a situation we encounter, or wise counsel from others, we must be open to the different ways God communicates with us. This openness helps us to recognize and respond to His voice more effectively. [52:20]
Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV): "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."
Reflection: Think about a recent situation where you felt God was speaking to you. How did He communicate, and how did you respond? How can you be more open to the various ways God speaks?
Day 5: Be Still and Know
In our fast-paced world, it's crucial to slow down and be still to hear God's voice. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to "Be still and know that I am God." This stillness allows us to tune into the subtle ways God speaks to us daily. By creating moments of quiet and reflection, we can better hear and understand His guidance.
The importance of being still and quiet to truly listen is emphasized through the analogy of a pilot learning to recognize their call sign amidst the noise of air traffic control. By slowing down and focusing on God's presence, we can better discern His voice and follow His lead in our daily lives. This practice of stillness and reflection helps us to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and live out His will with faith and obedience. [01:05:01]
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: How can you incorporate moments of stillness and quiet into your daily routine to better hear God's voice? What changes can you make today to create space for this practice?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Wouldn't it be amazing if you had a question and you could ask God and you could clearly hear his voice? The good news is you can. We're in a message series called He Promised, and we're talking about the promise of Jesus. Last week we talked about the promise that Jesus will always love you. Next week we're going to talk about the promise, and this will speak to those of you who might be in a difficult season right now, that he will be with you always. He would never leave you and never forsake you." [33:40](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus promised that he is the good shepherd and that we are the sheep and that the sheep can know and recognize his voice. So how do we do it? What I want to do is I want to look at God's word today, make it as simple as possible, and talk about how we hear the voice of the good shepherd. The first thought is obvious, but I want to say it: number one is you want to ask God to speak to you." [39:43](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The more reliable way to hear from God is to listen to what he has to say through his word. His word is living. It's active. It's powerful. It's encouraging. It's correcting. It's directing. It's comforting. As the people of God, we feed on the word of God every day, taking this word into our body, that it would renew our minds, that it would direct our feet, that it would take us toward God's will." [52:20](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Wouldn't it be amazing if you could clearly hear God's voice? And God promises you can. Jesus is the good shepherd and you are the sheep, and the sheep recognize the voice of the shepherd. So how do you hear from God? Well, I'm going to ask. Ask him, 'God, speak. Your servant is listening. God, speak. I want to hear your voice. I want to know your way.' And then you're going to listen to what God has to say." [58:31](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God is always speaking. The question is, are you listening? Ask him to speak. Listen to what he says. And then you're going to like what he has to say. He's going to speak to you every time you need to hear what he has to say. He'll speak to you in a holy, quiet moment. He'll speak to you in an ordinary moment when you need to hear his voice." [55:28](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Let me just warn you for a moment. This sounds really, really easy: 'God, speak to us, speak to me.' But before you pray and ask God to speak to you, I want to warn you that that's actually a dangerous prayer. In fact, I want to suggest that you don't ask God to speak to you if you don't want to hear what he has to say, because often his will and his way is very different from ours. Come on, somebody. Our way of things is different from what God has for us. Our view of things is different from the view of God. Don't ask God to speak to you if you don't want to hear what he has to say." [41:40](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Maybe he promoted you to forgive the person who hurt you and ask for forgiveness when you're still holding on, you're still holding a grudge. If you haven't heard from God in a long time, maybe it's because you didn't do the last thing he told you to do. I got really, really good news for you because I know life is complicated and we have a lot of decisions to make. Whenever you need direction, the good news is Jesus. He is the good shepherd and we are the sheep, and the sheep know the voice of the shepherd." [01:00:37](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "There's an exercise that I've done now for maybe three years that I like a lot. I'll do this to focus my mind, to practice just mindset and presence. What it does is help me to focus and to listen to the voice of God. I'll just get really, really quiet and start listening for various noises. I'll start to count the noises as I hear them. My goal is to wait until I hear 20 different noises. And my rule is if a dog barks and then another dog barks, that just counts once. If a car drives by and another car drives by, it's just one. You could only count everything one time." [01:03:29](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What I want to tell you is that God is speaking. He's speaking every day to anyone who is listening to him. He is a relational God who loves you and wants to reveal his love for you and his purposes for you and his will for your life. God is always speaking. The problem is you're not always listening. So what do you do? We slow down and we listen. Psalm 46:10 says, 'Be still and know that I am God.' You can hear his voice." [01:05:01](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.' If you listen for the voice of God, you'll hear him guiding you, giving you the words to say, comforting you, giving you peace, prompting you to do something, maybe even giving you a Bible verse to share with someone. You're hearing the voice of God. He's always speaking to you. The question is, are you listening?" [57:38](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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