The Only Voice Worth Listening To
Sermon notes from John Stickl at Valley Creek Church on hearing God's voice, aligning with what he is saying, and becoming a people who listen and respond.
Spirit and life
You don't have to have it all figured out. It's okay to have doubts, struggles, and questions.
Jesus says his words are spirit and life. Sometimes he speaks over our heads and into our hearts. Even when we don't understand everything, our hearts can burn as we open ourselves to what he wants to do.
A prophetic reset
Are you aligned and moving forward with God?
A prophetic reset is aligning your life with what God is saying. Prophetic means a specific word from God that empowers you to create the future with him. It comes from God, not from yourself or the world, and strengthens you with courage, faith, and hope.
Your life is too significant to be led only by what you think, want, or feel, or by what everyone else says.
God is real. He speaks to me. I follow him.
Sometimes his word brings alignment where we have drifted. Sometimes we are already aligned, and his word invites us to advance. Ask him to search your heart, and call to him for what you do not yet know.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.
The only voice worth listening to
The question is not only whether God is speaking or whether we are listening. Are we aligning and advancing?
Why would we want to hear from God? Because he is the only one who has anything worth saying. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
His word can heal your past, give you grace for the present, and give you hope for the future.
Our great problem is that we forget who speaks. He made us, carries us, sustains us, and knows the end from the beginning. He is not first as though there were a second and third. He is the only one. May we feel the weight, glory, and goodness of the Lord who chooses to speak to us.
4 Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.
5 To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?
6 They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship.
7 They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.
8 Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors!
9 Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.
10 I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
11 I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.
12 Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness:
Mary listened
Martha was busy preparing, worried and upset about many things. Mary sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he said.
We often mistake busyness for a significant life. But the authority to speak comes from the willingness to listen. The humility to listen gives us the authority to lead.
Who told you to do all the things you are worried and upset about? We can fill our lives with things Jesus never asked us to do.
Do you spend time sitting at his feet, letting him speak about your marriage, your children, your parents, your work, your calling, your struggles, and your pain?
The only one worth listening to invites us to sit at his feet.
39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message.
40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things.
42 But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Give careful thought to your ways
In Haggai, the people had returned from exile, but God's house remained in ruins while everyone focused on their own homes and lives.
God asked them to consider their ways. They planted much but harvested little. They ate without being satisfied and earned wages that seemed to disappear.
Does that feel like your life? Have you stopped to ask why?
The issue was alignment. They were focused on their own priorities without asking what mattered to God. We are told to seek first his kingdom, but we often seek everything else and hope we will also get Jesus.
4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”
5 Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways.
6 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.”
A stirred heart responds
The people obeyed the voice of the Lord and feared him. The Lord stirred their spirits, and they began working on his house.
This is the prayer for Valley Creek: a divine stirring, an awakening to the fact that there is more to life than what we have been doing.
May we move from our thoughts, desires, plans, and dreams to asking, Lord, what are you saying?
He has better plans than anything we could create without him. The glory to come is greater than the glory of what was, and in that alignment he grants peace.
Sit. Listen. Respond.
13 Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, delivered the message of the LORD to the people: “I am with you,” declares the LORD.
14 So the LORD stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and began the work on the house of the LORD of Hosts, their God,
Receive his word and turn
God speaks words of healing, breakthrough, promise, freedom, provision, and peace. But we have to receive his word and align ourselves with it.
Repentance means turning from our way to his way. We align our hearts, thoughts, actions, finances, time, and energy with what he has spoken.
The human heart can resist the voice of God. We can have hardened places that refuse to respond.
Search me, God. Reveal what is anxious, offended, hard, or bitter. Give us grace and humility to receive your word: a word that breaks so it can heal, pierces so it can restore, and humbles so it can glorify.
A prophetic kingdom culture
A prophetic kingdom culture is a people who hear God, submit to the lordship of Jesus, and advance together.
When Saul sent men to capture David, they encountered a group of prophets with Samuel. The Spirit of God came upon the men, and they began to prophesy. This happened three times. Finally, Saul went himself, and the Spirit came upon him too.
John describes this as an atmosphere so shaped by God's presence that those entering it were turned in another direction.
This is how we raise up the next generation, engage in spiritual warfare, create the future, and live on mission: together in worship, listening to God and responding to him.
20 he sent messengers to capture him. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came upon them, and Saul’s messengers also began to prophesy.
