Sermon Central
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Learn To Listen
Contributed by Ian Johnson on Jun 4, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: Learning to hear the voice of God through our daily experiance.
When a strange bird comes into my garden I know it!
I know when the shinning cockoo’s have returned from their winter retreats
I know when the grey warbler leaves to nest
I know when black swans fly over at night
I know when rosellas fly through, and I know when they stop to rest.
In any area of New Zealand I go to I can tell you what birds are around.
HOW COME?
Beacause as a young man I studied ornithology. I sat in gardens, I lingered in forrests< I perched in swamps, and observed the gentle Mook mook sounds of the very shy Spotless crake.
I have seen just about every Native and introduced bird in its natural habitat, and I know their ways.
So when one comes into my garden, I know it.
I know their sounds, and I know where to look when I hear them (Rosella) Different sound when flying to when they stop. I know to look high in the trees for them. I know to look on the ground for Pukeko’s, because thats where they live.
How do I know: It took time, it took Patience, it took percevernce>
God wants you to know when he is in your garden:
He wants you to know when Satan or some demonic messenger is in your garden.
He wants you to know when Angles are precent.
He wants you to know Him as Father, As Jesus, As Holy Spirit.
He wants to demonstrate His
Glory
Power
Presence
Love
kindness
Displeasure
Pleasure
God dwells in your Garden, Do you know when he is there? Do you know what he wants,
Does He want to just sit with you
To tell you something
To rebuke you
To caress you
To teach you
If God is precent do you know?
How do you learn what He wants?
How do we attract Him to our garden?
1) WAIT ON HIM:
ISA 40:31 LB
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
ISA 49:23 LB
23 Kings and queens shall serve you; they shall care for all your needs. They shall bow to the earth before you and lick the dust from off your feet; then you shall know I am the Lord. Those who wait for me shall never be ashamed."
ISA 64:4 LB
4 For since the world began no one has seen or heard of such a God as ours, who works for those who wait for him!
14 Don’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave, stouthearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and he will help you.
GET THE PICTURE.
If we wait on Him we will find Him.
But its not like waiting for a bus:
Hebrew word is Qavah KAW_VAH
“To gather” -”To Bind together”- “To collect” _”To Expect” --”To Look”-- “To Patiently tarry” “To wait”
TO GATHER
To gather information, study His habits, His ways in the book (bible)
Know what attracts Him and what repels Him
Know where He loves to dwell and wait for Him there.
No use looking for a Tui at a rubbish dump, But wait in a Nector filled Kowai grove and you wont be dissapointed.
TO BIND TOGETHER, TO COLLECT
I used to do a beach patrol once or twice a week for Auckland univercity, Looking for dead sea birds, identifying and recording the find. Sometimes I would find a bird I couldnt identify. I would measure its wings, its upper and lower madable, observe its markings and colour. then go to the reference guide to identify it, based on the facts. This way there is no doubt.
When we seek His company we should take notes, compare what we heard and saw with the reference guide (Bible)
Take notes to remind you of His word. If you think you heard Him write it down, check it out in the reference book ( Bible).
All this takes time,
It takes Patience
It takes disipline
it takes effort.
2) Listen for Him.
we learn to listen and we learn to love His voice. Because it is food and Life to us.
Consider. JOHN 10: 1-16
10:1 "Anyone refusing to walk through the gate into a sheepfold, who sneaks over the wall, must surely be a thief!,2 For a shepherd comes through the gate.
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice and come to him; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.4 He walks ahead of them; and they follow him, for they recognize his voice.
5 They won’t follow a stranger but will run from him, for they don’t recognize his voice."