Hearing the Good Shepherd's Voice in a Noisy World

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Knows and Calls His Sheep

Jesus is the true Shepherd who enters by the gate, knows His sheep intimately, and calls each one by name. Just as sheep in ancient times recognized the unique voice of their shepherd and followed only him, so too are we invited into a relationship where we can discern and respond to the voice of Jesus above all other distractions. He does not force us, but lovingly leads us, providing guidance, protection, and care. Our ability to hear and follow Him is rooted in relationship, not in our own strength or worthiness, but in His love and ownership of us. [07:53]

John 10:2-4 (ESV)
"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."

Reflection: When was the last time you sensed Jesus calling you by name? How can you intentionally quiet your heart today to listen for His voice?

Day 2: Discerning God’s Voice Amid Competing Voices

There are many voices vying for our attention—fear, comparison, condemnation, and the pressures of culture—but only the voice of Jesus brings true peace, direction, and life. These other voices can cloud our spiritual hearing, making it difficult to discern God’s guidance. We must learn to recognize and reject the voices that do not align with God’s truth, remembering that the Shepherd’s voice is always loving, never condemning, and leads us toward wholeness and freedom. [22:42]

John 10:5 (ESV)
"A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

Reflection: What “stranger voices” have been loudest in your life this week, and what practical step can you take today to turn down their volume and tune in to God’s voice?

Day 3: Test Every Voice by the Word of God

God’s voice will never contradict His Word; Scripture is the sure standard by which we test every impression, prompting, or advice we receive. The more we immerse ourselves in the Bible, the more easily we can discern what is truly from God and what is not. When faced with decisions or inner promptings, we are called to compare them with the truth of Scripture, seeking confirmation and peace that comes from God’s Spirit. [24:41]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection: Is there a decision or thought you’re wrestling with today? Take a moment to search the Scriptures and see what God’s Word says about it.

Day 4: God Speaks in Many Ways—Are You Listening?

God speaks to us in a variety of ways: through His Word, through peace or the absence of peace, through other people, circumstances, music, and even gentle nudges in our spirit. He desires a two-way relationship, not a one-sided transaction, and invites us to ask, listen, and expect His guidance. Sometimes His voice comes as a gentle whisper, confirming His will in unexpected ways, but always in a manner that draws us closer to Him. [38:16]

1 Kings 19:11-12 (ESV)
"And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."

Reflection: In what unexpected way has God spoken to you recently? How can you cultivate a more receptive heart to hear Him in the ordinary moments of your day?

Day 5: Obedience and Surrender Tune Us to God’s Will

Hearing God’s voice is not just about listening, but also about responding in obedience and surrender. When we yield our plans, emotions, and desires to God, we become more attuned to His will and guidance. Sometimes, God’s direction may challenge us or push us out of our comfort zones, but as we obey, we grow in faith and intimacy with Him. True discernment comes as we practice listening, obeying, and trusting that the Shepherd leads us for our good. [37:32]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where God is asking you to surrender or obey today, even if it feels uncomfortable? What step of faith can you take in response?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the vital question: “Lord, is that you?” In a world filled with noise, distractions, and competing voices, it’s easy to miss the gentle, persistent call of our Good Shepherd. Just as sheep recognize the unique voice of their shepherd, we are called to recognize and respond to the voice of Jesus, who knows us intimately and calls us each by name. The imagery from John 10 reminds us that Jesus enters through the gate—He is both the Shepherd and the Gate—legitimately, lovingly, and with full authority over our lives. He doesn’t force us, but invites us into relationship, leading us with care and intention.

We explored the reality that God is always speaking, but the challenge is whether we are truly listening. Many of us are spiritually distracted, our ears filled with the noise of fear, comparison, condemnation, and the ever-present voice of culture. These voices can dull our spiritual hearing, making it difficult to discern God’s direction. Yet, Jesus assures us that His sheep know His voice and follow Him. This is not reserved for a spiritual elite; every believer has the capacity to hear from God. The key is to quiet the noise, ask God to speak, and cultivate a heart that is receptive and obedient.

Practical steps were offered to help us discern God’s voice: test what you hear against the Word of God, pay attention to the peace or absence of peace in your spirit, and seek confirmation through godly community and circumstances. God’s voice will never contradict Scripture, nor will it lead us into anxiety, pride, or isolation. Instead, His voice brings peace, clarity, and a call to deeper relationship. Sometimes, God’s leading may challenge us or push us out of our comfort zones, but obedience is the path to greater intimacy and purpose.

