Priscilla Shirer: "Discerning the Voice of God" Session 6

We have come to the last session on the "Discerning the Voice of God" series.  Priscilla Shirer is an incredibly clear communicator when she teaches.

Session 6: A Continual State of Readiness.

Take care of the one thing, Priscilla stated.  If you do this, so much of the other messes will be worked out.  Pay attention.

What is that "one thing?"  Hearing the voice of God.  It will lead us to "just being a Christian attending church to someone who is actually alight to the fire of God."

We need to live by the supernatural not just the natural.  Don't just participate in religious activity but do the "one thing."

The one thing is relationship with Jesus Christ.

We looked at John 10:1-5, 27 but particularly verse 27:

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me...."

The truths Priscilla shared with us in this one verse were a wealth of information of what is important in hearing the voice of God.

We were given four points to look at:

#1 - The Relationship - My sheep

We learned a bit about shepherding in the Middleastern culture at this time:

• Shepherds could have up to 100 sheep in their fold
• A shepherd would sleep in a sheepfold with the sheep
• There could be up to 9 or 10 shepherds with their sheep all coming into the same sheepfold

One shepherd would stay behind in the fold.  He was called the porter.  He would lay his body across the opening of the sheepfold so that he would become the door of the fold.  The protector.  Everyone had to pass through him to get in.  No stranger could enter.

In the morning, when the shepherds came back from town to claim their flock of sheep, the porter would confirm that each shepherd was one of the true shepherds of one of the flocks inside and then would allow him to pass inside.

The shepherd would then call his sheep.  Only the sheep who knew that shepherd's voice would recognize it and follow him out.

Priscilla then went to John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me."

There is only one way to have a relationship with God: know the shepherd.

When you become a believer, you become part of the family of God.

We now, as a believer, have the rights and privileges as recorded in Ephesians 2:19:

"Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God's own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God's (own) household."

Romans 1:18-25 tells us that creation speaks about our God - gives general revelation about Him.  But we need more than just general revelation.  We need details, specifics.

I Corinthians 2:14 says this: "But the natural (unbelieving) man does not accept the things (the teachings and revelations) of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness (absurb and illogical) to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, (and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters).

Hearing's God voice, Priscilla said, is not possible for someone who isn't born into the family of God.  With this relationship, we then have access to God and hear His voice.

#2 - The Result - Hear My Voice

Expect God to speak

This is our default posture.  Relationship equals hearing His voice.

Remember also that delays and detours are divine interruptions.  You're going along in life and bam!  You hit a speed bump.  It's there for a reason.  Pay attention!

Then He gives the reason they hear His voice:

#3 - The Reason - I know them

The shepherd would spend time with the sheep collectively and individually.  Also, he would have a specific call that was unique to one sheep as well as to the whole flock.

This doesn't happen today.  Electronics has taken over shepherding.  She said they "brand them and move on or hover with a helicopter to herd them."  According to Priscilla, they don't have to get to know their sheep anymore. 

"If there is one reason we have lost intimate relationship with our Shepherd, it's with each new advancement in modern technology, intimacy ends.  Time with Him ends.

She mentioned a book called "The Tyranny of the Urgent" by Charles Hummel.

Social media, internet, pings and notifications on phones has taken our attention.

Priscilla said that "we just need to give God a turn to talk."

"When I talk, nothing happens; when God talks, the universe comes into existence." - Bob Sorge

We need to leave space to just listen to God.  Everything God has to say to us will fall within the boundaries of scripture, so spend time reading the scriptures was Priscilla's urgent cry to us.  He will shine a spotlight in His scriptures to us.

#4 - The Response - They follow Me

We need to trust that He is a good Shepherd.  He's not only a good Shepherd:

He is your great Shepherd. (Hebrews 13:20)

Our time of study ended with with Priscilla saying:

"We need to know that He only leads to green pastures and still waters to refresh us.

We have a good Shepherd.  Follow where He leads."

Speak Lord!