My Sheep Hear My Voice (Video) — Shane Idleman

Being Led by the Spirit of God

Especially in America Romans 8 14 all those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. All those who are led by God are sons and daughters of God. Right. You're led by the Spirit. You have a compassion and a concern for the things of God.

Those who are not led of God do not have that compassion for the things of God. So the message this morning part 5 in the true Christian series the title is my sheep hear my voice. My sheep hear my voice.

Hearing the Shepherd's Voice in a Confused Age

So a true Christian will hear God's voice. The true Christian will hear God's voice. And don't we need that more than ever right now we have declined so much what's fake what's real. I mean everything that's that's true is being labeled a conspiracy theory most things.

And then things that aren't true are being labeled truth. Where should policy come from God's Word. Did you know that it used to something called William Blackstone's commentaries on the laws of England he used to.

That's where our Supreme Court justices where they got their legal direction was from William Blackstone's commentaries on the laws of England. And it was defined based on Scripture everything from rape to kidnapping an eye for an eye or two it was it was God's Word was the foundation of that.

So now we ask we've lost our mind. We're calling good evil and evil good. We're calling things that should be evil good and good evil. Why is that happening. That again the spiritual battle and the Bible warned us often especially in the Old Testament and in the new of listening to the wrong voice.

How do we hear the wrong voice. How can we hear the right voice. And that's what we're gonna talk about this morning. And of course with the sermon title being my sheep hear my voice. That comes from John 10 27 where Jesus said my sheep hear my voice and I know them a stranger they will not follow now.

That word follow doesn't necessarily mean they won't be influenced by now and then. They won't be led astray now and then. But they won't my sheep hear my voice. And as they pursue me they will not end up following the wrong voice all of their life.

There's a they will eventually hopefully come back to the Savior like the prodigal son. So truly those following God know his voice a stranger they will not follow. So let me tell you one of the keys to hearing God's voice.

Positioning Ourselves to Know God's Will

I think this is a very important topic. How many of you want to know God's will. You need to know his will for moving right to Colorado. You couldn't resist Randy. So but marrying someone dating someone.

Financial decisions. If this election goes south what does that mean. God I need to hear your voice. What what are you saying to me. And I will tell you this. The real key is this positioning positioning.

How. How would I be able to hear my wife's voice if she was out in the parking lot. I couldn't. I'd have to go out the doors around and in the park and here position to hear correctly. Many people are not positioned correctly.

They're not hearing the right voice. And that's what I want to talk about. If you build the relationship with God everything else will fall in place. As you're building the relationship with God as you're seeking him then the other things begin to fall in place.

Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established. So many times we don't have a hearing problem. We have a relationship problem because isn't that true. You know some of you of you the closer you draw to God the more crystal clear it becomes.

And the more you watch YouTube the less clear it becomes. Because there's there are genuine conspiracy theories out there. There's all this stuff going on. And what happened. And if we spend too much time on those things we don't hear God's voices clearly because now we're giving our time our energy our resources to these things.

And as true as some of these things might be they're not absolute truth and they're there to instill fear. I know YouTube creators some of these guys make incredible amounts of money. It's ridiculous.

How much I mean there's videos out there where they're flipping their bottles 5 million views and they make a hundred twenty thousand dollars a month. It's incredible. Their goal is not necessarily truth.

Their goals to get more likes and shares. So they have to be sensational. And what they say sensational what they do. And it's all about conspiracy. And the more they draw you in the more likes and shares the more money they make.

But that's not the case with everyone. Right. Obviously we could actually do commercials on YouTube right now. But we've we've told the web master we don't want the commercials on YouTube. We don't need the revenue from YouTube.

We just want people listen to sermons from start to finish and not pop up. Hi Downey is your new fabric softener. You know it's kind of doesn't doesn't work. So we have to be careful where we're getting our information from you know for more time in the world wide web than in God's worldwide truth in the Bible.

We are going to be confused. And I've looked at a lot of these things too. And let's say well let's say this is happening behind the scenes. Illuminati you've heard that phrase or globalism or Q and the followers of Q are called Q anons.

