HEARING FROM GOD – 1 Samuel 3:1-7; John 10:27

AIM: To avoid becoming spiritual slave of prophets.   To desire to hear God speak to us in a clear accent

To attain spiritual independence and progress.

INTRODUCTION

There is no doubt about the fact that God still speaks to His children in audible voice and in many other ways just like He did of old especially in the Bible age as evident in our text for this teaching.  Sometimes it is strange to some people when they hear others saying THE LORD TOLD ME; or THE LORD SAYS.  This teaching is intended to bring all of us to the level whereby we know that God speaks, to discern when He speaks and to hear from Him as our God.

1. WHY DO WE NEED TO HEAR FROM GOD
2. For guidance – Jer. 29:11-13.
3. To ascertain His will in all situations.
4. To avoid becoming a victim of satanic agenda. Jh 10:10
5. To know His mind, plan, purpose at every given point in time.
6. Fellowship entails dialogue and communication. God talks we listen. We talk He listens.  Progress begins when we can hear from God.
7. God wants everyone to hear His voice.
8. It is one of the best thing that can happen to a Christian who wants a life devoid of errors who wants to move from ZERO to HERO level, from NOBODY to SOMEBODY from minimum to maximum.

1. THE CASE STUDY OF SAMUEL

Spiritual maturity is one of the major prerequisite to HEARING from God.  According to our text as at the time God chose to speak to Samuel “SAMUEL DID NOT YET KNOW THE LORD”  1 Sam. 3:7. Like Samuel in Shiloh, sleeping, waking, working, learning under Prophet Eli, many are regular in the Church today but are yet to know the Lord nor how to hear from Him.

HOW MUCH OF GOD DO YOU KNOW?

1. DANGER OF NOT HEARING FROM GOD

King Saul as a case study – 1 Sam 28:1-20

1. Life becomes MISERABLE
2. MIRACLE turns to RIDICULE
3. Spirit of vagabond sets in (unsettled irresponsible or disreputable life)
4. Unnecessary errors are committed
5. Demotion sets in, failure and defeat also
6. Going back to ones vomit
7. Loss of authority, influence and relevance
8. Operating in obscurity
9. Living double standard life
10. Consulting witches, wizards and other gods.
11. Exploitation by false prophets
12. Eventual death – Prov. 21:16 untimely death etc
13. Anointing becomes NOTHING

1. HOW DOES GOD SPEAK – MOSES CASE STUDY- Exod.33:11
2. In clear audible voice – This is determined by our level of spiritual maturity and indepth knowledge of Him. Exod. 33:11.

2. Through Dreams – Dan. 2:19; Matt. 1:20, 2:13.
3. Through Nature – 1:20
4. Through other believers – Rom. 1:11-12.

Through Visions – Acts 9:10-15

5. Through Prophets/ Prophetic Confirmation – 1 Thess 5:19-21; Hosea 12:13, Amos 3:7; 2 Chro. 20:20 (BE YOUR OWN PROPHET).
6. Through His word: The Bible – 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
7. Through Circumstances / Circumstantial Evidence – Acts 18:1-3
8. Through An inward conviction
9. Through Godly counsels – Prov.11:14
10. Through The peace of God – Col. 3:15
11. Through God’s provision – Where God guide God provides
12. Through the Holy Spirit – 2 Sam. – Heb. 8:10-11, Acts of the Apostle.
13. During Sermon – Ps. 95:8-end; 2 Chro. 15:1-4
14. Through Small still voice – 1 Kings 19:11-13
15. Through Angelic visitations – Judges 6:11.
16. Other mysterious ways – Donkey of Balaam- Stickers Billboard etc.

1. DOES GOD SPEAK TO SINNERS:

Yes in exceptional cases mostly to warn them or bring them to His fold (a) Laban – Gen. 31:24 (b) Abimelech – Gen. 20:3  (c) Saul – Acts 9:3-6.

1. SOME PREREQUISITES FOR HEARING GOD
2. Live a holy life, because God is holy
3. Have faith in God
4. Walk with God on daily basis – Gen. 3:5
5. Be ever ready, be ever attentive
6. Be in tune with Him
7. Be expectant and receptive
8. Do not be a talkative
9. Be prayerful
10. Study the Bible
11. Fasting

CONCLUSION:

To be shut out from hearing from God is to be on ones own. We live today in a noisy and a crowded generation.  We must endeavour to hear Him speak to us. This is desirable and advantageous to our breakthroughs, good success and fulfillment.  Pray for the ear of Samuel and the eye of Elisha.