Listening and Obeying: The Power of God's Voice
Summary
The sermon emphasizes the critical importance of obedience to God's voice and the dangers of ignoring His promptings. The speaker shares personal experiences and biblical narratives to illustrate the consequences of disobedience and the protection that comes with heeding the Holy Spirit's guidance. They recount a moment when they felt prompted to pray for someone, a simple act that reflects a heart attuned to God's whispers. This "step of yes" to God's nudges is portrayed as a safeguard against the 700 potential areas of weakness that each person carries within them.
The speaker delves into the story of Solomon, the wisest man who ended his life in recklessness. Despite his wisdom and the admiration of nations, Solomon's downfall was precipitated by his disobedience to God's explicit warnings. The speaker reflects on how Solomon, who had the capacity to counsel others, failed to apply wisdom to his own life. This serves as a stark reminder that wisdom and talent are not immune to the corrosive effects of disobedience.
The sermon also recounts the story of David Wilkerson, who obeyed God's voice to help troubled boys in New York City, despite his fears and doubts. This narrative, along with the speaker's own experiences, underscores the transformative power of responding to the Holy Spirit's promptings. The speaker warns that when we stop listening to God, we are left with our own voices, which can lead to destructive choices.
The speaker calls for a renewed sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's voice in all aspects of life, from personal relationships to the workplace. They pray for pastors and leaders to convey God's voice to their congregations and share a story of a friend who obeyed the prompting to pray for a terminally ill accountant. The sermon concludes with an invitation for those feeling the absence of Jesus in their lives to respond to the Holy Spirit's urging and accept Him as their Savior.
Key Takeaways:
- Obedience to the Holy Spirit's promptings is not just about avoiding sin; it's about maintaining a posture of readiness to act upon God's guidance. The speaker's personal experience of praying for someone upon God's nudge exemplifies the "step of yes," a commitment to act immediately on divine instruction, which can lead to unexpected blessings and insights.
- The tragic narrative of Solomon's downfall, despite his unparalleled wisdom, serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of disobedience. The speaker highlights that even the wisest can falter if they ignore God's reproof and wisdom, suggesting that our greatest strengths can become our downfall without God's guidance.
- The concept of God giving people over to their own voices when they no longer listen to Him is a sobering reminder of the importance of continual obedience. The speaker explains that when we reject God's voice, we become susceptible to being led by our own depraved minds and passions, which can lead to a life of recklessness and irresponsibility.
- The speaker emphasizes that listening to God's voice is not a one-time event but a daily discipline. They illustrate this through the story of David Wilkerson and their own life, showing that consistent obedience to God's commands allows for a deeper and more consistent communication with Him.
- The speaker's call for a fresh commitment to hearing God's voice is a powerful invitation to spiritual renewal. They urge the congregation to be mindful of their words and actions, to repent and apologize when necessary, and to be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance in every aspect of life.
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Kings 10:1-9 - The Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon and her admiration of his wisdom.
2. 1 Kings 11:1-11 - Solomon's downfall due to his disobedience to God's commands.