We are reminded that God speaks in many ways—through Scripture, worship, other believers, circumstances, and even the gentle whisper in our spirit. The invitation is to tune our spiritual ears, surrender our plans, and make it our prayer: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” As we yield to His voice, we find guidance, comfort, and the assurance that we are known and loved by the Good Shepherd.

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Key Takeaways

1. God’s Voice Is Personal and Relational Jesus, our Good Shepherd, calls each of us by name, inviting us into a relationship that is intimate and unique. He doesn’t address us generically, but knows our stories, our needs, and our hearts. This personal call is the foundation of our faith journey, reminding us that we are not anonymous in God’s kingdom but deeply known and loved. [12:40]
2. Discerning God’s Voice Requires Intentionality In a world saturated with competing voices—fear, comparison, condemnation, and culture—it takes deliberate effort to quiet the noise and tune in to God. Spiritual discernment is cultivated by creating space for God, silencing distractions, and developing a posture of expectancy that He is speaking. The more we practice listening, the more attuned we become to His leading. [14:42]
3. Scripture Is the Ultimate Test for Spiritual Guidance Any voice, prompting, or impression we receive must be tested against the Word of God. God’s voice will never contradict Scripture, nor will it lead us into confusion, anxiety, or pride. The more we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, the more equipped we are to recognize what is truly from Him and to reject what is not. [24:41]
4. Obedience Unlocks Greater Revelation God often waits for us to act on what He has already spoken before revealing the next step. If we find ourselves in a season of silence, it may be an invitation to revisit the last instruction He gave us. Faithfulness in small acts of obedience prepares us for greater responsibility and deeper intimacy with God. [19:59]
5. God Speaks in Diverse and Unexpected Ways The voice of God is not limited to dramatic encounters; often, it comes as a gentle whisper, a sense of peace, a word from a friend, or even a seemingly trivial circumstance. Being open to the variety of ways God communicates helps us remain sensitive and responsive. The key is to remain receptive, humble, and willing to follow wherever He leads. [29:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - Tuning Our Spiritual Ears
[01:51] - Is That the Lord Speaking?
[03:13] - The Shepherd and the Sheep: John 10
[05:16] - Jesus: The True Shepherd and the Gate
[07:16] - Why We Need a Shepherd
[08:38] - Recognizing the Shepherd’s Voice
[10:43] - Distinguishing God’s Voice from Others
[14:42] - Silencing Distractions and Asking God
[16:33] - The Courage to Ask and Obey
[19:59] - Obedience and Hearing More from God
[20:45] - The Voices of Fear, Comparison, and Condemnation
[24:41] - Testing Voices by the Word of God
[27:17] - The Role of Peace in Discernment
[29:17] - God Speaks in Many Ways
[32:19] - Confirmation and Community
[34:12] - Running from Strangers, Following the Shepherd
[36:47] - My Sheep Listen to My Voice
[38:16] - The Gentle Whisper: Learning to Listen

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 10:2-5, 14, 27 (ESV) — > 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
> 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
> 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
> 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
> 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
> 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

- 1 Samuel 3:9-10 (ESV)
> 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
> 10 And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

Observation Questions

In John 10, what are some specific ways Jesus describes the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep?
According to the sermon, what are some of the “other voices” that can distract us from hearing God’s voice? [[20:45]]
What does Jesus mean when He says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”?
In 1 Samuel 3, how does Samuel respond when he realizes God is speaking to him?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that Jesus calls each of us by name and knows us intimately. What does this suggest about how God wants to relate to us personally? [[12:40]]
Why do you think it’s so easy for believers to get distracted by other voices like fear, comparison, or culture? How do these voices affect our ability to hear God? [[20:45]]
The pastor mentioned that God’s voice will never contradict Scripture and will bring peace, not anxiety or pride. Why is it important to test what we think we hear from God against the Bible and our sense of peace? [[24:41]]
The sermon says that sometimes God’s leading will push us out of our comfort zones. Why might God do this, and how can obedience lead to deeper intimacy with Him? [[18:42]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to ask, “What voices have you been listening to this week?” Take a moment to identify one or two voices (fear, comparison, condemnation, culture, etc.) that have been loud in your life. How have they affected your decisions or your peace? [[20:45]]
The pastor encouraged us to make space to listen for God’s voice. What is one practical step you can take this week to “quiet the noise” in your life—whether that’s turning off your phone, spending time in silence, or limiting social media? [[14:42]]
When was the last time you sensed God speaking to you—through Scripture, a song, a friend, or a gentle nudge in your spirit? How did you respond? Did you test it against God’s Word and seek confirmation? [[29:17]]
The sermon said that obedience unlocks greater revelation. Is there something God has already spoken to you about that you haven’t acted on yet? What’s holding you back from obeying? [[19:59]]
The pastor shared that God’s voice brings peace, not anxiety or confusion. Think of a recent decision you’ve faced. Did you experience peace or anxiety about it? How might that have been God guiding you? [[27:17]]
The message encouraged us to pray, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” What would it look like for you to make this your daily prayer? How might your day or week change if you started with this posture? [[38:55]]
The sermon highlighted the importance of community in confirming God’s voice. Who are the trusted believers in your life you can go to for wise counsel and confirmation? How can you invite them into your process of discerning God’s direction? [[32:19]]

