Download John 16:13

Do You Hear What I Hear
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?
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
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
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 twoedged 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?
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.
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?