And you have the flat earth people and you have all this this this I mean it's like my point is you know what. Don't take this wrong. But I don't care. I've got to follow God now. It's good to know some of these things but whether the earth is flat around I've got a job to do.

I don't. I don't subscribe to that. So don't worry. I think it's still nice spear. But my point is I mean that right. There is gonna get some emails. No you got to watch this. You got to watch this. You got to watch this.

No just just just stay in the word. And so the truth many times has to be sought for it has to be fought for. And you're contending with putting into your mind the right things and not the negative things.

Because many of these videos or conspiracy theories are not are not founded in God's Word. They're not truth seekers. They are conspiracy makers. And so if you're spending the reason I'm talking about this is so many people spend the time on this.

They send me videos. You gotta watch this. You got to watch this. You got to do this. President Bush actually exploded the Twin Towers as an inside job. Like I don't have time to watch this. You don't need to be in that.

You need to be in this. Hypothetically what does that have to do with anything and see. But we spend so much time in this fear factor mode. And if this steps on toes. Good I came here to step on some toes because we got to get back into God's Word.

That truth that truth. We know for certainty that truth will never fail. And as I Jeremiah was saying truth has fallen in the streets. That means they're not applying the truth. They have. Same thing has happened in America.

God's truth is there. It's present. We just need to grab it and hold on to it live by. It's he who has ears to hear let him hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the churches. He's not talking about physical ears.

Is that what Jesus is saying. Who has real ears. No he who's willing to hear willing to submit to my will who hears me spiritually. He who has ears to hear let him hear what I'm saying to the churches and the Bible warned often of listening to the wrong voice correct internally inside and also externally from the outside.

Discerning Ungodly Counsel and Information Overload

In the Bible they would call that ungodly counsel. Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly who they would listen to wives old wives tales and fables. And but now we're inundated with it sometimes.

I wish we lived back 2 ,000 years ago. How easy would that be. Get away from me negative counselor. And nope that's not God's Word. I don't have media right now. I just finally had to learn how to use Twitter this week parlor me we Facebook Instagram when's it gonna end.

So we're inundated by these things. And so we have to be. I believe on extra guard be vigilant. How you schedule your time. For example I saw dr. Michael Brown actually wrote on this and I read it this week.

It was so true even in my when I would look back when I was a kid I never really heard of anyone my age that committed suicide. I didn't know of any many girls pregnant outside of wedlock. But today every single young adult know someone who's taken their life or been pregnant outside of web.

My point is how the moral decline has fallen but also the age of information. We know way too much. We don't need to know everything out there from all these different news organizations. So are we listening to the right voice.

And we have to be vigilant. Thomas Watson was a Puritan in the 1600s and I've always remembered I when I read one of his books he said take heed of drowsiness and hearing. In other words be careful. Do not grow drowsy and hearing correctly because it can slip into all of our lives and into our hearts.

How God Speaks Through Scripture, Circumstances, and Preaching

So how do we discern God's voice. Because you ever have promptings dreams impressions. How does God speak to us what we know primarily he speaks just through the word he uses circumstances. I believe God ever got your attention by a circumstance or just me.

He'll orchestrate certain things. But this is pretty difficult. Now I'll wake up now the election doesn't look too good. Now we have prayer meetings every day rain snow or shine. And now see there's circumstances God will use different things.

And to really fully exhaust this topic I would probably need a series a sermon series on it and I've been going back and forth on how much I should share and I believe God speaks to us profoundly through sermons.

When I came back to the Lord I listened to a lot of sermons especially 20 years ago Alistair Baig many of you still hear him. I listen to John MacArthur Chuck Smith teaching through the Bible and I would listen.

I would crave these things and I would get direction from people out of these these types of thing. That's why God has different callings. Because I'll get email sometimes and say you know Greg Laurie says the same thing a lot.

He's more you know I'm like yeah he's more that calling more evangelical. He's reaching people that need the simple gospel. And then there's people like me the steamroller. Right. Just wow this guy is too intense.

I need I need Alistair Baig. That's teaching through the Bible systematically word-for-word going through entire book of the Bible. Right. That's his calling. So instead of judging others we need to all thank God for different callings in the body of Christ.

