Background for before Matthew 13 when the parables begin:

Sabbath is a day of rest. Jesus was again confronted by the Pharisees about Him breaking "their" rules. He had been giving them two years of direct quotes from Scriputre. He had to have constant arguments with the Pharisees. He healed on the Sabbath and all they could think is that he broke "their" rule. He finally was just done with them and their hard-heartedness. The parables were in a sense a kind of judgment on them.

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." Matthew 12:30-32

"But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” 38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." Matthew 12:36-39

Why Parables?

Pride-- the mind of man: Science and theology and higher education. All these were created to bring us closer to God. But often man's pride will use them to feel like they are so important. Life becomes a theory, not a life application. When we are living in theories rather than really living there is a problem. 

"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
1 Corinthians 1:21-27

It's not about how smart you are, it's about how much God loves us.

Parables fulfil prophecy

"In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them." Matthew 13:14-15

Jesus is done arguing with them.

Parables: they are all reflections of the kingdom of God. It's all about the heart -- the soils parables. Parables -- unfinished, not logical. 

"I will open my mouth with a parable;
    I will utter hidden things, things from of old—" Psalm 78:2

They aren't just stories. 

Parables show the spiritual kingdom to Believers.

"With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything." Mark 4:33-34

Explanation to the disciples.

"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." Matthew 13:16-17

Blessed are we. We get to see it all.

"Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things." 1 Peter 1:10-12

It's to us they were written. We have so much potential that is unrealized. Am I being a Jonah? When I use my own "wisdom" I'm being a fool.

What are the parables to us today?

Examples of the kingdom of God.

God wants us to be hungry for Him. Then we will seek Him.

Through the discernment of study and the Holy Spirit, understanding.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

An "If" passage...If you do____________you wil get_____________.

If you don't seek it you will never find it.

The tools I have don't work if I don't use them. We can't fake our way through. We have to get to be one with God. 

Are you seeking?

Is your heart soft enough, are your ears and eyes open?

Are you willing to surrender your own pride to see what the Spirit is revealing?

In faith, the answers are waiting for you. 

"Because I said so" from God is enough.
​

Community is so important for the harvest! The season for spiritual harvest. We just have to be looking for it. The world is a bunch of helpless sheep without a shepherd (and there are wolves too). 

7 Steps to Harvest:

#1. The Soil. 

"Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times." Mark 4:8

How we live our lives will affect the "soil" of a person's heart. People need to see the light in us. There's enough strife in the world. They don't need it from us. 

#2. Seed.

"It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” Mark 4:31-32

Jesus doesn't care about the depth or the size of the seed. He says for us to just cast the seed. God doesn't say to be selective in this process. Leave the results to Spirit.

#3. Showers.
The Holy Spirit will rain down on the seeds and cause the germination and growth. 

 "for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” Luke 12:12

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." Romans 8:26-27

We can't force it.

#4 The Seasons.
"Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." John 4:35

The harvest is now. If you don't harvest when the harvest is ripe, it will rot in the field. It will be gone, no good. Look for someone who needs harvesting. Harvest is the best time of year.

#5 Servants.
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go." Matthew 21:28-30

Are we the first son or the second son in our actions?

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," 1 Peter 1:3

He has given you what you need to do His work. Get engaged. Just do it. You have got to be wiling to do something. You hvae to watch where you're going (not your feet). If you drop the ball, there is temporary chaos. Do you work. 

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:4-8

All of us are different. We all have something to give.We're all gifted to pray. We have immense capability in this room.

#6 Sacrifice.
"Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them." Psalm 126:5-6

Sacrifice is necessary. Time, effort, the things are most important to you will get your time. Everything you need will be provided. First Fruits -- give God your very best. We don't need to see it all. We just have to get to work. It might be seed planting. It might be harvesting.

#7 Sure Hope.
"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness." 2 Corinthians 9:10

God will take care of it. You would not plant if you didn't believe you would harvest. Do the same with spiritual planting. As we gather, we can plant more.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Get engaged. Get involved. Don't give up. Ever. The harvest is here and the harvest is coming.

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Romans 12:11

Don't lose your first love.

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”" Isaiah 6:8

Here I am, Lord. Send me, Lord! Use Me! Use the gifts in Me. Use Me!

"Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:24-26

The promises of John 14 are found in verses, 2, 3 and 12:
"My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" John 14:2

​"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:3

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12

His disciples had been following Jesus for 3 years. They still didn't understand it all. They needed the Holy Spirit, the Path of Truth.

"And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness," Exodus 34:6 (The Father)

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (The Son)

 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you." John 14:15-17 (The Spirit)

From the Father to the Son to the Spirit to Us.

The Spirit is our Advocate. He is just as real as Jesus, just as real as Father. Also called Counselor, Friend. In Greek His role means: "Someone who will protect you and lay  you down in a warm bed when you need it."

The Human Condition: "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44  Naturally, we are liars.

The path to understanding the truth: "Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:24-26

The Wisdom: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me." John 15:26

He sent the Spirit -- we are never left alone to figure all this out ourselves.

First step is to believe:
"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." 1 Corinthians 1:21

 "always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 3:7 -- without the Spirit we can't come to the truth.

Salvation leads to truth:  "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 timothy 2:3-4

The Spirit can act. Be saved, How do you get the Spirit? By accepting Jesus.

"After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken." John 2:22 (Because they now had the Spirit)

We need the Spirit to understand the Wod.

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.[a] 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth." 1 John 2:20-21

The promise of the Anointing:
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” John 16:12-15

"As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him." 1 John 2:27

The Word of God -- The Whole Truth.

​When I listen I will learn. Get in touch with Spirit.

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5     It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other;
    nothing is deprived of its warmth.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous." Psalm 19:1-9

Every single thing in creation is a wonder of God: babies, flowers, bees, trees, our bodies.
For example, 1055 amino acids make up a protein, but those amino acids have to be lined up in one perfect order. For this to happen accidentally, the chance of this happening would be 10 to the 260th power!

God's wonder is laid out all around us. The wonder of God is self-evident.

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
    or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform you.
9 Which of all these does not know
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9

Man is the only creation that will deny God.

"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Romans 1:20

The Joy of the Law of God

"The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous." Psalm 19:7-9

The Law gives us and all things guidance.

"My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, but don't be crushed by it either. It's the child he loves that he disciplies; the child he embraces, he also corrects." Hebrews 12:6

Discipline comes from love. God's ways are always best.

The Love of God in Jesus

God's plan from the very beginning was to make a way for us to be with him -- that way is Jesus.

 "He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”" Mark 4:26-29

1. Our God is alive and working.
2. He loves us enough to discipline us.
3. He loved us enough to send Jesus.
4. We need to be actively growing. We need to be fertile soil.
5. The Creator is still creating.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.​" Romans 5:8

He Demonstrates. Present tense!

We should be faithfully growing daily, never stopping until death or when Jesus comes back.

We should be faithfully planting, never stopping until death or when Jesus comes back.

Jesus will come back for the final harvst.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

Hope brings joy. There are different kinds of joy. Day-to-day we can have joy. All the time.

Mountaintop joy:
"They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna![a]”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”" John 12:13

Valley of Shadow:
 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard." Matthew 27:65-66

They were not just separated by death but also Jesus's body was taken away. There was no chance to grieve over the body. We want to have that last chance with the body often when death occurs.

There are times we let "stones" separate us from Jesus.

"So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22

You will suffer but joy will be at the end. 

Mountaintop joy again:
"When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight."
Luke 24:30-31

"While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.'" Luke 24:36

We serve a living God. 

Joy in understanding:
"Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45

The disciples had been walking around with Jesus, but they didn't understand the Scriptures till then. Maybe didn't see Him in all of scripture until then? 

"When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy." Luke 24:50-52

Mountaintop of the Spirit:
 "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them." Acts 2:1-4

The joy of knowing this isn't all there is. We have hope to give people. Joy is recognition beyond ourselves. If we look for it, we'll see it. If we seek it we'll find it.

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8-9

The Joy of Jesus is you and me, us! Saving us!

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:11

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

He will be so joyful when we get there. There will be lots of parties in heaven. 

The Mountaintop of Joy to Come:
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

This is not our home. Heaven is eternal. When we finish we will be with Jesus. Just keep going till you hit the end.

"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2

"Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”" Nehemiah 8:10

God is NEVER begrudging with His love!! 

