The Sheep Hear His Voice
Lloyd and Mary Gardner
January 8, 2021
The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (John 10:3, 4).
We direct this message to all who have been uprooted from their comfort zones by the recent turn of politics and social issues that have bombarded our nation. To you we say there is an answer but it does not lie in politics or any other accomplishment of humanity. The answer lies in finding the Good Shepherd who desires to lead us into an abundant life that He provides for His sheep.
In John chapter 10 we find the parable of the Shepherd and His sheep. The good Shepherd comes to the fold and calls out His sheep by name and then goes before them and they follow where He leads. “The sheep hear his voice” Jesus declares to us. In these times of turmoil there is a voice calling out to the sheep of God. It is the voice of the Shepherd calling us to His side. The voices of men today can reflect that soothing voice of the Lord but the voices of the world only cause fear and anxiety to grow. True spiritual sheep have learned to discern the voice of the Shepherd. “He who has an ear let Him hear,” Jesus tells us many times (Rev. 2:7, et al).
But there are other voices out there trying to lead us away from the voice of the Shepherd. Television, phones, computers, politicians, preachers and much more are yelling out the confusion of the age bringing fear and anxiety in their wake. This is the strategy of one identified in this parable with this warning: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (v. 10). When you hear the voice of this thief disguised as news, politics or a new product to buy, always remember that behind its superficial sound is a plot to steal, kill and destroy. This voice will steal your peace, or even your faith if you let it. Its goal is to kill you in spirit, soul or body and the end of its message is always destruction.
The voice of the Thief will entice you to follow but it will not lead you to life but to death. Jesus said in this same verse, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” He is not referring to the life we see all around us but to the life that only heaven can bring. It is a superabundant life that Jesus describes in another place as a “spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). This is God’s heavenly, spiritual, eternal life that has no bounds and cannot be measured by human means. It is life beyond description and only available in Jesus.
So, who are these sheep who hear the voice of the Shepherd? These are the ones who are seeking for the heavenly answer to the world’s chaos and frustration. Jesus told us “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” Matt. 7:7). God is not playing games with us. He wants us to find the answer to the world’s sin dilemma. If we ask He will give us the answer. If we seek He will lead us to the answer. If we knock He will come to the door. He has given us spiritual ears. Every human has these spiritual ears but it is not automatic that we will hear (Rev. 2:7; Heb. 5:11). If we are genuine in our search we will listen for the voice that has the answer. That voice is that of the Shepherd and if we are listening sheep we will hear and come out to Him and go where He leads.
So don’t let the recent news and events be the words that determine your life. Listen for the voice of the Shepherd. It promises abundant spiritual life that will carry you through all that the world throws at you. If you have never met this Shepherd, it is time now to hear His voice and respond. What He offers is free and comes with no hidden fine print. He is out front and truthful and offers you His abundant life—the life that He paid for with His own. Let’s hear His voice and go to Him and join the others waiting there in His flock.
Mary would like to add what the Lord has put on her heart this morning:
The Holy Spirit spoke these encouraging words to me this morning. “I bring you new hope! I AM the Alpha and Omega. The Beginning and the End, the Author and Finisher of your faith. Look to Me, nothing else. I AM on the throne. I AM reigning, I AM allowing, I AM THE GREAT I AM! Let go of your fears, your concepts. Trust in your Abba Father; My hand is not short! My ways are not your ways. I AM with you always. I will never abandon you! Your name is engraved on my hands. You are mine! It’s settled. Now, follow Me! I will safely see you through!”
Amen Lord!
Lloyd and Mary Gardner
January 8, 2021
The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (John 10:3, 4).
We direct this message to all who have been uprooted from their comfort zones by the recent turn of politics and social issues that have bombarded our nation. To you we say there is an answer but it does not lie in politics or any other accomplishment of humanity. The answer lies in finding the Good Shepherd who desires to lead us into an abundant life that He provides for His sheep.
In John chapter 10 we find the parable of the Shepherd and His sheep. The good Shepherd comes to the fold and calls out His sheep by name and then goes before them and they follow where He leads. “The sheep hear his voice” Jesus declares to us. In these times of turmoil there is a voice calling out to the sheep of God. It is the voice of the Shepherd calling us to His side. The voices of men today can reflect that soothing voice of the Lord but the voices of the world only cause fear and anxiety to grow. True spiritual sheep have learned to discern the voice of the Shepherd. “He who has an ear let Him hear,” Jesus tells us many times (Rev. 2:7, et al).
But there are other voices out there trying to lead us away from the voice of the Shepherd. Television, phones, computers, politicians, preachers and much more are yelling out the confusion of the age bringing fear and anxiety in their wake. This is the strategy of one identified in this parable with this warning: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (v. 10). When you hear the voice of this thief disguised as news, politics or a new product to buy, always remember that behind its superficial sound is a plot to steal, kill and destroy. This voice will steal your peace, or even your faith if you let it. Its goal is to kill you in spirit, soul or body and the end of its message is always destruction.
The voice of the Thief will entice you to follow but it will not lead you to life but to death. Jesus said in this same verse, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” He is not referring to the life we see all around us but to the life that only heaven can bring. It is a superabundant life that Jesus describes in another place as a “spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). This is God’s heavenly, spiritual, eternal life that has no bounds and cannot be measured by human means. It is life beyond description and only available in Jesus.
So, who are these sheep who hear the voice of the Shepherd? These are the ones who are seeking for the heavenly answer to the world’s chaos and frustration. Jesus told us “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” Matt. 7:7). God is not playing games with us. He wants us to find the answer to the world’s sin dilemma. If we ask He will give us the answer. If we seek He will lead us to the answer. If we knock He will come to the door. He has given us spiritual ears. Every human has these spiritual ears but it is not automatic that we will hear (Rev. 2:7; Heb. 5:11). If we are genuine in our search we will listen for the voice that has the answer. That voice is that of the Shepherd and if we are listening sheep we will hear and come out to Him and go where He leads.
So don’t let the recent news and events be the words that determine your life. Listen for the voice of the Shepherd. It promises abundant spiritual life that will carry you through all that the world throws at you. If you have never met this Shepherd, it is time now to hear His voice and respond. What He offers is free and comes with no hidden fine print. He is out front and truthful and offers you His abundant life—the life that He paid for with His own. Let’s hear His voice and go to Him and join the others waiting there in His flock.
Mary would like to add what the Lord has put on her heart this morning:
The Holy Spirit spoke these encouraging words to me this morning. “I bring you new hope! I AM the Alpha and Omega. The Beginning and the End, the Author and Finisher of your faith. Look to Me, nothing else. I AM on the throne. I AM reigning, I AM allowing, I AM THE GREAT I AM! Let go of your fears, your concepts. Trust in your Abba Father; My hand is not short! My ways are not your ways. I AM with you always. I will never abandon you! Your name is engraved on my hands. You are mine! It’s settled. Now, follow Me! I will safely see you through!”
Amen Lord!
