Obedience is the master key to living an Elite Life, but how can we obey if we aren't sure what God is saying? Learning to distinguish the voice of the Shepherd from the noise of the world is essential for every believer who wants to walk in God's abundance.
The Context
Following last week’s message on the importance of obedience, we now turn our attention to the practical aspect of hearing God. Throughout the Bible, from the Garden of Eden to the prophets like Samuel and Elijah, we see that recognizing God’s voice is the turning point for direction and protection. This message explores how God communicated in the past and how He continues to lead His people today through the Holy Spirit.
The Core Message
God is not silent; He is constantly speaking, but His methods vary. While we often look for the spectacular—like the burning bush Moses encountered or the booming voice from heaven—God frequently speaks in a "still small voice" or an inner knowing. We explore biblical examples of how God uses dreams to warn and guide, as seen in the life of Joseph and the wise men, and how He uses His written Word as the primary filter for all truth.
Crucially, we must understand that the enemy also speaks, often mimicking our own thoughts to question God’s truth, just as he did with Eve. As believers living under the New Covenant, we have the distinct advantage of the Holy Spirit living within us. This internal compass transforms our heart from stone to flesh, allowing us to sense God’s promptings in everyday situations—whether it is an urge to call a friend, a directive to help a stranger, or a conviction to correct a small mistake at the grocery store.
The Application
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Prioritize the Word: Make reading the Bible your primary method for hearing God, as it is the standard against which all other voices must be tested.
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Capture Your Dreams: If you have vivid dreams, write them down or record them immediately upon waking, then ask the Lord for interpretation and confirmation.
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Listen for the Whisper: Pay attention to the quiet promptings or "thoughts" that sound slightly different than your own, especially those that lead to peace and generosity.
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Practice Immediate Obedience: When you feel a nudge to do good—like paying for someone's meal or making a phone call—act on it quickly, even if it feels awkward.
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Trust the Shepherd: Rest in the promise of Jesus that as His sheep, you are designed to hear His voice and follow Him.
Conclusion
God has amazing plans to bless and prosper you, but they unfold one step of obedience at a time. Join us as we learn to tune our ears to His voice and align our lives with His truth.
Here are some of the concepts we'll be touching on in today's message:
Hearing God, Obedience, Holy Spirit, Elite Life, Divine Direction, Dreams And Visions, Scriptural Truth, Spiritual Warfare, The Good Shepherd, Inner Witness, Prophecy, Samuel, Elijah, Joseph, Promptings, Faithfulness, Abundant Life, New Covenant.
Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Genesis 3:1, John 10:10-11, John 10:27, Jeremiah 29:11, Job 33:12-18, Matthew 1:18-21, Matthew 2:11-15, Exodus 3:1-6, 1 Samuel 3:1-12, 1 Kings 19:9-18, Ezekiel 36:26-27.
