A Familiar Voice - Message given on 4/29/07
Let us pray: Good Shepherd of our soul, we ask you to lead us in the paths you have set before us. May we recognize and listen to your voice like the sheep who know their shepherd. Even though we tend to go astray, do not forsake us. Even though your paths may lead us through the valley of the shadow of death, lead us to the green pastures of your heavenly kingdom. I pray that each heart here be open to your word this morning and that my words become truly yours in spirit. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight oh Lord our rock and our redeemer. AMEN
Have you ever been lost? I have to admit; I don’t have much of a sense of direction. The first time I remember getting lost was when I was five. I got lost going around the block and never even crossed the street.
I can remember going out on Lake Lanier many years ago. All the shoreline looked the same to me. It didn’t take going very far before I had no idea where we were. Fortunately, my Dad didn’t have the same lack of direction I had. He never got lost, or so it seemed. We’d be out on a ride, and I’d have no idea where we were. Finally, I’d make out a familiar sight, maybe a house with a boat dock, and I’d know we were close to our home port.
My driving days were also full of terror. It’s amazing how I could go someplace time after time while riding in the car with my parents and still be clueless on how to get there as soon as I got behind the wheel myself. I remember one time not long after I got my driver’s license. My band director was going to pick up his car that was being repaired at a downtown Atlanta car dealer. He asked if I would ride with him and drive his car back to the high school. I naturally agreed-new teenaged drivers are always looking for opportunities to get behind the wheel. We went downtown and picked up his new car. It was a sports model, a Studebaker Avanti. I was to follow him back. He lost me at the first or second light. I had a general idea of how to get home. But it was Atlanta and I might have tried to go around the block. (Don’t EVER do that in Atlanta!) I took some wrong turns. Then I got stuck in rush hour. I can remember starting to get a little bit panicky. I was never so relieved when I finally got into my home neighborhood. Being lost is no fun.
I can remember another time I got lost. I was on a camping trip. I took a little walk into the woods. Naturally, I got to a place where I didn’t know exactly where I was. You know that little trick they tell you about looking at trees to see which side the moss is growing on? Then you can tell which way is north and find your way? Forget that! In order for north or south to be helpful you have to already know where you are. When you’re lost, it’s not helpful. Anyway, I can remember getting that slightly panicky feeling again. I marched around a while longer, and then I heard the familiar voice of my scoutmaster in our camp. No sound ever sounded so sweet as that voice at that time! When you’re lost, a familiar voice is a lifesaver.
But think of a time when you were lost. How did it feel? Did you ever get that sinking feeling? Did you ever feel the relief I did when you finally heard a familiar voice? Jesus knew the importance of that kind of a voice. Let’s hear about it in God’s word for us this morning.
John 10:22-30 NLT
22 It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah. 23 He was at the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon's Colonnade. 24 The Jewish leaders surrounded him and asked, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus replied, "I have already told you, and you don't believe me. The proof is what I do in the name of my Father. 26 But you don't believe me because you are not part of my flock. 27 My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me. 30 The Father and I are one."
The Word of God, written for the people of God - Thanks be to God
This short little Scripture passage tells us a lot. First of all, it lets us know that Jesus was in the habit of worshiping in the temple. Those who want to say they follow Jesus but don’t want to go to church aren’t following the Jesus in this passage. He regularly went to worship. The Bible tells us not to forsake the fellowship of the brethren (and sisteren). Jesus didn’t, and we shouldn’t either.
Next today’s lesson tells us about the Jewish leaders. They knew about Jesus and they wanted to know just who he was. "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." These leaders were lost. They wanted to find a way out. Or else they just wanted to find a way to trap Jesus. Either way, they were just as lost. Unfortunately, Jesus knew their hearts and knew that they really weren’t open to His leadership.
In order to get yourself out of a situation where you are lost, have to do a couple of things. First, you have to admit you are lost. You’ve all heard the stories about how men won’t ask directions. Many a macho man will drive around for hours and hours and miles and miles before they would admit they were lost. Obviously, that is one problem I don’t have. I’m ALWAYS lost! The next thing you have to do if you’re lost, is to listen to the person who can give you instructions. That’s not always easy. I was in turkey last year, and I needed to get to a store that sold electrical equipment. Someone tried to tell me how to get there. I was having a really difficult time understanding. Finally, a kind soul told me to follow him. He took me to the store.
