ABUNDANT LIFE VISION.
HEAR ME. John 10:4

After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. NLT.

Good morning dear friends. I welcome you to today’s teaching. I know it is a blessed day for all of us in Jesus name. Our study today is “Hear me”. One thing I want us to know is that God speaks and wants us to hear him. It is important to hear God. Two weeks ago, we discussed “The Living God” and in the message, we said that a unique attribute of God to other gods is that He speaks. Therefore, it is his desire that we hear whatever he says. Rev 3:20 says “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” NLT. God wants us to hear him in order to come to repentance (this is the primary reason of hearing God) but above that, he wants us to understand what he says. It is one thing to hear God, it is another thing for what he says to sink into our hearts. For this to be done, our hearts must be in the right condition. The bible confirms this with the parable of the sower in Luke 8: 4-15. In the case of those that the seed fell on rocky soil, they are swayed away by temptation. Whereas, those whose seed fell among the thorns are the ones whose hearts long after the things of the world and the ones that the seed fell on good soil are those that are honest, are good hearted and cling to the word of God. Luke 8:15 “And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” NLT.
All in all, after we have heard and understood what he says, it is important we do what he asks us to do. You will notice that in Luke 8:15, the bible says those with good soil are the ones who are honest and good-hearted people who hear God’s word and CLING to it. The word of God must be practised. James 1:22 “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” NLT. Anyone who hears the word of God or speaks it but does not practise it is a fool who is only deceiving him/herself. The word of God must be practised to the last word and symbol.

At this point, let us look at the benefits of hearing God (hear, understand and practise his word)

1. Intimacy: Romans 8:16
“For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” NLT.
As I always say, God does not want us to be lonely. He wants to have an intimate relationship with his children. John 14: 16-17, “I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you.” NLT.
The Holy Spirit is a friend given to every believer. He relates to us as a comforter, friend, advisor and brings everything about the word of God to our remembrance if we ever forget. The work of the Holy Spirit as an intimacy partner will bring us to the next point;

2. Divine Guidance: Acts 16: 6-10
Paul and Silas in their missionary journey were guided by the Holy Spirit. At a point, they wanted to go to Asia, but the Spirit prevented them from doing so and instead led them to Macedonia. Divine guidance can be in two ways from this scripture. The first is that God guides us by telling us where not to go. Acts 16:6; “Next Paul and Silas travelled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.” NLT. The second way God guides us from the text is by revealing to us where to go to. Acts 16: 9-10; “That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, come over to Macedonia and help us! So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.” NLT. We can see that God guides his children who hear him in all things and at all times.

At this point, it is important to establish a crucial point, this point is that God has many ways of speaking. He can talk to us directly, Gen 12:1, he can talk to us through dreams, visions and even through prophecies. Joel 2:28. However, these mediums are for those who are already his children. Therefore, God needs us to speak to those who are yet to become his children for them to hear his message. This is a call by God to work for him and be his voice. Paul in Romans 10:14-15 wrote; “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the scriptures says, how beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” NLT. On this note, there are two ways we can be the voice of God. They are;

1. Evangelism: Mark 16:15
“And then he told them, go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” NLT.
One of the last words of Jesus Christ before ascending to heaven is to go to all parts of the world and preach the gospel to every soul. If you are following me, you will notice that I have spoken about evangelism above while establishing a crucial point. And if you are really following me, you will also notice that the bible in Rom 10:15 asked an important question. The question is; “And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?” This question has been answered by Christ even before Paul asked the question. As long as you are saved, you have been called to preach the gospel to people by telling them about the things God wants them to hear.

2. Through prophecy: 1cor 14:4
“A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.” NLT.
Right here, I am not saying it is wrong to pray in the Spirit, the bible in Jude 1:20 “But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit.” NLT. So, I have nothing against praying in the Spirit. However, praying in tongues unless when interpreted does not add anything to an unbeliever. 1cor 14:5. This is where prophecy, word of knowledge and teaching comes in. When those who are yet to be in Christ hear a prophecy, word of knowledge and teaching, that may end up becoming an encounter which will bring them to Christ. 1cor 14:6 “Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful.” NLT. All in all, we can become God’s voice through prophecy, word of knowledge and teaching.

At this juncture, if you are reading this and you have not given your life to God, I want you to consider this as a way of hearing from God, or you have gone back to your vomit, consider this as God reaching out to you to come back to him. Therefore, if you are ready to obey and follow him, say this prayer after me; dear Lord, I come to you today as a sinner who hasn’t lived my life for you. I pray that you accept me into your fold and write my name in the book of life and I will serve you for the rest of my life. Amen. If you have recited the prayer wholeheartedly, I congratulate you and I welcome you to the family of God. Make sure you join a bible believing church as you start your journey in Christ.

If you have been blessed by the teaching and you have questions and comments. Contact Abundant Life Vision through the following platforms:
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Email: visionabundantlife@gmail.com
God bless you