Do You Hear What I Hear John 16:5-13 Sunday Morning November 29, 2015 by Pastor Fee Soliven John 16:5-13 Sunday Morning November 29, 2015  

   John 16:5-13 5 "But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' 6 "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 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.  

In the midst of our electronic generation of instant communication, information, and entertainment, is anyone listening to God?

(Modern English Translation) Hebrews 1:1-2 (Modern English Translation) 1 God, who at various times and in diverse ways spoke long ago to the fathers through the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the world.    

John 16:13 “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.”

Our ears are tuned to whatever holds our hearts and minds

What are the primary reasons people don’t listen to God?

1. They don’t have a relationship with Him

John 9:31 “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.”

2. Many people don’t expect the Lord to speak to them

John 10:27-30 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I and My Father are one."  

3. The messages of the world drown out God’s voice

1 Corinthians 2:16 “For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ”

4. People are too busy

Luke 10:38-42 38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."

41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

5. They may Fear the Message

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

6. Sometimes people are Angry with the Lord  

(New Century Translation) Ecclesiastes 7:9 (New Century Translation) “Don’t become angry quickly, because getting angry is foolish”

7. Some People have a Rebellious spirit

1 John 2:15-17 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.

8. Sin has Prevented them from Hearing

Isaiah 59:1-2 1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.  

How can we Identify God’s Voice?

1. His Voice will be Consistent with His Word  

Ephesians 1:13-14 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

2. His Message will often Conflict with Human Nature

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13-14 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

3. The Lord Challenges our Faith

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

4. He Speaks Specifically

Hebrews 4:12-13 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Why do we need to Listen to the Lord?

He’ll guide us and provide what we truly need:  

1. To Make Decisions

2. To Be Encouraged

3. To Receive Comfort

4. To Be Strengthened

5. To Know the Father’s Will

6. To Receive God’s Best

7. To have Assurance of Salvation

8. To Benefit from His Protection  

What are the consequences of failing to listen to God?

4. We’ll make choices that appeal to the flesh. 1. The world will draw us away from Him   2. We’ll be easily deceived by all the other voices. 3. We will make costly decisions based on human reasoning rather than divine guidance. 4. We’ll make choices that appeal to the flesh.

7. Wrong decisions hurt families 8. There will be eternal consequences  5. Our decisions could cause us to forfeit God’s best and all that He wants us to have.   6. We’ll miss out on the will of God for our lives and suffer consequences that could affect us for years. 7. Wrong decisions hurt families    8. There will be eternal consequences

1. Are you listening to the Lord and walking obediently before Him every day?

2. If not, how can you implement a daily strategy--beginning today--to purposefully listen to God?  

3. How can your friends, family, and church be of assistance to you in your endeavor?