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Sermon Notes

Practical Lessons for Understanding the Word of God

To Whom Are You Listening?


KEY PASSAGES: John 14:26; 16:13 | Hebrews 1:1-2 | SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:13

do in their lives each day.


SUMMARY
n They dont think He has ever spoken to them.
In the midst of our electronic generation of Therefore, they dont believe He ever will speak
instant communication, information, and clearly to them.
entertainment, is anyone listening to God? n Their minds are closed to His voice. They no
longer listen to hear Him speak.
He wants to communicate with us and has been
speaking ever since creation. In the Old Testament, n People are too busy. If Christians dont spend time

He spoke through prophets. In the New Testament, with the Lord, their ears wont be tuned to hear His
through His Son (Heb. 1:1-2). He continues communi- voice.
cating now through the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). The n They may fear the message. Sometimes believers
issue is not whether God is speaking, but if we are dont want to hear what the Lord has to say because
listening. He may ask them to do something they dont
particularly want to do.
SERMON POINTS n A poor self-image causes them to doubt that God
would speak to them. Those who struggle with
Our ears are tuned to whatever holds our self-esteem issues dont realize how precious they
hearts and minds. are in Gods eyes and how much He desires to
communicate with them.
If this world is our main focus, well hear its
messages. However, if our hearts are set on Christ, n Sometimes people are angry with the Lord. They

well take time to quietly listen for His guidance and dont understand why He has allowed hardship and
instruction. But many people have never learned to pain in their lives, and in anger, have closed their
discern His voice. ears to His voice.
n They have neglected reading and meditating on
What are the primary reasons people dont the Bible. Ignoring the Scriptures increases worldly
listen to God? thinking while decreasing a desire to hear from the
n They dont have a relationship with Him. Although Lord through His Word.
the Lord calls everyone to salvation, those who reject n Some people have a rebellious spirit. They try
His offer will find that they cannot hear His voice. to satisfy the emptiness in their souls with the
n Many people dont expect the Lord to speak to pleasures of sin rather than God.
them. But this would be inconsistent with His n They are deceived by the sounds of the world.
character since He desires to guide His children They have so tuned their minds and hearts to
throughout their lives. what the world offers that they have no interest in
n The messages of the world drown out Gods hearing from the Lord.
voice. Instead of being concerned about the things n Sin has prevented them from hearing God.
of this world, believers should seek to know what Anytime believers harbor sin in their lives, it blocks
is going on in Gods mind and what He wants to their spiritual ears.

SERMON NOTES | SN120812


How can we identify Gods voice? listen to hear His voice.
n To receive Gods best. The Lord always does whats
When we cant discern whether were hearing from the
best when we heed His instructions.
Lord or from our own minds, look for these marks of
distinction: n To have assurance of salvation. The only way to
silence doubts is to listen to the Lord. He saved us
n His voice will be consistent with His Word.
once for all time and eternity.
Whatever He speaks in our hearts must match what
He has spoken on the printed page. n To benefit from His protection. When we follow
the Lords guidance and make good choices, He
n His message will often conflict with human
protects us from wrong relationships and activities.
nature. Sometimes the Lord may require of us
something that seems beyond our abilities. But, He
What are the consequences of failing to listen
is faithful to enable us.
to God?
n It will always clash with fleshly ideas. God
never leads us into activities or relationships that n The world will draw us away from Him.
contradict His Word. n Well be easily deceived by all the other voices.
n The Lord challenges our faith. Because He wants n We will make costly decisions based on human
us to grow in faith, God sometimes calls us to face reasoning rather than divine guidance.
our fears and trust Him more. n Well make choices that appeal to the flesh.
n His voice is often quiet. Instead of answering our n Our decisions could cause us to forfeit Gods best
prayers in dramatic ways, the Lord often speaks to and all that He wants us to have.
our hearts quietly and unexpectedly in the normal
n Well miss out on the will of God for our lives and
course of the day.
suffer consequences that could affect us for years.
n He speaks specifically. The Lord loves us so much,
n Wrong decisions hurt families. Everyone suffers
He wants us to know exactly what Hes saying.
when one member refuses to follow the Lords
guidance.
Why do we need to listen to the Lord?
n There will be eternal consequences. For unbelievers,
Hell guide us and provide what we truly need: their eternal destiny is at stake. But Christians who
n To make decisions. Because God is interested in ignore Gods voice will lose heavenly rewards.
every aspect of our lives, He wants to guide each
choice we make. RESPONSE
n To be encouraged. No one can encourage our
hearts like the Lord, but we have to listen to Him, or n Are you listening to the Lord and walking

well miss it. obediently before Him every day? If not, how can
you implement a daily strategy--beginning today--to
n To receive comfort. Sometimes we just need to
purposefully listen to God? How can your friends,
be reminded that He loves us unconditionally
family, and church be of assistance to you in your
and is always ready to help us through difficult
endeavor? Walking with Him is the only way to
circumstances.
reap the greatest harvest in life now and receive
n To be strengthened. Whenever we need the will,
eternal rewards hereafter.
determination, and confidence to keep going, God
can strengthen us. To purchase this message on CD or DVD,
n To know the Fathers will. When were seeking please visit store.intouch.org or call 1-800-789-1473.
to understand His will, we must stop talking and To download this Sermon Note, visit intouch.org/sermonnotes

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Copyright 2015 by In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. In Touch grants permission to print for personal use only.

SERMON NOTES | SN120812

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