Hearing God: Part 1- Hearing God’s Voice in Jesus
Pastor Tim Inman
September 1, 2024
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Introduction: God’s Voice in Creation
Genesis Creation Story: God spoke the world into existence with His words.
God Continues to Speak: Throughout history, God has communicated through various means (Abraham, Joseph, Job, Elijah).
We’ve All Heard God: If you believe in Jesus, you have already responded to God’s voice through the Holy Spirit.
Show and Tell: Tuning into God's Frequency
Radio Analogy: Just like radio frequencies are all around us but require tuning in, God is always speaking, and we need to be tuned in to hear Him.
God’s Voice is Pervasive: God’s words are more informative and vast than anything in the world, including the Internet.
God Speaks in Many Ways
Job 33:14: God speaks in different ways, though people don’t always perceive it.
George Washington Carver Example: Carver discovered 300 uses for peanuts through a practice of listening to God in prayer.
Series Overview: Learning to Hear God
Series Topics:
Week 1: Hearing God's Voice in Jesus.
Week 2: Hearing God's Word in the Bible.
Week 3: Hearing God in Prayer.
Week 4: Hearing God in Prophecy and Dreams.
Week 5: Hearing God in Creation, Community, and Culture.
Main Focus: Hearing God Through Jesus
Jesus is God’s Primary Revelation:
Colossians: Jesus is the perfect image of the invisible God.
Hebrews 1: God used to speak through prophets, but now speaks through Jesus.
Jesus as the Focus of Scripture:
John 5: Jesus tells the religious leaders that the Scriptures testify about Him.
Jesus is central to understanding the Bible and God’s will.
The Power of Jesus as the Word
John 1:1-5: Jesus is called the Word because He is God’s message to humanity, through whom all things were made.
Jesus is Recreating: Just as He created the world, He is recreating it through redemption.
Jesus as the Filter for God's Voice
Jesus is What God Sounds Like:
Knowing Jesus helps us discern God’s voice from counterfeit messages.
The Bible teaches us to test every prophecy and teaching against Jesus' life and teachings.
The Sheep Know Their Shepherd’s Voice (John 10:27):
Familiarizing ourselves with Jesus' words helps us recognize His voice and follow Him.
God’s Message Through Jesus: Love and Redemption
Romans 5:8: God demonstrates His love through Jesus' sacrifice.
John 3:16: God's greatest message is that He sent Jesus to save humanity.
Invitation to Know Jesus: If you’re seeking God, the first step is to believe in Jesus and begin a relationship with Him.
Prayer and Response
Invitation to Respond to Jesus: Lead the congregation in a prayer of commitment to Christ.
Encouragement for Prayer: Invite those seeking direction or needing prayer to come forward and pray with the prayer team.
Conclusion
Blessing and Sending:
Prayer for attentiveness to God’s voice and trust in His leading.
Reminder to seek God’s guidance in all aspects of life and trust His direction.
Final Song and Prayer: Close the service with a worship song and prayer, emphasizing the importance of positioning ourselves to hear from God daily.
Biblical references
Genesis 1:1 – "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Referencing the power of God's spoken word in creation).
1 Kings 19:12 – God speaking to Elijah in a still, small voice.
Job 33:14 – "For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it."
Colossians 1:15 – "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."
Hebrews 1:1-2 – "In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets... but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son."
John 5:39-40 – "You study the Scriptures diligently... These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
John 1:1-3 – "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through him all things were made."
John 10:27 – "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
Romans 5:8 – "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
John 3:16 – "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
James 1:5-6 – "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
These verses emphasize God's ongoing communication with humanity, the importance of listening to His voice, and the centrality of Jesus as God's ultimate revelation.
Reflection Questions
How have I experienced God's voice in my life, either through Scripture, prayer, or other means?
In what ways can I better "tune in" to God's voice, as described by the radio frequency analogy?
How does understanding Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God help me discern His voice in my daily life?
When I read the Bible, do I view it as God’s message about Jesus? How can I deepen my understanding of Scripture through this lens?
What steps can I take this week to act on God's message of love and redemption through Jesus?
Daily Activities
Monday: Reflect on God’s Creation and Voice
Activity: Take a walk outside and spend time observing God’s creation. As you walk, meditate on Genesis 1:1, acknowledging God’s power in speaking the world into existence.
Application: Reflect on how God continues to speak through creation. Ask Him to open your ears to hear His voice in new ways this week.
Tuesday: Tune In to God’s Frequency
Activity: Set aside 15 minutes for quiet time with no distractions. Focus on Job 33:14, "For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it." Ask God to reveal how He is speaking to you today.
Application: Practice tuning your heart to God’s frequency, just as you would tune into a radio station. Write down any thoughts or impressions you receive during this quiet time.
Wednesday: Meditate on Jesus as the Word
Activity: Read John 1:1-5 and reflect on Jesus as the Word of God. Spend time journaling about how Jesus reveals God's message to you personally.
Application: Consider how Jesus recreates and redeems areas of your life. Pray for insight into where God is calling you to experience His redemption this week.
Thursday: Filter Life Through Jesus' Teachings
Activity: Choose one teaching of Jesus from the Gospels (e.g., love your neighbor, forgive others) and make a conscious effort to apply it throughout your day.
Application: As you go about your day, filter your decisions, reactions, and thoughts through this teaching. Reflect at the end of the day on how following Jesus’ voice impacted your interactions.
Friday: Respond to God's Love and Direction
Activity: Take time to read Romans 5:8 and John 3:16, focusing on God's love demonstrated through Jesus. Write a prayer of gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice and for God's ongoing guidance in your life.
Application: Commit to listening for and responding to God's voice. Pray for opportunities to share His love with someone else today, and act on the opportunities God places in your path.
