Listening to God: The Power of Community and Prayer
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of God speaking through the church and the relationships within it. He highlights various scriptures that instruct believers to live in harmony, accept, bear with, care for, forgive, encourage, greet, be humble toward, submit to, and love one another. He emphasizes that a healthy church family is one that actively practices these "one anothers" consistently. He also emphasizes the importance of staying connected to the body of Christ, which is the church, explaining that God often uses other people to communicate His message to us, to keep us on track and to nudge us back into the circle of His will when we step out.
The pastor then discusses how God can use circumstances to direct and guide His people. He references the example of Paul and his missionary travels, explaining that although Paul had plans to go in a certain direction, the Spirit of Jesus prevented him from doing so. This led Paul to understand that God was behind the redirection, guiding him to go in another direction. He also mentions Jesus' instructions to His disciples in Matthew 10:11-14, where Jesus tells them to discern the worthiness of a town or village they enter and to shake off the dust from their feet if they are not received.
The pastor addresses the issue of busyness and its impact on our ability to hear God's voice. He acknowledges that many people's lives are filled with constant activity, leaving little time for reflection or listening to God. He emphasizes the importance of declaring war on busyness as the first step towards regularly hearing God speak in our lives. He also discusses the distractions that technology brings and how our behaviors and attitudes can also drown out God's voice.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of understanding one's purpose and destiny, and how God plays a role in shaping our lives. He encourages the congregation to listen to God's voice and to be open to the adventures and challenges that He has planned for them. He also emphasizes the importance of proximity and consistency in hearing God's voice through the church. He acknowledges the beauty of the body of Christ and the connection that is built when believers consistently spend time together.
The pastor concludes by discussing the different ways in which God speaks to us. The primary language of the Bible is mentioned, but the pastor wants to focus on three other languages that God uses. The first language discussed is prayer. The pastor emphasizes that prayer should not be seen as a monologue, but rather as a dialogue with God. He suggests that one reason we struggle to listen to God in prayer is because God rarely shouts the answer. Instead, God often speaks in a whisper.
Key Takeaways:
- God often communicates His message to us through the church and the relationships within it. A healthy church family is one that actively practices living in harmony, accepting, bearing with, caring for, forgiving, encouraging, greeting, being humble toward, submitting to, and loving one another ([01:15:00]).
- God can use circumstances to direct and guide His people. The example of Paul's missionary travels shows that God can redirect our plans to align with His will ([01:30:00]).
- Busyness and constant activity can hinder our ability to hear God's voice. Declaring war on busyness is the first step towards regularly hearing God speak in our lives ([01:45:00]).
- Understanding one's purpose and destiny is crucial, and God plays a significant role in shaping our lives. We should be open to the adventures and challenges that God has planned for us ([02:00:00]).
- God speaks to us in different ways, including through prayer. Prayer should not be seen as a monologue, but rather as a dialogue with God. God often speaks in a whisper, which is why we may struggle to hear Him ([02:15:00]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Kings 19:9-12: "There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: 'What are you doing here, Elijah?' He replied, 'I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.' The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."
2. Matthew 10:11-14: "Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet."
3. Psalm 66:18: "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."
Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Kings 19:9-12, what are the different ways God communicates with Elijah and what is the significance of each?
2. In Matthew 10:11-14, what instructions does Jesus give to His disciples when they enter a town or village and how are they to respond if they are not welcomed?
3. In Psalm 66:18, what is the condition that the psalmist mentions that would cause the Lord not to listen?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the gentle whisper in 1 Kings 19:9-12 suggest about the nature of God's communication with us?
2. How does the instruction given by Jesus in Matthew 10:11-14 relate to discerning God's guidance in our lives?
3. How does the condition mentioned in Psalm 66:18 affect our ability to hear from God?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you felt God was speaking to you in a whisper, like in 1 Kings 19:9-12? How did you respond?
2. Reflecting on Matthew 10:11-14, is there a situation in your life where you feel unwelcomed or your words are not being heard? How can you apply Jesus' instructions in this situation?
3. Considering Psalm 66:18, is there any unconfessed sin in your life that might be hindering your communication with God? What steps can you take to address this?
4. What is one way you can reduce busyness in your life to create more space to hear God's voice?
5. Can you identify a relationship within your church community where you can practice the "one anothers" more actively? What specific action can you take this week to strengthen that relationship?