The problem was that the Jewish leaders wouldn’t admit they needed Jesus, and they wouldn’t follow His directions. “26 But you don't believe me because you are not part of my flock. 27 My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” In order to follow Jesus, we have to be able to recognize His voice. We can hear that voice through Scripture. Jesus calls us through His word. But we have to open ourselves to the Word. So many of us are going around bumbling and fumbling. We’re making a mess of our lives, going in the wrong direction, doing the wrong things. The directions are right before us; but we don’t avail ourselves of way out. When we’re part of Jesus’ flock, we recognize His voice. It’s like the voice of my scoutmaster when I was lost in the woods. I knew I was back where I needed to be.
After He explained the importance of recognizing His voice, Jesus said something that is even more comforting to me. “No one will snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me.” My daughter Jenny is living proof of this truth. Although she went some really bad times in her teenage years and even forgot her salvation, in the end, the devil couldn’t snatch her away.
Being one of Jesus’ sheep and recognizing His voice gives us this great thing called assurance. We may have some difficult times. We might get into some messes that cause us real grief. But when it all comes down to it, we are still children of God. We can’t do anything that makes God love us any less. Our saving grace is a gift FOREVER. We didn’t have to earn the first time, and we don’t have to pass a test to keep it. Our desire to become sanctified Christians is in thankful response to the gift of grace. Sanctification is not a ticket to heaven. The grace has already done that. We will not be plucked out of His hand.
I can’t leave this passage without one last comment on the last quote. “30 The Father and I are one.” For many years, one of the most beloved people in my life was not a believer. It was my Dad. For years I had tried to persuade him of the truth of Jesus and His grace. Dad just couldn’t quite seem to grasp the faith that was so dear to me. He believed in God, but not Jesus. As much comfort as my faith gave me, I felt that much worry about my Dad’s soul. I had given up trying to convince him. My efforts at evangelism had become a negative factor in our relationship, and I determined that our relationship was more important than my need to convert him. Then, one July night in 2003, he called me. He told me he wanted to talk about his faith, but didn’t want me to speak because he didn’t want to debate the issue. I gladly listened. He explained his faith in Jesus Christ to me and concluded by saying, “God and Jesus are one.” He had come to a faith in Jesus Christ. His familiar voice was singing a song that gladdened my heart. Christ is calling; can you hear His voice? In the name of the father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
MAY WE PRAY? Almighty and gracious God, help us to always recognize your voice. Help us to follow you-ALWAYS! No one can snatch us away. In Jesus’ name AMEN.
Have you ever been lost? I have to admit; I don’t have much of a sense of direction. The first time I remember getting lost was when I was five. I got lost going around the block and never even crossed the street.
I can remember going out on Lake Lanier many years ago. All the shoreline looked the same to me. It didn’t take going very far before I had no idea where we were. Fortunately, my Dad didn’t have the same lack of direction I had. He never got lost, or so it seemed. We’d be out on a ride, and I’d have no idea where we were. Finally, I’d make out a familiar sight, maybe a house with a boat dock, and I’d know we were close to our home port.
My driving days were also full of terror. It’s amazing how I could go someplace time after time while riding in the car with my parents and still be clueless on how to get there as soon as I got behind the wheel myself. I remember one time not long after I got my driver’s license. My band director was going to pick up his car that was being repaired at a downtown Atlanta car dealer. He asked if I would ride with him and drive his car back to the high school. I naturally agreed-new teenaged drivers are always looking for opportunities to get behind the wheel. We went downtown and picked up his new car. It was a sports model, a Studebaker Avanti. I was to follow him back. He lost me at the first or second light. I had a general idea of how to get home. But it was Atlanta and I might have tried to go around the block. (Don’t EVER do that in Atlanta!) I took some wrong turns. Then I got stuck in rush hour. I can remember starting to get a little bit panicky. I was never so relieved when I finally got into my home neighborhood. Being lost is no fun.
I can remember another time I got lost. I was on a camping trip. I took a little walk into the woods. Naturally, I got to a place where I didn’t know exactly where I was. You know that little trick they tell you about looking at trees to see which side the moss is growing on? Then you can tell which way is north and find your way? Forget that! In order for north or south to be helpful you have to already know where you are. When you’re lost, it’s not helpful. Anyway, I can remember getting that slightly panicky feeling again. I marched around a while longer, and then I heard the familiar voice of my scoutmaster in our camp. No sound ever sounded so sweet as that voice at that time! When you’re lost, a familiar voice is a lifesaver.
