Face to Face: Listening Sermon Guide

Face to Face: Listening to God Sermon Guide

Download the sermon guide to print here.

God desires to speak to each of us personally, not just through prophets, priests and leaders. This sermon explores how we can cultivate a practice of listening to God’s voice through our devotional life and apply this practice to hearing God for others. Jimmy teaches that God has always desired to walk and talk with His people, guiding us through His Holy Spirit. When we position ourselves with surrender, Scripture, peace and godly counsel, we create the proper environment to hear His voice clearly and confidently.

This sermon emphasizes:

• God has always desired to walk and talk with His people, as demonstrated in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, which serves as the template for restored relationship through Christ.
• In the Old Testament, God spoke primarily through prophets, priests and kings, but Jesus came to remove the barrier of sin and restore direct communication with God for everyone.
• Jesus modeled relationship with God during His earthly ministry, and then sent the Holy Spirit to be our Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener and Standby.
• The Holy Spirit enables every believer to hear God’s voice today–not just leaders but everyone, as fulfilled in Acts 2:17-18.
• The four principles for hearing God confidently: having a heart of surrender, being grounded in the Word of God, following the peace of God and seeking godly counsel.
• Our devotional life should be interactive–asking God what He wants us to know and do based on His Word.
• We should listen to God not only for ourselves but also for others, edifying and encouraging the body of Christ through words of prophecy and encouragement.

Key Scriptures:

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20

“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” Hebrews 1:1-2

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:25-27

“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” John 16:7

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27

“And it shall be in the last days, God says, that I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy.” Acts 2:17-18

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1

“Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.” Proverbs 11:14

“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” John 15:9

“But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.” 1 Corinthians 14:3

Lifegroup Questions:

• What is a something God is doing in your devotional life this week?
• Break up into 2s and 3s and ask each other:
  • How is your devotional life going?
  • Is it both the time and quality you want?
  • How can we help each other?

Table Questions:

1. Rachel shared how God redeemed her story of loss by making her the very thing she longed for–a mother. How have you seen God redeem difficult parts of your own story?
2. The sermon described how Adam and Eve “walked and talked with God unhindered.” What do you think prevents us from experiencing this kind of relationship with God today?
3. What is your reaction to the statement that “anyone who tells you that God does not speak today in the present is not biblically grounded”? How does this challenge or affirm your understanding of hearing God?
4. How do you distinguish between your own thoughts, the enemy’s voice and God’s voice in your daily life? Which of the four principles for hearing God–surrender, Scripture, peace or godly counsel–do you find most helpful?
5. The sermon mentioned how fear and anxiety put “static in the system” when trying to hear God. What practices help you find peace that allows you to hear God more clearly?
6. Have you ever felt God nudging you to speak an encouraging word to someone else? What happened when you stepped out in faith–or what held you back if you didn’t?
7. Pastor Jimmy suggested that our devotional time should be interactive–asking God what He wants us to know and do. How might this approach change your current devotional practice?
8. The message emphasized that we hear God “not just individually, but as a people.” How has community helped you confirm or clarify what you believe God is saying to you?
9. Think about a recent decision you made. How did you seek to discern God’s voice in that process? What would you do differently next time?
10. The final section of the sermon focused on hearing God for others–to edify, exhort and comfort the church. What might be holding you back from stepping into this aspect of listening to God?