Because God will call up. He'll raise up a John the Baptist. He'll raise up a John the Beloved the quiet disciple who teach. And there's different giftings in the body of Christ. And there's such a judgmental spirit that we have to be very careful because we get offended.

Or we judge those who don't feel like I feel. For example if somebody has a passion for missions if you have that you it can drive you crazy that others don't. And Shane why are you talking about politics.

We need to reach the unreached in Africa. That's your calling. Go for it and we'll support you. But I can't. I can't go. I can't shift callings. If God has given me a different burden and people why aren't we protesting abortion clinics.

And why aren't we doing the more for the abortion industry. Why are we at care net all the time and supporting great do it do it. That's your calling. But don't judge others because they don't have that passion that same desire.

And it can get frustrating. I get frustrated that more people don't have a desire to be in godly positions of leadership in our nation. Because that could really change the dynamic for our children and grandchildren.

This list this. We're not talking anymore about building bridges and and paving streets and the Union. We're talking about huge moral issues that have enormous spiritual consequences when we do as a nation what we're doing.

There's huge consequences with God. That's why it's so important now. We have to be informed. I think obviously we see that there is a global agenda at work here. We see that the virus is being used for a political weapon.

I don't know all the theories behind it. I need to be in God's Word more than I am on all the different opinions out there. Because it can lead to confusion. Because I don't think we're designed to know this much information about all these different things we need to be living in God's Word.

And I believe that's why I'm bringing this up. That's the biggest problem. That's the biggest. But most Christians I think the recent study was eight minutes in prayer a day. Guess how many hours on social media.

So we wonder why we're confused. Wonder why we're anxious. Because often we're feeding on the wrong things. But I've noticed primarily he'll speak to us through his word and obedience to it. Oh see we can't forget this part.

His word and obedience to it. Obey the word because the power of God's Word is in the application not in just hearing. Be doers of the word and not just hearers. Or you live in deception. So let me share three things with you.

Patience in Waiting for God's Direction

And then I'm going to get into some very important scriptures. You have to realize this when you're hearing God's voice. Patience. Patience. Let's all say it. Patience. Patience. How many of us run ahead of God.

We react instead of respond. And there's no patience. And we we do something in confusion and fear. And we go out and and we're making decisions based on fear not on fact. Often because the scripture I just read blessed are those who patiently wait on the Lord.

Or in that case in Psalms I read that I will patiently wait on you even when I'm in distress. So here's what patience does for me. I say Lord I need to know if this is you I trust you a hundred percent.

I don't trust Shane Idleman. I don't trust these little promptings in these little this and little thing because you're my you know your mind can think certain things. And your flesh starts to think certain things that are more comfortable for you.

Correct. How's the flesh work. Should we start a third service. My flesh says no. No no no. That's not very comfortable. That's gonna be more work. Shane that's true. Let me listen. And they got. So what does God say and see.

So patience allows you the opportunity to weigh everything and say. And I say Lord if this is you I need confirmation. I need to. I need to know this is you. I don't trust me. I trust you. But Lord would you confirm that this is your will.

I'm gonna wait on you. Because I trust you. And I want you to show me. I want to make the right decision. You think God's gonna go. Oh that's Shane Idleman. Why is he waiting on me. Why does he now. I'm assuming most of you understand.

I'm not talking about when you make need to make a quick decision. You know somebody's in the hospital. Or I mean I need to make a quick. I need to make this decision. I'm not talking about that. Sometimes you have to make quick decisions.

Most of the time when we're asking God for direction in marriage or finances or moving or these big decisions there's gonna have to be some patience involved. Because as you sort out and sort through the flesh the devil the influence of the world how many of us have been persuaded to do something different when we go to the wrong council.

When we go to our friends who are gonna tell us what we want to hear. Oh that's true. Yeah what was I thinking. But then God gets you back in his words like oh and you go back to your friends. Oh that's right.

And then there's this conflict. And so patience allows us to wait on God. And that's very important. Because as you're waiting God faith is strengthened. And when we go out and make decisions now we have we have some fortitude there some strength there some security there.

Because we can go out in faith knowing I've waited on God. Those who wait upon the Lord shall lose strength. That's how we feel sometimes right. I can't wait. I gotta move. Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.

