Speak Lord, Hearing the Voice of God

Sunday, May 17^th 2026

John 10:3-4,16,27

Introduction

“Why is it that when we speak to God, we are said to be praying, but when God speaks to us we are said to be schizophrenic?” Comedian Lily Tomlin

We are Created for Communion with God and Obeying What He Speaks to Us

1. The Goal is Relationship

The goal is not just to hear the voice of God but to have an intimate, loving relationship with God. God has created us for intimate friendship with himself both now and forever. The Good Shepherd calls us by name (v3), and we hear His voice and respond to it!  “God didn’t create Adam and Eve to be Gardeners!” Francis Chan

“Only our communion with God provides the appropriate context for communications between us and him.” Dallas Willard

Our desire to please God doesn’t come from just obedience but from a heart of love from which our obedience flows. Our intimate relationship is based on love and not duty.

The LAMB Who died to save us is the SHEPHERD Who lives to lead us.

1. How Do We know when God is Speaking/Not Our Own Desires?
2. Ask the question: What does the Bible say?

Anything God says outside of Scripture will ALWAYS confirm what He has already said inside of Bible.

1. Hearing God’s Voice Leads to Obedience

When we desire to please God and our wills are committed and submissive to his will, the Holy Spirit produces in our hearts a sensitivity to His voice.

1. God’s Voice Aligns with God’s Character

God’s voice will be unmistakably characterized by love, peace, joy, goodness and confidence. God’s voice does not threaten, intimidate, tear down, destroy, or condemn, but flows from His character! God’s voice helps us by the Holy Spirit to differentiate between conviction and condemnation that comes from the Enemy.

1. Does it Produce the Fruit of the Spirit?

What type of harvest has this word produced? Does it arouse humility or pride? Does it provoke sacrifice or selfishness? Does it increase love for Jesus or breed indifference? Test the Voice against the fruit of the Spirit in your life!

1. The Importance of a Local Church

What do the wise and mature men and women in your church say regarding what you think you heard? Having people who are experience and seasoned help you is invaluable. It doesn’t mean we always take their advice, but older believers have developed spiritual discernment to help navigate this process.

• Characteristics Of Hearing God’s Voice
• Desire

Do we believe that God wants to speak to us? Do we believe He wants to speak to us just as much as the Prophets, Apostles and others in the Bible.

“The Spirit who inhabits us is not mute, restricting himself to an occasional nudge, a hot flash, a brilliant image or a case of goose bumps.” Dallas Willard

• Humility

As we desire God to speak to us, we must also cultivate the grace of humility. Being humble allows God to speak to us because He know we will not misuse His word.

“Lack of humility creates problems. People have gifts of the Spirit without the fruit of the Spirit…The infallibility of the messenger and the message does not guarantee the infallibility of our reception.” Dallas Willard

• Faith

Do we have faith that we can even hear God’s voice? Or do we think that what God would speak would be an unwelcome intrusion into your life?

“We must think of ourselves as capable of having the same kinds of experiences as did Elijah and Paul.” Dallas Willard

• Listening

Biggest weakness for everyone! Distractions, Distractions and Distractions! Listening is an  important part of any relationship, especially in our relationship with Jesus. If we belong to Him, we have the privilege of communing with Him through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

We know we are paying attention to the true Shepherd when His voice leads us to righteousness, love, grace, and all that is consistent with His character and will. As Jesus made clear when He identified Himself as the “good Shepherd” in John 10, those who diligently listen to Him become devoted followers of Him (v.4) who are becoming transformed into His likeness.

“It is much more important to cultivate the quiet, inward space of a constant listening than to always be approaching God for specific direction.” Dallas Willard

1. Conclusion