Sermon Reflections from Open Ears, Open Hearts | Alex Hardt | Feb. 9, 2025
Sunday was a unique time of fellowship and sharing during the worship service. I appreciated Pastor Alex’s ability to let us talk, then to reign us back in. It was a difficult task at times! Pastor Alex wanted us to share our feelings as we all live in a world filled with voices pulling us to the right, left, forward and backwards. The world voices are often in opposition to God’s voice, and we need to be able to know the difference. How can we do that consistently?
The first step is to know that God’s voice to us will be affirming and in alignment with His Word. He will never ask us to do something that is contrary to His Word. Isaiah 51:1-2 was advice given to the Israelites by Isaiah the prophet which we can apply to our lives today. “Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance— all who seek the Lord! Consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were mined. Yes, think about Abraham, your ancestor, and Sarah, who gave birth to your nation. Abraham was only one man when I called him. But when I blessed him, he became a great nation.” Isaiah wanted them to consider their heritage, foundation in faith that God had honored. We have such a foundation in Jesus in whom we have placed our faith and trust. We can always seek Him and put our hope in Him! He is available 24/7!
His voice to us will always show His love! Ephesians 1:4-6 “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.” You are loved. God chose you and wants to you to be reconciled to himself. It is His desire that none should perish. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” Our self-worth comes from the Love of God! If you know anyone with self-esteem issues, they need to hear this message. No matter what the world says about us- GOD LOVES US!
God’s voice will direct our steps if we will listen to Him. His spirit testifies with our spirit and nudges us to do what is right. “For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so.” Hebrews 10:14-15 He wants us to be holy. I love the verse in Leviticus 20:26 “You must be holy because I, the Lord, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own.” He chose us to be His and be His people! 1 Peter 1:16 “For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
Knowing God desires holiness, what can we do? God promises that his Holy Spirit who lives within us as a believers will guide us. John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” God promises His Word will give us direction for living. Psalm 119 is a treasure trove filled with promises about God’s Word. Psalm 119:9 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Proverbs 3:5-6 give us additional assurances about walking with God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
God’s voice will bring us peace and security. The world wants to wind us up but God want us to rest in Him. Here are a few encouraging passages about Resting in God that will point you towards peace in Him. In 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 Paul is trying to point the Corinthians towards God, “and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” God’s voice brings peace, wisdom and His power into our lives. Often there is a time or period of suffering that precedes it, but God promises in 1 Peter 5:10 to restore us. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” It is restoration that is complete and filled with hope!
God encourages us to wait for His voice. Psalm 61:1-2 “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” I am reminded of the admonition in Psalm 46:10 for all of us to heed. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Pastor Alex concluded with the charge to each of us to spend quiet time each day, 10 minutes, waiting and listening for God. Pray, Read scripture and wait for God’s voice to impress upon you something new. It will astound you!
Linda
MESSAGE LINK
Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass
LINDA'S BLOG