Scripture Text
John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
I. The command to hear the Spirit. Revelation 2:29 (NKJV) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Can you hear what the Spirit is saying to you? Our spiritual ear must be tuned to God just like a radio must be tuned to a certain station. The older radios had to be fine tuned with the radio dial because there was a lot of squeaking and static if it wasn't right on the station and it would fade in and out. We must fine tune our spiritual ear to what God is saying by His Spirit. Many voices speak to us everyday. There are a lot of voices out there trying to get our attention. Radio, TV, Internet, Facebook, Fake news, newspaper articles, government leaders. No matter when you try to tune in, you’re sure to hear the doom and gloom of the world, brought to you by none other than Satan himself through those that are deceived and believe his lies. And if that isn’t enough, if you aren’t giving heed to the voices of the world, your friends may tell you that you’re burying your head in the sand, that you need to listen to what’s going on in the world, so you can be informed. We don't need to be informed by the world. We need to be informed by the One who made the world and all that is in it. So How do we fine tune to the Spirit's voice above all the others?
II. Hear the Spirit through daily reading and studying of the bible. Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV) 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. There must be a wholehearted sincere determination to seek to hear the Spirit's voice. John 16:12-14 (NKJV) 12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. God reveals Himself and His ways through the bible. Hearing the Spirit means We must read and study God's holy word. The bible is the standard for what Christians believe. As you feed on the Word, your spirit and soul become one with the Holy Spirit as He speaks to you from the word. You will begin to reason and act as the bible says because the Holy Spirit loves to speak to those seeking God and who love His Word. In studying the Bible, you will learn to recognize the voice of God as compared to the voice of the world and the voice of the devil. The devil and the world lures us with lust, envy, love of money, pride, power, sexual perversions and other like stuff. The devil's lies have infiltrated the church because of it's refusal to hear the voice of God's Spirit. Government leaders glorify abortion and homosexuality. They aren't reading and studying God's word. They aren't listening to the Holy Spirit. The voice of the devil tells you that you don’t need God's word, make your own rules. The devil will tell you that God doesn’t love you or have any desire toward you whatsoever. The devil and the world tell you to “do your own thing”, please yourself, fulfill your desires and lusts, get ahead, and never mind how many you hurt along the way. The world and it's programs appeal to your flesh. The devil always appeals to the flesh. God appeals to the spirit of man. The voice of the Spirit speaks to us today. 1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV) 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. a. Hear the Spirit through prayer. To get to really know someone there must be communication. Prayer is simply talking to the heavenly Father. He is concerned about the things going on in the world and what's on your heart. The Spirit speaks to us how to handle our problems and worries whatever they may be. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. As you pray the Spirit speaks peace to your heart that you can't understand and He promises to guard your heart and mind from anxieties, worry and fear. b. Hear the Spirit through regular church attendance. Hebrews 10:24-25 24 Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. We hear the Spirit's voice today encouraging us to meet together to stir up love and promote works done for the good of others. You will hear the voice of the Spirit in every S.S. Class and church service when you come with your heart in the right place and open to a move of the Spirit in your life. Every time we meet the Spirit is working to draw us closer to God. Some people withdraw from church when trouble hits. They refuse to listen to the Spirit and it invites disaster, like a soldier in battle who lags behind the rest of his platoon and becomes an easy target for the devil. The devil as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour. We hear today the voice of the Spirit telling us that the day of Christ's return is at hand. Christians must live as if the Lord will come back at any moment. Christ must not find us lax in our devotion and preparation. In conclusion I pray you will take this message seriously and make every effort to seek God so you can hear His Spirit speak to you each day. Revelation 2:29 (NKJV) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Invitation: The bible says in Romans 8:16 (NKJV) The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Does the Spirit of God bear witness with your spirit that you are a child of His? If not now is the right time to make sure of your eternal destination. You may not get another chance. Confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save your soul from hell and give you eternal life.
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