21 When this was reported to Saul, he sent more messengers, but they began to prophesy as well. So Saul tried again and sent messengers a third time, and even they began to prophesy.
22 Finally, Saul himself left for Ramah and came to the large cistern at Secu, where he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “At Naioth in Ramah,” he was told.
23 So Saul went to Naioth in Ramah. But the Spirit of God came upon even Saul, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
24 Then Saul stripped off his robes and also prophesied before Samuel. And he collapsed and lay naked all that day and night. That is why it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
God is really among you
Paul describes an unbeliever entering while everyone is prophesying. The secrets of that person's heart are laid bare, and they respond by worshiping God.
This can happen through a greeting, a question, a prayer in the atrium, or a word of encouragement. Two minutes of kindness can be a moment when God speaks through his people.
We don't need to wait for something mystical to happen in the sky. Will we step out in faith and let God work through us?
The voice of the Lord is powerful and majestic. It breaks, shakes, and strips away what stands in the way. John’s desire is that no one would leave Valley Creek without strength and peace, received through the voice of the Lord.
25 and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD strikes with flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace.
Yes, you too
God promises to pour out his Spirit on all people: sons and daughters, young and old, men and women.
You're not empowered because you're great. You're empowered because he is great. As a follower of Jesus, you carry his treasure in a jar of clay.
Are you willing to let him do what he wants to do through you?
It may begin with a simple introduction, a prayer, a word, a picture, or an invitation to approach someone who looks lonely.
God speaks to you in a language you understand. He can also give you language that another person understands.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
A loving heart
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. Prophecy strengthens, encourages, comforts, and builds up the church.
A prophetic voice is meant to flow from a loving heart.
As we become more loving, we become more prophetic. When one person is strengthened, the whole body is strengthened.
How do we grow in love and in hearing God? Like Mary, we sit at his feet and look at his face. We become what we behold.
This reset isn't only about your alignment or advancement. God may want to speak through you to help someone else align and advance.
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
4 The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5 I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.
Fill your life
Fill your life with the word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people of God.
- The word: Consume it, meditate on it, memorize it, and hide it in your heart. Before Ezekiel was sent to speak, he was told to eat the scroll. Before we speak, we need to eat.
- The Spirit: Wake up surrendered to him. Ask him to lead and guide you, and remain open to what he wants to do.
- The people: God speaks through his people. When we distance ourselves from them, we distance ourselves from a primary way he speaks.
Bitterness, offense, and unforgiveness can cause us to pull away from the very people God wants to speak through.
2 So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll.
3 “Son of man,” He said to me, “eat and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you.” So I ate, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.
Cultivate the secret place
Get alone with God and listen. Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray.
Samuel grew up in God's presence. He listened, and the Lord revealed himself through his word. His willingness to listen gave him authority to speak.
Do our words fall to the ground because we speak more than we listen? Before speaking to a spouse, child, parent, or team, stop and ask what the Lord wants to say.
We grow up in the presence of the Lord, not simply with age.
Prophetic people spend more time listening in the secret place than prophesying in the public place.
10 Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”
Step out in faith
When God speaks, respond. It can be as simple as texting someone that they have been on your heart, praying for them, or sharing a verse.
Speak humbly: “I feel like the Lord has asked me to offer this to you. Take it to him and pray about whether it's from him.”
You don't need a title to prophesy or a dramatic declaration of authority. Prophetic words should strengthen, encourage, and comfort, not make someone feel embarrassed, small, or insecure.
Authority rests on humility. Jesus is the authoritative, humble one. He poured himself out and became obedient to death.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross.
A week of prayer and fasting
John invites the church to respond with a week of prayer and fasting.
Fasting is giving up food to feast on God. We are sustained not merely by the things of this world, but by the voice of God.
The invitation is to give up something each day for seven days, such as a meal, a daily snack, or coffee. Use that time to sit with God and listen.
Ask the Lord what to offer him. Make space for him to speak. The invitation also includes gathering for Tuesday night prayer and the Open Heaven recording.
While the church worshiped and fasted, the Holy Spirit spoke. What does he want to say about your significant life?
Speak, Lord. We're listening.
God is real. He speaks to me. I follow him.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you?
May your heart be stirred, even when you don't fully understand. May what God has placed within you awaken, and may he give you faith to step out, move forward, and align with what he says.
Jesus, you are the Lord, and your word has come to us. May we receive it with the gravity with which it was spoken and honor the glorious one who said it. Speak, Lord. We're listening, and we want to move forward. Amen.