Slavery was acceptable and public in Bible times. Now it is hidden (most of the time). Today, we are talking about a different kind of slavery.​

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

Paul is telling them to not go back to slavery. They'd (and we) have been freed already. Don't go back. Jesus set us free so we would be and stay free. There were people coming from Jerusalem who told the Galatian church members they needed to obey the Mosiac law. They were trying to add to the gospel.

Faith in Christ is our freedom.

"because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2

Two Slaveries: Legalism and Sin

"You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:4-6

If you're trying to live by rules instead of by Grace and faith, you aren't living a life of faith. It's all about faith. It's easy to fall into rules/legalism. Humans like to control things, to control other peole. 

Legalism= the excessive adherence to law/formula/rules.

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.'" Galatians 5:7-9

Who cut in on you? Who got you off course? Why are you listening to them?

It doesn't take much to change something. Watch out for "bad yeast." Legalism, if it comes in, can take over quickly. Faith is so simple it confounds the wise. Don't go back to the law.

"For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:14

Jesus completed the law.

Don't choose slavery.
 
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:32-36

Second slavery -- Slavery of Self-Indulgence (license)

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love." Galatians 5:13

Stay on the path. Don't use your freedom to fall away. If you love Jesus you will keep His commandments (that is what He says). Sin harms me and those around me.

Here is a short list of the self-indulgent sins:

"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21

We are for or against Christ. We walk by the Spirit or by the flesh. Either or. We must surrender/yield to the Spirit.

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a]you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."
Galatians 5:16-18

The Judge is the Judge. He judges right from wrong. We condemn ourselves. God never condemns. We choose Him or condemnation. We condemn ourselves when we don't choose Jesus. 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:22-24

That is a life walking by the Spirit.

Self-control and love go hand in hand. Our joy will come through loving and serving others. Be joyful!

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25

It's easy to see someone is out of step because he or she eventually walks away. Correct them in love. If you aren't in step you're walking away. Keep in step with the Spirit. It is all behind us in less we stand still -- then the junk wil catch up with us. 

Hold on! He is coming!!

'Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you,25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’" Revelation 2:24-25

"Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:25-27

Listening is an art form. You have to train yourself to learn to listen well. Humans are naturally good at it. We naturally just listen for what we want to hear. And we can hear God's voice if we pay attention. He is speaking and wants each of us to hear Him.

"he said, “Listen to my words:
“When there is a prophet among you,
    I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions,
    I speak to them in dreams." Numbers 12:6

"But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:20

"For God does speak—now one way, now another--
    though no one perceives it.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night,
    when deep sleep falls on people
    as they slumber in their beds,
16 he may speak in their ears
    and terrify them with warnings,
17 to turn them from wrongdoing
    and keep them from pride,
18 to preserve them from the pit,
    their lives from perishing by the sword." Job 33:14-18

To be part of a relationship you have to do your part. You have to communicate. You have to listen. 

Have caution -- don't take someone else's words at face value. Do your own research. Speak to God yourself. 

"The idols speak deceitfully,
    diviners see visions that lie;
they tell dreams that are false,
    they give comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wander like sheep
    oppressed for lack of a shepherd." Zechariah 10:2

"Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God." Ecclesiastes 5:7

God can speak to us anyone He wants to. He spoke to Moses the first time thorugh a bush!

Then there was the long silence:



"The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am.”" 1 Samuel 3:1-4

Silence was in preparation for the next step.

Jesus didn't have to stay around and have a ministry. He did all this so we could have a relationship with Him. God has not changed. 

 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." Malachi 3:6

 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

If you aren't hearing from God, you aren't listening. 

The more familiar you are with God's voice, the more you will hear Him.

God will speak to us through His word.
 
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a]may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Our Father is speaking to His children. 

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

the Word is alive!

He speaks to us intentionally and personally. If you're walking in faithfulness, God will speak. What you fill your world with is what You will focus on.

"Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:23-26

"Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:3

The World wants us distrated and following impulses and totally disorganized. 

Often, God will speak to us through circumstances.

"or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Give your testimony from the point of weakness. Use discernment and prayer.

"But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults." Psalm 19:12

"Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands." Psalm 119:66

"let the wise listen and add to their learning,
    and let the discerning get guidance—" Proverb 1:5

Don't take stuff at face value. Do your own research.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

If you ask God a question, give Him time to answer.

Focus on God. Dwell with Him. Listen. He has something to tell you.

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord." Ephesians 5:8-10

Are you listening for the Shepherd's voice?