Sunday Sermon
HOW CAN WE HEAR GOD'S VOICE
Date: August 19, 2007
Speaker: Pastor Gerry Gregoire
Scriptural Reference: Proverbs 3:5-6
Listen to Audio Sermon

Proverbs 3:5-6 (Amplified Bible)

5Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

BY THAT SCRIPTURE ALONE WE CAN CONCLUDE THAT BEFORE YOU CAN HEAR HIS VOICE, YOU MUST BE “HOT” FOR GOD, THAT IS COMPLETELY SOLD OUT, AND THERE LIES THE PROBLEM FOR MUCH OF CHRISTIANITY. MOST ARE NOT COMPLETELY SOLD OUT! A YOUNG MAN, IN HIS LATE TEENS, TELLS THIS PASTOR, “I FEEL THE LORD IS CALLING ME TO THE MISSION FIELD, BUT I’M NOT SURE IF I SHOULD QUIT MY JOB. I KEEP HEARING DIFFERENT VOICES. HOW CAN I TELL I’M HEARING GOD’S VOICE CLEARLY?
ANOTHER YOUNG MAN DECLARED HE HEARD GOD’S VOICE, BUT THERE WAS A STRANGE EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE AND, AND THAT SPELLED IT OUT. “THE LORD SPOKE TO ME TODAY ---- AND HE TOLD ME TO KILL MYSELF.”
GOD WOULD NEVER TELL A PERSON TO KILL HIMSELF, AND SO HE WAS HEARING OTHER VOICES.

MANY CHRISTIANS FINDS THEMSELVES IN SITUATIONS WHERE THEY STRUGGLE TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE. MOST PEOPLE WANT TO DO WHAT GOD WANTS THEM TO DO.

ALSO, WE KNOW THAT WE SERVE A LIVING GOD WHO WANTS TO SPEAK TO US. DO YOU KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT? GOD WANTS TO DIALOG WITH YOU VERY MUCH.

YET, WE STRUGGLE WITH THIS FACT, THAT WE DON’T HEAR HIS VOICE CLEARLY. SOMETIMES, WE MAY THINK THAT WE HAVE HEARD THE VOICE OF GOD AND RESPOND TO IT, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT WE WERE WRONG. INSTEAD OF PRESSING IN TO FIND OUT WHY WE MISSED HIM, WE HESITATE TO STEP OUT IN FAITH THE NEXT TIME. WHEN WE ARE INVOLVED WITH MANY THINGS IN LIFE, WE FORGET TO LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE LORD AND WE MISS OUT ON HIS INSTRUCTION FOR DAILY LIVING.

HIS VOICE IS NOT LIKE YOU MIGHT OF HEARD IN THE MOVIE, “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS” WHERE GOD SOUNDS LIKE A BOOMING VOICE WHEN HE CALLS OUT TO MOSES. IN THE MOVIES, THAT WAS ONLY SOUND EFFECTS. HOW DOES HE REALLY SPEAK TO US? HOW CAN WE HEAR HIS VOICE?

LET’S SEE WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS ABOUT HEARING HIS VOICE. JOHN 8:29 —
John 8:29 (Amplified Bible)
1.
29And He Who sent Me is ever with Me; My Father has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.
SO MAYBE DOING WHAT ALWAYS PLEASES THE FATHER IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO HEAR HIS VOICE.
JESUS HEARD HIS VOICE AND HE ALWAYS PLEASED HIM.
IF HE ALWAYS PLEASED HIM, HE HAD TO HAVE HEARD WHAT HE WAS SAYING AND HAD TO HEAR HIM CORRECTLY.
AS WE BECOME MORE LIKE JESUS, IT IS GOING TO REQUIRE THAT WE HEAR THE VOICE OF THE FATHER CLEARLY SO THAT WE CAN DO WHAT PLEASES HIM. AMEN?