Sermon Clips

Let me tell you it's essential for our Christian walk to be able to hear from God and not only to hear but to apply to our lives what we hear so that we may obey and we may do the will of God. [00:04:07]

The sheep know who it is and they can distinguish whether it's a false owner, false teacher in today's age, or a voice that's of the enemy, or a voice that's of culture, or a voice that's of fear, or a voice that's a distraction. [00:09:03]

A lot of times we think, "Well, Aunt Sally over there, she's always saying God talks to her and you know she hears this and she hears that. Why don't I hear anything?" Amen, amen. So you have to think and we have to flip our perspective. [00:09:51]

God is always speaking; are we listening? So we want to start deciphering and understanding what are the voices that we have going on and how can we tell and recognize that it's his voice amen. [00:10:00]

When we hear Jesus's voice, God's voice, we should recognize that above the other noises going on. Amen, because we have that ability. He built us that way. We should have an expectancy that he is speaking; it's just a matter of us listening. [00:11:52]

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. He's calling us, amen, and he doesn't just say, "Hey you, hey you sister," or "Hey bro over here, what's going on?" No, he says, "Brother Marcos, I know you, I know your name, I know you intimately." [00:12:41]

He talks to each and every one of us. He knows you, he designed you, he manufactured you and engineered you exactly and precisely, uniquely as you, and he calls your name so that you can have a relationship with him. [00:12:57]

As Christians we have to push all that aside, we have to quiet the noise to be able to recognize God is speaking, and not only is he speaking but he's speaking directly to your situation, he's speaking directly to you. [00:14:57]

The first thing we have to do is we have to ask, amen. He already knows what you need, but how many of you have had a conversation and it's just a one-way conversation? You're talking and you're talking and you're talking, and if the other person doesn't seem interested, they may know what you need and they may have an answer for you, but if you're not allowing them to respond and really you're really not engaging in that relationship, they're just going to move on. [00:15:25]

He has the answer before you even think it. He knows what you're thinking and what you need, but he wants you to ask. That form of asking, now it becomes a two-way relationship, not a one-way transaction. [00:17:17]

If we're not hearing from the Lord or we haven't heard from the Lord in a while, he may have to start thinking, "Is it maybe because I didn't obey the last thing he told me to do?" So he's waiting to see if you're going to be obedient, then faithful in the little, he'll give you, you'll be ruler over much. [00:19:40]

It's not a complex formula; you don't have to have a PhD to get the all the formula correct, amen. No, test it by the word of God. If that voice, if that spirit is, and what you're hearing is saying, for example, "Don't be, you know, be generous, be generous and do this and that and you know give," well, that probably is the voice of God because Jesus models for us a generous life. [00:24:36]

The more scripture you have, the more word life you have, you'll know that's funny business over there. They can claim it all night, they can have millions of views and say that's what Jesus told them to do, but you'll know that's not right, you'll sense it, you'll know. [00:26:01]

If you feel a peace, then it's probably the word of God, hallelujah, the voice of God speaking to you. So sometimes it's peace, or it could be absence of peace in a situation and in a decision you're going through in your life. [00:27:17]

God will speak and he speaks to each of us in different ways, and I can't tell you, Sister Diana, how he's going to speak to you. I can share some of the ways he's spoken to me, and then you'll have to start paying attention and tuning your ear because he will lean in, but you've got to have that relationship. [00:28:15]

When we walk this way and we yield our dreams and our plans and our emotions and our accomplishments and everything, when we yield that and surrender it to God, we will be in tune with his will. We're in tune with his will, we'll be able to decipher, we'll be able to discern the word of God, the voice of God speaking to us, because he is speaking, but are you listening? [00:37:26]

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