The Bible says so as we're waiting. And it actually goes on to say you will mount up wings like eagles. The reason the Bible uses imagery like that is there was nothing more powerful in flight than an eagle.

And then you shall run and not grow weary. You shall walk. You shall continue and not grow faint if you wait on God. Wait he told Moses delivering the children of Israel and even Joshua. Wait. Wait. Don't go into battle just yet.

Wait. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord having done everything you've done. Stand. Stand there and hold the ground. Wait on me. I will fight your battle. I will go before you. So a key ingredient from hearing the right voice is to wait on God for confirmation and not react.

Don't we don't. Most of us do that react. It's reacting. And then the second thing before we get into scripture is this. We have to ask this question. This has helped me over the years. Many times is this decision consistent with God's character.

Testing Decisions Against God's Character and Word

Is it can. Is it going to help others or am I running in fear. Is this. Does this align with the character of God. Am I. In other words sift your motives. Correct. We have worship auditions after the second service and I'm not looking for talent as much as we're looking for humility we're looking for.

Do these people resemble the character of Christ. Because I've been a ministry enough to know that many people want the limelight. Would they still sing on the worship team if they sang in an empty room and we just piped in the music.

Does somebody want the pulpit because of this power or authority they think it has. And you sift through the motives. Recognition is big in many in the lives of many people most of us struggle with that.

I mean you want to be like more than hated. Correct. I mean. But God often uses us in the middle of things that people don't really see all the time the real workers behind this church. You don't really see the real work that goes in behind this.

From janitorial to security to maintenance to office management. It's amazing the stuff that goes on behind the scenes. You just see the final product and the people watching. They don't. Many times you don't see what's behind the scenes.

So making decisions is it consistent with God's character and the reason I mentioned moving. And Randy we're on the same page with this. And he's doing it for the right reasons. But a lot of people are moving because of the wrong reasons.

Fear trepidation. Now there's nothing wrong if you want a better life for your family. But make sure you sift it into God's Word for a season. Make sure you've cleaned out all the negativity of of the wrong influences.

And does it line up with God's character. And then of course number three is it in his word. Now you're not gonna see should you move to Georgia and his word. Or should I buy this or should I marry this person.

Is anybody thinking moving to Georgia. I don't know. That was just funny. Okay. Probably not the principle though. Is there. The principle is in his word. I've seen so many people go out and make bad financial decisions because they neglected the principle of God.

Because I believe that when the Bible says do not be unequally yoked. I think that's not only in marriage but that's also in business partnerships. That's in a lot of things you don't want to be what what what.

Fellowship has light with darkness. You don't want to enter into certain things in the wrong spiritually speaking in the wrong area as well too. And so is the principle there. Many young people say oh I just love them.

Oh I just love that. Can we get married. No you're in lust. That's different. What. No. No we do. We just want to get married. And but well are you doing things right right now. Well no not really. Okay.

Well and we don't know what God wants. We'll do what's right. First the principle. And then you'll be led of the Spirit more easily. It's it's there's peace. You ever get this point where there's confusion.

Boy when a Christian is confused it's not pretty because then you snap at your kids. You snap at your spouse. You're confused. You're fearful. You're anxious. What's going on. Often it's because you're not allowing the voice of God to speak clearly into your heart because there are principles that can be followed.

Scripture in Context and Righteous Judgment

So let's look at some of these principles. Let's position ourselves correctly with scripture. Amen. So this is gonna help a lot of people I believe this morning who might have not been able to understand what God is calling them to do or leading them.

Isaiah 30 21. We'd love to quote it. And I love to quote certain scriptures. But you have to get in the habit of looking at the context because you can. Can you just pull any scripture out. I can pull most scriptures out to support anything.

Anything. You can support abortion with scripture. If you just pull it out of context you can support gay marriage. You can support anything. If you just look at here. Look what it says here. What about the famous one that Hollywood loves this one.

And I get emails like this. Who are you to judge. Who are you to judge. Jesus says do not judge. Well it's obvious you have not read the whole chapter because he said remove the plank from your eye first.

