Hearing God

It was a reasonable question, a debatable one. “Jesus,” the lady at the well asked, “where should we worship, in the temple in Jerusalem, or on this holy mountain?” Jesus responded by explaining that she had missed the point. It “no longer matters whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem… true worshipers worship Him in spirit and truth.”

Both America and the Philippines are rich in religious traditions. How easy it is to focus on and debate external aspects of our churches. Which church has the most members? Who has the best preacher? What programs should we have? When should we meet? How are we going to pay for…whatever?

Once again, I think Jesus would lament by saying, “You miss the point. Worship is not about these external things, but about daily hearing God speak through His Spirit in you, wherever you are, and walking in obedience to the truth He gives.”

During the next two days, I will be speaking to most of our house church leaders during special training sessions. My message will be simple. Unless we regularly hear God’s voice and obey, we will not grow in our relationship with Him. If we don’t grow spiritually, our churches will not grow. Yes, we can grow churches that are centered on buildings, programs, fellowships, and such. But these are not the kind of churches/worshipers the Father seeks.

One does not need to be a spiritual giant to hear God speak. In Matthew 16, Jesus had asked His disciples who they thought He was. Peter gave the right answer, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter probably thought it was obvious. Look at all His miracles and the power of His teachings. But Jesus explained, “Peter, you didn’t discover this on your own. It was shown to you by My Father in heaven.” However, in the very next verses, Peter makes a misguided comment. Jesus rebukes impetuous Peter by saying to him, “Get away from Me, Satan! You’re in My way because you think like everyone else and not like God.

It was Peter who didn’t want Jesus to wash his feet, who couldn’t keep his eyes on Jesus when stepping out of the boat, and who denied Jesus 3 times after saying he would never do such a thing. Sounds kindda like me! Too often, I’m ashamed to let Jesus minister to me, I don’t keep my focus on Him when the going gets rough, and I sometimes end up doing the very things I said I wouldn’t.

Yet, Peter heard God speak!

Hearing God speak doesn’t need to be complicated. The best way to hear Him speak is through reading the Bible, especially the Psalms and Proverbs. Let His Holy Spirit talk to us through the pages He inspired. Yes, sometimes He has to speak to me about my sins. But other times He whispers my name and speaks of His love for me.

We can hear God speak through promptings and impressions, through other people or books or music. We might be overwhelmed with joy or peace, as Jan and I often were during our cancer adventure. We had joy and peace in knowing God was orchestrating every aspect of our illness for His glory and our eternal benefit. (Joy is a function of our spirit in harmony with God’s Spirit, whereas happiness is a function of our emotions.)

Jesus said people will follow Him because, “they know His voice” (John 10). Please pray that our house church leaders will open the ears of their hearts to hear God’s voice, that all of us will open our Bibles in eager anticipation of hearing God speak, that we will follow Him, not because of the traditions of our church, but because we hear His voice, and joyfully obey.

May it be so.