The God who speaks - John 10:1-10

The God Who Speaks

June 26, 2011

John 10:1-10, 14

Introduction

• 1 John 3:1-3
• What incredible favor has been given to us
• That we should be made the children of God, God's adopted children
• A parent communicates with his children
• Often dads are the strong silent types
• But children need a dad who is speaking to them, who directs them, who guides them
• How can a parent comfort and encourage, without speaking to the child
• Our relationship with God is no different
• If we are God's children, we need His guidance, his comfort, his communication
• Now we know that God is a God who speaks
• He spoke to Adam, he spoke to Enoch who walked with God
• He spoke to Abraham, he spoke to Solomon, he spoke to David and the prophets
• Jesus came to earth as a human being and communicated with his followers
• The Holy Spirit spoke to the New Testament church
• Yet sometimes we seem to have difficulty in having two way communication with God
• Today we are going to discuss a chapter where Jesus tells us about his communication with us
• John 10:1-10, 14

One entrance, one shepherd - verse 1-2, 7-9

• People like to do things on their own terms
• But Jesus tells us that there is only one entrance into the fold
• John 14:6
• There is only one way to have a relationship with God
• That is through Jesus
• This means, unless I accept Jesus as my Lord and my Savior, I cannot expect to hear God's voice
• The reason is that our sins separate us from God - Isa 59:2
• Thankfully, God sent Jesus so that our sins could be forgiven and we could have a fresh start in life
• John 3:16
• So Jesus is the only way to have relationship with God
• There is only one entrance, and one shepherd

The shepherd knows his sheep - verse 3, 14

• In recent weeks we have been examining different aspects of our identity as a Christian
• We have learned how close Jesus wants to be with us
• Eph 2:6
• John 14:20
• When we have such an intimate relationship with Jesus, it is impossible that he not know us
• Like a shepherd with his sheep
• He knows everything about them
• Like when my dog had a sore paw
• I cared for him on a day to day basis
• I knew when he was hurting, when he was hungry
• Our shepherd Jesus, knows his sheep

The sheep know the shepherd's voice - verse 4

• The reason the sheep follow the shepherd is that they know his voice
• They trust him
• There is nothing they wouldnt do for him
• they follow him
• they dont go off looking for their own way to do things
• the shepherd shows the way to go, by leading the way
• all the sheep have to do is follow where he is going
• where you go Ill go
• It is possible to recognize the shepherds voice
• he will not take us places that are bad for us
• we need to be obedient to where he sends us
• the sheep knows the shepherd's voice

The sheep avoid strangers - verse 5, 8

• The sheep hear other voices too
• but they dont recognize them as something they want to follow
• they only want to follow the shepherd';s voice
• the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy
• the thief is the arch deceiver
• Rev 12:9 - he deceives the whole world
• the sheep know Jesus voice, and recognize the difference
• The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth - Jn 14:13
• He is the one who shows us what is of Jesus and what is not
• but it takes closeness with God to be sensitive to what He is saying to us
• The Holy Spirit is sensitive
• But how often dont we grieve the Holy Spirit
• Jesus sheep, children of God, stay away from the stranger's siren song
• we want to only hear Jesus' voice

The shepherd cares for his sheep - verses 9-11

• Proverbs - the blessing of the Lord makes rich, he adds no sorrow with it
• when we listen to God's voice, and are obedient, the results will be good
• because the shepherd looks after his sheep
• he wont take them into a swamp, or desert, he will feed them and give them al;l they need
• One of the most important things he gives us is that he communicates with us and speaks to us
• This is how he guides us and comforts us and occasionally corrects us
• So the shepherd cares for his sheep

Conclusion

• God is a God who speaks to us, all the time
• He speaks to us in many different ways
• But it is the same voice that comes through, whatever is being said
• As we grow up as Christians, we will learn to exercise discernment and know his voice
• In my next sermon I will talk more about recognizing God's voice
• But in the meantime know this, that he is speaking to you, because he cares for you and wants to lead you to good pasture