Sunday: They Know His Voice
Read John 10:1-5, John 10:16. How do these texts illustrate the importance of why we, as Jesus’ representatives, must form positive and loving relationships with people in our communities as we seek to lead them to Jesus? How can we help them learn to hear His voice?
Image © Lynne Davis from GoodSalt.com
The whisper of a friend is more powerful in drawing people to Jesus than is the shout of a stranger. When we make friends who learn to trust us, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, John 10:14) can work through us to help these people hear, know, and follow His voice.
It is, of course, important that we know Jesus’ voice ourselves before we can help others know it as well. We need divinely given discernment to distinguish between the cunning voice of Satan and Jesus’ voice. Indeed, we must never forget the reality of the great controversy and that we have an enemy that works with great stealth to keep people from coming to a saving relationship with Jesus.
Nevertheless, we can be powerful conduits who help people know the voice of Jesus. He speaks through nature (even despite the ravages of the Fall), providential circumstantial workings, the influence of the Holy Spirit, godly people, and His Word. (See Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, pp. 85-91.) As we ourselves come to know and obey that voice, we can be guides to others as well. The last thing we want to be is, as Jesus once warned, the blind leading the blind (see Matt. 15:14).
Why did Jesus have such compelling power to draw people to Him? It is because His example of unselfish giving of Himself is hard to resist. When we, His body, set selfishness aside and take on the nature of a servant, letting Him live out His life within us, others will be drawn to the call of the Christ in us.
As the Good Shepherd’s representatives, we must reflect the characteristics of His ministry when we bid people to follow Him. Authenticity in word as well as genuine service that reflects Jesus’ sacrificial love opens the ears of those whom we serve and breaks down barriers between the community and the church.
What are concrete ways that you can help others hear the voice of the Shepherd?
(24)
In helping others to hear the voice of the Shepard, is this an audible sound? The whisper mentioned in verse(1), seems to be audible. EGW STC, page 85 references uses examples from nature.
Years ago I had a member in my Sabbath School class that was sure that God had spoken to them audibly. Does Matt 14:15 have any application? If so how? "A still, small, voice," used to be another often quoted answer.
Paul, in your question regarding the "Shepherd's voice," you may be expressing the thoughts of some new Christians, and it would be nice to have replies from a number of people.
I think most of us realize that Christ can speak to us through our conscience in an inaudible voice. But our conscience is not necessarily the voice of God. The conscience needs to be educated through exposure to the Word of God. (Our upbringing will make some things appear "wrong" to us and others "right" even when these are in direct opposition to God's Word.)
There are times, though, when we may receive direct impressions that seem to be separate from our conscience. These may be in distinct words, or they may be wordless but nevertheless clear. When these are not opposed to God's Word, we can recognize them as coming from Christ. The better we get to know Christ, the more clearly and quickly will we recognize His Voice, and we won't have to ask anyone else whether or not this message is from Him.
Some of us have also experienced distinct, audible messages - sometimes quite forceful. We think of them as coming from our guardian angels, who are Christ's messengers. I can think of several my husband received to warn him of danger that would have killed him, if he had not listened. One was when he was single and driving a logging truck that had lost its brakes. Not only did he hear a voice, but unseen hands turned the truck on to an uphill route that stopped the truck safely. Another time was on our way to Michigan from British Columbia, driving in the middle of the night on a new stretch of road that ate up the light from the headlights, making visibility poor. He was driving at the legal speed limit, approaching a corner, when he heard the authoritative command to "Slow down!" He did, and when he turned the corner, there was a large farm machine with about half a dozen men around it on the middle of the road. If he had not obeyed the voice, a number of people (including us) would likely have died that night.
I'm sure others can relate their own experiences.
Inge, those experiences that you witness, are faith builders. Certainly Gods Hand was providently provided. Some whose experiences do not turn out as well, such as a well known pastor that was killed wile flying his airplane, or a family on vacation that prays for a safe trip that ends in disaster, may have questions. We as individuals with different perceptions make choices as to what we believe or do not. When I was very young, maybe 12, during world war2. I was given a book called, God is my Co-pilot. Many stories I do not remember, but only that God was involved in each one. Each of us in our own way seek the closest relationship with God as possible. God answers prayer however He chooses.
