“Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” John 8:47
1. Why don’t I hear God’s voice? “Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Mark 4:9
A. Lets be honest we are not good listeners. Have you ever noticed how often the Bible emphasizes the idea of listening? “Hear the Word of the Lord” occurs 32 times.
2. Does God speak today? “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” John 10:5
A. Jesus said, His sheep would know His voice.
3. How does God communicate with us? “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”
A. In Numbers 22, God spoke through a donkey to Balaam. In Genesis 41, God spoke to pharaoh in a dream, and in Daniel 5 God spoke by writing on the wall to Belshazzar. In Psalms 19, The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
B. God primarily communicates through the scripture.
C. God often communicates through the Holy Spirit.
D. God can communicate through circumstances.
E. God also communicates through people.
4. Learning to hear and discern God’s voice.
A. The process looks something like this:
COMMUNICATION: Listening to God
COMPREHENSION: Understanding what God says
CONFIDENCE: Trusting in what God says
CHANGE: Being transformed by what God says