Listening – How to know His voice
John 10:27-30 “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”
1. The condition/diagnosis, the cause –
a. YOU have been attending prayer conferences and corporate prayer meetings but have not applied the teaching that was shared.
b. Are YOU listening?
Listen is a verb (verbs are action words) definition for listen is; to give attention with the ear, attend closely for the purpose of hearing. To pay attention, heed, obey; to wait attentively for a sound or have you turned a death ear to God’s Word, Will, and Ways?
Turned a DEATH EAR – Proverb 28:9, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. (God will not answer the prayers of those who have no sincere commitment to obey Him and His Word. 1 John 3:22 And what soever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.)
c. Faithful attending is a presence skill (positioning-attentive giving attention to God), observing-watching to see or learn something) Noticing, listening -hear). CORPORATE PRAYER IS GREAT AND MUCH NEEDED, BUT GOD WANT OUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION!!! Are you present with God or others?
Matthew 6:5-6 talks about secret prayer and how we are to close the door (to distractions) The Father that seeth in secret shall reward you openly.
1 Samuel 3:5-9 is a great example of FAITHFUL ATTENDING. the Lord called him three times. Vs 5 Samuel arose and went to Eli the priest and said here am I; for thou did call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Vs. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, Go, lie down; and if He call thee, that thou shall say “SPEAK LORD FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH.” VS. 10 and the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel, then Samuel answered SPEAK; for thy servant heareth…….
2. The prognosis to HEAR God is excellent! When you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, He quickened your spirit. His Spirit made you and I alive to desire GOD’s will and ways. So, as born-again children of God, we have the capacity to know, hear and obey God.
3. The prescription to knowing His Voice is:
• Knowing that you have the capacity as a child of God because of the Holy Spirit.
• Be sincere and committed to trust and obey His Word
1 John 3:22
• Have a secret, personal, private place to be PRESENT with God Matt 6:5-6 be still and know that I am God Ps. 46:10 God wants our undivided attention!
• Know and understand how He speaks, (Acquaint thyself now with Him and be at peace, Job 22:21) for example:
o God speaks through the bible. Scripture is always the voice of God, in that God inspired the words 2 Tim 3:16.
o God speak through circumstances – Jonah 1-4, He spoke to Jonah first with His voice, but Jonah did not heed so Jonah was swallowed by a big fish, 2nd the vine grew to shade Jonah and then the vine died. God caused situations to bear for Jonah to submit.
o God speaks through wise counsel. In Proverbs we see this counsel complements the scripture. Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
o God can speak through peace. Colossians 3:15 God’s peace ruling/reigning in our hearts. If we don’t have peace about a decision or situation, continue to seek God.
o God can speak through dreams and visions. This is shown in the lives of Joseph, Solomon, Jacob, Peter, John, and Paul. Acts 2:17 Peter repeated Joel 2:28. It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall dream dreams.
o God can speak through supernatural manifestations. God spoke to Moses through the burning bush Ex. 3:1; He spoke to Gideon through the fleece (Judges 6:37-40); He spoke to Saul through a bright light on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1)
o God can speak through natural manifestations. John 12:27, God spoke from heaven, but when God spoke some people who stood nearby thought they were hearing thunder.
Finally, my friend, if we are going to hear God’s voice, then we must be present with Him to Hear Him and Take heed to what you hear, and Act in faith
God Bless Everyone!
• Luke 14:45b, He who have ears to hear, let him hear.
• Revelations 1:10, John heard a great voice as of a trumpet.
• Matthew 11:15, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Mark 4:23-24a, Jesus said If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.