LET US GO BACK TO THE OPENING SCRIPTURE PROVERBS 3:5-6 —
Proverbs 3:5-6 (Amplified Bible)
5Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN SERVING GOD FOR YEARS, YOU MUST BE CONVINCED THAT IT IS A WHOLE LOT HARDER TO GET OUT OF HIS WILL THAN WE THINK. LOOK AT HOW HE LOOKS AFTER HIS PEOPLE ISA 49:15-16 ----
Isaiah 49:15-16 (Amplified Bible)
15[And the Lord answered] Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget you.
16Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me.

WOW! IMPRINTED ON THE PALMS OF HIS HAND.
IF WE GET OFF COURSE, HE WILL REACH OUT IN LOVE AND NUDGE US BACK ON TRACK, IF WE ARE REALLY TRUSTING AND ACKNOWLEDGING HIM IN OUR LIVES.

WHAT DOES ACKNOWLEDGE MEAN? WEBSTER SAYS: TO ADMIT THE EXISTENCE, REALITY, OR TRUTH OR EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR. SO, THEN IF WE ACKNOWLEDGE A NEW FRIEND, WE TALK TO HIM, EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR HIM. AND RECOGNIZE HIS PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES.

IMAGINE YOUR FRIENDS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR PRESENCE WHEN YOU ARE TOGETHER. YOU TRY TO TALK WITH THEM, AND THEY COMPLETELY IGNORE YOU. IN FACT, THEY TALK OVER YOU JUST AS THOUGH YOU WERE NOT THERE.

WELL, THIS IS HOW WE TREAT THE LORD IF WE ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING HIM MOMENT BY MOMENT IN OUR LIVES IF YOUR NOT RECOGNIZING HIM IN YOUR LIFE, YOU ARE PROBABLY NOT HEARING THE VOICE OF THE LORD AS YOU SHOULD. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

HE WANTS TO SPEAK TO US IN MANY WAYS AND WE NEED TO ALLOW HIM TO DO SO. IF YOU ARE AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, YOU MISS COMMUNICATING WITH THEM. CELL PHONES HAVE BEEN A BOOM TO THE COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS AND HAVE HELPED PEOPLE STAY IN TOUCH.

LET’S NOT BE TOO SELECTIVE ON HOW GOD SPEAKS TO US. WE WANT TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE WANT TO HEAR HIS VOICE DESPERATELY. THIS RESULTS FROM A LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. ARE YOU REALLY THERE YET?

HE SPEAKS TO US AT TIMES IN DREAMS, VISIONS, OR AN AUDIBLE VOICE. BUT, THESE ARE NOT THE USUAL WAYS HE SPEAKS TO US. USUALLY HE SPEAKS TO US BY HIS SPIRIT WHO SPEAKS TO OUR SPIRIT. GO TO THE OPENING SCRIPTURE ONCE AGAIN. ---- PROVERBS 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5-6 (Amplified Bible)
5Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths
VERSE 6 SAYS HE WILL DIRECT OUR PATH, BUT THE CONDITIONS ARE THAT WE LEAN, TRUST AND BE CONFIDENT IN THE LORD AND ACKNOWLEDGE HIM IN ALL OUR WAYS. HELLO! NOW GO TO JOHN 8:31-32 ----
John 8:31-32 (Amplified Bible)
31So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.
32And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

JESUS SAID IF YOU ABIDE (OR LIVE) IN HIS WORD THAT YOU WOULD KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH WOULD SET YOU FREE. CAN YOU SEE THE INTIMACY THAT HE WANTS?

GOD’S VOICE IS COMPATIBLE WITH HIS WORD
WE NEED TO SATURATE OURSELVES WITH HIS WORD. WE NEED A RESERVOIR OF GOD’S WORD TO DRAW FROM. THIS KEEPS THE ENEMY FROM DECEIVING YOU.

ANY DREAM, PROPHECY, VISION, OR AUDIBLE VOICE THAT DOES NOT LINE UP WITH THE SCRIPTURES IS NOT THE VOICE OF GOD.