Then you'll be better able to judge. So it does tell me to judge. John says judge with righteous judgment. Discern all things where to be. We are to discern and judge. We're actually called to judge things.

I'm supposed to say this is not good for our family. This is not good for our nation. This is not good for the church. I'm supposed to judge. But the whole point of Jesus's context. I believe John Calvin in his commentary said that it is actually the whole point is to remove the spirit of criticism.

It's to go after the Pharisee judging critical. They just go into something. What can I find wrong. What can I find wrong here. I don't know those lyrics weren't quite doctrinally sound. What's that person doing.

Raising their hand. What Bible translation is he using. Hmm wonder how they why'd they spend so much money on that. Couldn't that money went to feed poor kids in Africa. Criticism. Always looking critical spirit.

That's why Jesus said humble yourself. Humble yourself. Don't think more highly of yourself than you should. And then you can with the right heart go in judge someone else. If we humble ourselves first that would end a lot of our criticism.

Because who am I to go and say something to someone. You're always pointing fingers. How could you go out and drink again or get high again or do that again. How could you. Well snotty Sarah haven't you ever been there before.

Versus listen. I've been through that I've been hurt. I've made mistakes. But you're gonna. You're gonna hurt yourself. How can I help see the right heart. Humility is everything being soft and gentle but firm.

What needs to be. And I think the problem especially with men was we have a hard time being broken and humble. Broken and humble. That's getting convicting. I better get out of that one quickly. So scripture in context is so important.

What about the there's another one the Old Testament. I know the plans I have for you. Plans of hope and a future. God says. And people use that line. I love it. I use it. But the context is you ready for this one.

The children of Israel were just led into captivity and bondage. So hold on. And it's gonna be 70 years in bondage. So the scripture is don't worry God saying in context don't worry after the end of this season of judgment and bondage.

Don't worry. I know the plans I have for you for your children for you. I'll bless your heritage to give you a peace and a hope. But they couldn't apply that right then. So context is everything. What about the famous.

If my people verse if my people humble themselves and pray and seek my face. You know what the context was. God told Solomon he said when I bring pestilence that happening right now. I don't know COVID.

That's what it is. When I bring pestilence. When I bring famine when I bring drought because of the sins of the people. If my people turn back to me then I will heal their lands. And so context is so important.

The Spirit of Truth and the Work of the Holy Spirit

So Isaiah 30 and your ears shall hear a word behind you saying this is the way walk in it when you turn to the right. Or when you turn to the left. So praise God. I'm gonna hear something in my ear. Turn to the right.

Turn to the left. That sounds wonderful. Oh no cuz I can get myself in trouble with that one. So the context is how blessed are those who long for Christ. Well the Old Testament. How long for God. Now blessed are those who long for God.

There's there's a heart of of wanting to praise and worship God. Their heart longs for the voice of the Father. They love to be in worship. They love to pray. So they have this heart that's longing for God.

And he says all people in Zion you will weep no longer. He will be gracious to you at the sound of your cry when he hears that he will answer you. But the context again is relational. Correct. The person who's longing after God they're coming to prayer meetings or they're praying in their own house or they're worshiping and there have a relationship with God.

And they're crying out to God right now. That's happening our nation. God says then I will direct you because of that relationship I have with you. I'm praying. There's millions of Christians praying right now in our nation's history praying asking God saying I hear the cries of my children.

They will not go and answer. When God's children his church awakens. God says I love that sound. My children do not worry. I'm still on the throne. I raise a king up and I will pull the king down. Don't worry.

I can speak the word and I can change the results of this. Or or or this might not go in a direction you like. And you're gonna have to hold on to me even tighter either way. God is still still sovereign.

John 16 13 when the spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority but whatever he hears from the father he will speak to you. So don't listen to the voices in your head.

Necessarily that that will get you in trouble. But you have to. You have to be able to discern the clear small voice of the Holy Spirit. Because I get promptings to don't you. I get promptings to respond to that mean Facebook post.

That's not the right prompt prompting often. But so there's so just because it's a prompting or a voice. I'm hearing voices. All the Holy Spirit leads and guides through a relationship with God. And the decisions will line up with Scripture.

