God is the God Who Speaks

Hebrews 1:1-2

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom He created the world.



God is the God who speaks to His people. God communicates. God does not just speak to be speaking, God also always speaks with a purpose. He speaks to reveal Himself, His purpose, and His ways.



How do we hear God’s voice?



His voice will always be consistent with His Word.



Throughout the Scripture, hearing God’s voice is synonymous with obeying His Word. This hearing is not a function of the ears but a willing response from our heart. God speaks to our heart which is the seat of our will.



Luke 8:21

Jesus replied, “My mother and My brothers are all those who hear God’s Word and obey it.”



Those who belong to Jesus are those who hear and obey God’s Word.



Hebrews 3:7-8

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the wilderness.”



The writer is reminding the people to obey when they hear God’s voice and not to harden their hearts or will as did their forefathers.



Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is hearing God’s voice through His Word and obeying it.



God’s voice is received and applied by the Holy Spirit



1 Corinthians 2:9-12

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, not have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of God? For what man knows the things of man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.



We will not hear God’s voice by human reasoning, but only by the Holy Spirit revealing God’s Word to us.



Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is receiving God’s Word through the Spirit and being empowered to obey His Word by the Spirit.



God’s voice is comprehended and confirmed among the community of faith, the church.



Acts 13:2

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”



We as American Christians tend to see Christianity as individual, but the Bible reveals that Christianity is about community. God speaks to us as individuals, but He also speaks to us as the ecclesia, the gathering of the called-out ones. God’s voice is made clearer and confirmed in the community of faith.



Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is do life together as the family of God and, in doing life together, to hear His voice more clearly.



God does not speak in an audible voice, but He does speak to His people by His Word through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Our job is to listen and obey.



1 Samuel 15:22

But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” 

Listening to and Obeying God’s Voice

by Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

Joe