I think, there may such occasions when the Holy Spirit speaks to us in an audible voice. Depending on what that Spirit is saying: it has to be in harmony with scripture. After Christ has been taken up to heaven, the Holy Spirit is the representative of Christ (John 14:16-17), connected with the promise of guiding into all the truth (John 16:13). The truth, the word of God (John 17:17), is already there. The voice of the shepherd now is the voice of the Holy Spirit, sent from the Father and from the Son (John 14:26;15:26; 16:7). This voice is opening up the truth to us, never superseding or setting it aside, nor adding to it or substracting from it (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:19). There are many ways to neutralize the word: either by some kind of an elevating experience high above the word of God (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:4-5), by setting up reason above scripture and revelation or by some kind of spirit passing by the word of God. As Christ has warned the church of false Christs, all claiming to be the shepherd`s voice (Matthew 24:24), we are reminded that these voices are voices of strangers (John 10:5). We are not to believe every spirit but to try the spirits whether they are of God and in harmony with scripture (1 John 4:1).
Winfried Stolpmann
Winifred, have you been spoken to by the Holy Spirit, and is it in harmony with scripture? If it is then I would need to know the reason for both wouldn't I?
I have never been spoken to in an audible tone and wondered what it might be like. I have wondered if it would be frightening. I didn't want to leave you with the wrong impression. It is something we know relatively little about.
What is the purpose of a representative? An ambassador, a stand in, a sales person, and others. A representative issues as much information as possible about the subject, that reflects the best possible light and appearance. Do we inform? Do we sell Jesus? I hope so. We do not look forward to unemployment.
My prayer is for me to hear Jesus voice at all times
Jesus voice comes to us in unexpected ways and from unexpected sources. Sometimes our ears need retuning to hear him. How often is the expression, "He that has an ear, let him hear." Used in the messages to the 7 churches? Listen to the cry of the needy and suffering, Jesus is using their voices yo tell us something important.
Maurice, I have a hearing impairment. I try to make adjustments to improve my hearing that often does not turn out very well. I continue to try anyway with what is available. I turn to God, with all my problems on a daily basis.
Paul, hearing the voice of God is not dependent on your physical ears. As you draw near to God in Bible study, prayer and working with Him, you will hear His voice more and more clearly.
As Christians we should be genuine in all our relationships, as we learned last month,one of the church's responbility is to provide service. This means we should be willing to help, by being benevolent and etc. When we show concern for individuals in the community, we earn their trust, hence they will listen to us when we show them the word of God (ofcourse with the holy spirit's help).
The best way to draw people to Jesus is to befriend them! To show genuine concern and care for others is the desired requirement of Christians! People are dying from lack of true love. we are call upon to do what we are called to do; to be true followers of Christ! May God help us and give us the strength and the courage to live the authentic life as Jesus did!
Indeed we really need to love and care for others. The world is inneed of true love and we cannot say we love God but hating others ......
When I recently had returned to church, one morning as I sat at a light listening to a Christian radio station I pondered whether I was saved. The light changed and I forgot all about it. That evening I spent a lot of time with God, but not about that topic. As I was getting into bed, His Spirit enveloped me. He replayed that morning exactly. Then in an audible voice, so sweet with a gentle humor, He told me never to question my salvation. It is a gift for all who believe. His Spirit filled me with an incredible joy and peace and total satisfaction. I didn't want it to leave me. When we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. I know that I must pray continuously for God to empty me of selfishness that I may be used by Him to show others that He loves them too. He makes it so easy and we make salvation so complicated. He wants to change us to be like Jesus and show them God's love that they may have a new life in Christ.
All these comments are significant. Only as we stay close to Jesus can we witness to the changes he has made in our lives and be able to share the wonderful gift of salvation with others. These lessons have been very helpful in giving practical lessons in witnessing in the community
Hello Franz, yes indeed, we are certainly called upon to "go forward", and to do what we are called to do.
Two of our specific callings are given in the book of 1Peter.
"...when you do good, and suffer [as a result], if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For TO THIS YOU WERE CALLED..." (1Pet 2:20-21).
In other words, if you do good, and somebody abuses you for it, do not be hasty and 'rise up' with some spoken (or even unspoken) rebuff. God approves of this meek spirit, and it is to this kind of living that we are "called".
And again,
"...not returning evil for evil, or reviling for reviling [i.e. insult for insult, or abuse for abuse], but on the contrary, blessing, knowing that YOU WERE CALLED TO THIS, that you may inherit a blessing." (1Pet 3:9)
The gospel to the gentiles will simple be received if we as Jesus's representatives
shall reflect the goodness and tender care of Jesus to them, that is the essence of witnessing apart from that the work shall hardly be accomplished.