LOOK HOW PAUL DESCRIBES GOD’S WORD TO TIMOTHY IN 2 TIM 3:16-17 ------
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (Amplified Bible)16Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action),
17So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

GOD IS SO THOROUGH.
THERE WAS A MAN WHO ASKED HIS PASTOR IF HE COULD GET HIS “STAMP OF APPROVAL” ON HIS DECISION TO DIVORCE HIS WIFE AND MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN IN THE CHURCH WHOM HE FELT COULD BE MORE COMPATIBLE WITH HIM IN HIS MINISTRY. HE WAS TOLD THAT NO MATTER HOW RIGHT IT MIGHT FEEL TO HIM, HIS PLAN WAS IN DIRECT DISOBEDIENCE TO THE LORD.

HOW DID THE PASTOR KNOW THAT? LOOK AT MARK 10:11-12 –
Mark 10:11-12 (Amplified Bible)
11And He said to them, Whoever [a]dismisses (repudiates and divorces) his wife and marries another commits adultery against her;
12And if a woman dismisses (repudiates and divorces) her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.

DO YOU SEE HOW CLEAR THAT WAS? IT WAS NOT GOD’S WILL?
IF YOU WANT TO MATURE IN THE FAITH, RENEW YOUR MIND WITH GOD’S WORD. DOING THIS WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL.

LOOK AT HEBREWS 5:12-14 —
Hebrews 5:12-14 (Amplified Bible)
12For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God's Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food.
13For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!
14But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.

GOD’S WORD NEVER CHANGES! HOWEVER, MANY TIMES THE AREA WE NEED GUIDANCE IN IS NOT IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH THE SCRIPTURES. WE MAY NEED TO KNOW THE ANSWER FOR SUCH THINGS AS:
1. WHAT IS THE LORD’S PLAN FOR MY CAREER?
2. DO I NEED TO CONSIDER FURTHER TRAINING?
3. WHERE SHOULD I LIVE?
4. SHOULD I BUY A CAR?
5. WHERE SHOULD I GO TO COLLEGE?
6. WHAT GROUP OF BELIEVERS HAS GOD CALLED ME TO SERVE WITH?
THESE ARE TIMES WHEN WE NEED TO TRUST AND LISTEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. SEE JOHN 14:26 —
John 14:26 (Amplified Bible)
26But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO ENLIGHTEN YOUR SPIRIT. GOD WANTS TO SPEAK TO US BY HIS SPIRIT LIVING IN US.
LOOK AT ROMANS 8:16 —
Romans 8:16 (Amplified Bible)
16The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God.

AND PROVERBS 20:27 —
Proverbs 20:27 (Amplified Bible)
27The spirit of man [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.(A)

GOD USES OUR SPIRITS TO ENLIGHTEN US BY HIS SPIRIT. THEY CONVERSE WITH EACH OTHER. HIS SPIRIT CANNOT, IF OUR FLESH IS STILL IN CONTROL. AMEN!

YOUR SPIRIT AND YOUR SOUL LIVE INSIDE YOUR BODY. THEY LIVE FOREVER. YOUR SOUL INCLUDES YOUR MIND, WILL AND EMOTIONS. GOD WANTS TO TEACH US BY HIS SPIRIT BEING IN CONTACT WITH OUR SPIRIT. OUR SPIRIT IS THE LAMP THAT THE LORD WILL “LIGHT”AND USE TO GIVE US DIRECTION.

HEARING GOD’S VOICE IS NOT COMPLICATED
WE NEED TO EXPECT AN ANSWER FROM THE LORD WHEN WE ARE REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT LISTENING TO HIM. YOU MAY NOT HEAR AN AUDIBLE VOICE BUT HE MAY GIVE YOU A BURDEN FOR SOMEONE OR SOMEPLACE. IT CAN BE AN IMPRESSION ON YOUR MIND THROUGH YOUR SPIRIT.

