Sunday Morning Worship
November 6, 2011
Series: “The Voice”
Today: “Hearing the Voice”
Scripture: John 10:1-6 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 
Intro: How do we hear God’s voice? 
I. GOD CAN SPEAK OUR LANGUAGE.
* Moses heard the voice of God.
Exodus 19:19 and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.
* All the children of Israel heard Him.
Deuteronomy 4:12 Then the Lord spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice.
* Prophet Elijah heard a voice.
1 Kings 19:13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
* Jesus was praying and God answered by an audible voice; a crowd heard it:
John 12:28-30 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 
II. WHAT IS GOD’S NORMAL FORM OF COMMUNICATION?
A. God spoke to all of man’s needs , and then He inspired men to record it for future generations to hear His voice.
* We call these documents the Bible or Holy Scriptures .
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14a The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
John 7:16-17 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17 If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
B. Has God spoken to you? 
III. WHAT IS THE NORM FOR DAILY COMMUNICATION FROM GOD?
* Christ followers have God’s “Google” app at their fingertips: the Holy Spirit .
John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Conclusion: There are those who don’t hear God’s “voice”:
* Those who reject His existence .
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
* Those that accept His existence but never seek Him by faith.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
* Those that are lukewarm .
Revelation 3:16-19 So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.