Can You Hear Me Now?

Eastford Baptist Church
October 5, 2006

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” John 10:27

The week before his wife turned 45, a husband asked his wife what she really wanted for her birthday. She thought for a moment and said, “I’d like to be 10 again.” So bright and early on her birthday, he got her up and they were at the gates of the local amusement park when it opened. He ran her from ride to ride. They rode the Death Defying Roller Coaster, the Scream Machine, and every other ride two or three times while eating ice cream and hot dogs as they were waiting in line. Six hours later she staggered out of the theme park with a splitting headache and an upturned stomach. Then he took her to a crowded IMAX theatre to watch Star Wars with all the special effects and the volume cranked up to the max. While there, he fed her popcorn, candy, and soda. On the way home, he stopped by McDonald’s and bought her a Big Mac meal (supersized) and then they climbed into all the passages of the little playground out front. Finally when she fell into bed that night, he said, “Well, do you feel like you are ten again?” She looked at him through one eye and groaned, “Actually, I was talking about my dress size - not my age!” --- Oh, if we only better listeners!

Most of us have seen the commercial on TV done by Verizon Wireless. It’s the one where the guy walks around to various places where a phone normally would not work. He goes out further and further away from the main connection and asks the question, “Can you hear me now?” (The worst job in the world must be the guy on the other end whose job is to say all day long, “Yes, I can hear you now!”) The commercial is trying to make a point about how good the reception is for their phone service. No matter where you are; no matter how far away; Verizon service is still available and usable. (- Except for most of Windham County that is. The guy with the dark framed glasses apparently hasn’t made it out this far as yet.)

In the verse above, Jesus reminds us that unlike what the hucksters for the wireless companies promise, there truly is no area where we have to be out of touch with our Heavenly Father. No matter where you are, no matter how far away from God you might presently feel, you can never be so distant that His voice will not reach you. Now you might not necessarily feel that way today. You might feel as if there is a disconnection between you and God. But that’s not because our shepherd is not speaking. It might be because you have decided not to listen for His voice.

What does this verse teach about staying connected?
* Train your ear to listen to His voice: In the verse above Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice.” Two things these particular words say to us:

(1) Jesus is speaking – The voice of our Lord still rings out every day through His Word and His Spirit. In the past, God has spoken – in the present, God is still speaking.

(2) His sheep listen – hearing the voice of the shepherd is not just for the “super-spiritual.” (Whatever that means.) All of his sheep, at least the ones who are listening, hear Him. But note: listening is an active responsibility, not passive. The idea expressed here is that the sheep are constantly listening – seeking to hear the voice of their shepherd. Listening is not the same as hearing. You can hear something, but still not pay attention to it. (like elevator music) To “listen,” you must pay attention. It involves focused concentration. Train your ear to listen.
* Train your heart to relate to His voice: “I know them” Here Jesus makes reference to His desire to have relationship with you and me. A good shepherd knows all about his sheep. He knows their weaknesses and their strengths. He knows and understands each one, individually. The reason the shepherd speaks is relationship. He wants to know us. Conversely, the reason the sheep listen is also relationship. They listen for his voice, because they they’ve learned to depend upon and trust him. The sheep, who listen, are the ones who trust him. They want to know the shepherd. Train your heart to relate.

* Train your feet to follow after His voice: “And they follow Me” Staying connected is more than just hearing the voice of our Shepherd, it also involves obeying his instructions. It does no good to listen to his voice and then make a decision to do your own thing or go your own way. Stay connected by determining to obey what the shepherd teaches. His instruction is for our own good. Train your feet to follow.

Take a moment right now and hear the voice of your shepherd asking, “Can you hear me now?” If you sense there is a disconnectedness, ask yourself, “What is it that is preventing me from hearing God speak?” The answer to that question is the area you need to change.

Praying for a clear signal,PT