Tuning In: Hearing God's Voice Through Scripture
Summary
In our journey through the “Junk Drawer Jesus” series, we’ve been examining the spiritual clutter that can accumulate in our lives—ideas, habits, and assumptions that don’t always align with the truth of Christ. Today, we focused on the metaphor of headphones, which can help us tune in to what matters, but can also block out what’s truly important. Just as headphones can isolate us from the world around us, we can become so attuned to the noise of our culture, our own thoughts, or even well-meaning but misguided spiritual advice, that we miss the clear, life-giving voice of God.
Many people long to hear from God, but often look for His voice in places that are uncertain or ambiguous—inner feelings, dreams, signs, or the beauty of nature. While God can and does work in extraordinary ways, the one place He has promised to speak clearly and reliably is through His Word. The Scriptures are not just another book or a collection of wise sayings; they are the living testimony of God’s saving work in Jesus Christ. The Bible reveals what is most necessary for us to know: that Christ came into the world to save sinners, and that through Him, we have eternal life.
We live in a world saturated with information and distractions, yet many of us are spiritually starving, not because we lack access to God’s Word, but because we neglect to engage with it. The Scriptures are abundantly available to us—on our shelves, on our phones, in countless translations and formats—yet we often choose lesser voices. The Word of God is not passive; it is active and accomplishes what God desires. It brings correction, guidance, life, and salvation. All of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, points to Jesus. He is the heart, soul, and hope of the entire biblical story.
The invitation is simple but profound: tune your ears to the voice of Jesus. Make use of the resources at your disposal—devotional guides, Bible apps, reading plans, and the regular gathering of God’s people in worship. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, shaping your heart and mind, and leading you to the life that only He can give. In a world clamoring for your attention, listen to the One who needs nothing from you, but has everything waiting for you in Christ.
Key Takeaways
- The Danger of Selective Listening
Just as headphones can help us focus but also isolate us, we can become selective in what we listen to spiritually. When we only seek God’s voice in ways that are comfortable or entertaining, we risk missing His clear call through His Word. True spiritual growth requires us to remove the “headphones” of distraction and tune in to the voice of Jesus, who speaks life and truth into our lives. [02:36]
- Scripture as the Sure Foundation
While God may use dreams, nature, or inner impressions, the only certain and trustworthy place to hear His voice is in the Scriptures. Creation can reveal God’s glory, but only His Word reveals His saving purpose in Christ. The testimony of the apostles and prophets, inspired by the Spirit, is the foundation upon which our faith is built and sustained. [06:29]
- Abundance Does Not Equal Engagement
We are surrounded by Bibles and spiritual resources, yet spiritual hunger persists because access does not guarantee nourishment. Like someone starving in a grocery store, we can have the Bread of Life within reach but fail to partake. The call is to daily engage with God’s Word, letting it take root in our hearts and transform our lives. [09:21]
- All of Scripture Points to Jesus
Every page of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, finds its fulfillment and meaning in Jesus Christ. The stories, prophecies, and promises all converge on Him—He is the truer and better Adam, Moses, and David. Without Jesus at the center, the Bible is just another book; with Him, it is the story of salvation and hope for the world. [17:27]
- Practical Steps to Hear God’s Voice
In a noisy world, intentional habits are needed to hear from God. Use devotional guides, Bible apps with reminders, and regular worship to immerse yourself in Scripture. Make the Gospels your home base, reading and re-reading the words of Jesus, and gather with others to hear and encourage one another in the faith. The voice of Jesus is calling—He knows you by name and offers you eternal life. [20:08]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction to the Junk Drawer Series
[02:36] - The Headphones: Tuning In and Tuning Out
[03:35] - How Are We Listening for God’s Voice?
[05:00] - Where People Seek God’s Voice
[06:29] - The Certainty of God’s Word
[08:03] - Abundance of Scripture in Our Lives
[09:21] - Spiritual Starvation Amidst Plenty
[11:13] - The Enemy’s Tactics and the Power of God’s Word
[13:56] - Scripture Points to Jesus
[15:33] - Jesus Fulfills the Scriptures
[17:27] - Old and New Testaments United in Christ
[19:29] - The Words of Eternal Life
[20:08] - Practical Ways to Engage with God’s Word
[23:10] - The Voice That Calls You Home
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Junk Drawer Jesus – Tuning In to God’s Voice”
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### Bible Reading
John 10:27-28 (CSB)
> My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.
Psalm 119:129-131 (CSB)
> Your decrees are wondrous; therefore I obey them. The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced. I open my mouth and pant because I long for your commands.
Isaiah 55:10-11 (CSB)
> For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to John 10:27-28, what does Jesus say about His relationship with His sheep? What does He promise them?