And then John 16 13 when the spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all truth. Now this is interesting. Jesus is still on earth here at this point and the Holy Spirit has not yet come yet. That's why Jesus said I have to go.

It's actually better. He told his disciples it's better for you if I leave. Can you believe that. How is that possible. Because Jesus couldn't be with them all the time. He said when I leave the Comforter will come.

And that's what the day of Pentecost is. That's why it's celebrated. That was a powerful move of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would only go into certain individuals. They and David was filled with God's Spirit and sometimes it was removed.

Saul was filled with God's Spirit and prophesied. But then the Spirit was removed. The Spirit came upon Samson. The Spirit came upon Gideon. But then the Spirit was removed. But in a believer the Holy Spirit is given as a final guarantee in the believer.

And people. Believers say what. Shane. I don't really feel the power presence the Holy Spirit. Are you quenching and grieving him. He's a third person of the Trinity. We can quench and grieve the Spirit of God.

So you have all of the Holy Spirit you'll ever need. But did. Does he have all of you. That's why in many circles you'll hear the word baptism of the Holy Spirit and filling of the Holy Spirit and unction and anointing.

And I believe in all of that. Because once a person fully surrenders everything and they're they're no longer quenching and grieving the Spirit. They've dealt with sin. They've asked for forgiveness. They are empowered overwhelmed by the Spirit's presence.

And many people think boy I don't know if I was even saved I have such a love for God. Now they were saved. They were quenching and grieving the Spirit in many cases. And there's freedom when they're when they're finally filled.

Returning to First Love and Living in the Spirit's Power

And so he said the Spirit will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak in his own authority but whatever he hears he will speak and he will declare to you the things that are to come. So it's the direction of the Holy Spirit being led by the Holy Spirit.

But what is the context. If you give him control and you don't quench and grieve the Spirit how can you be led of the Holy Spirit. If you put him in the trunk and you're driving the car. You can't be led of the Spirit.

Led of the Spirit saying God I give you control of my life financially relationally my kids the church. I give you control Lord Spirit lead me lead me show me direct me. You've had the fire of God. That's why I think Jesus said to the some of the churches in Revelation remember where you have fallen and return to your first love.

Go back to your first love. Get that fire back that passion back of the Holy Spirit. You have this fire you have this passion. Then sin comes in besetting sin and it becomes in you begin to you cave into it and it quenches the fire of the Spirit.

I've grieved the Holy Spirit before even as a pastor Shane go and forgive that person knew we. Nope nope nope. It affects my preaching. Anybody have arguments at home before you get here with your spouse.

Why is there no arguments on the way to Disneyland. Or no arguments. It's just on the way to church. So all hell breaks loose. But I have an advantage. I'm gonna tell you the secret. We've been taking separate cars for 10 years but we have to.

I'm here. I get here at 5 in the morning. Tell what was my whole point with that grieving the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to work in your life in a powerful way. He wants to work in your life. But you can grieve the Spirit through many things.

Besetting sins. God's convicted me before of even over indulgence gluttony. That's a sin. If we're consuming too much it's all about the body and and addictions. Or or holding on to bitterness and anger.

You think anger unchecked can quench the Spirit and so the Holy Spirit will lead us. But what about for quenching and grieving the Spirit. It's like the analogy I gave of my son holding that water hose that was on full blast and it was just dripping out because of all the kinks in the hose.

He had to go undo like four different kinks in the hose and then it was all over the place. But I wonder how many God wants to work in the lives of Christians. And if it's not overflowing see that that is the Christian life.

We have settled for less. Haven't we. The Christian life is if you believe on me as the scriptures say you will be boring and dry. If you believe on me as the scriptures say a little trinkle of water will come out now and then.

If you believe on me as the scriptures say out of your belly will flow rivers of living water. The prophet would say his word is in my heart like a burning fire. John the Baptist said I'm not even worthy to undo his sandal straps.

But he's coming. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. That is a victorious Christian life to be filled with boldness in the spirit-filled life. The early church did not know what we have for church today.

Boring powerless church is not the Church of the New Testament. Men and women on fire for God. You might go in Walmart and be prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray for that healing. Can you believe it. Oh no that doesn't happen anymore.