LET’S LOOK AT PROVERBS 16:9 —
Proverbs 16:9 (Amplified Bible)Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundati
9A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.(A)

IF YOU LOOK BACK AT YOUR LIFE, YOU CAN SEE HOW GOD HAS DIRECTED YOUR STEPS. WHEN YOU HAVE A BURDEN FOR SOMETHING AND IT COULD NOT COME FROM ANYONE BUT GOD. YOU CAN TRUST HIM, HE SPEAKS CLEARLY TO THOSE THAT TRUST HIM. HE TELLS US IN JOHN 10:4 –

John 10:4 (Amplified Bible)
4When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

SHEEP WON’T FOLLOW THE VOICE OF A STRANGER.THEY HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO FOLLOW ONLY THE VOICE OF THE SHEPHERD.

BEWARE OF OTHER VOICES
REST ASSURED, YOU WILL HEAR OTHER VOICES IN YOUR WALK WITH GOD. YOUR VOICE, OTHER MEN, THE DEVIL AND GOD’S VOICE. LET’S LOOK AT THESE FOUR (4).

1. YOUR OWN VOICE
- REMEMBER, OUR SOUL IS OUR MIND, WILL AND EMOTIONS, SO, THEN THE DECISIONS THAT WE OFTEN WANT TO MAKE ORIGINATE FROM OUR BELIEFS, WHICH ARE MANIFESTED IN OUR FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS.

THIS INCLUDES OUR PERSONAL PREFERENCES AND DESIRES. IT WOULD BE LIKE THE FOOD YOU CHOOSE TO EAT OR SPORTS TEAMS YOU ROOT FOR. THEY ARE PERSONAL PREFERENCES AND NOT THE VOICE OF GOD. I.E. BUY A YELLOW CAR, ORDER PIZZA AND NOT CHINESE. GOD DOES NOT TELL YOU THESE THINGS, THEY ARE WHAT YOU PREFER IN YOUR MIND.

2. OTHER VOICES
– OTHER PEOPLE MAY BE VYING FOR YOUR ATTENTION. THE ADVICE THEY GIVE IS NOT ALWAYS GODLY.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (Amplified Bible)
5[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

THEY MAY TELL YOU THAT YOU NEED TO DIVORCE YOUR WIFE AND MARRY SUZZY Q. THAT WOULD NOT BE FROM GOD AND YOU NEED TO TAKE THAT THOUGHT CAPTIVE LIKE THE VERSE SAYS.

LET’S READ 1 JOHN 4:1 –
1John 4:1 (Amplified Bible)
1 John 4:1
1BELOVED, DO not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

TEST THE SPIRITS, IF YOU HAVE DOUBT, GO TO YOUR PASTOR OR OTHER CHRISTIAN LEADER. ASK THEM TO PRAY WITH YOU ABOUT IT.

3. ENEMY’S VOICE
- HE WON’T LOOK AND SOUND LIKE THE COMIC STRIP DEVILS. MOST LIKELY NO HORNS, RED SUIT AND TAIL.

SEE 2COR 11:14
2 Corinthians 11:14 (Amplified Bible)
14And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light;

HE CAN USE WELL-MEANING PEOPLE TO WATER DOWN OUR FAITH. I.E. YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO TO CHURCH 3 TIMES A WEEK AND STILL MAKE IT INTO HEAVEN. YOUR TOO SPIRITUAL! YOU NEED TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY. WHAT DOES JAMES 4:7 SAY?

James 4:7 (Amplified Bible)
7So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.
AS YOU RESIST HIM, HE HAS GOT TO GO!!!

4. THE VOICE OF GOD
– THIS IS THE VOICE WE WANT TO HEAR AND OBEY AS HE SPEAKS TO OUR SPIRIT. IT’S NOT AN EARTH SHATTERING SOUND, BUT THE LORD SPEAKS DEEP WITHIN OUR SPIRIT.