2. In Psalm 119:129-131, how does the writer describe his attitude toward God’s Word?
3. What does Isaiah 55:10-11 say about the effectiveness of God’s Word?
4. The sermon used the metaphor of headphones. What are some ways headphones can both help and hinder us spiritually? [02:36]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus uses the image of sheep hearing His voice? What does this say about how we recognize and respond to God? [03:35]
2. The sermon mentioned that people often look for God’s voice in dreams, nature, or feelings. Why might these ways be less reliable than Scripture? [06:29]
3. The preacher compared spiritual starvation to sitting in a grocery store full of food but refusing to eat. What does this say about our responsibility in engaging with God’s Word? [09:21]
4. The sermon said that all of Scripture points to Jesus. How does this change the way we read both the Old and New Testaments? [17:27]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about “selective listening” and how we sometimes only listen to what we want to hear. Are there “headphones” in your life—distractions, habits, or voices—that keep you from hearing God’s Word clearly? What are they? [02:36]
2. When was the last time you intentionally listened for God’s voice in Scripture, rather than just in your own thoughts or feelings? What was that experience like? [06:29]
3. The preacher said we have an abundance of Bibles and spiritual resources, but that doesn’t mean we’re spiritually nourished. What keeps you from regularly engaging with God’s Word, even though it’s easily available? [09:21]
4. The sermon encouraged making the Gospels your “home base” and reading the words of Jesus over and over. What is one practical step you can take this week to make Scripture a bigger part of your daily routine? (For example: setting a Bible app reminder, using a devotional, or reading a Gospel chapter each day.) [20:08]
5. The preacher mentioned the importance of gathering with others to hear and encourage one another in the faith. How can your small group help each other tune in to Jesus’ voice more consistently? [20:08]
6. Think about a time when you felt spiritually “starved” even though you had access to God’s Word. What could you do differently next time to “feed” on Scripture? [09:21]
7. The sermon said that Jesus is the “truer and better” Adam, Moses, and David, and that all of Scripture points to Him. How does seeing Jesus at the center of the Bible help you understand difficult or confusing passages? [17:27]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you remove the “headphones” of distraction, to tune your ears to Jesus’ voice, and to give you a deeper hunger for His Word this week.
Devotional
Day 1: Listening to the Voice of Jesus
Jesus calls His followers to listen to His voice above all others, promising that those who hear and follow Him receive the gift of eternal life. In a world filled with distractions and competing voices, it is easy to become tuned in to everything except the words of Christ. Yet, Jesus assures us that He knows us personally and desires to lead us, not to take from us, but to give us life in abundance. The invitation is to intentionally quiet the noise, remove the spiritual "headphones" that block out His voice, and make space to hear the Shepherd who calls us by name and leads us to life that never ends. [03:35]
John 10:27-28 (CSB)
"My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally set aside time today to listen for Jesus’ voice, rather than the many other voices clamoring for your attention?
Day 2: The Certainty of God’s Word Over Other Voices
While God can reveal Himself in many ways, the one place He promises to speak with certainty is through His Word. Creation may declare God's glory, and we may sense His presence in nature or in quiet moments, but the knowledge most necessary for salvation comes from the Scriptures. The Bible is the sure foundation where God reveals His heart, His promises, and His plan for us, giving us what we need to know for life and salvation. Rather than relying on fleeting feelings or ambiguous signs, we are invited to anchor our lives in the unchanging truth of God’s Word, which is always trustworthy and clear. [06:29]
Psalm 19:1-2 (CSB)
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge."
Reflection: When you are seeking guidance or reassurance, do you turn first to God’s Word or to other sources? How can you make Scripture your primary source of truth this week?
Day 3: God’s Word Creates and Sustains Faith
The Scriptures are not just information; they are the living message through which God creates and sustains faith. Even though we may have abundant access to Bibles and spiritual resources, we often neglect to feed on the Word that gives life. Just as it would be unthinkable to starve in a store full of food, it is tragic to spiritually starve when God’s Word is so available. The Word of God is the means by which faith is born and strengthened, and it is through hearing the message of Christ that we are drawn closer to Him. Let us cultivate a longing for God’s Word, making it a daily priority to listen, read, and let it shape our hearts. [09:21]
Romans 10:17 (CSB)
"So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ."
Reflection: What is one specific step you can take today to make engaging with God’s Word a regular, life-giving habit rather than an occasional activity?
Day 4: All Scripture Points to Jesus
Every part of the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New, ultimately points to Jesus and the salvation He brings. The stories, prophecies, and teachings all find their fulfillment in Him, and without Jesus at the center, the Scriptures lose their meaning and power. Jesus Himself taught that the Scriptures testify about Him, and He is the heart and hope of the entire biblical story. As we read the Bible, we are invited to look for Christ in every passage, recognizing that all of God’s promises and plans are realized in Him for our sake. [15:33]
John 5:39-40 (CSB)
"You pour over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life."
Reflection: As you read the Bible this week, how can you intentionally look for Jesus in the passages you encounter, and what difference might that make in your understanding and faith?
Day 5: The Power and Purpose of God’s Word
God’s Word is not just informative; it is transformative and accomplishes what God desires. Like rain that waters the earth and brings forth life, the Word of God brings correction, guidance, hope, and salvation to those who receive it. It never returns empty but fulfills God’s purposes in our lives, even when we do not fully understand how. We are encouraged to trust in the effectiveness of God’s Word, to let it dwell richly in us, and to gather with others to hear, study, and be shaped by it together as the body of Christ. [11:13]
Isaiah 55:10-11 (CSB)
"For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do."
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to trust that God’s Word is actively working, even if you do not see immediate results? How can you open yourself to its transforming power today?
Quotes
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