3. Proverbs 1:24-33 - Solomon's warning about ignoring wisdom and the consequences of disobedience.
### Observation Questions
1. What was the Queen of Sheba's reaction to Solomon's wisdom and the splendor of his kingdom? (1 Kings 10:1-9)
2. According to 1 Kings 11:1-11, what specific actions led to Solomon's downfall?
3. In Proverbs 1:24-33, what are the consequences mentioned for ignoring wisdom and God's reproof?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Solomon's story in 1 Kings 11 illustrate the dangers of disobedience, even for someone with great wisdom? [04:40]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between continual obedience to God's voice and maintaining spiritual integrity? [13:10]
3. How does the concept of God giving people over to their own voices, as mentioned in Romans 1, relate to Solomon's experience? [15:52]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [02:36]
2. Solomon's downfall began with small acts of disobedience. Are there small areas in your life where you might be ignoring God's voice? How can you address them? [21:11]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of immediate obedience to God's promptings. What practical steps can you take to ensure you respond promptly to the Holy Spirit's guidance? [27:38]
4. The speaker shared a personal story about praying for someone despite feeling tired. How can you cultivate a habit of obedience even when it's inconvenient? [02:36]
5. Solomon's wisdom did not prevent his downfall because he ignored God's warnings. How can you ensure that your strengths do not become your weaknesses through disobedience? [13:48]
6. The sermon calls for a renewed sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's voice. What specific actions can you take this week to be more attuned to God's guidance in your daily life? [40:40]
7. The speaker mentioned the importance of apologizing and repenting when necessary. Is there someone you need to apologize to or something you need to repent for? How will you take that step? [29:47]
Devotional
Day 1: The Step of Immediate Obedience
Immediate obedience to God's guidance is a safeguard against our weaknesses. When one feels the nudge of the Holy Spirit, it is crucial to act without delay. This "step of yes" is an act of faith that not only prevents sin but also positions us to receive God's blessings and protection. It is a commitment to trust and follow God's leading at every moment. [07:40]
James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Reflection: What is one way God has been prompting you to act, and how can you take a step of obedience today?
Day 2: Wisdom Requires Obedience
Wisdom alone is not enough to prevent a fall; it must be coupled with obedience to God. Solomon's life exemplifies that even the wisest can fail if they ignore divine guidance. True wisdom is shown through a life lived in obedience to God's commands, which keeps one from the pitfalls of pride and self-reliance. [14:25]
1 Kings 11:9-10 - "The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command."
Reflection: In what areas of your life might you be relying on your own wisdom instead of seeking and obeying God's direction?
Day 3: The Peril of Ignoring God's Voice
When one stops listening to God, they become vulnerable to their own flawed desires and reasoning. This self-reliance can lead to a life marked by recklessness and irresponsibility. It is a sobering reminder that continual obedience is essential to avoid being given over to the consequences of our own choices. [21:55]
Romans 1:24 - "Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another."
Reflection: Can you identify a time when you chose to ignore God's voice? What were the consequences, and how can you ensure to listen more attentively moving forward?
Day 4: Daily Discipline of Listening
Listening to God's voice is a daily discipline that requires consistent obedience. It is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of faithfulness. By following the example of those who have responded to God's call, like David Wilkerson, believers can experience a deeper communion with God and witness His transformative power in their lives. [28:30]
Acts 16:14 - "One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message."
Reflection: What daily habits can you develop to ensure you are consistently listening to and obeying God's voice?
Day 5: A Renewed Sensitivity to the Spirit
A fresh commitment to hearing God's voice can lead to spiritual renewal and a deeper sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's guidance. This involves being mindful of one's actions and words, being quick to repent and apologize, and remaining open to the Spirit's leading in every aspect of life. [35:10]
Ephesians 4:30 - "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a more sensitive and responsive heart to the Holy Spirit's promptings in your daily life?
Quotes
"Obedience is protection against that 700. That's what obedience is when you don't obey then you open up yourselves." [29:03]
"When you stop listening to God's voice you are then left with your own voice and inside of Solomon was a lust waiting to explode into 700 wives." [30:28]
"Conviction is the protection of God over our lives. Conviction is the warning light, it's a yellow light sometimes that God is speaking. Slow down, slow down. Once he turned a silent ear to one warning, folks listen, then 700 wives later he is going deeper and deeper, they turn his heart, he goes after idols, he builds them temples. God is angry, folks." [21:11]
"We are here today at Times Square Church because a man heard the voice of God and responded to it." [31:42]
"This is the voice of the Holy Spirit that we have got to become acquainted with and you can the more you obey the more consistently God will continue to speak." [34:10]
"When you don't respond to the voice of God, then that voice gets fainter and fainter and your voice and lust gets louder and louder." [22:43]
"God gave them over to a depraved mind, degrading passions and lust of their heart. That's what Romans 1 says." [15:52]
"Disobedience can override all of that no matter how what your education may be a disobedient woman or a disobedient man literally could sabotage a future and Solomon was wise" [13:48]
"I want us to be a church that is sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit" [40:40]
"I want the voice of God we want the voice of God the voice of God over our marriage The Voice voice of God over relationships the voice of God at our workplace the voice of God over our Leisure the voice of God in our privacy the voice of God in our car on a subway voice of God speak to us speak to us today speak to us as a church as Leaders" [48:10]
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