PSALM 46:10 –
Psalm 46:10 (Amplified Bible)
10Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!

DON’T DO ALL THE TALKING WITH GOD. THE CONVERSATION IS A TWO WAY STREET. HE DOES SPEAK, BY THE WAY.
MAJOR DECISIONS IN OUR LIVES SHOULD COME AS A RESULT OF THAT “STILL SMALL VOICE.” SOMETIMES IT CAN CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF YOUR WHOLE LIFE.

I GAVE A BROTHER 20 DOLLARS ONE TIME AFTER HE TOLD ME TO GIVE. I RESISTED HIM AND TOLD HIM I DIDN’T HAVE THE CASH AND HE REMINDED ME THAT I HAD A CHECK BOOK. NEXT DAY I FOUND OUT THAT THEY WERE OUT OF FOOD AND THEY HAD A NEW BABY IN THE HOUSE. GOD KNOWS, CHILDREN OF GOD, AND HE WON’T STIR YOU WRONG.

INVITE GOD TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU DURING YOUR DAY. WITH TIME, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TELL WHO IS WHO.

TUNING INTO GOD’S VOICE
MAYBE YOU HAVE READ A SCRIPTURE 1000 TIMES AND ONE DAY THAT SAME SCRIPTURE JUST JUMPS OFF THE PAGE. CHANCES ARE THAT IS GOD.

HUSBAND WATCHING TV AND RELAXING AND HE FEELS IMPRESSED TO HELP HIS WIFE WITH THE HOUSEWORK. HE SHOULDN’T BE THAT QUICK TO REBUKE THE THOUGHT, IT’S PROBABLY GOD SPEAKING TO HIM.
A TEENAGER LISTENING TO A CD OR TALKING ON THE PHONE AND A VOICE INSIDE THEM TELLS THEM TO CLEAN THEIR ROOM. THAT’S PROBABLY GOD. IT TAKES PRACTICE AND BOLD OBEDIENCE.
AS WE LISTEN, WE WILL LEARN AS WE BECOME CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT HE WANTS TO SPEAK TO US, WE WILL LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VOICES.

WE WILL CLOSE BY GIVING YOU...

THREE(3) SIMPLE WAYS THAT CAN HELP YOU HEAR GOD’S VOICE:

1. SUBMIT TO HIS LORDSHIP.
SAY LORD SILENCE MY OWN THOUGHTS, DESIRES AND OPINIONS OR OTHERS WHICH MAY BE FILLING MY MIND.(PROVERBS 3:5)
Proverbs 3:5 (Amplified Bible)
5Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

2. RESIST THE ENEMY AT ALL TIMES.
JAMES 4:7; EPH 6:10-12
Ephesians 6:10-12 (Amplified Bible)
10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
11Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

3. EXPECT AN ANSWER.
ASK QUESTIONS AND WAIT FOR AN ANSWER. JOHN 10:27; PSALM 69:13; EXODUS 33:11
John 10:27 (Amplified Bible)
27The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. IF YOU KNOW HIM, YOU CAN HEAR HIM
Psalm 69:13 (Amplified Bible)13But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord. At an acceptable and opportune time, O God, in the multitude of Your mercy and the abundance of Your loving-kindness hear me, and in the truth and faithfulness of Your salvation answer me.

DAVID EXPECTED AN ANSWER, CAN WE DO LESS?
Exodus 33:11 (Amplified Bible)
11And the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Moses returned to the camp, but his minister Joshua son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the [temporary prayer] tent.

THE LORD WANTS TO SPEAK TO YOU AS YOUR FRIEND, THAT’S THE INTIMACY HE DESIRES.
LORD, TEACH US TO REALLY LISTEN AND HEAR YOUR VOICE. MAKE US AWARE THAT YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO US. AND MOST IMPORTANT, HELP US TO OBEY WHAT YOU ASK. WE PRAY IN JESUS NAME. AMEN.