Hearing from God, Knowing His Voice

1
Hearing from God, Knowing His Voice

• John 101-6

2
John 101
I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter
the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some
other way, is a thief and a robber.
3
John 102-3

• The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd
  of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for
  him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls
  his own sheep by name and leads them out.

4
Gated Area Near Dan
5
Sheep and Lambs
6
John 104-5

• When he has brought out all his own, he goes on
  ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because
  they know his voice. But they will never follow a
  stranger in fact, they will run away from him
  because they do not recognize a strangers voice.

7
the gate
8
John 106
Jesus used this figure of speech

• but they did not understand what he was telling
  them. NIV

9
Shepherd Fact 1

• Flocks of sheep shelter together at night in one
  enclosure. In the morning, each shepherd calls
  his sheep, and only his sheep follow him.

10
Shepherd Fact 2

• Shepherds in the Middle East lead the ship rather
  than herd them from behind, and the sheep follow
  the voice of their shepherd.

11
Shepherd Fact3

• To get disobedient sheep to cross a stream
  carry a lamb across. The mother follows, then
  the others as the shepherd calls.

12
Shepherd Fact 4

• Shepherds use a sheep-and-goat language to talk
  to their sheep. Certain goats or sheep are
  leaders more obedient. The shepherd will call
  the lead goat to follow, and then walk out of
  sight. He waits for the sheep to panic. Then he
  calls with the lead goat.

13
John 173

• Now this is eternal life that they may know you,
  the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you
  have sent. NIV

14
1 Kings 1911

• 11 The LORD said, Go out and stand on the
  mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the
  LORD is about to pass by.

Mount Horeb Area
15
1 Kings 1911b-13a

• Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains
  apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD,
  but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind
  there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in
  the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a
  fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after
  the fire came a gentle whisper.

16
1 Kings 1913

• 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over
  his face and went out and stood at the mouth of
  the cave.

Elijahs Hollow
17
1 Kings 1913b

• Then a voice said to him,
• What are you doing here, Elijah?

18
Some Lessons

• Gentle whisper
• implies Focus
• What are you doing here?
• implies Intention
• Not in the
• implies In Common Things

19
Daniel 1012

• Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day
  that you set your mind to gain understanding and
  to humble yourself before your God, your words
  were heard, and I have come in response to them.
  NIV

20
Colossians 32-3

• Set your minds on things above, not on earthly
  things. For you died, and your life is now
  hidden with Christ in God. NIV

21
Colossians 5, 8-10

• 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to
  your earthly nature sexual immorality, impurity,
  lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry
  8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such
  things as these anger, rage, malice, slander,
  and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie
  to each other, since you have taken off your old
  self with its practices 10 and have put on the
  new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in
  the image of its Creator. NIV

22
Colossians 312-14

• 12 Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and
  dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
  kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13
  Bear with each other and forgive whatever
  grievances you may have against one another.
  Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all
  these virtues put on love, which binds them all
  together in perfect unity. NIV

23
Colossians 316-17

• 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as
  you teach and admonish one another with all
  wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and
  spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to
  God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or
  deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
  giving thanks to God the Father through him. NIV

24
Philippians 48b-9

• Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable
  and right. Think about things that are pure and
  lovely and admirable. Think about things that are
  excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting
  into practice all you learned from me and heard
  from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace
  will be with you. NLT

25
John 173

• Now this is eternal life that they may know you,
  the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you
  have sent. NIV

26
About Jesus and His Sheep

• His sheep listen to his voice
• He calls his own sheep by name
• He leads them out
• He goes on ahead of them
• His sheep follow him because they know his
  voice
• His sheep will never follow a stranger they
  will run away from him