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as God's Communication Channel
God often communicates His message through the church and the relationships within it. A healthy church family is one that actively practices living in harmony, accepting, bearing with, caring for, forgiving, encouraging, greeting, being humble toward, submitting to, and loving one another ([01:15:00]). This is a reminder of the importance of staying connected to the body of Christ, as God often uses other people to communicate His message to us, to keep us on track and to nudge us back into the circle of His will when we step out.
Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:2-3 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Reflection: How can you actively practice the "one anothers" in your church community this week? Can you think of a specific person you can encourage or forgive?
Day 2: God's Guidance Through Circumstances
God can use circumstances to direct and guide His people. The example of Paul's missionary travels shows that God can redirect our plans to align with His will ([01:30:00]). This is a reminder that even when our plans seem to be thwarted, it could be God's way of guiding us in a different direction.
Bible Passage: Proverbs 16:9 - "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."
Reflection: Can you recall a recent circumstance where your plans were redirected? How can you see God's hand in that redirection?
Day 3: Declaring War on Busyness
Busyness and constant activity can hinder our ability to hear God's voice. Declaring war on busyness is the first step towards regularly hearing God speak in our lives ([01:45:00]). This is a call to intentionally create space in our lives for reflection and listening to God.
Bible Passage: 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."
Reflection: What is one activity you can cut back on this week to create more space for reflection and listening to God?
Day 4: Embracing God's Purpose and Destiny
Understanding one's purpose and destiny is crucial, and God plays a significant role in shaping our lives. We should be open to the adventures and challenges that God has planned for us ([02:00:00]). This is an invitation to listen to God's voice and be open to His leading in our lives.
Bible Passage: Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Reflection: How can you be more open to God's leading in your life this week? Can you think of a specific area where you need to surrender control to God?
Day 5: Engaging in Dialogue with God
God speaks to us in different ways, including through prayer. Prayer should not be seen as a monologue, but rather as a dialogue with God. God often speaks in a whisper, which is why we may struggle to hear Him ([02:15:00]). This is a challenge to approach prayer as a conversation with God, listening as much as we speak.
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 19:12 - "After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."
Reflection: How can you approach prayer as a dialogue with God this week? Can you set aside a specific time each day to listen for God's whisper?
Quotes
1. "God speaks through the church when he speaks through the relationships. We are instructed time and time again to engage in the one others of scripture - to accept, forgive, encourage, and love one another. A healthy church family is one that is constantly trying to outdo one another in showing love and care." #!!39:16!!#
2. "In those moments when we are practicing the one others, God is using the church to speak, teach, encourage, love, instruct, provoke, and exhort. But for God to speak through us and to us, proximity and consistency are necessary. We need to be close to one another and consistently engage with each other." #!!39:55!!#
3. "I'm convinced that busyness steals your ability to slow down long enough to hear God's voice. We need to declare war on busyness because it's the first and perhaps the most important step that you can take if you ever want to regularly hear God speaking in your life." #!!07:19!!#
4. "Learning how to hear the voice of God is the solution to a thousand problems. It is also the key to discovering our destiny and fulfilling our potential." #!!42:31!!#
5. "I want every one of you to know your why and to understand that God is behind all of it and I want you to hear God say this is what I want you to do, this is who I want you to become." #!!44:22!!#
6. "Prayer in and of itself should never be understood or practiced as a monologue. It's not a monologue, prayer is intended to be understood and practiced as dialogue." #!!10:36!!#
7. "Listening in prayer is an important but often forgotten part of prayer. When we pray, it's usually about us, our needs, our concerns. But how often do we slow down and say, 'Okay Father, what do you want to say to me? I'm listening.'" #!!11:26!!#
8. "God rarely shouts the answer when it comes to prayer. Mostly, God speaks in a whisper. We go back to the Old Testament story of Elijah, when he was running scared and needed God to show up and speak. God's voice came as a whisper." #!!12:57!!#
9. "God does speak through circumstances and sometimes that just feels like butterflies. You're wrestling through something, you're in a moment, and all of a sudden something just inside of you begins, you begin to feel something." #!!29:42!!#
10. "We should hear God speak and then the circumstances to confirm what God has said, not be the primary way in which God tells us things. We don't interpret scripture through circumstances, we interpret circumstances through scripture."
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