But think of a time when you were lost. How did it feel? Did you ever get that sinking feeling? Did you ever feel the relief I did when you finally heard a familiar voice? Jesus knew the importance of that kind of a voice. Let’s hear about it in God’s word for us this morning.
John 10:22-30 NLT
22 It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah. 23 He was at the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon's Colonnade. 24 The Jewish leaders surrounded him and asked, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus replied, "I have already told you, and you don't believe me. The proof is what I do in the name of my Father. 26 But you don't believe me because you are not part of my flock. 27 My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me. 30 The Father and I are one."
The Word of God, written for the people of God - Thanks be to God
This short little Scripture passage tells us a lot. First of all, it lets us know that Jesus was in the habit of worshiping in the temple. Those who want to say they follow Jesus but don’t want to go to church aren’t following the Jesus in this passage. He regularly went to worship. The Bible tells us not to forsake the fellowship of the brethren (and sisteren). Jesus didn’t, and we shouldn’t either.
Next today’s lesson tells us about the Jewish leaders. They knew about Jesus and they wanted to know just who he was. "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." These leaders were lost. They wanted to find a way out. Or else they just wanted to find a way to trap Jesus. Either way, they were just as lost. Unfortunately, Jesus knew their hearts and knew that they really weren’t open to His leadership.
In order to get yourself out of a situation where you are lost, have to do a couple of things. First, you have to admit you are lost. You’ve all heard the stories about how men won’t ask directions. Many a macho man will drive around for hours and hours and miles and miles before they would admit they were lost. Obviously, that is one problem I don’t have. I’m ALWAYS lost! The next thing you have to do if you’re lost, is to listen to the person who can give you instructions. That’s not always easy. I was in turkey last year, and I needed to get to a store that sold electrical equipment. Someone tried to tell me how to get there. I was having a really difficult time understanding. Finally, a kind soul told me to follow him. He took me to the store.
The problem was that the Jewish leaders wouldn’t admit they needed Jesus, and they wouldn’t follow His directions. “26 But you don't believe me because you are not part of my flock. 27 My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” In order to follow Jesus, we have to be able to recognize His voice. We can hear that voice through Scripture. Jesus calls us through His word. But we have to open ourselves to the Word. So many of us are going around bumbling and fumbling. We’re making a mess of our lives, going in the wrong direction, doing the wrong things. The directions are right before us; but we don’t avail ourselves of way out. When we’re part of Jesus’ flock, we recognize His voice. It’s like the voice of my scoutmaster when I was lost in the woods. I knew I was back where I needed to be.
After He explained the importance of recognizing His voice, Jesus said something that is even more comforting to me. “No one will snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me.” My daughter Jenny is living proof of this truth. Although she went some really bad times in her teenage years and even forgot her salvation, in the end, the devil couldn’t snatch her away.
Being one of Jesus’ sheep and recognizing His voice gives us this great thing called assurance. We may have some difficult times. We might get into some messes that cause us real grief. But when it all comes down to it, we are still children of God. We can’t do anything that makes God love us any less. Our saving grace is a gift FOREVER. We didn’t have to earn the first time, and we don’t have to pass a test to keep it. Our desire to become sanctified Christians is in thankful response to the gift of grace. Sanctification is not a ticket to heaven. The grace has already done that. We will not be plucked out of His hand.
I can’t leave this passage without one last comment on the last quote. “30 The Father and I are one.” For many years, one of the most beloved people in my life was not a believer. It was my Dad. For years I had tried to persuade him of the truth of Jesus and His grace. Dad just couldn’t quite seem to grasp the faith that was so dear to me. He believed in God, but not Jesus. As much comfort as my faith gave me, I felt that much worry about my Dad’s soul. I had given up trying to convince him. My efforts at evangelism had become a negative factor in our relationship, and I determined that our relationship was more important than my need to convert him. Then, one July night in 2003, he called me. He told me he wanted to talk about his faith, but didn’t want me to speak because he didn’t want to debate the issue. I gladly listened. He explained his faith in Jesus Christ to me and concluded by saying, “God and Jesus are one.” He had come to a faith in Jesus Christ. His familiar voice was singing a song that gladdened my heart. Christ is calling; can you hear His voice? In the name of the father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
MAY WE PRAY? Almighty and gracious God, help us to always recognize your voice. Help us to follow you-ALWAYS! No one can snatch us away. In Jesus’ name AMEN.