Listening to the Voice of the Good Shepherd
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the importance of recognizing and following the voice of God. The speaker emphasized that we, as believers, need to be able to discern God's voice amidst the noise and distractions of life. He used the analogy of a shepherd and his sheep, explaining that just as sheep recognize and follow the voice of their shepherd, we too should be able to recognize and follow God's voice. The speaker also shared his personal experience of spending months studying John chapter 10 during his sabbatical, which he described as a powerful time of spiritual renewal.
The speaker also warned against the dangers of being distracted from God's voice. He explained that there are many situations and experiences that can distort, detour, and derail us from knowing the voice of Jesus. He emphasized that anyone who does not come through the proper channels is a thief and a robber, and their intention is to harm, not to help. The speaker also highlighted the importance of not being deceived by appearances, reminding us that even if something or someone seems good at first, if they are not from God, they are not for our good.
Key takeaways:
- Recognizing and following God's voice is crucial for believers. This is a key aspect of our relationship with God and is essential for our spiritual growth and well-being ([05:17]).
- There are many distractions in life that can lead us away from God's voice. We need to be vigilant and discerning to ensure that we are not led astray ([22:58]).
- Not everything that appears good is from God. We need to be discerning and ensure that we are following God's voice, not being deceived by appearances ([25:42]).
- God is our Good Shepherd, and He cares for us deeply. He leads us and feeds us, and He is always there to guide us and provide for us ([27:43]).
- The importance of spending time in God's Word and allowing it to feed our souls. The speaker's personal experience of studying John chapter 10 during his sabbatical was a powerful reminder of the spiritual renewal that can come from deep engagement with Scripture ([08:04]).
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. The importance of recognizing and following the voice of the Good Shepherd is emphasized. This voice simplifies the complexities of life and provides guidance and protection. The voice of the Good Shepherd is a source of renewal and strength. #!!25:05!!#
2. The sermon highlights the dangers of being distracted from the voice of the Good Shepherd. Distractions can lead to being misled by thieves and robbers who seek to harm rather than protect. #!!23:35!!#
3. The sermon underscores the fulfillment of God's promise of being the Good Shepherd as prophesied in Ezekiel. This fulfillment is seen in Jesus, who leads and cares for His flock. #!!26:20!!#
4. The sermon concludes with an invitation to a deeper understanding of the fruit of the Spirit in the upcoming series. This invitation is a call to grow deeper in the Word of the Lord. #!!01:41!!#
Bible Chapters for the Group to Read:
1. John Chapter 10
2. Ezekiel Chapter 34
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. What does the voice of the Good Shepherd represent in John Chapter 10?
2. How does Ezekiel Chapter 34 prophesy the coming of the Good Shepherd?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does recognizing and following the voice of the Good Shepherd simplify the complexities of life as mentioned in the sermon?
2. What are the dangers of being distracted from the voice of the Good Shepherd as highlighted in the sermon?
Application Questions:
1. How can we apply the importance of recognizing and following the voice of the Good Shepherd in our daily lives?
2. Can you share a personal experience where you felt guided by the voice of the Good Shepherd?
3. How can we guard ourselves against distractions that may lead us away from the voice of the Good Shepherd?
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of Listening to God's Voice
In our busy lives, we often forget to pause and listen to God's voice. This is not just about hearing, but about understanding and applying His words to our lives. The devil doesn't care about our attendance at church as long as he can keep our ears shut from listening to God's voice. We need to make room for hearing His voice and not let our flesh disguise our decisions as wisdom. [07:40]
Bible passage: Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you listen to God's voice or did you let your flesh disguise your decision as wisdom?
Day 2: The Power of God's Word
God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It is not just about reading the Bible, but about understanding and applying it to our lives. It is about feeding our souls with His word and not just preparing sermons. [05:17]
Bible passage: Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent Bible study. How did you apply what you learned to your daily life?
Day 3: The Simplicity of Following Jesus
Following Jesus makes difficulties in our life profoundly simple. If we listen to His voice and follow His path, we will not be led astray. It doesn't matter how good other paths may seem, if they are not through Jesus, they are tricky. [25:05]
Bible passage: Matthew 7:13-14 - "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent difficulty you faced. How did following Jesus make it simpler?
Day 4: God as the Good Shepherd
God is our Good Shepherd who cares for us and leads us to rest. He feeds us and rescues us from all the places where we were scattered. He fulfills His promise of being the Good Shepherd. [26:20]
Bible passage: Psalm 23:1-3 - "The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent time when you felt lost or scattered. How did God, as your Good Shepherd, guide you back?
Day 5: Jesus as the Door
Jesus is the door to salvation. If we enter through Him, we will be saved and will find pasture. He came so that we would have life and have it abundantly. [03:47]
Bible passage: John 10:9 - "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."
Reflection: Reflect on your journey of faith. How has entering through Jesus, the door, brought you salvation and abundant life?
Quotes
1. "No matter your status, no matter your ethnicity, your narrative or situation, our common denominator is that you and I need, above everything else, to know the shepherd's voice and not only do we need to know it, we better follow his direction." - 21:24
2. "When we know His voice, it makes difficulties in our life profoundly simple. If they're not coming through the proper channels, it doesn't mean you're good. I don't care how good they smell, I don't care how good they treat you at first, if they get in some other way, it's tricky." - 25:42
3. "The Lord calls out the Shepherds of Israel, the religious leaders of that time, and he accuses them for feasting and fleecing. God says, 'I myself will feed my flock and I myself will lead them to rest.'" - 28:30
4. "The one who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But the one who enters by the door is a Shepherd of the Sheep. The Sheep listen to his voice and he calls his own Sheep by name and leads them out." - 03:00
5. "For months, the Lord had me deep dive in our text today and it was one of the most powerful senses of renewal I have ever had in my life. Another time listening to the right voice." - 08:04
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?